Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek not only takes you into the wonderful land of snowy mountains, remote forests, gorges, and fast-flowing rivers crossed by many exciting suspension and cantilever bridges, but it also shows you both Hindu and Buddhist cultures with some very different temples/ gompas and people in the different regions you will be trekking through.

This trek has two Conservation Areas: the Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) and the Annapurna Conservation Area. The MCA is home to unique wildlife such as the snow leopard and red panda. This region’s flora, fauna, and birdlife are also quite spectacular, with the red rhododendrons being Nepal’s national flower and the Himalayan Monal (danfe) being Nepal’s national bird.

No one needs an introduction to the Annapurna mountain range: it is the most stunning mountain area in Nepal with some of the highest mountains in the world.

In fact, the Annapurna area is home to 10 of the highest peaks, including Annapurna itself at  8,091 m /  26, 545 ft and many of its neighbors including Annapurna II (7,937 m / 26,040 ft), Annapurna III (7,555 m / 24,786 ft), and Annapurna South (7,219 m /  23,684 ft).

This 21-day trek takes in the beauty of the Annapurnas and the area surrounding the majestic Mount Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world at 8,156 m / 26 758 ft.

On average, hiking days are 6 to 7 hours long, plus a couple of longer days.  A great deal of the trek takes place at altitudes over 3,200m / 10,499 ft with the highest elevations being when you cross the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m / 17,765 ft) and the Larkay La Pass (5,135 m / 16,847 ft).

With a couple of nights sleeping at an altitude over 4,000 m / 13,123 ft, we have carefully included two acclimatization days in the itinerary.  

The first four days of this trek are at a low altitude (less than 2,000 m / 6,561 ft), and under the watchful eye of our experienced guides, hiking slowly and steadily should not be a problem for most trekkers.

As for the people and culture on this trek, you start by passing through the villages of Gurung and Tamang, where people work on their agricultural land.  

Very quickly, you notice you are entering an area where Buddhism dominates, as is obvious by the mani walls (stone walls with Buddhist mantras carved into them), prayer flags, shrines, and gompas (monasteries).  The way people dress and the homes they live in change, too. 

The Tibetan influence is very strong because the people of this area originally migrated from Tibet hundreds of years ago. You can visit Buddhist monasteries and learn how monks and lamas live in this remote area. This trek has much to offer to those who love learning about different cultures.

Buddhist culture continues as you leave the Manaslu Conservation Area, enter the district of Manang, and join the Annapurna Circuit Trek route.  Once you pass over the Thorong La Pass, you are in the Annapurna Conservation Area, where you discover the Hindu pilgrimage site of Muktinath with its temple, 108 sacred water spouts, and eternal flame. 

This is a famous site for Hindus, and they come from all over Nepal and India to worship here.  From here you follow the Annapurna Circuit route down to Jomson and Pokhara. The wonderful mountains of the Annapurnas surround you all the time, and you can understand why this trek is so well-loved.

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Arrival in Nepal

If you would like us to pick you up at Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival in Nepal, please indicate this on the booking form. By giving us your flight details, we will ensure that we are waiting for you upon your arrival. We will then drop you off at your chosen hotel. There is no additional charge for this. Of course, if you prefer, you can make your own way by airport taxi to your hotel destination.

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Hotel Recommendations:

Hotels in Kathmandu are not included in your trek.

Therefore, we recommend you check sites such as booking.com or hostelworld.com for a place that suits your style and budget.

We recommend you choose the Thamel area, which is the tourist hub in Kathmandu with plenty of accommodation, restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. Our office is also located in Thamel.

Explore Kathmandu:

When you arrive in Kathmandu, take a day to explore the city. It is rich in culture, history, and folklore, and with seven UNESCO Heritage Sites, there is plenty to see. Again, please let us know on the booking form if you would like us to organize this tour for you. Otherwise, take some time yourself to discover the wonders of Kathmandu.  

Visa for Nepal

Visas are available on arrival for people from most countries. Go online and fill in the form before you come. Print this form out and bring it with you. Payment will be made at Tribhuvan International Airport in USD cash. The visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, 30 days, or 3 months. 

Currently, in spring 2024, the cost of a tourist visa on arrival is:

• 15 Days – 30 USD
• 30 Days – 50 USD
• 90 Days – 125 USD

Your Nepal visa is not a trekking permit.  Separate permits are required for trekking, and this is something will arrange for you.

Unique Culture on the Manaslu and Annapurna Trek

While you may be coming to Nepal for the mountains, there is a lot of culture to take in. It would be a shame to miss it. This is one reason why our guides are normally from the area they are guiding clients through. Local knowledge is invaluable.

The Manaslu and Annapurna Trek passes through three regions of the country: Manaslu, Manang, and Mustang.  Each of these has different peoples and cultures. 

Overall, we can divide the culture of this trek into two groups: those who follow Hindu traditions and those who follow Buddhist traditions. With both cultures sitting side by side, there is a natural cross-over in many instances.

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Manaslu: this area is inhabited mainly by people known as Gurung.  They migrated from Tibet around the 6th century.  Since they left Tibet before Buddhism established itself there, it was only after migrating to Nepal that they converted to Buddhism, so you may notice some differences in their Buddhist practice. In modern times, they have become known as the ethnic group from where the Gurkhas come.  Gurkhas are active in the Nepal, Indian, and British armies and, more recently, in the UN Peacekeeping Force.  

Gurungs speak their language, as do people from the Nubri and Tsum ethnic groups living in the Manaslu region. They, too, migrated from Tibet many centuries ago. With their different languages and different flavors of Buddhism, Bon, and/ or animism, these groups all live together peacefully.

 In the lower areas of this region, we also find Brahmin and Chettri groups that practice Hinduism. Into the mix come the Newars (who also inhabit a good deal of the Kathmandu Valley), who practice a unique blend of Hinduism and Buddhism unique to Nepal.  

Manang: There are also many Gurung communities in Manang, and the artifacts indicate that the majority of the inhabitants practice Buddhism.

Mustang: The Mustang region is an interesting case study. While the majority of people residing there are Buddhists, when we cross over the Thorong La Pass, the first town we encounter is Muktinath. Muktinath is the location of a key Hindu pilgrimage site. Here, the temple is surrounded by 108 water spouts, and there is an eternal flame, which is also a symbol of this unique holy site. Many Hindu pilgrims from India and Nepal gather here to worship and bathe in the sacred water spouts. 

The blend of culture and people and the stark and sometimes lush landscapes, backed by towering mountains, makes this trek truly unique.

Food on Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the trek are included in the cost. While meals are included, if you wish to have extra food, something special, or soft drinks/ beer, etc., you will have to pay for those yourself.

Breakfast and dinner are taken in the teahouses (trekking lodges) where you sleep.  The menus provide Nepali, Tibetan, Chinese, and Western cuisine.

Lunches will be taken in teahouses along the trail, which may have a more limited menu. On the acclimatization days at Sama Gaon and Manang, you will have a packed lunch with you.

On the subject of food, there are obvious differences between the menus on the Manaslu Circuit and the Annapurna Circuit parts of the trek.

The Manaslu area, namely Manang and Lower Mustang, sees fewer trekkers than the Annapurna Circuit area. As a result, the menus tend to be a bit less Westernized in Manaslu. That is not to say the food is not good;Trek Overview & Difficulty just less spaghetti and more noodles, less filter coffee, and more masala tea. 

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A typical menu in the Manaslu area looks like this: 

• Soups of different kinds, mainly vegetable
• Tibetan bread  (deep fried)
• Nepali bread (chapati like)
• Momos (steamed dumpling packets with vegetables inside)
• Fried noodles with vegetables
• Fried potatoes – different varieties may be available
• Dal Bhat (Nepali curry and rice)
• Fried rice with vegetables
• A basic dessert – rice pudding perhaps.  We will also bring fruit with us for our clients.
• Porridge (breakfast)
• Eggs  (breakfast)
• Soft drinks
• Nepali tea
• Tibetan butter tea (an acquired taste!)
• Coffee (if available)
• Beer

A typical menu in the Mustang district of the Annapurna trek has a different range of local food, as well as those listed above. 

• Wild mushroom curry
• Dried yak blood sausage
• Buckwheat Dhindo (another acquired taste as its raw buckwheat dough)
• Alu ken (mashed rice and potato)
• Yak cheese 

Once you have crossed the Thorong La Pass into Lower Mustang, then the variety of food changes again!  Fancy a hamburger?  A pizza? Some ice cream and apple pie?  Now is your chance! 

Tips on Food:

• There is little or no refrigeration in the more remote parts of this trek, so we recommend you not eat meat products that may have been lying around unrefrigerated for some time. Please check carefully at any teahouse in Manang or Mustang and decide for yourself. Or wait until you reach Pokhara.
• Also, avoid alcohol on any high-altitude trek, as alcohol acts more quickly on your body at altitude.  Hangovers are both unpleasant and may hide any altitude-related problems you may develop.   
• Based on our extensive experience, we recommend bringing snacks such as dried fruit and nuts, power bars, chocolate, etc.  We will also be bringing fresh fruit from Kathmandu for you at dinner time, but carrying your snacks is somehow comforting.
• Lunch is taken on the trail and the menu may be limited. A good breakfast and plenty of snacks can often substitute for lunch if it is not to your taste on a particular day.
• Soft drinks, beer, extra food, and extra tea/ coffee (as well as boiled water) are paid for by yourself. Be aware, the prices get higher as you do.  It’s a long way to carry goods so the high prices are understandable.  Please do not bargain at the teahouse. 
• Stay well hydrated. This will enable you to enjoy your trek and lessen the risk of altitude problems.  
• Vegetarians are well taken care of on treks in Nepal, as almost everything is plant-based.  However, Plant-based milk is unavailable, and with eggs served for nearly all breakfasts, vegans may wish to bring some extra protein sources with them or stick to Tibetan/ Nepali types of breakfast, i.e., fried rice and/or fried bread.  Lemon added to black is a delicious ‘milk’ tea substitute.

Sources of Water on the Trek

If you are wondering about where to get water on the trek, we can advise you not to drink the tap water without taking precautions such as adding purifying tablets or drops to the water and waiting for them to take effect, which is usually 30 minutes.

You can buy drops or tablets in Kathmandu, but it is probably easier if you bring them with you from home.  Remember to bring enough for 4 ltrs of water a day, and some extras.  You cannot buy these on the trail.  You can also bring a purifying bottle like a LifeStraw from home. 

Boiled water is available for purchase in the teahouse so carrying a stainless steel bottle for this purpose is a good idea.  Hot water on the trail in the chilly morning hours is great.  As is something to warm you at bedtime.   A reusable plastic BPA-free bottle is recommended as is a water camel or similar.

We do not use one-time use mineral bottles of water.  We encourage our clients not to purchase these either as we wish to keep the environment clear of unnecessary plastic waste.  You may be pleased to know that mineral water in bottles is not available in the Annapurna region.

Tips on Water:

• The price of ‘mineral’ water in plastic bottles is a) very expensive and b) not environmentally friendly.  Please do not buy even if it is available. Bring your reusable bottles as above.
• Natural spring water can be purified and drunk using drops or tablets.
• To avoid dehydration, it is recommended that you drink 4 liters of water per day on the trek. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are considered extra beverages and are not included in those 4 liters. 

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Accommodation on the Trek

On the majority of treks in Nepal the accommodation is basic – a simple room with two single beds.   However, like the menu, the accommodation varies on this trek depending on the region you are in.

For example, the teahouses we find in the Manaslu area may have attached bathrooms, but some may not.  On the Annapurna section of the trek, the standard of teahouse is  quite comfortable, and most will have sleeping rooms with attached bathrooms.

We should point out that in the settlements closest to the Thorong La Pass and Larke Pass have very limited accommodation and it may be that you have to share a sleeping room with another trekker, even if you have booked a private room.  Life on the trail!

As far as showers and toilets are concerned, again these are generally more basic than you will find in the city.  However, once you enter Mustang (on the Annapurna section of the trek) things are better and your room may have an attached toilet and shower. 

It is standard to pay extra for hot showers – the cost being between USD 2 – 5 depending on the location of the teahouse.  This applies in both the Manaslu region and the Annapurna region.  

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Tips on Accommodation:

• There is no heating in the sleeping rooms.
• There is heating in the dining rooms.
• Do not enter the kitchen unless invited.
• Like the hot water for showers, electricity for charging your equipment is expensive.  You will pay around USD2 – 5 per item to be charged. 
• Bathrooms may be shared with other guests. Please understand this in the remote areas.  Discovering other cultures is what travel is all about.  
• Bring your own warm (4 seasons is good) sleeping bag for warmth and cleanliness.

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Porters Versus No Porter on the Manaslu and Annapurna Trek

If you would like to hire a porter, that is an extra charge.  The cost of a porter is not included in the cost of the trek.   

If you are unsure if you need a porter or not for this trek, then you probably do need one!

Keep in mind that you will spend 18 days on the trail, with an average of 6 to 7 hours of hiking per day and two high passes to cross. The average pack weighs 10 to 15kg, so unless you are very confident you can manage it, we suggest you do not try. 

You might ask why a porter is not included in the price if it’s difficult for the average trekker to carry a pack for such a long trek.  Some clients do wish to carry their own pack, some wish to share a porter with a friend, and some wish to find another person (on a group trek) who would like to share a porter. Sharing a porter means also sharing the cost of hiring one.  So, it’s hard to include this in the trek price.

Apart from giving you the freedom to enjoy your trek more fully, by hiring a porter, you also support his family through the money you pay and his community with the same money that the family will then spend within the community.

Tips on Hiring a Porter:

A porter can carry a maximum of 20kg. We would prefer he carry less, so if you can reduce your pack, please do so for the porter’s well-being.

Sharing with another trekker is a cost-effective way to hire a porter.  Please ensure you both pack less than 10kg. 

Still unsure as to whether to hire a porter or not?  Remember, you will be carrying your day pack with water, sunscreen, snacks, and whatever you need during the day.  It begins to all add up.

If you hire a porter, you will still carry a day pack as the porter(s) walk much faster than we do and go ahead of the trekkers to the next overnight stop.·   Porters are amazing people!  Let’s show them respect and appreciation.

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Typical Day on the Trek

This trek takes us through three districts: Manaslu, Manang,, and Mustang. It also includes three regional areas, two conservation areas, two mountain ranges, two high mountain passes, and two different religions and cultures. Describe a typical day a little hard!

However, each day, you wake up and have breakfast in a teahouse (as trekking lodges are called in Nepal)—except for the days when you must rise extremely early to make it over the passes!

Each day, you set off on a chilly morning with the mountains rising above you. You may hike through pine or rhododendron forests, scramble over moraine, or both.

You take lunch on the trail and gaze at some of the highest mountains in the world.  This includes Mt Manaslu, the 8^th highest mountain in the world, and the Annapurnas – a magical range of snow-capped mountains, reportedly among the most exciting in the Himalayas. 

You meet many locals on the way, and pass through Hindu or Buddhist villages, depending on the area and the day.  You may visit a monastery and interact with lamas and monks. You may encounter yak or mule trains or even some local wildlife. 

You walk for hours, enjoying the views of mountains, rivers, gorges, and pastures until you reach your next teahouse destination. There, you sit around in the warm dining room, enjoying conversation and a delicious dinner before retiring to bed.

A typical day!

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Crossing the Thorong La Pass and the Larkay Pass

Crossing high passes: Thorong La Pass (5,416 m / 17,765 ft) and the Larkay La Pass (5,135 m / 16,847 ft) are not typical days.  They are extremely tough and exciting days.

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Larkay La Pass:

Starting with breakfast at 3 am to give you enough energy to make it through this 10-hour day, you set off before dawn to cross this high pass between Dharmasala and Bimthang in the Manaslu region. This incredible day is full of mountains, glaciers, and icefall views. 

As you gaze at Himlung (7,126m/ 23,379 ft), Kang Guru (6,981m /22,903 ft), and Annapurna II (7,937m / 26,040 ft), please pay close attention to the rough glacier moraines under your feet and safely reach up and over the pass.

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Thorong La Pass:

This pass joins Manang with Mustang and is an ancient trading route. On this day, you will start out around 4 a.m., which takes approximately 9 hours to cross. Like the Larkay La, you must cross before the high afternoon winds set in.  

You can also see the sunrise from High Camp, which is a very steep climb up. Another 4 to 5 hours will see us at the top of the pass. Thankfully, after passing High Camp, there is a small teashop where you can get tea and chocolate. Crampons may be needed in February and March, which adds to the excitement.

Keeping a close eye on this slippery section, you can reach the bottom of the pass a couple hours after crossing the top. After a long day, you reach Muktinath, where a whole different world awaits!

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Trek Difficulty

The Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek is long. It involves 18 days of hiking (which can be more if you wish to extend your trip) and two days of driving. There are a few very long days of 8 hours and over and a couple of high passes to cross. Over 50% of the days are spent at high altitudes, and the thinner air makes this trek even more challenging. We recommend this trek only for those of a high general fitness level who have trekked before.  

A big positive is that you start the trek at a low altitude for the first four days and have two acclimatization days built in. This allows your body to adjust to the altitude before you push higher. However, some people may feel the effects of altitude as you pass the 3,000m / 9,842.5 ft mark, in which case your guide will slow things down until you are properly adjusted. 

With this in mind, we recommend increasing your cardio and other activities before leaving for this trek.  Hiking uphill in your home country is a great way to get used to the inclines, and cardio exercise, including swimming, is a great way to increase your lung capacity.

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Best Seasons to Trek in Manaslu and Annapurna

These popular trekking areas are best in the spring and autumn. On the plus side, the weather is magnificent—clear blue skies, not too cold at night, and lovely sunny days. On the other hand, the Annapurna region, in particular, sees a lot of trekkers during both seasons. Since Manaslu generally sees fewer trekkers, perhaps we can recommend the ‘shoulder seasons’.

Spring: (March to May) With rhododendrons in bloom and snow covering the mountains, this is a stunning season to trek in. At the beginning of March, it may still be cold, but by the end of the month, the weather should be much warmer.

Autumn: (September to November) The weather in these months is similar to spring. It is warmer at lower altitudes and not too cold at high altitudes. After the monsoon rains, pastures and forests will be lush, and rivers will run fast.  

Monsoon: (June – September) We do not run this trek in the monsoon because the monsoon makes trails very difficult.  Slippery trails, landslides, and overflowing rivers making crossing hard are just some of the downfalls of monsoon.  Plus, it’s not great to trek when wet through.

Winter (December – February): It is not recommended to trek in this area during the winter.  Trails may be hard to locate after snowfall and many teahouses will be closed as the locals leave the area for the winter. Mainly, the Thorong La Pass is likely to be closed due to deep snow making crossing between Manang and Mustang impossible.

We recommend spring and autumn as these months are excellent for trekking in the Manaslu and Annapurna areas.   Should these times be unsuitable for you, please talk to us about the shoulder seasons which are at the end of February and again at the beginning of June.

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Other Expenses

The trek cost is a fixed amount that includes a guide, accommodation, food, and public transport. 

There are some other expenses you should consider when considering this trek.

Transport: A local bus ticket to the starting point of the trek is included. The cost of a public bus or jeep from Muktinath to Pokhara is also included. If you prefer to hire a private jeep to start and end your trek, the cost is shared between however many trekkers in the group choose this option. 

Food: Three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included when on the trail. If you wish to eat more or drink soft drinks, extra coffee, beer, etc., you will pay for that yourself.

In the teahouse, you must pay for the electricity (whatever form it takes) to charge your phone or other items.  This is around USD2-5 each time, depending on the location.   If you want a hot shower, you must pay around the same amount per shower.  Note that prices are higher the higher up in the mountains the teahouses are.  Please carry Nepali rupees to pay for items in the teahouse and the small tea stops on the trail.

Tips: please calculate the tips for your guide and porter.  These can be paid in USD or other currencies.

Other expenses on the trail: Giving a small donation (USD1-2) at any monastery visited is normal. If you are lighting the prayer lamps available, please pay a little more for them. If you are somewhere where there are local handicrafts for sale, you might want to carry money to purchase a souvenir to take home. These, too, should be paid in Nepali rupees.

We recommend bringing around USD15 per day, in Nepali rupees, plus the tips for the guide and porter. **

Before you come expenses: Join a gym!  If you are not a current member, you may consider joining a gym for a couple of months before you come.  You never know, you might even enjoy it!

Trekking boots are a must, and please wear them well before you come.  Trekking gear such as clothing, walking poles, water bottles, and the contents of your first aid kit including water purifying tablets/ drops and any usual medicines you take.

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Tipping the Guide and Porter

Tipping your guide and porter at the end of the trek is normal practice to show appreciation. They have worked hard to make your trip as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. 

As to how much to tip, the standard rate is to tip the guide 10% of your trip cost (the amount you paid to Magical Nepal, not the total including additional items such as shower, soft drinks, charging, etc.). Porters are paid per day, so you should pay him 10% of the total number of days, in this case, 18 days. If you are sharing a porter with another trekker, you can share the cost of the tip.

These are the standard rates. If you are satisfied and happy, feel free to tip more.

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Communication on the Trek

Many teahouses on this trek have WiFi, especially in the Annapurna region. However, some settlements may not have access to WiFi because of their location or whose WiFi is unreliable. The same goes for phone data. At times, you will not be able to get a signal. The teahouses will also charge something for the use of their WiFi.

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Tips for Communication:

On your arrival in Nepal, you can buy a SIM card at the airport (NTC works better in the more remote locations). This will allow you to connect to a local data internet package, allowing you to contact home via a data package when WiFi is unavailable.

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Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for Nepal should include trekking up to 5,000 m / 16,404 ft. It should also cover helicopter evacuation and hospital treatments. Please read the small print before committing to a particular insurance company.

Magical Nepal has insurance for our guides, porters, and other staff. However, we cannot cover our clients, and foreign visitors cannot obtain insurance in Nepal. 

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Group vs Private Trip

As Manaslu is a restricted area, all trekkers need a Restricted Area Permit. To obtain this permit, at least two people, plus a guide, must be on this trek. Trekkers cannot go alone without a guide. In fact, only a registered Nepali trekking company can obtain these permits on behalf of its guests.

A private trek does not mean you are traveling alone.  Normally, it means you are traveling with at least one friend.  So, you and your friends can trek with a guide, enabling you to set the pace (within the limits set by the guide) and stop where you wish.

If you are traveling alone, you can do a group trek. We will put you in a group with other people who wish to trek the Manaslu and Annapurna Trek at the same time as you do. There could be another person or 10 others—you won’t know until the trip is finalized. This is ideal for those traveling alone or those who love to meet and trek with like-minded people.

Cost: A private trek costs the same as a group trek. However, if you wish to hire a private jeep for the start and end of the trek, the cost is shared between the number of trekkers taking the jeep. So, in that way, it will cost more if you are two people than if you are, say, six people.

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Transportation and Access

Depart from Kathmandu to Maccha Khola: Transport by local bus is included in the price of the trek.  Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Kathmandu around 5.30 am and take you by taxi to the bus station.  The buses for Machha Khola depart around 6 to 7 am, so leaving your hotel early is necessary.  The journey starts on the main Kathmandu to Pokhara highway, but when it turns off the highway, the road gets bumpy and dusty.  It takes around 9 hours.  There are stops along the way for local food. 

The alternative is to hire a private jeep (cost not included in the trek).  The price will be shared between trekkers who wish to take this option.  The jeep will collect you from your hotel in Kathmandu around 8 am and drive to Machha Khola.  The trip will take around 7 to 8 hours, and stops can be more frequent if you wish – for food, toilet, coffee (yes, there are a couple of good coffee stops along the main highway!), and photo opportunities.

After Muktinath: Having crossed over the high Thorong La Pass, had a good night’s sleep, and explored the Hindu temple and surrounds, you drive down to Pokhara via Jomson (the market town and airport for this area).  It is possible to break the journey at Jomson and fly from Jomson to Pokhara.  While this might seem a good alternative to the around 8 hours by road, it will entail either getting up very early in Muktinath to drive down to Jomson to catch the early morning flight (these flights only operate in the morning) or staying overnight in Jomson (at your own expense) if you wish to explore Muktinath first before heading on to Jomson.  This means extra money and extra time.  The short flight is also quite expensive at around USD125.  On top of this, the weather is unpredictable, and flights are often canceled due to bad weather.

We recommend driving from Muktinath to Pokhara, either by public transport (the cost of which is included in the trek price) or by private jeep (the cost of which is shared between trekkers). 

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Trip Variations and Extensions

For those who want to customize their trip, this can be done for at least two people on a private trip.  Just talk to us.

Some ideas would be:

Side trek to Tilicho Lake: This adds an additional 4 days to the Manaslu Annapurna Trek and takes us to the beautiful and holy lake of Tilicho. Situated in Manang, this lake sits at 4,919 m /16,138 ft amidst forests, waterfalls, hills, and superb mountain views, including Machhapuchhre (known to us as Fishtail) and Annapurna.

Exploring the Nar Phu Valley: The Nar Phu Valley is another hidden valley in Nepal, and as such, it is a restricted area that sees fewer trekkers.  Yet it offers beautiful mountain views and insight into the interesting lifestyle of the local people.  Traditionally, nomads and the villages reflect this old way of life and their Tibetan Buddhism and Bon culture, a blend that the locals still practice today.  A trip to this fascinating area will add xx days to your trek.

A shorter itinerary: Does the Manaslu and Annapurna Trek seem too long or too difficult for a novice trekker? Then we can recommend the following treks, which are shorter, less strenuous, yet just as amazing. We will guide you through mountain trails, interesting villages, along rivers, and into Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, all under the gaze of the most wonderful mountain range—the Annapurnas.

• Manaslu Circuit Trek – 14 days
• Tsum Valley Trek – 17 days
• Annapurna Circuit Trek – 17
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 10

Just ask us.

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Beyond the Trek: Relax in Pokhara

After completing the Manaslu and Annapurna Trek the relaxing/ vibrant city of Pokhara awaits.  We say relaxing/ vibrant as Pokhara can be anything you want it to be!

Explore the ancient Mahendra Cave and Davis Falls; climb up to the man-made Peace Pagoda for great views of the Phew Lake; learn more about pioneer mountaineers in the International Mountain Museum, and discover Hindu temples and sites.

Be active by paragliding, bungy jumping, or taking an ultra flight—all of which induce adrenaline and give you a bird’ s-eye view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Relax in your own way, whether by chilling in a lake-side restaurant, shopping for souvenirs, rocking the dance floor in a bar or nightclub, or enjoying a well-deserved massage.

Magical Nepal arranges permits for its client

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Packing Tips

We have a wonderful packing list PDF you can download here. So just a few tips here:

Layering: The Manaslu and Annapurna Trek takes us through lowlands and highlands.  From warm climates to possible snow and ice underfoot.  Naturally, you need to be prepared for both.  Layering is the answer.  A good, fast-drying set of thermal underwear (top and bottom) is perfect for the underlayer.  On top, a trekking shirt, which is also fast-drying, is a bonus. 

This may seem an odd choice when you are shopping at home, but it is extremely handy. T-shirts are fine, but they take longer to dry (on and off the body) and can be heavier to carry. Trekking trousers are lightweight and, again, fast-drying. 

You can find those that zip down to shorts for warm parts of the trek. Woolen sweaters are good for warmth but may be bulky. If you can find a light pashmina one at a reasonable price at home, that’s a good alternative. A fleece jacket is pretty durable on any trek. It can be topped off by a down jacket for cold times. Note: Down jackets can be hired in Kathmandu.

A sunhat is essential for the sun and a warm hat for the colder days, mornings, and evenings. Gloves are also pretty essential, especially for crossing the passes. And of course, those extremely important trekking boots—not too big and certainly not too small. Try before you buy, then wear them all the time before you come. You will thank us!

Pack Smart: By smart we mean, besides bringing things that layer up well, pack light.  If you hire a porter, you cannot ask him to carry more than 20kg.  If you are sharing a porter, keep the weight down to 10kg (which is a good amount to aim for, regardless).  If you are carrying your own pack, we are sure you will either keep the weight down or lose a few items along the way.  We have all done that at some point or another!  Only bring what is essential.  See our recommended packing list again.

Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, etc., are not provided in teahouses. You must bring your own toiletries, but please decant them into smaller travel-size containers. 

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Why Book with Magical Nepal

There are three main reasons: We offer value for money, experienced, knowledgeable guides, and a wonderful experience.

We also pride ourselves on providing clear, accurate, and honest information. 

The reviews from past clients speak of the great times they have had with us.  We don’t ask for anything more: if you are happy, we are happy.

In addition, our guides and porters are mainly from the areas we trek through. This ensures they have a wealth of knowledge about the countryside, people, and mountains and can provide 24/7 local support if necessary. 

Finally, we offer a price guarantee. If you find the same trek at a lower price, we will match it—guaranteed.