Tsum Valley Trek with Manaslu Circuit is a 23 day expedition around the world's eighth-highest peak, Mount Manaslu (8,163m). The mountain was first conquered by a team of Japanese and Nepalese mountaineers in 1956. You can relive their journey, and experience what they have felt as you will hike through the remote trails of Manaslu. The region is locally called "Beyul Kyimolung," which translates to the Valley of Happiness. Travelers have only been able to access the trek route and visit the region since 2007. Today, the Tsum Valley Trek with Manaslu Circuit is a popular tour and has been compared to the likes of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. In this remarkable journey, you will be hiking along the Tsum Basin in the western portion of Gorkha. The trek is an extended version of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It blends the spiritual heritage of the Tsum Valley with the adventurous high altitude of the Manaslu Circuit, offering a unique travel experience. The region is also called the "Hidden Valley" and is rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture featuring ancient monasteries, including Ranchen Gompa and Mu Gompa. The valley was also believed to be a meditation site of Guru Rinpoche, adding a spiritual depth to the remarkable journey. Apart from this, the tour also offers travelers a unique experience of the wildlife and vegetation of the region as the trail passes through the Manaslu Conservation Area, where you can witness exotic wildlife and vegetation. Besides, hiking in the restricted area of Manasuly ensures fewer crowds and offers a close and authentic experience of nature and cultural heritage.
Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Highlights of the Tour
- Magnificent mountain panoramas, waterfalls, and the Budhi Gandaki River river.
- Walk past several monasteries, chortens, and ancient monuments along the trail.
- Cross Larya L Pass, the highest point of the trek.
- Witness the marvelous Machhapuchhre (6,997m), Annapurna I (8,091m), and Gangapurna (7,455m).
- Marvel at the spectacular Mount Manaslu (8,163m), the world's eighth-highest peak.
- Interact with the local community, including Tamang, Magar, Tibetan, and Gurung.
- An opportunity to witness and encounter animals such as the Himalayan Monal, Blue Sheep, and Thar.
- Explore Rachen Gompa, Gumba Lungdang, Mu Gompa, Pungen Gumpa, and many other ancient monuments.
- Fewer number of travelers along the trail.
Trek Through the Mystical Tsum Valley
The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trekking is not only an adventurous expedition but a pilgrimage as well. This unique aspect of the tours adds to the allure of the travel experience with its traditional Buddhist cultural heritage and way of life. On this excursion, travelers will discover the ancient religious practices and daily rituals in these remote parts of Nepal. The Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit begins from Kathmandu and will take you to Arughat Bazar, where the tour starts. From here, you will hike along the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River and into the settlement of Soti Khola. The trail ahead passes through several dense forests and smaller communities to Machakhola, Jagat, and Lokpa. Your next stop in the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary before moving to Deng is Chumling. The village is a picturesque settlement in the region and is regarded as a hidden gem of Gorkha. The town is inhabited by the Tsumba people, who have their own unique language, Tsuamba. During the visit to Chumling, you can interact with the locals and interact with them. This allows you to learn about their unique history and daily lifestyle. After staying overnight at the village, we then hike to Chhokang Paro. Moving ahead, you will pass by Piren Phu(pigeon cave). The site is sacred and adorned with Buddhist inscriptions, paintings, and carved stones. You can stop by the cave, explore the region, and capture its magnificence on camera. After multiple days of hiking in the valley, you will arrive at Mu Gompa, where stunning views of Himal Chuli, Baudha Himal, and Ganesh Himal will greet you. In the coming days, we retrace our steps to Chumling and make our way to Samagaun, where we will acclimate. Along the way, we pass by several scenic villages such as Deng, Nemrung, and Lho. After resting and exploring the town of Samagaun, our hike takes us to Samdo, Dharmasla, and Bimthan in the coming days. Finally, our Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Trek ends at Jagat, where we will have a scenic drive to Kathmandu.
Why You Should Choose the Tsum Valley Trek With Manaslu Circuit
Travelers should choose the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek as it is one of the most underrated treks in Nepal. The journey ensures a unique experience of the raw wilderness and spirituality of the country. It is an unparalleled travel experience for people seeking a unique blend of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural richness. The remarkable Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you to a hidden valley renowned for its preserved ancient monasteries and Buddhist culture. Moreover, the inclusion of the Manaslu Circuit, which encircles Mount Manaslu, elevates the experience with the challenging hike and dramatic landscapes. Besides, unlike most trek routes in Nepal, this combined trek route to remote and restricted areas ensures limited travelers. Therefore, it is ideal for seasoned trekkers who want to enjoy the cultural insights, adventurous passes, and exotic wildlife of the Tsum Valley in Nepal. If you love nature and are looking for a journey, you must trek to the Manaslu region. Here are four main reasons that make the Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek a unique expedition.
- Explore the magical Tsum Valley. The valley is considered a sacred site as it features several monasteries and chortens. It is believed that the Buddhist master Milarepa meditated in the caves within this valley.
- The exhilarating Larkya La Pass: Crossing the trek's highest point at Larkya La Pass (5,160m) is an adrenaline-filled experience. You will feel a sense of achievement as you marvel at the wonderful panorama of the snow-capped peaks around you.
- Remote and isolated villages: The trek takes you through some of the most remote and isolated villages of Nepal. Staying overnight at these settlements takes you back in time and gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local tradition, culture and architecture.
- Peaceful monasteries: The monasteries along the route creates a serene and tranquil environment for travelers who are visiting the Manaslu region. Along this journey, you can visit these sacred sites and participate in local daily practices of the monks including prayers and meditation.
Tsum Valley Trek With Manaslu Circuit Is a Difficult Trek
The Tsum Valley Trek with Manaslu Circuit is graded as challenging and requires a good level of endurance and physical fitness. As the trail traverses diverse terrains, including rocky terrains and steep landscapes, travelers will need previous trek experience to complete the trek. The 23-day journey takes you to the remote parts of the Himalayan region close to the Tibetan border and involves hiking to an altitude of 5,106m. So, we recommend this expedition for seasoned trekkers, as the significant increase in elevation can affect your health along the way. In addition, you will be required to walk 15 to 25 km on a daily basis, which further adds to the difficult nature of the trek. So, we suggest you walk at a gradual pace to reduce the strain on your body and keep yourself from any slips or falls. In addition, it is also helpful if you follow the lead and navigation of our trek guide along the route. By doing so, you will have a safe experience without any worry of being injured or getting lost.
Preparation: You Will need to complete the expedition
Although the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit Trek is enjoyable, it can be equally daunting. In this journey, you will be hiking on diverse terrains for an average of 6 hours for 20 days. So, in order to face the challenging ascent and descent along the trail, you must prepare yourself adequately. We highly advise you to abide by the following guidelines for an enhanced travel experience in this exceptional journey to the Manasu region.
- Physical Fitness: Your body needs to be in proper physical condition to conquer this trek. You will need to indulge in strength training to enhance your core muscles, including your legs, shoulders, and upper body.
- Cardiovascular Endurance: Include activities such as swimming, running, cycling, and brisk walking in your fitness routine to drive your stamina.
- Hiking Practice: You can simulate the trekking conditions by going on long walks and jogging with a loaded backpack. This will help you get used to hiking on uneven and steep terrains on the route.
- Flexibility and Balance: You need to maintain flexibility and balance to navigate through uneven and rocky terrains. To do so you can incorporate yoga and stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your body.
- Nutrition and Hydration: Apart from physical fitness, a proper nutritional diet and hydration is required to enhance your performance in the trek. During the preparation, and trekking, ensure your body is getting adequate fluids, protein and carbohydrates.
Altitude Sickness and Remedies in Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek
Most trekkers begin to experience the early signs of altitude sickness somewhere between 2500m and 3500m above sea level. However, each individual reacts differently to the condition depending on their gender, age, and health. The risk of altitude sickness during the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek is high as you gain significant elevation gain along the war. As you ascend to higher regions in the expedition, the oxygen level starts to drop, and your body will start to react. If you feel any symptoms of the illness, it is best to inform the trek guide so we can provide you with immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of Altitude sickness
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
If left untreated, altitude sickness can be a life-threatening condition, so we suggest you follow a set of rules and regulations to keep yourself safe and healthy.
- Stay hydrated and drink at least 2 liters of water.
- Eat cloves and garlic to enhance the blood flow in your body.
- Drink lemon juice and black tea with cinnamon to relieve the symptoms.
- Take your time to rest and acclimatize.
- Use Diamox if the symptoms get severe.
- Do not drink alcohol and highly caffeinated beverages.
