Travel

Hi there,

My partner and me have trekked several times just on our own in Nepal, the Annapurnas, Gokyo, Everest and Langtang which is easy to do and not restricted. We are thinking of trekking the Manaslu in November
Has anyone recently done this trek? if so can they enlighten me on whether it is now feasable to trek independantly and can you obtain a permit if you are not part of an organized group? Also are ther sufficient lodges along the way to be able to leave the tent behind?

the info I have googled seems to be only from trekking companies who are obviously interested in your joining their trekking groups.

 Thanks chaps and chapettes,

Sally.

Hi,

   Havn't specifically trekked the manaslu circuit but have done a number of variants nearby.

It is probably do-able but unlikely that you could leave the tent behind. From what I know there are about 3 main villages where you could  pick up supplies

 The other issue is permits. Took me 4 days once to secure a permit for naar/phu area . In the end it involved me borrowing a few tourists passports and paying the guy from the ministry $100 back hand as well as a sponsor form from a friends trekking agency faking I was part of a group.

Well worth the time and effort though.

They definately prefer you heading out in big group/expedition style-- yawn.

Up to date wisdom will be available in Kathmandu 

You generally need to allow a few more days due to officialdom over there/ and the strikes/ and the whatever else happens but hey you probably already know that..

Good luck -- jealous

p.s. link below may be useful--this guy couldl even e-mail you details of places to stay

After all that ranting above, it seems possible to stay in locals bhattis along the way, forgot that it is one of the main trade route to Tibet. I would probably opt for a light tent or tarp and small gas canister setup with an abundance of noodles as a just in case back up though;

trek info

Thanks Anthony,

Sorry for not replying sooner, have been away for the easter W/End.

Sounds like you did what we thought we may have to, and pretend to be a small trekking group. The great thing about Nepal is that although it appears full of red tape...there's always a scissors handy. You just need to eek them out. I'm just about to have a peep at your info link. I will let you know how we get on....and make you even more jealous.....

Cheers,

Sally.