Manaslu Expedition

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

It was first climbed in 1956 by a Japanese expedition. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word manias, meaning "intellect" or "soul". It is the same root word as that for Mansarovar, the holy lake near Mt. Kailash in Tibet. Just as the British considered Everest their mountain, Manaslu has been always regarded as the "Japanese mountain" by the Japanese; because of the Japanese people's first conquest on its top. Manaslu HW Tillman and Jimmy Roberts photographed Manaslu during a trek in 1950. But the first real survey of the peak was made by a Japanese expedition in 1952. Manaslu 2000A Japanese team made the first serious attempt on the peak from the Budi Gandaki valley in 1953. When another team followed in 1954. The villagers of Samagaon told them the first team had been responsible for an avalanche that destroyed a monastery & refused to let the 1954 expedition to climb. The expedition set off to climb Ganesh Himalayan instead. Despite a large donation for the rebuilding of the monastery, subsequent Japanese expeditions, including the one that made the first ascent in 1956, took place in an atmosphere of animosity and mistrust. The second successful Japanese expedition was in 1971. There was a South Korean attempt in 1971, and in April 1972 an avalanche that killed five climbers. And 10 Sherpas ended the second made the fourth ascent of mount Manaslu, as a member of a Tyrolean expedition that climbed from the Marshyangdi valley in 1972. So Manaslu is one of the very renowned lovely mountains in the world to which many foreign enthusiasts climb very curiously.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1-2: Kathmandu (1,400 meters / 4,593 feet) — Arrive in Kathmandu, meet with expedition team, finalize preparations, and obtain any necessary permits or paperwork. Briefing sessions with guides and last-minute equipment checks. Explore Kathmandu and its surroundings, and perhaps take short hikes to acclimatize. Day Day 3: Drive to Sotikhola (700 meters / 2,297 feet) — Depart from Kathmandu by private vehicle or bus towards Sotikhola. The journey takes approximately 8-10 hours, passing through picturesque Nepalese countryside. Overnight stay in Sotikhola to rest before the trek begins. Day Day 4-9: Trek to Base Camp (4,800 meters / 15,748 feet) — Begin trekking from Sotikhola, following the Budhi Gandaki River valley. Trek through remote villages, lush forests, and rugged terrain, gradually gaining altitude. Cross several suspension bridges and encounter diverse flora and fauna. Camp at various designated spots along the trekking route. Arrive at Manaslu Base Camp after 6-7 days of trekking. Day Day 10-13: Acclimatization and Climbing Period — Spend several days at Base Camp for acclimatization and training. Ascend to higher camps, establishing intermediate camps and depositing gear along the route. Climb through the various camps, including Camp 1 (5,700 meters / 18,700 feet), Camp 2 (6,400 meters / 21,000 feet), and potentially Camp 3 (7,000 meters / 23,000 feet) depending on the route and conditions. Periodic rotations between camps to acclimatize to higher altitudes and improve fitness. Summit push typically occurs after Camp 3 is established and favorable weather conditions prevail. Day Day 31-32: Summit Attempt and Descent — Summit push begins in the early hours of the morning to take advantage of stable weather and good visibility. Ascend from the highest camp to the summit, navigating challenging terrain and possibly encountering technical climbing sections. Reach the summit of Manaslu, celebrate, and take in the breathtaking views from one of the world's highest peaks. Begin the descent back to Base Camp, carefully navigating the hazards of high-altitude mountaineering. Descend further to lower elevations over the course of several days, gradually adjusting to thicker air and decreasing altitude. Day Day 33-38:: Return Trek and Departure — Trek back along the same route taken during the approach, retracing steps through the Budhi Gandaki River valley. Enjoy the scenery and camaraderie of fellow climbers during the return journey. Arrive back in Kathmandu, celebrate the successful expedition, and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Debrief with the expedition team, return any rented gear, and prepare for departure. Depart from Kathmandu, either heading home or continuing on to further adventures in Nepal or beyond.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 12: Kathmandu (1,400 meters / 4,593 feet) — Arrive in Kathmandu, meet with expedition team, finalize preparations, and obtain any necessary permits or paperwork.+