Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with 20 days Itinerary

  • Duration 20
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Starts at
  • Ends at
  • Meals
  • Accommodation Tea House
  • Max. Altitude 5,364M
  • Activity Trekking , Hiking & Exploring
  • Group Type Private
  • Group Size 1+
  • Best Season Sep, March, June,
Highlights
  • View of the Eighth World’s Highest Mountain: Manaslu which is a beauty beyond description
  • Buddhist Pilgrimage site: Tsum Valley adds the charm with its traditional Buddhist cum Tibetan culture
  • Traditional lifestyle untouched by modernity
  • Rich of the wildlife: Himalayan Thar, Blue Sheep, Leopard, and other more than 100 animal species

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with 20 days Itinerary Overview

The Manaslu Valley Trek is more remote and spectacular than many, with rough steep tracks and limited accommodation during the trek. It is culturally fascinating with strong continuing links to Tibet in the upper Buri Gandaki (called Nupri ‘the western mountains’) and the Tsum Valley, and even has the Larkya La (5100m) as a challenge. The views of Mt Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, are marvelous and close.
 
There is a limited backup in case of an emergency and it is probably not a good place to go if you have a fear of heights, since tracks can be narrow and hang out over the valley in places. The trek around Manaslu can be done as a lodge trek except for the night before the Larkya La (although a tent should be carried in case the simple lodges are full elsewhere) while Tsum requires a tent or homestays organised in advance and there are only two lodges at present (and very few functioning toilets and no showers/bathrooms) but every year they have better than better  facilities  accommodation and foods 
 
The remote Tsum Valley side trip should not be missed. In nine trips to Nepal, this was the absolute highlight, with strong, friendly, hospitable people, a living Buddhist culture, and untouched wildlife because of Buddhist prohibitions on hunting. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid and we can only agree. The people are poor since they have been bypassed by development for centuries, but this means their unique culture has remained intact.
 
My Client (Nepal guide GuideInfo team ) said: “Tsum Valley was FANTASTIC. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be very different from where we’d already been but as soon as we made that right turn off the main track it suddenly seemed we were entering a hidden valley full of untouched forest so beautiful we called it the Garden of Eden.”
 
I guided this route in November  2023 with another two couples and two porters. We took 18 days (11 days for the Manaslu part and 7 days for Tsum) although it can be done in more or less. In particular, there are lots of ways to see Tsum Valley – this is what we did. The skies would be clearer in September-October.
 
Hassles and costs: A special Restricted Area permit is required for Manaslu and a separate one for Tsum. These permits require that you have a registered guide and a party of two or more. The Manaslu fees are September – November $US70 $US50 for the first week (then $US10 per day) or December – August $US50 for the first week (then $US7 per day). For Tsum the same periods apply but the fee is $US 35 for the first week. In addition, you will need a TIMS card (Trekker’s Information Management System), so you’ll need 8 photos for all this. In addition, you will need to pay both the Manaslu Conservation Area Park (MCAP) fee (Rs2000) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Park (ACAP) fee (Rs2000) for the section from Dharapani to Besisahar after you join the round-Annapurna trail. So you might as well farewell tour guides in Dharapani and add the round-Annapurna leg, exiting down the Kali Gandaki as we did, making it a 35-day trek in total.
 
Shangri-La Maps have just released a 1:100,000 map of the Tsum Valley, available in Kathmandu, which covers the Manaslu trail from Arughat Bazar to Ghap and all the Tsum Valley, although with some mistakes (eg there are no hot springs at Lokpa).
 
Lodges are often local bhattisbattles with only dal bhat on offer and hard beds above the smoky kitchen, although you can raise porridge, tsampa, noodles, omelet, and roti at most places.
 
While simple, they are clean and friendly for the most part. There are small shops in most villages with limited stock (soap, toilet paper, batteries, bottled water, biscuits, noodles, beer, whisky). Fleas can be an issue.
 
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek – 20 Day is There are signs in most villages pointing Awards to Larkya La, with times to the next village that are usually accurate. The Tsum is similarly marked. Since many people don’t know where there are lodges, and since there were neither maps nor track notes for Tsum before, here is some current information that we hope will make the route more popular and so help improve the number and standard of the lodges.

1. Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all clients undertaking any trip. It should provide adequate security for the full duration of the tour to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, and, loss of luggage. Make sure that your insurance policy covers up to 2500-5000 meters of altitude more info please drop a mail

2. Packing List

Sunglasses
Sun-Cream and Lip Balm with high SPF
Hat/Cap
T-shirts, Vests, and Shirt
Fleece/Sweater
Fleece Jacket
Down Jacket
Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
Warm Gloves
Hiking Boots
3-4 pairs of socks
Day pack (30-40 liters)
Torchlight
Water bottle (Minimum 2 liters)
Small Hand Towel
Sleeping Bag for up to -15 Degree Celsius

Day to Day Itinerary
Expand all +

  • Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

  • Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (8-9 hours).

  • Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola (6-7 hours).

  • Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (6-7 hours).

  • Trek from Jagat to Deng (6-7 hours).

  • Trek from Deng to Namrung (6-7 hours).

  • Trek from Namrung to Samagaon (6-7 hours).

  • Rest and acclimatize in Samagaon, explore the village and surrounding areas.

  • Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (4-5 hours).

  • Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala/Larkya Phedi (4-5 hours).

  • Cross the challenging Larkya La Pass and trek to Bimthang (8-9 hours).

  • Trek from Bimthang to Tilije (5-6 hours).

  • Trek from Tilije to Dharapani (5-6 hours).

  • Trek from Dharapani to Jagat (6-7 hours).

  • Trek from Jagat to Lokpa, entrance to the Tsum Valley (6-7 hours).

  • Trek from Lokpa to Chumling (5-6 hours).

  • Trek from Chumling to Chokhangparo (4-5 hours).

  • Trek from Chokhangparo to Nile/Chule, visit the Milarepa Piren Phu Cave (5-6 hours).

  • Trek from Nile/Chule to Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the region (3-4 hours).

  • Trek from Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa and then back to Chumling (6-7 hours).
Altitude Chart

Our team guides, porters and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Cost Includes
  • Airport-hotel-airport pick and drop by private car/van
  • 2 nights room in peace, clean and standard hotels in Kathmandu, B&B service.
  • Well experienced, government registered, fluent English speaking and friendly guide and Porters .
  • All meals: lunch, breakfast and dinner during the trek.
  • Tea, coffee, cookies and fresh fruits during the trek.
  • Group first aid kit and water purifiers.
  • Lodge and home stay during the trek and all ground transportation
  • Food, accommodation salary of the guide & porters.
  • Manaslu special Trekking permit and MCAP permit.
  • All transportation, ACAP permit and Tsum Valley special permit
  • Nepal Planet Treks and Expedition Office service charge, government tax and vat etc.
  • Insurance and trekking gear for guide and porters.
Cost Excludes
  • Hard drinks, beverages such as coke, fanta, mineral water
  • Laundry service, toiletries and personal nature expenses.
  • Hot shower and hot water, internet and phone calls
  • Personal insurance, Nepal visa fee, international air ticket.
  • Rescue operation charge in case of emergency and laundry services.
  • Gratitude and tips for your guide, porter and driver.
  • Note: This trip can be personalized as per your requirements that meet your time frame. The trip price will be according to Deluxe, Standard, Budget and group size so please kindly
  • provide us your details for tailor made program Namaste
Departure Dates
  • We have daily departures for this trip from beginning March to May and from frist -September to mid-December. You can type in the number of passengers to book a reservation and select a date that is convenient for you. Due to group size, we never cancel a trip once you’ve made a reservation. If you would rather join the group, we will add more travelers on the selected date. You can let us know once you make a reservation or earlier.
Useful Info
TREKKING EQUIPMENT LIST FOR MANASLU TREKKING & TSUM VALLEY 
Nepal Planet Treks ( Nepal Guide info )has always been keen about safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 16 KG.
You must bring the following items:
• Hiking boots, Trekking Socks
• Trekking trousers
• Waterproof (trousers / jacket)
• Base layer shirts
• Fleece jacket
• Sunhat and Woolen hat
• Sun protection (including total bloc for lips)
• Sunglasses
• Gloves
• Head torch (spare bulb and batteries)
• Water bottles 1 Litres
• Antibacterial hand wash
• Small towel
• Daypack (25-30 Liters)
• Trekking poles
• Sleeping bag 4 or 5 season (up to – 20ºC)
• Down Jacket
• Personal First Aid Kit
Note: Walking pole, down jacket, sleeping bag etc are available on hire in Kathmandu.
We will provide you the complete equipment list details with include/ excludes in confirmation of the Trekking route and the season you are trekking in Nepal. Trekking equipment list will not vary much but need some additional precaution to stay safe, healthy and enjoy the trekking holiday in Nepal.
Nepal Guide info (Nepal Planet Treks and Expedition ) Health and Insurance advise for 2024
Manaslu & Tsum Valley Trekking
Traveling in the desolate mountainous regions is always a risky job. Weather usually remains unpredictable in these regions and the risk of avalanche and natural calamities always prevails. It is equally likely that you might be the victim of High altitude sickness. Also, there exists the chance of physical injuries while following the difficult route. In these cases, you will have to bear the cost of expensive emergency treatment and rescue if you have not already made travel insurance with any of the secure travel insurance companies. Major costs that will be covered by travel insurance include helicopter rescue cost and treatment costs.
So, Nepal Planet Treks & Expedition (Nepal Guide Info) advise you to get insured before joining the trekking package. Read well all the terms and conditions of the insurance company that is offering travel insurance and notify them of the trekking itinerary and activities that we are offering at Nepal Planet Treks & Expedition ( Nepal Guide info ) so that complication may not arise in future if in case you need to claim your insurance. Your insurance should cover emergency helicopter rescue and medical expenses if you are taking the climbing and expedition package. If you are intending to join the trekking in urban areas, insuring for helicopter rescue will not be compulsory. Since Helicopter Rescue is impossible in Tibet, you need not insure yourself for helicopter rescue while trekking in Tibet. It is better if your insurance policy covers such conditions like trip cancellation because your deposits will not be refunded in case of cancellation.
Remember to bring the insurance certificate along with you if you are insured.
Although we do not provide insurance service, we have mentioned some of the leading travel insurance companies from across the globe below:
For Travelers from USA and Canada:
Online Global Health insurance www.onlineglobalhealthinsurance.com
Insure My Trip.com www.insuremytrip.com
Access America www.accessamerica.com
HCC Medical Insurance Services www.mnui.com
Good Neighbor Insurance www.gninsurance.com
Travel Assist www.travelassistnetwork.com
For Travelers from England:
First Assist Services Limited http://firstassist.co.uk
Harrison Beaumont www.hbinsurance.co.uk
Buy cheap travel insurance www.insureandgo.com
For Travelers from Europe and Slovenia:
Assistance CORIS www.coris.ci
For Travelers from Australia and New Zealand:
Cover More Travel Insurance www.covermore.com.au
CGU Insurance Limited www.cgu.com.au
World Care Travel Insurance salesw@worldcare.com.au
For Travelers from South Africa:
Travel Insurance Consultants Pty. Ltd www.tic.co.za

 

FAQs
  • The best time to do the trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is generally stable, and the views are clear.

  • Yes, a special restricted area permit is required for the Manaslu region, including the Tsum Valley. You also need to be accompanied by a registered guide for this trek.

  • The trek is considered to be moderately challenging. The high altitude and long days of walking can be physically demanding, but the stunning landscapes and cultural experiences make it worth the effort.

  • Accommodation is in tea houses along the route. These are basic lodges with shared rooms and common bathrooms. The facilities may be more basic in the Tsum Valley compared to the main Manaslu Circuit.

  • You need a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, a Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for this trek.

  • No, you must be accompanied by a registered guide for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. Independent trekking is not allowed in this area.

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Max. Height: 5,364M
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