Manaslu Trek via Barpak and Laprak - 17 days

Best Time to Travel

Spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are considered the best seasons for Manaslu Trek. The weather stays dry and clear during these times, making it ideal for trekking and enjoying unobstructed views of mountains. The days are warm and the nights chilly. On the downside, however, these are peak seasons, and the trails get crowded and busy.

The trail to Manaslu passes through a pristine forest that is filled with wildflowers and orchids during spring. Walking past the hills covered with wildflowers against the backdrop of the snowy Himalayas will seem heavenly.

Autumn is the most popular season for Manaslu Trek. With the end of the wet monsoon season, which clears the skies of dust and impurities, you can enjoy crystal clear views during this season. Timing your trek around late September or October will allow you to experience the most important festivals of the Nepalese, Dashain, and Tihar. These festivals are celebrated by the Ghales, Gurungs, and Brahmins living in the lower reaches of the trail.

If you are bold enough to brave a cold winter trek, you can time your trek during January or February, when the Buddhist communities celebrate Losar or Tibetan New Year in the high mountains.

An important festival celebrated in the Nubri Valley is the Dhachyang or the Horse Festival. This festival which falls during December or January, sees wide participation of horsemen from different villages. Horse racing and other competitions are held, where the winners receive handsome prizes and bragging rights.   

This trek involves crossing a high mountain pass Larkya La (5,165 m), which can be quite risky during bad weather. Taking this route during the monsoon or winter season is can be hazardous and not recommended.

Getting to Manaslu

The trailhead of the Manaslu Trek lies in Gorkha, a mountainous district that was also the epicenter of the devastating earthquake that Nepal suffered in 2015. While fewer roads were connecting this hilly district to Kathmandu in the past, there have been many developments in recent years. Many arterial roads have been built connecting the villages with Kathmandu.

The old trailhead to Manaslu used to be Arughat, but now rough jeep tracks have been constructed up to Soti Khola and Barpak. Private as well as local transportation is available from Kathmandu.

If you are traveling on a budget, you can opt to travel by local bus. The journey takes around 7 to 8 hours. Local buses and jeeps (on sharing basis) depart daily from Gongabu in Kathmandu early in the morning. Private vehicles are also available on hire. The vehicle comes with a driver, and rental charges vary according to the size and type of the vehicle.

As per our itinerary, you take a private vehicle from Kathmandu all the way to the village of Barpak, which was also the epicenter of the 2015 earthquake. You drive past New Gorkha and take the road to Barpak. Though pitched when you start from Kathmandu, the road turns into a rough jeep track as you approach Barpak.

Your trek begins from Barpak. Cross two river valleys, glaciers, and a mountain pass, and finally, end your trek at Dharapani. From Dharapani, our vehicle will pick you up and drive you to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Please note, Manaslu is a restricted zone where solo trekking is not allowed. It is mandatory to trek with a registered agency.

Entry Permits & Requirements

Since solo trekking or FIT (fully independent travel) is barred in this region, the permits will be arranged by the agency with whom you book your trek. There should be at least two people in your group to obtain the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit.

The permits needed for Manaslu Trek are:

• Manaslu Conservation Area Project Entry Permit,
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project Entry Permit,
• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, and
• TIMS (Tourist Information Management System) card.

Except for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, which has to be obtained from the Department of Immigration, all these permits can be acquired from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Office in Kathmandu and Pokhara. 

To get these permits, you need to provide the following documents and information:

• Original and copies of your passport
• Passport-sized photos
• Dates when your trek starts and ends
• Itinerary/route
• Entry and exit points
• Emergency Contact Information (local and home country’s)
• Travel Insurance Details

Permit Fees:

• Manaslu Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit: NRS 3000 per person for foreigners, NRS 1000 for citizens of SAARC countries, and NRS 100 for Nepalese.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit: NRS 3000 per person for foreigners, NRS 1000 for citizens of SAARC countries, and NRS 100 for Nepalese.
• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit : (a) From September to November – USD 100 per person for 7 days and USD 15 per person per day after the 7th day  (b) From December to August – USD 75 per person for 7 days and USD 10 per person per day after the 7th day. 
• TIMS Card: NRS 1000. For SAARC country nationals, NRS 300.

Read More  How To Get TIMS Card And Trekking Permits In Nepal

Altitude Sickness & Acclimatization

Manaslu Trek takes you to the base of the 8th highest mountain in the world, Manaslu (8,156m). The highest point of your trek is the mountain pass of Larkya La (5,165m). In this environment, there is less oxygen which will lead to breathing difficulty.

To let your body get used to the thin air, you need to walk slowly, steadily and keep your body hydrated. If you try to hasten and walk fast to reach your destination in less time, chances are you may suffer from AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness.

AMS symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc., are seen at elevations above 2000 meters. Taking Diamox and a good night’s rest may work for mild cases. Drinking plenty of fluids (water, tea, soup, etc.) and keeping your body hydrated will also help to keep the sickness at bay.

One should take necessary precautions to ensure that the condition does not worsen. But if the symptoms worsen, one may have to return to a lower elevation and get medical help. In the worst-case scenario, an air evacuation will be arranged, where the patient will be flown to Kathmandu to receive medical aid. AMS, if untreated or ignored, can take your life.

Experts and veteran guides have designed this itinerary. A rest day in Sama Gaon has been included in the itinerary to allow your body to adapt to the thin mountain air. The trek is well-paced and allows your body to gradually get used to low oxygen levels in the mountain air.

The chart given below will give you a rough idea of the oxygen level in the atmosphere on the trail.

Drinking Water

It is important to keep your body hydrated on the trail as dehydration also causes AMS. One should drink at least 3-4 liters of fluid.

Though bottled water is readily available at teahouses, we dissuade you from buying it as it adds up to the thrash problem in the mountains.  Moreover, like everything else, bottled water is also expensive in the mountains.

We highly recommend you to carry a reusable water bottle with you, one that can hold hot water. You can use one with a steri pen or an inbuilt filtration system like LifeStraw. You can also use water purification tablets to treat the water. While the water in the mountains tends to be pure and without impurities, it’s better not to take chances and filter or treat the water before drinking.

Using chlorine or iodine tablets to treat the water may alter its taste. You can add flavored electrolyte powder (readily available at pharmacies in Kathmandu) to mask the bitter chemical taste. Adding electrolyte to your drinking water may also be beneficial as the minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.) you lose while walking gets replenished.

Teahouses offer boiled and filtered drinking water at an additional cost. Like bottled drinking water, it can cost anywhere between 1 USD to 4 USD. Charges vary according to altitude (the higher you reach, the more expensive it will be) and quantity.

Internet Connectivity

Internet connection (though erratic and irregular at some places) is available in the Manaslu Region. You can connect with your loved ones while trekking, post updates, and upload pictures on social media.

Wi-fi is available at most of the teahouses. Teahouses charge extra for using their Wi-Fi hotspot. Everest Link, a local internet provider, offers paid internet access on the trail. You can purchase the username and password at any of the teahouses or shops along the trail.

You can also get a mobile sim card in Kathmandu and use it to keep in touch with your family and friends.

Packing Checklist for Manaslu Trek

As opposed to popular belief, you don’t need any complicated gear and equipment for this adventure. Here’s a basic checklist of the essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Manaslu Trek:

• A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
• Rucksack or daypack (30 liters) with waterproof cover
• Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
• T-shirts or shirts
• Down jacket
• Wind/ waterproof light jacket
• Fleece jumper or jacket
• Inner Thermal (top and trouser)
• Socks and underwear
• Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap, or balaclava
• Inner and outer gloves
• Headlamp, power bank, and extra batteries
• Sun protection cream, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
• Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries
• Water bottle and water purification tablets
• Crampons and Gaiters
• 4 season Sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner

These are only some of the essential items. Find a more Packing List For Trekking In Nepal. 

Most of the trekking equipment is available on hire in Kathmandu. You can keep your baggage light by only packing the essential items and renting or buying the rest in Kathmandu. Shops in Thamel offer branded as well locally made gear and equipment.

You can leave your spare luggage in your hotel’s storage room. It is completely safe and free. But do make sure to lock your luggage before leaving it at the storage unit.    

Guide(s) & Staff Arrangements

Manaslu Trek takes you to the foot of the 8th highest peak in the world, Manaslu (8,156m). En route, you will be crossing a mountain pass, glacier, and bridges over turbulent Himalayan rivers. Having an experienced local guide accompanying you will enrich your trip in so many ways. Trekking with a person who has in-depth knowledge of the mountain will also keep you safe and secure.

When you book a trek with us, we pair you up with one of our local guides. All our guides have experience of more than 10 years and have a vast knowledge of the area you are visiting. They have completed the trekking guide course and have the required government license to work as mountain guides. They can communicate in English and have received training on wilderness first aid and crisis management.

A chief guide or trek leader will lead the trek. For every 4 trekkers, there will be an assistant guide assisting them personally. One porter will carry the luggage of 2 clients. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed 15 kg, as the porter can only carry a weight of 30 kg.

We believe in the ethical treatment of our staff. All our Guides and Porters are provided with weather-appropriate gear and clothing to battle the harsh weather in the mountains. Before the start of a trek, we ensure that our mountain guides are fully insured. They are given fair wages and treated with respect.

We seriously follow the guidelines set by IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) and offer assistance to porters to develop other skills. A portion of the booking fee goes to fund the education of our field staffs’ kids.

Travel Insurance

For Manaslu Trek, you need a good travel insurance policy that offers you coverage for all activities and altitudes included in your itinerary. The highest altitude you reach is 5,165 meters, and your travel insurance should offer you suitable coverage up to this elevation.

Though we take your safety as our number one priority, we cannot rule out mishaps and emergencies that may occur at this altitude. There is less oxygen in the environment, and trekkers usually suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness, which could prove to be fatal if not treated on time.

Walking in a treacherous mountain environment also exposes you to physical injuries. Therefore make sure that your insurance covers the cost of all injuries and emergencies that you can face during this trekking adventure.

Your insurance policy should especially cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and hospitalization in case of an accident or medical emergency, as these happen to be quite expensive. Check for vaccination requirements as some travel insurance policies makes it mandatory to immunize yourself before you leave your country. 

Before you decide on a policy, be mindful and don’t forget to read the fine print. It would be advantageous for you also to choose a company that offers insurance cover on domestic and international flight cancellations and lost or stolen baggage.

Trip Safety

We ensure the safety of our clients by following all safety protocols during the trip. This itinerary has been designed by travel experts and veteran guides who have trekked on this route innumerable times.

To prevent AMS, the required number of rest days have been added to the itinerary. Our guides always carry a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter (to measure the oxygen level in your blood) with them. The guides assigned to you have more than 10 years of experience and know what steps to take during an emergency. They are well-trained in wilderness first aid and crisis management.

If a client shows symptoms of AMS and needs to descend to a lower elevation, an assistant guide will escort them and follow the safety protocol. He will closely monitor the client’s condition and take the required steps needed for the client's well-being.

If they feel alright after a night’s rest, the guide will escort the client back to join the group. But if the condition worsens, the client will be escorted down to a lower elevation or airlifted to Kathmandu for expert medical aid.

A typical day on the Manaslu Trek

A typical day on the trail begins with a wake-up call at around 6 AM by your guide. Freshen up and get ready. Pack your belongings and head to the dining area for breakfast by 7 AM. Check your luggage for the final time and fill your water bottle before you hit the trail by 8 AM, along with your guide.

To avoid walking in the heat and enjoy clear mountains' views, you make an early start. En route, there will be short breaks to enjoy the views and take photographs. You stop for lunch at a local teahouse around noon or mid-day. After a quick rest of about an hour or 40 minutes, you get back on the trail and continue till you reach your overnight stop.

Upon reaching the stop for the night, you head to your teahouse, check in, and have some rest. Tea with some light refreshments (cookies or biscuits) will be served at 5 PM. As the rooms are not insulated, you can warm yourself by the heater or stove in the communal area.

Exchange stories or play cards with other trekkers till dinner is served (around 7 PM). After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s trek – the route you will take, difficulty, where you will stop for lunch, etc. Afterward, retire for the night and have a well-deserved rest.

On average, you may have to walk 5 to 6 hours daily. The toughest day will be the crossing of Larkya La on Day 14.  There will be plenty of stops en route to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

Responsible Travel

Travel responsibly and try to limit any negative impact on the environment. Limit the use of plastic and be mindful about throwing waste in the mountains. When you trek with us, you will be supporting local communities (from the guides and porters to teahouse owners). We, as a company, support sustainable tourism and patronize local businesses. We partner with service providers who work towards saving the environment.  As an active member of KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), we make sure that our trips are environmentally friendly.