Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a fascinating adventure in the diverse off-the-beaten landscapes. The Manaslu region includes new trekking routes that opened only recently. Therefore, the trails remain untraversed, and trekkers will have a great time exploring the area. And, the best time to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek is in October month.

The trek is ideal throughout the year. However, the Autumn season is considered the peak trekking season. If you are planning to trek the region in October, then you are in for a treat. October is a fabulous time for trekking and touring the Manaslu region.

Manaslu region has a stable and soothing climate during this time. The trails are safe from any challenges, including landslides, avalanches, etc. There is no heavy rainfall as there would be no monsoon clouds hovering in the sky. Trekkers will trek in the dry trails under the clear blue skies observing the Himalayan vista.

The Manaslu circuit trek is ideal for those who want to explore nature’s wilderness. The walk also takes you through cultural landscapes providing you with cultural exploration opportunities. The beautiful cultural trails pass through some of the most ancient settlements of different ethnic groups.

Many religious festivals fall during this time in the region. Hence, you can celebrate different festivals with the local communities. The locals are exceptionally hospitable and offer you a warm welcome. Read on as we have provided detailed information about the Manaslu Circuit Trek in October. Happy Travelling!

Highlights of the Trip

• Passing through cultural settlements and celebrating festivals with the locals
• Exploring the diverse Manaslu region and its unique terrains
• Experiencing gorgeous sunrise from various viewpoints along with the trail
• Trekking through some of the most challenging landscapes of the region
• Incredible Himalayan views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, mountain passes, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and others
• The wonderful and warm hospitality of the local people

The difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

The Manaslu circuit trek is moderately challenging in the beautiful Himalayan trains. The route will pass through challenging landscapes that increase the difficulty level of the walk significantly.

One of the tricky things about the trekking journey in Nepal is the remote terrains. The trek itinerary passes through the most rural parts of the country. Trekkers will have to increase their stamina to complete this trek. One of the methods of improving physical fitness and energy along the trail is through rigorous training.

Another significant aspect is altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness. This occurs when you cannot adapt to the high altitude in a short amount of time. To tackle altitude sickness, you will have to acclimatize at various intervals during your trek.

This acclimatization does not mean staying idle at your tea houses. You will hike for some time, even on the acclimatization days. Besides that, you should rest well and drink as much water as possible while trekking. One pro tip is to avoid alcoholic beverages that cause dehydration and, subsequently, altitude sickness.

Since the trek takes you above 4000m at all times, you will experience freezing weather and conditions. Trekkers should remain warm and comfortable through proper and adequate gear. They must be enough for you to cover extreme cold conditions. Trekking gears and equipment are also crucial for this trek.

Local accommodations, including tea houses and lodges, are where you will stay during the trek. You will find basic facilities in these accommodations, including a room with beds, sheets, mattresses, and pillows. The toilet facilities in these tea houses are squat style, and you will need to bring toiletries on your own. Hence these were the various challenges you will face while taking the Manaslu Circuit Trek in October.

Why Trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek in October?

There are hundreds of reasons why you should trek this exciting trek in October. We have discussed the primary reasons in detail as follows:
Scenic Himalayan views

An exciting aspect of this trek in October is the close-up of scenic Himalayan Vista throughout the trails. The routes pass through excellent viewpoints from where you can observe and take as many pictures of the beautiful Himalayas. Besides the silver mountains, you will also get to watch the other natural landscapes of the region.

The trek also provides you with the opportunity to experience once in a lifetime Himalayan sunrise. The glistening silver mountains and the golden sun rays falling upon them are an enthralling experience. Some of the other natural diversities include glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and others.

Cultural exploration of the region

October is a perfect time for the cultural exploration of the Manalsu region. There are various festivals celebrated by the locals this month. Trekkers can interact with the locals with the help of a professional guide and celebrate the festivities. This way, they can gain diverse cultural experiences of the region while trekking.

The experienced guide will help you understand the local nuances and give you insights into the places you will be visiting. The unique trails of the region pass through ancient settlements of the ethnic community and tribes in the region. This will provide a different perspective of the region.

Incredible adventurous thrills

The beautiful Manaslu Circuit Trek in October also takes you through the adventurous trails. The thrilling adventure passes through mountain valleys, cliffs passes, hills, pasture lands, etc. Trekkers seeking adventure will enjoy this trek wholeheartedly. The walk also takes you to the deep and fast inflowing rivers, waterfalls, and narrow trails. This adventure in the mountainside is on the list of most avid trekkers.

Stable and pleasant Autumn weather

In October, trekkers will experience stable weather and climate in autumn. The weather is ideal for trekking in the daytime and nighttime temperatures and remains perfect as well. There is minimum precipitation and mild temperatures that do not feel too cold even in the high-altitude region. A clear blue sky with contrasting views of the snow-capped mountains makes the trek even more beautiful.

Outline Itinerary – Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2 – Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
Day 3 – Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Day 4 – Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola (930 m), 5-6 hrs
Day 5 – Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1340 m), 6 hrs
Day 6 – Trek from Jagat to Deng (1804 m), 6-7 hrs
Day 7 – Trek from Deng to Namrung (2,630 m), 6 hrs
Day 8 – Trek from Namrung to Samagaon (3,530 m), 5-6 hrs
Day 9 – Acclimatization in Samagaon
Day 10 – Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (3,860 m, 4-5 hrs
Day 11 – Rest and Exploration day at Samdo (3,860 m), 4-5 hrs
Day 12 – Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala (4,460 m), 5 hrs
Day 13 – Trek from Dharamsala to Bimthang via Larkya La (5,160 m), 9 hrs
Day 14 – Trek from Bimthang to Tilije (2,300 m), 6 hrs
Day 15 – Trek from Tilije to Tal (1,700 m), 5-6 hrs
Day 16 – Trek from Tal to Syange (1,080 m), 7 hrs
Day 17 – Drive from Syange to Kathmandu (1,400 m), 9 hrs
Day 18 – Final Departure

Things to Consider for Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

Acclimatization

Acclimatization is essential for tackling altitude sickness in high-altitude terrains. The process of acclimatization helps you to adapt to the changing conditions quickly. Altitude sickness can be pretty tricky to handle if not taken care of.

And therefore, trekkers taking this beautiful trek must acclimatize at various intervals during the route. As we move high in the foothills of the Himalayas, we will experience lower oxygen levels and air pressure in the atmosphere. Proper resting along with hydration will help you to acclimatize well along these exciting trails.

Training regime

Training well for the trek is another significant point that needs proper consideration. The challenges can only get tackled through rigorous training before this trek in the Himalayan region. The training regime will require you to perform physical exercise and mental preparation. Physical training must include activities like strength and stamina building.

The exercises should also increase your endurance for the high-altitude terrain. You can also try weight training. Besides that, you can also perform aerobics or cardiovascular exercise. These particular exercises will help you gain flexibility and keep you safe from various injuries and cramps. Moreover, mental preparation is essential to remain motivated and complete the trek even in the most challenging conditions.

Trekking guides

Professional trekking guides are crucial for this trek as they will keep you safe and motivated along the trail. The trail is difficult, especially if you are a beginner who has not trekked before. Hence, these guides with years of experience provide necessary safeguarding from all these challenges.

The proper guidance is essential as you might get lost or injured along these trails. Since there are no adequate health facilities in these remote high-altitude terrains, you should get yourself a good guide. Besides, porters along the route help you with the luggage.

Travel insurance

The beautiful trails provide you with an incredible journey, but it can get challenging at times. Hence, trekkers must have proper travel insurance. Trekking covers various aspects like injuries, altitude sickness, accidents, loss of property, theft of property, etc. hence, you should get proper travel insurance that covers 4000m and above.

Essential Tips for the Trek

• Trek in advance so that you will arrive at your destination before it gets dark
• Carry snacks to eat along with a large quantity of water
• Use water purification tablets that makes water drinkable
• Advance book accommodation in the tea houses
• Pack lightly with only those necessary trekking clothing and equipment
• Train well before you start on the adventure
• Always hire trekking guides and professionals for a safe and comfortable trek.
• Get yourself a travel insurance package before trekking.

Permits are required for Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit

The first permit that you require for trekking in the Manaslu circuit is the Manaslu conservation area permit. This permit cost is NRs. 100 for Nepali, NRs. 3,000 for foreigners, NRs. 1,000 for those who belong to the SAARC nations. Children below the age of 10 yrs do not require any permit. These permit costs are on a per person per entry basis.

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit

The permit required for this Manaslu Circuit Trek in October is the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit. This permit is essential because the trek passes through some of the restricted areas bordering Tibet. The permit costs USD 100 per person for the first week and USD 15 per person per day then after. This cost is for September to November, and the cost decreases in the offseason.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is another requirement for the trek. This permit gives you access to Dharapani and Besisahar at the start and end of the tour, respectively. Annapurna Conservation Area permits cost is NRs. 100 for Nepali, NRs. 1000 for SAARC nationals and NRs. 3,000 for foreign nationals. The permit is for per person per entry and is free for children below 10 yrs.

Training for Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

Physical Exercises

Manaslu Circuit Trek requires you to go through some hard training. These training regions need to be ideal for your trekking. First, you will need to focus on physical exercises that will build your stamina. Physical fitness at the proper level keeps you going on these terrains.

Besides that, you can also train by lifting weights as well. These are the various physical exercises that you can do for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in October.

Aerobic Cardiovascular exercises:

Their aerobic cardiovascular exercises are also essential for the necessary flexibility of high-altitude trails. The chances of getting cramps or injuries along the tracks are pretty high. Hence, these exercises become necessary along the route.

The atmosphere in the region has less oxygen and air pressure. Hence, these exercises help you with breathing along these trails. Trekkers need to perform basic activities like hiking, swimming, jogging, cycling, squats, etc.

Mental preparation

Mental preparation is another important exercise that you need to conduct. It is essential as you need to get a basic idea of the trek. A stable mind with a positive attitude will help you remain motivated even in the most challenging terrains.

Another way to practice for the trek is by hiking on nearby hills. You can gather information from various sources, including the internet and experienced trekkers.

Packing List – Manaslu Circuit Trek in October

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket
• Trekking shirts
• Trekking pants
• Fleece jackets
• Trekking boots
• Down jacket
• Woolen gloves
• Thermal wears
• Trekking socks
• Woolen cap
• Raincoat

First Aid and Toiletries

• Anti-nauseant medication
• Water purifying tablets
• Shampoo
• Quick-dry towel
• Soap
• Toilet paper
• Toothpaste
• Sanitizer
• Toothbrush
• Sunscreen

Others

• Phone
• Power Banks
• Solar Charges
• Extra Batteries
• Reusable water bottles
• Local SIM card
• Camera
• Important documents
• Passport
• Travel insurance
• Trekking Permits

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the Manaslu region located?

Manaslu region remains located in the Gorkha District of the Manang Gandaki Province of Nepal.

What is the best time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Autumn months from September to November are ideal for trekking Manaslu circuits. Besides, the spring season from March to May is also perfect.

What are the various trekking permits required for the trek?

The trekking permits required include Manaslu Conservation Area permit, Manaslu restricted area permit, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.

What is the difficulty level of the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The Manaslu Circuit is comparatively more challenging than other treks in the region. This high-altitude trek takes you through the very tricky landscapes in the foothills of the Himalayas. You will have to cross various mountain passes, valleys, cliffsides, and remote landscapes.

How to tackle altitude sickness along the trail?

To tackle Altitude sickness, trekkers require to acclimatize properly. This way, they can adapt to the always-changing high altitude conditions, including low oxygen and air pressure. besides, the triggers must drink a lot of fluids, including water but no alcoholic beverages

Is Solo trekking the Manaslu Circuit possible?

Manaslu Circuit is not possible to solo because it traverses through remote terrain. Hence, as per the Nepal Government’s rules and regulations, you will need to trek with a guide and in a group of at least two members.

Why hire guides for this Manaslu Circuit trek?

The Manaslu Circuit passes through the region’s diverse landscape. Hence, professional help in the form of a trekking guide is essential for this trekking adventure.

What are the meals and accommodations in Manaslu Circuit Trek in October?

Manaslu Circuit has basic facilities for accommodation, including teahouses and lodges. These teahouses include clean sheets, pillows, mattresses, and blankets. Food is generally “Dal Bhaat” for lunch and dinner. Other cuisines include momo, noodles, chowmein, tea, coffee, garlic soup, etc.