Manaslu Expedition – 38 days

Trek Difficulty

Manaslu Expedition is a highly demanding expedition that will mix the days of long walks with the altitude climbing of the highest order.

The itinerary of the Manaslu Expedition will involve a difficult passage through the terrain, which includes the high Larkya La Pass at 5160m, which may seem hard to pass through owing to the thin air and long walking hours. Once we arrive at Manaslu Base Camp, the ascent is extremely difficult due to elevation, cold, and exposure.

The standard path can be referred to as less technical than other 8000m summits, yet it remains challenging and hazardous.

We will have fixed ropes in a good number of areas, but you will have to be sure in the use of crampons, harness, and ascenders, and you should be very much at ease on snow and glaciers. This is not a beginner trip, and we suggest good previous high altitude experience and good stamina.

Weather and Best Season

The most suitable seasons of Manaslu Expedition are spring and autumn. During the spring, between March and May, the days are warmer since winter is over, and we are more likely to have clear weather for climbing.

During the fall (September to November), the climate is generally dry and steady following the monsoon, and the air is crisp, and the mountain views are good.

These seasons provide the best forecast of the balance of temperatures, visibility, and safer wind conditions to attempt the summit. The journey is not suggested in other seasons.

During the monsoon season (June to August), heavy rainfall can cause landslides and trail disruption, and the climbing conditions are not suitable.

The cold season between December and February is very cold and has frequent storms and deep snow that may obstruct the highway. To be on the safe side and to have higher success chances, we are going to organize the expedition during spring or autumn.

Food and Drink

Your energy will be maintained with regular meals during the Manaslu Expedition. During the expedition to base camp, we will be staying at teahouses where breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided. Eating is basic and substantial, and commonly consists of dal bhat, noodles, soups, rice, past, and local dumplings.

Dietary needs will be facilitated as far as it is possible; however, in remote villages, one can choose just a few options, which is why we will think ahead.

Our cook and kitchen staff will serve you hot meals and warm drinks at base camp and on the climbing days in the Manaslu Expedition itinerary to aid in recovery and hydration.

We will offer safe drinking water through boiling or filtration, and we will also encourage you to use reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastics.

Camp will have hot tea and coffee, and alcohol should be avoided at high altitude to be safe and better acclimatized.

Accommodation

The accommodation of the Manaslu Expedition varies between urban comforts and minimal mountain activities and camping. We will then stay in a nice hotel in Kathmandu with the basic modern amenities like hot showers and Wi Fi.

On our trekking section of the Manaslu Expedition itinerary, we will be staying in the teahouse lodges that will be operated by the local families.

Simple rooms are often twin share, and often there is a shared bathroom, particularly at higher villages. Hot showers are available at some lodges at a premium, but the facilities themselves can be poor.

After arriving at Manaslu Base Camp, we will be camping in a full-fledged tent camp. We will offer sleeping tents, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, and a storage area, as well as a rudimentary toilet arrangement.

We will camp in high-altitude tents at the higher camps above base camp, which are cold and primitive. We will also make sure that we have good sleeping mats and support in order to enable you to sleep as best you can.

Altitude Sickness

The possibility of altitude sickness is a very real threat during the Manaslu climb, and we will address it seriously, right at the beginning.

The walk goes up to altitudes above 5000m, and the base camp is approximately 4800m; mild symptoms may occur despite good preparation.

In the climbing part of the Manaslu Expedition itinerary, the risk is greater due to the reduced oxygen level in high camps, particularly the summit.

The method of rotations that will help us minimize the risk will include a gradual ascending plan, rest and acclimatization days, and the climb high sleep low technique.

Most prominent among them are headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and loss of appetite, and we will require you to report them at the early stages.

Our guides will be equipped with first aid kits and emergency oxygen, and they are trained to be quick responders. In case of any serious symptoms, the most effective way of treatment is immediate descent, and we will organize helicopter evacuation in case of necessity. The key elements of your safety are your honest communication and gradual, steady pace.

Preparation and Fitness

To have a safe and successful expedition to Manaslu, proper preparation is necessary. Before arrival, we suggest at least 4 to 6 months of training.

Endurance training through cardio activities like hiking, running, cycling, and using stairs, and core training through strength exercises will ensure that your legs and core can cope with long climbing and trekking days.

You must also be able to walk 6 to 8 hours up-and-down hill with a pack, as trekking days are long and exhausting in the Manaslu Expedition itinerary.

It is highly advisable to have high altitude experience before, i.e., to have climbed a peak of 6000m or a trek of above 5000m. Another important benefit will be the practice of the main mountaineering skills, such as crampons, harness use, and ascenders.

We will offer refresher training at base camp, but it is preferable to come in with basic confidence. Mental strength is equally significant since the journey is lengthy and the weather might be chilly and challenging. Being calm, patient, and working as a team will make your experience better.

Visa and Permits

In the Manaslu Expedition, the majority of the travelers will receive a Nepal tourist visa at Kathmandu airport. You will complete the form, pay the fee, and get the visa stamp; the visa price is your own burden. The minimum passport required is six months, and it is also recommended to bring passport photos.

The necessary permits will be secured in official offices for the trekking and climbing portions of the route.

This typically involves the restricted area permit of the Manaslu area, the Manaslu climbing permit, and conservation area permits of areas which we traverse.

The permit regulations and fees may vary according to the season and changes in the government, but we will take care of the same in Kathmandu, and you do not have to queue up to do so.

We will require your copy of your passport, photographs, and insurance details as requested so that we can do some paperwork without problems. After permits are prepared, we will give you a clear brief on the route rules and things to carry for permit checks on the trail.

Health and Safety

Our first priority during the Manaslu Expedition is safety. We will adhere to a thorough acclimatization program, daily health check, and a realistic climbing program, keeping to the weather conditions and the condition of the team.

Our guides are professional and certified in first aid and altitude management, and we will have medical kits, emergency oxygen, and efficient communication devices.

We will also need to have fixed ropes at steep places during the climbing portion of the Manaslu Expedition itinerary, and we will also need the right safety gear, like helmets and a harness, when necessary.

We will also check the weather prediction and make changes that will minimize the risk of storms and wind. In case of any severe illness or injury, we will respond promptly and provide evacuation support as necessary.

We have a safety-first and summit-second approach. We will never force anybody to continue unless it is safe or if the body is adapting well.

Through thorough planning, teamwork, and frank communication, we will ensure the safest possible environment in this challenging mountain trip.

Transportation

We will also take care of the transportation of the Manaslu Expedition within Nepal in terms of arrival and departure. We will also include airport collection and delivery in Kathmandu and all the road transfers mentioned in the itinerary.

To reach the trail head and the back drive back to Kathmandu, we will travel by using personal vehicles, usually a Four Wheel Drive jeep, to comfort and give us a chance to move easily through mountain roads.

The drives may be long, though we will take meals, have rests, and short stops on the way. Flight delays are also avoided by taking this trip as domestic flights are not necessary, so it makes the organization more predictable.

Weather or construction can alter road conditions in Nepal; we will make the schedule flexible and add buffer time when necessary.

The normal plan excludes helicopter flights, but in case of an emergency, helicopter evacuation can be organized. We can also book you a private helicopter pickup or drop at an additional fee, depending on permission and weather depending.

Travel Insurance

Anyone taking part in the Manaslu Expedition requires travel insurance. You should have a well-explained insurance that includes high altitude mountaineering up to 8000 meters and emergency evacuation by helicopter.

High altitude climbing is not covered by standard travel policies, hence you might have to take a special adventure policy. In the case of the journey, we highly suggest that we cover the medical treatment cost, rescue cost, and repatriation cost back to your home country in case of need.

In remote mountainous regions, helicopter evacuation may be quite costly; proper insurance is a sure way of enjoying peace of mind.

Before the expedition commences, we will ask you to provide your insurer’s name and policy number along with your emergency contact’s details so that, in case of an emergency, we can act on your behalf.

Also, for insurance purchase, be sincere, and ensure the maximum height and climbing activity is covered; otherwise, claims may be denied.

We have staff insurance, which includes our team members but does not include clients, and therefore, you should consider organizing your own policy before you travel to Nepal.

The availability of good insurance coverage will enable you to have full attention on training, acclimatizing, and staying safe in the mountains.

Your Extra Expenses

Although the Manaslu Expedition package includes most of the major logistics, you will still have to use a bit of your own spending money.

Flights to and out of Nepal are excluded, and the Nepal visa fee is paid at the airport. Travel insurance is mandatory, and you are also in charge of the same.

Lunches and dinners are not often included in Kathmandu unless it is a planned group dinner, and thus, you need to plan to budget for city meals and personal shopping.

You can incur the additional costs of snacks, soft beverages, hot showers, charging, and Wi FI on the Manaslu Expedition itinerary.

You might also have to hire or purchase personal climbing equipment, and we will assist you in sourcing good rental equipment in Kathmandu.

It is customary to tip guides, Sherpas, and porters, and a summit bonus after a successful climb is also customary with your own Sherpa.

You must also maintain a little buffer in case of some undue delays (e.g., an additional night in the hotel or a modification in your travelling schedule). Keep cash in a secure pouch since there are no ATMs on the trail.

Language and Communication

In the Manaslu Expedition, language will not be a significant problem since we will have English-speaking guides. In Kathmandu, Nepali is common, whereas in the Manaslu region, there are several locals who speak a Tibetan dialect in addition to Nepali.

Our guide will facilitate communication through the excursion itinerary of Manaslu in the lodges, villages, and checkpoints of the permit.

The team briefings and safety instructions will be translated into clear English, and we will invite you to ask questions at any time.

Most of the young locals in the trekking villages understand a bit of English, although your guide will assist you when necessary. Even basic greetings like Namaste are welcome, and they do develop cordial relationships.

In critical communication, our group will rely on radios and satellite communication systems, particularly when climbing and when in base camp. It is mostly to regulate safety and logistics, rather than day-to-day social practice.

In short, we will maintain clear, straightforward, and supportive communication, thus making you feel free and knowledgeable along the way.

Mobile Network, Internet, and Charging Facilities

During the Manaslu Expedition, communication is minimal, particularly higher up the mountain. In Kathmandu, you will receive good mobile coverage, whilst on the Manaslu Expedition itinerary, the signal is weak or non-existent for days.

You might occasionally receive in a few of the under villages, and occasionally around Sama Gaon, but nothing but that.

Wi Fi is a paid option in some lodges; however, it is often slow and should only be used for messages and not for heavy usage.

We will also be able to communicate via satellite communications at the base camp, primarily to support the expedition and in the event of an emergency, and there will be short personal messages that will be charged an additional fee.

Teahouses commonly charge a nominal amount per unit when charging, and power may be either solar-powered or small hydro-powered.

We suggest that you have a powerful power bank. In base camp, we will have solar systems and a charging station in the dining space, where conditions permit.

In higher camps, the charge does not occur, so we will recommend that you charge the battery and cover devices with cold by keeping them in proximity to your body.

Don’ts on This Trip

In order to make the Manaslu Expedition safe and respectful, we will request you to observe a few important donts. We will not offend local culture, and therefore we will walk in a clockwise roundabout of mani walls and chortens, wear modest clothes in villages, and request permission to take photos of people or monasteries.

We will not litter and will reduce trash and reduce single use plastic as much as possible, which is helpful in responsible traveling along the Manaslu Expedition itinerary.

We shall not be wandering off the trail, and you must always tell the guide when you feel you want to stop or look around. Health symptoms will not be disregarded and we want you to tell us about headaches, nausea, or unusual fatigue early.

We will neither drink alcohol nor smoke at high altitude, as it may increase dehydration and delay acclimatization. We shall also not run unsafe hazards to get photographs or velocity, since uniform safe progress is the most beneficial.

We will always advise you to seek clarification with the guide first in case you are not sure about something.

Photography and Drone Rules

The Manaslu Expedition welcomes photography, and we will have numerous beautiful opportunities to photograph the landscape, village life, and mountain views.

We will request you to be respectful in your photographs, particularly when visiting monasteries or when being around the local community. We advise seeking permission before capturing close-ups.

We will also advise you to keep safe when taking pictures, as the trail can be steep, and distracting scenery might cause falls. In the case of drones, regulations are very strict in Nepal, and the Manaslu region is a restricted area.

A drone flight tends to involve permits with aviation authorities and local offices, and approval might be costly and time-consuming. The use of drones may result in fines or seizure without permission.

In order to ensure the Manaslu Expedition itinerary runs smoothly and legally, we do not suggest carrying a drone unless you have properly negotiated all the permits well beforehand.

Strong memories will be captured with a good camera or phone. We will also invite you to experience the moment, not just in front of a screen.