Manaslu Circuit Trek with porter is a great option for those who want to experience the beauty of the Nepalese Himalayas while reducing the stress of carrying a heavy backpack on their shoulders. Manaslu Circuit is quite challenging as it includes rocky trails, steep slopes, high altitude trekking, and crossing of Larkya La Pass. For such a strenuous trek, having a porter to carry your heavy bag can make it much comfortable and less tiring. Not to worry about your heavy bag allows you to focus on the gorgeous mountain views while a porter takes care of your belongings. In the following blog, we discuss the Manaslu Circuit Trek with porter in detail.

What Is a Porter

A porter is a local worker who carries your bag for you on a trekking holiday. On Manaslu Circuit Trek, he/she can carry your primary bag while you can carry a small daypack with you that contains necessities for the day. A trekking porter usually walks with the trekking group and stays in the same or nearby village.

Why Hire a Porter for Manaslu Circuit Trek

The most apparent reason to hire a trekking porter is the comfort of having less weight on your bag. Having a bag on your back for 5,6,7 or more hours during the trek can be exhausting. Especially on Manaslu Circuit, steep slopes and high altitude can make a heavy bag extremely hard to carry. Having a porter can significantly reduce the weight on your back and make your trek more comfortable.

Is a Porter Useful for a Beginner

A porter can be really useful for a first-time trekker who hasn’t done a multi-day Himalayan trek before. For such trekkers, having a bag on your back for days can be extremely taxing. Hiring a porter can alleviate some of the stress, and he/she can carry your extra bag with you that contains extra clothes, sleeping bag, etc. A porter can carry your daypack while you can carry your most essential items with you that you might require on the same day.

Porter and Larkya La Pass

Larkya La Pass is the highest point on the Manaslu Circuit Trek that measures around 5,106 meters. The crossing of Larkya La can be extremely exhausting due to the high altitude, and a heavy bag can add to the challenge. It is always a good idea to reduce the weight on your back while crossing the Larkya La Pass.

How Much Weight Can a Porter Carry

The luggage weight that a porter can carry depends on his/her employer. Though, it is essential to keep your luggage within the limited weight suggested by the trekking company. The porter shouldn’t carry an excessively heavy bag. It is your responsibility to keep the luggage within a reasonable limit because they are humans too, and they need to have a comfortable working environment

What Should You Give the Porter to Carry

As mentioned above, the porter can carry your primary bag with you that contains clothes, sleeping bag, extra pairs of shoes, etc. This way, you can carry a smaller bag with you that contains your most essential items for the day. You should keep the most important items like water, snacks, sunscreen, camera, medications, tissues, important documents, and other necessities with you in your day bag.

What Should Be in Your Daypack

A daypack should be light, and you shouldn’t keep heavy items in it. You can keep water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat, jacket, medicines, tissues, and important documents. You can also keep your phone and camera in the daypack. The most essential items should be carried with you in the daypack so that you have them within your reach when required. The less the weight, the more comfortable it would be for you. Especially on steep slopes, a heavy daypack can be extremely exhausting.

Porter Charges on Manaslu Circuit Trek

The charges of a porter on the Manaslu Circuit Trek depend on various factors, including the number of trekking days, the season you are trekking in, the trekking company, and the services they provide. Some trekking agencies add the porter charges in the total package, while others charge them separately. You should enquire about the porter fee, the services they provide (food, accommodation, transport), and insurance before hiring them.

Porter vs Porter-guide

Most trekking agencies provide porter-guide services. A porter-guide is a combination of a porter and a guide, and he/she can carry your bag for you and give you guidance along the route. It can be beneficial as hiring a porter-guide can be cheaper than hiring a porter and a guide separately. However, always keep in mind that a porter-guide might not be as knowledgeable and experienced as a professional guide.

Benefits of a Porter for Older Trekker

Porter can be really beneficial for an older trekker who is physically sound but does not want to strain the back, shoulders, and knees carrying a heavy bag. Having a porter can significantly reduce the weight on the back that can reduce the overall stress on the body. However, age is just a number, and an older trekker should calculate his/her fitness, health conditions, and the intensity of the trek before deciding to hire a porter.

Benefits of a Porter for a Female Trekker

A porter can provide a female trekker with greater flexibility. He/she can carry the heavy bag while you can enjoy the spectacular mountain views on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. A porter can help a female trekker manage her stuff at the tea houses and carry her extra luggage at night. Female trekkers who prefer more privacy can also ask their trekking agencies to suggest private trekking arrangements. Such arrangements include a guide and a porter that can provide greater flexibility and privacy to a solo female trekker.

Porter and Local Community

Hiring a porter is a better option for supporting the local community as they are the ones who are helping visitors to experience the Himalayan trails. The porters come from mountain villages and rely on trekking as an additional source of income. Responsible trekking means respecting them and their working conditions and not putting them under any undue stress. Avoiding unnecessary weight on the back is a way to treat them with respect.

What to Look for in a Porter Service

While hiring a porter, enquire about his/her bag carrying capacity, ratio of porter to guests, accommodation, insurance, food, and payment method. A responsible trekking agency can suggest fair terms and conditions for porters and their employers. The porter should carry your bag in a bag suitable for the weather conditions. You should also ask whether the porter is provided with appropriate equipment and accommodation.

How to Pack for a Porter-Supported Trek

Packing is always an essential activity even when you have a porter to carry your bag. Avoid overpacking, and keep your bag suitable for the weather. Keep your electronics and clothes in waterproof bags, and try to keep your daypack and the bag that a porter can carry as small as possible. Such organization would make the trek easy both for you and your porter.

Can You Trek Manaslu without a Porter

It depends on you if you want a porter or not. Having a porter to carry your bag allows you to enjoy the trek while a porter takes care of your belongings. However, it can also be a good opportunity to challenge yourself if you are an experienced trekker. A porter is a good option for those for who carrying the bag can be an additional stress. There is no prize for the one who carries the heaviest bag on the mountain. Having said that, a trekker should have the physical ability to carry a bag during the trek. If you are not an experienced trekker, then hiring a porter is the best option.

How a Porter Makes the Trek More Enjoyable

One of the best things about having a porter is the joy of having a bag on your back that is comparatively lighter. You can focus on the spectacular mountain views while a porter takes care of your bag. Especially where the trail is steep, you don’t have to think about your bag and concentrate on climbing up. The freedom from a heavy bag allows you to explore and enjoy the mountain views, click pictures, chat with your guide, and appreciate the local culture. Such things can make your trek more enjoyable.