My First Experience as a Porter on the Manaslu Circuit Trek

I was born and raised in a small village called Thulo Parsel, Kavrepalanchowk district, 80 Kilometers far from Kathmandu. I am the second child in my family, and together we were six members: my parents, my elder brother, one younger brother, my sister, and me.

Growing up in a poor farming family, life was not always that comfortable. From an early age, I helped my parents with agricultural work and household work while also going to school to learn the basics of reading and writing. Like many children in rural villages of Nepal, balancing education and family responsibilities became a normal part of life.

As time passed, I entered my teenage years. At the age of 14, I decided to work as a porter on the famous Manaslu Circuit Trek, together with my elder brother, who had already done this trek a couple of times. During that time, many people from my village and surrounding areas worked as trekking porters, guides, and other support staff to support their families.

I was both excited and nervous because it was my first time traveling to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city. After arriving in Kathmandu, we stayed for two nights at our uncle’s apartment near Kathmandu Durbar Square. Soon after I arrived in Kathmandu, I began my first-ever trekking journey into the Himalayas of Nepal as a trekking porter.

Our team traveled by bus to the trekking starting point. The bus was packed with people involved in a trekking group, including trekkers from the Netherlands, trekking Sirdars, trekking guides, cooks, kitchen helpers, and porters. Since this was a camping trek, a large support team was required to carry the needed trekking equipment and supplies.

The Beginning of My Himalayan Journey

The first night of the trek felt extreme. It was the first time I had been so far away from home. Surrounded by dozens of tents, trekking equipment, and unfamiliar faces, I found it difficult to sleep. Looking back, I remember that campsite was called Suntala Bari, near Gorkha Bazaar.

The following morning, around 6 or 7 a.m., the guides began organizing loads for the porters. Each porter selected what they wanted to carry. I chose a large drum filled with what I later discovered was chocolate and other needed supplies. Additionally, my personal gear was added to the load, bringing the total weight to approximately 40 kilograms.

At the time, I had no idea how challenging carrying such a heavy load would be over the next 20 days. Fortunately, the weight gradually decreased as the supplies were consumed during the trek.

Carrying 40 Kilograms Through the Mountains

The first day went quite well, but by evening, I discovered painful blisters on my back. I worried about the following day, but I had no choice but to continue the trek. Like many porters in Nepal, we carried our loads using a head strap, locally known as a “namlo,” which placed significant pressure on the head and shoulders.

The blisters caused discomfort, and my head often ached from the heavy weight. However, day by day, I adapted to the physical demands of the trail. Slowly but surely, our team reached closer to our ultimate destination.

Life as a Porter on the Manaslu Circuit Trek

One of my most memorable experiences was the porters’ cooking system. Unlike clients and guides, porters had to cook their own meals and wash their own large cooking pots twice a day. Every day, different teams were assigned cooking duties.

When it was my turn, I collected firewood together with my team members, built a temporary stone stove, and prepared meals for more than 35 people. If the food was not enough, some porters would become understandably frustrated with the cooking team. Although it was very hard work, it taught me responsibility, teamwork, and resourcefulness.

Every Evenings Filled with Music and Celebration

Another unforgettable part of the trek was the evening gatherings every day. After a long day of walking, everyone would come together to sing, dance, and share stories. Sometimes local villagers would join us, creating a beautiful atmosphere of friendship and cultural exchange.

On the final evening, we celebrated in a place called Bulbule, en route to the Circuit Trek. Unlike most nights, the porters did not have to cook. Instead, we enjoyed meat and special food. Being young and inexperienced, I chose to drink a large bottle of beer without realizing it was alcohol. It became a funny memory that I still remember today.

At the end of the trek, each porter received a tip of 500 Nepalese Rupees, which felt like a significant reward at the time.

Touching Snow for the First Time

Perhaps the most magical moment of the entire trek was seeing and touching snow for the first time.

For several days, I had been eagerly searching for snow. Finally, near Dharmasala, just below the famous Larke La Pass, I found some small patches. However, the real surprise came after crossing the pass.

We spent the night in Bimthang, and when we woke up the next morning, more than one meter of fresh snow had fallen overnight. It was the first fresh snowfall I had ever seen. I immediately rushed outside to touch the snow, build a snowman, and play with my friends.

For a few hours, I completely forgot that I still had a heavy load to carry and a long day of trekking ahead.

Eventually, everyone packed their equipment and continued the journey. Walking through deep snow was exciting but also challenging, as the trail was slippery and demanding. Looking back, we were fortunate that the heavy snowfall arrived after crossing the Larke La Pass at 5106 meters. Had it snowed earlier, the section between Dharmasala and Bimthang would have been far more difficult and dangerous.

Lessons from My First Trekking Experience

My first experience as a porter on the Manaslu Circuit Trek was filled with adventure, challenges, learning opportunities, and unforgettable memories.

The trek introduced me to the beauty of the Nepal Himalayas, allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds, and helped me learn new English words and communication skills. Most importantly, it gave me my first opportunity to earn my own income.

At that time, a porter’s wage was only 200 Nepalese Rupees per day. The trek lasted 22 days, and the company paid for an additional day, bringing my total earnings to 4,600 Nepalese Rupees. Combined with the 500 Rupees in tips, I returned home with 5,100 Rupees—a meaningful amount for a young teenager from a rural village.

Looking back today, that first trek was much more than a job. It was the beginning of my journey in Nepal’s trekking industry. The experiences, hardships, and lessons I gained on the Manaslu Circuit Trek eventually inspired me to pursue a career as a trekking guide, opening the door to a lifetime of adventures in the Himalayas.