We did the Manaslu circuit with Himalayan Masters in a group of nine people and couldn’t have found a better company to do this with!
Before the trip, we emailed and backed them up, and Sandip was super helpful and patiently answered all of our questions (in peak season, sometimes it could take a bit longer since he is still leading tours himself). The communication was very professional, and we felt well taken care of! Once we arrived, Raj, the office manager, explained the itinerary and provided us with the down jackets and sleeping bags we needed at higher altitudes. He is a lovely guy, and we ended up chatting with him over some masala tea.
During the tour, our guides Dipak and Arjun went above and beyond to ensure we had the most incredible experience possible and turned our group into a small trekking family, sharing laughter and some challenging moments! Dipak is an experienced and knowledgeable guide with many connections in the villages in the Manaslu region. He would ensure we get the best accommodations, restaurants, and tea houses for our breaks! Every evening, he gave a detailed briefing about what to expect the next day and a motivational speech when needed. Arjun, our assistant guide, spread joy to the whole group by always having the biggest smile and ensuring everyone was comfortable (thank you so much for bringing tea and apple pie to base camp!).
The trek itself is just stunning. Before coming to Nepal, we were indecisive about whether to do the Annapurna or the Manaslu circuit, but after the trek, we can wholeheartedly and 100% recommend the Manaslu circuit. Opposed to the Annapurna circuit, you never walk on roads with jeeps (just donkeys), and from day two on, it’s all hiking trails. We were so happy that the Himalayan Master’s itinerary allowed for Pungyen Gompa and a day trip to Manaslu base camp. Those were two highlights of our trip. Almost all the other groups we met had to choose between the two. The day trip to Basecamp was challenging but so rewarding (and we felt very well acclimatized for the pass afterwards!).
We didn’t have a porter, so we carried the backpacks ourselves. For us, it wasn’t as complicated as we expected (we are used to doing multi-day hikes in the Alps), and it felt like an outstanding achievement carrying our stuff over Larke Pass (be sure to pack as light as possible).
Overall, the trek was one of the best experiences of our lifetime! If you are still looking for a trekking company to go with, don’t look any further and go with the Himalayan masters! Thank you so much to the whole team; we’re already thinking about which trek to do next with you guys!
Manaslu Circuit – Absolutely amazing!Germany 🇩🇪