Ultimate Packing List for Manaslu Trekking [2024 Guide]

Manaslu Circuit Trek is an incredible journey that a lot of you are planning on. Heading to the 8th tallest mountain in the world is not an easy task.

Apart from your physical strength, preparing the right things for your backpack to ensure the convenience of your trekking is important. Packing the right gear will lessen the difficulty of trekking to Manaslu.

You should prepare and carry all the important stuff required for your journey including travel documents, clothes, footwear, sleeping gear, first aid, etc.

We’ve compiled the ultimate packing list for trekking to Manaslu in this article.

This is the ultimate packing list that you can rely on before packing your bags. Everything you need during your trek is included below.

Travel Documents

Proper travel documents are needed for your safe and sound travel. It is required as soon as you leave your country. Here are the documents that you can’t go without:

Valid Passport

You need to carry a passport that has a validity of at least 6 months. You can also carry 2 photocopies of your password and photo on your phone in case you misplace or lose it.

Nepal Visa

You can acquire a Nepal Visa before you travel to Nepal or after you reach Kathmandu depending on your home country.

Few Passport-size Photos

Passport-size photos are required while taking permits, SIM cards, etc.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance covers all your medical costs, rescue, and air ambulance during your trip. Keep a paper as well as a digital copy of your travel insurance.

Head Wear

1. Brimmed Hat

It protects you from harmful sun rays while hiking through the trails. Not only that it will also keep your head cool.

2. Warm hat

Keeps your head and ears warm in the nighttime and high-altitude regions.

3. Head Scarf

Protects your head and neck from the cold and wind.

4. Sunglasses

It is great if you take dark and UV protection sunglasses for your Manaslu trek. It will protect your eyes from sunlight, snow glare, and harmful UV radiation.

5. Balaclava or Neck Gaiter

Protects your face from cold and keeps you warm.

Body Wear

1. Underwear

You should take enough pieces of underwear. Cotton or soft material is recommended.

2. Bralette

You can take 7 bralettes or more than that according to your necessity.

3. Light Thermal Tops and Trousers

The thermal tops and trousers are the inner layer of clothes that will keep you warm throughout your trek.

4. Long/Short Polypropylene Sleeve Shirt

You will need 2 long and 2 short polypropylene shirts for your daily hike which should be fast-wicking.

5. Waterproof Plus Windproof Jacket

It is necessary for you to carry a waterproof and windproof jacket to cope with the cold windy weather.

6. Hiking Pants

Take 2 - 4 pieces of sweat-proof hiking pants.

7. Down Jacket

Take at least one down jacket that keeps you warm even at temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius.

8. Soft Fleece Jacket

During normal weather, this soft fleece jacket will keep you warm while ensuring moving around is comfortable.

9. Rain Gear

Carrying rain gear is helpful if you face any rainy climate during your journey.

10. Hiking Shorts

Carry hiking shorts with you as it's very comfortable while hiking at a lower altitude.

Hand Wear

You should carry at least a pair of handwear to protect yourself from the cold.

1. Fleece Gloves

2. Waterproof Gloves (for the outer layer)

Travel Footwear

1. Hiking Socks

Carry 10 to 12 pieces of hiking socks. A good quality pair of hiking socks wicks moisture away from your feet and prevents blisters.

2. Thermal Socks

These socks help to keep your feet warm at a higher altitude, as you sip your tea at a teahouse or rest in your room during acclimatization days.

3. Trekking Boots

A good pair of hiking boots makes the trekking experience so much better. Make sure you bring worn-in shoes after testing that they’re the right fit for an extended trek. It should protect your feet from an ankle sprain and provide better walking support.

4. Slippers

You need a pair of slippers during your stay at tea houses. You can wear slippers and also take a tour of the place you are staying overnight.

5. Microspikes

Microspikes are used when you are hiking at higher elevations. They help you to move quickly and provide grip while walking on the snowy hiking trails.

6. Gaiters (for monsoon and winter)

Gaiters are used as a shield against moister-like rain and snow. It protects from branches and thorns and also prevents mud, snow, and rain from entering the top of your hiking boots.

Equipment

These are the pieces of equipment that you will need for your trek to Manaslu.

1. Duffle Bags (90 - 100L)

A duffle bag is required to store everything you need during your journey.

2. Day Backpack

To pack your snacks, water bottles, and other items required for your daily hike, it's better if you carry a medium-sized light backpack.

3. Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are great for the ease of your hike. It reduces some weight and strain on your legs, knees, and hips. You can take one or two trekking poles according to your preference.

4. Rain Coat/ Rain Poncho

You can carry either a raincoat or a rain poncho. It will keep you dry during your trek. It is used mostly when it's raining.

5. Water Bottle

Most professionals will suggest you carry a Nalgene 32oz water bottle. 

6. Small Locks

Though we will try our best to keep your goodies safe, it is better if you lock your bags with small locks for the sake of safety.

7. Dry bags or plastic

Dray bags and plastic are useful to carry your used clothes to separate them from the rest. Besides that, it can also be used to protect your gadgets if the weather turns wet.

8. Compass (optional)

This is not important as you will already have a guide but if you want to carry it, it's your choice.

9. Binoculars (optional)

This is not important as you will already have a guide but if you want to carry it, it's your choice.

Sleeping Gear

All these sleeping gear are required for a sound sleep during your trek.

• Sleeping Bags
• Ear Plugs
• Pillow (optional)
• Sleeping bag liner

First Aid & Medicines

First aid is an important part of the packing list for your trek as it will help you take care of common injuries that won't require professional medical attention. Here is a list of some basic first-aid items you can carry with you.

• Prescriptions drugs
• Painkillers: such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin,
• Cough Lozenges
• Bandages (Compression Bandages, Tubular Bandages)
• Insect repellant
• Foot Powder
• Skin blister repair kit
• Sprain spray
• Antidiarrheals
• Water purification tablets or water filters
• Oral Rehydration Sachets
• Eye drops
• Hand sanitizer
• Electrolytes, powder, or tablets (optional)
• Diamox (for altitude sickness)

Toiletries and Hygiene

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• A small bar or soap bottle
• Dry Shampoo
• Quick-drying towel
• Multi-purpose soap
• Deodorants
• Nail Brush & Clippers
• Hair Brush
• Toilet Paper

Personal Care

1. Sun Screen (SPF 50+)

Carry sunscreen with SPF 50+ or higher. Also, use it every 2-3 hours when you’re trekking to protect your skin from getting tanned and damaged by the harmful rays of the sun.

2. Lip Balm

Moisturize your lips daily with a lip balm, it’s easy to get chapped lips at high altitudes.

3. Wet Wipes

It works great in case you want to clean your hand, face, or any part of your body without wasting water.

4. Face and body moisturizer

Always moisturize your body to avoid dryness and rough skin.

Electronics

• Portable charger
• Cell Phones
• Charger
• Universal adapter
• Camera (optional)
• Earphones/ Headphones (optional)

Extras (for men)

• Small mirror
• Razor and shaving cream
• After shaving gel or lotion

Extras (for women)

• Menstrual cups
• Tweezers
• Sanitary Napkins

Where can I get my packing list items?

The above packing list can be prepared from your home country or after you arrive in Kathmandu.

From sleeping bags, clothes, and gear to first-aid items, you can find anything and everything in Kathmandu. Here is the price range of things if you are thinking of buying your stuff in Kathmandu.

Cost of Buying Stuff

Good news for all those budget travelers and ones who don't trek frequently, there are a few items that can be rented. Things like sleeping bags, down jackets, hiking boots, and trekking poles.

There are many renting shops in Thamel where you can rent gear. You can rent stuff for 1$ or less than that for a day. Renting is a great option to save money and minimize your overall Manaslu Circuit Trek cost.

Cost of Renting Stuff

Almost every rental stuff can be rented for 1-2 USD per day.

We don't recommend renting hiking boots for your journey as the wrong fit will cause blisters and hurt your feet during your trek. We recommend you bring a worn-in boot that you have comfortably hiked/trekked on before.

Also if you are booking your trek from reputed agencies like Sublime Trails, they provide you with the most important trekking gear at no extra cost. You will get a down jacket, duffle bag, sleeping bag, trekking poles, and raincoat, among other essentials. So, you don't need to worry about renting stuff if your agency is facilitating you with those.

Before You Go

To ensure a remarkable and enjoyable journey, it's important to pack the right stuff. This packing list includes everything you need for your trek to Manaslu.

Additionally, if you prefer to save money and keep it convenient, you can rent most trekking gear from shops in Kathmandu for around 1-2 USD per day. 

Furthermore, you can buy everything you want in Kathmandu, and sometimes at a much cheaper price. This will allow you to pack light for your international flight.