Short Manaslu Circuit Trek - 8 Days

Trip Overview

Short Manaslu Circuit Trek itself usually takes about 8 to 14 days, which is ample time for one to adjust and immerse himself fully in the serene beauty. There are challenges to the trail, including the Larkya La Pass. The beautiful scenery makes it worth the effort the adventurers put in during the Short Mansalu Trek of 8 Days. There are also ancient monasteries that one can view, which makes them both educational, adventurous and photogenic.

The Manaslu Circuit, which is a remote yet untouched area in Nepal, is gaining immense popularity among people looking for less congested yet thrilling altitude areas.

How to Prepare Yourself for the 8 Days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Preparing for the 8 days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek is perhaps the most essential thing. Whether it is preparing with physical fitness or mental preparedness, you must be physically and mentally ready to get on with Short Manaslu Circuit Trek and face the adventure. From permits to preparing with trekking gears and equipment, it sums up all the essentials, which are described here:

Required Permits for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek

For all trekkers, obtaining the Manaslu Special Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is compulsory since the government of Nepal classifies the Manaslu region as a restricted area. The fee for this permit differs depending on the trekking season.

From September to November, it is 100 US dollars per person for the first week, and then it is increased by 15 US dollars for each additional day after the seventh day. For the other months of December to August, the charge during the first week is 75 US dollars a person, while for each subsequent week after the first, the charge is 10 US dollars.

Similarly, trekkers must also get the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit, which is mandatory to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area. The cost of the MCAP permit fee is 30 US Dollars per person, irrespective of the trek’s number of days in the conservation area.

Lastly, trekkers should obtain an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, as people often trek through the base of the lower Annapurna region. The cost of the permit for international trekkers is NPR 3000 (USD 25). SAARC nationals are charged NPR 1000 (about USD 8), while Nepali trekkers need to pay NPR 100, which is about 1 US dollar.

Guides & Porters

While going on the 8 Days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek, the significance of guides and porters cannot be overstated. Guides possess fine details that the common people may not know about the culture, geography, and other relevant issues related to the trek. Such knowledge not only makes the trip safer because of adequate orientation in uncharted areas but also adds value to the trip as one learns about the diverse cultures and traditions of the people in the region. Good interpersonal skills can also be of assistance in emergencies, which is why the guides are important in the pack.

And the most important thing to remember is that you must have a professional/certified guide in your team for the Short Manaslu Trekking. Nepal Tourism Board bans any trekking activities in Manaslu Region without a guide.

About porters, a very big plus is that these will allow you to concentrate more on the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek. They will relieve you of carrying trekking equipment and enable you to reserve energy for the more challenging aspects of the whole journey. Their vast experience with mountain terrain and logistics helps in scheduling the pace of the trek as well as bringing about the timely arrival at the resting points.

Additional information about the trek

Food and Accommodation in 8 Days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek

During the Short Manaslu Trekking, you can taste some of the traditional Nepali food, offering calorie-rich meals, like Dal Bhat Tarkari (lentils, rice, and veggies). Such meals are, of course, full of nutrition, with the additional energy the trail demands.

Alongside the Indigenous flavours, there are quite a few popular fast foods, such as momos (dumplings), chowmein (stir-fried noodles), and the spicy Thakali Khana Set. The welcome feast with tea houses will give you your share of what it is like to be a Nepali. Experience the unique flavours and warm hospitality from the end.

Throughout the 8 Days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek, tea houses will accommodate you, providing a simple but comfortable rest. They have shared bedrooms, bathrooms, and slightly limited internet facilities, adding a cosy atmosphere for trekkers to meet new friends.

In Kathmandu, however, travellers are offered upgraded comforts, such as a private room with an attached bath and hot showers before and after an adventure, something very well worth the effort.

Best Time for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek

Spring Season (March to May)

The Short Manaslu Circuit Trek has Spring as the best season to travel. During this season, the Manaslu region gets covered with vivid rhododendron forests on the slopes, painting the landscape with reds, pinks, and whites. Also, clear skies provide perfect views of all towering peaks, including Manaslu (8,163 m) itself.

Suitable temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees °C (50 and 59 degrees F) at altitudes even make this time good for trekking. At night, temperatures drop below freezing at the higher altitudes but are manageable with gear. Besides, melting snow further opens up high passes like that of Larkya La (5,160 m) with a magnificent view of peaks like Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri.

Spring carries the highest traffic in the region, so make sure that you make an advanced booking at tea houses.

Autumn Season (September to November)

Autumn is another great season to go for the 8 Days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek. The region has crystal-clear visibility to the snow-capped mountains after all the monsoon rains clear out the skies. Weather conditions are stable during these months, day and night. The daytime highs range from 12°C to 18 °C (54-64°F) at altitude, while at night, it drops to around -6°C (21°F) in some high areas.

Another feature, besides the weather, is that it is a culturally-ignited season as the major festivals like Dashain and Tihar fall under the Autumn Season. This would be an excellent time for trekkers to get some real, local connections through preparing for and celebrating festivals.

In terms of scenery, the clean and crisp environment around the region with the clear mountain views makes Autumn one of the best seasons to go for the 8 Days Short Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal.

Travel Insurance for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is the adventure of a lifetime, but you must not forget that this adventure does not come without risks. The unpredictable weather and high-altitude sickness are some of the things that need careful planning.

This is why you need travel insurance to safeguard you from unforeseen circumstances like emergency medical situations, injury, and cancellations of your trip. This will give you peace of mind as you travel the relatively wild Himalayan trails. Given the challenging terrain and limited access to immediate medical facilities, comprehensive coverage makes excellent, necessary precautions.

You can easily secure reliable travel insurance for your trek through trusted providers like MetLife, Allianz, GeoBlue and Seven Corner Travel Insurance, among others. You must tailor a plan that fits your adventure and be ready for every twist and turn on this unforgettable journey.

Electricity, Drinking Water During Trek

When you are trekking to the Manaslu Region, you will have access to different kinds of water resources like streams and waterfalls. Unfortunately, these are not always suitable for direct consumption.

For this reason, it is best to carry purification tablets or a portable filtration system to treat the water you have gathered from one of these natural settings to be safe and healthy.

However, bottled water can also be purchased at tea houses and shops along most mountain trekking routes. Generally, as it ascends, the price of bottled water is directly affected by the costs of transportation to the market. Hiking carries along a reusable bottle and avails of opportunities to treat the water, save money, reduce waste, and provide an eco-friendly-as-well-as-safe travelling experience.

To stay out of freezing temperatures, it is essential to carry hot water as well. We advise you to bring a hot water bag or thermos as you will need at least 3 litres of water per day to stay out of altitude sickness dangers.

Communication and Internet During Trek

In remote areas such as Larkya La Pass, regular communication proves a daunting challenge as there is little or no network coverage at greater elevations. Manaslu region has occasional weak signals that don’t facilitate communication.

Therefore, it is essential to bring NCELL or NTC SIM cards with active data and voice packs. You can use these in most regions of lower altitudes. Nevertheless, even these may prove to be ineffective in the extreme places.

For better communication in elevated regions such as Larkya La Pass, using a satellite phone is helpful. These devices provide peace of mind as they ensure contact in the event of an emergency, even when networks fail.

Currency Exchange and ATM

When going on the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek, you must finance yourself well, as currency exchange and ATMs do not exist on the trekking trail.

Ensure you exchange adequate cash in Kathmandu before proceeding. Thamel is full of reliable currency exchange centres. Banks and hotels in the city also avail this service. Currently, 1 USD is equivalent to approximately 134 NPR. Therefore, calculating your budget is comfortable.

Always carry enough Nepalese Rupee to take care of your meals, accommodation, and any other costs along the trail. Without an ATM system or exchange facilities during the entire trek, prepare yourself ahead of time to avoid any unnecessary hassle and focus completely on the adventure ahead.

Conclusion