Experience the unique bleand of nature, culture, and adventure of the Himalaya for lasting merories through the Manaslu Photography Trek.
Experience the unique bleand of nature, culture, and adventure of the Himalaya for lasting merories through the Manaslu Photography Trek.
Manaslu Photography Trek offers a serene and authentic trekking experience in the Himalayas region. The trek starts from the Beautiful village called Machha Khola Gorkha, after reaching there by bus/jeep from Kathmandu (The capital city of Nepal).
Encircles the spectacular Mt. Manaslu (8163m), pleasing views of snow-capped high Himalayan ranges and peaks, Deep river valleys, and traditional and Tibetan-influenced village, lifestyle, and culture. The Manaslu Photography Trek is not only a visual feast for photographers it is also a mesmerizing Himalayan cultural experience.
The Manaslu Photography Trek offers a Captivating journey through the stunning landscape of the Mt. Manaslu region and provides the best opportunities to capture the beauty of the authentic Manaslu region in your camera frame.
Manaslu Photography Trek traverses Mt. Manaslu (8163m), the highest peak in the world, and takes an adventure through the northern remote village of Gorkha district, dense forests, deep river valley, high mountains, and rocky hill passes.
The Manaslu Photography Trek offers a unique blend of natural beauty, and Himalayan cultural richness, making it an ideal travel for photographers seeking a more off-the-beaten-path and Himalayan experience. The best opportunities to capture the essence of this remote Himalayan region, the warmth of the local communities, their culture, and lifestyle, create a memorable and visually stunning adventure for photography enthusiasts.
The Manaslu Photography Trek is a mesmerizing journey traversing the Himalayas, offering the photographers a profusion of highlights that make it a unique and rewarding experience.
Here are some key highlights of the Manaslu Photography Trek:
Choosing the right time for the Manaslu Photography Trek depends on your personal preference and your priorities. The ideal time for Manaslu Circuit Photography Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons and offers the best combination of pleasant weather, clear sky, and stunning landscapes. Here is a breakdown of the best time for the Manaslu Photography Trek.
Spring is considered the best time for a Manaslu Photography Trek. the weather is generally stable, and the landscape sees more vibrant colors as rhododendron and some other flowers bloom. Which is amazing to see and capture on your camera frame.
The temperature is mild in this season especially at the lower elevations, making it comfortable for trekking and allowing for straight photograph sessions.
The autumn season is another excellent season for the Manaslu Photography Trek. During the season you will have a clear sky and stable weather conditions. The visibilities are high, offering pleasing panoramic views and inviting you for an excellent photograph.
While the temperature may be cooler than in the Spring season, but its still comfortable for trekking. The clarity distance of the mountain range gives you the best photography opportunities.
The monsoon session brings heavy rainfall. So trekking trail will be slippery, there might be landslides in some sections, visibility will be worse bad clouds and mist will come up and the trekking trail may become challenging and unsafe in this season.
During the wintertime, temperatures will be colder and there will be heavy snow, particularly on high elevations and this kind of situation is hard to photograph. So it will be hard and challenging to walk on the high elevation and cross the pass like Larke la Pass (5106m). During the season most of the houses and hotels along the trekking route will be closed so it might be a logistical challenge for the trekkers.
Manaslu Photography Trek promises a mesmerizing and visually stunning experience from the Manaslu region. Here is what you can expect from the unique Himalayan adventure.
1: Capture the breathtaking mountain views including the eighth-highest mountain in the world Manaslu (8163m).
2: Engage yourself to capture the ancient and centuries-old monasteries like, (Pungen Gompa Mu Gompa, and more), unique, diverse, and Tibetan-influenced villages and culture of the Manaslu region.
3: Capture the spirit of this sacred valley through its cultural practices, landscape, architecture, and calm spiritual ambiance.
4: Trek through a variety of landscapes, from lowland, and lush forests, to alpine meadows and high-altitude terrain.
5: Photograph the transition in flora and fauna, showcasing the biodiversity of the Manaslu region.
6: Experience the warm hospitality of the Village and traditional tea house of the Manaslu Region.
7: Photograph the rustic charm of the cozy accommodation, local cuisine, and friendly interaction with the local people.
8: Interact with the local people and trekkers from around the world, and exchange the cultural experience.
9: Capture the unique moments, from daily life in the remote Himalayan villages to the spiritual rituals in ancient monasteries and gompa.
10: Enjoy the tranquility of less crowded trails compared to popular trekking destinations like Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
11: Experience a sense of solitude and a deeper connection with nature and culture in the Manaslu region.
12: Crossing the spectacular high altitude Larke Pass 5106m, feel the physical and emotional photography journey, and the breathtaking views it offers.
Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m) Nepal for your first-ever Manaslu Photography Trek. Our agency representative will be at the airport to pick up you and transfer you hotel. In the evening we will meet and have a welcome dinner together. At the same time, you will meet your trekking guide.
Today you start your Kathmandu Heritage Valley and Cultural Photography Day tour. Our tour guide lead you to heritage places like Swoyambhunath Temple (monkey temple), Bouddhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, etc. After completing the Photography Tour of those places you transfer to a hotel have a rest and prepare for trekking.
Overnight Camp: Machha Khola
Altitude: 930 m./3050ft.
Time: 8 – 9 hrs. drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
On this day we start our Blended trip of Nature, Culture, and Adventure "Manaslu Photography Trek". We will take an adventure Photography drive to Machhakhola (930m) from Heritage Valley Kathmandu.
During the ride, you will be able to capture the various things on the way like the local market, river valley, Mountains, forest, rocky hills, Cultivating fields, Nepali typical village house, etc. After a long adventure ride, you will reach Machha Khola which is located beside the Budhi Gandaki River.
Overnight Camp: Jagat
Altitude: 1410 m./4625ft
Time: 7 – 8 hrs. photography walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
On this day there is a huge opportunity to capture the Deep River valley, a Big rocky mountain Local village, culture, and lifestyle. The river valley is very picturesque.
Overnight Camp: Deng
Altitude: 1800 m / 5904 ft
Time: 7 – 8 hrs. Photography walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
After having breakfast we start another beautiful photography hiking day. the first couple of ours we will follow the newly constructed jeep road.
We leave the road and cross the suspension bridge and trails lead us uphill to the beautiful village Philim. here is the tourist check post. We register our permits here and move forward. 30-40 min after we reach Ekle Bhatti and pause for delicious lunch.
We will see wonderful waterfalls after few minutes from the lunch place. After a couple of minutes break on waterfalls we move forward and get to the two paths left one leads us to the Manaslu Photography Trek.
We found the bridge to cross the river. Sometimes you have to show patience to cross the bridge because herds of mules wait their turn to cross the bridge with the huge loads. The sights could be the best content for the photographers. After crossing the bridge we will walk through the calm and serene woodland to the Deng.
Overnight Camp: Namrung
Altitude: 2660 m. / 8725 ft
Time: 7– 8 hrs. Photography walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
In the morning you will have very beautiful sights of Mt. Siringhi from Deng Village. After breakfast, we move for another wonderful hiking day through beautiful villages and Landscapes. During the day you will have beautiful sights of cultivating fields where local people working on their style.
Half of the way, there is a small captivating village called Gyap and we stop for a delicious lunch there. after lunch, the paths lead you through the lush Rhododendron forest to the Namrung Village. The walk into the forest allows you to spot some wildlife, and birds.
Overnight Camp: Syala Gaon
Altitude: 3530 m. / 11446 ft.
Time: 5 – 6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
On this day, after having breakfast we leave the beautiful village of Namrung for Syala Gaon. We will pass many beautiful Himalayan villages with wonderful Himalayan backdrop. You will get the opportunity to interact with the friendly and smiley locals.
Historical Mani Walls, Chhorten with the Tibetian Mantras, prayer flags, and old villages make your camera busy.
Another thing is that today you will have first sight of the spectacular Mt. Manaslu (8163m).
After a couple of hours' walk, we will reach at beautiful village of Lho Gaon where we will pause for a delicious lunch with the wonderful sight of Mt. Manaslu.
Camp: Samagaon
Altitude: Pungen Gompa 4742 m. / 15554 ft.
Time: 7-8 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Samdo
Altitude: 3690 m. / 12103 ft.
Time: 4 – 5 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Camp: Dharmasala (Last camp before pass)
Altitude: 4470 m. / 14662 ft.
Time: 3 – 4 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Bimthang
Altitude: Larkya la pass ( 5106 m / 16748ft ) / Bimthang 3720 m. / 12202 ft
Time: 8 – 9 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Dharapani
Altitude: 1860 m. / 6101 ft
Time: 7 – 8 hrs. drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Kathmandu
Altitude: 1400 m. / 4592 ft.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Time: 5 – 6 hrs. drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and a special farewell dinner with a typical Nepali cultural show.
Spring and Autumn season is the best for Manaslu Photography Trek.
Very unique hospitality, nature, tradition, lifestyle, landscape, and many more things.
It is doable in 10 to 20 days. It depends on your time.
We suggest you bring a professional camera with a wide and zoom lens.
Our team member has a very good knowledge of Photography. And we know the best spot for photography.
The highest altitude of the Manaslu Photography Trek is 5106m/16748ft.
Manaslu Photography Trek is just a Moderate-difficulty trek. The day from Dharmasala to Bhimthang is the Hardest day of Manaslu Photography Trek.
Why it’s best to have a GUIDE when trekking in Nepal….
1) To really get to KNOW the beautiful country of Nepal. A licensed trekking guide will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of culture, flora and fauna and animals, mountaineering, and the peaks of Nepal. A guide can add so much depth and richness to your trek experience.
2) Safety. No one knows the details that will keep you safe like a trained trekking guide. Changes in the weather, changes in trail conditions, awareness of any political/social situations that could endanger you (for example, when we trekked in 2003, there was political unrest going on in certain areas; our guide knew where to go and where to avoid!)
3) Peace of mind and an uncomplicated travel experience. It takes a lot of mental energy to figure out bus timetables, to wonder about prices and bargaining, and to arrange to lodge when trails are crowded. We “could” have handled these details (we’re experienced travelers), but going out with a licensed trekking guide was the best decision and worth every dollar. Our guide kept us enchanted and informed about each peak and valley we were seeing, and he called ahead each day to confirm lodging. He gave advice that probably saved us much misery, such as “only order dishes with meat during our 1st or 2nd day of the trek...after that, it’s best to stick to egg and vegetarian options because meats have been carried in greater distances, stored for longer times, and there is the possibility of food poisoning”. Our guide kept current of weather forecasts and trail conditions and was able to make necessary modifications of which we would have been unaware.
4) The opportunity to form a friendship with a Nepali national. Trekking clients will have differing expectations of socializing, but in our case, we greatly enjoyed getting to know our guide, sharing meals, learning about Nepali life and culture through his eyes, enjoying laughs and after-dinner card games, and truly feeling like we were a group of “3 travelers + guide = 4”.
In conclusion, if you do not hire a trekking guide, it is possible to save a little money. But, my strong recommendation is that you trek with a GUIDE when exploring the amazing mountains of Nepal. Twice we have trekked Nepal, and twice we have had a guide….and we never regretted the decision for a moment.
~Becky Johnson
April 2019 - Mardi Himal Trek
(Guide: Sujan Pandey, Founder & Lead Guide of the company “Himalayan Connection”)