Mount Manaslu at 8156m is the eighth highest mountain in the world and was first climbed in 1956 by a Japanese expedition under great hostility from the locals. This distrust stemmed from local villagers’ belief that the previous attempts to climb had displeased the gods and caused an avalanche which destroyed Pung-gyen Monastery killing 18 people. Although the Japanese made large donation to rebuild the Monastery, next expedition only took place after 1971 when the atmosphere had calmed. Manaslu is also known as a 'Japanese mountain' because of their involvement with the mountain since 1952.
Manaslu trek comprises sub-tropical Himalayan foothills to arid Trans-Himalayan high pastures bordering Tibet. Starting from Arughat and extending into the Larkhe La pass, the area covers six climatic zones and falls within the Manaslu Conservation Area. Manaslu trekking region is a sanctuary to many highly endangered animals, including Snow Leopards and Pandas. Conservation of wild life in the area has been achieved by monks of the monasteries enforcing hunting ban in their area which greatly helped the wildlife to prosper. The area is now an important habitat for the snow leopard, grey wolf, musk deer, blue sheep and the Himalayan Thar.
Although Manaslu trekking was only opened to tourists in 1991, first trek was done by Major James Roberts "the father of Himalayan trekking" with Bill Tilman in 1950 when they crossed the Larkya La pass looking for an interesting mountain to climb. Their route is still used by the trekkers to do the Manaslu circuit.