Manaslu region trekking, including Manaslu Base Camp and Manaslu Circuit Trekking, has been overwhelmingly popular among the adventure enthusiasts in recent years. This less crowded and restricted area trekking in Nepal offers a core experience of rural trekking and wilderness, taking us to the Tibetan border. Beginning from Sotikhola, the Manaslu Circuit Trekking takes us to magnificent landscapes, lush forests, terraced fields, holy caves and monasteries, soothing river beaches, and alluring mountain peaks, including Mt. Manaslu, one of the eight highest mountains in the world. We also have an opportunity to cross Larkya La (5,125 m), one of the highest passes in the world. The adventure lovers can experience exquisite thrills of adventure while crossing this pass. Finally, we end this Manaslu Circuit Trekking in Besisahar and drive back to Kathmandu.
Before explaining why to choose Manaslu circuit trekking for 2025/2026, let’s see some facts about the Manaslu Circuit Trekking. The facts about the Manaslu Circuit Trekking are discussed in detail below.
Manaslu Trekking Highlights:
- Mt. Manaslu (8,156 m), one of the eight highest peaks in the world
- Core wilderness, serenity, and remoteness
- Dialects at Tibetan Border
- Larkya La Pass (5,125 m), one of the highest passes in the world
- Holy caves, monasteries, and amazing ethnic people
Top things to know before exploring the Manaslu Circuit Trekking
Manaslu Round Trek
Transportation:
We use land transportation for the Manaslu Circuit Trekking since there is no connection of domestic flights to the Manaslu region. We first take a long drive of 7-8 hours from Kathmandu to Sotikhola or Machhakhola. For this, we get two types of transportation: a jeep ride and a local bus ride. A local bus ride may take 7-8 hours, but a private jeep takes 4-5 hours to get from Sotikhola to Kathmandu. One private jeep can be shared by 7-8 people. Truly speaking, a private jeep ride is more convenient than a public bus ride.
Food and Accommodation:
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
As the Manaslu region is a remote area of Nepal, we do not get luxury accommodation during our trek. Rather, we have to be satisfied with ordinary accommodation. A few years back, trekkers would carry all required stuff, including tents and food, for their Manaslu Circuit Trekking, but these days, we can find guesthouses run by local people. It will be pleasant to stay with local people, tasting local food items and exploring their way of life. The beds are clear, toilets and bathrooms are shared, and outside. One twin sharing accommodation costs between USD 10 and 15.
We get certain items of food, including bread items, noodles, dumplings, curries, soups, Dal Bhat, etc., as mentioned in the menu. We pick the items we like and order them to prepare for us. Sometimes, it takes time to prepare food for you, especially during peak season: Autumn. One item of food costs between USD 5 and 10.
Best Time to Travel:
Autumn (Sep-Nov) is the best time to make the Manaslu Circuit Trekking. We have pleasant weather, and the mountain views are breathtaking during autumn. Some of the trekkers love to make their travel to the Manaslu region in spring (Feb-April). In spring, we can celebrate mesmerizing flowering rhododendron on the entire Manaslu trekking trail. Relatively, the trail and the lodges are less crowded during spring.
Now, it’s time to move through the reasons:
Top 4 reasons to choose Manaslu Circuit Trekking for 2025/2026?
Less Crowded Trekking Trail
Manaslu Circuit Trek Weather
In recent years, the majority of the people have loved to trek in less crowded and remote areas. The Manaslu Circuit Trekking trail satisfies the trekkers who love trekking in the less crowded and remote area in Nepal. Actually, the majority of the trekkers who come to Nepal choose Everest, Annapurna, and the Langtang region for their trekking, but people who know the wilderness and less crowded area trekking in Nepal go with the Manaslu Circuit Trekking. So that this trekking trail is always virgin and unspoiled.
What will be the benefits of Manaslu Circuit Trekking? Holidays are not celebrated in a crowd. Your holiday is meant to avoid the crowd and pressure of workload. So, you will have such freedom and wilderness during your Manaslu Circuit Trekking that it will completely relax you. Similarly, you will have good accommodation and food if the trekking trail is less flocked. The lodges and guesthouses are full of people queuing for food and other services and will be nasty during your holiday trip. You can enjoy nature as your intimate friend in complete freedom. So, trekkers will experience an absolutely different flavor of trekking in the Manaslu region. And, till 2025 and 2026, the Manaslu Circuit Trekking trail will still be virgin and unspoiled.
Adventure Trekking
How long is Manaslu?
Manaslu Circuit Trekking is widely popular as an adventure trek in Nepal. Adventure enthusiasts find Manaslu Circuit Trekking a perfect holiday trip to experience the real thrills of adventure. Starting from the elevation of 710 m (Sotikhola), we ascend up to 5,200 m (Larkya La Pass), the highest point of this trekking and also one of the highest passes in the world. So, this trekking is considered to be one of the adventure treks in Nepal. We require preparing some skills prior to our Manaslu Circuit Trekking. Our short hiking, trekking, regular exercises, aerobics, etc., help us to enhance our stamina. We need to walk at least 7 hours in a day. If you have such stamina and confidence and love adventure trekking in Nepal, then why not put the Manaslu Circuit Trekking on your bucket list for 2025/2026?
Remote and Restricted Area Trekking
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit
Manaslu Circuit Trekking takes us to the most remote area of Nepal bordering Tibet, where we can explore dialects. Nepalese people’s tradition and culture are largely affected by Tibetan tradition and culture. The Manaslu Circuit Trekking trail is such a remote area of Nepal that it is flamed by modernization and globalization. The age-old civilization and culture will astonish the trekkers on this trail. The trade link to the Tibetan land, cultural and ritual performances, holy and historical caves, and monasteries are the things to explore in this remote area of the Manaslu region in Nepal.
Since the Manaslu Circuit Trekking is a restricted area trekking in Nepal, like the Makalu Base Camp Trekking, we require obtaining a special area trekking permit. Restricted area trekking means only a few people can visit and explore the area. So, you can enjoy the things as you like. But it doesn’t mean that you can exploit nature and culture. The trails and the natural resources are well preserved in the restricted area so that you can have the natural flavor of your holiday trip for 2025/2026.
Easy Access and Less Expensive
Relatively, getting to the Manaslu Circuit Trekking trailhead has become easier recently because the remote road from Dhading Bensi to Arughat has been concretized. Now, the road from Kathmandu to Arghat is smooth and comfortable. Previously, it would take 8-10 hours to get to Sotikhola or Arughat from Kathmandu, but these days we spend only 5-6 hours. And one more good piece of news for the trekkers who are planning to do the Manaslu Circuit Trekking for 2025/26 is that they can do it during the rainy season too since the road has been upgraded. It is assured that there is not any inconvenience on the way to Sotikhola or Arughat from Kathmandu these days.
In comparison to other trekking regions like Annapurna, Langtang, and Everest, Manaslu region trekking food and accommodations are less expensive. Only the high cost you have to pay is for a restricted area trekking permit. Budget is a very important factor that determines your holiday trip. So, if you want to experience Nepal’s remote and less crowded wilderness with a lower budget for 2025/2026, go with the Around Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
How difficult is the Manaslu Trek?
Manaslu Trek is widely popular as an adventure or strenuous trek in a restricted area in Nepal. This is the trekking trail located on the borderline between Nepal and Tibet. We begin our Manaslu Trek from Sotikhola (730 m) or Machhakhola (930 m) and need to ascend up to Larkya La Pass (5,200 m), which is one of the highest passes in the world. The most challenging portion of the Manaslu Trek is crossing the Larkya La Pass. However, the thrills of adventure at the top of the Larkya La pass will absolutely be amazing. The off-the-beaten trails of the Manaslu Trek can turn wild at any time. In order to remain safe during our Manaslu Trek, we need to do good preparation and pack up the right trekking gear.
We recommend you prepare for your Manaslu Trek well. Do some short hiking and trekking, regular exercises, walking, jogging, and aerobics to enhance your stamina for the Manaslu trek. Actually, we are venturing into wild nature where we cannot get luxury facilities like restaurants, hotels, hospitals, etc. So, we have to be ready to tackle the challenges in this wild trekking trail with what we have. If we miss packing up the things we require on the trail, we are going to make our Manaslu Trek more challenging and complicated. Thus, prepare well by enhancing your stamina and packing up the reliable and right trekking gear, and make your Manaslu Trek a memorable one.
See also:
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty Level
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost and Itinerary
Final Words
There may be various reasons to choose Manaslu Circuit Trekking for 2025/2026, but we discussed only four major reasons in the above article. Hopefully, this article will help adventure enthusiasts to put Manaslu Circuit Trekking on their holiday bucket list. Definitely, you find the Manaslu region worth visiting, but once is not enough.
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