Hike the Epic Manaslu Trek

Things to know

• What's included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area and a local Nepali certified guide
    • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
    • Transportation from and to the airport
    • Transportation for the duration of the tour
      • Kathmandu to Sotikhola and Dharapani to Kathmandu by private 4×4 jeep
    • Hotel accommodations with breakfast in Kathmandu
    • Teahouse and mountain hut accommodations with all meals for the duration of the hike
    • Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
    • 1 hour trekkers massage / yoga after the trip completion
    • First aid medical kit
    • Local sim card
    • Company duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map
    • Down jackets and sleeping bags (upon request)
    • Government taxes
    • Porter services
    • Trekking permits/TIMS (MCAP, ACAP & Manaslu Special Permits)

  What’s not included:

  • • International flight to/from Kathmandu
    • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
    • Luggage transportation for the duration of the hike
    • Personal mountain gear
    • Guide gratuities
    • Trip insurance
• How fit do I need to be?

  Hiking the Manaslu Circuit is a challenging trek that requires excellent physical fitness. If you want to fully enjoy your trip to Nepal, you should be able to hike for up to 6 hours a day on steep, rocky, and slippery terrain with significant elevation changes. A lot of the hiking will be done in high altitudes (up to 5,106 m / 16,752 ft), so some experience dealing with high elevation is recommended. Keep in mind that you’ll also be carrying a backpack for 15 days and that weather can be unpredictable.

  The Manaslu Circuit trek isn’t for beginners who have no experience with longer hikes, rugged terrain, and high altitudes. Make sure you’re fit enough to endure multiple days of trekking with a loaded backpack and that you’re ready for higher altitudes.

• How can I prepare for altitude changes?

  Every 1000 m/ 3,200 ft you travel above sea level makes aerobic exercise 10% harder. Here are a few tips on do’s and don’ts for adapting to high altitude and avoiding altitude sickness:

  • • Do not eat heavy food the day before traveling to Kathmandu.
    • Make sure you drink between 6-8 glasses of water the days before your trip and during your trek.
    • Once you arrive at your accommodation, lie down a few minutes before going out to explore the area.
    • Once you are ready to go out and explore the area, try not to become agitated climbing stairs or walking fast. The best thing is to enjoy every corner of Kathmandu with calm and respect.

  You should also try to include cardio and strength training in your schedule. Cardio means getting your heart rate up by doing things like running, cycling, skipping and burpees. Strength training means using resistance, weights or your body weight to grow your muscles. The fitter you are, the less oxygen your muscles need to move — something invaluable in low-oxygen environment.

  If possible, do some training hikes at high altitudes before heading to Nepal. This will prepare you for the increased strain placed on your body when engaging in high-altitude trekking.

• Can I hire a porter to carry my stuff?

  Yes. Embarking on the Manaslu Circuit trek without a porter is an invigorating choice and your guides will provide 1 porter per 2 participants to help with the load. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 15 kg. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

• What do I need to bring?

  Suitcases or duffel bags are not allowed on this tour as you will be hiking with the backpack. If you want to bring extra clothing and luggage in a suitcase or duffel bag, you will have to leave them in the city.

  Ensure that all items fit securely within your backpack without anything protruding, keeping everything dry during the hike. The recommended maximum weight for your backpack is 15 kg/ 33 lbs, with an optimal limit around 8kg/17.6lbs. The quantities listed for specific items are indicative and based on guides’ recommendations.

  Here’s a list of personal equipment you need to bring:

  • • Backpack or duffle bag (50-70 L/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
    • A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
    • Large duffle bag — optional
    • Valid passport & passport scanned photocopies
    • Visa (easy to obtain on arrival)
    • 2 passport-sized photos for your permits
    • Sleeping bag with comfort temperature of -15°C to -20°C / 5°F to -4°F
    • Fleece sleeping bag liner — optional
    • Waterproof bag for your clothes
    • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
    • Sunglasses with UV protectio
    • Swimsuit and towel
    • Personal toiletries
    • Personal first-aid kit (make sure to take all you need with you)
    • Camera — optional
    • Power bank
    • Watch or alarm clock
    • Hiking poles — highly recommended
    • Water bottle and thermos
    • Large Ziplocs
    • Ear plugs
    • Small personal first-aid kit (simple and light) — first-aid tape, Band-Aids, alcohol-free wipes for cuts, personal medications, etc.
    • Tissue /toilet roll
    • Anti-bacterial hand wash
    • Skin blister repair kit
    • Anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium) — one pack
    • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
    • One small bottle cough and/or cold medicine
    • One course antibiotics for chest infection
    • One course antibiotics for stomach infection
    • One small bottle of water purification tablets (needs to contain silver-ions & chlorine) or a water filter or UV sterilizer
    • Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
    • Medium-sized quick drying towel

  Here’s a list of clothing you need to bring:

  • • Waterproof hiking boots with a sturdy sole
    • Waterproof jacket & pants (GoreTex recommended, 1)
    • Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions
    • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
    • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
    • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
    • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
    • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket and pants
    • Down vest and/or jacket — optional
    • Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
    • Hiking pants (1-2)
    • Short sleeve t-shirts (3-5)
    • Long sleeve t-shirts (1-2)
    • Hiking shorts (1)
    • Hiking trousers (1)
    • Lightweight thermal bottoms (1)
    • Fleece or wool trousers (1)
    • Non-cotton underwear briefs
    • Thin, lightweight inner socks
    • Heavy poly or wool socks
    • Cotton socks for free time — optional
    • Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version
    • Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
    • Trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
    • Lightweight poly-liner gloves
    • Lightweight wool or fleece gloves

  Please do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant. Due to the difficult terrain, it’s highly recommended to bring good quality mountain gear. Your guides will contact you about any additional equipment at the time of contracting the trip.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 5:1, while groups usually consist of 10 hikers and 2 guides. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
    • There will be 1 porter for every 2 participants.

  Annapurna Circuit trek can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors older than 16 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
    • This tour isn’t appropriate for children and minors under 16 years old.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Food and accommodation

  From the moment you step on the trail, you won’t have to worry about food, as all meals, tea and coffee are included—no matter how many cups or how many pots you want to drink! Your guide’s goal is to keep you hydrated at all costs to avoid the altitude sickness and (of course) to have the tranquility of not needing to pay extra money for something as basic as an extra cup of tea. 

  The accommodation used is always the best possible. In Kathmandu, you will stay at one of the best hotels in town. On the trail, you’ll stay in teahouses,  local ones with the best services (rooms, food & facilities) so you can really rest and enjoy after the daily treks.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, they will arrange for your pickup at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Kathmandu. After that, all you have to do is stay safe and have fun on this Nepal trekking tour!

• Safety measures on the Manaslu Circuit, Nepal

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on the Manaslu Circuit, Nepal, please refer to the US Embassy’s foreign travel advice for Nepal.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.