Comfortable trek with beautiful scenery This is the third trek I've done in Nepal, the fourth in the Himalayas. I enjoyed the trek, found it easier than Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit and Ladakh- the Markha Valley. Yes, the numerous stone 'staircases' were a bit tough at the time, but very do-able and we were not rushed but had plenty of stops to catch breath and drink water. The tea-houses were OK (I always find the basic level of accommodation, especially the toilets & showers, also the rooms a tougher personal challenge than the actual walking) - the food they offered was OK (I didn't get sick!!), if a bit repetitive.
The scenery was beautiful - big mountain landscapes, valleys with rippling streams and waterfalls, small villages and families farming their terraces using water buffalos and wooden ploughs. Always, the high snowy peaks were in the background. Add to that the colourful rhododendron forests and tiny bamboo bridges. When we first arrived at the Annapurna Sanctuary, I was a bit disappointed as there was no snow on the ground....and muttered to my friend 'Oh no, just a load of old rocks!!', but then, as we arrived at ABC, it started snowing heavily...and snowed and snowed all afternoon. The next morning, we trekked back across the flattish section between ABC and MBC and it was stunning - a perfect 'winter wonderland' and everything i'd hoped for.
This trek reached a lower altitude than I had experienced on my previous Himalayan treks and I was fortunate not to experience any symptoms of altitude sickness at all (whereas I did have some (manageable) symptoms on the previous ones.
Sunrise at Poon Hill was also a delight. I'd experienced this once before when on the Annapurna Circuit, but, unfortunately, on that occasion, although we climbed the hill, there was no view to be had - it was all obscured by clound. However, on this occasion, Mother Nature decided to reward my persistence and we were greeted by beautiful views of the mountains.
MY COMPLACENT BUCKET LIST TICK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP!! Gotta say, this was an absolutely brilliant trip!
The group, 14 of us in all, was a very eclectic mix with Canadians, Icelandic, Dutch, Irish, a couple of very entertaining "Cor Blimey" guys, and the rest of us were Northerners, but fortunately none of the others seemed to hold that against us!
Me and the 2 Cor Blimeys were mates who had embarked upon this jaunt in virtually complete ignorance of quite what was in store for us, so we thought our preparations of a couple of leisurely jaunts up Snowdon followed by a couple of pints of Guinness in the same PYG pub frequented by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay 65 years earlier would stand us in good stead.
I confess that the complete ignorance I referred to above was mainly down to me not having read any of the reviews, but to be honest, I am glad I didn't read them because it would probably have put me off going and I would have missed a truly great experience.
The other 11 people were all seasoned trekkers, who were rather surprised by our inexperience (and stupidity?) in embarking upon this full-on 18 consecutive days High Passes Trek which is widely regarded as one of the toughest available.
However, despite me picking up a dose of food poisoning in the UK even before we flew to Delhi, we ALL made it across ALL of the High Passes, due in no small part to the expertise and skill of the Trek Leader, Pasang Lama, who I have to say was brilliant at coaxing, encouraging and looking after us - not surprising really, given his 21 years' experience in the role!
The scenery of course is second to none, and on a few practical points, supplies like toilet paper, snacks, drinks, sun cream etc. are readily available throughout the trek, plus the food available in the Tea Houses was far better than I had anticipated, which is more than can be said for the general standard of ablutions, but hey, even they were manageable.
I am 70, but reasonably fit I suppose, so my advice would simply be get fit, shed a few spare pounds, do a bit of aerobic exercise like jogging or riding a bike, make sure your boots are comfortable and go for it!
The Altitude thing is a bit of a lottery so no point in worrying about it, although it may be prudent to have a try-out at altitude somewhere before you go to see if you may be susceptible to it? Some of us took Diamox, some didn't, but nobody had any significant symptoms of AMS apart from the odd headache, a bit of nausea, and a little bit of water retention.
Loss of appetite is quite common at altitude, and the only thing which bothered me was the inability to sleep when we were above 5,000m - which we were for 10 days in a row - so actually quite debilitating!
An Exceptional Manaslu Circuit Trek I recently Completed the Manaslu Circuit Trek, and I am thrilled to share my incredible experience with this local travel specialist. From the initial planning stages to the trek itself, their exceptional service and dedication to customer satisfaction exceeded all expectations. From the very beginning, the agency proved to be highly responsive to all of my email queries. They promptly addressed all my concerns and provided detailed information about the trek, making me feel confident and well-informed about the journey ahead. Their professionalism and efficiency in handling the logistics of the trip were truly commendable. They helped me meticulously plan the itinerary, ensuring that all the essential aspects of the trek were taken care of. Their expertise and knowledge of the region were invaluable, as they provided insightful recommendations and suggestions to enhance the overall experience. The guides and porters were not only highly experienced and knowledgeable but also warm and friendly. They went above and beyond to ensure our safety, comfort, and enjoyment throughout the journey. Their expertise in navigating the challenging terrain of the Manaslu region was evident, making us feel well taken care of at all times. The Manaslu Circuit Trek itself was a truly remarkable experience. The captivating landscapes, remote villages, and breathtaking mountain views left me in awe at every turn. The trek provided a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the rich cultural heritage of the region, as we interacted with the friendly locals and learned about their way of life. Crossing the challenging Larke La Pass was a highlight of the trek, rewarding us with panoramic views that will forever be etched in my memory. The accommodations provided were comfortable and clean, offering a much-needed respite after long days of trekking. The meals served were delicious and nourishing, providing us with the energy we needed to conquer the challenging trails. The team's attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction were evident in every aspect of the trek, ensuring that our needs were met and exceeded.