Lower Manaslu Trek

Best Time To Visit Lower ManasluDocuments Required

The best time for the Lower Manaslu Trek is from September to November and March to May. It falls in the spring and autumn season respectively. These two seasons are the peak season for trekking in Nepal. The weather and climate are perfect for trekking. Similarly, the temperature is also moderately warm and favorable. The sky is clear and there is a minimum chance of rainfall or snowfall in higher elevations.

The vegetation is also lush and green during these seasons. The rhododendron forests along the trail blooms during the spring season. It is the best time to enjoy the scenery of Lower Manaslu Trek. During these seasons, trekkers can witness the diverse biodiversity of the region. They can also get a panoramic view of Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal mountain ranges.

The summer falls in the monsoon season. The trail is muddy and slippery. There are risks of landslides. So it is not safe for Lower Manaslu Trek in summer. During winter, the higher elevation experiences heavy snowfall. So, check with the travel agency before embarking on the journey during the summer and winter seasons.

Elevation and Distance

During the Lower Manaslu Trek, you travel through rich villages and beautiful areas that add up to a total of roughly 90 kilometers (56 miles). You begin the trek in Ghairung (1,090 meters), which is the place from which the actual trek begins after driving from Kathmandu. After that, the hike gently heads up through small villages such as Sirandanda, Barpak, and Laprak.

At 3,220 meters (10,564 feet), Darche Danda is the highest altitude of the trek. This place gives you an extraordinary view of the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal ranges in all directions.

During the trek, you’ll travel up and down hills, through forests, open farmland, and rural communities, providing many interesting cultural and scenic moments. People looking for a bit of history and mountain views but who do not want to climb too high should choose this moderately difficult trek.

Difficulty and Altitude Sickness

The Lower Manaslu Trek is designed for moderately fit trekkers who are comfortable with a bit of trekking. You climb gradually on dirt trails through hills and villages and do not encounter difficult climbs. The highest point, Darche Danda at 3,220 meters, is well below where altitude sickness usually starts, so you are unlikely to get it.

Even so, some people have only mild signs, such as breathing problems or a headache. You shouldn’t go higher further and should take a rest where you are or descend down to a lower elevation. If you stay hydrated, keep a good pace, and get properly used to the environment, you can cope with the altitude. All in all, the lower Manaslu trek is safer and less demanding than treks in the Himalayas.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

You walk for 6-7 hours on Day 10 during the Lower Manaslu Trek, descending from Darche Danda to Tallo Thotneri. This is the longest walking day of this entire trek. You will find the easiest day to walk is on Day 06, only requiring 1–2 hours on the trail after the 6-hour drive.

Every day of this trek is about walking for 4-6 hours through different sections of countryside and villages. When totaling the walking days, the average time you spend actively walking is about 5 hours. This means the walk is ideal for anyone looking for a pleasant trek with close-by culture and nature.

Accommodation

During the Lower Manaslu Trek, you are guaranteed comfortable and well-managed accommodation. You will have 3 nights in a clean tourist hotel with modern facilities, sharing a room with another guest. During the trekking journey, most places to sleep are local teahouses or homestays, and accommodation is usually on a twin-sharing basis.

All rooms have beds, pillows, and blankets to ensure guests get enough sleep. In the lower-elevation villages, you generally find Western toilets, but higher up, it’s usually Eastern-style squat toilets. You’ll usually find that lodges have heated living rooms, offering a nice place to unwind in the evening.

Accommodations are often located with great views of the Himalayas from the comfort of your room. The lower Manaslu route lacks big facilities, but the friendly hosts make the experience more enjoyable and genuine.

Food and Drink

During the Lower Manaslu Trek, your meals are part of the package and will be served at teahouses or homestays as you go. Most breakfasts include bread, pancakes, eggs, porridge, tea, or coffee. During lunch and dinner, you’ll be eating Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, and vegetables), noodles, fried rice, momos, soups, and seasonal vegetables. Taking a hot tea, coffee, or cup of lemon water should not be difficult.

It’s best to take energy bars and a reusable water bottle. Drinking water can be made safe by using purification tablets or filters on the trail. Although you can buy snacks, bottled drinks, or packaged foods at the tea houses, these costs are not included in the package and must be paid by yourself.

For being healthy while trekking, you should skip meat (as it may not be properly stored at elevation) and avoid drinking any substances that might compromise your energy and your body’s adaptation to altitude.

Alternative Routes

Several different routes are available if you’re looking for an alternative to the Lower Manaslu Trek.

A tougher option that goes in a circle around Mount Manaslu is the Manaslu Circuit Trek, as it climbs to more than 5,000 meters. The journey lets you admire the mountains and share in local culture.

During the Tsum Valley Trek, you will encounter the beauty of little-known Tsum Valley and its special monasteries that date back centuries. Because not many people go there, it’s very peaceful.

The newer, less popular Ganesh Himal Trek takes you past beautiful mountain views and through amazing traditional communities.

Seasoned trekkers will find that the Rupina La Pass route offers a wilderness adventure and connects with the Manaslu Circuit.

No matter which trek you choose, it’ll have its own set of difficulties and joys for people with different backgrounds.

Can a beginner join this trek?

You can complete the Lower Manaslu Trek as a beginner. This trek is rated moderate since you spend about 4–6 hours hiking each day on average. At 3,220 meters, the elevations are considered safe from serious altitude sickness.

The paths go by villages that are well known for their comfortable places to stay and warm welcome. A little training, being ready, and a good approach will help first-timers succeed at this trek. It’s a great introduction to trekking in Nepal, offering stunning Himalayan views, rich cultural experiences, and historical sites without requiring prior high-altitude trekking experience or technical climbing skills.

Preparation and Fitness

To get the best out of the trek in Lower Manaslu, you should be reasonably fit and get ready. You don’t have to be a frequent trekker to join, but exercising for a few weeks before the trek is a good idea.

When you can, walk on paths that are neither flat nor straight. Always remember to grab a comfy backpack, choose shoes that you’ve worn a few times before, and stay hydrated.

A carefree attitude, prepared mind, and ability to accept basic conditions help you enjoy your stay. Since there are no high altitudes on the trek, you only need enough fitness to walk steadily.

Gadget charging, Internet, and communication

It is not difficult to remain connected along this route, but you must be reasonably prepared.

The majority of teahouses and homestays along the trail provide electricity for charging items and common areas like dining halls. Tea houses in the lower elevation usually depend on cities for power, but higher areas need solar sources.

Prices for charging fees vary from NPR 100 to 300 for each device. You should bring a power bank that charges quickly or a solar charger so your devices keep running during the whole hike.

Most teahouses in Barpak and similar lower-altitude villages sell Wi-Fi for a supplementary fee. Even so, internet connections in remote areas tend to be slow and sometimes unreliable.

A local SIM from NTC or Ncell can be bought in Kathmandu for your convenience. The NTC network covers more areas in the Manaslu region. Signal strength on your mobile device is higher in lower elevations and can be scarce the higher you go.

During emergencies, a few teahouses let visitors use satellite phones. You can save power by switching your devices to airplane mode after you’re not using them and try not to spend much time on the phone.

Transportation

Higher-standard tourist vehicles are used to make travel easy on the Lower Manaslu Trek. We set out from Kathmandu on Day 03, journeyed to Kurintar, and then took a cable car up to Manakamana.

From Gorkha Bazaar, we drive for six hours to reach Bhacheck village, after which we set out on a brief hike to Sirandanda. We take a vehicle from Ghyampeshaal to return to Kathmandu on Day 12.

We provide well-maintained vehicles that are comfortable according to the group size.

What to Expect

You’ll find a mix of beautiful nature, rich culture, and history in the Lower Manaslu Trek. Anyone trekking to Darche Danda (at 3,220m) can see panoramic views of the Manaslu, Ganesh, and Annapurna ranges.

On the trail, you’ll come across villages like Barpak, Laprak, and Sirandanda, which give you a real glimpse of Gurung and Magar ways of life, hospitality, and customary homestays.

You will get to know Nepal’s history more deeply by seeing places like the Gorkha Palace and Lakhan Thapa Memorial Park. Because the slope is gentle, this trek is approachable by beginners.

Prepare to discover hilltop towns, forests, rivers, and farmlands like Switzerland throughout the trek. There are comfortable sleeping facilities, and meals are tasty local dishes.

This trek is great for anyone who wants to avoid crowded trails and meet local people but not have to deal with tough high altitude. The trip to the Himalayas gives you a feeling of fulfillment and richness.

The documents required for the Lower Manaslu Trek include:

Visa

International trekkers need to get visas to travel across Nepal. It allows them to travel freely and participate in activities including trekking. They can get a visa from the Nepal Embassy in their respective countries. They can also get the visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

The visa cost for SAARC country residents is free. For non-SAARC residents, the visa costs:

USD 30 for 15 day multiple-entry visa
USD 50 for 30 day multiple-entry visa
USD 125 for 90 day multiple-entry visa

Permit

Trekkers need to take four permits for the Lower Manaslu Trek. They will need a TIMS card (Trekkers Information Management System), Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Manaslu region is classified as a restricted area by the government of Nepal.

Hence, trekkers need a restricted area permit. Similarly, the trek route also goes through the Manaslu Conservation Area and Annapurna Conservation Area. So, trekkers also have to get a permit for both conservation areas.

The cost for a TIMS Card is USD 20 per person for an unlimited number of days.
The cost for a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit differs as per the season.

From September to November, it costs USD 100 per person for the first seven days. Then onwards, it will cost an additional USD 15 per person per day. From December to August, it costs USD 75 per person for the first seven days. From the eighth day onwards, it is an additional USD 10 per person per day.

The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit costs USD 30 per person. Likewise, the cost for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is USD 30. The cost remains the same throughout the year for both conservation areas.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance ensures the safety and security of the trekkers. The insurance helps to cover medical emergencies. The rough terrain can sometimes lead to injuries. Similarly, the high elevation can cause altitude sickness and need immediate rescue. At such times, travel insurance helps to cover medical expenses. The travel insurance can also cover baggage loss, trip postponement, and trip cancellation. Make sure to check the policy of the insurance before getting one. Also, consult with the insurance provider and trekking agency.