Manaslu region is one of the hidden and most adventurous trekking routes of Nepal. Manaslu circuit trek is the full of thrill traveling on the off the beaten path and are specially designed for luring adventurous travelers.
This trekking trail is newly opened in the restricted Manaslu Conservation area. It is opened for foreign trekkers and mountain climbers since 1992.
If you’re experienced or particularly free-willed trekker, you might want to trek Manaslu Circuit independently, no tour operator, no guide, no porter, just you and the trail !!!! But unfortunately, you can’t trek Manaslu region without a professional trekking guide.
Unlike other trekking regions like Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit trek , Manaslu Circuit trek can not be trek solo.
Since this trekking route is less populated in comparison to other popular trekking trails. This trek is ideal for those who are wondering to travel to the isolated trekking route.
As this trekking route lies in the restricted area, certain terms and conditions need to be followed. You’re not allowed to enter the region without the trekking permits and professional guide.
Also, the special trekking permits and the trip must be organized through an official and registered trekking company. For foreign trekkers, at least two people are required to enter this region.
Manaslu circuit trek offers the jaw-dropping views of the world’s 8th highest Mt. Manaslu, 10th highest Mt. Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, and Annapurna III.
This off – beaten trek begins with the exciting drive from Kathmandu to Arughat village.
The trekking region is mostly inhabited by two major ethnic groups; Gurung and Sherpa. Both communities follow Buddhism. The culture and tradition are similar to the neighboring territory of Tibet.
The trek offers a fantastic combination of rich cultural heritage and untouched natural beauty and biological diversity.
Although this adventure trek is categorized under the strenuous trek, it is possible for first-time trekkers too. However, a high level of fitness, willpower, and dedication is important.
It is now slowly emerging as the best tea house trekking route in Nepal.
There is only one alternative to Manaslu Circuit Trek without a guide that is to hire a porter guide. But Porter guide also must be government licensed holder. Porter guide can assist you to carry your backpack up to 10-12 kg.
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Essential Trekking Permits
After all Manaslu region lies in restricted trekking areas, you are required to have the restricted area permit. The following trekking permits are required;
- Restricted Area Permit
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit,
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
- Tsum Valley Permit (Optional if you plan for Manaslu Tsum valley Trek)
However, you aren’t required to carry TIMS card, since you have the restricted trekking permits. To obtain all these trekking permits you need a local trekking company.
Want more information? Send us your query, and our experts will get back to you within 24 hrs.
Cost of Hiring Registered Guide and Porter for Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Registered trekking guide wages is US $30-35 per day. This cost includes meals, accommodations, equipment, salary, and insurance.
- Porter’s wage is US $20-22 per day. This cost includes meals, accommodations, equipment, salary, and insurance.
- The cost of Manaslu special trekking permits is US $100 per week and after 7 days per day per person US $15.
- TIMS card permit cost is US $20 per person.
- Annapurna Conservation entrance permit cost is US $30 per person
- Manaslu Conservation entrance permits cost is US $ 30 per person.
Reason to Hire a Professional Trekking Guide
- Mountain terrain is a very unforgiving place. If you hire a guide, they will look after you during the whole trek. Guides are well trained on safety precautions and will ensure your safety.
- The trekking guides are well familiar with the Government trekking permits. You don’t have to run for the permits just relax as those permits will be arranged by a trekking company.
- One of the interesting facts to hire a local guide is they’re well familiar with the culture and lifestyle of the people living there. If you trek through the trekking company then the guide will explain to you about the local cultures and traditions. A guide will make you comfortable to interact with the locals and you’ll understand the local culture.
- The one thing no one wants is to get ill during the vacation. Trekking is to walk in the Himalayas where the weather can change instantly and altitude sickness is a big problem on high altitude trek. In case if you get ill then the guide will immediately get help. So, in this type of situation, a guide would be your life-saving company.
- While trekking with a guide you’ll get correct information related to the weather, trekking routes, and so on.
- Trekking in the remote areas you might not get friendly with the locality. So traveling independently means you have to book accommodation in advance. You might not get fact information about the accommodation and food. But if you travel with a guide you don’t need to worry about accommodation and food. During peak trekking season, you may not get a room in the teahouse without prior booking. The trekking guide will take you to the best place. Thus, you don’t need to take any tension between food and accommodation.
Final Thoughts
Yes, to trek in Manaslu region, you must be accompanied by a professional trekking guide.
Trekking without a guide in a remote Himalayan region is also a big hassle. As you have to arrange accommodation, trekking routes etc along meals on your own.
Although trekking permits and mandatory guide makes somehow difficult for most of the budget trekkers. But it’s good to have a guide and it would be awesome if the guide is professional and English speaking. Most of the people on the highland doesn’t speak English, even they prefer not to speak at all.
Likewise, it might be difficult to find a good well-experienced trek guide. Not only experience, but the trekking guide must also be registered and hold a proper government license.
Since, if it is your first-time trek in Nepal, you might get difficult to find a genuine guide. Thus, it is better if you do the Manaslu Circuit trek through a local trekking agency.
Being a leading trekking agency in Nepal we Mosaic Adventure will successfully arrange a professional trekking guide for the successful completion of the trek.
Also, for our dear female travelers, we can arrange a friendly, experienced, and licensed holder trekking guide that are well professional and experience on this field.
If you want more information about Manaslu Circuit trek or any other trekking package feel free to contact us. We are happy to serve you at any time !!!
Want more information? Send us your query, and our experts will get back to you within 24 hrs.
Madhav started working as a porter in 2001 and then moved on to work as a trekking guide. After working in the trekking and tourism industry for eight years, he co-founded Mosaic Adventure in 2009.
Madhav has trekked to most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Indigenous Peoples Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and all of the day hikes around Kathmandu.
He has also extensively traveled to other countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Japan, China, the Philippines, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Turkey, and India. Madhav is the one who answers most of your questions about trekking and tours and helps to plan your trip by giving a personal touch.
