Overview
The Manaslu Circuit Trek With Tsum Valley is a popular and challenging trekking route in Nepal that offers stunning views of the Himalayas and an opportunity to experience the local culture of the region.
The trek starts from Arughat, a small town in Gorkha district, and follows the Budhi Gandaki River upstream. The trail passes through beautiful forests, quaint villages, and across several suspension bridges, and eventually reaches the Tsum Valley, a hidden gem that was opened to trekkers only in 2008.
Tsum Valley is a sacred valley with its own unique culture and traditions. It is home to several ancient monasteries, chortens, and mani walls, and is believed to be the place where Guru Rinpoche meditated on his way to Tibet. The valley is also famous for its wildlife, including the Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and snow leopard.
After exploring the Tsum Valley, the trek rejoins the Manaslu Circuit and heads towards the Larkya La Pass, which is the highest point of the trek at 5,160 meters. The pass offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including Manaslu, Annapurna II, and Himlung Himal.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley is a remote and off-the-beaten-path trek, and it requires a good level of fitness and trekking experience. The trek is best done between September to November and March to May when the weather is clear and the skies are blue.
Best Time for Manaslu Circuit Trek and Tsum Valley
The Manaslu circuit and Tsum Valley is a trekker’s paradise, with the most delightful routes available to explore during the spring and autumn. The autumn window offers vibrant foliage and enchanting panoramas from mid-October until mid-December.
Conversely, mid-March until the first week of June is the circuit’s most colorful spring. However, if you are game for a chilly experience, winter is also a viable choice; although it may be bitterly cold, the skies are clearest between December and mid-January, making this time of year worth every second.
Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Itinerary
Cost Include / Exclude
Service Include
- Airport / Hotel/ Airport
- 3 Nights Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Meals In Trekking: 3 Meals a day (13 Breakfast, 14 Lunch and 13 Dinner)
- Hot Drinks : tea / coffee
- Necessary Trekking Permit and Company necessary paper works
- Transportation: Bus / Sharing Jeep
- Lodge to Lodge Accommodation In Mountain
- Trekking Guide : An experienced, helpful, friendly and English speaking Trekking guide.
- Trekking Porter : Carry Your Luggage, One Porter between 2 Members
- Guide, Porter insurance, Meals, accommodation and well paid salary
- Trekking Equipment: Sleeping bag, Down Jacket ( refundable after the trek)
- Oxe -Meter- To Check your oxygen saturation and heart rating
- Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by your Travel insurance company.
- Adventure Certificate.
- Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
- All government taxes & Vat and Company Service charge
- Farrell Dinner
Service excluded
- Personal travel insurance and rescue Evacuation encase of Emergency
- Private Comfort Jeep – $ 200 per jeep for one way
- All Bottle of drinks, Hot chocolate, WI-Fi, recharge all electronic device like mobile, camera
- Tips
More Inforamtion
Trek Difficulties
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley is not like a short treks. Expect 15-20 days of traversing through varying landscapes with steep ascents, treacherous terrain, and a lot of altitude gain. Moderate-difficult is the difficulty level, but your effort will surely be rewarded.
The trekking adventure begins with an easy hike through idyllic valleys and meadows of emerald green. As one advances farther, the journey gets tougher as the passes become more mountainous, needing technical skill and experience to traverse.
Yet, the majestic views make the challenging trek worth it, with stunning panoramas of rice fields, villages, and other natural wonders. The rugged landscape is marked with landslide zones, and the trails are often tricky and inclined. Forget about the risks that might arise, for you have a carefully curated itinerary to ensure an amazing experience. Starting at Machhakhola at 930 meters above sea level, you can gradually increase your elevation and make yourself comfortable with the altitude.
It is a tough task to walk for more than 6-7 hours for nearly 3 weeks and cross Larkey La pass 5060 meters, so we advise you to get into shape with the help of appropriate physical activities before visiting Nepal.
In recognition that particular ages and physical abilities can demand more time, we are always glad to tailor the schedule to your requirements. Even rookies and kids have had a blast exploring the stunning valley.
Required Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek Permit
Trekking the Manaslu Region requires a permit called MRAP (Manaslu Restricted Area Permits) from the Department of Immigration in Jagat. You can get the permits for $70 per person (From September to November) – you will have to pay an extra $10 per person after a week. If you are traveling during December to August, it costs around $50 per person and the additional $7 will be added after a week.
For Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permits (ACAP), you have to approach Nepal Tourism Board. MCAP will cost $100 per head if you are traveling from September to November. Similarly, $15 will be added in your account for each additional day. It costs around $75 per person if you set out for Manaslu from December to August and an additional $10 will be added per day after a week. For the trek also required Annapurna Conservation Area Permits cost you around NPR 3000, which is around $22.
Getting a special permit to trek is not easy -For buying the Special permits, you will have to submit a form with a copy of trekker’s passport and valid visa and guarantee letter. Likewise, a list of names of the trekkers, guides, and other staff, insurance documents for the guide and other staff (with names filled in the online application form) should be mentioned. Apart from that, you have to have a tax clearance certificate from the trekking agency.
Option Of Transportation & Choice
Traveling in Manaslu was once daunting as the only access to its trails was Arughat. With relentless efforts of the locals, the road networks have extended up to Philim, a stone’s throw away from Arughat. Public transportation can still take you to Machhakhola, while private jeeps can take you to Dovan to start your unforgettable journey. Traversing on the Manaslu Trek with Tsum Valley offers a thrilling adventure accessible only by road.
Hop aboard a public bus from Kathmandu’s New Buspark, and you’ll find yourself in Arughat in a matter of hours, a six to seven-hour ride. From there, climb on board a private jeep or a public bus to continue your trip to Soti Khola or Machhakhola, taking a further two to three hours. An opt-out is a two-hour-long drive through the historic town of Gorkha Bazaar to Machha Khola. Although a private jeep is the more comfortable and speedy mode of transportation, the public bus is the more budget-friendly choice, but no less fulfilling.
Accommodation Facility around Manaslu Tsum Valley
Accommodation services Manaslu Trek with Tsum Valley offers several accommodation facilities from the luxuries of tea house stays to the ruggedness of camping treks – you can choose the mode of your stay. Tea houses provide a vibrant, uplifting atmosphere that is the perfect place to meet fellow travelers and share stories over a chat and a cuppa.
You’ll find even the most basic amenities and facilities, with bedrooms that come in twins, along with pillows and blankets. Although not always attached to the bedrooms, the toilets are generally decently kept and hygienic. The cost of a stay in the tea houses varies dramatically depending on the altitude: the lower you go, the cheaper it becomes.
Spending the night in the valley might only cost you a few dollars, but venturing up the mountainside can quickly add up to $5-$10. Should your room be a brief respite for one, it may come with an additional charge.
Explore Manaslu’s majestic mountains and stay in one of many cozy tea houses. Arughat is your first stop, where you’ll find View Manaslu Resort, Hotel Third Step, and Hotel Manaslu. Machha Khola got you covered with Hotel Tsum Valley Resort. Try Mount Everest Guest House, Royal Garden Guest House, or Hotel New Asia Trekkers Lodge if something else suits your fancy. Philim has plenty of Hotels, such as the Royal Garden Guest House. For your next stop, Chisapani, stay at the Tea House at Chisapani.