Manaslu: Nepal’s Greatest Trek

For a trekker the trails around mighty Manaslu (8156m), the worlds eighth-highest mountain, have it all. Steamy lowland valleys and fields of rice slowly give way to ice coated passes haunted by snow leopards and who knows what else. There are mystical valleys rich in Tibetan culture and monasteries stuffed with artistic treasures. There’s exhilarating walking with (compared to Everest and Annapurna) relatively few other trekkers as well as exciting side trips to glaciers, base camps and tucked away gompas. And then there’s the crossing of the Larkya La pass (5160m). It’s certainly not the highest trekking pass in Nepal but probably one of the most beautiful and thrilling. The Manaslu region didn’t open up to foreign trekkers until the early 1990’s, but it become an instant hit among those happy with a challenging and less developed trekking area. Taken all together, this is a trek with a real sense of journey and achievement that’s fully worthy of all the praise heaped upon it.

Itinerary

This ?? night journey starts and ends in Kathmandu and includes ?? full days of hiking.

Click here for the full itinerary.

  • Relish the view of a lifetime from the pinacle of the Larkya La pass.

  • Experience traditonal village life where changing seasons matter more than passing trekkers.

  • Enjoy superb side-trips to crystalline lakes and atmospheric monasteries.

  • Watch as Hinduism fades into Tibetan Buddhism the higher you climb.

  • Huff and puff your way up the side of the glaciers to Manaslu Base Camp.

  • Get off the beaten track exploring the high valleys leading to Tibet.

  • Admire giant mani walls and ancient Buddhist art.

  • Chat to locals in traditional smoky teahouses.

Journey Highlights

  • Number of days: ?? days total. ?? days trekking

  • Start/End: Kathmandu

  • When: October-early June. Between late November and mid February the Larkya La will probably be buried under snow and difficult to cross.

  • Minimun number of participants: 1

  • Highest altitude reached: 5160m

  • Trek difficulty: Hard

  • Average hours hiking per day: 5-6hrs

  • Can this tour be customised? Yes

Key Details

Walk a Little Further

Accommodation used on this journey consists of upper mid-range boutique and heritage properties in Kathmandu. Elsewhere accommodation is largely limited to trekking lodges that are notably more basic than those found in the Everest region. Accommodation is always in private rooms but very thin, ply wood walls means that real privacy is hard to come by. In some places private bathrooms (cold water only) are available but in general bathrooms are communal. In-room heating is rare but we can provide hot water bottles. Some form of heating is always available in the dining areas of trekking lodges.

Accommodation

How hard is this trek?

While not as hard as our Everest: Three Passes journey this is still a long and demanding trek with several days spent well above 3500m. The highest elevation reached is 5160m. Anyone attempting this trek should be walk fit (you should be used to walking in demanding terrain for five to six hours a day). Our version of this trek is longer than versions you might see offered elsewhere and that’s because we add in extra acclimatisation days to give you the best possible chance of success.  Anyone attempting this trek should also be prepared to deal with sub-zero temperatures at night (most rooms in trekking lodges are unheated).

The scenery on this trek is so good that it can be hard to resist the urge to keep walking. And fortuntley, the Manaslu region lets you do just that. For those with enough time then it would be highly rewarding to tack the Tsum Valley trek onto the Manaslu Circuit. Otherwise, the Manaslu Circuit trek finishes on the main Annapurna Circuit, so if one high pass isn’t enough for you then you can carry on up and over the Thorung La and down to Jomsom (from where another world of possibilities opens up). In all cases we can organise these add on treks.

Prices for our ?? day/?? nights Manaslu: Nepal’s Greatest Trek journey are based are a miniumn price. The exact price will vary depending on the number of people in your group, season and accommodation used as well as any additional add-ons. Please contact us for prices.

Price includes:

  • All transport - including domestic flights - within Nepal

  • All accomodation - hotels, lodges, guest houses and homestays

  • Breakfast in Kathmandu.

  • Applicable Government Taxes

  • Trekking crew Insurance

  • Guides and support crew including assistant guides and porters

  • All entrance fees

  • All required national park and restricted area permits and trekking permits

This price does not include:

  • International flights

  • Visa for Nepal or any third country

  • Travel insurance (personal travel insurance is compulsory for joining any of our tours. Please confirm with your travel insurance company that trekking in Nepal to above 5000m is included. Many travel insurance do not include this or charge an additional fee for it)

  • Meals and drinks except breakfast in Kathmandu.

  • Laundry

  • Phone sim card/internet useage

  • Souvenirs

  • Items of a personal nature

Price of this journey