Trekking around Manaslu is our new and perhaps the best program to explore Nepal. It has everything from evergreen jungle with monkeys, to the most beautiful views of the planet's highest peaks. The natural beauty of the trek around Manaslu is richly seasoned with a touch of the original culture of the local Gurung, Tamang and Tibetan people, because the trek is relatively new and still not as popular as trekking around Annapurna and to the Everest base camp.
Smooth acclimatization will give the organism enough time to adapt to the altitude and get ready for the Larki La Pass (5160 m), and for some of us it will be the first 5000 m above sea level!
During the trek we'll enjoy the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, headed by Manaslu (8,170 m), the Spirit Mountain – as the Nepalese believe.
A spirit that we will be filled with from the snowy peaks and ancient Tibetan monasteries.
Trekking around Manaslu is a trip to remember for a lifetime!
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given the approval to buy the ticket, you are free to buy. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
The experienced team leaders of KULUAR will accompany the group during the whole trip, they will make your trip as unforgettable and safe as possible! They have been to Nepal many times and know it in detail.
We have a list of verified lodges and try to book only the best. Where possible, with in-room amenities.
In Kathmandu, we stay in a good hotel, understanding that you will want maximum comfort after trekking.
A team leader or our Nepali partner will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to your hotel. The guide will tell you and show you where to change money, buy souvenirs and equipment, what and where to eat...
The program of the trek was improved several times, we tried to make it maximally sated and comfortable. That's why we have all trips by customized transfers.
The manager who will consult you before the trip was in Nepal herself and will tell you the details from personal experience!
Over 12,000 members have already traveled with Kuluar and 98.7% have been satisfied. We are sure you will be too!
Our journey begins in the bustling capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. You should arrive before 9am or the day before. This is very important because trekking around Manaslu requires a special permit, which takes all day and is only possible with an original passport. The documents are handled by our Nepalese partners, and we can rest after the road, buy the missing equipment, get used to the Tamel or take a sightseeing tour. In the evening, there will be a general dinner and briefing from Kuluar's guide about the upcoming trek around Manaslu and its special features.
There are two ways to get out of dusty Kathmandu to the beautiful Himalayas: by land and by air. The trek around Manaslu requires a drive – and that is a separate adventure. The journey by private vehicle will take all day (about 7-8 hours, with a stop for breakfast and lunch). Along the way, we will be accompanied by the original landscapes of Nepal – we will see how the Nepalis live in completely non-tourist places. It's very mind-altering and makes you realize that you and I are actually doing great!
Yay! We are finally walking on our feet! We start in the jungle area, where it is possible to meet big monkeys – langurs. It is hot here, birds are singing and greenery is in full bloom. Today we will pass the first suspension bridge above the river in a deep gorge, then there will be dozens of them – get used to it. We will have lunch in Doban and spend the night in one of the most beautiful places on the river spill.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours, altitude gain: 470 m
The trail meanders up and down. Abrupt climbing is followed by swift descents, something that happens quite often in the mountains. Let's face it, it's not the same at all as walking on a flat trail. It takes much more energy and power, but all our efforts will be rewarded with great views! We will spend the night in Philim village or walk 2 km more to Ekle Bhati, then it will be less walking tomorrow.
Trekking time: 6 hours, altitude gain: 320 m
The day begins with a climb up to the village of Salleri. Further up is another big suspension bridge, though it's not the first one, but it's still just as breathtaking! We will gain only 200 vertical meters compared to the last place we spent overnight, but because of this little bit up, little bit down (this is a favorite phrase of Nepali guides and ours as well) the day will not be easy at all.
Trekking time: 7-9 hours, altitude gain: 200 m
Just yesterday, we entered an area inhabited by Tibetans. About 500 years ago, they crossed the passes into Nepal in search of fertile land. Truly, the lands of the Manaslu region are far more fertile than those of the dry and monotonous Tibetan high plateau. Several active monasteries are encountered along the way, and we begin to immerse ourselves in the traditions of Buddhism.
Trekking time: about 7 hours, altitude gain: 300 m
Still walking in the jungle area, along the Budhi Gandaki River. Overnight in Namrung village.
Trekking time: about 7 hours, altitude gain: 550 m
A short hike to the village of Lho. Today we will have views of the Himalayan range seven thousand meters peaks. We will walk to the monastery on the hill with unique views of the peak Manaslu (8,170) and its companion Pinakle. From some angles, it looks even higher than the main peak. If the weather is good, we will stay here until sunset to admire the canonical views of Manaslu. We'll also go to the sunrise if we wish! Today's scenery is some of the best on the entire trek.
Trekking time: about 5-6 hours, altitude gain: 590 m
We are going to the village codenamed "Samogon". This is where participants of the Manaslu climbing rest for a few days before the final summit. We shall have one day rest too, it will give us necessary acclimatization for the future pass.
Trekking time: 3-4 hours, altitude gain: 370 m
A rest day on the trek is always active. The goal is to gain altitude, enjoy new scenery, acclimatize and descend overnight to the same place. Today you can stroll to Manaslu base camp (5000 m) and feel a little closer to the courageous climbers on the summit. But the climb to BC is very steep and long and will take a lot of strength. This is why we recommend acclimatizing in Sama village, where there is an ancient Pungyen Gompa. From here you have great views of the icefall and the mountain itself.
And we are slowly approaching the overnight mark at 4000 m! There may be many yaks and marmots along the way, which are a lot of fun to watch. After coming to Samdo we will have a hike for better acclimatization towards the pass to Tibet.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours, altitude gain: 340 m
We leave the forest zone completely and immerse ourselves in the harsh climate of the high mountains. At this altitude it is always freezing at night, so we should dress warmer in the evening!
This is a big day, because we cross the pass above 5,000 m! We wake up early in the morning, have a quick breakfast and start climbing the pass. We are going slowly, breathing correctly, promising ourselves that we will never set foot in the mountains again... But we go!
At the pass, we immediately forget all the difficulties and sufferings, because they are already behind us! We rest, drink tea and take pictures. We are surrounded by magnificent views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the majestic Annapurna II.
The descent is on a rocky ridge and then along the slope along the moraine to Bimthang village.
Trekking time: 8-9 hours, altitude gain: 700 m, altitude drop: 1440 m
The most difficult part of the route is behind us, and we continue our descent to civilization. The Bimthang Rib offers great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. How nice it is to be in the warm green tropics again!
Trekking time: 4-5 hours, altitude drop: 1420 m
Today is the last day of the trek around Manaslu which is a bit sad. With a special pleasure we inhale the mountain air, enjoy every step and feel the moment as much as possible. In Dharapani we take a jeep and drive to civilization. To make the trip less exhausting, we will spend the night in the large village of Basihar.
Travel time: 2-3 hours, altitude drop: 400 m
We have breakfast early and around 7:30 we board a private minibus. Another 170 km or about 5-7 hours drive, and we are in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu. Enjoy hot showers, 4G internet and all the good things we got used to.
In the evening, we have a farewell dinner and presentation of commemorative certificates in one of our favorite restaurants in Kathmandu.
We recommend buying tickets for the late flights (after 9 pm), so you can buy souvenirs and see the main attractions of Kathmandu: Swayambhunath Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Hindu temple complex and the great Bodnath stupa.
Until next time, friends!
A TRIP TO CHITWAN + 3 DAYS
Additionally, after the trek you have the opportunity to go to Chitwan National Park to ride through the jungle on elephants, take narrow boats on the river with crocodiles, see the local aborigines dance and much more. Set aside +3 days for this at the end of the program. Our guide will help you with your tour arrangements. See more about Chitwan in the video:
A manager will advise you on equipment, help you find the best flight, share information on hotels and excursions. You make your own payments and purchases. If you want the manager to buy the ticket for you, it's possible, but for extra money, because it's a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service fee.
Depending on weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes to the route.
Visas for 15 days stay in Nepal are taken directly at the border. The cost of the visa is $30. Here you can find detailed instructions on visa application >>. To get a visa, you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
To participate in the hike, you must be free of diseases incompatible with active tourism: the list is here.
After the trek around Manaslu, we recommend the following routes:
You should buy tickets beforehand, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek. The most comfortable way to fly is with AirArabia and FlyDubai, you should buy tickets on their websites. Please note that luggage is not included in the price and you will need to order an extra 20 kg at the time of purchase, or take a package including 1 piece of luggage. When you check in at the airport, you may be asked to show your card with which you paid for your tickets – don't forget it! The flight both ways costs from $500-700.
To participate in the program you need a good insurance which is valid up to 6000 m altitude, covers mountain tourism and includes helicopter evacuation. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some members thousands of dollars. Our insurance recommendations can be found here: "Insurance for Kuluar Hikers”
Mobile, 3g – The national operator Ncell works the first 1-2 days. Then the connection appears only in Besihara.
There is Wi-Fi in the lodges, in some places not bad.
Electricity – there is sometimes charging in a room or in the kitchen. There will be none for a few days in the area of the pass.
In Kathmandu, we will stay at the Hotel Arts 4*. Standard accommodation in 2-bed rooms.
During the trek, we live in lodges, which are tourist shelters with public showers and toilets (sometimes in the room). Food we order in the same lodge where we live. Rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. Of furniture, there are often only beds. Beds are made with linens, but it is recommended to take your sleeping bag and sleep in it. Upon request, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Electricity is available in almost all the lodges, but in the rooms there are rarely outlets.
To better understand the living conditions, we highly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our treks. Click on the name: a nice lodge in Namche Bazar with a shower in the room, a basic lodge in Dole – no shower and with ice in the washbasin, cool rooms at the Eco Resort in Gokyo, a standard lodge in Chukung, a mug of tea after a night in a room in Gorak Shep. Even if you sleep in other localities, the lodges will be about the same level.
The menu in all the lodges is extremely varied (different types of eggs, pasta, soups, potatoes, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges can be cooked differently and taste completely different! Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, it will take $15-$25 per day to get a decent meal.
For an example, we recommend looking at some of the most expensive prices on the trek in Gokyo Village, and here's a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the trek to Everest. On the trek to Annapurna, the prices are cheaper, but the procedure is similar.
Let's just say that some people really like Nepalese food, but there are those who "don't" like it. Meat on the trek is usually scarce, you can take some bacon and a sausage stick with you.
Porters are people who carry your things for money. Maximum weight of one porter is 24 kg. The cost of this service is about $20 per day, but you can take one porter for two – it will be two times cheaper! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much they might carry. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. Porters have their own room in the lodges, where they eat and sleep with their friends. The best thanks on your part would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $20-30 to tip the porter and the Nepali guide. For more details about the porter's work, you can read our article "Porter on the trek – to take or not to take".
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for trekking in the Himalayas, spring (mid-March to late May) and fall (mid-October to mid-December). If you go in early spring, you should be prepared for the fact that there is still a lot of snow on the pass and the approaches to the lakes, and the lakes themselves are hidden under the ice. Closer to the middle of April the first lakes will melt, the snow on the trail will remain only on the approach to the base camp. A big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendron forests, which against the background of snow-white mountains create incredible contrasting pictures. In the afternoon in spring the sky is often covered with clouds and at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon it may rain or snow. But by this time we usually arrive at the boat house. Also, spring is the active season for climbers of Everest and Lhotse, so the sections of the classic trail will be oooh-full of people and cargo animals. But there is an upside to this - April and May are the base camp full of life, with lots of tents and would-be climbers. Autumn is warmer, there are hardly any clouds, the snow is already melted everywhere, and the lakes catch the eye with the bright blue color of the water.
The track starts in the tropics. It's going to be hot in here, we're walking in shorts and t-shirts. As the altitude increases, it will gradually get colder. At 3500-4000 m frosts are possible at night, dress warmer. Temperatures fluctuate from +30 at the bottom to -5 at the pass.
The currency of the country is the Nepalese rupee. The exchange rate is approximately 100 rupees to 1 dollar. You can exchange at the hotel reception or at the exchange office, with which we have long had an agreement for a more favorable rate. The teamleader will take you to the right place. It's noteworthy that Nepalis are very careless about paper money - so don't be surprised if you get a bundle of rupees punctured with a stapler - it's quite normal. All expenses en route are in rupees only. Exchange about $500 for them before the trek. Bank cards are only accepted at some points in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. Also, there are big restrictions on ATM cash withdrawals and fees are racked up.
You should buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu), not at the sights. Always haggle with Nepalis; sometimes the price can be discounted several times over.
If you want to see the real Nepal, clean sincere mountains, original high-mountain villages, without crowds of tourists on the trail and any connection on the route, the track around Manaslu is for you. This route will give you the opportunity to fully feel the beauty of the Himalayan mountains, to see their diversity and grandeur. The route is for those who agree to endure a week without the Internet for the sake of the most beautiful wild landscapes of Nepal.
In terms of difficulty, the track is between ABC and EBC. Before Samagaon, the height up to 3500 m is practically not felt, but the elevation changes along the steep gorges make themselves felt. The Larkya-La pass itself is technically very simple and smooth, although it seems that the ascent to it is endless.
Thanks to the fact that we sleep and eat in lodges, the backpacks along the route will be relatively light. Besides there is always a possibility to rent a porter, and we recommend to all the participants. He will carry the main part of your luggage (up to 12 kg), and you will have small rucksack with warm jacket, water, documents and money. The trek around Manaslu is not the easiest. It is desirable to have previous trekking experience or good physical fitness. The best preparation for the trek is running (about 6-8 km 2-3 times a week), squats, cardio exercises, which will not only increase your stamina, but also train your legs for the daily treks. The better your fitness, the easier you'll tolerate altitude, acclimatize, and enjoy the trek and the scenery around you more.
Tips for physical preparation for the hike here>>.
Everyone probably knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap travel gear. Well, it really is! You can buy a flicer for $5, a down jacket from $30, trekking poles from $10. But you have to understand that despite the tag - it's not branded equipment, but made somewhere in the local basements. There are stores with the original, but prices are the same as ours. In general, do not necessarily carry a whole pile of equipment from home, most you can buy cheap already on the spot. Tourist stores simply unreal number. Read more about equipment in a separate article =>>.
Total mandatory expenses that are not included will be $300-400 + flight to Nepal ($600-700). It is desirable to have about $500 to spare.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: It is highly desirable to take a porter on this trek. The cost for the entire trip is $140 for 12 kg weight. Additional tips of $30 or more per participant.
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on their experience, and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase their own convenient airfare. If you want a manager to buy you an air ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the conditions on the page: additional services.
To reserve your spot in the group, you need to make a $200 prepayment. This money is needed for passes and hotel reservations. Methods of payment and conditions of return in case of refusal or departure from the route here. The rest of the payment you are to give to your guide on the first day of the program.
Dear friends, we kindly ask you to pick up dollar bills of 2003 or newer. Dollars from the 90s are not accepted in many countries, and we sometimes have problems with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all:)
