The Manaslu Circuit Trek is the best option for people looking to learn the Himalayan secret in the shortest amount of time. The trek traverses "Mt. Manaslu, 8163 m," the eighth-highest peak in the world, with its stunning vistas and refined culture. The best place to go as a test of Tibet, if you would like to go but are unable to for a variety of reasons, is the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek. Because of the trek's stunning scenery and diverse geography, it is growing in popularity every day. In contrast to the other popular trekking routes, Manaslu has just created a teahouse trekking route in Nepal's Gorkha district, which is located in the northeast. The people here are similar to Tibetans because they live close to the border with Tibet and have maintained the ancient Tibetan way of life and culture. You will witness unique cultures, beliefs, and religious faiths in the lap of the Manaslu. For trekkers who are physically fit and wish to visit Nepal’s High Himalayas in the shortest time, the Short Manaslu Circuit Trekking would be worthwhile.
There is a basic teahouse amenity in the entire Manaslu, compared to the other trekking regions. But nowadays, several new tea houses have been built after the 25 April earthquake EP center at Barpak, Gorkha. Several places on the trail have undergone reconstruction, and Yaraphat has built the Cantilever Walkway Bridge (195 meters) using the latest Swiss technology. This is the first cantilever trail practice in Nepal. This makes easy access for the trekkers and local people from one village to the next village. Even some tea houses in Manaslu have Wi-Fi services and are sure to be in Samagaun. If you are curious about the Manaslu Circuit Trek after the devastating earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic, then this is the right time to visit. Your visit will be a great support for the locals to rebuild houses and schools, and direct and indirect support will be given to the schoolchildren for their bright future.
Manaslu is a virgin trekking trail in the lap of the Himalayas; people, culture, and life are untouched by modernization. Uniquely, people here are following a polyandry marriage system, animal husbandry, and traditional cultivation methods. They are following Bon Buddhism, which has a powerful culture and rituals. The Manaslu Circuit Short Trek starts from Machhakhola via Arughat Bazaar, Narsingh Dham at Salyantar, and Sotikhola after the drive from the capital city of Kathmandu. And follow the same trekking routes as the Manaslu Circuit through the Tatopani (natural hot spring), Dobhan, Jagat, Sirdibas, Philim, Pewa, Dang, Ghap, Bhi Phedi/Prok, Namrung, Lihi, Lho, Shyala, Sama Gaun, Manaslu Base Camp, Samdo, Dharmashala, and Bhimtang via Larke Pass at an elevation of 5,160 meters. Then end the trip at Dharapani and drive by public bus or jeep to Kathmandu via Besisahar.
We specially designed the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek for trekkers who are mentally and physically fit for hiking in the high Himalayas in the shortest period. According to our client’s history, most of them have completed this trip without any obstacles. The Manaslu Short Trek starts at 930 meters above sea level at Machhakhola and gradually gains elevation to the highest point at Larkya Bhanjyang (5,160 meters), mostly following the Budhigandaki River (Yashodhara Nadi) bank through the rural village. We at Nepal Mother House are always concerned about your short Manaslu Circuit Trek and how to make it successful. We aim to provide you with the best satisfaction during your short visit and to reduce its negative effects. According to our itinerary, you will visit the Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 m), Birendra Lake, and Phungen Gumpa (3,870 m), and even if you have time and are fit, you may visit the Manaslu Advance Base Camp (4,800 m) for a bird's-eye view of Samagaun. This is similar to what other trekkers do as well.
Likewise, Sama Gaun (Nubri Valley) is the birthplace of "Mingyur Rinpoche," who published "The Joy of Living," a New York Times best-seller. The book is about The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness.
The Manaslu Circuit Rapid Trek is located within the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), offering a diverse range of wildlife and diverse vegetation. In the high area, you will see Himalayan goats known as Thar or Jharal and deer, snow leopards, marmots, Jhum (yak and cow hybrid), and yaks. Similarly, you have amazing mountain views like Ganesh Himal (7,140 m), Shringi Himal (7,161 m), Rani Peak/Lidanai Peak (6,693 m), Himalchuli (7,750 m), Nadi Chuli/Peak 29 (7,871 m), Mt. Manaslu/Kang Pungen (8,163 m), Manaslu North (7,157 m), Naike Peak (6,211 m), and many more. From the top of the Larkya La Pass, you have an astonishing view of Kangguru (6,981 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Gyaji Kang (7,038 m), Larke Peak (6,249 m), Lamjung Himal (7,983 m), and Ratna Chuli (7,035 m).
In general, the Manaslu Circuit Trek can be 9 to 16 days, but as this is a rapid Manaslu trip, Nepal Mother House recommends 10 days due to the road access at the beginning of the trek and after the trek. But you need to walk every day for 7 to 8 hours on average to be fit mentally and physically. As we are locals from the Manaslu Region, we organize your Manaslu short trek with expert local guides and porters according to your holiday schedule. Here is an essential guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, which helps make your trip a lifetime experience to visit most of the hidden treasures in the Manaslu region.
Your Plan at the Best Time in Manaslu
The short Manaslu Circuit Trek can be done all year round, but we at Nepal Mother House recommend mid-September, October, and November in the autumn season and mid-March, April, and May in the spring as the best times. Spring is more flourishing vegetation, full of rhododendron blooming and favorable weather. Those who love Himalayan plants and flowers will love spring. During the spring season, you can see many expedition groups in the mountains. Likewise, autumn is one of the best trekking seasons in Nepal. The weather is pleasant, neither hot nor cold over monsoons, with a clear sky and breathtaking mountain scenery. This is the exact time for rice harvesting, when farmers are busy on their farms, and a golden layer of rice terraces can be seen below snowcapped mountains. October and November celebrate the main festivals, Dashain, Tihar/Dipawali, and Chhatha. Autumn bestows upon you amazing mountain scenery and a vibrant cultural show in Nepal.
Physical Fitness and Training Requirements for the Trek
As the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a moderate-to-strenuous trip, you need good preparation before the trek. Doing regular yoga, jogging in the morning, hiking with a small backpack every weekend, climbing stairs frequently, dancing, doing gym and cardiology exercises, etc., helps your physical fitness. Similarly, you need to be mentally well prepared. You need to walk 6 to 7 hours most days, except 8 to 9 hours on the cross day at Larke Pass. This short Manaslu Circuit trek is highly recommended only for adventure lovers and physically fit people.
Transport Available for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek
There are regular bus services to Arughat Bazaar from Kathmandu, and all the buses leave in the morning from six to seven o'clock. Your guide and porters will arrive at your hotel in the morning, after which they will drive 5 to 10 minutes to the bus station at Machhapokharai, Kathmandu, for the 138 km journey to Arughat, which takes 6 to 7 hours. Then, taking another bus or jeep from Arughat Bazaar to Sotikhola (12.9 km) and from Sotikhola to Machhakhola (13 km) takes altogether 2 to 3 hours, and then driving from Machhakhola to Jagat by Bolero Jeep takes one half to 2 hours. In the new year, 2025 (January 3, 2025), give a present to the local people of Tsum Nubri; a 97 km road from Benighat, Dhading, has access for four-wheel vehicles to the Pangsing in Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality at Gorkha. The remaining 57 km of road has been processed to open by the Nepal Military; in a few years, the link road (154 km) to China-Tibet at Larke Bhot from Benighat will bring flourish and good support to the locals of Gorkha and the development of Nepal.
However, there have been two buses operating in the morning and night shifts directly from Kathmandu to Machhakhola to Kathmandu via Gorkha Bazaar. The buses from Kathmandu to Arughta Bazaar via Dhading Besi are also available every morning from New Bus Park at Balaju. The excellent strategic road track almost joins Prithvi Highway at Benighat to Ruila Pass (4,998 m) at the Tibet Border via Arughat, Dobhan, Philim, Samagaun, and Samdo.
Likewise, at the end of the trek at Dharapani, there is also available public transport to Besisahar. The public bus will carry a large number of passengers through the rough road for the majority of the journey. If you would like to have much more comfortable travel on such a long journey, it would be best to hire a private Jeep as well. Private transport will be more costly, even if you won’t regret its comfort and flexibility.
Accommodation and Shower in Manaslu
Manaslu has recently developed a trekking route compared to other well-known teahouse treks. If you have prior trekking experience in Nepal, the accommodation here in Manaslu is also almost similar to the Annapurna and Langtang areas. But some places have very basic facilities. Normally, there is a single, double, or dormitory bedroom with a comfortable enough mattress, bedsheets, pillow, and blanket, and a common bathroom and toilet. Most of the tea houses and guest houses have a proper hot shower with a solar system or gas geyser; if not, they will provide a bucket of hot water for the shower. The tea house does not provide towels or shampoo; you are responsible for bringing them with you. Some establishments offer free showers, while others charge a small fee ranging from NPR 200 to 1000.
What type of meals are you expecting on the trek, and what is your plan for drinking water?
As the Manaslu circuit is a basic teahouse trek, you will get meals at the teahouse from menu cards with different options. Most trekkers have Nepalese food, dalbhat (rice + lentil soup, vegetables + curry + pickles), on the trek, and it is simple to make the same meals for many people at the same time. With a variety of sub-items, you can add more meals until you are full. This helps to save fuel and time, and you are a person who will greatly contribute to reducing global warming while cooking your meals. Well-trained cooks prepare the food, ensuring quality, hygiene, and a high standard of quality. There are some other items of food, like noodles, potato items, rice items, bread, macaroni, pizza, burgers, yak steak, momo, muesli, spaghetti, etc., and some tea houses have a variety of food according to different continents. For the drinking water, you can buy a bottle of mineral water on the Short Manaslu Trek, but it would be best to treat the water by yourself. This helps to make your trip cheaper and avoid plastics to keep a clean environment. For double safety, it's best to use iodine and chlorine tablets in the purified water, or you can use a UV Steripen for increased comfort.
Trip Cost and Itinerary of Short Manaslu Circuit
The cost of the short Manaslu Circuit trek seemed quite high due to permit expenses and transportation. This trek requires four different permits [I] Manaslu Restricted Area Special Permit [II] Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) [III] Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) [IV] Trekkers' Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card. Normally, Nepal Trekking Permit Fees can be different according to trekking season; however, the Manaslu Restricted Area Special Permit fee is distinct in Autumn and spring. Likewise, the transportation for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is 18 days, and the 10-day Manaslu Circuit Trek is the same, but you need to pay a higher cost for it. However, we at Nepal Mother House Treks are glad to offer early bird trip booking for 2025 (Spring = March, April, May, and Autumn = September, October, November) and 2025 (Autumn and Spring) in a reasonable way. This is one of the short treks in Manaslu for travelers who are physically fit and mentally strong enough to cope with 7 to 8 hours of walking every day except Larkya Pass. So, if you are searching for a two-week trek, then the Manaslu Circuit trek will be suitable for you.
Is it possible to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek solo?
Trekking in a restricted area requires a minimum of two trekkers in a group and a professional guide from a government-registered trekking company. This short trip to the Manalu Circuit also goes to the Manaslu restricted area, so you ought to obey rules and regulations. Normally, it is not possible to organize a solo trek in Manaslu; however, “where there is a will, there is a way” meets here, and we at Nepal Mother House are glad to organize solo trips in a group to join the base. If it is not possible to group up according to your holiday schedule, then we will issue a ghost permit for the trip. For this, you need to bear double the cost of the restricted area permits.
