Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary Outline
Here is an outline of the typical 13-day Manaslu Circuit Trek that you can expect during your adventure.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Machhakhola (870 meters)
Day 2: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,350 meters)
Day 3: Trekking from Jagat to Deng (2,130 meters) trek
Day 4: Deng to Namrung (2,630 meters)
Day 5: Trek from Namrung to Lho (3,180 meters)
Day 6: Lho to Sammagaun trekking (3,500 meters)
Day 7: Acclimatization and exploration at Samagaun
Day 8: Trekking from Samagaun to Samdo (3,860 meters)
Day 9: Samdo to Dharamsala trek (4,480 meters)
Day 10: Dharamsala to Bimtang (3,720 meters) passing the Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters)
Day 11: Trekking from Bimtang to Tilche (2,560 meters)
Day 12: Tilche to Dharapani trek (1,669 meters) and drive to Besisahar (1,,430 meters)
Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu from Besisahar
Weather and Climate of Manaslu Trek in November
Manaslu trek is ideal during the peak seasons like spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). November, which falls in the autumn season is one of the best months to set out on the exploration of this remote region. The weather is stable and clear, November is also known as the dry season perfect for Himalayan exploration for a remarkable trekking experience. Not only the clear blue skies will add magnificence to the Himalayan vistas, but the chill cool fresh morning and evening breezes make everyday trekking really exhilarating.
The temperature of the Manasalu region during November averages around 12°C and can drop up to -3°C or lower in the higher regions. Unlike October month which is exactly in the middle farther from the occasional monsoon rainfall aftermath till mid-September and winter blizzard. November, however, can see occasional snowfall at the higher region by the end as it gets closer to the winter season. So, if you are planning your Manaslu Trek in November, especially in the latter part of the month, you better be careful with your packing to counter the rising cold at the higher altitudes.
Besides that, the Manaslu Trek in November is a comfortable experience for some of the most mesmerizing views of the Himalayan region. If you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the Himalayan endangered species of the Manaslu Conservation Area preparing for hibernation or migratory birds making their way to the warmer paradise.
Festival in November
The great and magnificent festivals celebrated throughout Nepal are what make the Manaslu Trek in November an unforgettable experience. Nepal follows the lunar calendar system, Vikram Samvat, so some of the biggest festivals in the country occasionally shift to different months of the autumn season. Luckily, you will be able to witness the grandest festival the country has to offer during November.
Tihar
You might know Tihar (Deepawali) as the festival of lights, where the whole country is decorated with bright colorful lights. If you enjoy music, sweet delicacies, and color, this is a festival you shouldn’t miss in your cultural exploration of the country. This beautiful festival is celebrated for whole five days, starting from worshiping crows on the first-day ‘Kaag Tihar’, dogs on the second day ‘Kukur Tihar’, cows on the third ‘Gai Tihar/Lakshmi Puja’, ox on the day four ‘Govardhan Puja’. Finally ‘Bhai Tika’, where the sisters put a tika on their brother of seven colors worshipping Lord Yama (the god of death) and praying for a long and prosperous life for their brother.
You will also find beautifully designed rangoli (colorful art) in front of every house in Nepal during this festival and the musical celebration of this festival ‘Deusi-Bhailo’ just echoes throughout every corner of the country.
Chhath
Chhath is another significant Hindu festival in Nepal that lasts for four days, especially celebrated in the Terai region of the country, this is also a major festival for the Hindu community in India. This beautiful festival is dedicated to worshipping the sun, the giver and nurturer of every life on the planet, the history of this celebration dates back to the Mahabharat Period when the Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava Kings, performed this festival during their long exile from the kingdom.
Chhath puja includes taking the holy bath, fasting, worshipping the sun for a longer period, and offering ‘Prasad’ and Arghya (prayer offerings) to both the rising and setting sun. It will be a remarkable experience to explore this beautiful festival and understand its significance and norms that have been held out for thousands of years.
Dashain/Bijaya Dashami
If you are even a little bit familiar with the cultural prospects of Nepal, then you might have at least heard about the grandest festival in the country which is celebrated 15 days straight. This grand festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory Hindu goddess, Maa Durga who was victorious over the demon known as ‘Mahisashura’ in the battle that lasted for ten days. So, each day of this festival has great significance and have a set of specific specialty about them.
The festival starts with ‘Ghatasthapana’ on the first day which is followed by ‘Fulpati’ on the seventh day, ‘Maha Astami’ on the eighth, ‘Maha Navami’ on the ninth, and ‘Biajaya Dashami’ on the tenth. The final day of this grand festival is ‘Kojagrat Puja’ which falls in the day of the full moon and ends with a high note worshipping Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Although this grand festival generally falls in the month of October, as the Nepali people follow the lunar calendar which doesn’t have a fixed date for this festival, it often stretches all the way to the first week or even further in the month of November.
Food and Beverages of Manaslu Trek in November
Autumn, which also happens to be a harvest season, opens up the door for a great many cultural seasonal delicacies. From Terai (flat land), hills to mountain region this beautiful country doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the diverse delicacies that comprehend the palata of every food enthusiast. So during your Manaslu Trek in November, you can expect to be delighted with the local exquisite dishes and of course drinks.
But, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enjoy dishes beyond the seasonal delicacies in the country, in fact, the Tibeatan-influenced and continental dishes as well as the local cuisine work their magic to make both your palate and belly, full and delighted.
Here are some of the menu options that you can expect during your Manaslu Trek in November:
For Breakfast
- Bread
- Oatmeal
- Pancake
- Fried Tibeatn bread
- Chappati
- Pudding
- Tingmo
- Champa
- Porridge
- Pakoda
- Spring rolls
- Sandwich
- Rhildu
- Papa
- Salad
For Lunch and Dinner
- Daal bhat tarkari (tradtional Nepali dish)
- Dhindo
- Khoo
- Yak cheese
- Syakpa
- Shyphale
- Steak
- Momo
- Chow mien
- Fried rice
- Thukpa
- Noodles
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Macrons
Drink and Beverage
As for drinks and beverages, you will be able to enjoy several varieties of tea from plain, ginger to cream and masala. You will also be able to drink coffee and fresh with canned options throughout the adventure including several soft drink options like Fanta, Pepsi, Coke, Dew, etc. You can also enjoy the hard drinks and alcoholic beverage options available at the teahouses that compromise the local alcohol to branded whiskey. However, it is not recommended for you to have alcoholic beverages during any high-altitude adventure as it affects the acclimatization process.
In terms of drinking water, you will find bottled mineral water along the teahouses throughout the adventure. However, the cost can be significantly high with the rising altitude where you might have to pay up to US$ 4 for a single bottle and the tap water is not safe to drink. The best way to stay hydrated throughout the trek is to drink and store the boiled water provided at the teahouses. You can also use purifying tablets and solutions just to stay on the safe side.
Note: The teahouses in the Manasalu trekking route also provide vegan and vegetarian options, so you can request the meal suiting your palate.
Accommodation of Manaslu Trek in November
As this is a remote adventure that explores the west-central part of the Himalayas you can expect the accommodation services to be moderate to basics. During your Manaslu Trek in November, you can expect a moderate to the standard level of accommodation services at the lower tails, however, it is pretty much basic at the higher altitudes. You will generally rest in a shared bedroom with two or three adjoining beds. The rooms are well furnished and warm, your accommodation services will include a comfortable mattress, warm blanket, and a pillow.
It is recommended that you bring a sleeping bag with you (fours-seasonal), it is especially necessary if you are trekking during the end of November as the climate starts to get colder at the higher regions due to closing in the winter season.
Manaslu Trek in November Difficulty
Overall, the Manaslu trek has been labeled as a ‘moderately difficult’ trekking adventure, which means that you don’t need any prior high-altitude trekking experience or technical skills to do this trek. Regardless, it is a high-altitude adventure that shouldn’t be taken lightly, there are several difficulty factors that make this beautiful Himalayan exploration challenging and demanding.
Let's check out some of the major difficulty factors of the Manaslu Trek in November:
Altitude Sickness
The risk of altitude sickness comes hand-in-hand when it comes to high-altitude adventure, as you spend a significant amount of time above the altitude of 2,500 meters, the risk for catching altitude sickness is quite high. Starting your adventure from Kathmandu at 1,400 meters, you overcome high altitude points in this adventure including Narmung at 2,630 meters, Lho (3,180 meters), Dharamsala (4,480 meters), and the highest altitude gain of the entire trekking adventure, Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters.
Thus you need to be mindful of how your body is reacting to the altitude gain and be on the lookout for the symptoms of altitude sickness like headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fatigue, and insomnia.
Trekking Route
Trekking route is another challenging factor of the Manaslu Trek in November, you will cover an approximate distance of 177 km (110 miles). Most of the trekking packages of the Mansalu region last about 13- 18 days depending upon the itinerary plans and the exploration route, so you will be trekking about 5- 6 hours in this trekking adventure each day. It might not seem like a big deal for the experience of high-altitude trekkers or people who are physically active with a basic level of fitness, but it can be quite a challenge for beginners. On top of that, carrying a backpack with significant weight and trekking on a route that slowly elevates to a higher altitude can further increase the challenge. Thus, making adequate preparation is very significant for this adventure to have a more enjoyable and memorable experience.
Remoteness
The Manaslu trekking route is typically farther from the mainstream trekking route, this isolated expedition that explores the secluded part of the Himalayas is one of its kind. However, it also means that this expedition explores the remote virgin territories that might not have the sufficient technological advancement that you might generally expect in your traditional vacation destination.
As there isn’t a proper mode of transportation on the route, the available services are pretty much limited and you will have to compromise on several levels of services including food, accommodation, electricity, internet, mobile connection, health facilities, and even emergency rescue operations. So, you have to mentally prepare for this remoteness difficulty factor of Manaslu Trek in November, so your high expectation doesn’t drag you down during your trekking adventure.
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