How different are Manaslu Circuit Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Treks?

Nepal is a Himalayan Nation in South Asia between India and China. Lapping the most world's highest peak, it’s no secret country is well known for natural beauty. Often referred to as the Birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal is also famous for ancient temples, UNESCO heritage sites, and living tradition which has been practiced for centuries.

Recently Nepal along with China measured the true height of Mt Everest, previously 8,848 meters, is corrected to 8,848.86 creating a buzz in international Media. Considering the history and culture, Nepal is one of the few countries that still has most of the traditions living to this date. In recent days, Nepal’s tourism has increased more than 20%, and most of them are found to visit Nepal for trekking/hiking and similar outdoor activities. Even amid covid, the Royals of Qatar and Bahrain were found doing successful expeditions to Mt Ama Dablam and Mt Manaslu Respectively. Since the world has figured a way to travel safely and even the vaccines are working as promised, Travelling has been a hot topic these days. With relatively low cases and a stronghold on safety protocol, Nepal has maintained relatively very low covid cases and mortality rate-making the Himalayan Nation one of the safest places to travel after the Pandemic.

As safety is the highest priority of the Government of Nepal, only a few mountains are open for tourism for 2020-2021. Among a few, Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Base camp trek is the most searched and talked about trek this season. And if you look close, it’s really tough to choose between such amazing journeys, Manaslu Circuit offering off beaten trails with breathtaking landscape and humongous mighty snow-capped mountains. Whereas, Annapurna Base Camp offers a wide variety of luring views of the Annapurna range, Mt Machhapuchhre, Mt Hiunchuli, and Mt Dhaulagiri with in-person experience with local traditions and culture. With both offering the best experience, we took responsibility to do research and surveys to find out all pros and cons of both journeys. 

If you’re a frequent traveller or just travelling for the 1st time, it’s a fact that any trekking experience you do does only good to you. With many health benefits of trekking/hiking, generally, these trips are more than a week-long and give you time to refresh your mind in a peaceful environment. The sense of achievement of reaching the destination in any journey makes us relaxed mentally and most people change the way they look at life after such a journey. Discovering a totally different lifestyle in the villages of Mountains above 5,000m, experiencing the traditions of the oldest Kingdoms of the world and 360 panoramic view mountains can definitely be a unique experience for many of us. 

First, let’s talk about Manaslu Circuit Trek, Manaslu trek has all the elements of other treks in Nepal including both Hindu and Buddhist culture, protected wildlife, rhododendrons and wildflowers, raging rivers, precarious bridges, and stunning mountain scenery. The off beaten trails take us through many verdantly rich forests of rhododendron trees blooming beautifully, alpine woods like pine, cedar, birch, and juniper, and delightful meadows.

The off-beaten trail has almost everything to offer when it comes to the best trekking experiences, Trek from Dharamsala (4,480m/14,698 ft) to Bhimtang (3,720m/12,205ft) being the highest point, this trek is definitely a heavenly trip where you’ll see Views of highest peaks in the world like Mt. Manaslu, LamjungHimal, Mt. Annapurna II, etc. 

Despite rising in popularity, the trails are relatively less crowded than its more well-known peers Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. Although the crowd used to be the last concern, after the pandemic, the Manaslu circuit might be the deal break during your visit to Nepal. With a variety of thrills to offer, the journey consists of amazing places like Larkya La, Dharamshala, Syange, etc. Larkya La being is one of the longest passes in the Himalayas of Nepal, situated at 5,106 meters (16,752 ft) above the sea level between Dharmashala and Bimthang.

Despite rising in popularity, the trails are relatively less crowded than its more well-known peers Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. Although the crowd used to be the last concern, after the pandemic, the Manaslu circuit might be the deal break during your visit to Nepal. With a variety of thrills to offer, the journey consists of amazing places like Larkya La, Dharamshala, Syange, etc. Manaslu circuit trek gets really loafing With beautiful landscapes, rivers fall and forests, It offers magnificent landscapes of stunning peaks such as Lamjung Himal (6,983m), Annapurna (8,091m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Himalchuli (7,893m), and Ganesh Himal range. Dwelled along the border of Nepal and Tibet, experience and witness the culture and lifestyle of both Hindus and Buddhists up there. A thrilling new route circumnavigating the World's eighth highest peak, Manaslu (8,156m/26,758ft) was officially opened to trekkers in 1991. In terms of challenges, it is comparable with Annapurna Circuit Trek or Everest Base Camp trek. The highlight is undoubtedly the striking unhindered views of Manaslu and the cultural variety.  Generally, the Manaslu circuit trek is from 12 to 16 days. You can also choose to join a group or go privately with your friends and family. We at Discovery World Trekking offer packages like 12 Days Around Manaslu Circuit Trek, 16 Days Manaslu circuit trek, etc you can also customize your own plans by using our trip planner.

With Manaslu offering so much, Let’s talk about Annapurna Base Camp. It’s a path to the brilliant bastard amphitheatre of the extremely elegant peaks of the Annapurna mountain range. ABC trek is the most familiar and vibrant hike in the Himalayas of Nepal. This is a gratifying trek where you will be able to view panoramic sceneries of the Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m) Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m), Mt. Annapurna III (7,555m), Mt. Annapurna IV (7,525m), Mt. Annapurna south (7,219m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,041m), Mt. Fishtail also called Mt. Machhapuchhare (6,998m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441m), Mt. Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Tilicho peak (7,134m). Not only mountains but ABC trek also has one of the world’s highest lakes named “Tilicho Lake”. The circuit trek encompassing the Annapurna with Tilicho Lake is one of the most sought-after treks in Nepal with a glimpse of the highest altitude lake, widest pass (Thorong la), amazing landscapes, blue sheep, hot springs (Commonly referred to as Tatopani by Local People which literally means Hot Water.) HIghlights like Poon Hill to watch the heavenly sunrise over the snowcapped Himalaya. Amazing Chomrong, and finally the Annapurna Base camp where visitors can see a fantastic sight of glaciers, and mountain ranges from Hiunchuli, past Annapurna South to Annapurna I (8,097m/26,566ft) Gangapurna, Khangsar Kang, Annapurna III, and Machhapuchhare.

 Generally, the Annapurna treks are from 7 days to going up to 20 days. You can also choose to join a group or go privately with your friends and family. We at Discovery World Trekking offer packages like 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp, 11 Days Annapurna Base Camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp with Tilicho Lake, etc you can also customize your own plans by using our trip planner.