Manaslu Short Trek

When to Go for Manaslu Short Trek?

The Spring season, from March to May, and the Autumn season, from September to November, is considered the best time for the Manaslu Trek in Nepal.

Spring season is sunny, dry, and stable in the Manaslu region. Since the skies remain clear, trekkers will observe the surrounding mountains and the beautiful countryside. In Spring, there are milder temperatures, and trekking is quite comfortable.

During the months of Spring, Rhododendron blooms, which is a spectacular sight for hikers. There is exotic wildlife, such as Himalayan tahr and blue sheep, and sometimes if you are lucky, you can also observe the snow leopard.

During Autumn, you will observe the majestic snow-clad mountains with high snow levels. There are trails clear of snow and ice, making it easier to navigate among the trekkers. The temperatures at the high altitude can be warm during the day and significantly more incredible at night in the Autumn season.

Festivities of the local people make the trail vibrant and enjoyable as well. Overall, pleasant weather and incredible natural scenery make the Autumn season worthwhile for the Manaslu Trek.

In the off-season, regular trek difficulty gets enhanced due to the weather and climate. Temperatures drop, and the weather gets unpredictable in the winter, with occasional snowfall. The trails get wet in the summer, leading to further challenges. Hence, trekkers must choose the peak season for the trek as far as possible.

See also :

• Manaslu Circuit Trek in October
• Manaslu Circuit Trek in April

How Difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The Manaslu Trek is a gorgeous trekking journey. But there are some challenges for trekkers that need tackling. Some of the significant challenges that you need to face are as follows:

High altitude

The Manaslu Trek reaches an altitude of above 5000m, so those who aren’t acclimatized get prone to altitude sickness. Hence, trekkers must regularly acclimate in the region in various settlements after multiple days. After each trek, you should explore the area and sleep at a lower settlement.

Remote location

The Manaslu trek passes through remote locations, making the infrastructure less developed. This means fewer medical, accommodation, and food options and facilities exist. There are various challenges related to this factor regarding the Manaslu Short Trek.

Harsh Terrain

There are steep ascents and descents, as with any other hilly region treks in Nepal. You will also pass through narrow trails with rocky and gravel-filled sections. Trekkers must remain at their best physically and be prepared for lengthy and strenuous hikes. The journey in the harsh terrain is especially hard for first-time trekkers and amateurs.

Extreme, unpredictable weather

The extremeness of the weather is quite challenging in this Manaslu Short Trek. You will find the trail to be challenging in the high-altitude. There you will find rapid changes in temperature dropping as you go high. Trekkers need to back themselves with necessary protection for all encompassing weather.

Trekking Route – Manaslu Short Trek

This Manaslu Trek is not only quite scenic but extremely adventurous too. While you pass through the outstanding terrain, you will also experience the cultural vista. First you drive from Kathmandu to Lapu Beshi, on a 4*4 jeep. The trail is quite scenic and fantastic compared to other routes in the region. The journey of your walk starts as you trek to Machhikhola.

From Machhakhola to Philim, you will trek thoroughly on a lush trail covered in green forests. Philim is a settlement from where trekking continues leading to Namrung. The trail then leads you to the Lho village where you can observe the beautiful heritage sites and Buddhist monasteries.

The Samagaun is the last point in the trek settlement before the famous base camp. You will then descend by trekking through fantastic trails to reach the Pung Gyen Gomba. There is also Birendra lake along the way of this Manasalu short trek.

As you reach Samagaun, you will trek back along the same trail to Samdo. Now the trail will then further lead to Dharamsala from Samdo. The Larkya la pass is another landmark that will pass along the trail.

From Bhimtang to Dharapani, you will trek around the area. You will finally drive to Kathmandu, passing through Besisahar. This concludes the Manaslu Short Trek in the region.

You may also like:

• Lower Manaslu EcoTrek
• Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek
• Manaslu Larke Pass Trek

Meals

Manaslu Short Trek has many teahouses and lodges where you can stop to stay and have your meal. In these teahouses, you will get meals like a Nepalese dish of Dal Bhat, which is a curry dish with rice and lentil soup. You will also get the pasta, noodles, thukpa, and other cuisine.

Breakfast at the tea houses includes bread, tea or coffee, porridge, boiled eggs, etc. For Lunch, you can stop en route and have it at the tea houses that fall along the way. Dinner is significant, and usually, Dal Bhat includes a healthy amount of side dishes.

One thing that you should consider is drinking hot beverages at high altitudes. At the tea houses, you can get tea, coffee, garlic soup, hot chocolate, etc. Hydrate regularly while trekking to tackle altitude sickness along the trail. Water treated with purification tablets or boiled water is recommended. Besides, it is recommended to bring your snacks as the food options get depleted as you gradually cross above 3000m.

Accommodations

Accommodation facilities on the Manaslu Short Trek are in the teahouses or guesthouses. In these facilities, you will find simple facilities that are necessary and not any fancy facilities. You will also get to stay in a comfortable manner.

Rooms are small and cozy in these teahouses. Basic facilities like beds, blankets, pillows, etc., get reduced as you reach a higher altitude. While there are toilets, they are generally out of the teahouse and required to bring your own toiletries.

The heating is generally on your own which you can get through the sleeping bags and warm clothes. Some accommodations also offer hot water, mobile charging facilities etc but not much as you reach towering altitude.

Why Should you Trek in the Manaslu Region?

Awe-inspiring views:

The Manaslu region is a beautiful trail with breathtaking views. You will find the trek to be incredible in terms of its vista. There are the silver mountains of Manaslu and Annapurna and other mystical vista during this trek. There are serene lush forests and idyllic settlements that you will pass along the trail.

A unique cultural experience:

The trails offer uniqueness in terms of its experiences. The joy that you will get during this trek is unparalleled as you pass through some of the traditional settlements. Not only will you get the cultural activities you will also learn about the ancient heritage. Manaslu trek offers an exploration of the unique cultural richness of the remote trails.

No crowded trails:

Since, this trek is generally based on the off-the-beaten landscapes, you will get the best adventure in quietness. This trek will prove to be quite a spiritual experience for trekkers of all skill levels. While the walk is brutal, a good fitness level will ensure a good time and comfortable walk.

Natural exploration:

The Manaslu Short Trek offers fantastic exploration all around the trails. While the trek is rough, it is also filled with the immense wildlife. These wildlife species are of rare species, and having this as a side benefit makes the trek astonishingly beautiful.

Training Regime for the Manaslu Short Trek

The Manaslu Trek is brutal in terms of the physicality required. Hence, nothing can offer you good fitness besides a good training regime. These measures are ideal as they offer you a good physical condition and mentally stability. Some succinct exercise routine to follow are as follows:

Strength-building exercises:

The Manaslu Short Trek requires muscle power in a great strength which subsequently requires good strength building exercises. These come through exercises like squats, lunges, and planks. You can also go through the weight training exercises with the help of your trainer.

Since there are steep ascents and descents during the trek, you must go through mountain training exercises. Before the tour, you can find a hill nearby and practice hikes in the region.

Cardiovascular training:

Good cardiovascular training is essential for the Manaslu Trek. The activities like jogging, swimming, biking, etc., will help you with these exercises. These exercises will also help you breathe at a high altitude with fewer oxygen levels.

Altitude training:

The Manaslu region treks will also need altitude training. You will get help through tackling altitude sickness. Hiking at a higher altitude will put you under extreme pressure. Hence, you should train at a high altitude before the trek as a part of your preparation.

Mental preparation:

Mentally, it would help if you also prepared for the Manaslu Short Trek. You will pass through some incredible terrains; a good mental state will help you quickly complete the trek. A positive outlook on the journey will always help you immensely along the trail.