Manaslu Trek in November

In the Himalayan region, autumn (September, October, and November) is regarded as one of the greatest seasons for adventures of all kinds. With its pleasant temperatures, clear visibility of the larger landscapes, and minimal precipitation, this is a great season to make amazing memories on your Himalayan trek. In addition to being able to enjoy an amazing adventure under the clear blue skies and lush landscapes nourished by the monsoon rain, November is one of the best months to travel. It’s also a delightful season that boasts some of the biggest festivals in the nation.

Thus, the November Manaslu Circuit Trek will provide an opportunity to appreciate the country’s culturally dynamic possibilities in addition to being a cooperative natural and cultural exploration of the distant Himalayan region.

Manaslu Trek in November Highlights

Touring the western-central region of the Himalayas will bring you to the foothills of Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world (8,163 meters) 
traversing the Manaslu Conservation Lands, which are home to a variety of endangered plants and animals 
breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan jewels, including Manaslu, Annapurna, Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal, and Lamjung Himal, as well as other nearby peaks 
less used path in isolation and total wilderness compared to popular trekking routes 
Gorgeous views of the Himalayas and a variety of environments that go through verdant forests, swift rivers, and cascading waterfalls
Getting over Larkya La Pass, one of the highest and trickiest routes in the Himalayas (5,106 meters) 
Along the walking paths are charming traditional and cultural settlements; their hospitality is friendly and their cuisine is excellent.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary Outline

Below is a summary of the standard 13-day Manaslu Circuit Trek that you may look forward to during your journey.

Day1 : Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola via Arughat (710 m / 2,328 ft) Duration: 6-8 hours.
Day2 : Trek from Soti Khola to Machhakhola (930 m / 3,051 ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day3 : Machhakhola to Jagat (1,410 m / 4,625 ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day4 : Jagat to Deng (1,804 m / 5,917 ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day5 : Deng to Namrung (2,630 m / 8,626 ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day6 : Namrung to Samagaun (3,530 m/11,578 ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day7 : Exploration and Acclimatization day at Samagaon.
Day8 : Samagaun to Samdo (3,860 m / 12,660 ft) Duration: 3-4 hours.
Day9 : Acclimatization day at Samdo.
Day10 : Samdo to Larke Phedi (Dharmasala) (4,460 m/ 14,629 ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Day11 : Dharmasala to Bimthang Via Larke La Pass (5,160 m) Duration: 8-9 hours.
Day12 : Bimthang to Tilije/Goa (1,700 m / 5,576 ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day13 : Tilije to Dharapani and to Kathmandu (1,860 m) Duration: 8-9 hours.

Weather and Climate of Manaslu Trek in November

The best times to hike Manaslu are in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). One of the greatest months to begin your investigation of this isolated area is November, which is in the autumnal season. November, which is also referred to as the dry season, is ideal for exploring the Himalayas and having an amazing trekking experience because of the clear and steady weather. The Himalayan landscapes will be enhanced by the brilliant blue skies, but the daily trekking experience is made even more thrilling by the refreshing morning and evening winds.

November temperatures in the Manasalu region are typically about 12°C, with some higher locations experiencing drops as low as -3°C. As opposed to October, which is precisely in the center and farther away from winter blizzards and the sporadic aftermath of monsoon rainfall until mid-September. However, as November draws closer to winter, there may be sporadic snowfall in the upper regions by the end of the month. Therefore, to combat the growing cold at the higher elevations, you must be careful with your packing if you are planning your Manaslu Trek in November, especially in the later part of the month.

Aside from that, the Manaslu Trek in November offers some of the most captivating views of the Himalayas at a moderate pace. If you’re lucky, you could even be able to see migrating birds heading for the warmer paradise or the Himalayan rare species of the Manaslu Conservation Area getting ready for hibernation.

Festival in November

The November Manaslu Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure because of the grand and majestic celebrations observed all throughout Nepal. Several of the largest celebrations in Nepal are periodically moved to different months during the fall season since the nation uses the lunar calendar system, Vikram Samvat. Fortunately, November brings with it the opportunity to experience the largest celebration the nation has to offer.

Tihar

You may be familiar with Tihar (Deepawali), the festival of lights, when vibrant, brilliant lights are used to beautify the entire nation. This is a festival you shouldn’t miss in your cultural discovery of the nation if you like music, sweet treats, and color. For five days, people celebrate this lovely festival. On the first day, known as Kaag Tihar, they worship crows; on the second, known as Kukur Tihar; on the third, known as Gai Tihar/Lakshmi Puja; and on the fourth, known as Govardhan Puja, people worship oxen. Lastly, there is “Bhai Tika,” in which the sisters adorn their brother with a seven-colored tika, honoring Lord Yama, the god of death, and wishing for a long and successful life for him. 

During this festival, gorgeously crafted rangoli (colorful artwork) can be seen in front of every home in Nepal, and the festival’s musical celebration, “Deusi-Bhailo,” can be heard everywhere in the nation.

Chhath

Another important Hindu holiday in Nepal is Chhath, which is observed over four days and is particularly important for the Hindu population in the Terai portion of the nation. The origins of this lovely event may be traced back to the Mahabharat Period, when Draupadi, the Pandava Kings’ wife, conducted it as part of their protracted banishment from the realm. The sun is revered as the source and preserver of all life on Earth.

Offering “Prasad” and “Arghya” (prayer offerings) to the rising and setting sun, fasting, and prolonged sun worship are all part of the Chhath puja ritual.  Exploring this lovely festival and learning about its significance and thousands of years-old customs will be an amazing experience.

Dashain/Bijaya Dashami

If you have even a passing familiarity with Nepal’s cultural offerings, you may have heard of the largest celebration there, which takes place over the course of fifteen days. This magnificent celebration honors the Hindu goddess Maa Durga, who defeated the demon known as “Mahisashura” in a ten-day fight. Thus, every day of the celebration is very important and has a unique set of characteristics.

On the first day of the festival, “Ghatasthapana” is celebrated. On the seventh, “Fulpati,” on the eighth, “Maha Astami,” on the ninth, and “Biajaya Dashami” on the 10, are the next events in the festival schedule. The culmination of this magnificent celebration is “Kojagrat Puja,” which takes place on the day of the full moon and culminates in a magnificent ceremony honoring Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. The Nepali people follow the lunar calendar, thus although this major event usually takes place in October, it frequently extends into the first week or even later in November because they don’t have a set date for it.

Food and Beverages of Manaslu Trek in November

Fall brings with it a plethora of cultural seasonal delicacies because it is also harvest season. From flat terrain known as Terai to hilly and mountainous regions, this stunning nation never fails to satiate the palates of foodies with its wide variety of dishes. Thus, you can anticipate being wowed by the superb native cuisine and, of course, beverages throughout your Manaslu Trek in November. 

However, this does not mean that you won’t be able to savor cuisine other than the nation’s seasonal specialties; in fact, the local cuisine, along with continental and Tibeatan-influenced dishes, works its magic to satisfy your stomach and your palette.

When you go on your Manaslu Trek in November, you can expect the following food selections.

For Breakfast

Pancake, bread, oatmeal, fried tibeatn bread, chapati pudding, tingmo champa porridge 
The Pakoda 
Rolls of spring 
Sandwich Salad with Rhildu Papa

For Lunch and Dinner

Tarkari daal bhat (a traditional Nepalese meal)
Khoo Yok Dhindo cheese
Shaphale Syakpa Steak
Momo Chow mien
Fried rice
Noodles Thukpa
Pasta Pizza Macrons

Drink and Beverage

In terms of drinks, you can choose from a variety of teas, including plain, ginger, cream, and masala. Throughout the experience, you will also be able to enjoy fresh coffee and a variety of canned drinks, such as Fanta, Pepsi, Coke, and Dew. Additionally, you can partake in the hard beverages and alcoholic beverage options offered by the teahouses, which substitute branded whiskey for the local alcoholic beverage. Alcohol use, however, is not advised during any high-altitude activity since it interferes with the acclimatization process.

Throughout the journey, bottled mineral water will be available near the teahouses for consumption. But, because of the rising altitude, the price can be very expensive—you might have to pay up to $4 for a single bottle—and the tap water is unsafe to drink. Storing the boiled water that the teahouses supply is the greatest way to stay hydrated on the walk. Just to be sure, you can also use purifying tablets and solutions.

Note: You can order a meal that suits your palate in the teahouses along the Manasalu trekking trail, as they also provide vegan and vegetarian options.

Accommodation of Manaslu Trek in November

Because this is a distant excursion that takes you into the west central Himalayas, you should anticipate moderate to basic lodging services. You might expect moderate to standard lodging amenities at lower elevations during your November Manaslu Trek, but basic accommodations at higher altitudes. Usually, a common bedroom with two or three adjacent beds is where you will sleep. The accommodations include with a cozy mattress, a warm blanket, and a pillow. The rooms are tastefully decorated and heated.

It is advised that you pack a sleeping bag (fours-seasonal). If you are trekking towards the end of November, you should bring one specifically, as the climate becomes colder in the upper regions as the winter season closes in. 

Manaslu Trek in November Difficulty

All things considered, the Manaslu trip has been rated as a “moderately difficult” trekking adventure, meaning that you can complete it without any prior technical abilities or high-altitude trekking expertise. Nevertheless, this breathtaking Himalayan excursion is rigorous and tough due to a number of difficulty elements; it is a high-altitude adventure that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Let’s examine some of the main challenges that the Manaslu Trek in November will present.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a risk factor for high-altitude adventures because you run a greater than average chance of getting sick if you spend many hours above 2,500 meters in the air. Commencing from 1,400 meters in Kathmandu, you will traverse high altitude spots on your journey, such as 2,630 meters in Narmung, 3,180 meters in Lho, 4,480 meters in Dharamsala, and 5,106 meters at Larkya La Pass, the largest altitude gain of the entire trekking experience.

For this reason, you should be aware of how your body is responding to the altitude gain and keep an eye out for signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea, appetite loss, shortness of breath, exhaustion, and insomnia.

Trekking Route

Trekking route is another challenging factor of the Manaslu Trek in November, you will cover an approximate distance of 177 km (110 miles). Most of the trekking packages of the Mansalu region last about 13- 18 days depending upon the itinerary plans and the exploration route, so you will be trekking about 5- 6 hours in this trekking adventure each day. It might not seem like a big deal for the experience of high-altitude trekkers or people who are physically active with a basic level of fitness, but it can be quite a challenge for beginners.

On top of that, carrying a backpack with significant weight and trekking on a route that slowly elevates to a higher altitude can further increase the challenge. Thus, making adequate preparation is very significant for this adventure to have a more enjoyable and memorable experience.Therefore, in order to have a more pleasurable and unforgettable experience on your excursion, it is imperative that you prepare enough.

Remoteness

This unique journey that explores the remote region of the Himalayas is the Manaslu trekking route, which is usually farther from the popular trekking route. It also implies that this expedition is exploring far-flung, uncharted areas that might not have the level of technical sophistication you would often associate with a standard holiday spot.

You will have to make concessions on a number of amenities, including food, lodging, energy, internet, mobile connection, medical facilities, and even emergency rescue operations, because there isn’t a suitable means of transportation along the route. Therefore, you need to psychologically get ready for the Manaslu Trek’s remoteness and hardship in November. in order to prevent your lofty expectations from getting in the way of your hiking experience.