Chapter 9: Manaslu Circuit Internet and Telephone Network

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The latest communication development hit out Manaslu circuit trek Nepal. There are several places you can use NTC.

Furthermore, wireless network WIFI works in Tsum Valley too. It serves almost the major part of the trek until Samagaun Village and midway through Samdo Village.

Available communication in the area is Tsum Valley Wifi and Sky Networks.

Along with your accommodation, you will find telephone services in almost all teahouses in most of the places during the Manaslu trek. Also, you can use your own cell phones as well because in most places you will find a network for the local NTC sim card.

Wherever you start from, your first destination in Nepal will be Kathmandu. The first international airport in Nepal is in Kathmandu. So, you have to spend your first night in Nepal in Kathmandu.

You can buy Nepali SIM Cards in Kathmandu. To get your SIM Cards, you require:

• Two passport-sized photographs
• A copy of your passport
• Pay $1-$2 to get your SIM
• Fill respective network form

These SIM Cards work properly in places where the network is strong. But, as you trek to the higher Manaslu trek altitudes, there are areas where the phone network is weaker.

So, you may not be able to use Nepali SIM cards everywhere while trekking.

In places where your sim card does not work, you can use the telephone service that the tea houses provide. Also, you can use the WiFi service for $2-$3 in some teahouses if your sim’s data package does not work.

Here are the details about the telephone network and Internet coverage at each stop of your Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal:

Kathmandu

In Kathmandu, you will find many options for telephone and internet services.

Many hotels in Kathmandu also offer long-distance telephone services and have Wifi services. They usually charge for the calls but give Wifi for free.

Soti Khola

From Kathmandu, you will drive to Soti Khola to spend another evening there. NTC has a strong signal in this area. Vsat phones also are available at teahouses in Soti Khola which eases the communication and network around the Manaslu trek.

All the guest houses in Soti Khola offer Wifi Services. But you may have to pay extra for the Wifi services. For the Internet, you can also use data packages offered by NTC on your phone as well.

Maccha Khola

From Soti Khola, your first day’s trek will be to Maccha Khola. At Maccha Khola, you may find a phone signal for NTC SIM cards. But, Ncell may have a low reception in the area. You can also use the satellite phones available in the teahouses.

At the teahouses in Maccha Khola, you may not get Wifi services. But you can use NTC’s data packages for the Internet in this trekking Manaslu Nepal.

Jagat

Like Maccha Khola, at Jagat, you will get network access for NTC SIM Cards. Or, you can use a Vsat phone at teahouses if your phone network does not work.

At Jagat, you will get access to the Wifi services in the rest-stops but, with an extra charge.

Deng

There are three guest houses in Deng. But, none of these guesthouses has satellite phones and the phone network is unreachable in the region.

However, the teahouses here offer Wifi services for extra charges which is a great relief during your Manaslu circuit trek.

Namrung

Your next destination after Deng will be Namrung. At Namrung, you can find a good network reception for NTC. Although the teahouses do not have satellite phones, they provide you with Wifi services.

Lho

At Lho, you may not find any reception for Ncell. But, the NTC SIM card works in this area. You can use your own phone here for telephone purposes if you are using NTC.

Satellite phones are also available in this area.

There are four guest ho houses in this area, all of which provide Wifi services.

Sama Gaun

At 3530 meters, Sama Gaun where will find six guesthouses. These guesthouses have Vsat phone services. Your NTC sim card may work here but not all the areas of the Manaslu circuit route because of the limited signals.

But, you will have easy access to Wifi in the village using the internet.

Samdo

At Samdo, you will not find telephone services in the tea houses. Nor, your NTC/Ncell sim card works here.

However, you will get to enjoy Wifi services after paying extra charges in three teahouses houses in this region.

Dharmasala

During your Manaslu Nepal trek, this place is completely cut-off from the telephone and internet services. The two tea houses available in the place neither have satellite phones nor access to Wifi.

Bimthang

From Dharamsala, your trek to Bimthang may take you 10 hours. Upon reaching Bimthang, you will find Vsat phone services in the area for your telephone needs.

This area also has no network for NTC and NCell.

However, at Bimthang, some of the five guesthouses will have Wifi services.

Dharapani

Your final stop before Kathmandu will be Dharapani. At Dharapani, you can make calls using NTC SIM cards. However, your Ncell sim may not work everywhere in the village.

In addition to the mobile phone networks, you also find satellite phones in this area.

At Dharapani, you will find many teahouses where most of them provide Wifi services.

In the lower altitudes of the Manaslu circuit trek region, the network of NTC and NCell are frequent. Also, you can use the sky phones and Wifi services available in almost all teahouses on the trails at lower altitudes.

As you trek to the higher regions there is a limitation in the popular phone networks and Internet services. Whenever your phone network does not work, you have to rely on satellite phones and Wifi available on the trekking trails.

FAQs

If you are looking for information regarding the routes of the Manaslu trek read the Routes and Maps of the Trek chapter.  The best Manaslu Trek Time chapter explains in detail the best time to trek in the Manaslu region. If you are wondering how to choose the best trek operator, find detailed information from this How to Choose the best Manaslu Trek Operator chapter.

The cost chapter Cost of Manaslu Trek explains all types of cost and fees of Manaslu trek. If you need information regarding visa and permit of Manaslu trek read Visa and Permit for Manaslu Trek chapter. The packing list chapter explains the main items to Packing for Manaslu trekking.  Learn in detail about the food and lodging during trekking Manaslu in the Accommodation and Food chapter.

If you want information about Manaslu trek ground transportation read the chapter Ground Transportation during. In other chapters of this Manaslu Trekking guide, we have explained in detail how and where to find the Trek Guides and Porters and how much dangerous and safe is Manaslu Trek.