Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Overview
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley is a blended trail of challenges, culture, and nature. Mt. Manaslu is the prime attraction of this trek as it's the world’s eighth-highest mountain and offers an amazing view as you trek across Larkya La Pass (5,106m/16,751ft) which is one of the main attractions for adventure and peace at the same time in the Himalayas of Manaslu.
Tsum Valley lies within the perimeter of the Manaslu Conservation Area and the Indigenous Tsumba community lives here, protecting the originality of the Valley. You will pass by several sacred Buddhist heritages, monasteries, and traditional villages, offering unique ancient cultural experiences.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek: Quick Facts & Information
- Trek Type: A combination of classical circuit and cultural trip. A remote, restricted tea house trek.
- Duration: 19 to 24 days ( customizable itinerary)
- Trek Location: Gorkha District, Nepal, Manaslu Conservation Area
- Trek Route: Kathmandu- Aarughat- Soti Khola- Machha Khola- Jagat-Lokpa- Chumling- Rachen Gompa(Monastery)- Nile Village- Chumling- Deng- Namrung- Lho Village- Samagaon- Samdo- Larkya Phedi- Crossing Larkya La Pass- Bhimtang- Dharapani-Besi Sahar- Kathmandu
- Difficulty: Challenging/ hard trek ( required good physical fitness and preparation)
- Starting Point: Machha Khola
- Ending Point: Dharapani Manang ( Starting point of Annapurna Circuit Trek)
- Route Separation: The Trail goes toward Lokpa from Jagat
- Minimum Altitude: 890m (Machha Khola)
- Maximum Elevation: 5106m(Larkya La Pass)
- Required Permit: Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Tsum Valley Restricted permit, Manaslu Conservation Area permit, Chum Nurbi permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit,
- Permit Cost: Manaslu Restricted permit: USD 75 in spring and USD 100 in autumn for 1 week, and USD 40 in autumn and USD 35 in Spring to trek to Tsum Valley.
- Conservation Area Permit: Manaslu & Annapurna Conservation Permit Cost NPR 3000 (USD 23) and additional NPR 1000(USD 8) for Chum Nurbi Rural Municipality Permit
- Trekking Rule: Solo trekking is prohibited. Minimum 2 trekkers required with a guide, and trek with a registered company
- Best Season: Autumn (September-November) and Spring (March-May)
- Accommodation: Tea house room and local food ( DAL-BHAT and international option)
- Alternative Route: Manaslu Base Camp Trek
Highlights of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
- Thrilling road trip from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
- Mu Gompa & Lungdang Gompa in the Tsum Valley
- The popular Pigeon Cave, which is known as Milarepa Piren Phu Cave, is the most sacred in the Tsum Valley.
- Dephyudonma Monastery and Rachen Monastery – the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley
- Mount Manaslu (8163m): The world's 8th-tallest mountain
- A side trip to Birendra Lake, Punhyen Glacier, or Mount Manaslu Base Camp
- Stunning glaciers, lakes, landscapes, and mountains of Manaslu, Himchuli, and Ganesh with adjoining peaks at the border of Nepal – Tibet.
- Larkya La Pass (5,106m): The highest pass of the Manaslu circuit
- Off-beaten trekking route
- Ancient Buddhist Tibetan lifestyle and culture.
- An ancient trading route to Tibet
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Comprehensive- Restricted Trail Guide
You will set off for the Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley trek from Kathmandu and drive to Arughat, which is our starting point for the trek to Soti Khola. Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek begins at Soti Khola, then treks up Budhi Gandaki valley through the pine and rhododendron forest, then over the ridge that leads to Lokpa, the entry point to Tsum Valley. But we will take three days to get to Lokpa. The first day starts to climb – we will be at Machha Khola, then Jagat, and spend the night at Lokpa.
The Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek goes on. From Lokpa, you trek to Chumling notable for having three beautiful monasteries – Pango Gumba, Mani Dhungyr, and Gurwa Gumba.
Once at Chumling, one will proceed to Chhokang Paro through Domje, the largest settlement in the Tsum Valley. Chhokang Paro is noted for the excellent vantage point of the Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal ranges.
The Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek carries on from Chhokang Paro to the upper inner Himalayan valley, passing along refreshing bamboo and rare rhododendron woods at the lower altitude. Younger trials traverse the soundless lofty mountain pastures and barren rock terrains.
You will also be visiting Piren Phu cave - this is the most sacred cave in the region en route to the Nile from Chhokang Paro. From the Nile, you will rise still higher to Mu Gompa Sum, which will be the ultimate high point of the Tsum Valley Trek. Then we go down again to the village of Mu Gompa and then again to Lokpa before moving on.
The next move is directly to the west of Lokpa; Deng is the place for a night stop. You will get to see Ghap, Rana, and Bhimphedi villages during the journey on this trail. Namrung village is the next destination in this trek - the people of Namrung are Tibetans in descent.
The next day’s trek takes us from Namrung to Sama Gaun. On the way is Lho, which is lined with entrance gates of mani walls and several Buddhist Gompas. After Lho, we trek through Shyala Village to Sama Gaon, which is famous for Sama Gaon Monastery.
We shall also take one day set aside at Sama Gaon for acclimatization. On the seventh day, visitors can opt for the Manaslu Base Camp according to the preference of the guests, if they want to have a look at Birendra Lake or the Pungyen Gompa.
There is the Larkya La Pass, which is just a little further from Sama Gaon. All you require is a one-day trek to reach Dharamsala. The next day at dawn, you will trek from Dharmasala to Bhimtang, between which will be Larkya La Pass (5,160m).
The pass offers beautiful mountain ranges including Cheo Himal, Kanguru, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna II. Stretching for its entire length of 70 kilometers it is one of the longest passes in the Himalayas.
When you get to Bhimtang you are almost through this trekking adventure. You walk up from Bhimtang, then descend to Gho, and then to Tal. You will get public transport such as a bus or jeep to Besisahar through Tal and then a bus to Kathmandu will be available at Besisahar.
We, Recreation Holidays Team are sure that Tsum Valley Trek with Manaslu Circuit you make a great experience for a lifetime.
For a better experience of Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, find these Top 5 Tips for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek: A Complete Guide for 2025/2026
Why Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek?
Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek is a fascinating combo trek that offers us stunning landscapes, a geographically challenging route to the glorious mountain vistas, amazing terraced hill slopes, adorable Tibetan people, and their unique culture with the thrilling Larkya La High Pass. The Larkya La High Pass is the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek.
When you are on the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, you will be mesmerized by awe-inspiring views of the Ganesh Himal, Singri Himal, and Boudha Himal from Mu Gompa at an elevation of 3700m. More wonders are expected as you progress with the higher and higher exploration.
Why keep an extra day on your Trek Itinerary?
The Recreation Holidays team kindly requests all our valuable clients to have an extra day at Kathmandu on weekdays before joining the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek. It takes one official day to get a Manaslu special permit, and for the permit, your original passport with a Nepali visa is required for the permit application. We will divide some time for the trip briefing with important information, and thereafter, you’ll go through your luggage/equipment to ensure you have not forgotten anything. This has been made possible by organizing the trek package to include transport on public buses. As an additional charge, clients can hire a jeep to make their stay more comfortable.
Off-Beaten Restricted Trekking Trail in Nepal
The Manaslu Trekking Region is an exceptionally attractive restricted trekking trail in Nepal. It features the Tsum Valley, the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters, and provides an insight into the vibrant local mountain culture. That is where you can go to get yourself acquainted with the unobvious culture and admire all around the Manaslu Trail. Due to the conservation status of the Manaslu region as a restricted area, the following permits will be required.
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: This permit is provided by the Government of Nepal to enter the Conservation Area of Manaslu.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Since the Manaslu Circuit Trek ends in the Annapurna region you will need an ACAP permit also. This may be acquired either in Kathmandu or in Pokhara.
MCAP stands for the Manaslu Area Project, and ACAP for the Annapurna Area Conservation Project. There is an abundance of villages, forests, lakes, landscapes, and side trails at the Grand Canyon. Thus, inevitably, knowledge combined with the correct orienting sense is a top priority of any guide. Furthermore, the trail is hiked through a landslide zone. It is truly very time-consuming and requires proper trip planning and coordination.
19 Days Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Cost & Porter Fee
This is a 19-day trek itinerary to Manaslu and Tsum Valley, and it's off off-beaten trek. Porters are very helpful as they carry our luggage, which might add to our tiredness. They are our heroes who have a major role in completing our trek. Hiring a porter to trek in the Manaslu region is always fruitful. A porter is permitted to carry a weight of a maximum of 20 kg and they charge USD 20-25 per day. The Recreation Holidays Team would always recommend hiring a porter for trekking in Nepal, as it is beneficial and makes the complicated treks easy to conquer. Check our Manaslu Trek cost guide for details.
Customized Manaslu Trek Itineraries as Per Your Preferences for 2025/2026
We have no fixed Manaslu Circuit Trek itineraries because the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary is flexible and depends on the personal holiday plan, choice, plan, and budget of the trekker. We have been operating different types of treks around the Manaslu region with our experts. Our professional team is ever ready to tailor the trekking packages according to your preferences. The rich, beautiful culture and the 8th-tallest mountain in the world can be explored in 2025/2026. We are prepared to welcome you to Nepal.
Alternative Treks near the Manaslu Region
The Manaslu region is full of options other than the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You can be assured that there are so many areas that you can visit from there. So, in essence, you can add 1-2 days to your trek if you want to savor the other areas. By doing this, you can make this trek even more satisfying and exciting. Manaslu Circuit Trekking 11 Days, Tsum Valley Trek 13 Days, and Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 Days are some popular choices.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary - 19 Days
- Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
- Day 2: Public Bus from Kathmandu (1400m) to Machha Khola (890m) via Soti Khola
- Day 3: Trek from Machha Khola (890m) to Jagat (1340m)
- Day 4: Trek from Jagat (1340m) to Lokpa (2240m)
- Day 5: Trek from Lokpa (2240m) to Chumling (2386m)
- Day 6: Trek from Chumling (2386m) to Rachen Gompa (3240m)
- Day 7: Trek from Rachen Gompa (3240m) to Nile (3361m) up to Mu Gumpa (3700m)
- Day 8: Trek from Nile (3361m) to Chumling (2386m)
- Day 9: Trek from Chumling (2386m) to Deng (1860m)
- Day 10: Trek from Deng (1860m) to Namrung (2630m)
- Day 11: Trek from Namrung (2630m) to Lho (3180m)
- Day 12: Trek from Lho (3180m) to Samagaon (3520m)
- Day 13: Trek from Samagaon (3520m) to Samdo (3860m)
- Day 14: Acclimatization Day at Samdo (3875m)
- Day 15: Trek from Samdo (3860m) to Larkya Phedi (4480m)
- Day 16: Trek from Larkya Phedi (4480m) to Bimthang (3720m) by crossing Larkya La Pass (5160m)
- Day 17: Trek from Bimthang (3720m) to Dharapani (1963m)
- Day 18: Drive Back to Kathmandu (1400m) via Besi Sahar (807m) from Dharapani (1963m)
- Day 19: Final Departure or onward to the next destination