What are the Major Attractions in the Manaslu Region? 

The Manaslu region is the ultimate destination for trekkers and lovers of wild nature. Manaslu Region is located in the center of the great Himalayas. Covering beautiful unspoiled natural scenery, history, archeology, and spectacular treks, this region is perfect for those looking for places not affected by excessive tourism. Here are some of the major attractions in the Manaslu region that you should not miss. 

List of the Major Attractions in The Manaslu Region

 1. Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Major attraction is the Manaslu Circuit Trek, which attracts several people including international visitors. This is a thrilling but tiring trek for most people and it encircles the eighth-highest mountain in the world known as Mount Manaslu which rises to 8,163 meters.

Geographically, it covers a wide area with mother nature revealing its beauty in vegetation-studded valleys and ripened terrains intercalated with baron upland landscapes. Throughout the hike, you will pass through some of the beautiful local villages, cross through suspension bridges of some roaring rivers, and get an eye view of some mountain terrains. 

 2. Larkya La Pass 

The Major attractions of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is considered to be the Larkya La Pass. This mountain pass is situated at a height of 5,160 meters and gives the trekkers a splendid view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru. Approaching the pass is a bit of a climb but the feeling of getting to the top and the beauty of the area makes everyone forget the tiredness. 

 3. Manaslu Base Camp 

For those who wants to get much closer to the impressive stature of Manaslu, the Manaslu Base Camp trek is advised for a side trip.

The base camp is situated at a height of 4,800 meters and on its terrains, one can have majestic view of the north face of Manaslu. The entire trek to the base camp goes through the lovely alpine pastures and glacial moraines and you can feel the magnanimity of the Himalayas. 

4. Tsum Valley 

The Tsum Valley also colloquially known as the ‘the hidden valley’, is a very cultural area where participants get to discover more about the Tibetan Buddhist way of life. This valley comprises monasteries and other historical buildings, many walls, and chortens or pyramid-like shrines.

You can read more about Tsum Valley’s cost and Itinerary

Tsum Valley is the home of the Tsumbas who have remained loyal to their cultural heritage, thus making this area a cultural paradise. The main interest in the valley is the monasteries; Mu Gompa is one of those major monastic institutions among this Monastic valley; the other one is Rachen Gompa. 

5. Sama Gaon 

Sama Gaon is one of the beautiful villages placed at a height of 3,550 meters. It becomes a crucial halt center for trekkers who transport themselves from one point to the other in the Manaslu Circuit. The area next to the village is filled with beautiful mountains and going to Pungyen Gompa – a monastery on the top of the hill that provides great views of Manaslu and other mountains gives a spiritual experience and great views. Major Attractions in the Manaslu Region

6. Birendra Lake

Approximately half an hour’s uphill trek from Sama Gaon is located Birendra Lake, a glacial lake is a freshwater lake located in Manaslu Glacier in Gorkha District in northern-central Nepal. The water of the lake is in a bright shade of turquoise and the hills behind it are gigantic and scenic. It is also Major Attractions in the Manaslu Region and is a perfect place for a day hike and picnicking since you get to enjoy the scenery in the area after the trek. 

7. Buddhist Monasteries 

The areas surrounding the Manaslu are marked with several Buddhist monasteries, and each one of them has its appeal to the tourists. These are monasteries that are painted with colorful prayer flags and many carvings and paintings on the walls they are ideal places for those seeking to meditate and learn about the customs of Buddhism. Some of the important monasteries that one should not miss are Lha Monastery and Shringi Monastery. 

8. Wildlife and Natural Beauty 

Flora and fauna are rich and Manaslu Conservation has numerous species of birds and animals such as snow leopard, tahr, etc. Wild animals like the Himalayan tahr and blue sheep can be sighted, and if by any chance one is lucky, the snow leopard. The biological diversity along with the beautiful natural features of forests, rivers, and mountains makes it a perfect natural world for tourists. 

The best time to visit the Manaslu region, known for its diverse climate and dramatic weather changes, generally falls within the two main trekking seasons: the former as the warm season which includes March to May, and the latter as the cool season which includes September to November. All seasons have their prospects and challenges and that is why the planning of the trekking should be very accurate. 

When to go to Manaslu Region?

Trekking in the Manaslu region is best during spring because the environment is quite favorable, characterized by rather mild temperatures. It is warm to hot during the day and cool to chilly at night but not cold. The other major attraction that is observed especially during the spring trekking is the flowers especially rhododendrons cover the trails with beautiful colors amid green vegetation. 

This season also is characterized by clear weather, as the tourists can observe beautiful views of the mountain peaks and the surrounding territory. Though the trekking is done in large groups of people in this season, private as well as public accommodations are available along the routes, hence, it is advisable to pre-booking. 

In Autumn Season

Manaslu area trekking is most preferred in the autumn season because of the stable weather conditions with less precipitation and clear skies. During the post-monsoon season however, the climate is cool and there is no vegetation hinderance created by the sun to block the view of the mountains and other exquisite sceneries.

It also falls within the festival period in Nepal such as the Dashain and Tihar that enable the realization of Nepalese culture and celebrations. Days are warm rather hot and nights are quite chilly, particularly in the higher regions, therefore, the necessary to pack warm clothing. Like springs, the trails and the teahouses may be fully booked but one can make early bookings to secure a space. 

In winter

The Manaslu region trekking in the winter is less crowded hence it offers quite several solitude experiences. The weather is severe with snow that wreathes the region leaving the country with a true alpine feel in the winter.

Winter is rather crisp with lots of snow which may make some of the trails difficult or even closed in some days. It is very important to properly equip yourself for winter and if you are not properly dressed for the low temperatures and have no prior experience in high altitude cold weather trekking it is better to go home. 

In monsoon

The climate of the region is affected by two monsoons the South West monsoon from June to August brings rains making the region green with beautiful floral colors and with rivers flowing. But, the disadvantage is that during the rainy seasons, the trails become slippery; there are high chances of landslides, and leeches are a nuisance.

Trekking should not be done during this particular season due to the unfavorable conditions that hamper one’s safety while on the trail. Moreover, freezing rain, snow, clouds, and fog reduce the scenic beauty and hiker’s satisfaction by hiding the view of the mountains. 

The difficulty of trekking in the Manaslu Region 

Hiking in the Manaslu region is somewhat challenging and can be difficult for new visitors because of its geographical position, severe climate, and difficult trails. One must know in advance the exact problems likely to be encountered and must be ready to face them and that way the whole journey can be much more pleasant. 

Lots of people consider high altitude as one of the main difficulties concerning trekking in the Manaslu region. Trekking passes through altitudes of over 5,000m, worth the Larkya La Pass at 5,160m. At such a point, it becomes possible for trekkers to suffer from altitude sickness which includes aches in the head, vomiting, and dizziness.

It is very important to acclimatize the body correctly and it is normally done where recommended rest days are incorporated in the itinerary due to low oxygen levels. Trekkers should respect the signals by their bodies telling them not to rush and most importantly should not hike too fast. 

The climatological conditions of the Manaslu area are harsh and include lowland plains with forests as well as high-altitude desert. The trekkers are possibly going to encounter very steep climbing or descending areas, ridge trails, and rocky surfaces.

Such features as crossing suspension bridges over deep gorges and trekking through the side areas increase the level of difficulty of the trek. This performing art is best done on hard ground that needs energy, strength, and endurance to dance on. Some associated exercises such as cardiovascular as well as strength-building exercises in preparation for the trek are known to enhance a trekker’s experience. 

Other Difficulty Factors of Trekking in the Manaslu Region

Other factors that may contribute to the hardship of the trek are weather conditions in the region around the Manaslu. Best trekking times are just before the monsoon season, that is, between March to May, and the post-monsoon between September to November though temperatures can be considerably fluctuating. During their trek, depending on the season, the trekkers might be caught up in very hot temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night, in spring. 

Autumn has clear skies however the temperatures are still low, especially with increasing altitude. This is true because the climate up in the mountains changes can occur at any time hence making it essential for the trekkers to be prepared to fetch rain gears or gears that are appropriate for snowy or windy climates. Appropriate clothing, successive layers, a durable and warm sleeping bag, as well as a reliable tent will help to overcome the mentioned fluctuations. 

Additional complications to logistics and accessibility:

Additional complications to logistics and accessibility must be mentioned when speaking about the Manaslu region. The area is less developed as far as trekking infrastructure is concerned being relatively more developed than regions such as Everest or Annapurna. Accommodation in the form of teahouses and lodges is also a possibility along the route; however, the standard of these establishments can be low and is generally worse in the higher parts of the trek. 

Trekkers should be ready to take plain meals and the accommodations will be shared. Also, the permits, for example, the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, ACAP, and the MCAP are not easy to obtain without proper planning as well as an understanding of the rules for allowing permits. 

This hinders the possibilities of the trek due to the necessity of having a guide and at least two trekkers to be granted the relevant permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. There exists a regulation for this reason for the simple fact that the location is rather isolated and sometimes hazardous. 

Besides the cost of paying the guide, the services received from the guide are quite essential since they include the guide’s knowledge of the area being trekked, help in case of an emergency, and last but not least the cultural information that enriches one’s trekking experience. 

Are you in need of a guide to trekking in the Manaslu region?

Necessity of a Guide when Trekking in the Manaslu Area 

Some of the difficulties that one is likely to encounter in the Manaslu region, which is attractive for its beautiful scenery and rather intense treks, make a guide’s help essential. To sum up, let’s list some of the essential benefits one can get with the help of a professional guide in this type of trekking in that isolated area of the Himalayas: 

Navigational Expertise

This type of character is useful for navigation, one of the primary purposes of a guide. The trails in the Manaslu region could be more challenging and sometimes not well-defined especially when compared to circuits such as the EBC or the Annapurna circuit.

An obvious observation is that a guide, who knows the area, can help the lost walker to stay on the right track so as not to get lost. Such agencies can also give the client details of the best approaches to make depending on the weather and the level of the trail you intend to cover making the trip productive and fun. 

Safety and Emergency Assistance 

Another issue that hikers face particularly when hiking in the remote and highlands regions of Manaslu is safety. A guide needs to know all signs of getting a high altitude sickness or any other sickness you are likely to get while trekking. It is in their hands to decide on acclimatization schedules, and whether it is safe to continue or is the need to go down. 

During the emergencies, guides are armed with important information on how to proffer the first aid as well as how to conduct the evacuation exercise where necessary. The applicant’s previous experience in handling difficult unruly circumstances. 

Despite so, the Manaslu region’s cultural features are diverse with lots of villages retaining their original culture. A guide, probably a native of the area, can offer a wealth of knowledge about the customs, practices, and routines of people living in the area. 

They can help interpret and negotiate with the locals which will make your trekking even more enjoyable. With the help of the guide, certain places like monasteries, an understanding of the locals’ behavior, and visits to festivals become more understandable, because the guide can describe in detail, why some such actions are taking place. 

Logistical Support

Trekking in the area of Manaslu is considered to be very challenging as it demands proper planning throughout the trek. Some of these services include helping acquire the appropriate permits for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, and the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, organizing your meals and accommodate you in the isolated villages of Manaslu Circuit Trek. 

They are useful in the arrangement of accommodation in basic teahouses that are sometimes few and far apart; they make sure you have a place to sleep each day. They are conversant with their local environment; a factor that determines whether they get to have a comfortable night’s sleep, or have to spend that night in the wild. 

Environmental and Cultural Preservation 

Many guides themselves get trained in sustainable trekking and it is common knowledge that the area of Manaslu is very sensitive to reckless interference. It’s an opportunity for them to sensitize the trekkers on how not to harm the environment such as disposal of garbage and non-interference with animal life.

Further, they can identify cultural requirements, that will help to build the correct and healthy relations with the population. This awareness assists in the conservation of natural beauty and cultural value for future generation’s appreciation. 

Compliance with Regulations

Unlike other areas of the Annapurna or Langtang region, the Manaslu region has put some restrictions on trekkers such as having to hire a licensed guide and should be in a group of a minimum of two trekkers. 

The following regulations are implemented in an endeavor to protect the lives of the trekkers and to minimize the effect of tourism activities on the ecological structure of the region and people dwelling in the area. By hiring a guide, you eliminate these issues because the guide will remind you of these rules thus making you enjoy the trekking experience. 

Conclusion  

The Manaslu region is really beautiful having many things associated with nature and it also has a rich cultural heritage. The mighty mountain passes that require hiking, and the beautiful valleys with the remote monasteries of this area can be a perfect destination for one and all.

The Manaslu region is a perfect destination for you no matter if you are a professional trekker or cultural tourist – this region will open one of the most remote corners of the Himalayas to you. 

Here are a few of our popular packages for you. Today, make plans to travel to this amazing region of Nepal!

• Chola Pass Trek
• Manaslu Short Trek
• Manaslu Two Passes Trek
• Rupina La Pass Trek