The Manaslu Circuit trek was an incredible experience—every day offered something new, from changing landscapes to unique challenges. Our guide, Chandra, and porter, Deepak, were outstanding. We also had a great time with another Himalayan Masters guide, Suda. They all ensured we were comfortable and well looked after. A special thanks to Sandip, who went above and beyond in organizing everything before and after the trek, answering numerous questions, and even helping us when Air India canceled our flights.
Before arriving in Nepal, Sandip was extremely helpful with trek planning. He responded quickly to emails and gave great advice. We stayed at Flock Hostel (recommended by Sandip), which was clean, convenient, and close to Himalayan Masters’ office. Sandip provided us with necessary gear, including warm jackets, sleeping bags, poles, and more. He also made sure we had flexibility in our schedule, offering rest days if needed, and we appreciated the option to trek at our own pace since it was just the two of us, with Chandra and Deepak.
The first day involved a long drive to Machha Khola, where we enjoyed some local food. Over the next 11 days, we experienced rigorous hiking—starting around 6:30 AM and arriving at our teahouse by mid-afternoon. We opted for the Manaslu Base Camp trek (4800m), which was tough but rewarding with breathtaking views. The acclimatization hike to Pyungen Monastery (4200m) was also a highlight with stunning scenery. Villages along the way, like Namrung and Samdo, were picturesque and fascinating. We even spent some time in a pool hall in Samdo and enjoyed local drinks.
We overlapped with another Himalayan Masters group, and Suda suggested we cross the pass a day earlier, which turned out to be a great decision. This allowed us to take the descent more slowly and relax in Goa, at a teahouse Suda recommended. The landscape after the pass was even more dramatic, providing a completely different environment from before.
Our guide, Chandra, was exceptional—knowledgeable, attentive, and always checking in on our well-being. He made sure we rested when needed, carried extra medicine, and always kept us in high spirits with his humor. He genuinely cared for our experience, and his expertise made the trek unforgettable. Deepak, our porter, was equally amazing. He carried extra fruit along the trek and always took care to make us feel comfortable, even bringing us apples and pomegranate after dinner. His kindness and energy were invaluable, and he even helped us through some tough moments, like when a storm caused delays.
After the trek, we relaxed in Pokhara, enjoying hot showers and some downtime. We also tried to explore around the lake but quickly got lost without Chandra’s guidance, needing to flag down a boat. Chandra helped us book our accommodation and arranged our bus back to Kathmandu.
The real challenge came when Air India canceled our flights without informing us. With no local knowledge and no Nepalese phone number, we were stuck. Sandip came to our rescue, taking us around on his scooter, handling the airline for us, and ensuring they covered our hotel stay. Without Sandip’s help, we would have been stranded for much longer. Thanks to his persistence, we were on a flight home 48 hours later.
Overall, the trek was unforgettable, and our experience was made even better by the support of Sandip, Chandra, Deepak, and the whole Himalayan Masters team. Their professionalism, care, and dedication to ensuring we had a fantastic experience made the trip exceptional. We can’t wait to return to Nepal and will definitely reach out to Himalayan Masters again. Thank you, Sandip, for everything!
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