Manaslu Circuit Trek Fall 2022

Here's a link to our Garmin Explore map for this trek:  https://share.garmin.com/EV7WJ

One of the things on my list for the website is a writeup on how to plan routes and publish them on Garmin's site.  It's not straightforward but is extremely useful.  This allows you to be able to track directions and distance of your waypoints during the trek.  Some people don't want to know how far they have to go, but I like the information.

We have the inReach Mini 2 which is a great little unit to use.  The battery lasts about 2 days set on 30-minute intervals, so we didn't have to spend too much time charging it.  I just used 2 Velcro straps and mounted it on our front backpack strap so I could use it easily.  One fact to really note here - most insurance policies do not include search, only rescue.  If you have the inReach there is no search involved, they will know exactly where you are.  This is not too important on the well-travelled treks that typically have cell phone access but can be very important in less travelled remote areas.  I would recommend an inReach for the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley.

We trekked the Manaslu circuit from Oct 13th through 25th, 2022 with Happy Treks and our guide Salik.  This was our first trek in this area, and we were wondering why there were so few people on this circuit.  We soon found out.  It had just opened for the fall season because of severe landslides.  What we didn't know before we planned this trek is the Manaslu area has a large amount of "Rotten Rock".  This is a climbing term used for rock that is very loose and fractured, thus landslides are more frequent and severe than over at Annapurna or Everest areas.  This trek is touted as the next Annapurna Circuit, but I don't think that will be the case.  Although there are landslides on the Annapurna Circuit, there are generally safe ways around them (even if it's slogging through mud for hours on end).  This was not the case on Manaslu, the landslides didn't let up until we arrived in Namrung.  If you can splurge a little bit, I highly recommend Nubri Four Season Resort in Namrung.

I will say there are some interesting villages and beautiful scenery along this route.  I definitely don't want to discourage anyone from this circuit, but I also want people to be prepared.   Manaslu is in a Restricted area which involved more paperwork to obtain the permit.  This paperwork included proof of insurance, to include rescue.  I can definitely see why they require it for this area.  This is NOT the Annapurna Circuit where you can get out easily, it is very remote.