Introduction
From Sotikhola(730m) to the highest elevation of the trek, Larkya La Pass(5,106 m), you will be moving through different climates and weather during the journey. Various supplies and documents will be required during the trek to ensure the smoothness of your trek. So, in this post, I will give the detailed packing list for Manaslu Circuit trekking.
The trek is rugged, remote, and quite difficult. So, you will need various tools and equipment for such a journey. Hence, you must make a packing list and stick to it. Below is a table of all the crucial supplies needed.
| Outfit | Equipment | Medical | Accessories | Toiletries | Documents and permits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal pants (2) | Trekking Poles | Painkillers | Raincoat | Toilet paper | Authentic passport |
| Thermal tops (2) | Sleeping Bag | Diamox for AMS | Sports bra (for ladies) | Hand Sanitizer | 4-5 passport-sized photos |
| Quick-drying socks (2) | Trekking Boots | Bandages | Towel | Toothbrush and toothpaste | Travel insurance documents |
| Quick drying undies (6) | Powerbank | Antiseptics | Hat or cap | Shampoo | Flight tickets photocopy |
| Hiking Pants (2) | Headlamp | Emergency blanket | Water Bottle | Tampons and Pads(for women) | A scanned copy of the passport and Nepal visa |
| Hiking tops (2) | Spare batteries | Water purification tablets | Sunglasses | Safety pins | Insurance |
| Waterproof jacket | Camera | Imodium | Sandals | Scissors | Manaslu Restricted Permit |
| Down jacket | Binoculars (Optional) | Aspirin | Sunscreen | Facewash | Manaslu Conservation Area Permit |
| Gloves | N/A | N/A | Lip balm | Soap | Annapurna Conservation area permit |
| Thermal trousers | N/A | N/A | Buff or neckband | Antifungal foot powder | Paper Money |
Outfit or Clothing
Thermal pants (2)
Make sure to pack at least one extra pair of thermal pants. Thermal pants absorb the sweat from our body which helps keep our body warm. Fighting the cold becomes easier when you add another pair of trekking pants atop thermal pants. Furthermore, you need to change your thermal pant throughout the trek.
Thermal tops (2)
Just like thermal pants, thermal tops help in layering the upper body and keep us insulated.
Quick-drying socks (2)
As you will be changing the socks every day during the trek. A couple of extra pairs of quick-drying socks are a must. Socks dry up easily. So, you can wash them and pin them on the back of your backpack during the journey to let it dry.
Quick drying undies (6)
In case you feel like not showering because of the weather, changing underwear daily can be helpful. Moreover, after a daylong walk, it gets sweaty down there.
Hiking Pants (2)
Make sure to pack waterproof and durable hiking pants. Wearing hiking pants over thermals will insulate you and keep your lower body warm.
Hiking tops (2)
Buy flexible, easy-to-wash, and quick-drying hiking tops. It’s vital to bring two t-shirts since if one becomes wet or sweaty, it will not be dry by morning. And you don’t wanna wear a wet or sweaty t-shirt during the trek. So, having two of them means you can alternatively wear them.
Waterproof jacket
A waterproof jacket is another thing you should keep in your bag. In the highlands, it’s impossible to predict when it will rain, and when it does, you should be ready to face it.
Depending on the season, you will experience less to moderate rainfall. Moreover, you will also need a rain cover if your backpack isn’t water resistant.
Down jacket
You might need a thick extra layer of a down jacket during the day. At dawn and dusk, the temperature falls significantly and you will definitely need a warm and comfy down jacket to keep your body warm.
Equipment
Trekking Poles
Some people don’t prefer trekking poles when they are vlogging because it gets in the way. However, if you love your knees a pair of good trekking poles will go a long way.
Sleeping Bag
Even though you’ll be staying at teahouses along the trail, you should still pack a warm sleeping bag because most of the teahouse doesn’t have heated rooms. Sleeping is essential for a better trekking experience, as is staying warm at night.
Trekking Boots
Trekking boots that are waterproof, easy to wear, have excellent traction, and provide support for your ankles are necessary.
Furthermore, you must ensure that the boots are the proper size – neither too big nor too little. Make sure to wear them a couple of times before the trek to avoid blisters.
Powerbank
We assume you will be taking a lot of pictures and videos during the trek. So, having a power bank with a high mah battery can help you capture all the memories. Additionally, you can recharge your power bank for around 150 rs in teahouses.
Head lamp
A head lamp can come handy when there is power outage or there is snowy and windy weather. The path can appear unclear and you might have a hard time keeping track.
Spare batteries
Because of the cold temperature, batteries discharge quickly as compared to warm weather. Having spare batteries up your sleeves will make sure you are able to continue using your gadgets.
Camera
Do not forget to pack your camera along with its lens and cleaning kit. Make sure the camera is waterproof and can function well in cold climates.
Binoculars(Optional)
Having a pair of binoculars will help you observe the snowy peaks and its surroundings from up close. If you are not fond of them, you can omit them from your list to free up space for other essential items.
Medical
Painkillers
Do you know what helps after a full day walk up the mountains? Painkillers! They can really help you ease your pain when your body is aching and you feel like not moving even a single muscle. However, don’t get too dependent on painkillers as they are not ideal for the long term.
Diamox for AMS
Larkya la Pass will test your body’s ability to fight with altitudes. Do not forget to buy and pack some Diamox meds for altitude sickness as it can be life-threatening for some individuals.
Bandages
During the walk, a small twist of your ankle can be a party pooper. Having some bandages to patch you when needed is a wise choice.
Antiseptics
Minor cuts and bruises are common during the trek. Antiseptic liquid or cream can assist you in fighting the bacteria and infection.
Emergency blanket
Emergency blankets are used to stop heat loss in the body brought on by wind, moisture loss, and thermal radiation.
Water purification tablets
You can buy safe bottled water at all teahouses during the trek. Nonetheless, having water purification tablets will definitely be useful when there’s an emergency.
Imodium
As you will eat at multiple teahouses, there will be a risk of diarrhea. Imodium along with oral rehydration salt will cure diarrhea instantly.
Aspirin
If you are prone to headaches in normal elevation, you will definitely experience headaches at higher altitudes. Even if you barely have headaches, you should purchase aspirin as the maximum number of people get headaches in higher regions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Consult a medical professional before taking any medication listed in this post.
Accessories
Rain coat
Besides Monsoon, there will also be a chance of drizzle in Manaslu in other seasons. Hence, having a raincoat will help you save you from being wet and cold.
Sports bra (for ladies)
Normal bras are not comfortable to wear for trekking. So, a sports bra is a must as it will help you feel more comfortable and also improve your posture, and prevents pain.
Towel
Teahouses do provide towels but having a personal towel with you is hygienic. A medium sized towel that dries quickly will soak up your water particles after a shower.
Hat or cap
A hat or a cap will protect your face from sunlight. Add sunscreen on top of that and you will be sunlight proof.
Water Bottle
Carrying a lightweight water bottle during the trek will keep you hydrated throughout the journey. So, Make sure to sip some water at regular intervals.
Sunglasses
A pair of sunglasses will help your eyes from sunlight. Moreover, if your goggles are polarized, your view gets better.
Sandals
You will spend your night at teahouses and having a pair of flip flops will help your toes breathe.
Sunscreen
You will be walking through naked landscapes and come in direct contact with the sunlight. Make sure to wear a sunscreen cream that is SPF 60. At elevation the sun is harsher and if you don’t take precautions, you could get severe burns. Even when there isn’t sunlight, using sunscreen periodically is suggested.
Lip balm
It’s pretty common to have chapped lips during the trek. You also need to make sure that the balm is UV proof.
Buff or neckband
The throat and neck area are quite vulnerable to weather. A buff can save your neck area or you can also wear it as a beanie.
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Don’t expect to get toilet paper in the toilets. However, you can easily buy them in almost all the teahouses. Moreover, most of the toilets are Indian style.
Hand Sanitizer
You should stay away from communicable diseases during the trek. Common cold can escalate quickly and ruin your trek. Make sure you use sanitizer after every interaction with people.
Toothbrush and toothpaste
In teahouses, there will be a sink just outside the restroom which you can make use of to brush your teeth.
Shampoo
Remember to carry only small pouches of about 10 shampoos with you. Carrying a shampoo bottle will only increase necessary weight and eat up space.
Tampons and Pads(for women)
The availability of pads and tampons in teahouses is minimal. So, ladies are suggested to carry them from day one.
Safety pins
Your clothing or backpack might wear off during the trek. Having a small box of Safety pins will patch your items and hold it for the rest of the trek.
Scissors
A pair of scissors can come in handy when cutting bandages or loose ends in clothing.
Facewash
After a full day of trek and before starting the trek, a chilly face wash will be refreshing. Moreover, dirt and greasy pores on your face will be cleared out.
Soap
Shops do provide soap in their washrooms but it will be used by many. If you don’t like using used soaps carry a personal soap with you.
Antifungal foot powder
Walking 8 hours a day will result in sweaty and stinky feet. This can result in fungal infection and can negatively affect your journey. Applying antifungal foot powder will prevent fungus formation in your feet.
Documents and Permits
Authentic passport
Make sure to have an original passport during the trek. It can be useful in case of inspection.
4-5 passport sized photos
Passport-sized photos are needed for permits so you should bring few passport sized photos with you.
Travel insurance documents
Travel insurance will help you cover your bills in case something unfortunate happens.
Photocopy of flight tickets
Make sure to print a photocopy of your flight ticket.
A scanned copy of the passport and nepal visa
You will need to submit your scanned copy of your passport and Nepal visa for various reasons so having a scanned copy of them is necessary.
Permits
There are three permits that are required to trek for the Manaslu circuit. They are:
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
As the Manaslu circuit lies in a restricted area, Manaslu restricted area permit is required to enter the Manaslu.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
As the name suggests, Manaslu Conservation Area permit is needed to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Annapurna Conservation area permit
A part of annapurna conservation area falls under Manaslu. This is the reason for having a Annapurna Conservation area permit.
Paper Money
There are no ATMs and mobile wallet services in Manaslu trek. You must carry cash in order to buy items from the shops and pay for your accommodation.
Conclusion
To sum up, the packing list during the Manaslu trek can depend on various factors like age, climate, and sex and you should not cheap out on them. However, the above-mentioned list is ideal for all trekkers who want to complete the Manaslu circuit trek.
