Short Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficult
This trek is classified as moderate challenging. Although this trek is not the toughest one in Nepal, the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek is physically demanding, as it involves more effort than other popular and easier trails like Phiri la Poon ndi Ghorepani.
On average, the daily walk will last between 5 to 7 hours, while some days will last even longer, especially the day when you need to cross Larkya La Pass. It is the most difficult and longest part of the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary because crossing this pass required early waking up in the freezing cold and making a very long descent down to Bimthang.
During the trek, altitude gain is also quite significant as the trek start from about 600 meter in Arughat ndi reaches above 5,000 meters. In such altitude, it can lead to altitude sickness if not careful enough.
To complete this trek successfully a good level of fitness is very important. Cardio exercise, hiking practice and strength training must be done before the real training begins. Previous experience in trekking is not required, but it makes a big difference in dealing with long days and high altitude.
Then is the Short Manaslu Circuit trek suitable for beginners? Yes, it is quite possible, if they are fit and motivate trekkers but not really the best option to start as your first trek. Those who already have experience in multiday trekking’s will always find it easier than those who never trekked before.
Best Time for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek
Spring (March mpaka May)
Spring is known for its pleasant climate and flowering rhododendron forests along the trail. The sky remains quite clear in early spring, but the afternoon skies may begin to get cloudy in April and May. Larkya La Pass is also easily accessible, with little snowfall and visibility is good in the morning.
Autumn (September mpaka November)
Autumn is also the most favored season for this trek. The sky remains clear throughout, providing one of the most spectacular views of the mountains. Trail conditions remain quite favorable, with little snowfall at Larkya La Pass.
Zima (December mpaka February)
Winter months are relatively cold and chilly, especially at high altitudes which makes it quite difficult than another season. Larkya La Pass may be covered in a lot of snow, making the journey risky. Only a few trekkers undertake the trek during winter months because trekkers are offered amazing sights without many people around them.
Monsoon (June mpaka August)
The Monsoon season is not the best time for undertaking the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek since frequent rainfall makes the path very slippery and leeches are all over the lower forest. It will not be possible to see the mountains due to clouds, and there will also be increased chances of landslides along the Budhi Gandaki valley.
For most trekkers, autumn and spring remain the two best times to do this trek. Both the seasons allow easy track conditions, safer crossings of passes, and clear vision for the views. .
Manaslu Circuit Trek Altitude and Larkya La Pass
The highest altitude of the entire Short Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary is at Larkya La pass, sitting at 5,160 meters. Crossing the Larkya La pass is the main goal of this trek which requires both mental and physical toughness and it defines the whole experience of your Manaslu Circuit Trek 9 days.
On this Short Manaslu Circuit Trek, altitude increase is relatively slow before Samagoan but gets faster after that point. The altitude rises gradually from 3,530 meter at Samagoan ku 3,875 meters at Samdo ndiyeno ku 4,460 meters at Dharmashala before reaching Larkya La.
This is the stage when risk of altitude sickness increases significantly and it can have minor impact like mutu ndi nseru to serious ones like breathing issues, dizziness and insomnia.
Altitude sickness is a condition when one feel the negative effect of being at high altitude due to reduced amount oxygen in the atmosphere. The problem with altitude sickness is that people ignore symptoms and can suffer consequences very quickly.
For trekking at altitude, you need to climb slowly and not rush when ascending. You should drink enough water, avoid alcohol, and eat enough calories so that the energy level is balanced.
It is important to listen to your body. In case symptoms become worse, you should not ignore them. Descending is always better than ascending. Your hired guide also provides additional security because guides notice symptoms that may be missed by the trekkers themselves.
With proper approach, the altitude problem during this Short Manaslu Circuit Trek can be easily managed.
Visa ndi Chilolezo
As you get ready to experience the Manaslu Circuit Trek 9 days journey, you have to first apply for the visa and the trekking permit in Nepal. A lot of people apply for their visas upon arrival since this is a fast process. However, you can decide to do before you arrive if you like planning ahead of time. This process is pretty straightforward; all you will need is a passport of yours, two photos, and visa fees according to your length of stay.
Manaslu Region is a restricted region, so you have to obtain some permit. The most important permit to obtain while trekking in Manaslu region is the Manaslu Chilolezo cha Malo Oletsedwa (RAP). Also, you will need a permit to visit the Manaslu Conservation Area (MCAP) ndi Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP), because of the reason that Manaslu Circuit Trekking route ends up being in the Annapurna region by crossing the Larkya La Pass mfundo.
ll this is taken care of by us at Ulendo Waukulu ku Nepal and thus makes your job easier. Just being organized with all your documentation means that you won’t have any trouble during your Short Manaslu Circuit trek experience.
Accommodation for Manaslu Circuit Trek
Teahouses are the primary means of accommodation on the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek. This is an affordable type of housing, small and family-run lodges, providing comfortable rooms to rest for a night.
Rooms in the teahouses are shared rooms, with two single beds, a pillow, and a blanket. The walls in the room are very thin, which means that one will need a good sleeping bag for comfort, especially above an altitude of about Samdo and Dharmashala.
Most of the bathrooms in the teahouses are shared bathrooms, and squat toilets are seen after Samagaon. There are some lower teahouses with attached bathrooms, although they are not common above. There are hot showers at almost all teahouses but not included in the package. This is less as you get higher up in altitude due to the less gas systems.
There is electricity available for charging mobile phones and cameras, but most teahouses require paying some amount of money for it. It is good to carry your power bank with you as an alternative.
Many teahouses have Wi-Fi, but the speed and efficiency reduce considerably with an increase in altitude. Some teahouses even charge extra for using the Internet service and there is no Internet connection beyond Samdo.
Food on Short Manaslu Circuit Trek
Food on the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek is basic, but the meal itself is also an important part of the journey and not just food.
Dal bhat is the common food of every trekker for a reason. It is a dish that includes rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, and a pickle, and most tea houses refill it for free. People say that “dal bhat power” makes you climb even the highest hills, and you can truly feel like this after a long and tiring day.
For breakfast, there are porridge, eggs, Tibetan bread or jam and toast to get enough energy to walk a few kilometers. Also, many people start their morning with tea or coffee.
Foods served for lunch and dinner include noodles, soup, fried rice, momo, and plain pasta. There are villages such as Samagaon and Samdo that prepare traditional Tibetan foods like thukpa and tsampa, giving the traditional trekking meal a good cultural taste.
The higher the altitude gets, the lesser the choice of meals becomes, and the prices become a little high because the food items are brought up using yaks or carrying in the back of person.
It might not be the best luxury meal you could have, but at least it’s filling and tasty after hours of walking.
Guide and Porter for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek
A licensed and experienced guide must be hired while trekking this route because the region where Manaslu is located is a restricted one. Nepal’s government makes it mandatory for trekkers to hire a registered guide before obtaining the permit for the trekking.
Besides taking care of permit procedure and arrangement, the registered guide does much for a group. They arrange permit at checkpoint, communicate with the owner of tea houses, and constantly check trekkers to detect the first symptoms of altitude sickness. On a remote path such as this, their knowledge about the region will become very useful.
They also deal with small logistic aspects of trekking. The guide arranges accommodation in peak periods and adapts walking pace in case any member feels uncomfortable. These skills are crucial for the area close to the Larkya La pass.
Porter services are optional but truly deserve consideration. Carrying your own backpack through several days in the mountains is a heavy burden which becomes more difficult after passing Samagaon. Porters’ free trekkers from carrying their baggage and concentrate on walking only.
It is advised to keep the weight of each bag for one trekker at about 10-12 kg. It is advised to pack up to 10-12 kilograms in a backpack carried by a porter. Such limitation ensures safety and comfort of porters during the whole trek.
The common arrangement includes hiring one guide per group and one porter for one or two trekkers. Such a proportion makes it possible to provide an adequate service and to spend the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek comfortably and safely.
Kuyenda Inshuwalansi
Travel insurance is an important factor when trekking Manaslu Circuit. The Short Manaslu Circuit Trek passes through remote places where there are very few medical facilities. Travel insurance provides security in the form of financial coverage during the entire trip.
High altitude trekking is the most important part of the insurance package and should be insured up to the height of 5,500 meters. In Short Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary, you have to pass Larkya La Pass which is above 5,000 meters. You might need to be evacuated using an air ambulance due to altitude sickness or some injuries, and this can be very costly if you do not have the insurance.
Also, the insurance should cover you for benefits like medical, helicopter, rescue, trip cancellation, delay, as well as lost. Sometimes, weather changes may result in delayed flights affecting your journey in Nepal, and in such cases, travel insurance is very useful.
Traveling Manaslu Circuit Trek is exciting but always remember that certain risks are involved. Thus, purchasing travel insurance before starting the trekking route can be useful.
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