The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek combines two of Nepal’s most extraordinary restricted-area routes into a single 21-day journey. The Manaslu Circuit — a complete loop around the eighth-highest peak on earth — is joined by the Tsum Valley, a hidden Himalayan valley tucked against the Tibet border that most trekkers in Nepal will never see.
The route follows the classic Manaslu Circuit through the Budhi Gandaki gorge, past the Tibetan-influenced villages of Samagaon and Samdo, and over Larkya La Pass at 5,106m. Before reaching the upper circuit, the trail diverts north into the Tsum Valley — a deeply sacred corridor branching off near Philim. Villages like Chhule, Nile, and Mu Gompa carry an unbroken thread of Tibetan Buddhist practice untouched by commercial tourism.
Three core permits are shared between both routes — RAP, MCAP, and ACAP — with one additional Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit required. Together, they create the most complete Manaslu region experience available.
This trek is for those who want the full picture — the gorge, the pass, the glaciers, and the hidden valley most people never find.
Mountain Hike Nepal handles all permits and logistics. The itinerary can be customized to adjust pacing or add acclimatisation days.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Trip Name | Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek |
| Duration | 20 Nights / 21 Days |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,106m — Larkya La Pass |
| Tsum Valley Max Altitude | 3,700m — Mu Gompa |
| Trek Difficulty | Challenging (Two Restricted Areas, High-Altitude Pass) |
| Trek Start Point | Machha Khola (from Kathmandu) |
| Trek End Point | Dharapani (Besisahar road) |
| Best Season | Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November) |
| Low Season | Winter — cold, pass possible with preparation |
| Not Recommended | Monsoon (July–August) |
| Accommodation | Teahouse Lodges throughout |
| Meals Included | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (during trek) |
| Trek Style | Guided Combined Restricted Area Trek |
| Region | Manaslu Conservation Area + Tsum Valley + Annapurna Conservation Area |
Kathmandu → Machha Khola → Jagat → Philim → Lokpa → Chhule → Nile → Mu Gompa → Rachen Gompa → Philim → Deng → Namrung → Lho → Samagaon → Samdo → Dharamsala → Larkya La Pass → Bimthang → Dharapani → Kathmandu
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek exists because two of Nepal’s most remarkable restricted-area routes happen to share the same approach corridor — and combining them takes only 7 additional days beyond the standard circuit.
Tsum Valley is not a detour. It is a destination in its own right. The valley was opened to foreign trekkers only in 2008 and receives a fraction of the visitors that even the main Manaslu Circuit sees. The villages here — Chhule, Nile, and Mu Gompa — exist at a cultural remove from the outside world that is increasingly rare anywhere in the Himalayas. Monasteries are active. The old trade routes to Tibet are still walked by local families. The landscape is wide, high, and genuinely wild.
The Manaslu Circuit gives you the gorge, the Tibetan villages, and Larkya La. The Tsum Valley gives you the hidden sanctuary that most Himalayan trekkers never reach. Together, they make the most complete trekking experience the Manaslu region offers.
This trek is not recommended for first-time Himalayan trekkers. Prior high-altitude experience above 4,000m and previous multi-week trekking experience are both strongly recommended.
The Tsum Valley section requires a guide who knows the route intimately — teahouse availability is thinner here than on the main circuit, and trail junctions are less clearly marked. Mountain Hike Nepal guides the Tsum Valley extension regularly and knows the current conditions on the ground.
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✅ All ground transportation — Kathmandu to Machha Khola and Dharapani to Kathmandu (local jeep/bus)
✅ All trekking accommodation in local teahouse lodges (twin-sharing basis)
✅ All meals during the trek — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, including morning tea or coffee
✅ Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide with Manaslu and Tsum Valley route knowledge
✅ One strong local porter (1 porter per 2 trekkers, maximum load 18 kg)
✅ All required permits — Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit
✅ Chumnubri Rural Municipality local fee
✅ Guide and porter wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, and local transport
✅ Necessary staff equipment and full logistical support
✅ All applicable government taxes and service charges
❌ International airfare to and from Nepal
❌ Nepal entry visa fee (available on arrival — USD 50 for 30 days)
❌ Travel and medical insurance (must cover high-altitude trekking above 5,000m and emergency helicopter evacuation)
❌ Personal trekking gear, equipment, and medications
❌ Hotel and meals in Kathmandu before and after the trek
❌ Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging on the trail (available for a small fee at most teahouses)
❌ Alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks, snacks, and personal expenses
❌ Tips for guide and porter (customary and appreciated)
❌ Additional accommodation or meals due to early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes
❌ Any costs arising from natural events, weather delays, road conditions, or circumstances beyond our control
Altitude: 930m | Drive: 8–9 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Machha Khola
The journey begins with a long drive west from Kathmandu, following the Prithvi Highway before turning north into the Budhi Gandaki river corridor. The road passes through market towns, terraced farming villages, and increasingly remote hillside communities as it pushes deeper into the Gorkha district.
Machha Khola sits at 930m beside the river — a small cluster of teahouses that marks the operational start of both the Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley routes. Use the evening to check gear, confirm permits with your guide, and rest before the first walking day. The combined 21-day route ahead demands respect from the very first morning.
Altitude: 1,340m | Trek: 22 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Jagat
The first full day on the trail follows the Budhi Gandaki river upstream through riverside villages, suspension bridges, sal forests, and rocky cliff sections where the gorge begins to narrow. The trail passes through Kholabesi, Tatopani, and Dobhan before climbing to Jagat.
Jagat is the first official checkpoint on the Manaslu restricted area route. Your guide handles the permit check — have your documents accessible from this point onward. Furthermore, Jagat is where the road network ends and the true trail begins. From here, the outside world stays behind for the next 19 days.
Altitude: 1,590m | Trek: 14 km | Walking Time: 5–6 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Philim
The trail continues north through the narrowing gorge, crossing the Budhi Gandaki on suspension bridges and passing through the village of Sirdibas before reaching Philim. This is a key junction on the combined route — from Philim, the Tsum Valley trail branches northeast while the main Manaslu Circuit continues north.
Philim is a relatively large village by Manaslu standards — well-stocked teahouses, reliable permit checkpoint, and a good place to confirm the route plan with your guide. Tomorrow the trail enters the Tsum Valley and the more remote section of the combined trek begins.
Altitude: 2,040m | Trek: 16 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Lokpa
Leaving the main Manaslu Circuit trail behind, the route turns northeast at Philim and begins climbing into the Tsum Valley corridor. The trail follows the Shiar Khola river upstream through dense forest and scattered farming settlements before reaching Lokpa — the gateway village to the lower Tsum Valley.
The landscape begins to change today. The subtropical gorge character of the lower Budhi Gandaki gives way to a wider, higher valley with a distinctly more Tibetan feel. Prayer flags appear more frequently. Stone walls mark boundaries between yak pastures. The pace of life slows noticeably. Consequently, the sense of entering a genuinely separate world begins here.
Altitude: 2,380m | Trek: 12 km | Walking Time: 5–6 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Chhule
The trail climbs through the lower Tsum Valley past the village of Ngawal before reaching Chhule — a traditional stone settlement where the valley’s Tibetan Buddhist identity is fully visible for the first time. Mani walls, chortens, and prayer wheels line the main path through the village.
Chhule sits at the base of the wider Tsum Valley floor, with the first high snow peaks visible at the valley head. The teahouses here are simple but warm, run by families whose connection to this valley goes back generations. Furthermore, the quietness of the trail is striking — the Tsum Valley sees a fraction of the visitors the main Manaslu Circuit receives.
Altitude: 2,940m | Trek: 10 km | Walking Time: 5–6 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Nile
Today the valley opens dramatically. The trail crosses the Shiar Khola and climbs through open meadows and forested hillsides to Nile — one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in the Tsum Valley. The views of the surrounding snow peaks from Nile are exceptional and completely unobstructed.
Nile village has a small but significant monastery that is worth visiting on arrival. Additionally, the route above Nile toward Mu Gompa is clearly visible from the village — the high ridge ahead marks the upper limit of the Tsum Valley accessible to trekkers. Tomorrow delivers the valley’s finest destination.
Altitude: 3,700m | Trek: 8 km | Walking Time: 4–5 hours | Ascent: +760m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Mu Gompa
Mu Gompa is the heart of the Tsum Valley — and the reason the valley has become a destination for trekkers seeking something beyond the standard Nepal circuit experience. The monastery complex sits at 3,700m at the head of the valley, backed by the high ridgeline that forms the Nepal-Tibet border.
The monastery is active, ancient, and deeply atmospheric. Monks and nuns resident here maintain a practice lineage that stretches back centuries. The surrounding landscape — open, windswept, and ringed by snow peaks — creates a silence that is difficult to find anywhere else in Nepal. Most trekkers describe Mu Gompa as one of the most moving places they have visited in the Himalayas. Furthermore, it is one of the least visited significant monasteries in the country.
Altitude: 3,700m | Rest and Exploration Day | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Mu Gompa
Today has no fixed destination — it is a day for exploring the upper Tsum Valley at your own pace. The two main options are a visit to Rachen Gompa and a ridge walk toward the Tibet border.
Rachen Gompa is a 19th-century nunnery located a short walk above Mu Gompa — one of the finest working nunneries in the Manaslu region. The nuns are welcoming to respectful visitors and the monastery’s setting against the high peaks is extraordinary.
The Tibet border ridge above Mu Gompa is reachable on a half-day walk and provides views across the plateau that few trekkers ever see from this angle. Additionally, this ridge walk provides valuable altitude preparation for the Larkya La crossing later in the itinerary.
Altitude: 2,380m | Trek: 18 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Descent: -1,320m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Chhule
The descent from Mu Gompa retraces the Tsum Valley trail south. The descent is long but straightforward — the valley floor guides you clearly back through Nile and down to Chhule. Trekking poles are recommended for the sustained downhill sections.
Furthermore, the return through the valley feels different from the ascent. The views shift, the light falls differently, and the villages you passed on the way up carry more meaning now that you know where the trail leads. By the time Chhule appears, the Tsum Valley section of the combined trek is nearly complete.
Altitude: 1,590m | Trek: 16 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Descent: -790m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Philim
The final day in the Tsum Valley corridor. The trail descends back through Lokpa and the lower valley before rejoining the main Manaslu Circuit trail at Philim. The transition from the Tsum Valley’s wide, open character back to the narrow Budhi Gandaki gorge is immediate and striking.
At Philim, the combined route rejoins the standard Manaslu Circuit. From here, the main circuit trail continues north toward Deng, Namrung, and the upper circuit villages. Consequently, the next 11 days follow the classic Manaslu Circuit route to Larkya La and the descent to Dharapani.
Altitude: 2,630m | Trek: 22 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Ascent: +1,040m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namrung
Back on the main Manaslu Circuit, the trail pushes north through Deng and up the steadily climbing gorge to Namrung. This is a longer and more demanding day — the distance and altitude gain combined make it one of the harder single stages of the full combined route.
Nevertheless, the gorge scenery through this section is exceptional. Waterfalls drop from the valley walls, the trail crosses and recrosses the river on suspension bridges, and the vegetation transitions noticeably from subtropical to temperate pine forest. Namrung at 2,630m marks the beginning of the upper circuit character — more Tibetan, more alpine, more exposed to the mountains ahead.
Altitude: 3,520m | Trek: 19 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Ascent: +890m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Samagaon
A long but rewarding day that passes through Lho — with its iconic views of Manaslu’s south face and the visit to Pungyen Monastery above the village — before continuing to Samagaon. The full south face of Mount Manaslu dominates the horizon from Lho onward, growing larger with every kilometre north.
Samagaon at 3,520m is the cultural heart of the upper Manaslu Circuit. It is a deeply Tibetan community — prayer flags, early morning monastery chanting, and yak herds on the surrounding pastures. Arrive early, rest completely, and drink at least 3 litres of water. The acclimatisation day tomorrow is non-negotiable.
Altitude: 3,520m | Rest Day | Side Hike: Up to 4,800m (optional) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Samagaon
Rest and acclimatise in Samagaon. Two options for the acclimatisation hike — Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800m for a demanding 5–6 hour return with close-range views of Manaslu’s glaciers, or Birendra Lake at 3,750m for a shorter, more relaxed hike to a sacred glacial lake above the village.
Both options prepare the body for the altitude ahead. Whichever you choose, return by early afternoon, eat a full dinner, and sleep well. The remaining days of the circuit climb steadily toward Larkya La.
Altitude: 3,860m | Trek: 8 km | Walking Time: 3–4 hours | Ascent: +340m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Samdo
A short, altitude-focused walking day to Samdo — the highest permanently inhabited village on the Manaslu Circuit, sitting only kilometres from the Tibet border. In the afternoon, your guide leads a short acclimatisation walk toward the Nepal-Tibet border ridge. The views across the Tibetan plateau from this ridge are extraordinary — dry, vast, and completely unlike the lush valleys below.
Altitude: 4,460m | Trek: 9 km | Walking Time: 4–5 hours | Ascent: +600m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dharamsala
The circuit enters its most committed section today. The trail climbs through sparse high-alpine terrain to Dharamsala — also known as Larkya La Base Camp. Facilities here are basic: cold rooms, limited menus, unreliable electricity. Nevertheless, arriving in the mid-afternoon gives the body several hours to adjust before the early departure tomorrow.
Drink at least 4 litres of water. Eat a full dinner. Lay out your warmest gear and headlamp before sleeping. Most groups depart between 3am and 4am — your guide confirms the exact time based on conditions and group pace.
Altitude: 5,106m → 3,590m | Trek: 14 km | Walking Time: 8–10 hours | Ascent: +646m | Descent: -870m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Bimthang
The day the entire 21-day combined route builds toward. Departure by headlamp in the pre-dawn cold. The trail climbs through glacial moraine and snowfield to Larkya La at 5,106m — a wide, wind-scoured col surrounded by Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II.
The views from the pass on a clear morning are genuinely extraordinary. The descent drops steeply through loose scree into Bimthang — a wide glacial meadow at 3,590m. Most trekkers arrive deeply tired and deeply satisfied. The hardest section of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is behind you.
Altitude: 2,300m | Trek: 16 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours | Descent: -1,290m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Tilje
A long descent through one of the most dramatic ecological transitions on the route — from open glacial terrain at Bimthang through rhododendron and pine forest to the Marsyangdi valley near Tilje. The descent of nearly 1,300 vertical metres makes trekking poles essential. Nevertheless, the improving oxygen levels and valley scenery make this one of the most enjoyable walking days of the combined trek.
Altitude: 1,860m | Trek: 8 km | Walking Time: 4–5 hours | Descent: -440m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dharapani
The final trekking day. The trail follows the Marsyangdi river downstream through Thonje and Kobang to Dharapani — where the Manaslu circuit trail meets the Annapurna Circuit route and the restricted area officially ends. The combined trek is complete.
Use the evening to reflect on 18 days of walking — the Budhi Gandaki gorge, the hidden Tsum Valley, Mu Gompa, Samagaon, Larkya La, the descent through forest. Two restricted areas, one complete Himalayan journey.
Altitude: 1,400m | Drive: 7–8 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Stay: Hotel, Kathmandu
The return drive follows the Marsyangdi river to Besisahar before joining the Prithvi Highway back to Kathmandu. The road is considerably more comfortable than the Machha Khola route at the start of the trek. Use the drive to rest. By the time Kathmandu appears, the combined circuit is complete.
Altitude: 1,400m | Meals: Breakfast
A full rest day built into the itinerary as a buffer against weather delays, road conditions, or any unplanned rest days on the trail. If the trek completed on schedule, use this day for Thamel, souvenir shopping, the Boudhanath Stupa, or simply a long sleep and a good meal. Mountain Hike Nepal arranges any remaining logistics.
Altitude: 1,400m | Meals: Breakfast
The final day of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek package. Mountain Hike Nepal arranges airport transfer and assists with any final logistics before your onward flight.
The combined trek covered 21 days, two restricted areas, one major mountain pass, and the hidden valley that most Himalayan trekkers never reach. Nepal has a way of staying with you. This route stays longer than most.
The Tsum Valley is a remote, restricted-area valley that branches northeast off the Manaslu Circuit near Philim. It was opened to foreign trekkers only in 2008 and receives a small fraction of the visitors the main Manaslu Circuit sees. Furthermore, the valley is one of the most culturally preserved Tibetan Buddhist communities in Nepal — with active monasteries, ancient nunneries, and villages that have maintained a way of life largely unchanged for centuries. It is included because it shares the same approach trail as the Manaslu Circuit, requires only one additional permit, and adds 7 extraordinary days to the combined route.
Four permits are required: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit. Furthermore, the Chumnubri Rural Municipality local fee is collected on the trail. Mountain Hike Nepal arranges all four permits as part of the package — you are not required to visit any government office personally.
The standard Manaslu Circuit Trek takes 14 days and follows the Budhi Gandaki gorge directly to the upper circuit and Larkya La Pass. The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek adds 7 days by diverting into the Tsum Valley from Philim before rejoining the main circuit. Consequently, the combined route covers significantly more distance, visits an additional restricted area, and reaches Mu Gompa — a destination the standard circuit never reaches. The total altitude profile is similar, as the Tsum Valley maximum altitude (3,700m) is lower than Larkya La (5,106m).
No — the Tsum Valley section is actually lower in maximum altitude than the Manaslu Circuit upper sections. The most demanding sections of the combined route remain the same as the standard circuit: the approach stages above 3,000m and the Larkya La Pass crossing at 5,106m. However, the Tsum Valley section adds significant daily walking distance. Therefore the combined route demands more cumulative endurance than the circuit alone — 21 consecutive days of trekking requires solid preparation.
Autumn (September to November) offers the most stable conditions for both sections — October is the optimal single month. Spring (March to May) is the second-best season, with rhododendrons on the lower trail and good conditions at Larkya La through late April. The monsoon (July to August) is not recommended — trail flooding and poor visibility affect both the Tsum Valley and the main circuit route.
Yes — without exception. Your policy must specifically cover high-altitude trekking above 5,000m and emergency helicopter evacuation from restricted areas. The Tsum Valley and the upper Manaslu Circuit are both extremely remote — helicopter evacuation is the primary emergency option in both areas. Do not book this trek without valid insurance that explicitly covers trekking above 5,000m in Nepal’s restricted zones.
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek was very beautiful and peaceful. I loved the snowy mountains and small villages. The guide was kind and helped us every day during the trek.
