1. Arrive Kathmandu, 1,300 metres (4,265 feet.) Stay at hotel.
2. Orientation, training, and equipment review at hotel in Kathmandu (KTM), renting and buying gear at KTM equipment shops, group dinner. Stay at hotel.
3. Ride a bus 9-12 hours to Besisahar, 760 metres (2,493 feet.). Stay at tea house
4. Take a Jeep 7-8 hours to Dharapani, 1,860 metres (6,102 feet). Stay at tea house
5. Hike 6-7 hours to Kharche, 2,700 metres (8,858 feet).Stay at tea house
6. Hike 6-7 hours to Bimthang, 3,720 metres (12,205 feet).Stay in tea house
7. Rest in Bimthang, short acclimatization hike. Stay in tea house.
8. Hike 9-11 hours to Samdo 3,860 metres (12,644 feet) via crossing the Larkya-La Pass 5,160 metres (16,929 feet). Stay at tea house.
9. Hike 8 hours to SamaGaon, 3,690 metres (12,106 feet)
10. Rest in SamaGaon. Acclimatization, re-packing, shopping, etc
11. Hike 6-7 hours to base camp, 4,800 metres (15,748ft).
12. Rest in basecamp. Acclimatization, Climbing equipment review
13. Ice climbing training on glaciers near basecamp.
14. Walk to camp 1, 5,700 metres (18,696 feet), return to base camp
15. Rest in base camp
16. Walk to camp 1 and sleep there.
17. Walk to Camp 2, 6,250 metres (20,500 feet), return to base camp.
18. Rest in base camp.
19. Walk to camp 1 and sleep there.
20. Walk to camp 2 and sleep there.
21. Walk to camp 3, 6,800 metres (22,300 feet). Return to camp 2 and sleep there.
22. Return to base camp.
23. Rest in base camp.
24. Rest in base camp.
25. Walk to camp 1 and sleep there.
26. Walk to camp 2 and sleep there.
27. Walk to camp 3 and sleep there.
28. Climb to Camp 4, 7,450 metres (24,440 feet).
29. Summit attempt 8,163 metres (26,781 feet).
30. Extra day for summit attempt. Descend to camp 2.
31. Descend to basecamp.
32. Pack and prepare to depart. Trek to SamaGoan.
33. Trek to Bimthang. Stay at tea house.
34. Trek to Dharapani. Stay at tea house.
35. Drive to BesiShar. Stay at tea house.
36. Take bus to Kathmandu. Stay at hotel
37. Celebration Banquet. Packing and final shopping in Kathmandu. Stay at hotel
38. Say Good-bye to your new friends and depart for home.
Manaslu, at 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) is the eighth highest peak in the world and the lowest 8000er / 26,000 footer in Nepal.. There is a steep-ish headwall between camp 3 and camp 4, but the slope angle in this section is not much more than 40 degrees climbing on snow. Manaslu is climbed on really good and safe fixed ropes from camp 1 all of the way to the summit and is known as the best introduction to 8000 meter climbing and perfect preparation for Everest.
It is the easiest of all of the world’s fourteen 8000ers. It’s a snow climb to the summit. It is a non-technical peak and perfect preparation for Everest. If you climb the easy slopes of Manaslu and experience the high altitudes on the mountain without any bad effects (as many do), then you know you can climb higher peaks such as Everest.
SummitClimb always do it in September/October, which is really the only time of year in which Manaslu can be climbed. We know this because we tried several times to climb there in the spring and there were constant snow blizzards and raging winds = impossible. The summit window is late September and early October, so we spend the first part of September getting acclimated and prepared for the summit window.
Our expedition is 38 days long.
No, our friendly sherpas will carry your heavy pack during the Manaslu climb. You just need to carry light weighted personal bag.
Your international flight will bring you to Kathmandu, Tribhuvan international airport. You will be able to buy your visa on arrival, for 60 days, it costs $100.
You can buy at Thamel, Kathmandu. There are 100 outdoor equipment shops.
Permit cost for Manaslu is $1800 per person in spring, $900 per person in autumn, $450 per person in winter.
You need to bring $1200 cash for the trip.
A big highlight of the trip is the gorgeous drive to the Manaslu foothills and the trek to basecamp. We take our time and acclimatize well along the way. It is a very lovely walk through green farms and forests, across high passes such as the incredible Larkya La Pass at 5,160 metres (16,929 feet). This area was closed to foreigners until the 90s, and you can see why: its so exotic, far away and amazing. Upon reaching basecamp at 4,800 metres (15,748ft) we get set up and do ice climbing training on the glaciers around basecamp. Super fun and a great skill refresher and learning experience.
we are ready to go up to camp 1 at 5,700 meters (18,696 feet), following a rocky ridge at first and then climbing up the Manaslu Glacier to camp 1 at the top of a rise. It is snowy and beautiful up here, with great views. Then we will overnight and take a few rest days and a climb a little way through the small Manaslu icefall, then head back to basecamp for a few days of rest and delicious food.
We will be climbing to camp 2 at 6,250 meters (20,500 feet), which is at the top of the Manaslu Icefall and reached via a small steep snow step. Camp 2 is in rolling terrain and there are lots of places to camp. We will spend a few days acclimatizing around Camp 2 and adjusting to the altitude.
When we are feeling good and ready we will hike up to camp 3 at 6,800 metres (22,300 feet) for the day and enjoy the lovely views. Then we go back to basecamp for a good solid rest and recuperation. We could even go down to the interesting temple filled religious pilgrimage village of Samagaon at 3,690 metres (12,106 feet) to breath some thicker air for a few days.
Finally, we are ready to go for the summit. We will climb up through camps 1, 2, 3, and up to camp 4, the highest camp at 7,450 metres (24,440 feet). We will sleep in Camp 4, then wake up at midnight. Summit day is very easy for an 8000 metre peak. It’s a large gentle snow ramp with a little snow cone at the top, from which you can see the incredible views of Annapurna. Such a lovely mountain with a very easy summit day.
