10 Jun 2024 Prakash Devkota
Manaslu Expedition is a riveting adventure that takes you to the summit of the 8th tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu, which stands at an altitude of 8163m. It lies in the west-central region of Nepal in the Gorkha district of Gandaki Province. The Manaslu Trek and Manaslu Expedition are popular trekking sites in Nepal.
The outstanding mountain climbing is a unique opportunity to behold the magical Himalayan vistas and conquer yourself through exploration of the Himlayan settlements. Mt. Manaslu has been climbing since the 1950s, and today, it invites thousands of people from all around the world to traverse the untrodden trails and climb Mount Manaslu.
You will embark on the journey with a well-planned itinerary that takes you through a series of Himalayan settlements like Dharapani, Tilije, Bimthang, Larkya La Pass, Samdo, Samagaon, Manaslu Base Camp, and all the way to the summit of Manaslu.
Climbing eight-thousanders is no joke, and it demands necessary preparations, strong physical strength, and mental resilience. This is why planning the journey during a suitable time makes your journey safe, smooth, and secure. Summiting the high mountains comes with its own risks, and planning the trek during a suitable time makes your journey safe and amusing without many challenges along the way.
The best time to embark on the Manaslu Expeditions is considered to be Autumn. Autumn encompasses September, October, and November and is the time when the climatic conditions of the region tend to remain stable.
This reduces the risks of climatic challenges like heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, avalanches, and many more. Along with that, the chance to experience cultural discovery is yet another fantastic element that contributes to the benefit of the Manaslu Expedition.
Autumn is the season for a number of festivals, including some significant ones like Dashain, Tihar, and Mani Rimdu. You’ll be presented with opportunities to immerse in the diverse culture of the region.
Therefore, planning the Manaslu Expedition in Autumn is the best option that you can think of, as the journey will assure you a safe, secure, and amusing experience.
Highlights of the Manaslu Expedition in Autumn
- Journey to the summit of the 8th tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu (8163m)
- Breathtaking views of Mt. Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Ngadi Chuli, Annapurna massifs, Lamjung, Ganesh Himal, Cheo Himal, and many more.
- Broad cultural excursion while passing through culturally rich settlements of the region
- Riveting trekking journey through a cluster of sightseeing places and expedition to the top of Manaslu.
- Exploration of Himalayan lifestyle and cultures
- Explore the Manaslu region’s ecological diversity and rich legacy, which includes breathtaking waterfalls, glacier valleys, and rushing streams
- Cross Larkya La Pass (5106m), the highest point of the Manaslu Trek
- Scouting through lush green forests and catching glimpses of Himalayan wild species
Overview of the Manaslu Expedition in Autumn
Your riveting journey to the summit of Mt. Manaslu begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani. From there, the trekking journey begins towards Tilije and Bimthang. After proper acclimatization at Bimthang, the journey stretches towards Samdo via Larkya La Pass.
The journey takes you through one of the stunning sightseeing places, Sama Gaon, and continues all the way to Manaslu Base Camp. Upon reaching the Manaslu Base Camp, you’ll rest and hone your mountaineering skills.
You’ll enhance the use of mountaineering tools, and after proper preparations, you’ll start your mountain climbing adventure. The journey demands ascending through different camps of Mt. Manaslu before reaching the summit.
From Base Camp, you’ll ascend towards Camp I, Camp II, Camp III, and Camp IV. Upon a successful attempt to conquer these camps, you’ll push the climbing journey by fixed ropes. After surpassing the forthcoming challenges like ice bulges, snowy slopes, and plateaus, you’ll reach the summit of the 8th tallest mountain in the world.
Best time for the Manaslu Expedition during Autumn
The Manaslu Expedition is a challenging journey as reaching the top of the 8th tallest mountain in the world is no joke. This demands strong physical strength and sheer determination to tackle all the forthcoming challenges to reach the summit of the mountain.
While the journey can be challenging, planning the adventure during a suitable time lets you have a safe and secure journey. Planning the journey during a suitable time is secure as the climatic conditions tend to remain stable, and this ultimately enhances your trekking experience with no issues along the way.
The best time for the Manaslu Expeditions is considered to be Autumn. Autumn encompasses September, October, and November, and out of these months, September is considered to be a favorable time to embark on the journey.
As there will be pre-winter effects in mid-November, and it takes around 38 days to conquer the Manaslu Expedition, planning the journey during September is favorable. During this time, you’ll pass through the trails without any climatic challenges like rainfall, snowfall, and slippery tracks. As you ascend higher in altitude, the favorable climatic conditions will present you with the magical and unobstructed beauty of the mountains.
In addition, the journey from Manaslu Base Camp to the summit of Mt. Manaslu is strenuous. There are risks of avalanches, floods, icefalls, summit fever, and extreme coldness. These challenges will be alleviated if you plan your Manaslu Expedition during September, which is a favorable time for hopping on the journey.
Reports show that the Manaslu Expedition has a higher success rate and smooth journey compared to other seasons and even Spring. While Spring is another favorable season to consider, the season summons snowfall and windstorms that lead to slightly less favorable than autumn. While September and October both are favorable, accomplishing the Manaslu Expedition takes a long time, and its better to start in mid-September.
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Departure dates for the Manaslu Expedition in September
| Start Date | End Date | Cost | Description |
| 2024-09-03 | 2024-10-10 | USD 12500 per person | This is early September. There can be post-monsoon effects during this time, but the threshold and duration will be shorter. It won’t affect your journey, as our well-organized itinerary takes you to the Manaslu Base Camp in 10 days when the post-monsoon effects start to fade. |
| 2024-09-21 | 2024-10-28 | USD 12500 per person | This is considered to be one of the best times for the Manaslu Expedition. During this time, the climatic conditions tend to stay stable, which assures you a safe and secure journey while also presenting you naked picturesque views of mountains. By the time the journey ends, you’ll immerse in distinct cultures and festive atmosphere of Dashain and Tihar. |
Challenges and Necessary Preparations for the Manaslu Expedition in Autumn
High Altitude
Challenges: The Manaslu Expedition takes you to the summit of the 8th tallest mountain in the world, standing at an altitude of 8163m. Climbing the eight-thousanders is no joke, as the journey takes you through a series of ascents and descents. Ascending in altitude results in changing atmospheric pressure and decreasing oxygen levels. If the body can’t adapt to such changes, it catches altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, headache, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, insomnia, and loss of balance. This can further range into high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Therefore, it is important to be mindful of such conditions and take necessary actions regarding them.
Necessary preparations: To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, it is important to maintain a steady pace while ascending. You shouldn’t rush and ascend at a fast pace as it’ll give your body less time to adapt to the changing environmental factors. On top of that, acclimatizing properly is very crucial as it lets your body adapt to the surroundings. In case of the appearance of any symptoms, it is important to take a dose of Diamox and descend to the lower region to acclimatize properly. To fight with the sickness, your body needs strength which is why it is essential to consume healthy and nutritious foods. Also, completely avoid smoking and alcohol during the journey and stay hydrated all the time. Feel free to talk about your conditions to our team and if the case worsens, you’ll immediately be evacuated by helicopter and taken to the hospital.
Climatic Conditions
Challenges: Though the climatic conditions of the region tend to be stable during autumn, it is important to be mindful of the sudden weather fluctuations of the region. The weather in the high Himalayan region can fluctuate despite the favorable time, and the fluctuating weather can impose challenges along the way. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of challenges that can be caused due to weather fluctuations. These challenges include rainfall, snowfall, windstorms, floods, and landslides. Also, as you ascend higher toward the summit of Mt. Manaslu, you’ll experience climatic conditions that can cause extreme coldness that can lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
On top of that, high winds can be particularly intense on mountains like Manaslu. Along with that, snow accumulation can make it difficult to navigate the path and climb the mountain. Similarly, there is a considerable avalanche, icefalls and crevasses risk due to the mountain’s steep slopes, copious snowfall, and unstable snowpack. The climatic conditions can also lead to poor visibility and these can cause minor injuries or falls. Therefore, it is important to note such challenges before embarking on the journey and take necessary preparations or preventive measures regarding it.
Necessary Preparations: The necessary preparations for the Manaslu Expedition include being alert during the journey. The climatic conditions can pose a threat, which is why it is important to be attentive during mountain climbing. Along with that, being equipped with proper mountaineering and trekking equipment is crucial. Being mindful of the high Himalayan accidents, it is important to walk in a group and continue your journey alongside an experienced guide. It is also important to keep you fueled with nutritious food to maintain energy levels and minimize risks like accidents, injuries, or falls. In addition, you should pack your bag with heavy winter clothes as well as summer clothes.
Technical Challenges
Challenges: Summiting Mt. Manaslu demands advanced mountaineering skills and experience. Along the journey, you’ll encounter rocks and ice masses that need to be conquered. The Manaslu Expedition includes a range of terrain, such as parts of granite and steep ice walls. To climb icy slopes and frozen waterfalls, one must possess ice-climbing skills. Navigating rocky areas, where climbers may need to utilize ropes, harnesses, and climbing hardware to safely ascend, requires rock climbing skills as well.
This is why it demands strong physical strength and sheer determination to successfully reach the summit of the mountain. It requires precise attention and a strong grip, and to successfully reach the summit, climbers must be skilled with ascenders, descenders, and other climbing equipment. Along with that, climbers must be aware of the uncertainties and issues like crevasses, avalanches, and seracs and navigate the path being attentive to each foot they step.
Necessary preparations: The necessary preparations for the technical challenges of the Manaslu Expedition involve necessary training. It includes honing mountaineering skills, knowledge, and experience of uses of mountaineering tools and is equipped with the necessary equipment. The knowledge and experience of proper technical equipment, such as helmets, harnesses, ropes, ice axes, crampons, and protective clothes, is essential. Along with that, climbers must be capable of performing self-rescues and helping teammates in an emergency.
They should be skilled at route planning and precise skills in navigating the path. Effective communication, collaboration, and proper coordination are important for this journey. Similarly, making quick and best decisions for yourself and for the entire team is essential. Overall, the Manaslu Expedition is a technical climbing, and it requires precise planning, hard work, physical strength, determination, mental resilience, team work and experience with top-notch gear. By possessing these, you’ll be good to go.
Physical Difficulties
Challenges: The Manaslu Expedition is a strenuous journey, and it demands strong physical strength, good mental state, sheer determination, and dedication to accomplish the journey. The journey takes you through a series of places and demands strong navigating skills. The strenuous journey can lead to extreme tiredness, and this can result in minor injuries or accidents along the way.
The journey can cause leg pain, joint pain, and back pain if not for the flexible body. If your body isn’t stable and flexible, this could interfere with your body’s ability to adapt to its surroundings and negatively impact your entire journey. In addition, the Manaslu Expedition is a strenuous journey that involves technical climbing and has a risk of fatigue, frostbite, hypoxia, and snowblindness. This is why it is important to maintain physical strength by training and performing necessary exercises.
Necessary preparations: The necessary preparations for this trek require performing strength training exercises. This includes light weight lifting and cardiovascular exercises. Exercises like squats, planks, crunches, pull-downs, pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, and others will help in training your muscles and developing strength. Similarly, exercises like running, jogging, walking, swimming, trekking and others will help in developing cardiovascular endurance. Developing cardiovascular endurance generates proper blood flow to cells and helps you with proper adaptation at a higher altitude. Along with that, honing the flexibility of the body is very important, which is why performing stretching exercises and yoga will help you develop good mobility.
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Some helpful advice for the Manaslu Expedition in Autumn
- Proper acclimatization is crucial to minimize the risk of altitude sickness
- Stay hydrated and maintain a steady pace during the Manaslu Expedition journey
- Being equipped with essential climbing equipment like ropes, ice axes, crampons, and harnesses is necessary
- Being mindful of climatic conditions is essential, and check the weather forecast before heading for the journey
- Selecting the proper trekking agent who has prior experience in mountain climbing and has an experienced guide is crucial
- It is recommended to carry the knowledge of emergency procedures and uses of a first aid kit
- Avoid smoking and drinking during the journey
- Be mindful of the uncertainties of the weather and pack your bag with both summer and winter clothes
- Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial
- Being attentive to the routes, steep slopes, ice bulges, and challenging paths is important
- Take enough rest during the journey to allow your body to recover
Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
