The word Manaslu is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Manasa’ which means intellect or soul, and it is known as the mountain of spirits. It is located in the northern Himalayan range in the Gorkha District of Nepal. This sacred peak is believed to be a place of rebirth and enlightenment for all seeking to find their true selves.
Today we are going to discuss 10 amazing facts about Manaslu.
1. Eight Tallest mountains in the world
Mt. Manaslu standing at 8,163 meters (26,781 ft) above sea level, is the eighth tallest mountain in the world and is located in the Mansiri Himal. It is also the highest peak in the Gorkha District and is about 64 km or 40 miles east of the Annapurna region.
2. First time climbed on 9 May 1956
Manaslu was first successfully climbed on the 9th of May 1956 by a Japanese expedition team led by Toshi Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu. H.W Tilman was one of the first people to try climbing Manaslu but failed.
In 1952, a Japanese reconnaissance party reached around 5275 meters after the monsoon season on the east side of the mountains but was unable to move further. Then in 1953, the Japanese team of 15 climbers led by Y. Mita tried climbing the Manaslu from the northeast side. K. Kato, J. Yamada, and S Ishizaka made a summit to around 7750 meters but had to turn back because of the bad weather and health conditions.
After that, many Japanese teams tried but were unsuccessful until 9th of May 1956 when a team led by Toshi Imanishi and Hyalzen Norby successfully climbed Manaslu. Just as the British considered Mt Everest their mountain, the Japanese considered Mt Manaslu theirs.
Manaslu has taken the lives of 53 people from 297 attempts, and over 1,100 people have made it to the top, making it the third most summited 8000m mountains behind Cho Oyu and Everest.
3. Manaslu is also known as Killer Mountain
In the span of around 70 years, people started trying to climb this 8000m mountain, 53 people’s lives have been taken by it, and over 1100 people have made it to the top. It is regarded as the fourth hardest 8000m mountain to climb. The weather is unpredictable, and the climbing is very hard and there is a danger of an avalanche too. Because of this reason, it is known as the killer mountain.
4. Trekking option
Manaslu, located in the Manaslu region, has various trekking options Some of the most popular trekking destinations are:
Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the splendid adventures trekking in the remote Manaslu region. This incredible hiking trek will allow you to explore stunning natural landscapes and meet fascinating people along the way. Traveling through landscapes is a treasure you will cherish for a lifetime.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a moderate challenge for those who love adventure. If you are an adventurer who wants to complete the Manaslu Circuit trek, you’ll need to traverse through taxing terrains to accomplish. This region of the country requires a long walk. It is a 13 to 17 days trek from Seti Khola to Besisahar.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
Not every day you get to spend time in the high Himalayas, but it’s even better when it’s part of a 22-day trek through some of the most remote and wild areas of Nepal. And that’s what you’ll do when you visit the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek starting from the Seti Khola and ending at Dharapani, you’ll get up close and personal with some of the highest and most scenic mountains in the world.
You’ll hike through beautiful valleys, climb up and down cliff faces, cross suspension bridges, explore ancient village cultures, and find ancient Buddhist sites along the way.
The Tsum Valley section of the trek is very challenging, with altitudes over 3,000m, and you’ll need to cross the Larkya La at 5,160m, and often you will have to traverse through snow and ice. At this point, you may need fixed ropes to help.
Manaslu Two Passes Trek
Manaslu Two Passes Trek is the combination of the two passes Larkya Pass at 5160m and Thorong-La pass at 5416 m, starting from Arughat and ending at Besisahar. It takes around 23 days to complete the trek.
To trek in Manaslu, trekking groups must buy a special permit due to restricted areas to enter this region. It’s a magnificent circuit in the Manaslu region. This trek offers spectacular mountain views of the numerous above the 7000m and Annapurna snowy peaks and a popular trekking route with many trekkers and comfortable guesthouses along the trek.
Rupina La Pass Tsum Valley Trek
Rupina La Pass Tsum Valley Trek is a 20-day trek starting from Gorkha Bazaar, ending at AruGhat, and then in Kathmandu.
It is a spectacular trek meant for true adventures which includes some of the most beautiful mountain views, and you also get to see some of the historical places of Gorkha.
Lower Manaslu Trekking
Lower Manaslu trek is a moderate trekking route with beautiful mountain scenery, wildlife and vegetation. It is a two-week trek starting from Kurintar and ending in Thotnery. This trek covers some of the most popular places of the Manaslu region at a lower altitude for safe and effective trekking.
Peak Climbing
One of the major attractions of the Manaslu region is peak climbing. In the Manaslu region, there are different peaks, but mainly two peak climbing are done, and they are:
Manaslu Expedition
The Manaslu expedition is a climbing adventure of an 8000m peak in the restricted trekking region of Manaslu region. It is known as one of the world’s most dangerous 8000m mountain climbing. It is a very hard and challenging climbing experience. For the Manaslu expedition, the climber needs to have excellent physical and mental qualifications, and the climbing should not be taken lightly.
Larkya Peak Climbing
Larkya Peak has a height of 6249m, and it is a sub-peak of the Manaslu. It is a climbing expedition perfect for warming up before reaching higher Himalayas peaks. From the top of it, one can view a breathtaking panoramic view of the higher mountain surrounding it. This peak climbing is well made with gradual altitude adjustment.
For Larkya peak climbing, you will need a climbing permit, a restricted permit, and a Manaslu conservation area project permit (MCAP).
6. Geographical fascination
Manaslu region is one of the most amazing geographical places in Nepal. It is located in the Manaslu Conservation Area and covers six climate zones. It contains subtropical foothills of the Himalayas. The tropical zone starts from 1000-2000m.
The temperature zone is from 2000-3000m , the subalpine zone is from 3000-400m, the alpine zone is from 4000-5000m, and then the arctic area is above 4500m.
7. Climate
The climate in the Manaslu region is quite unpredictable and varies depending on the season. The Manaslu region is one of the peaceful places in Nepal, having attributes such as humidity, breeze, sunny, rainy, cloudy, and sometimes windy.
The temperature at day time is around 20-25 degree celsius and 10-20 degrees at nighttime. In the winter season one can expect a minus degree to 9 degree celcius temperature.
January is the coldest, December is the driest, May is the warmest, July is the wettest, July and August is the rainiest month in the Manaslu region of Nepal. So, Choosing the right time to go to Manaslu is important.
8. Flora and Fauna
Manaslu region is home to some of the most endangered flora and fauna, such as Snow leopards and Red Pandas. Manaslu region consists of 2,000 species of plants, 39 mammals, 201 birds, 3 reptiles, and 11 butterflies in 11 types of forest.
To protect these endangered species, a project was made called MCAP, which made the Manaslu region one of Nepal’s restricted regions. Other mammals include the Lynx, Asian black bear, gray wolf, dhole, Assam macaque, Himalayan Musk deer, blue sheep Himalayan Thar, mainland serow, Himalayan goral, wooly hare, horseshoe bat, Himalayan mouse-hare, and black-lipped pika.
9. Rich culture and ethnicity
Manaslu region has so much to provide regarding the culture and ethnicity of Nepalese people too. Manaslu region covers the Gorkha district, too, which holds a very important piece of Nepalese history. There are a lot of temples and Buddhist monasteries in the Manaslu region.
Most of people rely on agriculture and animals and are dependent on natural resources. Some of the Buddhist monasteries are Shringi Gompa in Bihi, Mu and Rachen Gompas in Chhe Kampar.
10. Adventurous
Because of the ever-changing weather, the difficult landscape and terrain, and the lack of proper accommodation while trekking. Trekking in the Manaslu region becomes pretty difficult and some of the trekking routes are very hard because of high altitude. Hence it is an adventurous trekking destination and one must be physically and mentally ready to challenge it.
