Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Natural hot water springs at Tatopani

Natural hot water springs at Tatopani provide a therapeutic respite early in the trek. Hidden some half hour’s walk from KhorlaBesi, the pools are fed by mineral‑rich water that rises from deep within the earth at about 990 m. Locals and trekkers alike hold the water to have healing properties; it soothes sore muscles and joints after days on the trail.

The site itself is simple, with simple rock basins along the riverbank and wooden planks to sit on. You can wash your feet or get in up to your neck and listen to the Budhi Gandaki River cascading by. Be modest in your dress and respectful of local sensibilities when bathing. The brief stop is a relief and a chance to mingle with villagers who utilize the spot for social gatherings.

Remote Lokpa village, Tsum Valley entrance

Perched at ~2200 m on a forested ridge, Lokpa is a small village and the formal gate to the restricted Tsum Valley. It consists of just some simple lodges and houses amongst barley fields and buckwheat terraces. The path branches off the main circuit here, and you present your special permits at a checkpoint.

Lokpa’s isolation is readily apparent: no roads reach here, and supplies arrive on mule or human back. Villagers engage in subsistence farming and have deep spiritual ties to the land. Allow time to sample homemade barley beer, learn a few words of Tsum, and watch the sun set behind ShringiHimal. Your overnight stay here is a gentle introduction to the cultural riches ahead.

Tibetan culture and monasteries of Chumling

Chumling, at 2,386 meters, is a window into Tibetan culture. The stone village has flat roofs where villagers dry grains and mushrooms in the sun. Its 16th‑century monastery is painted with frescoes of protectors and deities. Butter lamps burn inside, casting a golden glow on statues of Chenrezig and Guru Rinpoche. Women and men spin wool into yarn, weave carpets, and work barley fields.

You may hear chanting monks in the early morning and villagers circulating mani walls, whispering mantras. A visit to the monasteries of Chumling provides an insight into the way religion pervades all walks of life in the valley.

Chhekampar village with yak herding and Ganesh Himal views

Chhekampar is one of the largest and most vibrant cities in Upper Tsum. It is 3,010 meters high. Its stone structures contain windows that seem like sculptures and prayer flags that move in the wind. People in the area used to practice polyandry in the past also considered a traditional practice, where theyshared land for their yaks, goats, and sheep to graze on. There are terraced fields around the village where barley, buckwheat, and potatoes are farmed.

You can hear the gentle buzz of chants ringing across the valley from the several monasteries on the hills. You can see the complete Ganesh Himal range from the roof or from a nearby point of view, especially at dawn and dusk when the peaks are orange and pink. You may see daily life, including churning butter and herding yaks, and get a taste of a culture that thrives at high altitudes by staying overnight.

Sacred Milarepa’s cave and Rachen Nunnery

Milarepa’s cave is a religious pilgrimage site linked to Milarepa, a well-known yogi and poet from the 11th century, who meditated. The entrance to the cave is decorated with prayer flags and a little shrine. It is close to Lamagaon. People say that the rock impressions on the cave walls are Milarepa’s handprints. This place is close to Rachen Nunnery, which is one of the biggest nunneries in the area. It was built in the early 1900s to be a safe place for women who studied religion. These places provide you with a peek into Tsum Valley’s spiritual past and a peaceful place to meditate.

Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in Tsum Valley

Mu Gompa sits around ~3,700 meters above sea level and looks down on the upper valley.  It is not far from the border with Tibet.   It was built in the late 1800s and features important religious texts, detailed paintings, and portraits of gods. The building has many stories and features meditation cells, prayer rooms, and a small library. The monks here follow the Nyingma style of Tibetan Buddhism, which is based on meditation and tantric rituals.

Trekkers can sleep in basic rooms and pray with the monks in the morning and evening. You can see undulating hills, the Shyagya Glacier, and the big plateau that goes to Tibet from the roof of the monastery. The tranquil atmosphere is wonderful for meditation and is one of the finest things about the walk.

Side trip to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (~4,200 – 4600 m)

Hiking to Ganesh Himal Base Camp is a great way for hikers to get away from people and into the wild. You go up a steep hill through an old-growth forest with blooming rhododendron and birds from Gumba Lungdang. When you go above ~4200 – 4600 m, trees are replaced by small bushes and grasslands that the wind blows. The Ganesh Himal massif, which has peaks like Yangra (7,422 m), looks better and better.

At base camp, prayer flags flap in the wind between big rocks and glacial moraine. There aren’t many people here, and the only sounds are the wind and the sound of rocks falling. This hard hike will push your limits and give you the best views of the mountains. It gets you ready for the Larkya La pass in both body and mind.

Traditional Tibetan villages of Lho and Shyala with Mt. Manaslu views

On Lho, which is 3,180 meters high, sits the Ribum monastery, where monks teach young monks. The houses are composed of stone, wood, and mud, and they have prayer wheels and wooden sculptures on them.    People in the area grow potatoes and barley. They also celebrate holidays like Loshar (Tibetan New Year) with music and masked dances.

Shyala (3,575 m) is right above here, which makes it tougher to get used to the great altitude. You can see Manaslu, HimalChuli, NgadiChuli, and Peak 29 from the town.  Photographers like the early morning and late evening. By staying in these towns, you may see how people live every day, try local delicacies, and discover how they have adjusted to their hard lives.

Samagaon with Birendra Lake, Pungyen Gompa, and Manaslu Base Camp access

Samagaon is the major town on the north side of the circuit, and it’s a good site for visitors to get acclimated to being at a high altitude. The community sits 3,530 meters above sea level and features enormous stone houses, brilliantly painted prayer wheels, and a few stores where you can buy clothes or refreshments.

It just takes five minutes to walk to Birendra Lake, which is an emerald-green lake that was made by melting glaciers. The peaks around them are reflected in the quiet waters. There are colorful prayer flags and frescoes in the 400-year-old monastery Pungyen Gompa. It takes two hours to walk from the settlement. Strong hikers can do a long, hard day trip from Samagaon to Manaslu Base Camp, which is 4,800 meters high. These tours will make your day off more fun and help you get acclimated to the high pass.

Crossing Larkya La Pass (5,160 m) with stunning Himalayan panoramas

The Larkya La crossing is the greatest section of the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek, and you’ll always remember it.   The climb starts in the dark, with headlamps lighting the rocky path and the stars above.   When the light comes up, the big trees around you that are coated in snow glow in pink, orange, and gold.   There are many different colors of prayer flags blowing in the wind at the pass.   You can see the Manaslu, CheoHimal, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna mountains in the distance.   Take a minute to savor your success and celebrate it.   The steep slope to Bhimthang shows off another world of lush forest and alpine meadows.

Is This Trip Beginner-Friendly?

This trek is arduous, but first-time hikers who are determined can do it if they are ready. The 20-day Manaslu Tsum Valley trip plan has gradual climbs, days off, and guides who know what they’re doing.   But you need to be in good form and have a lot of mental power because it lasts a long time, is in a remote place, and is at a high altitude.

If you’re new to hiking, you should practice a lot before you go, walk on various kinds of terrain, and maybe even do a shorter hike first. Find a guide who has been there before and will watch over you, set the pace, and help you when you need it. If you have an open mind, listen to your body, and stay positive, the trek can be a life-changing personal success.

Private Trip vs. Group Joining

When you arrange your trip, you’ll have to decide whether to go in a group or on your own. If you join a group, you can save money by splitting the cost of permits, transportation, and guide costs. You’ll also meet other travelers from all across the world. If this is your first time hiking at a high altitude, it’s good to know that group hikes have established start times and routes.

You can go at your own pace, adjust the timetable, choose your travel partners, and talk to your guide more on a private trek, but it costs more. Couples and families often start on private trips, while people who travel alone might appreciate being with a group.

Trip Extension

The Manaslu Tsum Valley trip usually takes 20 days; however, there are several ways to stay in Nepal longer. From Larkya La, you can proceed west on the Annapurna Circuit and spend the night in Pisang, Manang, and Thorong La. You might also climb to Tilicho Lake, which is one of the highest lakes in the world.

If you like culture, you could spend extra time in Kathmandu Valley to see Bhaktapur and Patan, or you could go to a yoga retreat in Pokhara. You can help out in monasteries, go on meditation retreats, or learn languages right in the Tsum Valley. Ask your tour operator how to add on to your trip in a way that works for you.

Solo Travel

You must observe the rules of the area if you are traveling alone. You can’t get to the Manaslu Tsum Valley on your own. You need a competent guide and at least one other person with you. Joining a group that is already there is the quickest way to meet this requirement and make friends with other travelers.

If you want more flexibility, hire a guide and a porter to help you on your own trek. You will need to be a registered group on paper, but you can change your schedule every day. Hikers who go alone prefer being able to go at their own speed, learn about the area, and feel safer.

Drones and Photography Rules

The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trip features breathtaking views and cultural scenes that make you want to shoot pictures. Take shots of the mountains, the prayer flags, the cheerful kids, and the busy kitchens at the teahouse.  Before you snap a picture of someone, always ask them first, especially monks or older individuals.

Drone use in restricted areas like Manaslu/Tsum is highly restricted; official permits are technically required from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority, but in practice they are very difficult for trekkers to obtain. Flying without permission can lead to fines or confiscation. When you snap images, make sure you have extra batteries, memory cards, and cases to preserve your camera.  Also, be respectful of places that are spiritual or private.

Cultural Festivals on the Trails

Adding local festivals to your travel plans makes it much more exciting.  In June, the Dumje celebration in Tsum Valley remembers the birth of Guru Rinpoche with masked dances and a great banquet for everyone.  People dress up in bright colors, play music, and do archery activities to celebrate Loshar, the Tibetan New Year, which is between January and March.

Loshar and other local pujas are celebrated in the Nubri Valley.  The lunar calendar determines when festivals happen, and they happen at different times each year. Check with your trekking company for the exact periods.  Going to a festival is a way to see traditions that have been around for hundreds of years.

Tips for First-Time Nepal Visitors

If you’re heading to Nepal for the first time to go trekking, be open-minded and appreciative of the culture there. For permissions, bring extra photographs and copies of your passport. When you travel to a holy place, make sure to cover your knees and shoulders. When you go to temples and residences, you should take off your shoes.  Use your right hand to get money or food.

Dinner is served early in teahouses, and you have to share the dining area with other hikers. You should bring hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and a tiny towel because the facilities aren’t very good. Learn a few words in Nepali and always greet people with a friendly namaste. Be polite when you haggle at markets, but remember that the prices in rural teahouses are set.

Typical Daily Routine on the Trip

Your days of hiking follow a simple plan that works with the mountains. Get up at 5:30 a.m. and get your daypack and breakfast ready by 6:00 a.m. Leave between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. and walk at a steady pace, pausing for drinks and pictures along the way. Around noon, people eat lunch in a teahouse or somewhere with a view.

The afternoon walk concludes around 3 p.m., so you have time to wash up, rest, and explore the village. At 6 p.m., dinner starts, and after that, your guide talks about the hike the next day. Evenings are quiet.Several trekkers converse, read, write in their diaries, or pray before bed at 9 p.m.

Mental Preparation and Trekking Mindset

The Manaslu Tsum Valley trek is demanding on both your body and your mind. You’ll have long days, modest comforts, weather that changes quickly, and be at a high altitude. Every day, be curious and patient. If the steep slopes or cold nights seem too much to manage, take a deep breath and move one step at a time. Be prepared for your plans to alter due to the weather or your health, and trust what your guide says. Talk to folks who reside there and learn about their lives. Don’t anticipate anything. By focusing on the trip instead of the destination, you will learn to be more thankful, open-minded, and enjoy the Himalayan way of life.