I love trekking, and I’ve been on several treks, but you know what my personal favorite is? It’s the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal and is quite close to the Tibet border.
Famous mountaineer John Muir once said, “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean”. When you feel stuck or in a loop, just know that mountains are calling you.
On to our main topic since I’ve been there and if you are planning a trekking trip then how about I tell you 10 reasons why the Manaslu Circuit Trek should be on your bucket list? Believe it or not, but after reading this write-up, you’ll be booking flights to this place.
1. Stunning Natural Beauty
The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers you a sight that you’ll never be able to forget. Deep valleys, breathtaking waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, remote villages, and crystal-clear lakes are just some of the many things that you’ll see on this hiking tour.
Beauty and visuals are unrealistic, you might not even believe that it is real. It resembles something straight out of fantasy. When I visited here, it was quite a while ago, but I can’t erase that experience from my mind.
2. Cultural Richness
One of the best things about this location is its cultural richness. People are welcoming and kind by nature, they’ll make sure that you are comfortable. Local festivals and rituals are always fun to attend.
You can go around and see ancient monasteries like Ribung Gompa and Pungyen Gompa. I just can’t explain the variety of food you get, but it’s delicious. If you are interested, you can learn how traditional farming is done and so much more.
3. Less Crowded Trails
Manaslu Circuit Trek isn’t very crowded, as it is a hidden gem. Expeditions like the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand usually have more tourists. But if you want peace and enjoy the views, then Manaslu is perfect for you.
4. Unique Flora and Fauna
I like all kinds of flora and fauna and this place was heaven for me as I encountered several wildlife flowers and animals. If you are lucky enough, you’ll be able to see snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, and red pandas.
Apart from that, local forests are covered with rich, vibrant colored flowers during spring. You might want to be a bit careful since they can be poisonous.
5. Adventure and Challenge
This outing is going to test how strong you are mentally and physically. Treking itself is an adventure, but as you’ll be climbing the mountains it’ll grow more difficult and that’s a challenge you’ll have to overcome.
I was able to complete this descent because I had good stamina and endurance, but you can take it slow, as you wouldn’t want to drop mid-trek, right?
6. Authentic Teahouse Experience
I was lucky enough to get the experience of authentic teahouse. You can find such places in Machha Khola, it’s a small village consisting of around 200 people. Their main livelihood comes from raising kettles and running homestays.
You should consider Nirvana Guest House and Chum Valley Guest House, here you can obtain accommodation for a day in about 500-1000rs. Wi-Fi is available, but you’ll have to pay extra for it. But yes you can’t book such accommodations online, you’ll have to go there by yourself and make the booking.
7. Rich History and Spiritual Significance
You might not know, but the word “Manaslu” itself means “Mountain of the Spirit” and this geographic region is considered sacred by the people who live here. I was able to meet people from different communities like Tibetans, Gurungs, and Tamangs.
Each has its unique traditions and festivals. You can also dive into the history of Nepal and Tibet.
8. Diverse Landscapes
The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers diverse landscapes from lush forests to glacier rivers, you’ll find everything in one spot. You’ll come across new things as you move forward in your tour, and it will only become better.
9. Opportunities for Photography
I won’t lie, I probably took hundreds of pictures here. I mean, I was mesmerized by it and wanted to capture everything. And trust me, you’ll be offered great opportunities to take pictures. This could be considered a paradise for photographers. But yes also focus on the view.
10. Sense of Accomplishment
The feeling you get when you finally complete the Manaslu Circuit Trek can’t be explained in words. It is no less than a big accomplishment. You’ll be working hard, even struggling at certain landmarks, but by the time the hiking trip ends, you won’t regret anything and will feel that you’ve achieved something great.
PRO TIP
It’s a mountain region, so don’t rely on online transactions or cards at all. Carry as much cash as you can, as locals wouldn’t agree to any other payment mode.
Conclusion
So, that’s about it, I told you 10 reasons why the Manaslu Circuit Trek should be on your bucket list. It’s a wonderful site and at least once in your lifetime, you have to visit this place and see what is real beauty.
