- Length
- 19 days
- Highest point
- 5,106 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- Starts
- Soti Khola (drive from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
Combine the high-altitude drama of Larkya La Pass with the hidden Tibetan Buddhist world of Tsum Valley on this rare dual restricted-area expedition in the Manaslu region.
- Complete the Manaslu Circuit (Larke La, 5,106 m) PLUS the secret Tsum Valley in one epic 19-day loop
- Tsum Valley: a Tibetan Buddhist hidden valley closed to outsiders until 2008 — monasteries and mani walls at every turn
- Larke La Pass at dawn: 5,106 m snowfield with Manaslu (8,163 m) filling the entire northern sky
- Restricted area adventure — mandatory licensed guide and special permit; genuinely off-limits to independent trekkers
- Mu Gompa monastery and Nile village: among the most culturally intact Buddhist communities in the Himalaya
- 19 days of trail diversity: subtropical gorges to high alpine snowfields, no terrain repeated
- Fewer than 3,000 trekkers per year on the combined Manaslu–Tsum route
The climb, day by day
Day 1Arrive Kathmandu (1,400 m)1,400 m
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Evening briefing with your guide covering the combined Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley route, permits, and logistics.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- –
- Night
- Hotel
Day 2Drive Kathmandu → Soti Khola (700 m)700 m
Long drive northwest through Arughat Bazar into the Budhi Gandaki valley. Soti Khola is the trailhead for both the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley approach. Restricted Area permit checkpoint — have Manaslu and Tsum Valley special permits ready.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- 7–8 hours drive
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Soti Khola → Machha Khola (900 m)900 m
First trekking day along the Budhi Gandaki gorge through tropical forest and Gurung villages. Multiple river crossings on suspension bridges; the river churns through a deep rocky channel.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Machha Khola → Lokpa (2,080 m)2,080 m
From Khorlabesi the trail forks — the Tsum Valley route diverges north. Steep climb through forest and terraced farmland to Lokpa, gateway village to the sacred Tsum Valley. Village gompa worth visiting.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Lokpa → Chhokopokhari (3,031 m)3,031 m
Enter the Tsum Valley proper, crossing the Shar Khola river. Magnificent views of Ganesh Himal (7,422 m) as the valley opens. Pass through Lamagaun and Chhule to reach Chhokopokhari — the landscape is distinctly Tibetan.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Chhokopokhari → Nile (3,361 m)3,361 m
Trek through the upper Tsum Valley with increasing Tibetan Buddhist cultural presence — whitewashed chortens, prayer flag lines, and ancient mani walls. Nile is a prosperous village with a renovated gompa and views toward Tibet.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Nile → Mu Gompa (3,700 m)3,700 m
The valley narrows to a dramatic gorge before opening onto the high plateau where Mu Gompa sits. This 9th-century monastery is the spiritual heart of Tsum — resident lamas conduct daily pujas. Request a blessing at the monastery.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Mu Gompa — Explore Upper Tsum3,700 m
Acclimatization and exploration day. Hike to Rachen Gompa (3,800 m), a nunnery with sweeping valley views, or climb toward the Tibetan border plateau at Ngala La (4,600 m) for panoramic views of Ganesh Himal and Tibet. Return to Mu Gompa.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Mu Gompa → Chhule (2,430 m)2,430 m
Begin the return journey through the Tsum Valley, passing through Nile and descending steeply. The contrast between the arid upper valley and subtropical lower sections is dramatic. Overnight in Chhule.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 10Chhule → Jagat (1,410 m)1,410 m
Descend out of the Tsum Valley, rejoining the main Budhi Gandaki / Manaslu Circuit trail near Lokpa and continuing to Jagat. Register at the Manaslu Restricted Area checkpoint in Jagat with your Manaslu Conservation Area permit.
- Distance
- 20 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 11Jagat → Deng (1,804 m)1,804 m
Continue up the Budhi Gandaki gorge on the main Manaslu Circuit trail. The gorge narrows with towering walls; cross to the west bank via a long suspension bridge at Ekle Bhatti.
- Distance
- 19 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Deng → Namrung (2,630 m)2,630 m
Steady climb through Rana and Bhi as the valley opens and Buddhist influence strengthens. Namrung offers the first direct views of Himalchuli (7,893 m) and Ganesh Himal to the south.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 13Namrung → Sama Gaun (3,530 m)3,530 m
Pass through Lho village for stunning Manaslu south-face views, then Shyala village. Sama Gaun is the principal Tibetan settlement of the upper valley with a 17th-century gompa — altitude demands a gentle afternoon.
- Distance
- 20 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 14Sama Gaun — Acclimatization Day3,530 m
Essential rest day at 3,530 m. Day hike to Pungen Gompa (4,000 m) above the village for close-up views of Manaslu Glacier and Ngadi Chuli. Afternoon at leisure — visit the village gompa and interact with local Tibetan families.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 15Sama Gaun → Samdo (3,865 m)3,865 m
Short ascent through yak-grazing plateaus to Samdo, the last proper village before the high camp. The Tibetan border is very close here and the landscape is starkly beautiful with permanent snow peaks all around.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 16Samdo → Dharmasala (4,460 m)4,460 m
Climb steeply through boulder fields and glacial moraines to Dharmasala high camp, tucked under the final approach to Larkya La. Acclimatize, hydrate well, and rest for the pre-dawn pass crossing tomorrow.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 17Larkya La (5,106 m) → Bimthang (3,720 m)3,720 m
Pre-dawn start (3–4 am) by headlamp for the crux of the circuit. Cross Larkya La at 5,106 m with views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Annapurna II, and Lamjung Himal. Long descent through moraines and rhododendron forest to Bimthang.
- Distance
- 20 km
- Walking
- 8–10 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 18Bimthang → Dharapani (1,963 m)1,963 m
Descend through Tilije (2,300 m) and the lush Dudh Khola valley to Dharapani where you rejoin the Annapurna Circuit road. Police checkpoint here marks the official exit from the Manaslu Restricted Area.
- Distance
- 27 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 19Drive Dharapani → Kathmandu · Depart1,400 m
Board a jeep for the 7–9 hour drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. Arrive evening for a celebration dinner. Transfer to the airport the following day if needed, or fly out the next morning.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- 7–9 hours drive
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
The price includes
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit ($100/7 days + $15/extra day)
- Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (US$40/7 days Sep–Nov, US$30 Dec–Aug, + $7/extra day)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit
- TIMS card
- Government-registered guide (mandatory for restricted area)
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- Kathmandu–Soti Khola/Arughat 4WD jeep and Dharapani–Kathmandu bus
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude illness kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley combination is one of the most rewarding 19-day treks in the Himalaya — a two-in-one restricted area journey that pairs the dramatic high-pass circuit around Manaslu (8,163 m) with a descent into Tsum Valley: a hidden Tibetan-Buddhist enclave that was closed to outsiders until 2008 and remains one of the most culturally intact communities in the entire mountain world.
The Manaslu Circuit section follows the Budhi Gandaki north through magnificent gorge scenery, past Nubri villages at Samagaon and Samdo, and over the Larke La (5,106 m) at dawn with Manaslu's enormous north face overhead. The Tsum Valley detour branches northwest at Lokpa, climbing through ancient juniper and rhododendron forest to the farming villages of Chhule, Nile, and Mu Gompa: a walled monastery complex at 3,960 m that serves as the spiritual centre of the valley. The Tsum people are of Tibetan origin and speak a distinct Tibetan dialect; their monasteries contain murals, thangkas, and ritual objects that have not changed since the 15th century.
Combining both restricted areas in one 19-day loop is the most efficient way to experience the full depth of the Manaslu region. The two permits cover different areas; both are included in our price.
The Tsum Valley Difference
Tsum Valley is not a trekking destination in the conventional sense — there are no tourist teahouses with printed menus, no satellite internet, no shops selling Snickers bars. What there is: genuine Himalayan Buddhist village life, ancient gompa architecture, snow leopard territory, and the kind of silence that has disappeared from the more visited trekking regions. Fewer than 2,500 foreign visitors enter Tsum per year. The combination trek covers the circuit's dramatic mountain landscape AND the valley's cultural depth — two very different experiences, back to back, making this one of the most richly varied treks in Nepal.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Permits: Manaslu + Tsum restricted area permits (both included). Max altitude: Larke La 5,106 m.