Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek – 19 Days

Upgrade your Transport with a Private Jeep

During the 19 days on our Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek, we will provide you with a local sharing bus or jeep for all ground transportation, including travel from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and from Muktinath to Pokhara.

The journey will be long and quite exhausting along a mix of paved and rugged roads in the mountains of Nepal. To provide you with greater comfort, we therefore offer you the option to upgrade your transport from a local sharing bus or jeep to a private transfer.

This arrangement will give you increased freedom, comfort, and flexibility. With private transfers, you can stop wherever you like, for however long you desire, and travel peacefully with your friends or alone.

Although there is a small surcharge for arranging a private transfer, the added convenience will certainly be worth it.

Take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara

On the final day of our Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek itinerary, a lengthy drive will take you from Muktinath to Pokhara via Jomsom. If you prefer, you can also decide to get off at Jomsom, enjoy an extra night, and then fly to Pokhara the next morning.

This arrangement can be made for a small additional amount, which will offer you an incredible opportunity to see the special, unrestricted beauty of the lower Mustang Valley. It will also cut your travel time on the road by half, allowing you to relax after an exhausting 16 days on foot.

Manaslu is restricted, but not Annapurna

The Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek occurs inside the much-protected and authorized conservation area of Manaslu and Annapurna Reserve. However, Annapurna, which has been open since 1977, has now become the much sought-after and open trek in Nepal.

But the Manaslu circuit has allowed limited access since 1991 because of its allocation under the Restricted Area. The Manaslu region shares its border with Tibet, which itself has some limited access to tourism.

On the other hand, the Annapurna region is not that close to Tibet and has developed itself as the focal area for Western tourism. This mass tourism has resulted in the depletion of the authenticity of the region, local charm, and the culture of the people.

However, in Manaslu, the restricted access has encouraged nature conservation, and locals still hold to their traditional customs and authenticity.

Thus, to make the Manaslu circuit more sustainable, so that future generations can also enjoy its splendor, the Manaslu circuit trek has been allocated as a Restricted Region.

Manaslu Circuit Vs Annapurna Circuit

The Manaslu and Annapurna circuits are two respected and most searched trekking routes in Nepal that offer you two distinct experiences and variations. The Manaslu circuit goes around the gigantic frame of Manaslu, which stands as the 8th-tallest mountain on the planet.

The Annapurna circuit, on the other hand, will circle around the 10th-tallest Himalaya, the grand Annapurna I.

However, these two treks, although combined into one, still offer you a very varied immersion. The Manaslu circuit trek will give you the exclusivity, making you feel you are one of the few.

It contains the dizzying demand of the 5106 m tall Larkya La pass, which gives you personal glances of Cheo, Shringi, Himlung, Manaslu, and Cheo. You will also have the 5030 m arduous difficulty of the Rui La Pass when reaching extremely close to Tibet.

On the other hand, the Annapurna circuit trek is more about a socializing trek that contains the dizzying challenge of 5416 m tall Thorong La Pass. The Annapurna range, containing I, II, and IV, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Fishtail, calls you atop this pass.

Thus, the remote wilderness and the soul of the authentic trekking are what the Manaslu circuit is all about, while Annapurna is more about mingling travel with astounding nature.

Best Season for the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek

The beautiful Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek should be planned for spring, in March, April, and May, or in the autumn, in September, October, and November.

Temperatures will be very pleasant, wildflowers and forests will be in bloom, and the sky will remain most of the time brilliant blue. However, be prepared for the changes in temperature with elevation.

In the lower parts of the Manaslu and Annapurna, you may be able to walk in T-shirts, while in the upper parts, you may shiver due to sub-zero temperatures even in spring and autumn.

These two seasons are also the busiest when you will have higher chances to meet fellow trekkers, and the tea houses will also be bustling with activity.

In June, July, and August, you will be guaranteed to get soaked not only by the monsoon rain but also by your own sweat due to the hot, humid air of Nepali summer. Moreover, you will also have the bad company of mosquitoes and leeches.

In the Nepali winter in December, January, and February, the Thorong La and the Larkya La passes may get closed due to snow, and the Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek may get canceled.

Difficulty Grade of Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek 19 Days Adventure

The Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek, if taken separately, would have been a moderate class II mountain trekking adventure. However, when these two mountain adventures are combined into one, the trip turns into a D-level mountain journey, thus intensifying the difficulty level.

This level indicates that the Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek 19 days expedition is a high degree of medium-level trekking, which contains certain challenges that will be hard to overcome, especially if you are a new high-altitude trekker.

The Manaslu circuit trek will be particularly strenuous due to its rugged, untamed paths that pass through dense jungles and rocky inclines, ending at a glacial landscape.

The Annapurna circuit is also demanding, but its trail has been traversed numerous times and has been developed to accommodate the overflow of trekkers.

However, both individual treks involve long days of hiking, often extending to 8 to 9 hours, especially on the pass crossing day. Speaking of passes, this trek includes the overwhelming demands of three of the world’s tallest passes: Larkya La, Rui La, and Thorong La.

Remember, Thorong La is the world’s tallest mountain hiking pass, and crossing it will not be an easy feat. Therefore, our Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek is not suitable for those who have never undertaken a hiking trip or a long trek before.

Thus, we suggest our new hikers walk this route individually first before attempting the combined challenge of both in a single adventure.

Altitude Sickness/Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS and Acclimatization

There is a higher possibility of encountering altitude sickness on our Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek. The 19 days duration of this trek will most of the time elevate you between 3500 to 5000 m altitude, which are the very heights where oxygen concentration tends to decline.

Thus, you may start to go through the initial symptoms of AMS that can vary but generally appear as headache, stress, dizziness, insomnia, loss of sleep and appetite, irritation, and confusion.

If instead of halting your trek and taking rest, you decide to ascend or walk fast, take less rest, and hydrate less, these symptoms may take a severe form.

Thus, it is necessary that you consider the AMS early signs very seriously and immediately notify your accompanying guide. The most effective way to fight and prevent AMS is through quick adaptation to the new altitude.

For this goal, you should ascend steadily, stay sufficiently hydrated, and spend time at high altitudes. Avoid any type of sleeping pills or muscle-relaxing medicines.

You may also want to take Diamox to counteract and prevent the AMS. To facilitate your proper adaptation to the Manaslu air, we have placed rest days at Sama Gaon and Samdo in the Manaslu circuit. For your facilitation in Annapurna, Manang will be your acclimating village.

These measures will ensure that you will feel at ease before facing the towering heights of the high passes.

Training and Preparation for the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary

Manalsu and Annapurna circuit trek is a complete high-altitude mountain trekking action that demands a high endurance and fitness level from its participants.

Therefore, around 4 to 6 weeks before you set out on this hike, we suggest you walk a minimum of 3 to 4 hours several times a week with your loaded backpack.

To adapt to the mountain trails, select to walk the steep routes that will train your leg muscles for both ascending and descending. Equally, you can also try swimming, running, and cycling, along with stair climbing, to further enhance your overall body strength.

Once you are all set, start your adventure with simple and moderate hikes such as the Annapurna Circuit, the Manaslu Circuit, or the Everest Base Camp trek.

Good preparation also covers the gear you prepare for the Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek. Good walking boots that have been properly broken in will help you avoid blisters and discomfort while trekking.

Likewise, equally vital is adequate (warm) clothing, so bring plenty of layers for easy adjustments. Also, think of windbreakers, hiking poles, socks, hats, gloves, sleeping bags, and more.

Accommodation, Food, and Transport

On our Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek 19 days trip, you will experience the charm of staying in guesthouses located in picturesque overnight villages.

These delightful accommodations resemble garden sheds and offer a unique charm. Most guesthouses are basic (particularly in the Manaslu region) with two beds.

You will share the (squat) toilet and shower facilities with other guests. Many guesthouses offer showers, but be prepared to pay a little extra for their use.

You will have three meals served in a restaurant of these guesthouses. The dishes are mostly organic and fresh, with Dal Bhat comprising the main menu. Along with the 24-hour power of Dal Bhat, tasty momos, thukpa, noodles, eggs, and meat dishes can also be ordered.

Your transport to Machha Khola from Kathmandu and from Muktinath to Pokhara will occur in a shared bus or jeep. Please also explore our upgraded transport options.

Travel Insurance

Absence of the right travel insurance will lead to the prohibition of the Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek. Therefore, make sure to get the travel insurance, which should be quite specific for our adventure (different from your standard travel insurance).

For our Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek itinerary, your travel insurance must specify the following coverage support:

• Helicopter rescue and transport up to 5500 m
• Medical Assistance in case of an emergency surgical procedure
• Accidental coverage in case of any unfortunate events
• Cancellation coverage for refunds in case of trip postponements
• Unexpected early return due to illness

Permits for the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek

Since the Manaslu region comes under the protection of the Manaslu Conservation Area and has been allocated as a Restricted Region, you must obtain permission to enter and must do so with a certified guide.

Your journey must also be organized not individually, but through a registered agency like ours to get the special restricted area permit known as RAP for Manaslu. The RAP cost as per the season of trekking is as follows:

• USD 100 per hiker in spring and autumn
• USD 75 per hiker in summer and winter

The additional permits that are required for the Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek are Manaslu Conservation Area Permit/MCAP (USD 30 per hiker), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit/ACAP (USD 30 per hiker), and TIMS Card (USD 20 per hiker).

The administrative management and cost of all these permits will be overseen by the Life Himalaya Trekking team.