IO: Manaslu Circuit, Nepal

Come with me and hike the circuit around Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world.

This will be my fourth trip to Nepal, so you can tell it's a place I rather like. On prior trips, I've done the Annapurna Circuit, the Lantang trek, and Upper Mustang Valley. To me, Nepal hits a sweet spot that's tough to match. Talking to Karan and Kylie this past weekend about their adventures in Nepal and India made me want to light out for the territories.

The around Manaslu trek is, they say, what Annapurna used to be before the road and before the Annapurna Circuit became one of the most popular treks in the world. Manaslu is in a protected area. You have to have a special permit, a guide, and work through an approved trekking company. Many say that it's the country's best single trek. It's a world away from the foolishness that happens near Everest. Also, unlike Upper Mustang (a high desert trip and thus atypical), it's a perfect first trip to Nepal. Like Upper Mustang, the special permit means that you'll get away from the GoreTex-clad hordes.

I've worked with a Nepalese trekking company, which I've used twice before, to set up a 16 day circuit. The price "my man in Kathmandu" quoted me is $1299. This includes permits, guide, teahouses, in country transportation, many of your meals … really almost everything except alcohol, a few meals, and airfare.

So, yes, this is teahouse trekking with staff, including a porter or two. It will be leisurely paced by DC UL standards. Given that this is my fourth trip, I do feel that I know how to do things correctly in Nepal. I am aware that others might prefer to go independently or do things differently, and that's fine. You should totally organize your own trip! :) If you're signing up, I expect that you're onboard with my approach.

With airfare and sundries, you're probably looking at a $3,000 trip.

The dates for this are fixed. Depart DC, 11/20. Arrive Kathmandu, 11/22. Depart Kathmandu, 12/7. Return DC, 12/8. People often ask, "Isn't that too late in the year?" On the contrary, Nepal is a tropical country whose weather is dominated by the monsoon, so the late fall is the best time. It will be clear and dry, which is what you want. Two of my previous treks were done in this season and the weather was ideal. Yes, it will be quite cold up high, but that's always the case.

Altitude and hiking. No fit DC ULer will be greatly troubled by the difficulty of the hiking. That said, it is the Himalayas, so it will be vertical and rugged. The high point of the circuit is Larkye Pass (5,135 meters, just shy of 17,000 feet). So, that's rather high. I've read that Larkye Pass is more difficult than Thurong La, though lower and a shorter day. I remember Thurong La as a tough day of hiking. You should definitely be fit to do this trip.

As many know, I had a case of HAPE a few years back. Since that incident, I've spent time above 4,000m with no problem. I feel confident that, with drugs and the gradual rate of gain that happens in Nepal as you walk to high elevation, I'll be okay. We'll only be spending one night above 4,000m. Nevertheless, I will be requiring everyone who comes to purchase evacuation insurance. High altitude is just not a thing we low-landers should take lightly.

You should know what you're getting into. Traveling in Nepal can be hard. You will be uncomfortable at points. You'll probably get a stomach bug. The hiking will be challenging and different than what you're used to. Embrace those things as part of the adventure and we'll have a blast.

This trip is invite only, so I need to know and like you. Alternatively, I need to get to know and like you in the interim. Apparently, I do need at least one person to make the trek go, per Nepalese rules regarding the permit. If I can't get one, I'll just do another, less restrictive trip.

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