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The Manaslu Circuit trek plunges deep into the heart of the Himalayas, passing through remote villages, tough rock-strewn trails, and probably the finest mountain views in the global, unfolding out in all directions. Dotted with basic teahouses and receiving a way fewer hikers than higher-recognised treks such as Annapurna and Everest, the Manaslu location is, in a way, a true off-the-crushed-direction experience. This very remoteness is also part of its charm — but it’s also a conundrum for visitors who need the Internet.
Whether you want to report back to family or you want to keep your followers updated, whether you’re a digital nomad or social media influencer, connecting to the world in Manaslu comes with its challenges and frustrations! In this guide, you’ll find out just what to expect, what tools to bring (and not to bring), and how to optimize the limited communication options that exist along the way.
Anticipating connectivity in the Manaslu Region
Unlike most of the more commercialized treks with lodges and teahouses, the Manaslu Circuit is a controlled trek and open only to organized trek groups, and not fit for teahouse/lodge trekking. The higher you rise into the mountains, the less mobile network you can find. In some villages, you could have basic signal or Wi-Fi access, but in others, you might be cut off from all connectivity. There are occasions when services are suspended due to power outages and weather.
And it’s important to go into the hike with the mentality that full-time connectivity isn’t a given. You’ll want to be ready for digital blackouts that can last for hours or days, especially at your higher elevations at Lho, Samagaun, or Dharamsala. That being said, you can do things to make your odds of staying connected better, particularly in lower and mid-altitude villages.
Mobile Communications While Trekking the Manaslu Circuit
The 2 main telecom operators of Nepal are NTC (Nepal Telecom) and Ncell. Of the Nepal Telcos, the Nepal Telecom (NTC) commonly has wider coverage in rural and mountainous regions, including elements of the Manaslu hiking trail. It’s quite encouraged to buy a nearby SIM card in Kathmandu earlier than beginning your trek.
You will need to have your passport and a passport image to shop for and check in a SIM card. Opt for a data plan that provides you with a few gigabytes; there won’t be many opportunities to top up once the trek gets going. Make sure to test your SIM card before venturing outside of the city, and also learn how to check your (decreasing) balance and data usage.
On the trek, you’ll have spotty service in lower villages like Arughat, Soti Khola, and sometimes in Deng or Namrung. But don’t count on having reliable mobile data throughout the journey, certainly not as you go higher up. And even if there are signal bars popping up, the data is often too slow to make a call or navigate to a web page.
Wi-Fi Access and Lodges
Wi-Fi availability on the Manaslu Circuit is still somewhat scant, but it’s slowly improving as more teahouses pimp-out their facilities. In recent years, lodges in villages like Namrung, Samagaun, and Samdo have started charging for access to faster paid Wi-Fi. Speed and reliability vary greatly, but depend on satellite-based systems, which are easily disrupted by weather.
Wi-Fi – most lodges will charge for Wi-Fi. It becomes more expensive the higher you go, because internet access is more difficult to support. Some dole out vouchers for timed sessions, while others offer access for as long as you stay.
Remember – just because a lodge has advertised that they have Wi-Fi does not necessarily mean that the bands will be connected when you arrive. It’s better to think of it as a bonus than a given.
Solar Power and Charging Devices
The power on the Manaslu Circuit can be unreliable, so electricity cuts are frequent. In some of the villages, strength comes from micro-hydropower or solar electricity, and may be inadequate to serve the call throughout the busy hiking seasons. There are limited charging ports in lodges, and you will often have to pay for charging your phone, power bank, or camera.
Connect more if you desire by bringing your portable charger. A high-capacity power bank can recharge your phone for several days. If you’ve got multiple devices with you, think about toting a small solar charger to create power during daytime hikes.
You should also save your battery. Right here’s what you could do: when you’re not using it, place your phone in airplane mode, dim the brightness of the screen, and near heritage apps. Download maps, trekking courses, and emergency contact numbers offline previous to the trek.
Satellite Communication Devices
Satellite devices are a favorite in trekking for good reason. Why? You can use devices like the Garmin inReach, Zoleo, or SPOT to send and receive text messages, percentage your location, or even place an emergency SOS call for help from really anywhere on the path.
These occasionally expensive devices, which frequently have a monthly subscription, can provide peace of mind, especially in case you are trekking without a guide or need to stay in contact for work or family reasons. Many can also be transmittedlistenedn through smartphone apps, so you can also do that with the most familiar of interfaces.
These are particularly useful in the more remote areas between Samagaun and Bimthang, where mobile coverage and Wi-Fi are pretty much non-existent.
Communicating in Emergencies
When an emergency occurs, communication is essential. Courses and porters regularly have rudimentary mobile phones or two-way radios and can generally tell you where you may pick up the closest running signal. In case you’re trekking on your own, it’s all the greater important to have a plan to get assistance.
Ensure that you have emergency contacts listed in both saved digitally and in writing. This ought to be your embassy, travel corporation, travel insurance coverage policy, and local rescue services. Inform someone where you’ll be and whilst you’re on to test. Apps like Maps. Gaia GPS (downloaded with offline maps) can also aid in directing you competently, in case you wander off or get separated from your organization.
Staying Connected Without Internet
Now and then, staying in touch doesn’t require being in touch. Journaling, recording a voice memo, or snapping a few photos at the end of the day to both help you remember and give you time to reflect without having to find a signal. Then, when we can get to a village with connectivity, you can share all at once.
Consider managing expectations with friends and your circle of relatives before you pass. Inform them that you may not keep in touch for a few days and that that’s to be expected. This removes any form of worry and lets you pay attention a hundred percent to your trek.
Final Thoughts
You can, with limitations, stay linked at the same time as trekking the Manaslu Circuit. You may go days without a cellphone signal or internet service, and charging your devices might not be an option. The best way to handle it is to arm yourself with the right tools, keep your expectations in check, and consider the digital detox an element of the trip.
Manaslu is one of the last places where you can walk for days on end through wild landscapes and ancient villages with hardly a soul around. “No sense in burying everyone under 50 inches of snow,” you wrote, saying that it was a new crisis every day, that some people got so scared during the climb that they turned around and went home, that your crew brought group chats, that instead of putting their feet down your boots or your sleeping bag, they put their feet in socks filled with Valentini table wine, down your boots, inside your sleeping bag, inside your tent, and you went a little crazy, stayed awake all night jumping up and down to avoid frostbite. While it’s helpful to keep in touch for logistical and safety reasons, don’t forget that one of the greatest gifts of this journey is the opportunity to disconnect — and to reconnect with the natural world around you.
