Visiting Tibetan tales in the Tsum valley, traversing the beautiful Manaslu region. Enjoy offbeat walking and views of the stunning western Himalayan Mountains on the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley
Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek is the ultimate trek that revolves around the eighth-highest mountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), and the hidden Tsum Valley. It is a perfect venture to enjoy the allure of the Himalayas. You'll be trekking in a restricted area in Nepal, which makes the journey more exciting. The wilderness of the Manaslu region and its offbeat terrain have kept it far from the mainstream. Therefore, the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trail are not crowded and present unspoiled mountain landscapes.
The Manaslu region was opened in 1995, and the Tsum Valley was opened in 2008 for foreign visitors. And still, we see a fraction of travellers. The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek are 23 days long. You'll go up close to the Himalayan mountains and interact intimately with the villagers. The course winds through many remote villages, letting you experience a remote mountain lifestyle. The off-the-beaten route and the isolation of the region push you hard. Enjoy the tranquillity and rejuvenating air.
You travel close to the Tibetan border. The locals are highly influenced by Tibetan culture and traditions. You'll find a lot of similarities. Some of the famous points on the Manaslu Tsum valley trek are Piren Phu cave (3,361 m), Mu Gompa (3,700 m), Dhephu Doma Gompa (3,900 m), Rachen Gompa (3,240 m), Gumba Lungdang (3,200 m), Manaslu base camp (4,800 m), Pungyen Gompa (3,980 m), Birendra Tal (3,460 m), and Larkya La pass (5,106 m). The diverse flowers and exotic birds make the walk enchanting.
The highlights of Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
- Embark on the most adventurous and mystical trekking route in the Himalayas.
- The trails are steep, rugged, and off-the-beaten
- Trek in the restricted Manaslu region and Tsum Valley
- Get to witness jaw-dropping views of the western Himalayan mountains and diverse landscapes.
- The trail is not crowded and lets you unwind and relish the serenity.
- Visit ancient monasteries and come across ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- Come across various flora and fauna while trekking in the Manaslu Conservation Area.
- Hike to Manaslu base camp and Birendra Tal
An adventurous venture in a restricted area in Nepal
As the Manaslu Tsum Valley trekking route falls under a restricted area in Nepal, solo trekking is not allowed for foreigners. Going on an organized trek with a registered Nepali trekking company would be best. We are one of the best trekking companies in Nepal, with a long legacy and a high satisfaction rate. Also, the trekkers must be in a group of two (not including the guide or porter) to join the Manaslu and Tsum Valley treks. Solo trekkers can join our fixed groups.
Mountains & Cultural Heritage in Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trekking Route
The Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek crosses the Larkya La pass and explores the artistic old monasteries. The trek is undoubtedly very adventurous and, above all, exceptionally immersive. As the Manaslu region and Tsum Valley are untouched by modern society, the culture and conventions are intact. You'll encounter ancient Tibetan Buddhism and Polyandry practices. The locals are welcoming and always eager to share their stories.
If one thing that ideally stole our hearts on the Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal is the breathtaking mountain panorama and immaculate surroundings, The landscapes are constantly changing with the increase in elevation, and trust us, it only gets better. Snow-capped giants like Manaslu (8,163 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m), and many others are seen all along the trail. The dense forests, green hills, cascading waterfalls, lovely streams, and beautiful villages make the views outstanding.
Manaslu circuit Tsum Valley trek difficulty
Manaslu circuit Tsum Valley trekking is one of the most strenuous treks in the Himalayas. It is not for first-time trekkers or those who cannot walk on trodden terrain for an average of 6 hours a day. You'll be crossing a high Himalayan pass, Lakya La (also the highest point of the trek). The trek involves walking on steep rock paths that advance glacial and mountainous terrain.
The Manaslu region is not easily accessible and is very remote from the rest of Nepal. Unlike the famous Annapurna Circuit or Everest base camp trail, Manaslu Circuit doesn't have excellent accommodation or meal facilities. It's the bare minimum of the trial, so the participants must endure and understand all the limits.
Why Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek with Nepal Getaway Trekking?
First, we want to say that we work very closely with the natives of the Manaslu region to provide a meaningful trekking experience to our guests. The adventure and the mountains do their part of the work, and to take the journey to the next level, we make sure you learn deeply about the locals, their beliefs, and the tales that circle the trail. You got all the support from our team for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek 2024.
We have been organizing treks in the Himalayas for numerous years and are certified to run adventurous trips. With us, you'll get the best itineraries at a reasonable cost, and there are no hidden charges or policies. Our travel consultant will help you plan the trek according to your requirements. Contact us with any queries or if you need booking assistance.
This is our standard and recommended Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley Itinerary.
Once you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you meet our company representative outside the terminal gate with your name. After the warm welcome, you drive to the hotel in a private vehicle. He will assist with check-in at the hotel.
You meet our manager in the evening who briefs the program in detail and reaches out to your needs too. Your trekking guide will be introduced too.
Today is a free day for you. We make a permit and arrange other necessities for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. If you want, you can visit some world heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley after your breakfast. You can do shopping, buying or renting a trekking gear you need for the trek.
If you want us to organize a guided city tour of Kathmandu Valley, we can organize it as per request.
Today, you drive along the Prithvi Highway to reach Machha Khola by local express bus. You will enjoy the stunning views of lush hills, rivers, and terraced fields. The drive is long and keeps you entertained with gorgeous landscapes. A drive goes through Malekhu and Dhading Besi. From Dhading Besi, the road winds uphill to Gola Bhanjyang. You will be witnessing views of snow-capped mountains. You cross Ankhu Khola and the road goes up the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki river to reach Machha Khola.
Today is your first day of trekking. From Machha Khola, you walk on a peaceful trail, enjoying the beautiful view. Farmlands, hills, streams, and fine villages are seen on the way. You will cross many suspension bridges and walk uphill on stone steps to Jagat. It is a small village with great scenery.
You will be entering the restricted part of the trail today. Registering for trekking permits, you walk along the bank of Budhi Gandaki. You walk through passing villages like Salleri, Sirdibad, and Philim. The views of Shringi Himal are excellent. You ascend to Ekle Bhatti and keep walking alongside Budhi Gandaki, which leads to Lokpa.
From Lokpa, the trail follows an uphill route to a ridge top. The view of Ganesh Himal is fantastic from this place. You walk on a remote trail and reach Chumling, a beautiful village with an excellent view of Singiri Himal. You keep walking on a rough trail to reach Dumje village to spend the night.
Leaving Dumje, today you trek to reach Chile. The mountain views along the way are fabulous today. Walking on a forested uphill and downhill route, you pass by small settlement areas. The Nile is our final destination for the day where you spend the night. The Nile is a lovely village before we enter the upper Tsum Valley. Today, you visit the Piren Phu cave and Burji village.
The trail from Nile to Mu Gompa goes west and walks uphill most of the time. Mu Gompa is situated close to the Tibetan border, so you can see Tibetan scenery along the trail. The route moves west and ascends to Mu Gompa. This gompa houses more than 100 monks. You witness the gorgeous Lungdang Glacier in the east and the snow-capped mountains.
Today, You have an acclimatization day in Mu Gompa. Many pastures around Mu Gompa ascend to 5,000 meters. Locals climb up to collect the precious Yarsagumba. You have the option to hike to the base camp of Pika Himal or hike to Kalung (3,820 m) or Bhajyo (4,030 m). Likewise, you visit the ancient Dhephu Doma Gompa (3,900 m).
The trail descends through Chule Valley to Phurba after walking for a few hours. You will be walking by pristine Siyar Khla, where you can visit the artistic Rachen Gumpa. You can also explore a nunnery. You spend the night here to rest your feet before trekking further.
The trek continues mostly down to Chumling today. You walk down, following the same path you walked up to reach Rachen Gompa. The mountain landscapes are heavenly along the way. The trail passes some remote settlement areas and lush forests to Chumling village.
Today you will be walking on a steep downhill route to Deng village. As you descend, the views of towering mountains unfold in front of you. The Ganesh Himal and Manaslu views are particularly surreal. Then you walk down the steep grassy slope to the Budhi Gandaki riverbed. The trail then crosses a bridge over a river and leads through a route of bamboo trees. You pass by a forest near Deng River and cross the river to enter Deng village.
The route to Namrung goes by farmlands and small settlement villages. You cross a suspension bridge on the Budhi Gandaki River and follow an uphill enchanting route to Rana. The trail keeps climbing west of the Budhi Gandaki Valley via dense forests. You walk alongside a riverbed and cross it many times before steeply ascending to Namrung.
In the morning, you explore the village and enjoy the mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Singri Himal, Hiunchuli, etc. After having breakfast, you leave Namrung village and walk on a steep uphill route through the forested path to Lihi. The trail begins to see more alpine vegetation and the dominance of the Buddhist religion further along the way. The locals along the trail mostly follow Tibetan Buddhism. You will notice similarities with the people of Tibet in culture, language & practices.
The trail goes through a stone gate and a long mani wall. You can enjoy views of Peak 29 and get a close view of Mt. Manaslu. The trail climbs gradually to Shya La Pass. You can see the superb views of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Then you follow a lateral moraine of the Pungen glacier to reach Samagaun.
Today is another acclimatization day in Samagaun. You will do some hiking around Samagaun, and hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,940 m) or Punhgen Gompa (3,980 m). The hike is more needed to acclimatize your body and let you enjoy the heartwarming mountain views. In the late afternoon, we can explore Samagaun and interact with the locals.
The trail ascends along a deserted path. You will be walking via the windy valley to Samdo. Following the Budhi Gandaki River, you cross a bridge and ascend through a lush forest of juniper, rhododendron, birch, etc. Further, you walk along mani wallas and ascend to Samdo village, admiring views of Simnag Himal, Ngadi Chuli, Mt. Manaslu, and Manaslu glacier.
After having a delicious breakfast, the trek to Dharmasala begins with walking on a remote trail and crossing a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. From here, the trail leads you to Larkya Bazar (4,090 m). It is a seasonal Tibetan market. You further walk passing stone huts and mani walls. On the way to Dharmasala, you also come across glaciers and witness stunning snow-capped mountains. Dharamsala is also known as Larke Phedi.
Today you start your trek early in the morning. From the Larke Phedi, you walk on a steep glacial path go above the Larkya Glacier and climb to Larkya Pass. You can see breathtaking views of mountains like Mt. Kangguru, Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, Manaslu, Gyaji Kang, Namjung Himal, etc. After the pass, you steeply descend along a snow screen grassy moraine rockfall area. The trail gradually descends to Bimtang, where you spend the night.
You descend from Bhimtang to Tilje. The trail drops down through pastures and crosses a bridge at 3,430 m. You will see a rock shelter cave here and continue descending towards Yak Kharka, also known as Sangure Kharka. You walk through lush forests and farmlands. Before reaching Tilje, you pass some small settlement villages like Kharche, Gho, and Kurne.
Leaving Tilje, you walk through a forested path and pass by a temporary check-post. The trail gradually descends to Thonje and crosses a bridge before reaching Dharapani. From here, you drive to Besisahar by sharing a local jeep. It is around 4 hour's drive on a downhill road to Besi Sahar through villages and foothills.
You leave Besisahar in the morning after breakfast to drive back to Kathmandu. The drive is comfortable and presents excellent views of green hills, mountains, and villages. In Kathmandu, you have a free afternoon.
It's always tough to say goodbye but we have to say by at the end of the trip. Our airport team will drop you at the international airport as per your flight departure time.
- All grounded transportation as per itinerary by private car
- Three nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu, inclusive of breakfast
- Three-time meals (Breakfast/lunch/dinner) and accommodations during the trekking
- One highly experienced English-speaking & friendly trekking guide and required porter, including their expenses
- Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit trekking special permit fee
- Annapurna and Manaslu conservation area permit. Please bring two passport-size photos for the permit
- Tsum Valley + Manaslu Circuit Trekking map
- Nepal Gateway Company T-Shirt
- Local fresh fruit
- First aid kit
- Evacuation assistance, if needed
- Government taxes
- Office service charge
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
- Your travel insurance
- Nepal entry visa.
- Your international flight ticket to/from Kathmandu
- Your personal nature expenses, equipment and medical kit
- All kinds of hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages in trekking
- Hot shower, internet and phone call unless it is free
- Tipping to field staff. (Tipping is not mandatory but expected)
Altitude Sickness in Masanu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trekking
Altitude sickness is common on high-altitude journeys like the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley trekking. However, it is avoidable if you follow preventive measures. Our Tsum Valley trek itinerary has everything, from ample acclimatization days to the constant increase in elevation, that lowers the risk of altitude sickness. Even if you get the symptoms (as the body reacts differently to environmental changes), our trained and reliable guide will care for you.
Drinking plenty of water, which means no alcoholic drinks, and smoking will help you avoid altitude sickness. Ensure your body is well-rested and gets the necessary nutrients to keep you moving during the trek. We have side excursions on acclimatization days and also carry the essential medication to suppress symptoms.
Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek for Solo/Group
To trek in a group for the Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek, contact us or book through our site. We organize treks for all group sizes, whether you are two people or twenty. Likewise, we have fixed departure dates in the peak trekking seasons. You can book the date that best suits you and join our group. Of course, this option lets you trek with people from around the globe.
If you are looking for a private solo trek, we can organize that, too. Let us know your requirements, and we'll make sure you have an amazing trekking experience in Nepal. Contact us anytime for more information. The package cost can slightly change depending on the services we provide during the trek and the group size.
The best time to do the Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek Route
Trek in the Manaslu region in spring and autumn to witness breathtaking mountain views. March to April and October to November are the best times to do the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek, which are the peak trekking seasons in Nepal. The Himalayas generally have unstable weather. However, the weather remains mostly stable in spring and autumn with a moderate climate.
Apart from the weather, these two seasons have great visibility, teeming vegetation, bright and breezy days, and fresh mountain air with a low chance of precipitation. You'll encounter a range of flora and fauna along the way. The valleys are verdant, and the trail is impressive.
Permits for Trekking to Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley
For Trekking to Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley, you need to get a Special Restricted Area Permit for Manaslu (Manaslu RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP Permit), and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP Permit). The package cost covers all the permit fees. You do not have to pay additional money for them.
Restricted area permit cost for Manaslu and Tsum Valley
For Manaslu Special Permit
- USD 100 per person for the first seven days and USD 15 per person each day after that from September to November
- USD 75 per person for the first seven days and USD 10 per person each day after that from December to August
For Tsum Valley Sepcial Permit
- USD 40 per person for the first seven days and USD 7 per person each day after that from September to November
- USD 30 per person for the first seven days and USD 5 per person each day after that from December to August
For ACAP and MCAP
- Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit cost: NPR 3000.00 per person
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit cost: NPR 3000.00 per person
*You do not need to get a TIMS Card for the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek.
Travel Tips for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking
Accommodation: Manaslu Tsum Valley trekking is a teahouse trek with shared rooms and a washroom. The services given in the teahouse are simple. The rooms are basic, with comfortable bedding to spend the night. In Kathmandu, you stay overnight in a three-star hotel.
Food: The meals during the trek are simple yet filling. Dal bhat is the main menu that comes with side dishes and veg/non-veg curries. You may feel like not eating sometimes because of altitude and tiredness, but we recommend you to not miss meals. You'll get other options like a sandwich, soup, noodles, momo, Tibetan bread, dhido, thenduk, etc too.
ATM: Manaslu and Tsum Valley trail has no ATM. You cannot make any payment through your card either on the trial. Get yourself enough Nepali cash in Kathmandu to use while trekking. Even though our package cost covers your daily accommodation and three meals a day, you may need money to buy additional services like internet, charging, hot shower, etc.
Charging: The charging facility is decent on Manaslu Trek, however, it'll cost you some money. You can use a solar charger or spare batteries to save some money.
Luggage: Your luggage limit on the trek is 10 kg for a duffel bag & 5 kg for a day pack. Keep extra suitcases in the hotel's locker room during the trek. Duffel bags are carried by porters.
Personal Expenses: As we mentioned earlier, you may need money for additional services during the trek. Apart from that, you'll also need money to do shopping, travel insurance, international flight fairs, etc. So, make sure to have funds for these expenses.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended for any trek in the Himalayas for your safety in an emergency. You need to get travel insurance that covers air evacuation up to 5,000 meters for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. The company will not bear any expense out of cost-included things.
Tipping: The tipping is up to you. Tipping is normal in Nepal, so our team members may approach you for it. Feel free to tip as you want.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is a long trek that takes 17 to 23 days. Our Manaslu Tsum valley trek itinerary is 23 days long.
The people of Tsum Valley are known as Tsumba. They follow Bon Po and Tibetan Buddhism. Their norms, values, and traditions are quite different. They have their own language and dialect.
Yes, you'll need a guide to trek in the Manaslu region. Foreigners cannot do solo treks in the Manaslu region as per the rules of the government. You also have to trek in a group of two people.
Yes, you can do a tea house trek in the Manaslu region. You do not have to carry tents, but we recommend you carry sleeping bags.
On average, you walk 6 to 8 hours a day during the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trekking. This means you'll be covering 10 km to 12 km in a day.
One of our professional and experienced guides will be joining you for the Tsum Valley and Manaslu trek. You'll be trekking with a native who has good knowledge about the Manaslu region and Tsum Valley. We make sure the supporting team of our guests speaks their language with no barrier to communication.
Yes, you can store any additional luggage in the hotel for free of cost during trekking.
Manaslu Tsum Valley trek is a long trek and takes 17 to 23 days. Our Manaslu Tsum Valley trek itinerary is 23 days long.