The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers a remarkable fusion of distant adventure, unadulterated and unspoiled natural beauty, and spiritual and cultural exploration. Throughout the year, one can observe the breathtaking Manaslu region’s unmatched splendor. But October’s splendor offers the best of everything thanks to its perfect combination of pleasant weather, cultural events, a clear sky, and picturesque scenery.
October marks the height of the dry fall when the monsoon season has effectively given way to autumnal weather. The hike is made more thrilling by the Manaslu conservation area’s vivid atmosphere and crimson flora. Discovering this hidden gem’s untainted beauty beneath a clear sky while taking in expansive vistas of the high Himalayas will surely tantalize your senses.
Therefore, October is the ideal month to explore this wild valley’s off-the-beaten path, which rings Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-tallest summit in the world. Additionally, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking offers a range of specially designed packages for the October Manaslu circuit trek that can be tailored to your needs and preferences.
Highlights
unhindered views of the Himalayas, which include the Annapurna massifs, Mt. Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Nemjung, Gyanji Kang, and Kang Guru
Discover the untamed areas of the Manaslu Conservation area, passing through a variety of plants and animals.
Navigate Larke La Pass (5106 m), one of the most challenging mountain passes in the world.
Take in the gracious welcome of the locals who live there.
Purify your spirit from the local religious outlook.
Navigate through thick vegetation, glacial moraines, suspension bridges, waterfalls, and lush meadows.
Outline Itinerary of Manaslu Circuit Trek
Day 1 : Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (7,30m/2,896ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Day 2 : Trek from Soti Khola to Khorla Bensi (9,70m/ 31,82ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day 3 : Khorla Bensi to Philim (1,590m/5,217ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day 4 : Philim to Ghab (2,250m/7,382ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day 5 : Ghap to Lho (3180m/10433ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day 6 : Lho to Samagaun (3,530m/11,581 ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Day 7 : Rest day in Samagaon (3,530m)
Day 8 : Samagaun to Samdo (3,875m/12,713ft) Duration: 3-4 hours.
Day 9 : Samdo to Dharamsala (4,480m/14,698ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Day 10 : Dharamsala to Bhimtang (3720m/12205ft) via crossing Larkya la Pass (5,160m/16929ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Day 11 : Bhimtang to Dharapani (1910m/6266ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day 12 : Drive From Dharapani to Kathmandu via Besisahar (7,60m/2493ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
What is the Temperature and Weather Like in the Manaslu Circuit During October?
The best time of year to explore the Manalsu circuit is thought to be in the fall, from September through November. October is regarded as the ideal month of the year for walking the Manaslu Circuit, even among those high months. The month of May is exceptional due in large part to its consistent and beautiful weather.
The typical daily temperature is between 15 and 16 degrees Celsius, but when you get over 4000 meters, the night and morning temperatures can dip as low as -1 degrees Celsius. Trekking is made easier by the pleasant combination of warm weather and brisk, cool winds during the day.
Why Manaslu Circuit Trek in October?
The Manaslu circuit is a charming trekking route that encircles the high Himalayas and is sure to stir your soul and leave you with lifelong memories. Let’s now explore why and how October is a great time of year to experience nature with the Manaslu circuit trek.
Crisp and Clear Mountain Views
When October arrives, the humidity in the air begins to decrease following the intense monsoon rains. There will be nearly no clouds in the sky or less if the air is less humid. As a result, there are unhindered views of the surrounding summits and the panorama mountains, which include Mt. Manaslu, Cheo Himal, Samdo Peak, Larke Peak, and Himlung Peak. For many hikers, including you, seeing the magnificent views of the Himalayan mountains with snow gleaming on the summit is a genuinely amazing experience.
Festival Delights
Discovering the Manaslu circuit in October offers a fantastic chance to experience the festival delights that are infused with the local culture. In accordance with the lunar calendar, October coincides with some of the largest murals in Nepal. One of the largest holidays in Nepal is Dashain, which is observed as the triumph of good over evil. Those who are away from home during this event return for a reunion. Therefore, in October, you might find the Manaslu region’s settlement areas to be rather busy. Similar to this, you can take part in religious rituals, cultural processions, and other festival-related events during Tihar and Chaath, among other celebrations.
Enchanting Landscapes
As the fall season reaches its zenith, the hillsides blanketed with a variety of plant types display vivid red and orange foliage. Similarly, the lower height of the Manaslu region has an additional charm during harvest season in October, when farmers are occupied gathering their produce from the terraced fields. In addition, alpine vegetation adores the untamed environments at higher elevations.
With the force of the monsoon rain, streams and waterfalls forge ahead with their own strength. The hikers can take a beautiful photo against the snow-covered mountains, with the fall leaves creating a striking contrast with the deep blue sky.
Stable and Pleasant Weather
October in the Manaslu region provides a stable and enjoyable trekking climate as the monsoon season ends and winter approaches. Trekkers can fully appreciate the unmatched beauty of the area thanks to the pleasant climate and consistent weather. In addition, they have more time to explore and enjoy trekking throughout the long days filled with sunlight. Similarly, the consistent weather and perfect trekking conditions make the challenging ascent of Larke La Pass rather manageable.
Dry Trails
It is quite unlikely that there will be any precipitation or snowfall in October because the monsoon has already ended. Because of this, there will be less chance of slips and falls when ascending the steep parts with stones and scree. However, October typically has a minimal danger of flooding and landslides. As a result, you will enjoy a more enjoyable hiking experience in the tranquil surroundings of isolated areas.
Difficulties During the Manaslu Circuit Trek in October
Although this is the ideal time of year to attempt the Manaslu Circuit Trek, there could still be challenges along the way. Let’s investigate the elements that have made the voyage more challenging.
Difficulty in Finding Accommodations
As you know, October is the busiest month of the year for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, drawing hikers from all over the world who come to experience the unmatched unadulterated beauty of the mountains. There aren’t enough lodging options to handle the enormous influx of hikers. Therefore, if you wish to have a nice stay on the walk, you will need to let the teahouse proprietors know in advance. Similarly, during the busiest season, domestic flights could not be available. For this reason, plan beforehand and avoid making last-minute trek preparations.
Remoteness
Given that this walk will take you off the usual route and into a remote area of the Himalayas where the natural beauty is still unspoiled and unadulterated, you can immediately assume that this region lacks modern technology development because of geography and logistical issues. Thus, it is crucial that you psychologically be ready for the hike. The ability to adjust to minimal or moderate services and deal with unexpected situations makes adaptability a crucial talent. Therefore, be careful not to have excessive expectations for the walk and adopt an attitude that will allow you to enjoy it to the utmost regardless of the challenges you face.
Altitude Sickness
A pathological consequence of the body’s inability to adjust to a decreased oxygen level is altitude sickness. This impact is typically noticeable when spending a considerable period of time above 3000 meters above sea level. Additionally, since you will be spending over ten days above 3000 m on this journey, there is a good chance that you will experience the symptoms of altitude sickness during the October Manaslu circuit trek. At the summit of Larke La Pass, which is located at an elevation of 5106 meters, you will also reach the highest point of your journey. It is therefore crucial to allow your body to adjust to a greater altitude through acclimatization.
Trek Duration
The duration of the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek varies from 12 to 19 days, contingent upon the selected package and itinerary. In addition, you’ll need to hike for six to eight hours a day to accomplish the roughly 180 km that you need to traverse in order to cover 10 miles every day. It is not an easy chore to walk back and forth on the rough landscapes at high altitude for such a long time. This hike may be physically and mentally difficult for you if you don’t have a lot of hiking or trekking experience and are not in good physical shape.
What About Accommodations and Food During the Manaslu circuit trek in October?
Dinners
Manaslu Circuit Trek in October never fails to treat its guests to its excellent specialties and delights throughout harvest season. The teahouses and lodges along the trail offer a broad variety of culinary options to suit the palates of trekkers from all over the world, ranging from traditional, regional, and even foreign cuisines to the fresh, savory seasonal dishes.
This is a basic sample of the menu items that teahouses will serve you during your October Manaslu circle trek.
For breakfast
- Bread with butter or jam
- Eggs, omelets
- Cornflakes
- Porridge
- Congee
- Soups
- Puddings
- Oatmeal
- Sel roti
- Paratha
- Roti tarkari
- Sandwich
For lunch and dinner
- Traditional daal bhaat tarkari
- Different khana sets
- Momo
- Spaghetti
- Steak
- Mac and cheese
- Thukpa
- Rildok
- Gundruk dhindo
For drinks and beverages
Expect hot beverages such masala tea, coffee, hot milk chocolate, and tea. Similar selections will be available for cold beverages, such as Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Pepsi, Dew, etc. The teahouses also provide hard drinks, such as branded wine, beer, and whisky, as well as the local tin pane, tongba, and chyang. Hard drinks, however, are not advised during high altitude excursions as they may hinder the acclimatization process.
Accommodations
You won’t find opulent hotels along the way because the Manaslu Circuit Trekking is not as well-known as the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trekking. Nonetheless, the region’s lodging options fall into the basic to moderate category.
You will be given a twin-sharing room in the teahouses, which will include two or three neighboring beds. The bed will come fully furnished with blankets, pillows, and mattresses. Typically, there will be a common area with a classic squat-style restroom. Although there may be hot showers available at the lower elevation, using these facilities may cost you extra money.
Is This Manaslu Circuit Trek in October Suitable for Me?
You may be debating whether or not to go on the Manaslu circuit trek in October after learning about its challenges. If so, you can start this thrilling adventure without having any prior trekking experience. This journey doesn’t contain any technical aspects requiring specialized abilities, despite being rated as fairly challenging.
You are ready to begin if you possess a strong degree of physical fitness and mental fortitude. This journey is suitable for practically any age group, though it is advised that individuals over 70 and children under 16 give it great thought before beginning. Similarly, those who suffer from specific medical conditions
For a comfortable trip, it is always preferable to make some advance plans. Before the four to six weeks of the walk, you can focus on some physical fitness and endurance-boosting exercises. Furthermore, trekking at high altitudes with a backpack is a great experience that never fails.
