Trip Grade: Physical condition, Health, and Experience
Manaslu Circuit Trek is physically quite strenuous and took place at a high altitude which demands physical fitness and good health, yet no previous trekking experience and skills are required. Besides that, having past hiking experience can come in handy. Therefore, being in good physical shape should be highly prioritized by all the trekkers. Regular exercising 2 or 3 weeks before the trek can help build your strength and stamina to withstand walking on vast challenging trails or terrain of mountains such as narrow and rugged paths, dense forest, straight roads, long climbs, and steep descent, etc. Furthermore, trekkers will also be crossing Larkya La Pass which is 5200m high.
This trek involves approx 5-6 hrs of walking per day on lower lands, whereas in the high mountains, it is 3-4 hrs of hiking on a day-to-day basis.
This trek is not for those participants who have pre-existing medical conditions related to heart, blood, and lungs disease as this trek is taxing in every aspect.
Accommodation details
Since this is a tea house trek, trekkers will be accommodated in local lodges with basic amenities en route. Generally, the twin shared rooms with common bathrooms and toilets are available in the teahouses of the trekking trails. There is a heated communal dining room where they serve a variety of warm delicious food.
In Kathmandu, you will be staying in a 3-star hotel before and after the trek for a total of 3 nights on a twin-sharing basis.
Meals and water during the trek
All 3 meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a cup of tea or coffee of your choice are provided with each meal at lodges while trekking whereas, in Kathmandu, at your hotel, only breakfast is included. These lodges/tea houses have warm, delicious, and nutritious meals to withstand this whole journey. Their menu consists of authentic Nepalese food, and local traditional and international cuisine (Italian, Continental, Indian, Tibetan, etc). The menu items get shorter at high-altitude lodges.
Here are some the of menu items served at tea houses/lodges:
Breakfast
Pancakes, Eggs, Corn Flakes, Tibetan bread or chapati, Oatmeal, French toast, Toast with peanut butter, butter, jam, honey, cheese, Muesli, Bread, Local Tsampa porridge, Vegetables, Fruits, Hot drinks (varieties of coffee, teas, hot chocolate, etc)
Lunch and Dinner
Steaks, Macaroni dishes, Momo (dumpling), Sandwiches, Dhal, bhat (rice)and Tarkari, Pasta, Sherpa stew, Tibetan bread, Variety of Soups, Thenthuk Spaghetti Noodle, Fried rice, Potatoes items, Thukpa, Vegetable curry, Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Desserts (Rice pudding, Apple pie, etc), pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Korean ramen, Hard drinks, egg/chicken/meat dishes, etc
It is highly advisable to take liquids, especially lemon tea, green tea, ginger tea, garlic soup, and hot lemon, and drink at least 2-4 liters of water a day for high-altitude treks. Furthermore, we also encourage the trekkers to eat only vegetable items for their health and safety. Despite the availability of non-veg items, we don’t allow it because the meat in trekking regions is not hygienic and fresh enough to consume. Avoid dairy products, caffeinated items, alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate, etc while trekking at high altitude.
On trekking routes, you can either buy the mineral water from the local shops/teahouse/ lodges or refill your water bottle with boiled water from the lodge which will be charged per liter. Besides that, you can filter the water using water purification pills/drops.
Best time to visit Manaslu Circuit
Spring and Autumn are considered to be the most suitable seasons of the year to visit Tsum Valley and Manaslu. Trekking is possible during summer/monsoon and winter as well but it’s too risky. At the time of winter, you cannot visit Manaslu Base Camp and the Tibetan border because of heavy snowfall you cannot go above Dharamshala. Thus, making us unable to cross Larkya La pass. Furthermore, in January and February lodges(teahouses) at Dharamshala remain closed. In Nepal, summer coincides with monsoon so during summer the trails will be wet and slippery due to heavy rainfall and there is a high possibility of landslides.
Spring (March to May)
During this time the weather is stable, clear, and calm, besides that, you will get the opportunity to have a clear unobstructed view of mountains, and glaciers and enjoy the lush vegetation in the lower region. Rhododendrons begin to bloom on the trails adding beauty to nature. The temperature slowly starts to rise resulting in hot temperatures however, by the end of March winter snow will melt away. Hence, the route to Larke La Pass will be clear to cross. Sometimes trekkers may encounter heavy rainfall on the trekking trails as well.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the ideal season for trekking as it provides suitable weather. It is also the peak tourist season of the year. From mid-September to November is the best period for trekking due to stable weather, mild temperature, and clear blue sky that enables trekkers to enjoy the clear serene mountain views. During autumn trekkers won't encounter snowfall.
Please do note that the mountain region’s weather is unpredictable. Therefore, sudden weather changes can occur frequently.
A standard day on Manaslu Circuit Trek
Each morning we'll wake up early, freshen up, get ready and pack our bags before having breakfast. After a hearty meal, we will be on the trails by 7 or 8 am which varies according to the nature of the trek. Around midday, we will be taking a lunch break and resting after walking for 2-3 hours. Then we’ll be walking towards our last destination of the day and reach our destination usually in the afternoon. For the rest of the afternoon, we will explore the village and nearby places.
At about 6 or 7 pm we’ll have dinner. Once we finished our supper we spent our evening interacting with others, playing games, watching videos, reading books, etc. Before going to sleep, the trek leader/guide will give us a briefing about the next day’s plan.
Acclimatization and High Altitude Sickness
Trekkers usually suffer from altitude sickness, especially during high altitude treks as the route leads us to high hills. In this trek, trekkers have to cross the Larkya La Pass situated at the height of 5,160m which is the highest point of this trek. Hence, acclimatization days shouldn't be skipped as acclimatization helps to prevent the risks of acute mountain sickness and must acclimatize either in Samagaon or in Samdo for 2 nights. However, there is a chance of acclimatizing to another location instead of Samagaon or Samdo depending upon the itinerary planned and the walking pace of a trekker.
Ascending gradually is a key to preventing altitude illness. Plus, keep your body hydrated throughout the trek so drink at least 4 liters of water a day. In some cases, the altitude sickness can be severe and the only remedy is to descend immediately.
If you are prone to high altitude sickness, then it’s better to avoid Larkya La Pass and do Tsum Valley Trek only.
Immunization Certificate/Vaccinations
Vaccination against malaria, cholera, yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid/paratyphoid, BCG tuberculosis, hepatitis, meningitis, rabies, dengue fever, giardia, and polio are recommended by us. Nonetheless, the requirements for the vaccination keep changing depending upon the situation. In case of any current changes in vaccination requirements, you have to be up to date and check the situation of the place before traveling. Consult your doctor or GP at least 2 months before the trek about the immunization you require to travel safely.
Travelers must submit the ‘Fully Vaccinated Covid-19' immunization certificate.
Personal expenses on the trek
We request our clients to carry extra cash (Nepali currency) during the trek as the package won't cover some of the trip expenses including snacks, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages (table drinks), souvenirs, tips for guides, porters and drivers, hot shower, Wi-Fi, mineral/boil water for drinking, recharge, etc. Other additional personal expenses include international airfare, visa application, travel insurance policy purchase, extra accommodation, and food charges in Kathmandu.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is necessary if you are traveling abroad. The trekking route of Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit trek is full of challenges and routes take you to high altitude locations. Such a high altitude trek involves a risk of high altitude sickness, natural disasters such as landslides, avalanches, etc, and other unanticipated events. Thus, travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers.
After booking the trek, clients must send a copy of the insurance paper to us (Eternal Himalaya). The travel insurance policy must comprise helicopter rescue service, medical coverage, and air ambulance services. In addition to travel insurance, we also highly recommend you purchase cancellation insurance because it eradicates the hassle.
Nepal Tourist Visa Info
All foreigners, excluding Indian nationals, will require a visa to enter Nepal. However, European countries can obtain visas on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Ktm, Nepal.
Passport validity is required for at least 6 months and should be beyond the total duration of the trip. You will also require a passport size photo and a visa fee for visa application. The cost of a Nepal Tourist Visa differs according to the number of days it is issued for. The Nepal Tourist Visa fee is USD 30 for up to 15 days. For up to 30 days the visa costs USD 50 whereas the visa fee for 90 days costs USD 125.
Citizens of SAARC and China will receive a free visa. Some countries' citizens may not receive an on-arrival visa and these countries are Ghana, Swaziland, Cameroon, Liberia, Ethiopia, Palestine, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Therefore, nationals from these countries can contact their local Nepalese embassy.
For more information related to visas search at https://www.immigration.gov.np/
Currency Exchange in Nepal
Nepali currency (Rupee) is a closed currency; therefore, you can only exchange your foreign currency upon arrival in Nepal. Since US dollars are widely accepted, we suggest traveling with US dollars. The majority of banks do not accept foreign currency which is old, torn, or faded. It is advisable to carry new, clean and untorn notes to obtain the local currency ‘Nepali Rupees (NPR)’.
The foreign currency can be converted through local banks or a bank ATM and authorized ‘’Money Changers’’ or ‘’Foreign Exchangers (FOREX)’’ around Thamel in Kathmandu. Alternatively, you can exchange a small amount of cash at all the hotels in Kathmandu too. Every morning the money changers will post the ongoing rates on their board which is placed outside of the store. The rates don't vary that much from store to store.
Some of the ATMs are open 24 hrs a day and accept the international card; moreover, most ATMs will charge a usage fee on each transaction. Cash from ATMs is given out in Nepali currency (NPR) only. In Nepal, there is a limit on how much amount of cash you can withdraw per transaction. If you are using a foreign card, the maximum limit of withdrawal amount will be 35,000 for a 500 rupees processing fee. However, the withdrawal amount varies depending on the bank and the limits often range from 10,000 NPR to 30,000 NPR.
A service fee charge of 4% or more will be imposed depending upon the banks if you utilize the money exchange facility at financial institutions and banks.
On the trek, there are no money exchange services or banks. Furthermore, there are some ATMs available in Jomsom on the Annapurna circuit trek but are not reliable. So, we suggest you exchange your foreign currency in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you depart for the trek, as you will get a more favorable exchange rate. Plus, it is a far more convenient, easier, and safer option. Since the tea houses/lodges of trekking regions prefer local currency, we recommend you to take a sufficient amount of Nepali currency on the trek for personal expenses.
# We advised you to avoid the airports and hotels to make your currency exchanges, for the best rate.
Trekking in-group/singles
We handle all group sizes whether it be small (private trek) or large size trekking groups. Group discount is applicable when your group consists of more than 5 people and should have your person (family, friends, or colleagues) in the team otherwise the price remains the same for private touring or group joining. If you are interested in joining the fixed group for this trip please keep checking the departure link when it's available we will send you complete info (date and price) related to the trek or you can book an entire private trip at a reasonable cost. Every group will be led by a team leader/ guide and one porter for two trekkers. In case your group exceeds more than 10 people we will provide an assistant guide.
Eternal Himalaya Hiking Team
Our expert guides will escort you throughout the trek to make your journey enjoyable and comfortable. Every single guide of our company is well experienced, trained, and licensed. They have been climbing and trekking by leading a group for many years.
All of our crew members have what it takes to lead a successful trek. We value our staff members and take good care of them. Each staff member is provided with good payment, insurance coverage, necessary equipment, gear, meals, transportation, and accommodation during the trek. Medical care is also provided by us in case of an injury and illness.
Our crew members' qualities are:
- Excellent interacting skills and fluent in English and other major languages)
- A certified Trekking Guide
- Knowledgeable about the facts and keep track of weather forecast
- Well trained in Rock climbing
- Undertook the Biodiversity and Conservation course
- Wilderness First Aid Training
Luggage
The weight limit is 9 kg per trekker and only one porter is assigned to carry the luggage of two trekkers. We don’t overload our porters as we care for them and are against exploitation. Therefore, the weight of luggage should not exceed more than 18 kg. We advise you to bring a small backpack for you to carry your valuables.
Please note that pack your bag with only essential items to travel lightly. Your excess luggage can be kept at your hotel or use the Eternal Himalaya storeroom for free.
Before we begin our trek, we will recheck the equipment, luggage, etc in the course of briefing at our office.
Responsible Travel
Tourism creates a negative impact on the environment. To preserve this precious nature, we collaborated with Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP) to promote eco-friendly tourism.
Tipping
Whether to tip or not to depends on the traveler’s discretion.Tipping is a part of Nepali culture, therefore it is very common to tip, especially in tourism sectors. Nepali people accept it because they feel appreciated for their hard work. If you want to tip them (porter and guides), feel free to do so, in case you enjoy their good services, care and treat you well throughout the trek.
Safe Booking Payment Gateway
Eternal Himalaya Adventure Pvt. Ltd is a well-certified trek and tour company in Nepal also, a member of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN). Therefore, you can safely book and pay with us for your preferred trip package without any doubts.
To book a trip first and foremost you have to fill up a booking application form then while booking you are required to pay 20% (non-refundable) in advance for booking confirmation before the trip. Please note that you must send all necessary documents such as passport size photos, passport copy, travel insurance policy, and arrival and departure flight details within a week after booking.
The convenient and safe ways to pay are through bank transfers and online payment. The remaining cost of the trek can be paid in cash or by bank transfer before the beginning of the trek. Moreover, we will also forward the payment details to your email and vice versa. While filling out the booking application form, the clients must mention the details about modes of payment clearly and should provide all the required details about the credit card.
Last-minute booking
Booking is the best way to execute the whole trip without any hassle. However, Eternal Himalaya does provide a last-minute booking facility for those who are unable to book in advance. For this clients are required to pay 100% of the trip cost within 24hrs before the trip departure.
In the case of last-minute booking, we cannot be responsible for the delays because of the events which are beyond our control, such as weather changes, unavailability of lodges, and other unfavorable conditions which lead to trip delays and flight cancellations. Despite these unfavorable circumstances we do our best to manage a trek at any time.
For more information, call us at +977 9851254672 (Ram Sharan) or email us
Trip extension
Once the trip is completed, you will have leisure time during which you can explore Kathmandu Valley and nearby places. If you want to extend your stay in Kathmandu, we can arrange the other tours and adventure activities as well such as river rafting, paragliding, cycling, bungee jumping, zip flyer, etc. The eternal Himalayas also operates the tour in Bhutan and Tibet.
Feedback
Eternal Himalaya will host a farewell dinner after the completion of the Tsum Valley & Manaslu Circuit Trek. Once dinner is finished, we will present you with a trek achievement certificate for completing your trek, plus you can give us feedback about our services.
Flexibility
Although we provide fixed departure dates and itineraries for the Manaslu Circuit trek, our valuable clients can make changes to the date, time, and itineraries of the trek as they desire. If the appointed departure date doesn’t fit your schedule, we’ll re-arrange it for you. However, itineraries are seldomly altered because of conditions that are beyond our control like natural disasters (landslides, earthquakes) and bad weather.
It is unlikely to occur a significant change in the original itinerary but we will not be held responsible for the inconvenience, delays, or consequences you will face before or during the trek due to unpredictable situations.
All the decisions are made by a lead guide if there requires a modification in itineraries to reroute the team in different routes or areas.
Equipment list for Manaslu Circuit Trek
Here is the complete essential list of equipment for the Manaslu Circuit trek. The weight of your luggage is limited to up to 9 kg, so, therefore, we advise you to carry only essential items. In case you require to carry more than 9 kg, we can arrange porters.
Head Wear
- Warm insulated winter hat / Wooly hat
- Sun hat / Wide-brimmed hat
- Scarf
- Neck gaiter or Fleece Buff (Optional)
- Neoprene face mask (Optional)
- Balaclava / Bally ski mask / Monkey cap (Optional)
- LED Headlamp × 2 and spare batteries
Face/body care items
- Sunscreen with SPF above 50
- Sunglasses with UV protection × 2 pairs
- Face/body cleansing wipes (biodegradable wipes)
- Moisturizer lotion for face/body
- Lip balm
Hand Wear
- Liner gloves × 2 pairs
- Fleece gloves × 2 pairs
Body Wear
- Hiking shirts × 2 pairs
- Full-sleeved thermal undershirts × 2 pairs
- Fleece jacket
- Waterproof and windproof hooded rain jacket
- Down jacket (thick down jacket for winter treks)
- Polypropylene underwear × 5-6 pairs
- Synthetic material hiking pants × 2 pairs
- Long johns × 2 pairs
- Sweater
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Lightweight cotton pants
- T-shirt
Foot Wear
- Woolen socks × 6 pairs (thick light socks)
- Lightweight shoes/scandals
- Hiking Boots
Essential gear
- Backpack
- Day pack for basics
- Waterproof covers for your bags and packs
- Thermal water bottle (hydration bladder often freezes in winter)
- Sleeping bag (rated at least 0°C for summer and -15° for winter)
- Water purification tablets, drops or portable water purifier/filter bottles,s or, gadgets
- Trekking pole
- Crampons
- Large plastic bags and stuff sacks
Personal Toiletries
- medium size towel
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Biodegradable bar soap
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers
- Small mirror
- Toilet papers
- Shampoo
Personal accessories
- Money
- Watch
- Cell phone
- Camera
- Lighter
- Pocket knife
Extra items / Travel gear
- First aid kit
- Extra passport photos and photocopies of passport Travel insurance documents
- Notebook and pen
- Books
- Personal entertainment
- Binoculars
- International electrical adapter
