The Annapurna Circuit and the Manaslu Circuit are adventure mountain treks with high passes. There are several similarities and differences between these two treks. Check the differences between Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit in this blog post.
The Manaslu Circuit is a restricted trekking area with tea houses, and the Annapurna Circuit is a typical tea house developed earlier than Manaslu. These two Trekking trails can give different experiences, as they are in a particular area with less traffic and in a specific area with more traffic. So, before planning a Trek, people can decide which one suits them.
Annapurna Circuit is a popular, regular, more accessible, and less challenging trail. There are thousands of trekkers every year. With these factors in mind, the Annapurna circuit invites vast numbers of trekkers from all around the world who would like to experience thefantastic Annapurna Region. Annapurna is a developed trekking route.
In the interim, the Manaslu Circuit is less famous and is a new trekking trail in Nepal. But that does not mean it is not pleasant to visit. This Trek is popular among those who want a remote experience of Nepal untouched by high civilization, not a Trek with the crowd. So, this Trek is perfect for an adventure experience with a typical lifestyle.
The things to remember about the Manaslu Circuit versus the Annapurna Circuit are high passes (Thorong La and Larke La), excellent Trekking trails, and the scenic Himalayas. The Annapurna Circuit can be done without a partner, so individual trekkers can do it. Still, the Manaslu Circuit requires a guide and at least two people with a special Trekking authorization permit. This restriction is to protect the natural environment and culture of the area.
Larke pass
Difference Between Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit
| Name | Annapurna Circuit | Manaslu Circuit |
| Trek Duration | 12-17 Days | 12-16 Days |
| Region | Annapurna | Manaslu |
| Trip Grade | Moderate | Strenuous |
| Best Time to Trek | September-November and March-May | September-November and March-May |
| Trek Type | Lodge to Lodge | Lodge to Lodge |
| Starting Point | Besisahar | Arughat |
| End Point | Pokhara | Besisahar |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,416m | 5,160m |
| Total Distance | 160km-230km | 177km |
| Mode of Transportation | Public Bus/Private Jeep/Flight | Public Bus/Private Jeep |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS card | Annapurna Conservation Area permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, Special Restricted Area permit |
| Individual Allowed | Yes | No |
| Restriction | No | Yes |
Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit in Autumn
Autumn is the primary season for the Annapurna Circuit and is a highly recommended Trekking season for Nepal. There are a lot of trekkers during this season, so the trails and places will be crowded. The temperature is perfect until October and starts cold in November. There are fewer chances of rainfall, so the view is apparent most days.
The temperature is perfect, and the sky is lovely and blue, so this season is very nice to see snow-capped mountains and other variations of attractions. The view of massive Annapurna III, IV, II, and many other peaks before the pass, as well as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and other mountains after the pass, is incredible, with clear visibility.
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Trekking in autumn to the Manaslu Circuit is an ideal season. The price for the restricted permit goes up because there are many visitors during this season. Like doing a trek to Annapurna, the weather, temperature, and visibility are the same here. But the number of trekkers on this trail is fewer than in Annapurna—package detail.
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Mt. Manaslu
Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit in Winter
The winter season is Nepal's coldest, starting in December and staying until February. Adventure Treks to high altitudes and visiting the base camps are not recommended during this season, but there are some short and easy trekking routes in Nepal. The temperature in the higher lands falls to minus degrees during the night and morning. The Throng la pass may be blocked by heavy snowfall this season, so making this Trek during winter is usually impossible.
The Manaslu Circuit is also an Adventure Trek with a high pass (Larke), so the same things happen on this Trekking trail as on the Annapurna. Trekking in this season to the Manaslu is even more difficult and dangerous because the pass is even more difficult than Throng la. With heavy snowfall, the trail is covered, which makes it risky. The lodges in this region are very regular and petite, so most of the places and lodges are close, so it is not a brilliant idea to choose this season to do a trek to the Manaslu Circuit.
Spring Season for Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit
Spring is the second most popular Trekking season in Nepal. It is also the primary season for expeditions to the high mountains. The temperature is warmer, and the weather is clearer during this season. This season offers clear visibility of the white mountains, hills, and landscapes, but visibility from a far distance is not the same as in autumn. This is the dry season, and the lower valleys will be hazy.
Trekking to the Annapurna Circuit this season provides a great view of the mountains and many more attractions with affordable temperatures. It is remarkable because of the colorful blooming rhododendrons and the sounds of spring birds on the Trekking trail. The trip begins here.
Annapurna I
Doing the Manaslu Circuit in spring is perfect. The warm temperature and clear weather make the journey worthwhile during this season. It is not very cold, but the start of a few days may be hot because the starting areas are sub-tropical lands. As Annapurna Circuit, there are blooming rhododendrons and other colorful flowers that make the trail beautiful. Encountering wild animals like blue sheep, marmot, and others provide more energy to walk the trekkers. Book your trip.
Visiting in the Monsoon to the Annapurna And Manaslu Circuit
The monsoon season is not a good one for trekking in Nepal. It rains almost every day and has high humidity. The rain makes wet floors slippery and dangerous on some of the trails. The rivers along the way will be significant and have the chance of landslides. The clouds may cover the mountains, but other views are still good. But some days, for a while, the mountains can be seen. If people don't like trekking, significant traffic of trekkers, and enjoy green nature, this season can be chosen for them. The lodges are open everywhere on the way to Annapurna.
The monsoon in Nepal typically lasts three months, from June to August, but it may still rain until the first week of September in some years. Like Annapurna, the Manaslu Circuit is not recommended this season due to a similar problem. This time, the problem of leeches and mosquitoes has to be faced along the Trek.
Lodge and Food in Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit Trek
The lodge facilities are well managed in the Annapurna Circuit Trek so that trekkers may have a private room everywhere. Hot showers are available everywhere, and attached bathrooms are available in some areas. This is like backpacking trails with so many backpackers. The accommodation cost is a little cheaper than that of Manaslu in Annapurna.
The foods are cocked by primarily trained cooks in most places, and they may choose from the menu everywhere. Bakery items in Manang are lovely to try. There are safe drinking water stations where you can buy refilled and bottled mineral water.
The Manaslu Circuit route is new to Annapurna, so the lodges' facilities everywhere are of lesser quality than Annapurna, a unique Trekking region. Hence, no backpackers are allowed on this trail. There is no chance of bargaining for the room cost, so they are fixed and competitively more expensive than Annapurna. Fewer places have proper hot showers, so most sites provide a hot bucket for a hot bath. The higher area lacks quilts, so having a good quality sleeping bag is highly recommended.
Also, the food menus are available in this TrekkinTrekkinge cocked by basically trained persons. People sell bottled and boiled water in the lodges, or can use regular water using purification tablets or drops.
Related:
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
Altitude Sickness during the Treks
Altitude Sickness can kill people, which is a common problem at higher elevations in the Nepalese Himalayas. But it rarely happens only to some people. Both treks start from a lower elevation and gradual ascent to a higher area so that trekkers may be well acclimatized. However, people may feel an altitude above 3000 meters because of high atmospheric pressure and low oxygen. Especially during the high passes, Throng La and Larke La have difficulty with this problem. Drinking more water, strolling, and keeping warm prevent the problem; one must descend if a problem is found.
Cost Difference Between Annapurna and Manaslu Circuits
The cost of the Trek depends on the service type. Hiring a guide and porter may cost less than an entire board, but in the end, hiring a guide and porter becomes more expensive than a complete board booking through a company. Typically, group trek costs less than a private small group or individual. It costs 600$-1200$ for the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The Manaslu Circuit is more expensive than the Annapurna because of the special Trekking authorization and conservation permits, but other services cost the same as Annapurna. In some cases, it may be cheaper because of the shorter itinerary. At least two people are needed for the Trek, so the salary of the guide and porter may be shared between two persons. It costs 700$-1100$ for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Trek Permit for Annapurna and Manaslu Circuits
| Annapurna Circuit Trek | Manaslu Circuit Trek |
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit: 3000 NPR
- Trekkers Information Management System Card (TIMS): 1000 NPR with a company and 2000 NPR for Free Individual Trekkers
| - Manaslu Conservation Area Permit: 3000 NPR
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit: 3000 NPR.
- Manaslu Special trekking permit is $100$ for a week, then $15$ additional per day during the autumn (September-November) season, and $75$ for a week, then $10$ per day for the rest of the month.
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Packages you may like
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna View Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Jomsom Muktinath Trek
- Tsum Valley Trek
Conclusion
The Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit Treks are adventure treks with high passes. These are pretty popular routes for adventure lovers. With the above information, trekkers may determine which routes are suitable and demanding.
Both treks are beautiful and demanding, with their own varieties. While Annapurna is regular, famous, and older than Manaslu, trekking with less traffic makes Manaslu one of the best options.
