What to pack for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Are you planning for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal? Before you lace up your boots, know what to bring along and what you should have in your backpack? Up in the mountains, the things that you pack can be your life saving or burden! This blog can be the most comforting and eye – opener to you regarding what to wear or what to pack while exploring the abode of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu.

If you keep wondering about what to pack for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, then look no further. This blog will provide you the best options for packing essentials for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. We will go through pros and cons including the necessity and luxury in terms of backpack contents.

At the end of the blog, you will be able to make decisions what you should really pack and what you can avoid. Please note that if you are going to carry your own backpack then trekking in high – altitude can have huge toll on your body. If you book a porter to carry your backpack, and then remember a porter carries 20 to 25 kilograms only. In addition, a porter is assigned to carry the luggage of two trekkers.

Let’s go deeper into finding out answer to the question “what to pack for Manaslu Circuit Trek”.

Why Packing Right for the Manaslu Circuit Matters?

You shouldn’t forget the fact that the Manaslu Circuit Trek route is one of the best rugged and raw trekking trails of Nepal. It traverses through wilderness areas and ancient villages up in the mountains reaching as high to 5106 m which is the altitude of the famous Larke La Pass! High – altitude trekking demands a perfect walking or journey plans. From supplies to life essentials; your backpack can be life – saving! Therefore, packing right for the Manaslu Circuit matters a lot.

Get to the foothill of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) and listen to the stories of Tsombos people up in the Himalayas. The trail is rich in natural wonders and cultural grandeur but it can be cruel to you in terms of supplies! Cold temperature, less oxygen density, arduous uphill – downhill sections, and wilderness region are the major factors that tell you to focus carefully about what to pack for Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. It is in fact great for Manaslu Trek preparation and also to understand about the right gear for Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Packing List Overview

The Manaslu Circuit Trek gear can determine your comfort while trekking in this ancient, restricted, and rugged trekking trail. Please pack the essentials like raincoat, day pack, sweat pants t – shirt, layer down jacket, sleeping bag, sturdy boots, and personal needful items including the basic first aid items.

So, what are the essential trekking gears for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal? Here is the list of the essential trekking gear for Manaslu Circuit Trek:

What to Pack for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Here is a complete list of the packing gear for the Manaslu circuit trek.

Head

• Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions.
• Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs.
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

• Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
• Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
• Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover.
• Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
• Down jacket
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

• 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
• 1 pair of lightweight wool of fleece gloves.
• 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

Lower Body

• Non-cotton underwear briefs.
• 1 pair of hiking shorts.
• 1 pair of hiking trousers.
• 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
• 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
• 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

Feet

• 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks.
• 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks.
• 1 pair of hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy, soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
• 1 pair of trainer or running shoes/sandals
• Cotton socks (optional)
• Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

Sleeping

• 1 sleeping bag (-20 degrees)
• Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

Rucksack and Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
• 1 large duffel bag
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
• Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
• 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

• Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
• Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
• 1 skin-blister repair kit
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
• Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
• Water purification tablets or water filter.
• 1 set of earplugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.

Practical Items

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
• 1 cigarette lighters, 1 small box of matches
• 1 compass or GPS (optional)
• 1 alarm clock/watch
• 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
• Large Ziplocs
• 2 water bottles (1 ltrs. each)
• 1 small folding knife
• Binoculars (optional)
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks.

Toiletries

• 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
• Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Female hygiene products
• Small mirror

Personal Hygiene

• Wet wipes (baby wipes)
• Tissue/toilet roll
• Anti-bacterial hand wash

Extras/Luxuries

• Lightweight pillowcase (in case if your teahouses do not provide you)
• Reading books
• Trail map/guide book
• Journal and pen
• iPod
• Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses or camps)
• 1 modest swimsuit
• Voltage converter
• Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

Clothing Guide by Layer: From Kathmandu to Larke Pass

Some daring trekkers even defy the logic of the clothing necessities. These types of trekkers are rare. For example, people wish to travel in shorts and thin t – shirts even in the high – altitude places. However, it is not highly recommended. Please note that your clothing must have base layer, insulation layer, and outer shell as the journey traverses above 4000 m altitude!

In addition, trekkers stay overnight in these high – altitude places! Nights are always colder and the weather can be unpredictable especially in the mountainous regions. Put on gloves, hat, buff, sun – hat, thick trekking socks, fleece or down jacket, thermal tops or bottoms, and comfortable clothing according to the weather or climate conditions. In the places above 1500 m to 6000 m, the weather can be very unpredictable. Therefore, you should always have a contingency plans.

Toiletries & Personal Hygiene Essentials

The trekking trail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is commercial and full of modern amenities. There are proper provision of toiletries and personal hygiene essentials in this trekking trail. However, you may not find adequate amenities in the place like Dharmasala where there are limited lodging facilities. It is wise to carry your own medications, toiletries and personal hygiene materials. Give priority to eco – friendly products, sanitizer, toilet paper, etc.

Electronics and Power Backup for Remote Trekking

You need to pay extra for battery charging during the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. Therefore, please carry solar charger or power banks of the 10,000 to 20,000 mAh capacity. Nowadays, almost every tea houses or eateries in the trekking trail has provision of battery charging and electricity facilities. It was not like this few years before but you can get these facilities while trekking nowadays.  

First Aid Kit and Health Essentials

Your trekking guide and the trekking crew member always carries a first aid kit for the trek. If you want to carry your own then it is highly recommended. Carry the basic medicines which you may need during the trekking trip. For example, grab digestion pills, blister care, painkillers, antiseptics, bandages, stomach upset pills, and cold pills. In addition, carry Diamox which is the medicine for high – altitude sickness prevention.

Travel Documents and Trekking Permits Checklist

Always carry necessary documents while trekking in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route. This is the restricted area of Nepal which requires special restricted area permit from the Immigration department of Nepal. The journey of the Manaslu Circuit Trek requires ACAP, MCAP, Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality, and Special Restricted Area Permit. The rural municipality entry permit costs NRs. 1000, MCAP and ACAP cost NRs. 3000 to foreigners and NRs. 1500 to SAARC nationals each. Nowadays, you don’t need the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permit for trekking. Carry passport and leave your travel insurance copy in the city office

Snacks, Water Bottles & Filtration Options

Carry standard water bottle which you can use to refill continuously at least throughout the trekking trip. You can pack the drinking water purifying tablet. If you do so, then you can save a lot in terms of drinking water. It is wise to bring reusable water bottles or hydration bladders. Besides all these, pack high – energy bars or snacks like nuts, protein bars, chocolates, and electrolytes sachets.

The cost of the bottled water in the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is so flattened and expensive. For example, in the high altitude places a bottle of mineral water costs around NRs. 500. The cost seems so inflated as you can get water bottle in just NRs. 20 to NRs. 25 in the city areas.

What Not to Pack for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

People often overlook the fact that high – altitude places always make it harder for travelers in terms of weight. The more high you go, the earth’s gravitational force make it harder and heavier including difficulty in breathing; less cardio – vascular abilities mean that you tend to tire a lot in high – altitude places.

Therefore, it is essential to know what not to pack for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. Please note that your porter carries 18 to 22 kilograms only. Avoid jeans, cotton layers and heavy toiletries. Skip carrying stuffs which you can get during the trek as well. Additionally, the Manaslu Circuit Trek route is one of the commercial trekking routes of Nepal despite it being under the restricted area of Nepal.

So, if I have access items or luggage, then where should I put it or store it until I am on the trek. This is the most common question.

Where can I put my access luggage before Manaslu Circuit Trek?

You can put access luggage before the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal either in a hotel or in the store room of the Glorious Himalayas! Trekkers don’t need to pay extra to store their access luggage here in Kathmandu. Travelers can collect their belongings after the trek.

Packing Tips for Different Seasons on the Manaslu Trek

What to pack for Manaslu Circuit Trek differs according to the trekking seasons. You shouldn’t generalize the packing essentials for any kinds of trekking trips especially in Nepal. Please note that Nepal experiences different kinds of weather conditions and climatic situations. For example, Nepal experiences four seasons and each season has its own weather conditions. Make sure that you pack lighter gear with only the essentials if you are carrying your own luggage.

Sometimes in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route, late spring season and early autumn season can experience monsoon climate. Therefore, consider packing lighter with rain protection gear. Nights are colder in autumn season. Therefore, pack essential sleeping bags but pack the rain coats if you are traveling in the spring season. Interestingly, note that the cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in spring season is less than trekking in the autumn season. It applies same on winter and monsoon season.

I hope that you go answer to the question titled “what to pack for Manaslu Circuit Trek”. If not, make sure to contact me or the travel planners listed in this website.