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Manaslu

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Manaslu is a huge mountain in west-central Nepal.

Manaslu Peak
Manaslu Peak

It sits in the Mansiri Himal part of the Nepalese Himalayas. This peak is the eighth-highest mountain in the whole world. Its name means "mountain of the spirit" in Sanskrit.

Manaslu range
Manaslu range

Some people also call it Kutang. The mountain looks like a giant wall of snow and ice. It has long ridges and icy valleys. It towers very steeply above the land around it.

The mountain has many different zones of weather and life.

Manaslu (8,163m)
Manaslu (8,163m)

At the bottom, the land is tropical and warm. As you go up, it becomes temperate and then sub-alpine. Higher still, it reaches the alpine zone with meadows. The very top is the arctic zone where it is always freezing.

There are about 1,500 to 2,000 types of plants here. You can find many forests, including beautiful rhododendron trees.

Many rare animals call this mountain home.

Manaslu Himal air view
Manaslu Himal air view

You might see a snow leopard or a red panda. These animals are very hard to find. There are also many birds, like the golden eagle. Other animals include the blue sheep and the Himalayan tahr. Monks in local monasteries helped protect these animals by banning hunting. This has helped the wildlife thrive in the area.

People often visit to walk the Manaslu Circuit trek.

Manaslu circuit trek
Manaslu circuit trek

This path follows an old route used for trading salt. The trail goes along the Budhi Gandaki River. Trekkers see many peaks, including Ngadi Chuli and Himalchuli. The highest point on the trek is a pass called Larkya La. It is at an elevation of 5,106 metres. The trek can be hard due to landslides or cold weather.

Humans have a long history with this peak.

Climber Summit Manaslu 8163m
Climber Summit Manaslu 8163m

A Japanese team first climbed to the top in 1956. Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu were the first to reach it. Different groups like the Nubri and Tsum live in the region. They follow Buddhist traditions and live in hill villages. You can see many monasteries and religious landmarks there. The Manaslu Conservation Area helps protect this special place.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Manaslu Peak.jpg
Manaslu Peak.jpg
File:Manaslu, from base camp trip.jpg
Manaslu, from base camp trip.jpg
File:Manaslu range.jpg
Manaslu range.jpg
File:Manaslu (8,163m).jpg
Manaslu (8,163m).jpg
File:Manaslu Himal air view.jpg
Manaslu Himal air view.jpg
File:Climber Summit Manaslu 8163m.jpg
Climber Summit Manaslu 8163m.jpg
File:Manaslu - Thulagi Chuli - Ngadi Chuli.jpg
Manaslu - Thulagi Chuli - Ngadi Chuli.jpg
File:Sheikha_Asma_Al_Thani.jpg
Sheikha_Asma_Al_Thani.jpg
File:Manaslu (1).jpg
Manaslu (1).jpg
File:Manaslu circuit trek.jpg
Manaslu circuit trek.jpg
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