The Manaslu region is one of the remotest locations of Nepal. People flock from around the world to trek in this region to witness the magical mountain, ancient traditions and Tibetan culture. It is part of the harsh Himalayan range, which is full of rough landscape, uncertainties and remoteness. Manaslu is a beautiful region with rich flora and fauna, but because of its topography, the development of infrastructure has been hard to carry out.
When you are doing the Manaslu Circuit Trek, glaciers, prayer flags, snowy peaks, and locals are not only things you encounter but also a pack of mules carrying heavy supplies. They are not just animals carrying the load, but lifelines that help locals carry essential supplies to sustain life. In rough areas where no vehicles or modes of transportation exist, mules are used as a means of transportation.
No Roads, No Trucks, Just Trails and Hooves.
The Manaslu region is rough and remote, which is part of its charm, but it’s also a challenge. Beyond Jagat, vehicle service is no longer available. The trails are carved out into cliffs that are narrow and rocky.
That’s where mules are used for different purposes, such as carrying food supplies, building materials, gas cylinders, solar panels, sacks of rice, and other essential supplies. Their ability to navigate the toughest terrain makes them indispensable. When no wheel can turn, a hoof still finds a way.
The Daily Mule Caravans: An Unseen Rhythm
Mule trains are the quiet pulse of the mountain. Every day, their lines wind through the trails, guided by their handlers, their bells chiming in sync with each step. It’s a rhythm you grow to recognise, which is steady, patient, and unwavering. They move through fog, snow, and scorching sun, often starting their journey before the first trekkers even wake.
You might pass them as you hike or hear them long before they appear. It’s not chaos, it’s mountain logistics done the old-school way, refined by generations. Without fanfare, they keep the system alive.
Carrying More Than Just Cargo
The items strapped to a mule’s back might seem ordinary, such as flour, soap, and oil cans, but in the mountains, these are essentials that mean survival. Everything you touch during your trek, which can include blankets, batteries, bottled water, and even the candy bars you snack on, was likely brought in by mule.
When helicopters are too expensive and porters are stretched thin, mules step in as the only sustainable delivery system. In emergencies, they’ve even carried oxygen tanks and medicine. They’re not just hauling loads, but they’re delivering life.
The Mule Handlers: Unsung Heroes of the Trail
Behind every caravan of mules is a man or boy walking silently, sometimes for weeks at a time. Mule handlers or “muleteers” who guide their animals with soft whistles, short commands, and years of experience. Many come from nearby hill districts and spend entire seasons living on the trail, earning their wages trip by trip.
They sleep in basic roadside shelters, eat simple meals, and fix worn-out hoof shoes with handmade tools. Their job is tough and often invisible to trekkers, but without them, those animals wouldn’t move an inch. Their bond with their mules runs deep and it’s built on trust, necessity, and daily survival.
Respecting the Real Backbone of the Trail
It’s easy to overlook the mule trains when you’re focused on reaching a viewpoint or sipping tea in a cozy lodge. But pause for a moment when you see them and step aside with care, let them pass, and offer a smile to the handler.
These aren’t just animals on a trek. They’re the unsung infrastructure that keeps Manaslu running, step by step. Their presence reminds us that even the most breathtaking journeys rely on invisible labour and tireless endurance.
