Manaslu Expedition: 8163 m/26781 ft
- Trip Code: N-EXP-12
- Destination: Nepal
- Season: From April to May & Sep to Oct
- Max Altitude: 8163m/ 26781ft
- Trip Starts/Ends: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
- Accomodation: Standard hotel in Kathmandu/ Mountain lodge in Trekking/ Camping in Climbing
- Trip Grade: Climbing- Strenuous Plus
Trip Overview
Manaslu Expedition is summit trip to the world’s eighth highest mountain. Elevated at the height of 8163m/ 26781ft, the Mount Manaslu is located in Gorkha, one of the districts to west Nepal. This mountain is in the ridge of the Mansiri Himalayan Range and it is in approximately 64 km east of Mount Annapurna.
The word ‘Mansalu’ is derived from the Sanskrit language. It refers to ‘soul/spirit’. Thus this is also called Mountain of the Spirit. The Tibetan people say ‘Kutang’ to this peak. In Tibetan language tang means flat place.
Mount Manaslu at the first successfully ascended by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu on 9th May 1956. They, members of Japanese Expedition group, climbed this peak with following the route of North East face. As it was first climbed by Japanese, Japanese people call it as the ‘Japanese Mountain’ just as the British say Everest is ‘British Mountain’ as Everest was explored by British Expedition group.
Actually, the first photography of Manaslu was published by HW Tillman and Jimmy Roberts in 1950. However, the first real survey of this mountain was made by a Japanese expedition in 1952. One year after the survey they made the first attempt but it was not successful. After their attempt, there was avalanche which destroyed a monastery in Sama Gaon. The locals, by their spiritual theme, blamed their attempt as the cause of that disaster. Later, Japanese expeditions again tried it and obtained achievement in 1956.
Manaslu Expedition officially opened by Nepal Government only since 1991, whereas there was made a couple of expeditions to Manaslu in earlier. Manaslu is still in the list of the restricted zone. Thus, only organized trekkers in groups can trek in this area.
Climbing to Manaslu is more technical than other peaks like Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma. Therefore, the climbers should have excellent physical as well as mental preparation along with high level of climbing proficiency and altitude adroitness at a higher elevation.
Interestingly Manaslu has six routes to summit Manaslu. Among them hardest one is from the south face and the most common is from the northeast face.
The trekking part of Manaslu Expedition trip starts from Arughat, a small rural city, 126 km west of Kathmandu. From Arughat the trekking trail follows an ancient salt-trading route along the Burhi Gandak River. It passes villages of Machhakhola, Jagat, Dang, Namrung, Lho with narrow gorges, rhododendron forest, and local pastures.
After 7 days of trekking reaches Samagaon, Tibetan influenced beautiful village at the foot of Manaslu. There is a Buddhist monastery at Samagaon, where monks and nuns reside. In Samagaon you will have acclimatization day is before head up to Manaslu Base Camp at 4750 m.
Manaslu Base Camp is placed on a rocky moraine with amazing Himalayan views. Here, you spend many of days before the summit. Above base camp, we generally establish four camps.
The Camp I (5700 m/18700 ft) will be at the bottom of the North Peak right above the glacier on a protected area. The route up to Camp I involve climbing over grassy slopes, rock slabs and moraine, followed by a crevassed glacier with occasional small ice steps.
Likewise, the Camp II will be at 6200m/20341ft. From Camp I to Camp II, the route is more technical includes some steep sections fixed with ropes and occasionally ladders.
Further, Camp III will be formed at around 6900 m/22637 ft just below the col to avoid the very strong winds. The climb from Camp 2 to Camp 3 is one of the shortest days and only takes around 3 hours.
The route continues up the remaining glacier climbing steep sections of snow and ice with safety towards Camp IV at 7400 m/24278 ft. Camp IV is the last camp on your Manaslu expedition. From here you push up for the summit. Most climbers begin their summit bid at 1 am and reach the top between 7-10 am.
Then you retrace down to the base camp following preceding four camps. From Base Camp, you trek to Samagaon and back Arughat following the previous trail along Budhi Gandaki river. Finally, from Arughat you drive back to Kathmandu.
Manaslu Expedition Trip Note:
Manaslu Expedition 50 days is a proposed schedule. We designed it by our experience of previous trips. The actual itinerary of your trip can be different depending on the factors like weather conditions, your physical condition etc. The Manaslu Expedition may finish earlier than a proposed period, or it may slightly long as well. For, additional information of Manaslu Expedition please contact us.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, you will be met by our Tour officer. He will escort you to the hotel. O/n at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Preparation for Expedition/ Briefings at Departments of Tourism/ Last minute shopping. O/n at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Driving 126 km/ 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 5 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 5 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 5 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 4 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 4 hrs. O/n at Camping.
O/n at Camping.
Walking 3 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 6 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Walking 7 hrs. O/n at Mountain Lodge/ Camping.
Driving 126 km/ 6 hrs. O/n at Hotel in Kathmandu.
A day with rest in Kathmandu. You can do last minute shopping in Thamel, the tourist market of Kathmandu. Evening farewell dinner with Nepali Cultural shows at an authentic restaurant in Kathmandu. O/n at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International airport and see you off. End of Service. Or You may take optional side tours.
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