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Manaslu Trek After The Earthquake Recent Updates

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Last Update: 01.10. 2016
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Update as of 01 October 2016

For those trekking in Manaslu region in the next month or so, we gathered the latest update in the region and we are happy to report that the usual Manaslu Circuit trail is possible and any blockage due to the recent landslide has been cleared.

Many of you may have heard about a recent a huge landslide that occurred near a bridge connecting Uiya-Kerauja. This is along the Manaslu trekking route and is usually 2 days trek from Arughat.  Sadly, the landslide killed 3 Nepalese staff and 1 Spanish trekker.  It also injured more than a dozen other trekkers and locals.

One of our group (Mr. Jae, his guide and porter) just recently passed the said affected area and according to the latest update we gathered from them, the usual Manaslu Circuit trail is clear and doable.  They did not have any issues passing through the affected area and are now safely trekking near Samagaun.  We are trying to gather more details about the area and as soon as we receive further news, we will post the updates here.

Manaslu short trek

What progress has been done to repair any damages to the area?

While the trail remains passable, the district committee dispatched a team of engineers to survey the extent of the damage and clear out anything that may block the trail or cause security concerns to trekkers and locals.  They hope to fully on or before October 7, in time for the Dashain festival.

What is the road condition between Kathmandu to Arughat?

Due to the monsoon season, the road to Arughat via Dhading or Gorkha is becoming a concern and quite challenging for motor vehicles.  However, the government is targeting to improve the road condition in the area before the coming Dashain Festival as locals are expected to travel home during this time of the year to be with their family in the village.

How much does the Manaslu trek cost?

Different companies publish different costs for Manaslu trek.  This is probably very confusing as the cost range is relatively wide and it is difficult to decide which company to trust.  If you are planning for Manaslu trek you shouldn’t miss research a bit before you make the decision For example, if you try to look up the cost offered by international travel agencies, the charges could be more than USD 2000 but if you check with a local travel company in Nepal, the cost for the same package could reduce by a third.  For first time travelers, you would normally go with the international agencies because of their branding and you could be sure of your safety.  However, I assure you that local agencies in Nepal could deliver a perfect Manaslu trek Itinerary and the same level of quality at a fraction of the price.  It actually doesn’t matter whether you go with the more expensive or the cheaper ones, as everyone sleeps in the same category of tea houses.  There is no such thing as a 5-star tea house in the mountain region.  In addition, you are also assured that you will be served the same quality of the meal.

Looking for Trekking Partners for the Manaslu Trek 2016 /17?

Every now and then, we would also receive inquiries from solo travelers who are looking for trekking partners with fixed departure and even more so after we published our previous article about the Manaslu trek cost. This is because single trekkers are not allowed in this area.  Of course, there is always a workaround that but you will have to pay the permit for two people! To help everyone out, we decided to put all these inquiries on one page so that everyone and anyone looking for a trekking partner could find the dates suitable for them. So if you are looking to join another trekker for the Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek in 2016, please leave your comment (contact us) with detailed requirements. We will publish these on this page and will try to match you with another trekker.
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Update: 11.04.2016 Following the devastating earthquake last year, the Manaslu trail and conservation area were badly affected.  To check on the trail conditions and availability of teahouses, we sent our guide Nabaraj and Deepak for a “test trek” and we posted our findings.  After almost a year, the Manaslu trail is now back to normal and open to tourists and trekkers.  We are pleased to report that there are no more landslides, bridges have now been fixed, and teahouses are now open to business.  Our senior team leader, Kanchen Pokharel (also a local resident from Manaslu region) explored the trail with a group of trekkers recently and gave some further updates about Manaslu and Kanchen Pokhara on top of the Larke Pass with trekkers. 

How is the flow of tourists in Manaslu a year after the earthquake?

Due to the massive destruction caused by the earthquake in April 2015, it was hard to explore and investigate the Manaslu trail.  The aftershocks and monsoon rain prevented us from reaching the region even after several months.  Due to the rain, there were also several landslides and broken bridges blocking the access in the area and it seemed the situation only became worse.  From Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) entry point Jaget, only 25 tourists made it to the Manaslu circuit since the earthquake happened up to October 1st.  However, as the trail improved in the area, by the middle of November, this number already went up to more than 5000.  And to date, based on statistics, approximately 40 trekkers enter the Jaget point on a daily basis.

How is the condition of the trail after the landslide?

I was in Manaslu sometime in November 2015 and it was my first trek of the season after the earthquake.  Since then, the trail has improved significantly.  Bridges wiped out by the landslides have been rebuilt by the villagers.  The trail is open again for trekkers to explore.

How is the teahouse condition in Manaslu?

Based on my recent treks, most of the teahouses from the start of the trail to the end, have also been improved and can now accommodate tourists.  You could still see some of the local teahouses are under construction but most of them are already fixed and safe to stay in overnight.

Is it safe enough to trek around Manaslu?

This is probably the main question for every trekker’s who had or have plans to explore the Manaslu area.  We are pleased to report that the Manaslu trail is very much safe for trekking and we encourage everyone to come and visit this trail once again.  A teahouse trek is very much doable and should not pose any concern to trekkers.
It was a shame that so many trekkers stayed away from the area after the earthquake (even after it was already rebuilt) and missed this part of Nepal that is not well-known, but equally (if not more) stunning than the more famous Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

What is the next event in Manaslu?

Not many people are aware that Manaslu also hosts trail races/marathon.  For this year, the trail race is around 197km and lasts for 7 days from Jaget to Darapani.  Participants competing in the marathon are from all over the world and also include local Nepalese in the area.  This exciting event is expected to happen from 5th to 17th of November. View this report of the Manaslu trail race from last year.

If you have any concern about your trek to Manaslu, hiring a professional experienced local guide please do not hesitate to email us at  info@nestadventure.com  we are always committed to true information of Manaslu Trek

The article below was published on 7 October 2015. Following the recent earthquake in Nepal, many trekking trails were destroyed and teahouses were damaged.  However, the government and local tourism unions have rebuilt several of the trails and accommodation.   In order to secure the safety of our trekkers, NEST Adventure decided to conduct field research before sending a number of tourists in the Manaslu region.

The trekking season had just started and on 10 September 2015, my friend Deepak and I started our journey in the Manaslu region from Arughat.   As a background about myself and Deepak, we are born and bred in this area and have been serving as the local guides for Manaslu trek for several years now. Our family lives just across the river but work has brought us to Kathmandu.  We thought this project was a good idea not only to check on how the area has developed after the quake but also to promote the Manaslu region again as one of the most breathtaking trails in Nepal.
For anyone interested to know whether it is still possible to trek in the Manaslu region, we are pleased to confirm the answer is yes.   There are several alternative trails along the way where some of the old trails may have been impassable.  The good thing about the alternate routes is that this is often used by locals than by tourists.
Read below about our journey. We have designed as a Q&A based on several inquiries we received from fellow trekkers.
recent road construction on the way to Manaslu

How is the condition of the teahouse after the earthquake?

I am pleased to report that the teahouses are perfectly fine in most instances.  It has been 4 months since the earthquake and several of the locals have rebuilt the teahouses to ensure it could accommodate tourists from September 2015.  Almost 70% of the teahouses have been reconstructed and several of the local homes have also been rebuilt.  We made a list of the available teahouses and had discussions with the owners.  They are looking forward to welcoming trekkers again to the region.

There is also one village, Uhiya (before Jagat), where the only homestay is available.  An alternative route has been created by locals (to avoid landslides) which would require all trekkers to pass through this village.

Are there any landslides in the Manaslu region after the earthquake?

To be honest with you, there are still a number of landslides across the region. Before Jagat, there were 3 major landslides, which have blocked the old trails, and rocks are still falling in this area.  However, there are alternative new routes made by locals to allow tourists to pass.  The government is also rebuilding the old trail.

Is it safe to do Manaslu trek from October to November 2015?

Certainly, it is!  This is actually the best time to do the trek both weather-wise and safety concerns.  The main issue before was the landslides during the monsoon season.  However, since we have now passed the monsoon season, there are fewer landslides than a few months ago.

All trekkers and local guides, as always, are advised to take extra safety precautions while traveling, not only in the region but also in other trails in Nepal or other countries.   In the Manaslu region, some trails are narrow and could be slippery.  When I was there, there were some falling rocks between Tatopani and Jagat, so in these areas, please cross with caution and follow the instructions from your local guides as they will know when it would be safe to cross.

What is the weather in Manaslu between October and November?

Around these months is the dry season in Manaslu.  Temperature varies greatly in the different areas of Manaslu depending on the elevation of where you are. But it is always advisable to dress up in layers.

Has the itinerary been affected because of the earthquake and landslide?

Basically, Manaslu trek Itinerary depends on how many days trek you wish to complete. General Itinerary can be, a minimum of 14 days trek to a maximum of 22 days with Tsum Valley. However, standards recommended itinerary is 17 days Manaslu trek. Yes.  Between Tatopani and Jagat, this used to be a 1.5-hour trek.  However, due to landslides, as mentioned above, all trekkers are required now to climb up 700m up to a town called Uhiya for about 3 hours, and then trek down again for another 2 hours.  Depending on how quickly you are able to cross this section, this could mean an additional day for you in your itinerary.  Image source from Michelle Marie, she just returned from Manaslu trek. You can also find her experiences about the landslide in Manaslu trek.  

If you reach Uhiya late in the day, you may also need to stay in the village.  One thing to note is that there are no teahouses in this area and the only option is a homestay.  But the villagers are nice and another chance for you to spend a day with a local family.  They have already prepared to welcome tourists should this be needed and rest assured that you will be welcomed with open arms!

Would I need a tent during the trek?

This would really depend on you and what you prefer.  As mentioned above, basic accommodation, such as teahouses and homestays, are available in the region.  However, if you prefer to camp out, that is fine too! Just make sure you bring a sleeping bag and a down jacket with you as it gets cold at night in the mountains.

Am I allowed to trek by myself in the Manaslu region?

I am afraid the answer is No.  Unlike other trails in Nepal, the Manaslu trek requires a restricted permit from the government to commence the trek.  To issue a restricted permit, the law requires to have a minimum of two trekkers in one group and in addition be accompanied by a professional local guide or a guide affiliated with a registered trekking agency in Nepal.

The permit is also generally more expensive so you will want to share the cost with someone else if you would like to save. Also, since the trail has changed since the earthquake, and some areas could be very narrow, we would strongly advise, in addition to a local guide, to also consider hiring a porter to help you cross several of these technical routes.

Manaslu Trek Recent Itinerary What I Followed

Day 01: Kathmandu to Arughat and drive to Soti Khola
Day 02: Soti Khola to Mache Khola
Day 03: Machha Khola to Uhiya (Last Updates This Morning October 01, 2015 )
Day 04:  Uhiya to Jagat
Day 05: Jagat to Deng
Day 06: Deng to Namrung
Day 07: Namrung to Sama Gaun
Day 08: Rest Sama Gaun
Day 10: Sama Gaun to Samdo
Day 11: Samdo to Dharmasala
Day 12:  Dharmasala to Bhimtang
Day 13: Bhimtang to Dharapani
Day 14: Dhara pani to Besi Shar by Local jeep to Kathmandu.  Or
Day 15: Overnight stay in Besishar and next following back to  Kathmandu or Pokhara

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Rajendra Khanal (Raj)

Born and raised in Gorkha, Nepal, I am proud to call the Manaslu region my home! I have been in the travel business for over a decade from being assistance guide, leader, to being a manager. And finally today I am the founder of NEST Adventure. So you could say I know my way well enough in the Himalayas, especially in some of the off-the-beaten-trails in Nepal like Manaslu, Kanchenjunga and Mustang!

I am passionate about travelling and I strongly believe that seeing the world shouldn't break the bank (at least not too much!). I have backpacked to over 15 countries in Asia, Central America, USA, Canada, one-third of Europe, the Caribbean Islands, and Latin America.

I studied in the UK and moved to the United States. During that period, I had the opportunity of working with multinational companies which taught me how to deliver quality customer service in the business. As a world travelling backpacker myself, and travel expert for the Nepalese Himalayas, I started writing about my own country. Which I would love to share with you. In case you required free information about Nepal or join a group with our existing departure, (particularly If you are a solo hiker for the restricted area) please do not hesitate to visit my office in Thamel. We are located in the centre of Kathmandu called Thamel. I am happy to share a cup of Nepali tea and free information.

Our team at NEST has earned 5/5 star ratings on TripAdvisor. Don't forget to visit our customer feedback page on TripAdvisor. If you believe our expert team can be helpful in planning your next trip to Nepal, then please do not hesitate to contact me at nestadventure@gmail.com. I am also available 24x7 on WhatsApp  +977- 9851052042. If you are interested to know more about my travel journey follow me on  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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