Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking 18 Days
Tour Description
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek - Complete Guide
Overview
The Manaslu Tsum Valley trek offers an extraordinary journey to one of Nepal's most remote and culturally rich regions. Nestled between the Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal ranges, this trek presents breathtaking landscapes with towering Himalayan peaks surrounding pristine valleys. As you traverse from subtropical lowlands to high alpine desert terrain, you'll witness incredible biodiversity including rhododendron forests, pine woodlands, and diverse Himalayan wildlife. The trail winds through picturesque villages and ancient terraced farmlands, passing beneath magnificent centuries-old monasteries.
A highlight of the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek is the opportunity to visit remarkable monasteries, including the sacred Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa. These ancient spiritual centers of Tibetan Buddhism create an atmosphere of profound tranquility and mystique. The Tsum Valley is steeped in legends and folklore, with Tibetan traditions beautifully preserved in local architecture, customs, and festivals. Along the way, you'll discover the historic Milarepa Cave where the renowned saint meditated, and cross dramatic suspension bridges over the powerful Budhi Gandaki River.
Beyond its natural and spiritual significance, the Tsum Valley trek provides an authentic cultural immersion with the welcoming Tsumba community. These gracious hosts offer visitors insight into a simple yet fulfilling way of life in their traditional stone houses with Tibetan architectural influences. Experience local handicrafts, savor authentic Tibetan cuisine, and relax in the natural hot springs of Tatopani. The journey concludes with spectacular sunrise views, crystal-clear skies, and brilliant starlit nights that create lasting memories of this peaceful Himalayan sanctuary.
Trek Route and Itinerary
Starting and Ending Point
The Manaslu Tsum Valley trek begins and concludes in Kathmandu, Nepal's vibrant capital. This comprehensive journey takes you through one of Nepal's most spiritually significant and culturally preserved regions. The adventure starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, following winding mountain roads alongside traditional villages and the meandering Budhi Gandaki River.
Trail Highlights
The initial days of trekking pass through charming villages including Jagat, Lokpa, and Chumling, where you'll immerse yourself in the rich Gurung and Tamang cultures. Marvel at emerald terraced fields and admire buildings showcasing distinctive Tibetan architectural elements. Each day rewards trekkers with stunning vistas of the Ganesh Himal range, pristine rhododendron forests, and cascading waterfalls.
As the trail ascends, you'll enter the mystical Tsum Valley, a region deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and relatively untouched by modern development. Notable attractions include Chhokangparo with its colorful prayer flags fluttering above traditional stone houses, and the revered monasteries of Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa. Interactions with the warm-hearted local community provide insights into a lifestyle rich in spirituality yet wonderfully uncomplicated.
Throughout the trek, you'll have abundant opportunities to engage with valley culture, explore mysterious Mani walls (stone walls with carved Buddhist prayers), and potentially witness vibrant local festivals. This journey is truly unique in its combination of natural beauty and historical significance, offering scenic mountain panoramas, sacred pilgrimage sites, and peaceful solitude in Himalayan wilderness. The trek concludes as you descend through the Budhi Gandaki Valley and return to Kathmandu, carrying unforgettable memories of Nepal's hidden treasure.
Best Time to Trek
Optimal Seasons
The ideal seasons for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek are spring and autumn, offering the most favorable weather conditions, excellent visibility, and the most enjoyable trekking experience overall.
Spring Season (March - May)
Spring provides perfect conditions for exploration with stable weather patterns and crystal-clear morning views across the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu ranges. The trails become a natural gallery adorned with blooming rhododendron bushes set against lush green foliage. During this season, villages are active with agricultural work, and the welcoming local communities warmly receive visitors. The rejuvenating natural landscapes during spring create an ideal trekking experience with mild temperatures and stable conditions.
Autumn Season (September - November)
Autumn is considered the premier time to explore the region, bringing cool temperatures and pristine clear skies perfect for photography. This favorable period offers exceptional opportunities to capture stunning images of snow-capped peaks, tranquil landscapes, and serene environments. The trails remain dry and easily accessible without safety concerns. Autumn also coincides with numerous regional festivals, providing exceptional opportunities to experience local traditions and observe authentic cultural celebrations. Stable weather conditions and spectacular mountain views characterize this optimal trekking period.
Seasons to Avoid
Trekking during monsoon (June-August) and winter (December-February) is less favorable and potentially dangerous. Extreme cold, harsh weather conditions, heavy rainfall, and snowfall make trails slippery and increase risks of landslides and avalanches. Emergency evacuation becomes difficult and risky during these periods.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation varies based on altitude and location, ranging from basic tea houses and lodges to more comfortable guesthouses. Standard shared accommodation is typically included in trek packages, with private room options available at additional cost.
Kathmandu Accommodation
Most trek packages include 2 nights in selected 3-star hotels located in Thamel, Kathmandu's tourism hub. Standard hotels typically feature:
- Shared or private rooms for two people
- Private attached bathrooms
- Television and adequate storage space
- Welcome and farewell dinners
Premium 4-star and 5-star hotel upgrades are available at additional cost for those seeking enhanced comfort.
Trek Accommodation
Along the trekking route, you'll stay in traditional tea houses and lodges offering basic amenities including:
- Dormitory-style or private rooms with shared bathroom facilities
- Provided blankets and bedding
- Hot shower facilities (where available)
- Heated common areas and dining rooms for socializing
- Local and international cuisine options, including traditional Tibetan dishes
Facilities vary by location and altitude, with more basic amenities at higher elevations.
Food and Dining
Meal Options
The trek includes basic meals available at tea houses and lodges along the route. You'll primarily enjoy local dishes such as "Dal Bhat" (rice with lentil curry) and various Tibetan specialties. Due to limited options at higher altitudes, it's advisable to bring supplementary items like energy bars, nuts, chocolates, and biscuits.
Note: Alcoholic beverages are available but not recommended as they may contribute to altitude sickness and dehydration.
Typical Menu Options
Breakfast
Porridge/Oatmeal, Pancakes, Egg Dishes, Bread and Jam Lunch Noodles, Sandwiches, Rice Dishes, Momo, Tibetan Bread, Sel Roti, Fresh Fruits, Thukpa
Dinner
Dal Bhat, Rice and Curry, Potato Dishes, Tingmo
Hot Beverages
Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate
Cold Beverages
Soft Drinks, Bottled Water, Fresh Fruit Juice
Required Documents and Permits
Essential Documents
Passport and Visa
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Nepal tourist visa (obtainable on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport)
- For a 14-day trek, a 30-day visa is recommended (approximately US$50)
Travel Insurance While not mandatory, comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking is strongly recommended. Keep photocopies of your insurance policy and emergency contact numbers.
Medical Certificate Some agencies may require a medical certificate confirming absence of chronic diseases and fitness for strenuous activities.
Required Permits
The Tsum Valley Trek requires several permits due to its restricted area status:
- Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Cost: US$40 per person
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Cost: US$100 per person
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Cost: US$23 per person
- Trekking Information Management System (TIMS)
- Required for all trekking activities in Nepal
Permit Application Requirements
- Clear passport-size scanned copy with minimum 6 months validity
- Passport-sized photographs
- Detailed trekking itinerary
- Cash payment (Nepalese rupees) for permit fees
- Additional documents as specified by permit offices
Important: All permits must be obtained through a registered trekking agency. Ensure all paperwork is completed and verified before beginning your trek.
Tour Highlights
Trek Map
Additional Information
Best Season or Time for Manaslu Tsum Valley Adventure
March to May and September to November are the finest months for a Manaslu Tsum Valley trip.
- March to May (Spring Season)
Trekking in Manaslu and Tsum Valley is best in this season. The vistas of Mt. Manaslu and the regional glaciers are breathtaking during this season. Temperatures begin to rise in mid-March, and snow peaks are at their finest when the sky is clear. Rhododendron blossoms blossoming in a rainbow of hues may be found along the pathways. By the end of March, the winter snow has melted and the Larkya La Pass has been cleared.
- September to November (Autumn Season)
The Tsum Valley Manaslu Trek is also best experienced in the autumn. Due to the pleasant weather, this is a busy tourist season. By the end of August, the monsoon is over. The weather is consistent from mid-September onwards, and the sky is clear, allowing you to take in the breathtaking vistas of the mountains.
Food or Meal on the Voyage to Manaslu Tsum Valley
You will be served Nepali cuisine staples such as rice, veggies, lentil soup, pulses, spinach, and so on. Dal Bhaat is a popular choice among locals. Teahouses serve a variety of cuisines, but as you climb over 4000m, your options become more limited.
Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French toast with jam, butter, and cheese, Honey Tibetan bread or Chapati, Local Tsampa porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, Muesli Breads, Fruits, Vegetables, and Hot Drinks are all available for breakfast.
Lunch will include Dhal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, a variety of soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo, Macaroni dishes, Tenduk Spaghetti Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Potatoes, Vegetables, Salad Pizza, Snacks, Desserts.
Finally, for dinner, there will be Dhal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni, Tenduk Spaghetti, Noodles Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable Curry, Potato items, Vegetable and Salad Pizza, Snacks, Korean Raman.
Difficulty Level of Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek
You have to travel for 6 to 7 hours daily for most of the days on the journey. It makes you want to stomp your feet! From the halfway point, a large number of hikers progressively descend. Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek will take you to high elevations, due to which high altitude sickness is very common, you must be cautious. According to hikers, snow leopards have been spotted in a variety of locations. Going out alone at night might be dangerous. Its isolation heightens the trek's difficulties. The trail is in poor condition. Throughout the walk, you shouldn't anticipate having nice lodging or meals. It is more difficult to cross the Larkya La Pass. Other sections of the path are likewise more difficult. Prepare yourself for them. The temperature is quite cold at high elevations. Prepare yourself for the unpredictability of the weather.
Travel Insurance for Tsum Valley Manaslu Trek
The difficulty level of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is severe, and it involves high-altitude hiking dangers including altitude sickness, landslides, and other unanticipated catastrophes. For this expedition, you must have travel insurance. Before beginning the journey, all trekking participants must give Green Valley Nepal Trek a copy of their complete travel insurance policy certificate. At the greatest trek elevations, the policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation charges, including helicopter rescue and evacuation (up to 6000m). We can make insurance company recommendations based on our client's experiences, but we do not sell insurance coverage. Once a trip has been booked, trekkers are asked to provide comprehensive insurance information. In an emergency, we will use your insurance policy and paperwork to save time and money by rescuing you and covering your medical expenses.
Altitude Sickness and Remedies in Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
A rest day in Samdo is included in Green Valley Nepal's Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary package to provide appropriate acclimatization and avoid the danger of acute mountain sickness. Your walk will begin in Machha Khola and continue for many days at low altitudes, exploring the secluded Tsum Valley before arriving in Samdo. It gives your body an abundance of time to adjust to the current high-altitude atmosphere, lowering your chance of altitude sickness.
If you ignore the signs of altitude sickness, it can be fatal. Green Valley Nepal Trek's guides are well-trained in first aid and have vast Himalayan expertise. Oximeters are used to measure your oxygen levels, which aids in the early diagnosis of altitude sickness. We assure you that your safety and well-being are in capable hands. Altitude sickness prevention will be recommended by your hike leader. The ideal strategy is to hike slowly and drink plenty of water, it could be 4 liters daily. The best way to avoid extreme altitude sickness is to lower it as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that your trekking leader has the authority to either carry the trip or call a halt to the ascent depending on the team's general condition.
Manaslu with Tsum Valley Trek Packing List
To minimize unnecessary hassles, it is critical to choose the appropriate clothing, gear, and accessories for the weather and region. You must pack your belongings in accordance with the hotter temperatures at lower heights and the cooler temperatures at higher elevations. Here is a suggested packing list for your trek. The following list will assist you in remaining safe while also making your travel easier and more enjoyable.
- Sun Protection: Sunglass, Sunhat, Sunscreen
- Headwear: Warm hat, Buff
- Bodywear: Underwear, Sports Bra, Baselayer, Trekking shirt, Fleece Jacket, Outer Jacket, Rain jacket, Trekking trousers, and shorts
- Handwear: Inner Gloves, Outer Gloves
- Footwear: Hiking socks, Thermal socks, hiking boots, Trainers or trekking sandals, Gaiters
- Backpacks: Duffle bag, Backpack, Daypack
- Sleeping Accessories: Sleeping bag, Sleeping bag liner
- Accessories: Trekking Poles, Headlamp, Microspikes, Water bottle, or Hydration Bladder
- Technology: Camera, Portable/Solar Charger, Books
- Medication: First aid kit, Water purification tablets or Lifestraw, Isotonic Powder, Wet wipes and tissues, Lip Balm, Toiletries, Hand Sanitizer
- Other necessities: Passport/money, Insurance, Quick-drying towels
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Guide and Safety
We are certain that our ecosystem must be preserved from the detrimental consequences of tourism, and we make every effort to do so. Green Valley Nepal Trek collaborates with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to provide environmentally responsible itineraries that satisfy the needs of both tourists and local populations in trek areas.
Green Valley Nepal Trek ensures the safety, security, and contentment of its customers. Our primary priority is to keep you secure. We are constantly prepared for any circumstance and have all of the required clothing, equipment, and first-aid supplies on hand. Our guides and leaders have undergone comprehensive first-aid training. If a trekker experiences altitude sickness, your trek leader has the ability to determine whether to continue or descend immediately, depending on the case. In the event of an emergency, we will dispatch a rescue helicopter to transport you back from high altitudes. We also hike together to protect everyone's safety.
Trip Details
- Difficulty Levelvery-strenuous
- Maximum Altitude5,106m
- Trip StartKathmandu
- Trip EndKathmandu
- Group StylePrivate/Groups
- Best SeasonSpring and Autumn
- Activity TypeTrekking
What's Included
- All airport pick up and drop off by private vehicle, available for both domestic and international flights.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Project permit (MCAP).
- Tsum Valley restricted permit.
- Three times full board meals.
- Three times hot drinks per day throughout the trip.
- Seasonal fresh fruit during the trek.
- Two night stay hotel cost in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Private twin sharing room throughout the trek.
- Government-registered expert, highly experienced, helpful, well-trained, knowledgeable trekking guide, including salary, food, accommodation, transportation, and insurance.
- Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service (should have insurance for emergency evacuation and will be paid by your travel insurance company).
- Emergency medical supplies.
What's Excluded
- The fees associated with your Nepal visa.
- A porter’s cost is US$ 240 for the whole trip.
- Per way private jeep from Kathmandu to MacchaKhola which is US$270.
- Your expenses, including laundry, baggage charges, phone calls, battery recharges, bar and beverage bills, boiled or bottled water, hot and cold showers, and an additional attendant, are as follows.
- The tips for the trekking personnel and drivers.
- Additional expenses that arise as a result of flight delays, strikes, weather conditions, or any other event beyond our control.
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