The Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek is a remote and culturally rich trek in Nepal that combines the high-altitude adventure of the Manaslu Circuit with the spiritual isolation of the Tsum Valley. This off-the-beaten-path journey offers majestic Himalayan views, Tibetan-influenced culture, ancient monasteries, and the thrill of crossing the Larkya La Pass (5,106m).
he Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek is one of Nepal’s most rewarding trekking experiences, ideal for adventure seekers looking to escape the crowds. The trek starts in the lower Budhi Gandaki Valley, ascending through lush forests, deep gorges, and traditional villages. Early in the trek, you detour into the hidden Tsum Valley, a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage site with ancient monasteries like Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa, and a culture closely linked to Tibetan Buddhism.
After exploring Tsum Valley, the trail rejoins the classic Manaslu Circuit, offering jaw-dropping views of Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth highest mountain in the world. The climax of the trek is the challenging but rewarding Larkya La Pass, which offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and glaciers before descending into the Annapurna region.
The trek is in a restricted area and requires special permits, but its isolation preserves its authenticity and raw natural beauty. With diverse landscapes, rich culture, and high mountain adventure, this trek is perfect for experienced trekkers seeking a truly immersive Himalayan journey.
The traditional Nepali Dal Bhat comes with an unlimited refill option, making it one of the most popular dishes to consume on the trek..
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One of our officials will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, upon your arrival. We will take you to the hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Pre-trip meeting will be done and you will meet with your trip guide. Make sure to confirm your queries about trekking in the mountains and gear check up
Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal, is a cultural and historical hub filled with ancient temples, bustling markets, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A typical sightseeing tour in Kathmandu includes iconic landmarks such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. These sites showcase the city's rich blend of Hindu and Buddhist heritage, exquisite architecture, and traditional art. Exploring the narrow alleys of Thamel, visiting local markets, and witnessing daily rituals and festivals provide an immersive experience of Nepali culture. A Kathmandu sightseeing tour offers a deep insight into the spiritual, historical, and urban life of Nepal.
We will start our trek by driving to Machha Khola from Kathmandu via Soti Khola in a private tourist vehicle after having breakfast. We will drive on a concrete paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi for 3 to 4 hours. After that, the road becomes bumpy and winding, and we will drive on a dirt road for approximately 5 to 7 hours to reach Machha Khola. The total drive for the day will be around 8 to 10 hours
Today, we will start our adventurous trek from Machha Khola to Jagat. We will leave the road and switch to the trails, with a long day of exposure ahead of us. It will take around an hour to reach Khorlabesi (970 m) from Machha Khola,After that, we will cross a hot spring called ‘Tatopani’. We will be walking alongside the massive Budi Gandaki River while witnessing stoats attracting birds along the riverbank and stop at ‘Dovan’ (1070 m). After a refreshing lunch, we will continue towards Yaruphat via Thulo Dhunga while passing through traditional Gurung and Magar villages, beholding their unique lifestyle and architecture. As we ascend towards higher elevations, we can witness consistently changing gorgeous landscapes as the scenery undergoes a complete transformation. We will reach Jagat (1340 m) after two more hours of an easy trail, and at the entrance lies an MCAP checkpoint where one must present their MCAP permit. We will witness the picturesque setting of the village surrounded by fields with a ‘Mani wall’ in the center, signifying the Tibetan Buddhist Culture.
Before heading to Lokpa, we register our permits for Manaslu and Tsum valley at the entry checkpoint in Jagat. Then we will climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, where we stop for a while to enjoy the views of Mount Sringi and descend to Sirdibas. At Sirdibas, we cross the longest suspension bridge in Nepal to enter Philim and continue our trek forward, reaching Ekle Bhatti and then Lokpa, the entry point of Tsum Valley. This village is the first village in the Tsum valley that allows us to view the beautiful Manaslu range. This village is isolated and said to have been blessed by Padmashamva centuries ago.
The day starts with a trek from Lokpa village, the route to Tsum Valley, although the actual entrance to Tsum Valley begins from a deep slender, and narrow gorge leading to Lokpa. From the path, you will get amazing views of the Boudha Himal (6,672m) and Ganesh Himal. The route then descends to the Lungwa river valley and progresses through a dense forest full of rhododendron, juniper, and pine. Then you will reach Gumling, and shortly afterward, you will arrive at Syar Khola, which means you have reached the village of Chumling. The short trek will leave you enough time to visit the three main monasteries of Chumling - The Panago Gompa, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gompa.
he destination for this day is Chhokangparo, and we begin early in the morning. The upper Tsum valley opens from Chhokang Paro, situated on flat land. Actually, there are two settlements in Chhokangparo, one is Chhokang, and the other is Paro. You will follow Shair Khola and reach Domje - the largest town in Tsum Valley. From Domje, you will climb uphill to reach Chhokagnparo and get stunning views of Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli. We are sure you will enjoy the local hospitality and taste their unique Tibetan tea (butter tea).
The Nile village is on the western side and is the last village north of the upper Tsum Valley. It is on the sunny side of the Shiar Khola, and you have to walk for twenty minutes to reach the Nile from Chhule. Along the way, you will pass the sacred Phiren Phu Cave, also called Pigeon Cave. People believe the Tibetan Buddhist master Milarepa meditated in this cave, and his footprints are imprinted on this cave. As you proceed, you will walk past green meadows and fertile but narrow landscapes. There are two more gumbas in this region, abundantly painted with Buddhist murals. In these Gumbas, you will find artistic scripts carved on the stones. In addition, you will also find scripts written on papers, and prayer flags make these gompas a socio-cultural asset. You will cross a suspension bridge on the Shair Khola to arrive at the Nile village.
After early morning breakfast, you will head out of Nile Village on a trail that gradually ascends to Mu Gompa - the largest monastery in this region. However, after 2 hrs of a trek from Nile village, you will first reach Dephyudonma Gumba (monastery), one of the oldest monasteries in the region, signifying the dawn of the Buddist religion in this valley. Mu Gompa, established in 1895, lies at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum Valley and contains many religious books, including Kangyur, a life-size statue of Avalokiteshwara, and portraits of Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Tara. To reach Mu Gompa, you will pass through several yak pastures and arid Trans Himalayan terrain.
Shortly after breakfast, we head to Rechen Gompa, a nunnery situated in the Shiar Khola Valley in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. You will return through Chhule and continue down as far as Phurba. Then onwards, you will take a route on the east banks of Siyar Khola through boulder-covered plains to reach Rachen Gompa. This Gompa, built in 1905, houses Ngak-pa sect nuns. The Gompa’s interior contains several murals relating to Buddhism and its history
The trek heads south, leading to Chhokangparo, on a route towards Chumling. Within two hours of the trek, you will see a small white Gompa at Gho (2,485m). From this monastery, you will descend on a path that eventually leads to a wooden bridge over Siyar Khola. After crossing this bridge, you will reach Domje, home to a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and a school. From Domje, we head east, climbing through pine, juniper, and rhododendron forest, and from the path, you will see several mani walls and prayer flags. You will ascend one more time through the silver pine forest and reach Lungdang Gompa.Especially in spring, you will get breathtaking views, complete with blooming rhododendrons from the trails. Gumba Lungdang is home to about forty nuns and is known for its intense puja, which takes place from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. From the gompa, you can enjoy beautiful and astonishing views of the mountains all around.
Today will be an exciting day as you will trek to the Ganesh Himal Base Camp. You will start the trek by ascending, but the views will reward you amply. The path takes you through smaller valleys. Few people head towards Ganesh Himal Base Camp, so the trails might not be obvious, but you should not worry, as our guides will show you the path. You will reach Ganesh Himal Base Camp in about four hours. After appreciating the views from Ganesh Himal Base Camp, you will return back to Gumba Lungdang for the night.
We head back to Lokpa. At first, you will descend to Domje, taking the upper track, crossing the Laudang Khola. From Domje, you will head south, passing beautiful dense forests and crossing suspension bridges to Ripche (2,470m). Then you will descend to Batti Ghumlong and, from there, ascend a bit to reach Lokpa.
after break today we heading back manaslu circuit main trail after half and hour descend we reach the main trail for manaslu circuit then we cross suspension bridges across the budi gandaki river we reached to pewa for water break. from pewa with in a 45mins of little ascending we reached to dyang for lunch
Today is going to be a long day compared to our previous days. Following breakfast, we will begin our hike by crossing the bridge and dropping for a little while before climbing sharply and zigzagging for 20 minutes to reach Rana village. Two hours from Rana village lies Bihi Phedi which is steeply uphill. We can witness deep-rooted Tibetan culture marked by Mani walls, monasteries, and prayer flags during the trek. The pleasant sound of the waterfall and the ancient writings in the stone, along with seasonal fields of flowering mustard are an additional bonus to this adventurous trek. We will enter a gorgeous and fairly deep forest of blue pine, oak, and rhododendron. We will pass Budi Gandaki and reach Namrung village where we will breathe a little and stay overnight.
Today is a promising day as we will be able to glimpse the Twin Manaslu Summit from the beautiful settlement of Lho (3180m). After the leisurely breakfast, we will head on to Banjam on a leveled path, followed by an hour and thirty minutes of a nearly vertical trail to Lihi. The lovely view of homes with pine shingles covering their roofs, surrounded by Ganesh Himal and Gompa will be a delight to your eyes. The crispy view of the peaks will accompany us as we head to Sho village (2880 m) from Lihi and Lamagaon, crossing the Hinan River originating from Linda Glacier. Sho Village offers easy access to Lho Gaon which will be our resting point for today.
Waking up to the stunning view of the mighty Mt. Manaslu, Manaslu North, Naike Peak, and the captivating terrains, we begin our hike by going to the Lho Ribang Monastery. Here, along with the beautiful panoramic view of the peaks, we witness the puja which includes the customary chanting and blowing of horns. Then we begin our journey to Samagaon, starting from a two-hour hike to Shyala passing through a lovely pine forest, and areas of extreme incline. Beautiful mountain ranges, including Simnang Himal (6,158 meters), Ngadi Chuli (7,613 meters), Manaslu (8,163 meters), Manaslu North (6994m) Naike Peak (6,211m) can be seen from Shyala (3,500 meters). A feeling of tranquility might also hit you as we pass through several prayer flags, chortens, and mani walls. After continuing on a downhill path for around an hour and a half, we reach Samagaon (3,520 m), which is a large and historically significant community. It is unique in its ways as the lower level of the two-storeyed homes are occupied by animals, whose heat is used by the inhabitants to reside on the top level. This beautiful village is going to be our resting spot for the next day.
We stay today at Samagaon for acclimatization and take this time to explore around and interact with the locals. Here, you will be able to learn about traditional practices such as yak herding and spinning the wool. In the course of exploring, we can either visit Pungyen Gompa and glacial Lake Birendra Tal (4-5 hours) or we can take a walk to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaon (7-8 hours). Today, we rejuvenate and prepare ourselves for the trek of the coming days.
After a relaxing day at Samagaon, we go on a primary-level trail to Samdo. It’s a short and simple trail with occasional patches of dry land where the terrain changes to resemble a desert with little vegetation. We climb up a terraced hill on the opposite bank of Budi Gandaki and cross a 30-minute steep slope to reach Samdo (3875m) and witness its unique architecture.
Starting from Samdo, we will begin a 4-hour trek to Dharamashala. The trail is level and you can slowly ascend through the barren landscape through Larkya Bazar, a former Tibetan trading post. Dharmashala, aka Larke Phedi, serves as a resting point for the challenging trek ahead. Situated at an altitude of 4,460 m, Dharmashala consists of the basic facility of food and lodging. However, be mindful of your breathing as you might start having hallucinations too
We will start as early as possible today to escape the chilly winds that might blow throughout the middle of the day at high altitudes. It is a very important and difficult day in our trekking journey as we embark on a mostly rocky trail steadily for about 3 hours. We first climb towards Cho Chanda followed by a steeply uphill journey towards the exhilarating pass. The strategy to reach Larkya La Pass (5,160 m/16,929 ft) is to go slowly and steadily. Accompanied by the phenomenal view of Himlung Himal (7,126 m/23,379 ft), Cheo Himal (6,820 m/22,375 ft), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m/22,903 ft), and Annapurna II (7,937 m/26,040 ft), we cross the steep slope descending towards Bhimthang. The tranquil valley of Bhimthang surrounded by
breathtaking vistas of verdant landscapes and snow-capped mountains.The trail transitions to a classic Nepali flat and descend through quaint villages such as Tilije and Thonje before reaching our final accommodation stop, Dharapani. Tilije is a charming settlement in a hilly region offering you to immerse yourself in the serene Gurung culture and embrace its unique traditions. We will be hiking along the route and continue following the Marsyandi River up to Dharapani, the scenic surroundings provide a perfect backdrop for reflection and appreciating the natural beauty. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time to relax, explore the village, or refresh yourself after the long trekking journey.
Today, we will embark on a scenic drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu in a private tourist vehicle. The journey will take approximately 10 to 12 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The road winds through hills and boasts stunning views of the mountains, including Mount Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Mount Manaslu, Mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Mount Lamjung, We will begin by traveling on an adventurous dirt road for about 3 to 4 hours from Dharapani to Besisahar. From there, we’ll continue on a paved concrete road to Kathmandu, ensuring a smooth, relaxing, and more comfortable ride. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will complete our journey, ending our trek with a special farewell dinner, and rest for the night.
The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you at the Kathmandu international airport for your final flight departure from Nepal.
Our team guides, porters, and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.
Below is a recommended list of gear and equipment for Manaslu circuit trek with tsum valley-24days. Most items can be purchased or rented in Kathmandu.
The trek is located in the Gorkha District of Nepal, in the northern Himalayas near the Tibetan border. It circles Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) and explores the culturally rich Tsum Valley, known for its Tibetan-influenced heritage.
The typical itinerary lasts 20–24 days, depending on the route, acclimatization days, and side trips.
It is a moderately challenging to strenuous trek, requiring good fitness. High-altitude passes like Larke La Pass (5,106m) and remote terrain make it more demanding than popular routes like Annapurna or Everest.
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) Additionally, you must be in a group of at least two trekkers with a licensed guide.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) offer the best weather, visibility, and trail conditions. Winter is cold and snowy at higher altitudes. Monsoon (June–August) brings heavy rains and landslides.
Yes. The trek reaches over 5,000 meters. Proper acclimatization, hydration, and a gradual ascent are crucial to avoid AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
Basic teahouses and lodges are available throughout the route. In Tsum Valley, the facilities are more basic and rustic.
Mobile signal is limited or nonexistent in remote areas like Tsum Valley and higher parts of Manaslu. Some lodges offer paid Wi-Fi at lower altitudes.
No. Solo trekking is not allowed in this region due to its restricted status. You must have a registered guide and trekking partner.
Teahouses serve local Nepali food like dal bhat, noodles, soups, rice, and some international dishes like pasta or pancakes. Vegetarian options are widely available.
Yes. Make sure your travel insurance covers high-altitude trekking (above 5,000m) and emergency evacuation.
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