Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Duration: 18 Day   |   Based on 1 Review
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Trip Style: Lodge base Trek
  • Transport: Private Vehicle / Tourist Bus
  • Food: Full Board Plan
  • Group Size: 2-8
  • Max Elevation: 5,416 m

Manaslu Tsum Valley trek takes you to the magical Tsum Valley, also known as the hidden valley, in the northern part of the Gorkha district. The region was closed to visitors up until 2008 when it was finally opened for group trekkers. Special permits are directly issued by the government of Nepal for those wishing to visit the region.

Tsum Valley joins Tibet to its north and has a geographical feature much like Tibet with the arid landscape. In fact, the people living here are of Tibetan ancestry and follow Tibetan Buddhist culture. Ancient and medieval Buddhist gompas, Chortens, mani walls, and caves adorned the Tsum Valley. Polyandry is a unique cultural practice only found in Tsum Valley however that is fast changing with the pace of migration and modernism. You can visit several ancient Buddhist Gompas of the region including the popular Milarepa Cave, Rachen Gompa, and Mu Gompa. The towering presence of Mt. Manaslu known as Mt. Kutang (8163m), the eighth-highest mountain in the world, over the region is a sight not to be missed. Manaslu Tsum Valley trekking takes you to the base camp of Mt. Manaslu at 4800m while magnificent views of many Himalayan peaks such as Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal. The highest point reached along the trek is the Larkya La at 5,106 meters. The trekking offers a rare opportunity to experience a variety of ecological treasures from temperate and alpine forests and terraced green fields to deep gorges, waterfalls, and glacial rivers.

The Combine Manaslu circuit with Tsum Valley is recommended to trek with professional local trekking companies that are well-known for the local people, culture, and language. Our field staff is carried from the Manaslu region and is very much friendly with their local language and customs. Join us for your memorable holiday. After the accomplishment of the Larke La pass, trek down to Dharapani then we transfer to Kathmandu or Pokhara by bus. One can continue to Annapurna Circuit from Dharapani if you wish.

Highlights

  • Experience Tibetan and Buddhism Culture
  • Spectacular views of Manaslu, Ganesh, Sringi and Boudha Himal
  • Trek to Manaslu Base Camp and cross Larkya La pass (5106m)
  • Visit Milarepa Cave, Mu Gumba and Rachen Gumba in Tsum valley

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Drive From Kathmandu to Machekhola 9,00 m./3,050 ft./160 km./100 miles/8 hrs.

Your adventure journey begins with a dot road drive to Soti Khola and Machekhola.  The first four hours to Dhading Besi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1,050 m), and further to Taribesi is on paved roads, but for the section to Machekhola, we will be driving on a rougher surface. This is a scenic drive with a diverse landscape. You will have great experience with the scenic drive. Overnight at Machhekhola with the pleasant sound of river.

Distance Cover: 160 km/100 miles

Altitude Descend: 450 m.

Driving Duration: 8 hrs.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner

  • Full board
  • Hotel Tsum Valley/Hotel Everest(Attached Bath)
  • 9,00 m./3,050 ft.

After crossing the Machha River and Khrolabesi, we will pass through the hot springs at Tatopani. The trail follows a forested area until we cross the Dovan Khola from where we will make our way to the Budhi Gandaki Valley. With white sandy areas along the riverside, the scenery undergoes a drastic transformation as the elevation increases until we reach Jagat.

Distance Cover: 22 km/13 miles

Altitude gain: 450 m.

Walking Duration: 6 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Himalayan Tourist Guest House(Attached Bath)
  • 1,840 m./5,915 ft.

In Jagat, we have to complete the MCAP/ACAP procedure. In the early part of our trek, we ascend over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descend to Sirdibas through a flat, level path. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long, simple hanging bridge and climb up to Philim. It is a big village, mainly inhabited by the Gurungs. Philim valley is well known for its Japanese-made schools and police stations. As we walk past Philim to the north across a forest with views of the narrowing valley, we reach Chisopani and Lokpa.

Distance Cover: 15 km/9.30 miles

Altitude Gain: 400 m.

Walking Duration: 6 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Lokpa Guest House/ Tsum Guest House
  • 2,240 m./7,347 ft.

Chumling is a small, beautiful Buddhist village with a great Himalayan view. The Monastery is so beautiful, with a colorful prayer flag and stone carved Mantra. The path is quite zikjaking with up-and-downhill walking.

Distance Cover: 10 km/6.25 miles

Altitude Gain: 350 m.

Walking Duration: 6 hrs.


  • Full Board
  • Hotel Tibet/Hotel Tashi Delek
  • 2,586 m./7,826 ft.

After breakfast at Chumling, we carry out our walk towards Chokhangparo by crossing the suspension bridge on the opposite bank of the river. The scenic views of the valley and views of Ganesh Himal amply compensate today’s walk. Cross a huge slip where rocks and flood, Up the valley to the east are superb views of several of the 7,000 m.7,400 m. Ganesh Himal, of long suspension bridges on the opposite bank, and far above the perched village of Ripchet (2,468 m). Passing through Rainjam acrossing Serpu Khola we climb for over two hours on well-graded but exposed track to upper Tsum and the join villages of Chokhangparo, stone houses with a few iron roofs nestled under cliffs. Chokhangparo is situated on flat land and consists of 2 settlements, Chokhang and Paro. You will have the best view of Himalchuli (7,893 m.) and Ganesh Himal (7,140 m.). Some households practice polyandry down here. This area is prominent for its Tibetan Buddhist heritage. Overnight at the guest house.

Distance Cover: 10 km/6.25 miles

Altitude Gain: 450 m.

Walking Duration: 6 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Karma Guest House Or Similar
  • 3,010 m./9,872 ft.

Ascending from Chokhangparo, you might get symptoms of Altitude sickness. So, we recommend you take precaution for it and drink plenty of water in order to keep yourself hydrated. We head east through small villages and pass a local school. The magnificent view here pauses our trekking and makes us stop in honor of the amazing nature. Gradually climbing over a ridge of Chortens, we pass Lama Gaon (3,202 m) through the flat fields, looking across the extensive crops and river to the huge courtyard of the Rachen Gompa/Nunnery Gompa (3,240 m) The friendly people speak Tsumba, related to Tibetan, but often little Nepali and are quite unused to visitors. We can also make a small visit and then cross the Shiyar Khola, pass through hamlets of Phurbe (3,251 m) and Pangdun (3,258 m) and pass an unusual round stupa before reaching the larger village of Chhule (3,347 m) through an impressive entrance gate.  Heading upstream to cross the bridge and climb to the Nile (pronounced Nee-lay). The Nile is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum valley. This area is massively deforested. Overnight at the guest house

Distance Cover: 12 km/7.50 miles

Altitude Gain: 350 m.

Walking Duration: 5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Norling Guest House or Similar
  • 3,361 m./11,024 ft.

Today we make the day hike to Mu and back. We are now almost close to the Tibetan border. Walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. This Mu Gompa is the largest monastery in the region. The Gompa lies at the highest and most remote part of the Tsum Valley. 

Distance Cover: 7 km/4.35 miles

Altitude Gain: 440 m.

Walking Duration: 5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Mu Gompa
  • 3,700 m./12,136 ft.

We return same way to Chumling, 7–8 hrs. As you are coming back, the hike seems like easy and smooth. Once you are back to Chumling, you have a chance to take hot showers and warm dining with a variety of food. 

Distance Cover: 15 km./9.35 miles

Altitude Descend: 1,332 m.

Walking Duration: 6 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Tashi Delek/Hotel Tibet
  • 2,368 m./7,862 ft.

Today, the path is descending all the way to Budi Gandaki river through the forest. We should cross a couple of bridges to reach the Deng. Of course, we will stop at Lokpa for lunch. Once we cross the Budi Gandaki, the trail is quite long. Deng is a small settlement with certain facilities at the Guest House.

Distance Cover: 20 km/12.50 miles

Altitude Descend: 500 m.

Walking Duration: 8 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Windy Valley
  • 1,860 m./6,100 ft.

We scramble steeply up onto a spectacular trail and descend to cross the river. We pass through some small settlements and then ascend to an impressive valley. There we encounter Mani stones (prayer stones) carved into wayside rocks, a sign that we are entering a Tibetan territory. In the afternoon, we make an excursion to the small settlement of Prok, a two-hour round trip.

Distance Cover: 17 km/11 miles

Altitude Gain: 1,040 m.

Walking Duration: 6 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner


  • Full Board
  • Namrung Guest House/Hotel Thakali
  • 2,900 m./9,512 ft.

Continuing from Namrung the trek climbs steadily into the alpine, where you’ll see a first stunning glimpse of Manaslu North and Manaslu. From this point on, many of the locals dress in traditional Tibetan clothing called chubas.

Distance Cover: 11 km/7 miles

Altitude Gain: 300 m.

Walking Duration: 5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner


  • Full Board
  • Hotel Tashi Delek/Hoel Majestic(Attached Bath)
  • 3,180 m./10,430 ft.

We pass the stone gate and the long Mani stone wall of the village after Lho, with a full view of Peak 29 ahead. You can make a side excursion to Pungen to get a very close up view of Manaslu from here. The trail follows a lateral moraine of Pungen towards Sama. It takes another 20 minutes to reach Sama Gompa from there for a night halt.

Distance Cover: 11 km/7 miles

Altitude Gain: 320 m.

Walking Duration: 5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Norling/ Gurung Hotel(Attached Bath)
  • 3,500 m./11,480 ft.

This day has been set aside for acclimatization. An option for full or half day walks has been set aside. The full-day walk is towards Manaslu Base Camp (approximately a 6-7-hour round trip). Alternatively, there are half day walks, either across the valley or to Birendra Kale.

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Norling/ Gurung Lodge(Attached Bath)
  • 3,500 m./11,480 ft.

We cross pasture areas and gradually ascend to the valley. Fantastic views of the mountains, especially Manaslu, are ahead of us as we reach Samdo (3,860 m), a Tibetan refugee village. This remote village is only a day’s walk from the Tibetan border. In the afternoon, we will explore the village and the surrounding hills.

Distance Cover: 10 km/6 miles

Altitude Gain: 200 m.

Walking Duration: 4 hours.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner


  • Full Board
  • Hotel Yak/ Hotel Sambala
  • 3,690 m./12,103 ft.

After crossing a couple of streams, we’ll reach the Larkya Bazaar. This is a village which thrived from trade with Tibet years ago. After a steady climb, we will arrive at our lodge at, 4,450 m./14,596 ft.

Distance Cover: 12 km./8 miles

Altitude Gain: 760 m.

Walking Duration: 5 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full board
  • Hotel New Tibet/ Hotel Larky-La(bassic lodge)
  • 4,550 m./14,596 ft.

We climb Cho Chanda and then slowly head uphill towards the steep, snowed-up pass. The panorama from the top is magnificent: Himlung Himal (7,126m./23,373 ft.), Cheo Himal (6,820 m./22,370 ft.), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m./22,897 ft.) and the Annapurna II (7,937 m./26,033 ft.). The descent is steep, through moraines, to Bhimphedi.

Distance Cover: 24 km./15 miles

Altitude Gain: 670 m.

Walking Duration: 8 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Puker/Hotel Tibet(Attached Bath)
  • 3,590 m./17,121 ft.

With a gentle climb through paddy fields, we head towards the small Karcha La pass. The trail descends through fig trees and rhododendron forests to Darapani

Distance Cover: 17 km/10 miles

Altitude Descend: 1,290 m.

Walking Duration: 7 hrs.

  • Full Board
  • Hotel Gorkha Inn
  • 2,300 m./7,544 ft.

Morning, hike down to Dharapani which takes around two hours. Once we reach Dharapani, we need to cheek out the stamp on the permit at the ACAP office counter. We take a jeep to Beshishahar and a bus to Kathmandu. It is a long but beautiful drive, as you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the surroundings.

  • Full board
  • Hotel
  • 1,350 m./4,428 ft.

What's included

  • Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport picks up and drops off.
  • Experienced English Speaking Trekking Guide with equipment.
  • Manaslu Conservation Entry Permit (MCAP)
  • Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit for 8 days
  • Manaslu Restricted Area Permit for one week
  • TIMS (Trekker Information Management System)
  • Land transportation to and from by Bus
  • 17-Night Tea House Accommodation in the Mountain.
  • Full board Meals while trekking (breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)  
  • Safe Drinking Water (boiled) while on the trek 
  • Friendly and professional porter for every two clients (ratio-1:2 clients)
  • Insurance of Nepalese Guide and Porter.
  • Company Token of Love T-shirt
  • Farewell Dinner at the end of the trip
  • Nepal Entry Visa, Visa can obtain at Kathmandu International Airport on your upon arrival. Cost 30 USD, 50 USD, and 125 USD for 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days respectively 
  • Personal expenses, Hot and cold drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
  • Personal Insurance, Travel Insurance
  • Tips to Guide and Porter, 
  • Food in Kathmandu in case of early arrival or late departure than the scheduled itinerary. 
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early return back from the Mountain than scheduled Itinerary.
  • Personal equipment for the Trek.
  • Emergency evacuation by Helicopter ( cost should be paid by your insurance company)
Request a Private Date

Useful Info

Group discount is available so please contact us. In case of weather conditions, and natural calamities if the trek is disturbed then we offer you the alternative trek.

Group Size, guide, and crew member:

We organize Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking for 2 people to a maximum of 8 people at once. Your trek guide is certified and experienced and has huge knowledge about Mountain, Flora and fauna, AMS, Local culture, and customs. If your group size is less than 8 people then there will be one guide and if more than that then there will be 2 guides. 

Trek as an Individual, Private Group, or Join a Scheduled Trek:

Global Adventure Trekking specializes in organizing treks for individuals, couples, and small groups. You can trek by yourself as a private group on the date you select without paying an additional cost, or you can choose to join a small group that is scheduled during your preferred time frame. We also now and then arrange groups on dates other than those shown on this schedule so feel free to contact us to inquire about other possible dates for group treks that you might be able to join.

Personal expenses on the trek:

The daily expenditure in Kathmandu will be about 5-10 USD per meal. However, it depends on how much and where you eat. On the trek, your daily expenditure will be about 5-10 USD per day for souvenirs and drinks.

Tips are expected from your support team after the trek. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. It depends on the services they deliver to you along the trek.

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