Mount Manaslu, the 8th tallest mountain in the world lies in the northern Himalayan range of the Gorkha district in Nepal. It has been a great choice for trekkers who loves adventure. This trek gives unique experience to the trekkers due to which the number of trekkers in this region is gradually increasing.
With all the great experience of Himalayan trekking, the trails consist of wide diverse terrain, and usually, it takes 17 days to complete theManaslu Base Camp trek. But nowadays many trekking companies in Nepal offer 10-12 days Manaslucircuit trek. And when it comes to difficulties it has a moderate difficulty level, it all depends on the physical condition of trekkers.The trial is filled with challenges but if you have the good physical condition and a moderate level of fitness, you can go for the trek
Manaslu Circuit trek won’t be that difficult for those who havehigh altitude trekking experiences. But if you are a beginner, apart from health condition there are many other things that you should prepare yourself for before you plan to go. So, here are a few things that can help you understand the difficulty level of Manaslu Trek.
- Weather
Weather plays an important role in determining the difficulty of any treks.Talking about the weather in the Manaslu region, you can expect the heavy rainfall, blazing sun, chill wind and freezing night during the trek.
During winter though the days are warm the temperature at night drops to -20 degrees Celsius.And due to heavy snow, many tea houses will remain closed. All these things make a trekking challenge.
In summer and monsoon,there is always high chances of heavy rainfall which makes the trail muddy, slippery, and full of leeches.
So, all it comes to the spring season, it is the best time for trekking in Manaslu region.You get to experience the clear weather and perfect viewof a snow-capped mountain. It is also the best time to witness rhododendron blossoms. Autumn is also a favorable season; the weather is pleasant and you can still get the spectacular views of mountains.
Hence, the difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek varies according to the weather. If you reduce the difficulty of the trek, always plan the trek during spring or autumn.
- Altitude
Trekkingat higher altitudes always increase the risk of altitude sickness, it can make the trek difficult.Thetrial of Manaslu Trekking has wide variations of altitude, though the trek starts from an altitude of 700m, it reaches to the higher altitude of 5213m while crossing the Larkya La Pass. So, adjusting to high altitudes can be challenging.
Due to thinner air in higher altitude your trek, the risk of altitude sicknesses is always high. You should always be aware of it if you get even a slight symptom like headache, fatigue or any other. It’s better to take rest unless you feel better. Never ignore the symptoms, carelessness can lead to severe conditions like HAPE. Always drink plenty of water, take rest and walk slowly if you want to avoid altitude sickness.
- Route
The route of Manaslu trek is filled with a variety of landscapes. You get to experience the landscape from SetiKhola (710 m)to Larkya pass (5213 m). The 10-12 days long trek will require you to walk 15-20 Km per day (there is some rest day) covering around 177KM during the entire trek.
Manaslu trek is a remote trek, you will needto walk through uphill and downhill, cross some thrilling river, temporary wooden bridge, suspension bridge.And the breezy day will make all this task more challenging. The most challenging part of this trek is crossing Larkya La Pass (5213 m).
Hence, this rocky and uneven terrain demands great strength and a physically fit body. One has to be prepared both mentally and physically before going for Manaslu Trek.
- Travel and guide permit
Manaslu Circuit Trek is different than other treks if you are planning for a solo trek than your trek might not be successful. As this trek route is close to the Tibetan region so, for the safety purpose and to preserve the natural beauty around the area, trekkers are not allowed to trek alone. Trekkers outside Nepal need to get a trekking permit and also register a tour guide before trekking in the Manaslu region.
