The Manaslu Circuit Trek in January feels like you are in heaven, as every place is covered in snow and feels like a snow wonderland. Trekking in the Manaslu circuit allows you to witness the mountains covered with snow. Not only mountains but every place is covered with snow, giving the vibe of the perfect holiday destination for winter. Not only that, trekking in winter allows you to explore the places fully, as there will be no crowds and the trail is peaceful, which makes your mind and soul connected with nature.
You will witness the skies are clear in the night, allowing you to watch stars, often known as stargazing. you will witness the water streams are frozen and you can actually walk on the lakes and rivers covered with the ice, which can also allow you to snow ski. Your trekking journey will be the best during this time for exploring the local authentic life.
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Why to trek Manaslu in January?
Trekking in January is the perfect opportunity for you to explore the places, and witness the snow-capped mountains, skiing, and peaceful trekking. The sunrise and sunset are the once-in-a-lifetime moments to witness during this time. You will see no crowds, which will increase the availability of the tea houses and lodges. The food and accommodation costs are also lower compared to other seasons, making it more affordable. You will have the opportunity to interact with the locals more personally. During this time it’s you, nature, and beautiful mountains.
Read More: Manaslu Circuit Trek in March
Why not to trek in January?
Manaslu Trekking in January is the best thing to do, but with that, it also has some drawbacks for trekking. As this is the peak time for winter nights to be harsh, cold temperatures can drop to -20°C, and there can be heavy snowfall in the higher altitudes. The nights are freezing, due to which the trails may be blocked, or you may goggle while trekking. You will need to acclimate more, due to which the trekking duration can be increased. The main highlight of the Manaslu circuit trek is Larkya La pass at the elevation of 5160 m, can be blocked due to the heavy snowfall. You will need to prepare more for the trek.
Maximum tea houses at the higher altitude will be closed, only few opens if they have previous booking for that time due to which you ,might face the difficulty of staying there. Also during the trek, you will have fewer options for food, water, and accommodations. The trails also may get slippery and icy, making it difficult to walk. If by chance there will be any case of emergency evacuation, your evacuation may get delayed due to the weather conditions.
Suggested Read: Manaslu Circuit Trek in April
Manaslu Circuit Trek Package
- Duration: 12 Days
- Best For: Adventure Seekers & Culture Lovers
- Includes: Transportation, Accommodation, Guide, TIMS & Permits
Manaslu Circuit Trek Detailed Itinerary For January
During the winter, the trekking itinerary will be longer compared to other seasons due to the unavailability of the teahouses and the weather conditions. You will need more days to acclimate and have more buffer days for a safe and successful trek. Before starting the trek, check your packing list for the Manaslu circuit to avoid any kinds of difficulties during the trek. The itinerary goes like this:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu and airport pickup, check-in into the hotel, and rest in the evening. We will have a warm welcome dinner of your choice in an authentic restaurant in Thamel.
Day 2: Drive to Macha Khola
Early in the morning, we will take a drive to Macha Khola. A beautiful Tibetan village inside the Manaslu region of Nepal. The drive will be of 6/9 hours, depending upon the road conditions. After reaching check-in and rest.
Day 3: Trek from Macha Khola to Jagat
Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we will trek to Jagat, a beautiful village often known for its warm, welcoming people. We will have lunch on the way. After reaching we will relax and take a hike around the village to explore and talk to the locals.
Day 4: Trek to Deng
Early in the morning, we will trek to Deng, a beautiful, lush green village during the spring. Upon reaching, we will enjoy a Nepali lunch and explore nearby places.
Day 5: Trek to Namrung
Early in the morning, we will trek to Namrung. As we ascend, the air will get thinner, and you will have difficulty breathing, so walk slowly, take your time, and listen to your body while trekking. You will see that on the way, water streams are frozen and there is snow on the trails.
Read More: Manaslu Circuit Trek in May
Day 6: Trek to Lho
In the morning, we will start our trek with a healthy, warm breakfast and ascend to Lho, a village in the higher altitudes, giving the vibe of a peaceful and serene place. Also, you may witness the snow-capped mountains in the background, as from Lho the ranges start to be seen.
Day 7: Trek to Samagaun
After enjoying the warm hospitality of the tea house, we will start our trek to Samagaun, a beautiful village near the Manaslu base camp offering clear and majestic views of the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges.
Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Samagaun
Today is the day for acclimatization. So we will not have trek you can wake up at the time you want, and then we will enjoy the authentic lunch and explore the region. Just near the Samagaun, there is a beautiful lake formed by the melting glaciers of the Manaslu peaks. We will hike there and enjoy the beautiful views of the lake. If you want, you can ski as well if the lake ice surface is thick enough, or else we will just enjoy the scenery and click pictures. We can also hike to the Manaslu base camp if you want.
Day 9: Trek to Samdo
Today our trek will be short as the altitude is increasing, due to which we will need to rest and walk slowly, as the harsh cold effect may slow down our walking energy. You will feel the heavy snowfall of up to ¾ ft. during the trek. Upon reaching it, we will take shelter in the warm and cozy tea house and enjoy the local scenery.
Day 10: Acclimatization Day in Samdo
Today will also be the acclimatization day in Samdo. As we trek higher, we will need more rest and acclimatization to deal with the environment and weather conditions. We will prepare for the pass and do some hiking and snow adventures to relax and enjoy our trek.
Day 11: Trek to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi)
After having lunch, we will start our trek to Dharamsala, a beautiful village up above the mountains in the shadow of Larkya La Pass. Due to this, people often call it also Larkya Phedi. We will be walking through the snow, rocks, and prayer flags.
Day 12: Cross Larkya La Pass and Descend to Bhimtang
After having breakfast, we will trek to Larkya La Pass. The destination of our trek. Larkya La Pass is one of the highest passes in the world, with an elevation of 5160m. During the winter the pass may be covered with icy snow, and trekking through the pass may be difficult. Upon reaching Lakrya La Pass, celebrate your victory and success. You will be stunned by the beautiful Himalayan ranges of the Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. We will relax and spend time here, and after that, we will descend to Bhimtang. As the trail is icy and steep, watch your feet while descending.
Day 13: Trek from Bhimtang to Tilije
Early in the morning, we will start our trek to Tilijie, a beautiful village located in the lower region of Manaslu. We will enjoy the trek and explore the nearby places.
Day 14: Trek from Tilije to Dharapani
We will descend to Dharapani. The starting point of the Annapurna Circuit trek. We will stay there for the night with our fellow trekkers and enjoy each other’s company.
Day 15: Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu
We will take a drive to Kathmandu,, which will be 9 hours depending upon the road conditions. We will drive via the beautiful hillside.
Day 16: Departure
According to your flight schedule, we will transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. If you have a flight in the evening, you can explore some nearby places like Bhaktapur durbar square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath Stupa.
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Manaslu Circuit Trek distance in Winter
The total distance of the trek will depend upon the starting place you choose. Suppose we start our trek from Macha Khola; then it is around 177km round trip. It also depends upon the side trips and places you explore. Suppose you trek to base camp; then the distance might increase.
Manaslu circuit trek cost for January
If you are trekking in January, then the cost may be on the lower side compared to other times. The permit costs will be $ 75 for the first week and $$10 each for 10 days. For MCAP it’s 30$ and ACAP is $30, making it around $135 . You will need a guide for the trek, as you cannot trek alone, so during the wintertime the cost will be a little higher for the guides, which are around 40 to 50 USD. The porter cost will also be on the higher side due to weather conditions, making it around 40–50 USD per day.
The accommodations and food will be on the lower side compared to other times, making it more affordable. The transportation costs will also be on the lower side, making it more affordable and budget-friendly. The gear rentals will also be on the lower side compared to other seasons.
Check this Manaslu Circuit Trek in February if you are planning for next month. Or check this Best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek to know which is the best time to trek Manaslu region.
Tags: manaslu, nepal, region, trek