Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek 20 Days

Larkya La and Thorong La Pass

The opportunity to cross two famous Himalayan passes is possibly the best feature of this extended hiking trail. Larkya La Pass is the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit. Starting from Dharmasala, this part of the trail can be cold and snowy and can be physically challenging, depending on the season.

Thorong La Pass is the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit and at 5,416 meters, is another challenging pass to cross. Acclimatization is vital for this pass. Both passes are challenging due to the altitude. Good fitness, gradual acclimatization, an early start and a consistent walking pace are essential for both passes.

Altitude and Acclimatization

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek involve large changes in elevation. The itinerary includes several days of gradual elevation change with stops at Sama Gaun, Samdo, and Manang to facilitate acclimatization.

When you get to Sama Gaun, you will do a day hike to 3,530 m and night one. At Samdo, you can go on a high altitude trek towards the border of Tibet. The last day of acclimatization is at Manang before trekking to Thorong La.

Walking slowly and drinking and eating accordingly are key to adjusting to altitude. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and sleeplessness are signs of altitude sickness. All of the symptoms can progress to vomiting and loss of consciousness. The best thing to do is descend to a lower elevation.

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek spans 18 days and has long trekking days. Trekkers also cross two high mountain passes. All these elements can be challenging. While some days involve only a few hours of trekking, others involve 10 hours or more.

The crossing of Larkya La and Thorong La are the most difficult sections of the trek. While this trek is not technically difficult other than day walks, mountain trails can be long and tiring. Some trekking experience is beneficial, but a first-time trekker can be successful if they have a lot of preparation and the right support.

Can a beginner join this trek?

20 Days Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek is best suited for intermediate to advanced trekkers, not for first timers. This trek is most challenging due to the high altitude, long walking days and crossing both Larkya La and Thorong La passes.

At Hill Sherpa Trekking, we recommend this trek for travelers with past hiking or trekking experience that include good fitness levels. Beginners may join depending on their fitness levels, but we would advise you to contact our team to discuss your experience before confirming the booking.

Best Times for Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Treks

The best seasons for the trek are spring and autumn. In spring, trekking from March to May is pleasant. The views of the mountains are clearer and the forests at lower elevations have rhododendron trees. April and May are the months when most people take the trek.

In autumn, from September to November, trekking is good after the monsoon. Marsyangdi should be crossed before it gets cloudy. In October and November, trekking is done by a lot of people.

In winter, a lot of snow makes the passes, especially Larkya La and Thorong La, difficult to trek. In the monsoon, lower sections of the trek become muddy, with rain, landslides and poor roads.

Transportation for Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek

We organize transportation as per the route, current road conditions on the roads and what you require. On this trek, you take a drive from Kathmandu to Machchakhola and after crossing the Manaslu and Annapurna regions, you can take a drive from Muktinath to Pokhara.

To take a more comfortable route and time efficient, option Hills Sherpa Trekking can arrange flights from Jomsom to Pokhara. From Pokhara, we can arrange to fly back to Kathmandu. This is a good option for trekkers who do not want to take the long drive from the Mustang region to Pokhara.

Depending on your itinerary and preference, you have the option of arranging bus, private vehicle, or flight transport. Arrangements can be made by our team, considering the situation of the roads and flights at the time of your trek.

Accommodation

The trek will give you the opportunity to stay in local teahouses and mountain lodges. Rooms will have basic amenities. Facilities will be more basic as you go higher. Most teahouses have twin-sharing rooms and dining rooms that act as common facilities for trekkers.

Basic accommodation with limited facilities is expected at Dharmasala and Thorong Phedi. During the peak season, you have to plan your trip in advance since these places tend to run out of rooms quickly.

Food and Drinking Water

Teahouses along the route provide a variety of meals suitable for trekkers. Common choices include dal bhat, noodles, pasta, rice, potatoes, soups, Tibetan bread, momos and simple Western-style meals.

Dal bhat is especially popular because it provides a filling combination of rice, lentils and vegetables.

Tea, coffee and other hot drinks are available at most stops. At higher elevations, food supplies may be more limited because they are transported from lower areas.

Make sure you drink lots of water throughout your adventure. Depending on location, you may find bottled water, filtered water, or boiled water. You can also go the old-fashioned route and carry your water in a reusable water bottle and bring a water purification method with you.

Permits Required

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek passes through protected and regulated areas, so the required permits must be arranged before entering the trekking areas.

Depending on the current regulations and exact route, the trek generally requires the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Local government or municipality fees may also apply.

Hill Sherpa Trekking manages the permits and fees required for each trek according to the current rules. These can change, so we do this before your trek.

Trekking Guide and Porter

Having a local guide is essential for an extended, remote trek such as this. The right guide will help manage the logistics of navigation, accommodations, permits, and daily pacing while also helping to communicate with local communities, something that will be particularly useful on this trek.

Using a porter is the much smarter option for carrying bulky luggage. You will be much more comfortable with just a daypack to carry while enjoying the scenery on your trek with a steady pace.

Our guide and porter have many years of experience helping hundreds of clients safely travel to remote places while ensuring they have proper acclimation and support designed specifically around their individual needs.

Internet, Wi-Fi and Charging

Connectivity along the route is varied in both internet and mobile. Lower-lying villages may get better mobile coverage, while most remote areas of the Manaslu region will have little to no reliable connection.

Wi-Fi connection may be available in some of the teahouses for a charge. Most lodges will have charging facilities, but there may be a lack of power in really remote areas.

It is safe to bring a good power bank and ensure your devices are protected against cold and wet weather.

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek Packing List

Proper clothing and equipment are required because this trek goes above 5,000 meters.

Essential items include

• High quality trekking boots
• Warm down jacket
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Thermals
• Fleece or warm midlayer
• Trekking pants
• Warm gloves
• Wool or thermal socks
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Trekking poles
• Sleeping bag
• Battery powered Light
• Water bottles
• Water purification Tablets or Filter
• Medicine
• First aid kit
• Charging bank
• Small day pack
• Duffel bag for main luggage

Your packing list will need to be season specific.

Travel Insurance and Emergency Support

All treks in this series require high altitude travel insurance that covers trek evacuation. Your policy must cover high altitude trekking and evacuation to over 5,000 meters.

Maximum altitude coverage and emergency medical treatment should be checked prior to departure. Helicopter evacuation may be necessary depending on the situation and medical assessment.

Throughout the trek and in an emergency situation, Hill Sherpa Trekking advises and arranges all necessary support. The cost of evacuation and medical treatment, however, is to be borne by the traveler under the travel insurance policy.

Personal Expenses During the Trek

There will be some items and a range of services that are not included in the package that you will have to pay for yourself.

Some examples of additional costs include

• Hot water showers
• Wi-Fi
• Battery charging
• Boiled and bottled water
• Soft drinks
• Snacks, chocolate
• Coffee and other specialty drinks
• Laundry
• Personal shopping
• Tips for guides and porters
• Emergency transport

It helps to carry some of the local currency (Nepalese rupees) in smaller notes, especially in the more remote locations, as it is less likely that credit cards are accepted.

Why Trek with Hill Sherpa Trekking?

Hill Sherpa Trekking is a 100% Nepali, locally owned and Sherpa-led trekking company with experience operating Himalayan trekking and peak-climbing journeys.

When it comes to the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Treks, our team offers safety and comfort with proper acclimatization. We arrange all needed permits, transport, and accommodation, as well as experienced local guides and porters.

We acknowledge that all travelers have different needs. Thus, treks can be done at your own pace with an appropriate travel group size and private custom travel arrangements.

Local knowledge of the area and a team that can explain the local communities and villages that line the trekking paths help explain and show you that the journey is not just about the final destinations.

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost

There are many elements that ultimately determine the total cost of the trek, such as group size, transportation, accommodation during the trek, guide and porter services, permits and other related factors.

A package normally includes

• Transportation from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
• Transportation from Muktinath to Pokhara
• An experienced trekking guide
• Porter service
• Teahouse accommodations
• Trekking permits
• Conservation area permits
• Restricted-area permits
• Guide and porter insurance
• Meals included in chosen package
• Transport required locally
• Government and local fees

International flights, travel insurance, drinks, Wi-Fi, charging, hot showers, tips, purchases, etc. are usually not included in the cost unless otherwise stated.

For private trips, the cost can be customized as per the group size and services required.