Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Trip Overview

The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek sits in a different category from most Nepal trekking routes. Both sections fall inside restricted areas that require special permits and a licensed guide, which keeps annual trekker numbers significantly lower than the Everest or Annapurna regions. The Tsum Valley opened to foreign trekkers only in 2008, and the Manaslu Circuit has carried restricted area status since 1991. You are walking through communities that have had limited outside contact for most of their history.

The route follows the Budhi Gandaki River north through Gorkha District, rising steadily through terraced farmland and dense forest before entering the high-altitude terrain of the Manaslu Conservation Area. The Tsum Valley branches northeast from Lokpa into a Tibetan Buddhist enclave that still sees a fraction of the visitor numbers on standard Nepal circuits. From Chumling on Day 10, the trail rejoins the Manaslu Circuit at Deng (also written as Dyang) and climbs through the Nubri villages of Namrung, Lho, and Sama Gaun toward the high alpine terrain above Samdo.

The trek covers two culturally distinct regions in one continuous itinerary. The Tsum Valley is home to the Tsumba people, a Tibetan-origin community that maintains its own dialect, religious traditions, and agricultural practices. The Manaslu Circuit section passes through Nubri villages where Tibetan Buddhism is equally present, but the landscape opens toward the glaciated terrain around Sama Gaun and Samdo. Ancient gompas, mani walls, and chortens appear throughout both sections, with Mu Gompa (3,700m) and Ribung Gompa above Lho among the most significant active monastery sites on the route.

The high point is Larkya La Pass at 5,106m (16,752ft), crossed on Day 17 in a single eight- to nine-hour day starting before dawn from Dharmasala (4,460m) (also spelled as Dharamsala). Views from the summit take in Himlung Himal (7,126m), Cheo Himal (6,820m), Kanguru (6,981m), and the Manaslu massif behind you. The descent to Bhimthang (3,590m) (also spelled as Bimthang) is long and steep before the trail levels into high alpine meadows above the village.

Total active trekking covers 16 days at an average of five to seven hours per day, with Day 17 the longest at eight to nine hours. No technical climbing is required anywhere on the route. The combination of altitude, consecutive long walking days, and basic tea house facilities in the upper Tsum Valley means prior high-altitude trekking experience and good baseline fitness are both necessary before you book.

Who This Trek Is For

Suits you if:

• You have completed at least one multi-day trek above 4,000m and felt comfortable at that altitude
• You want a longer, less crowded alternative to the standard Manaslu Circuit
• You want to combine two restricted-area routes in a single itinerary without backtracking
• You can walk 5–7 hours daily on steep, rocky terrain without pain or prior injury complications.
• You want extreme remoteness and minimal trekker traffic. Manaslu Tsum Valley sees 30–50 foreign trekkers annually; most trails see thousands.
• You're drawn to Tibetan Buddhist culture and want more time in monastery villages than the standard circuit allows
• You can manage 5 to 7 hours of daily walking on uneven, sometimes unmarked terrain
• You're comfortable with basic tea house accommodation and shared bathrooms for most of the route

Skip this if:

• This is your first multi-day trek. Consider the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Langtang Tamang Heritage Trek instead, both of which offer better infrastructure and a gentler altitude profile
• You have fewer than 20 days available. The standard 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek covers the high pass without the Tsum Valley extension
• You cannot walk 5–7 hours daily without fatigue or pain. The Annapurna Base Camp trek (4,130m, 5 trekking days, tea house stays) is more manageable.
• You cannot afford USD 300+ in permits. Standard treks like Ghorepani Trek and Mardi Himal Trek cost less.
• You have a diagnosed cardiac or respiratory condition without medical clearance for altitudes above 5,000m. We offer Kathmandu Valley sightseeing as well.

Trek Highlights

• Cross Larkya La Pass (5,106m): One of the highest trekking passes in Nepal, crossed on a pre-dawn start from Dharmasala (4,460m) with views of Himlung Himal (7,126m), Cheo Himal (6,820m), and Annapurna II (7,937m) opening at the summit
• Explore Mu Gompa (3,700m): The most significant active monastery in the Tsum Valley, sitting close to the Nepal-Tibet border and accessible to very few trekkers each year
• Walk a genuine restricted-area route: Both the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit sections require special permits and a licensed guide, keeping trekker numbers low and the trail experience genuinely remote
• See Manaslu (8,163m) from multiple angles: First from Lho (3,180m) and Shyala (3,500m) on the south face, then close range from Sama Gaun (3,530m), and finally from the summit of Larkya La looking back across the massif
• Two distinct cultural regions in one trek: The Tibetan Buddhist Tsum Valley culture in the first eight days, followed by the Nubri community villages of the upper Manaslu Circuit from Namrung to Samdo
• Hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m) or Birendra Lake (3,691m): Two options on the acclimatisation day in Sama Gaun, one moderate and one demanding, both with close views of Manaslu's glacial system
• Trek through the Budhi Gandaki gorge: One of the deepest river gorges in Nepal, with suspension bridges, waterfalls, and subtropical forest in the lower sections giving way to high alpine terrain above Deng
• Visit centuries-old monasteries in intact villages: Ribung Gompa above Lho, Pungyen Gompa above Sama Gaun, and the ancient gompa complex at Chhokang Paro (3,031m) are all active religious sites with resident monks
• Red panda habitat between Namrung and Lho: The mixed rhododendron and oak forest above the trail is part of the wildlife corridor connecting the Manaslu and Annapurna conservation areas, one of the few places in Nepal with realistic red panda sighting potential 
• 20 days of genuine high-altitude trekking: From the subtropical riverbanks at Machha Khola (890m) to the alpine pass at 5,106m, the route covers more elevation range and cultural variety than most Nepal treks twice its length
• Acclimatisation built into the itinerary: The natural structure of the Tsum Valley approach, combined with a dedicated rest day in Sama Gaun, gives your body more time to adjust than a standard 14-day Manaslu Circuit
• Small trekking groups on a low-traffic trail: The Tsum Valley section sees a fraction of the trekkers on the Everest or Annapurna routes, with some upper valley days passing no other groups at all

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Route Overview

The 20-day Manaslu Tsum Valley trek starts and ends in Kathmandu. The drive to Machha Khola (890m) takes 8 to 10 hours on the Prithvi Highway, heading west along the Trishuli River before turning north into Gorkha District. Road quality varies, and the section beyond Arughat is unpaved.

From Machha Khola, the trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River north to Jagat (1,340m). At the Lokpa junction (approx. 2,240m), the route branches east into the Tsum Valley. This is where this trek diverges from the standard Manaslu Circuit.

The itinerary spends approximately a week exploring the Tsum Valley branch before returning to the main Manaslu Circuit corridor. The valley runs roughly north to south, following the Siyar Khola river. Villages in the valley include Chumling (2,386m), Chhokang Paro (3,031m), and Nile (3,361m). The exploration day at Mu Gompa (approx. 3,700m) is the cultural centrepiece of the valley section.

After the Mu Gompa exploration day, the route reverses south through Chumling and then joins the main Manaslu Circuit at Deng (1,860m). From here, the route tracks north through Namrung (2,630m), Lho (3,180m), and Sama Gaun (3,530m) with a full acclimatisation day before continuing to Samdo (3,875m) and Dharmasala (4,460m).

The pass crossing to Bhimthang (3,590m) is the longest and hardest single day of the trek. The descent through Tilje (2,300m) and out to Besisahar covers the final two days before the drive back to Kathmandu.

The route covers two restricted-area zones: the Manaslu restricted area and the Tsum Valley restricted area. Licensed guide accompaniment is legally required in both.

Why is Madcap Adventure the best trekking agency for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek?

• Licensed Guides Only: All guides are Nepal Government certified with specific experience on both the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit sections. Madcap requires guides to pass annual refresher training. This matters above 3,500m, where judgment and route knowledge count.
• Fixed Pricing Guarantee: Your price is locked the moment you pay a 20% deposit. No hidden fees, no surprise add-ons on the trail, even if permit fees change after booking.
• All-Inclusive Meals: Every meal from Day 2 breakfast through Day 19 dinner is included. You do not negotiate with tea house owners or worry about paying meal-by-meal. Your guide handles it.
• Experienced on This Specific Route: Madcap Adventure has been operating Nepal treks since 2004 and has completed this combined route multiple times. Our guides know which tea houses have reliable water above 3,500m, which villages to move through quickly during festival periods, and which viewpoints clear earliest in the morning before cloud builds from the south.
• Free Nepal SIM Card: You receive a pre-loaded SIM card with data when you arrive in Kathmandu. Useful for calls and messages before departure and in the lower valley sections. Coverage drops above Chumling in the Tsum Valley.
• 24/7 Kathmandu Office Support: If anything goes wrong on the trail, our Kathmandu office is staffed around the clock for the full 20 days. We have a team ready to arrange evacuation, coordinate with families, or manage any situation that needs ground support.
• Porter Support: Book a porter at USD 20 per day, and your guide liaises directly with the porter team. One porter covers up to two trekkers. You focus on walking. Logistics are handled.
• Community and Conservation Commitment: A portion of every booking goes toward local community projects in the Manaslu and Tsum Valley region, including school support, trail maintenance, and monastery preservation funds. 
• Sustainable Trekking Practices: Madcap Adventure follows Leave No Trace principles throughout the route, works exclusively with local guides and porters from the region, and pays fair wages above the Nepal trekking industry standard. Our approach keeps money inside the communities you walk through.
• Early Bird Discounts: Book six or more months in advance for up to 15% off. Book three to six months ahead for up to 10% off. Groups of four or more qualify for an additional discount on top of any early bird rate. Book before December 31, 2026, and lock in 2026 pricing for any 2027 departure.

20-day Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Cost in 2026/2027

The 20-day Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with Madcap Adventure costs between USD 1,170 and USD 2,055 per person. This range covers a guided, fully supported trek with accommodation, all meals on the trail, and the five permits required to enter the Manaslu and Tsum Valley restricted areas. Here’s what affects the price: 

• Group size: The USD 1,170 to 2,055 range applies to groups of two or more trekkers sharing a porter. Solo trekkers pay a single supplement because guide and logistics costs do not divide across a second person. Contact Madcap Adventure for the current solo rate.
• Private vs shared transport: The base package uses private shared jeeps for the Kathmandu to Machha Khola and return drives. Upgrading to a fully private vehicle for both legs adds to the total cost. This is worth considering for groups of four or more who want a faster, more comfortable road day.
• Booking timing: Book six or more months before your departure date and receive up to 15% off the standard package price. Book three to six months in advance and receive up to 10% off. For 2027 departures, Madcap Adventure is currently offering 2026 pricing for any trek booked before December 31, 2026, confirmed with a 20% deposit.
• Season: The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit costs USD 100 per person for the first seven days from September to November, and USD 75 per person from December to August. This permit cost difference directly affects the total package price depending on when you travel. October and November departures carry the higher permit rate. Spring and winter departures cost less on permits but come with different trail and weather trade-offs.
• Room type: Tea house rooms along this route are basic twin rooms with shared bathrooms as standard. Single occupancy rooms are available at some lodges and carry an additional nightly supplement. On the Tsum Valley section specifically, single room availability is limited, particularly in the smaller upper valley villages.
• Porter arrangement: The base package covers one porter per two trekkers. Solo trekkers or those who want a dedicated porter pay an additional USD 20 per day. Porters carry up to 20kg of your gear between them. If you are travelling with heavier equipment or want your bag carried individually rather than shared, confirm this at booking.

Additional costs to budget for on trail

These are not included in the package price and vary by trekker:

• Hot showers: typically NPR 200 to 500 per shower at most tea houses
• Battery and device charging: NPR 100 to 300 per charge at tea houses where solar power is available
• Wi-Fi: available in lower valley tea houses only, typically NPR 200 to 500 per session
• Drinks: coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water are not included in the package

Can you combine Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Yes, you can. The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek connects directly to the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani (1,860m), the point where the trail exits after descending from Larkya La Pass via Bhimthang and Tilje. Instead of boarding the jeep back to Kathmandu on Day 19, you continue west from Dharapani onto the Annapurna Circuit trail through Chame, Pisang, and Manang before crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416m) and descending to Muktinath and Jomsom. The two routes share the same junction point, making a continuous traverse possible without retracing a single day of trail.

The ACAP permit already included in your Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek package covers the full Annapurna Circuit section from Dharapani onward, so no additional conservation area permit is needed. The combined itinerary runs approximately 28 to 32 days in total, depending on your pace and acclimatisation days. By the time you reach Thorong La Pass, your body has already spent time above 5,000m on the Larkya La crossing, which works in your favour for the higher Annapurna pass.