How Difficult is Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most adventurous and beautiful treks of Nepal yet it remains one of the less trekked. The trek provides an amazing opportunity to explore and witness the natural and cultural beauty of the pristine Manaslu Region. Manaslu Circuit Trek is done around the valleys beneath Manaslu massif, and the beauty and adventure are ethereal. Hundreds of tourists do this Manaslu Circuit Trek to savor the magnificent exquisiteness of the Manaslu Region, but before deciding to embark on this trek there are pieces of information one should comprehend about it, like how difficult is Manaslu Trek.

It is very important for those who are planning to do or doing the Manaslu Circuit Trek, to discern how difficult it is. Knowing this can help an individual prepare oneself physically and mentally for the trek, or decide whether or not to do it at all. It can help an individual to asses their physical fitness level and train accordingly to build up their strength and stamina. A good knowledge of the trek’s difficulty will assist trekkers and adventurers in properly navigating the trail and avoiding any potential risks. It also provides necessary information on what to anticipate while doing this trek.

Manaslu Circuit Trek is considered moderately difficult, but some nuances influence the difficulty one must comprehend before deciding. Understanding these nuances and leveraging the information to train oneself and perfectly plan and execute the trek will increase the chance of successful trek completion. For a first-time trekker it is very important to know the difficulty of the trek and the factors that influence it, otherwise, the adventure in the Himalayas can be a bittersweet experience. 

The difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek depends on several factors, such as the trekker’s physical fitness, the state of the trail, the trekkers’ experience of traveling in high altitude, and the season the trek is being done. A combination of these factors determines how difficult Manaslu Circuit Trek will be for any individual. These factors are briefly explained further.

The Trail

The nature and type of the trail itself are major contributing factors that determine the difficulty of the trek. If the trail doesn’t observe significant elevation gain, has no steep sections requiring technical knowledge, and is maintained regularly, then the trek will be easy, and vice versa. 

Manaslu Circuit Trek is done around Mt. Manaslu, the trail stretches along the valley deep inside the Himalayas situated in Gorkha and Manang District of Gandaki Province. The highest elevation reached is at Larkya La Pass at 5140 meters or 16853 feet, with a net elevation gain of around 4100 meters throughout the trek. Though some parts of the trail are stone-paved and managed, the majority of the trek is treacherous and rocky with several steep sections. 

That means, like any other treks done in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, it is not an easy trail to trek on. It requires mental and physical preparedness and enthusiastic effort to complete the trek. The trail factor remains unchanged but it sure makes this trek moderately difficult.

Physical Fitness of the trekker.

This is a major factor that decides how difficult the Manaslu Circuit Trek will be. The length of Manaslu Circuit Trek is 136 km or 84.5 miles, previously the length of the trek was approximately 163 km or 101.3 miles. But now with the extension of road network to Machchakhola and Tilije, the length of the Manaslu Circuit Trek trail has been significantly reduced. This distance is to be covered in a span of 9 days(excluding 2 days on the road and 2 acclimatizing days). That is an average of 15.1 km or 9.31 miles every day. If we include acclimatizing hikes then the total trekking distance will be around 150 km or 93 miles. Now that is a lot of distance to be covered. 

Similarly, the elevation gain during the trek is around 4100 meters or 13451 feet. That means there are plenty of steep sections on the trail and trekking through those steep sections will definitely be hard. On average, the hiking duration for each day is between 5-7 hours which excludes lunch breaks, rest stops, and bathroom breaks. 

So, what it means is trekkers need to be physically fit enough, to hike for 5-7 hours daily covering an average of 15.1 km or 9.31 miles in distance, and gaining an elevation of around 590 meters on average every day. 

If not we suggest trekkers begin training focusing on improving cardio-vascular capacity. Doing short hikes nearby, spending 20-30 minutes doing cardio daily, and eating healthy are going to improve the cardiovascular capacity and stamina of an individual which will help a person to easily do Manaslu Circuit Trek. 

Condition of the Trail

It is another major influencing factor determining the difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The Manaslu Circuit Trail passes through areas prone to landslides, floods, and avalanches. 

Also, there are road construction activities that are happening on the trail, which might have temporarily blocked the trail, ruined the trail for reconstruction, or redirected trekkers to alternative trails. 

If the trail is affected by landslides, floods, and other natural calamities then it will be difficult to pass through such sections. Not only it is difficult to navigate through blocked trails, but it is risky too. A falling rock in a landslide area, a flash flood, and difficulty navigating through a snow-covered icy trail can be devastating for trekkers.

Also, if there is a construction project going on the trail, trekkers can be redirected to an alternative trail altogether. Which can affect the whole itinerary.

So if you want to trek the Manaslu Region without any issues, you must know about the condition of the trail. If the trail is blocked by landslides, floods, or avalanches? If a construction project is going on the trail? Knowing about these things and planning your trek at the right time can make your trek easier than it is. 

You can contact us to know about the recent conditions of the trail.

Time of the Year: Choosing the Best Season

The time of year when you will be doing the trek can heavily impact its difficulty. Choosing the best season with favorable weather conditions can make the trek easy, and vice versa. 

The best seasons to do Manaslu Circuit Trek are Autumn and Spring. During this time of year, the weather conditions are most favorable with little to no rain and snowfall. The temperatures are mild and the sky is clear. 

In contrast, Monsson/Summer and Winter are the least favorable seasons. During monsoons the chances of landslides and floods are high, trails can be slippery and infested with leeches, and constant downpours will seep beneath your raincoat and drench your clothes. 

During winter, the majority of the trekking trail will be covered in snow, there will be icy slippery sections that can cause injuries, and the more likely that the Larkya La pass and the path to the pass will be covered in snow to several feet deep. That means trekking in Autumn(September – November) and Spring(March – June) will be easy.

Previous Highaltitude Trekking Experience

If an individual has a previous experience of high-altitude trekking then it will be a benefit. A prior experience will give an idea to a person on what to anticipate and expect during the trek. It will prepare them psychologically for the trek and assess their physical abilities for the upcoming trek. 

It will give them an idea of how their body will react to the conditions at high altitudes, so they can be extra careful. 

Altitude Sickness

While trekking to an altitude above 3000 meters or 9,842 feet, the chances of altitude sickness are always looming around. A significant gain in elevation in a relatively short amount of time can have a lethal effect on the body. 

Our body needs time to adapt itself to high altitudes where the oxygen content is lower than normal. Giving our body enough time to adapt itself to the rarefied atmosphere by spending one or more extra days at certain places is called acclimatization. 

Acclimatization is an effective way to dodge altitude sickness. If not detected and treated early, altitude sickness can cause serious issues. Normally guides will regularly check the blood oxygen levels using oximeters, but if you feel any symptoms of altitude sickness like shortness of breath even while doing nothing, dizziness, lightheadedness, etc. you should promptly inform the guide. He will give you medication and make further decisions that are good for you. 

The standard itinerary for Manaslu Circuit Trek operated by Breakfree Adventures includes 2 acclimatization days, one at Samagaun and one at Samdo. 

If neglected altitude sickness can force an individual to terminate the trek. So everyone aspiring to trek the Manaslu Region should consider acclimatizing properly. 

Previous experience with the high-altitude trek is a factor that will make an individual confident and mentally prepared, which in turn will make this trek easy. But it is not a must to have prior experience, first time trekkers can also do this trek without any hiccups. All they have to do is give concern to other influencing factors.

Conclusion

So now if you assess all these factors and plan and execute your trek accordingly then this trek can be done by even a novice trekker. However, if you neglect these factors and embark on a trek during monsoon when it is raining heavily without proper physical preparation then it will be a very challenging trek even for a person who has summitted a mountain. 

Here is our advice for a novice trekker aspiring to relish the beauty of the Manaslu Region. If you are a beginner we suggest you do the following things.

• Plan the trek in the best seasons, i.e. Spring(Mid March – Mid June) or Autumn(September – November).
• Train and be physically fit. Improve your cardiovascular health.
• Before going on the trek find out the conditions of the trail.
• Research and read about the trek to mentally prepare yourself and acclimatize properly.

If a beginner or first-time trekker follows these steps then the Manaslu Circut Trek will be easy. Neglect these factors and the trek will be as hard as climbing Mt. Manaslu. 

Seasoned trekkers with technical knowledge are welcome for an adventure to soak in the beauty of the Manaslu Region during unfavorable times.