Sometimes called the Mountain of the Spirit, the world’s tenth-highest peak climbs to an extraordinary 8163 meters in elevation, towering over Nepal’s Gorkha District. This is Manaslu: an unusually beautiful twin-summit mountain with a long and storied climbing history amongst international mountaineers. But despite this history, the Manaslu region’s trekking trails were only opened to visitors as recently as 1991. This part of Nepal is therefore still something of an undiscovered gem, and trekking in this region is particularly suited for daring travelers. The Manaslu Himal’s rugged terrain, high altitude, and steep trails represent an irresistible call to adventure—and should you answer its call, here’s what you can expect.
Most visitors to this part of Nepal will embark upon the Manaslu Circuit Trek, a long-form hiking adventure that takes just about two weeks to complete. This trail traces an old salt trading route between Nepal and Tibet, affording visitors with a unique glimpse of Himalayan history. And while the Manaslu Circuit may not be as well-known as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Everest Base Camp Trek, its highlights rival anything you would expect to see on those treks in Nepal. For example, while the main draw of this trek in the Himalayas is undoubtedly the chance to visit Manaslu Base Camp, you’ll also climb to 5160 meters to reach the high-altitude mountain pass of Larke La. For our money, there are few better viewpoints in the entirety of the Himalayan mountains.
If you’re seeking uncrowded trails and a genuinely wild experience, consider the Tsum Valley Trek. This two-week trek in Nepal starts in the little town of Arughat and winds through the Manaslu region for about two weeks, ultimately approaching the Tibetan border. You’ll earn great views of the Ganesh Himal as you trace the watercourse of the Budhi Gandaki river and visit high-altitude villages influenced by Tibetan traditions. Because this trek reaches a maximum altitude of just about 3700 meters in elevation, it’s also a great choice for travelers who’d like to avoid the extreme altitudes of the Manaslu Circuit itself.
Thanks to the Manaslu region’s close proximity to the Annapurna mountains, it’s also possible to craft a unique trekking itinerary that combines the best of both territories. The Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit represents one of the longest treks in Nepal, beginning in Soti Khola and circling Manaslu itself before crossing the passes of Larke La and Thorong La to enter the Annapurna region proper. You’ll need almost two weeks to complete this epic Himalayan journey in its entirety, but it’ll be time well-spent: there’s no finer way to rove across the length and breadth of Nepal’s north-central Himalayas.
If you’ve already explored Nepal’s most popular trekking regions, the Kanchenjunga Himal should be next on your bucket list. With a variety of challenging and exciting trails at your disposal, there’s no limit to the adventures you can enjoy in this part of the Nepal Himalayas.
