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Best Time for Manaslu Circuit Trek
The months of Autumn and Spring are the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek. These seasons offer the best conditions for trekking in the Himalayas. Taking you through off-the-beaten paths, the Manaslu Trek will allow you to witness the scenic views of the entire Manaslu region. As the trek requires a special area permit, this region receives limited trekkers throughout the year. It is a long trek that covers a distance of around 180 kilometers and takes around 3 weeks to complete.
Witnessing Mount Manaslu, which stands at 8163 meters from sea level, is the major highlight. Larkya La Pass is the highest point in this trek at 5,106 meters. You can find the perfect blend of Hindu and Buddhist communities while trekking in this region. Sherpa, Magar, Gurung, etc., are the indigenous people of this region. You cannot simply trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Despite being a moderate-level trek, it presents you with several challenges.
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Best Time to Trek Manaslu Circuit
Like every other trek in Nepal, Spring and Autumn offer the best conditions for trekking in the Manaslu region. It is the peak season in Nepal when thousands of trekkers trek in Nepal. The temperature is moderate during these seasons, making it one of the best times to trek in the Himalayas. Moreover, the weather in the Himalayas is stable during these seasons, which is also another main factor in attracting many trekkers in this region.
Fall season (September to November)
Autumn is one of the best trekking seasons for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The months of September, October, and November fall under this season. September marks the beginning of the Autumn season. You might experience slight rainfall during early September, with an average temperature ranging between 7 to 21 degrees Celsius. October is the best time to trek in Nepal, with temperatures ranging from -1 to 25 degrees Celsius and no rainfall.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
11 Days
Adventure Treks
USD 849 per person
You can also experience festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chhat, etc., during the October. November is another transition month that offers favorable conditions for trekking around the Manaslu region. You get to witness the majestic views of the Himalayas during this month. During this month, the average temperature around Manaslu region ranges from around 12 to – 3 degrees Celsius.
Spring season (March to May)
Spring is known as the best time for the Manaslu circuit trek. The forest turns green during the spring months. Wildflowers, including Nepal’s national flower, Rhododendron, bloom during Spring. This makes the entire forest look colorful. Trekking during the Spring month is the safest time of the year. March indicates the beginning of the Spring season. The trials are quiet and peaceful during this month.
Winter will have just finished, and the temperatures in March will be pretty cold. The temperature ranges from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. In April, the entire forest looks colorful, with the skies are clear, and the weather is stable throughout April. The temperature ranges from 4 to 10 degrees Celsius during this month. May is the last month of the spring season, with temperatures ranging between 4 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Summer season (June to August)
Summer or Monsoon season is another adventurous season for trekking in the Manaslu region. This season offers a favorable temperature for trekking in the Himalayas. However, monsoon rain becomes an obstacle to exploring the beauty of the Manaslu region. If you’re an adventure lover and an experienced trekker, the Monsoon season is also the trekking season in Nepal. In June you will experience slight rainfall while trekking. If you enjoy wide views of the Himalayas, passing showers, rainbows, and quieter trails, June is also a great time to go.
July is the peak monsoon month in Nepal. It is not an ideal time for the Manaslu trek. Traveling to the Manaslu Circuit can be risky during this month. Natural calamities like landslides, floods, etc. Similarly, August is the best time for the Manaslu Circuit trek compared to June and July. The temperature is ideal during this month. This month receives very little rainfall compared to the other two months. The trails are empty. You can witness the best views of the Manaslu mountain range.
Winter season (December to February)
Winter is the coldest season in the Manaslu region. You can trek or trip to the Manaslu Circuit during the winter months. The temperature during the day is quite warm around the freezing point, but the temperatures at night quickly go below -20 degrees Celsius. Very few trekkers can be found during this season on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. As December begins, the locals start to migrate towards the lower altitudes to escape the cold. Very few tea houses or guest houses are open during December.
Again, wonderful experience
Thanks to Himalaya Trip going to Nepal feels like going home. I completed the Manaslu Circuit trek two weeks ago, just after the protests in the Kathmandu valley. That has been my second trek in Himalayas with Himalaya Trip, and again it was an awesome experience: exploring extraordinary places, foods, culture and traditions. My guide, Ramesh took excellent care of me and made sure I would see off-the-beaten-track places, forgotten villages and that I would try local specialities tourists normally do not have chance of trying. Everything was well thought of and organized and I felt completely satisfied and safe. It is the best time to go trekking now, as the skies are clear, weather is favourable and the life has come back to normal in the Kathmandu valley after the demonstrations. I am looking forward to booking my next trip with these guys next year!
12 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu
We have just got back from an amazing 12 day Manaslu circuit trek organised incredibly quickly by Harka. He was super responsive and kept us updated at every point. Our guide, Mr Jayaram was amazing – he had incredible insight into the area, was always enthusiastic and checked in with us about our welfare regularly. Mr Jayaram was great at setting a good pace, ensuring we could take in the sights and save enough energy for the high pass. He also altered the itinerary to give us a slightly shorter day which had the benefit of a better view of Manaslu. Our porter, Shiva, was a great guy teaching us the ways of Nepalese rummy. To note; the public bus to Soti khola is little short on leg room but we had a sofa bus on the return which was comfortable. Absolute 10/10 experience all round, thank you!
guide, Jay was a really nice guy
Myself and three other guys who usually trek independently got together and used Harka’s company to organise aspects of our trek in Tsum valley. He responded to email enquiries promptly and did everything that was asked of him. He was personable and straightforward and immediately proved his worth before even leaving KTM when one of our group lost his passport and all his cash on the first day! Harka was able to sort out the issues with the Embassy and bank and made what could have been a total hassle a lot easier. Our guide, Jay was a really nice guy – professional, likeable and easy going. If you’re looking for a company to organise your trek, I can wholeheartedly recommend this one.
UK, April 2014
Manaslu circuit trek and Tsum valley
Harka provided us a confident and great guide for the Manaslu circuit trek and Tsum valley. We were 23 days in the mountains which was amazing. our guide was very reliable and helped with the meals and homestay accommodation. We also found him fun and a good companion for the journey. Overall we highly recommend Manaslu circuit and Himalaya Trip
UK, April , 2016
Excellent trekking company and guide Jayandra
We recently completed a 4 week trek in Manaslu and Tsum Valley with Himalaya Trip and Jayandra Gurung as our guide. Jayandra was very responsive to our email queries and got back to us quickly. On the trek, Jayandra was very conscientious about doing a good job and keeping us safe. He was patient and flexible with our suggestions. We specified wanted a guide who was flexible and responsive to our ideas and suggestions and Jayandra was excellent. Decisions were made together. He is easy going and very pleasent to be around. Jayandra went above and beyond by carrying fresh fruit for our dessert each night. What a treat! We were also able to visit Jay’s home in Kathmandu and his village while on the trek to meet his family. We really appreciated this opportunity. The head of the company, Harka, was also very helpful, and kept the communication flowing when Jay was out trekking with other clients. We had an excellent trek. No complaints at all.
Canada, Dec 2016
Lifetime memory thanks to Himalaya Trip / Guide / Porter
I did quite a bit of research for a reputable agency for my 16 day Manaslu Circuit trek. I emailed a number of different agencies, and got price quotes that ranged quite a bit. I decided to go with Himalaya Trip because the price was great, the communication was excellent, and equally important, the fixed prices quoted for things like a private jeep were exactly what the cost should be — this agency was not trying to hike up prices and make money off me like so many other agencies tried to do. I felt like I can trust these guys.
Our guide Jay, and porter Deep, were two really great guys. We shared a lot of laughs with them and they were near the top of the list of why this excursion was so great.
Jay was always looking out for us, making sure we’re ok, and safety was always his top priority. Our agency recommended crampons for the pass, and they came in handy. Most others that we passed on the trail did not have them.
If you’re looking to book a trekking trip or any other tour in Nepal, you will not go wrong with this company. Just email them and you will see … the communication alone will put you at ease.
FYI – many people like to “shop around” in Kathmandu for agencies because they will find a better price. We met some people who did that, and the price we paid with this agency was significantly lower than they ended up paying.
USA, March 2017
Magnificent Manaslu
The trip of a lifetime on one of the best treks in Nepal, professionally organized by Harka and his team at Himalaya Trip and especially my expert guide Shyam.
On arrival in Kathmandu Harka had all my permits ready. What followed was 17 days of pure adventure. Thanks to Harka. Himalaya Trip get a five star rating. Will be back again soon.
Ireland, Oct 2017
We just finished the Manaslu Circuit
We just finished the Manaslu Circuit. We booked with Harka and his team and it was perfect. The organization was very efficient: Harka is very responsive, and he answered all our (many!!) questions in no time.
Our guide Jayandra was the best. He is a wonderful guide, never trying to hurry, always being flexible and calm. We wanted the itinerary not to be too strict, as we like to take our time and walk as far as we get, not as far as the itinerary tell us. He helped us a lot, always showing us to the nicest locations in the villages and some great spots for our breaks. He always knew if there would be another good overnight option a little further down or if it was better to stay and most importand: He obviously always knew where to get the best Dal Bhat 😉 No request was ever too much trouble. We had a great trek!
Thanks a lot for the unforgettable time.
Germany, Nov 2017
Manaslu Circuit Trek was a Wonderful experience
The whole Manaslu Circuit trek was a Wonderful experience! We enjoyed it thoroughly. Our guide Om an our porter Ram were just pefect in assisting, organizing and telling us everything we wanted to know. The weather at the beginning of October was also perfect. Not to forget Harka, who organized everything very well from Kathmandu. I can highly recommend Himalaya Trip ! Rainer Goetzelman
, October 26, 2018
Manaslu trekking with Surpa (Guide-porter) and Min (porter)
We had a fantastic time doing the Manaslu trekking with Surpa and Min. Surpa was really knowledgable and always tried to find the best places to stay for us. His help and support were necessary to bring us up to the top of Larkya La pass while one of us had altitude sickness. Min, our porter, was also fantastic. Always happy and ready to play card games when done with the day. Not only it was a physical experience but also a human one. Thank you Himalaya Trip for that time. Highly recommend!
French, April 2019
Wunderfull and unforgettable views and experiences Manaslu trekking including Larka pass 5106 meters.
We, father and son, did the 14 Days Manaslu Trekking in may 2022. We have very good experiences with Harka and Jay. They are very helpfull to make you a good time. From beginning to end they are pleased to help you to make up youre plans.
Germany, May 2022
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Himalaya Trip
We did the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Himalaya Trip and it was quite awesome. We had quite some luck because monsoon season was bit longer as usual. But it almost did not rain.
Big thanks to Jay our guide and Mesak our porter. They did a great job and were really flexible, so we could have influence in the program. Also open to all the question we had about Nepal and especially the valleys we were in.
Switzerland, September 2023January is the coldest month of the year. The trails get covered with snow, making it tough to trek. You will need equipment like crampons to trek in the snow-covered paths. Likewise, February has weather conditions similar to those in January. The trails are covered with snow. The guest houses and tea houses are almost closed this month. However, you can experience slight weather changes in late February.
Average Day and Night Temperatures During Manaslu Circuit Trek
| Seasons | Average Day and Night Temperature |
| Spring | Day: 7°C to 18°C Night: 6°C to (-6) °C |
| Autumn | Day: 8°C to 20°C Night: 0°C to (-3) °C |
| Monsoon | Day: 12°C to 25°C Night: 8°C to (-5°) C |
| Winter | Day: 4°C to 12°C Night: 0°C to (-10) °C |
All Seasons Monthly Temperature Chart
| Seasons | Months (Day and Night Temperature) |
| Spring | March: 10°C to -6°C April: 4°C to 15°C May: 4°C to 18°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 7-8 hours |
| Autumn | September: 7°C to 21°C October: 20°C to (-2°C) November: 12°C to (-3°C) Sunshine Hour Daily: 7 hours |
| Summer/Monsoon | June: 10°C to 25°C July: 8°C to 22°C August: 10°C to 20°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 5-6 hours |
| Winter | December: 4°C to 12°C January: (-5°C) to (-10°C) February: 8°C to 15°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 6-7 hours |
Tips for the Best Manaslu Trek
- Be ready for unpredictable weather changes.
- Daily up-to-date weather forecasts.
- Pack the appropriate gear according to the trek seasons.
- Make sure to pack a rain poncho and umbrella during the Monsoon.
- Get Manaslu Trek’s comprehensive packing list from tour operators.
- Only pack essential clothes and gear to minimize backpack capacity and a comfortable trekking experience.
- Get brief ideas and tips from a tour operator regarding the Manaslu trek.
- Don’t forget to carry a water purification kit to prevent waterborne diseases, and medicines to use for altitude sickness.
- Make sure shoes are strong and comfortable to trek for long hours.
Manaslu Trek Packing List
Manaslu is a remote region, which means the availability of resources is limited. The elevation gain is higher, and weather and temperature are unpredictable. We suggest packing warm but light seasonal clothes and only packing essentials to minimize backpack capacity. You can take a comprehensive packing list from the tour operator for ease. Manaslu Trek packing list is mentioned below:
Essential Gear:
- Trekking boots (break them in to prevent blisters) with spare laces.
- Warm hat, scarf, and gloves.
- Wool-blend socks, liner socks, and thermal underwear (three pairs).
- Fleece jacket and down jacket/vest.
- T-shirts (2-3) and a long-sleeved, collared shirt for sun protection.
- Warm trousers for higher altitudes, plus shorts and regular trousers/skirt.
- Running shoes/sandals for camp.
- Sunhat, polarizing sunglasses, and sunscreen (SPF 20+).
- Water purification method (iodine, tablets, or filter).
- Pocket knife, insect repellent (for lower elevations), and emergency kit.
- Earplugs, backpack, and duffle bag.
- Sleeping bag with silk liner, water bottle, torch with spare batteries.
- Gaiters, trekking poles, quick-drying camp towels, and daypack.
- Plastic bags (for clothes separation) and personal medical supplies.
- Rain Poncho and Umbrella (Monsoon season)
- Spikes in the Spring season
Optional Gear:
- Camera, memory card, and charger
- Altimeter, GPS unit, binoculars
- Books/magazines, small duffle bag for Kathmandu
- Backpack cover (waterproof), small pillow/headrest (optional)
- Notebook, pen, pencil, personal entertainment items
- Thermarest inflatable sleeping mat, trekking map, passport photos
Distance and Duration of Manaslu Trek
It is one of the long-distance treks in Nepal. The total distance of Manaslu Circuit is around 180 km. Your trek begins from around 1000 meters and reaches an elevation of around 5,100 meters. The distance and duration make your trek one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. It will take around 17 days to complete the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The trails offer several steep ascents and descents, adding extra challenge to the trek.
You need to hike for around 6-8 hours each day, where you will be covering a distance of around 12-15 km. This walk can be a challenging experience for first-time trekkers. Hiking up and down for around 180 kilometers is not an easy feat. You will need proper fitness and follow a good high-calorie diet routine to prepare for this trek.
Altitude Sickness in Manaslu Trek
Altitude sickness is a common concern while trekking in the Himalayas. Anyone can experience altitude sickness above 2500 meters from sea level. Meanwhile, the Manaslu Circuit trek is one of the high-altitude treks in Nepal. The trek begins at an elevation of around 1000 meters and reaches the trek’s highest point, Larkya La Pass, at 5,106 meters.
Generally, you will hike above 3000 meters from sea level in this 17-day-long trek. The oxygen level decreases at higher altitudes, making it difficult to breathe. Altitude sickness can happen to anyone of any age. If you experience the symptoms of altitude sickness, you need to descend to lower altitudes and seek medical attention quickly. The symptoms include headache, nausea, breathing difficulty, vomiting, sleepless nights, etc. Ignoring these symptoms can worsen your health and even risk your life.
Conclusion
The best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek is during the Spring and Autumn seasons. September to November and March to May are Nepal’s best months for trekking. During this ideal time, the weather is stable, and the temperature is moderate in the Manaslu region, allowing you to witness the majestic beauty of the Manaslu mountain ranges. Even if you’re trekking solo, you will find many fellow trekkers in this region.
However, choosing the ideal time for the trek is your personal preference. You don’t need to wait for the right time to trek the Manaslu Circuit. You can also trek to Manaslu during the winter or monsoon season, but it is guaranteed that the trek route will present you with multiple challenges during this off-season. The Manaslu region’s beauty and the local people’s unique culture will never disappoint you, no matter what season you trek in. It is almost certain that trekking to the Manaslu Circuit will give you a feeling of accomplishment that you will cherish throughout your life.
