Manaslu Trek Difficulty

Nepal has been a major draw for trekkers who are ready to trade it all for just a glance of shimmering snow peaks. Whether it’s pro or novice, every trekker is engulfed and excited when it comes to visiting the country for trekking.
Since Nepal overflows with many lofty mountains and exotic destinations, it’s really hard to catch just one. But if any spot is worth snapping for either of them, it’s Manasu, the world’s eighth highest mountain. With the natural setting embellished by sheer mountains, tranquil lakes, towering waterfalls, and lush greenery, Manaslu is a visual sensation.

It looks like a true oasis with sweeping landscapes, lustrous meadows, and roaring rivers. Although underrated due to its inaccessibility and remoteness, the mountain is one of the finest with snowy ridge, ice cliffs, and seracs.

Perked in the Mansiri Himal in west-central Nepal, Manaslu is approx. 74 miles away from Kathmandu. Its trail scrambling right from Machha Khola is rough, taking lots of twists and turns which is pretty hard.

It also passes through many ancient villages and Tibetan monasteries which provide a great view but equal challenges with steep stairs and crags. Manaslu trek difficulty also occurs due to weather and ever-changing climatic conditions that trekkers have to be really careful about.

Highlights of Manaslu Trek

• Jaw-dropping view of a chain of mountains including Manaslu, Baudha, and Ngadi Chuli
• Seemingly endless forests filled with wildflowers, rhododendron, pines, and oak
• Picture-perfect villages and vivacious valleys to explore throughout the trip
• Get to know better about the culture and tradition followed by natives in Himalaya
• Passing Larkya La-Pass above 5,215 meters that provides majestic sight
• Witness the towering cliffs, deep canyons, and epic landscapes

Manaslu trek difficulty

No fooling, Manaslu Trek is one of the toughest hikes in Nepal with its off-the-beaten-path and poor access. Its trails are rugged and extended miles which adds further pressure to the hiker. Trekkers really have to go through a lot of pain and trouble, just to reach the circuit that beginners have to come physically prepared. Some of the prime Manaslu trek difficulties are listed below.

1. Trek Distance

The trek distance of Manaslu can be intimidating for any hikers who haven’t trekked earlier or come without any training. Provided that the track is stretched more than 177 km from Kathmandu, it becomes tough to keep the same rhythm from start to finish.

Trails of Manaslu make the trekkers walk 5-6 hours on average each day which is too much to ask. Most of the section walks a steep and rough path filled with rocks that need more time to wrap up. Even on a normal day, climbers will have to trek anywhere from 15 to 20 km which is nerve-wracking and strenuous.

Similarly, the path travels through remote places and hillsides which requires a lot of physical strength. Other than that, you’ll also have to give enough time to finish walking the trail otherwise you’ll never get to the destination.

2. Weather and Climate

The weather in Manaslu is decisive to make or break your trek. Wind storms, heavy snowfall, and blazing heat often put a hindrance on the expedition which largely depends on when you’re doing the trek.

Winters normally put severe weather with icy-cold nights which are nasty and unendurable. Although the days are warm and humid, temperatures in the morning are minus degrees celsius which is quite hard to resist. So, make sure to put up warm clothes if you’re traveling the region in January or even during fall.

The lodges and guest houses are often closed during winter at Manaslu due to heavy snowfall. Hence, if you don’t spend a night without a roof, make early reservations for the accommodation.

Following bad weather conditions and icy trails, the Larkya La pass is shut down in winter. Hence, you need to be cautious about it otherwise you’ll be stuck in the region. The summer season may be hot and warm, providing a cozy atmosphere for the excursion. However, as with the start of monsoon, the trail becomes slippery with continuous rainfall moistening the soil.

During monsoon, the course of Manaslu remains drenched all day long which makes it murky and difficult to traverse. Autumn is arguably the perfect time for the Manaslu trek as the weather is mild and pleasant right around the time. The colorful autumnal leaves, cool breeze, and warm climate make the season perfect to traverse in the neighborhood.

With its lovely weather and spectacular setting, spring is just as well as autumn for Manaslu hike. It serves trekkers with calm and moderately good weather followed by a mesmerizing view of the bright forest.

The blooming wildflowers and rhododendron adding to the beauty of spring make it just right and welcoming to visit Manaslu. The temperature during nights and mornings is slightly colder so carry warm clothes to prevent intense weather.

3. Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness becomes a thing when you’re trekking as high as Manaslu that sits atop 4,860 meters. As the trail climbs height, the air becomes thinner and thinner, causing difficulty in breathing. It also witnesses a tremendous change in the temperature which affects the body hardest.

The trails of Manaslu affect different people differently. Some people are more susceptible to altitude so they start feeling the suffocation much earlier. Whereas, the pro hikers who have previous experience of climbing shows are likely to suffer less when exposed to high elevation.

Acute mountain sickness often occurs when you scramble high altitude too fast and too much. The sudden drop in the barometric pressure impacts the body by putting more pressure on the joints.

Although it’s fun traversing Manaslu, you need to be really careful about the altitude gained and pay careful attention even to the minor symptoms. These indications normally start from 6-48 hours after you gain the height and can turn to become fatal.

Early symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, dizziness, insomnia, and loss of appetite. If the syndromes are not cured on time or ignored, trekkers can suffer from hypoxemia and fatigue.

4. Accommodation

Accommodation is another deep concern of hikers trekking Manaslu in the prime season. Given the favorable weather and pleasant climatic condition, most people visit Manaslu during the rush hour which creates havoc.

However, even if you managed to get the dwelling, it doesn’t meet the standard of high-end. The most common accommodations available in the region are tea houses and lodges. They are primarily run by local people and are equipped with basic facilities.

No royal treatment is given to any trekkers with amenities being just rudimentary. Based on the price range, most tea houses provide rooms from single to double, both with and without en suite.

Since they cost as little as US$2 to US$5, don’t look for any swanky items as it’ll only cause you disappointment. The only facilities you’ll get is a cozy room with a single wooden bed and a pillow. Some places may also offer you a warm bed sheet and blanket with a hot shower but that’s exceptional.

Autumn and spring usually see a radical number of travelers flocking to the region. It’s the primary reason why there is an endless traffic jam on the way to Manaslu during the season. While trekking during the month, you’ve to pre-book rooms otherwise it’s hard to get a place to stay overnight.

Finding the rooms at the last minute is not just exhausting but impossible so it’s always better to make advance reservations. Usage of electricity to charge items like phone, battery, and camera cost extra dollars all other times.

5. Physical Challenges

Manaslu trek is both physically and mentally challenging with steep trails, huge rocks, and cliffs. The trails are tough right from the beginning with many ups and downs. Whoever is hiking Manaslu has to get their head on straight and keep cool throughout the excursion.

Since it’s a long-distance hike, you must give yourself enough time for the preparation before hitting the actual trail. Physical stamina is a must to beat the craggy track of Manaslu so if you’re a novice, start with easy but efficacious physical exercise.

Jogging and cycling are extremely beneficial in increasing endurance power with no stress. Train yourself for a day hike, anyone short or long will do but make sure that it walks a mixed track. Follow an intense fitness regimen along with a strict diet to keep yourself healthy and avoid sickness.

6. Food and Drinks

Unlike other popular hikes in Nepal, Manaslu is least trekked by travelers due to its accessibility and long-drawn trails. Most of its tracks are unpaved with steep climbs over hills, crags, and boulders.

Due to the inhospitable environment, it’s tremendously hard to freight the supplies in the region which is why you don’t get too many items for food. In fact, the most frequently served food in the region is typical Nepali food, rice, vegetables, pulses, and pickles.

Over the years, locals have become considerate towards the guest as they have started providing a range of items including some western and Asian cuisines. You can get yourself some appetizing dishes like stir-fried noodles, soft flatbreads, hot soup, and muesli but they cost a bit high.

7. Finding the right guide and porter

Another Manaslu trek difficulty is getting the right guide and porter who can ease your trip. This is something not to worry about for the hikers who are doing the trip through the tour operator. But if you’re trekking solo, it’s a formidable challenge to find a good guide who knows the trail pretty much.

It’s even better if your guide is bilingual and can speak English fluently as it’ll be more feasible for you to interact with. Traveling alone with all the heavy loads and baggage on the trail of Manaslu is nearly impossible. Therefore, to lose weight and finish the trip more comfortably, it’s always wise to hire a porter.

Each porter in the region helps a trekker with about 10-15 kg weight. If the weight exceeds the limit, you’ll be charged an additional amount. Otherwise, you can also negotiate with your fellow trekker and get the luggage carried.

You can call locals for help to find a porter and guide who can navigate you throughout the journey and give a good company. Meanwhile, if you’re planning to do the trek alone then we would recommend not doing so as it’s too risky.

8. Long duration with a remote place

No matter how much in a rush you are, the trek to Manaslu cannot be done in less than two weeks. Its trails are long-winded through some of the primordial villages in the region which looks nothing but spectacular.

However, it’s really hard to travel to these hamlets as they are far-off. You’ll have to walk along the sloppy trails, through the forest, and over the mountains to just arrive at the destination. Most of the paths are continuous uphill which takes hours to complete even if trekked at a steady pace.

The path walks a lot of places that are isolated with no signs of human settlement. This makes the trip a lot difficult as you have no place to stop by and get a meal instantly and wait for a considerable time.

Similar articles you may like:

• Trekking in the Annapurna Region
• Manaslu Base Camp Trek Itinerary
• Manaslu Region Travel Guide

How hard is trekking Manaslu?

Trekking Manaslu means knocking into a jagged trail that takes multiple days to complete with each day taking an average of 6 hours of walk. From ground level to soaring hills, deep canyons, and forest the trails walk all over the place which already makes it difficult.

To add more strains, you’re more likely to suffer from the adverse effect of altitude at Manaslu than most places. Walking the icy trail in winter can take a toll on your body, causing rashes, cramps, and frostbite.

The bad weather with snowstorms and rainfall often disrupts the voyage and sometimes even compels to cancel halfway. Weather in summer is blazing hot with temperatures rising up to 22 Degree Celsius which makes the trek strenuous.

If this sounds daunting already then you also have an endless trail to surpass which is not just exhausting but tedious. Continuous walking can create muscle pain and other serious health problems so you must come prepared.

Physical fitness and acclimatization are essential to overcome Manaslu trek difficulty. Without a stress-free mind and sound health, it’s impossible to carry out the trip. Hence, keep your mind stable and train your body to adapt to different terrains so that you can easily helm the route.

Taking rest for a day or two will help ease your body and get the energy back to navigate the trail. So, if you feel that your body is giving up or it’s become hard to breathe then stop the trek immediately and get the needed help.

Don’t climb more than 500 meters in each trip and if possible acclimatize. If you’re getting early symptoms of altitude sickness, don’t overlook it, rather get the needed help from a medical expert.

Few tips to prevent Manaslu trek difficulty

Even though there’s no denying that the Manaslu trek is pretty difficult with so many difficulties to surmount, you can still minimize the challenges. Usually, it’s the unplanned trip that causes havoc and unwanted problems so the first thing you shall do is to systematically organize the tour.

Along with the preparation of trekking, you must also follow an intense fitness regimen to keep the body in proper shape so that you can withstand the terrains. The difficulty level increases with every ascent above the hill and of the mountainside. Hence, you need to prepare your body and mind for the unforeseen challenges prior to walking the trail.

Since it lies within the protected area, don’t forget to get your trekking permit for the Manaslu hike. The cost for the permit is US$70 per person for the first week and then an additional US$10 from there onward.

• Drink at least 5 liters of water each day to stay hydrated
• Stay informed about the weather forecast before climbing high
• Relax and take slow steps before picking speed
• Pre-book the accommodation so that you don’t have to hunt the dwelling at the last moment
• Get the best travel insurance for medical emergency and protection from robbery and lost
• Carry nutritious food and snacks including chocolate bars so that it’ll give you more energy
• If you plan to trek Manaslu during summer, carry insect repellent
• Don’t consume a beverage or alcohol-content drinks as it’ll badly affect your health
• Bring a water purifier with yourself and a reusable water bottle

Packing list for Manaslu Circuit Trek

It’s self-evident that Manaslu is the best long-distance trek in Nepal with soul-stirring scenery. It walks through plenty of quaint Nepali villages, dense forests, and deep valleys which are not easy to traverse.

Running 78 miles from Kathmandu, the Manaslu Circuit trail provides a view of sweeping landscapes, glistening mountains, and stunning glaciers. But, it also throws some extreme challenges that test the patience of hikers. Hence, to combat the Manaslu trek difficulty, you’ll need plenty of equipment.

Your choice of trekking gear depends on which season you’re doing the trek. Winter witnesses harsh weather in Manaslu with frequent snowfall. Thus, you’ll need more warm clothes with flexible mountaineering boots that are convenient to walk on the snowy trail.

Spring and autumn days are a bit warm with a slight increase in temperature which is why you shall carry light clothes. They are super flimsy and easy to transport wherever in the region you travel.

Cotton fibers are best during Manaslu trek in summer as they are highly absorbent and comfortable to wear. The fact that they are soft and ideal for all seasons makes the textile favorite choice of every hiker.

You might need trekking poles and crampons if intent to confront Manaslu trek difficulty in winter as the trails are covered in thick snow. Here are some of the trekking essentials that you’ll need to tackle Manaslu trek difficulty.

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket during monsoon to avoid getting drenched
• A high-insulated jacket or down jacket to impede cold
• Light-weight trekking trousers and pants
• Comfortable trekking pants
• Full sleeve shirt and t-shirt

Footwear

• Waterproof hiking boots
• A good pair of solid hiking slippers
• Woolen socks to avoid catching cold

Miscellaneous

• First aid kit with prescribed medicines
• Battery charger, power bank
• Water purification tablets
• Personal toiletries including shampoo, sunscreen, and towel
• Sleeping bag and trekking poles

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