Manaslu Expedition

Mount Manaslu Climbing Difficulty
Mount Manaslu (8,163m) is the eight highest mountain peak of the world. Manaslu is also popularly known as the mountain of the spirit. Mount Manaslu is one of the most beautiful peaks that stand still at the western Nepal. Trekking around Manaslu is a unique experience as it has off-the-beaten-trekking trails. Manaslu Expedition is exciting and adventurous. It covers rivers, valleys, passes, forests, unique people and culture. Indeed, this trek offers you spiritual trekking experiences.

Manaslu Expedition is slightly more difficult than other trekking destinations in Nepal like Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp trek. This is because of the different factors like high altitude, cold weather, and slippery routes. Enough preparation and trekking gears will help you to conquer this lavishing adventure.

Manaslu climbing does not require an advance mountaineering training. But it needs a good knowledge of basic climbing and confidence of climbing vertical walls of around 100 meters of 50-60 degrees between Camp-I and Camp-II. It has couple of short steep climbing sections, crevasses and icefalls. The most technical and difficult part is between Camp I and Camp II. So, you have to be ready to counter each obstacle and mentally ready to walk across glaciers, icy slim ridges, and vertical rock walking.

Manaslu Peak Climbing Season
Annapurna Region is obviously the best trekking destinations in Nepal. Spring and autumn are undoubtedly the best time to visit Nepal. Autumn (September, October, and November) is the best time to travel to the Annapurna region. During this season, the landscapes appear vibrant and invigorated, with brilliantly clear skies that create picture-perfect views of the hills, rivers and gorges. The daytime temperatures generally remain pleasantly warm that ranges between 12ᴼC-15ᴼC, but the nights can get chilly cold.

Spring (March, April, and May) is another peak Season. The winter snow begins to dissipate and the crystal clear skies create wonderful views of the green valleys and hills. The lower regions are covered in colourful rhododendron blossoms and the temperature starts getting warmer, which is perfect for trekking. As May approaches, the days become hotter, and the humidity causes a kind of haze to surround the peaks of hills that is visible from the lower regions.

Winter (December, January, and February) is extremely cold, and as the altitude rises, the temperatures sharply lower down. January and February are the coldest months. Though the days are chilly cold, night time temperature drops below freezing point. The bright sunny days even in winters offers splendid views in the Himalayas.

Summer season (June, July and August) in Nepal is dominated by monsoons and involves a lot of hot and humid days. Thus, it is unsafe for travelling during summer season. Frequent rainfalls make the trails muddy and slippery. There will be flood and landslides in several places. But the northern part of the Annapurna Region lies in the rain- shadow zone and the precipitation is very low. Therefore, the Annapurna Region can be attempted even in the winter season.

Manaslu Climbing Preparation
It is better safe than sorry. Mountaineering obviously is an activity full of dangers. Therefore, safety must be always your first priority. Preparing well in advance is very important for your safe, secure and pleasant climb. Here are some tips in short cut about how to prepare for Mount Manaslu. Let’s have a look.

•  It is a good idea to take a basic rock climbing course
•  Practice enough gym workouts for this climb. Basically, Cardio and strength
•  Be mentally ready to cope with this strenuous peak
•  Consult with your physician to prevent yourself from HAPE and HACE
•  Collect adequate gears and clothing
•  Consult with a professional and well-established trekking partner
•  Hire a professional guide
• Complete all the mandatory paper works and procedures

Physical Fitness and Experience Required for Manaslu Expedition
Manaslu Peak Climbing is a technical adventure activity in Nepal which requires previous trekking experience and technical skills about peak climbing gears to have successful summit. The trip is very suitable for adventure motivated trekkers who have ability to walk in snows ridges and adventurous trails. Walking in high altitudes might attract high altitude sickness, slow and steady walk would be the perfect solution. We suggest every trekker who are planning to come to Nepal for trekking and peak climbing adventure to do daily physical workout (jogging, hiking, cycling, gym, etc) prior to a couple of weeks. We recommend to undertake Manaslu only if you have undertaken other smaller peaks of the same region. Here is the list of the activities that must be done compulsorily before attempting the Mount Manaslu:

•  Go for a run or hike to hills where you have to do ascents and descents.
•  Once a week, do a long walk.
•  Swim and cycle.
•  You can also go up and down the stairs of a tall building.
•  Eat healthy food.
•  Keep on doing yoga. If you can, do more yoga related to breathing.

Manaslu Climbing Gears and Essentials
Manaslu Peak Climbing is a most popular mountain expedition in Nepal. Latest updates show that this peak has become a popular choice of the climbers over the years. New and safer routes have been established so far. For the safe, secure and successful Manaslu Peak climbing, we suggest you to have the following equipments:

•  Jeans or slacks
•  Towel and toilet kit
•  Underwear
•  Gloves or mittens
•  Sleeping bag, warm to 20 degrees F, either down or fibrefill (or you can rent one in Kathmandu)
•  Parka, down or fibre fill; a ski jacket is ok
• Sweater, wool shirt or acrylic pile jacket
•  Duffel bag, canvas or nylon, without a frame (for porters to carry)
•  Daypack or rucksack, waterproof, for you to carry
•  Water bottle 1 liter or 1 quart; be sure that it does not leak
•  Flashlight
•  Walking Boot

Manaslu Climbing Permit and Cost
Manaslu Climbing is an adventure that cannot be undertaken without a climbing permit. You need to acquire a permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association to attempt any peak above 5000 meters. The climb without having will be illegal. For climbing Manaslu, you need to have Local Area (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Permit which costs around $20, TIMS Card Permit (Trekking Information Management System) and others.
The following service charge has to be paid by the foreign climbers who are hoping to attempt Manaslu:
Manaslu Trek permit costs $ 70 for first seven days and $10 each additional day during September to November and Manaslu Trek permit costs $ 50 for first 7 days and $ 7 each extra day during December to August.

Accommodations
Manaslu Climbing cost and itinerary provides you sophisticated hotels and resorts from normal tourist standard category to five-star categories that are available in Kathmandu for your accommodation, where you can choose your suitable one. During the entire trekking (apart from the climbing period of Manaslu ) there is availability of tea house/lodges. And during the climbing period for a couple of days, we need to set up tented camp for accommodations. So we will provide all tea house accommodation at available places and camping accommodation at the places where tea house/lodges are not available. Accommodation can be Single, Double, Triple or twin sharing basis as per your requirement

Meals
Manaslu Expeditions are inclusive for all meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) including the entire trekking and climbing period, apart from the BB plan during the stay in Kathmandu. We will have Dinner and Breakfast in the same teahouse/Camp where we spent overnight and Lunch will be en-route of trekking towards next destination since we have to leave our accommodation after breakfast to continue the trek. You can enjoy the taste of varieties of cuisines; Nepali food, Tibetan, Continental, Indian, Italian etc by choosing in the menu. During the camping period, while we are in Manaslu Base Camp and High Camp, our kitchen team will prepare hygienic foods to serve you. There might not be several choices of foods during the camp as in the tea houses and restaurants; you have to understand that our crew have to carry all camping gears and kitchen equipments from available places but we are sure we will provide as much services and facilities as we can do to make your adventure holiday awesome.

Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is the effect of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues at the high altitude. It is the negative health effect of high altitude due to the rapid exposure to low amount of oxygen at high elevation. The common symptoms of Altitude sickness include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping and dizziness.
Altitude Sickness generally referred as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs only above 2500m. The main reason of altitude sickness is rapid ascent and decreasing amount of oxygen at the high altitude. There are mainly three types of altitude sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema.
Altitude Sickness can become a medical emergency if ignored. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to travel to high altitude slowly. It normally doesn’t take long for your body to adjust into a changed altitude. At the higher altitudes, the air pressure and oxygen level is comparatively lower. Our body takes time to adjust to such change. We suggest you to keep you hydrated, not to smoke or drink alcoholic substance, eat hygienic food, sleep low, take it easy, use Diamox tablets etc. to prevent yourself from Altitude Sickness.

Tips for Manaslu Expedition

• Acquire right and sufficient trainings
•  Pack Sufficient
•  Collect most essential gears
•  Hire a guide
•  Be mentally ready
•  Follow the instructions of your guide
•  Never underestimate the weather
•  Climb steadily, sleep low
•  Be careful about your health and hygiene

Conclusion
Manaslu Peak Climbing is not an easy game. Well preparation and enough considerations can make it an easy and pleasant climb otherwise it will be a hard nut to crack. Manaslu is technical, physically demanding and strenuous peak. The altitude, lengthy journey, difficult trails, etc. can discourage you anytime. We suggest you for enough preparations. Also collect right gears and equipments. It is must to consult with a professional guide. Most importantly, you need to seek for a reliable trekking company. And here we are for your service. If you need any other information, feel free to contact us or visit our website.