Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Manaslu Trek and Rara Lake

Oct 2022

Revisited the Manaslu Circuit after 5 years: this time with my son, his first time in Nepal.

It was quite an experience for him as there had been landslides following several days of rain the week before. This meant diversions and uncertainty about being able to go over the pass because it was closed for several days due to heavy snow. Our guide, Dawa, was wonderful and kept us informed with the changing circumstances and we successfully crossed the Larke La pass which was covered in snow and ice. It was tricky but we made it due to the experience, expertise and care of our guide. This was my second trek with Annapurna Foothills.

After a short break in the lakeside town of Pokhara, I set off with my wife on a trek in the remote western area of Nepal to the revered Rara Lake, again with Annapurna Foothills. This in some respects was a pioneering trek of 8 days - again our guide’s experience proved invaluable in this most unusual, exciting and successful trek.

Can’t recommend highly enough the thoroughness in the planning and care this company and staff afforded us. Throughout both treks the management kept in contact with our guide.

My wife and I have trekked many times in Nepal over 20 years and our last expeditions with Annapurna Foothills have been the best. We are already planning another trek with them which speaks for itself.

Huge thanks to Ngima and all the team at Annapurna Foothills. From the moment we arrived in Kathmandu, they made us feel more than welcome and went above and beyond our expectations. I think you will struggle to find a better service and at a fair price with all money being invested into Nepal rather than paying for Western overheads. The trek itself around Manaslu was both varied and challenging. The crowds were not too heavy in mid to late November and weather very good. The only downside is the long bumpy road to get there. Would highly recommend to anyone considering visiting this unique country. Thank you once again!

The Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expedition owner, office staff, guides and porters provided excellent customer service for our recent one-month teahouse trek in the Mansulu and Tsum Valleys. Ngima Nura Sherpa, the Annapurna Foothills Managing Director, worked closely with our friend who organized our custom trek ahead of time through the web and emails. Annapurna Foothills staff were responsive, knowledgeable and consistently good-natured. They went the extra mile before, during and after our trek to make it a safe and wonderful experience. The Annapurna Foothills webpage is detailed, accurate, beautiful and easy to use. 

Trekking in Manaslu and Tsum Valleys require special permits and coordination with police along the way at several checkpoints. The Annapurna Foothills staff efficiently organized our permits ahead of time and conducted the stops at checkpoints seamlessly and with no difficulties. We did not have to give the necessary formalities a second thought. 

We especially appreciated Dawa Sherpa, Pasang Sherpa, Minga Sherpa and Myla Rai, our guides and porters during the trek. Their customer service was excellent. Their skills, strength, courage and experience helped keep us safe, especially when crossing treacherous landslides. Their warm, calm, patient, wise and supportive personalities were unfailing regardless of the circumstances along the way. On several occasions they carried the daypack (in addition to their already heavy loads) for one of our party that was too sick to carry his, someone backtracking for items left at a teahouse or as we crossed unstable steep landslides. When there was any possibility of the teahouse for the night being booked before we arrived, one went ahead to reserve space for all of us. They knew which teahouses in a village would best meet our needs and seamlessly translated our lodging, food, hot water for showers and other requests to the lovey and gracious hosts who in many cases did not speak English. Dawa Sherpa was an excellent guide with good English skills and 25 years of experience. The porters for many agencies do not speak English. We appreciated that the Annapurna Foothills porters on our trek also spoke English. 

Annapurna Foothills staff made it possible for us to squeeze in visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and Lumbini into some extra days before and after our trek. We highly recommend making time to visit these amazing and beautiful places during your visit. Tashi Sherpa, an Annapurna Foothills guide, gave us interesting information and took us to places we would otherwise have missed. We appreciate that Annapurna Foothills hired skilled drivers with sound vehicles for portions of our trips that required travel on the roads of Nepal. Tashi also organized the required permits for our trek. His pleasant personality, excellent English skills and knowledge of Nepal and the sites we visited enhanced our experience. 

Though the Manuslu Valley and side trip to Tsum Valley are described in the Lonely Planet Himalaya trekking guide as “challenging,” we are very glad we went and recommend it to others. A road is being built through the Manaslu Valley with plans to extend it through the wonderful Tsum Valley all the way to Tibet in China. Anyone considering these areas for trekking should go now while the region is still only accessible by traditional trails and before the road is finished. Expect some stretches to be adjacent to or on the road being built which can be treacherous in places. A scenic detour trail got us around the worst of the construction activities. Also, expect stretches along the way that are exposed but that can be safely navigated with care. It is worth it to see the upper valleys before they are forever changed by road access. 

We recommend Annapurna Foothills for organizing and supporting trekking and other tours. We will work with them when we return to Nepal.

Firstly, we have been to Nepal trekking over a period of 20 years having completed more than 15 treks, some more than once. As it is necessary to employ a guide on the Manaslu trek, we chose Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expedition company through the internet. They offered a very competitive price and their website was easy to navigate and from the outset, Ngima, was clear and flexible regarding arrangements.

From the beginning to the end, the head of the company, Ngima, our guide, Dawa and porter, Pasang looked after us and every detail was taken care of. We couldn't have asked for a better team. In fact, they all went above and beyond what would have been expected of them.

We have no reservations in recommending them most highly for their expertise, support and genuine care. We would definitely choose to go with them next time.

The trek itself is a "Wow" if you are considering it!

My wife and I trekked the Manaslu Circuit with Ngima's Annapurna Foothills in late 2014. The trip, from start to finish, was nothing short of spectacular. Ngima and Tenzin were the warmest, most gracious hosts, and showed single-minded devotion to ensuring the trip's success, safety, and joyfulness.