The Manaslu & Tsum Valley Trek: A 22-Day Guide
You are an experienced trekker looking for an epic, month-long Himalayan journey. You want to go far beyond the standard routes. You want to combine a deep cultural and spiritual exploration with the challenge of a classic high-pass trek, immersing yourself completely in a single, magnificent region.
Imagine a grand journey of two amazing parts. First, you leave the main trail and enter the sacred, hidden Tsum Valley. You walk back in time, visiting ancient monasteries and witnessing a unique culture preserved from the outside world. After this spiritual beginning, you rejoin the main route to complete the entire stunning and challenging Manaslu Circuit. You trek to the base of the world's eighth-highest peak and cross the high, snowy Larkya La pass.
Our 22-day Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek is the ultimate Himalayan adventure you are seeking. This grand journey combines two incredible restricted-area treks into one seamless expedition. It is the most complete Manaslu experience possible, designed for the trekker who wants to see and do it all.
Best Time for This Trek
This long, high-altitude trek requires the best possible weather. The autumn and spring seasons are the only recommended times.
- Autumn (September - November): This is the ideal season. The skies are very clear, offering the best and most stable views. The temperatures are cool but manageable.
- Spring (March - May): This is the other good season. The weather is warmer, and the passes are clear of winter snow. The lower parts of the trek will be full of blooming rhododendron flowers.
A Typical Day on Your Trek
- Morning: Your days will often start early. After a good breakfast at the teahouse, you will begin walking with your guide around 7:30 AM.
- Trekking: The pace is always slow and steady. This is very important for acclimatizing to the high altitude. Daily walks are long and can be demanding, often lasting 6-8 hours.
- Lunch: You will stop at a small teahouse on the trail for a one-hour lunch break.
- Afternoon: You will walk for another 2-4 hours to reach the next village.
- Evening: You can relax, read, and drink tea. Dinner is served around 7:00 PM in the dining hall. Your guide will brief you on the plan for the next challenging day.
Meet Your Guide and Porter Team
You will have a highly experienced team to support you on this difficult trek.
- Your Expert Guide: We only use our most experienced senior guides for this trek. They are licensed, speak English, and know the remote Manaslu and Tsum regions very well. They are expertly trained in first aid and mountain safety.
- Your Strong Porter: We hire friendly local porters who are fit and reliable. One porter will carry the main bags for two trekkers. This lets you walk with just a daypack.
- Our Team's Care: We are committed to the welfare of our team. We make sure all our guides and porters get fair pay, good food, and proper lodging. We also provide them with good insurance coverage.
Safety on this Strenuous Trek
Your safety is our top priority on this challenging journey.
- Excellent Acclimatization: This 22-day itinerary has two full rest days at high altitude (Mu Gompa and Sama Gaon). This slow ascent is the key to safely crossing the Larkya La pass.
- Remote Area Safety: The Tsum Valley and upper Manaslu are very remote. Your guide is experienced in this area and will carry a comprehensive first-aid kit and emergency communication devices.
- Permits and Rules: This is a restricted area, and the rules are for your safety. Our guides ensure all regulations are followed.
Trek Difficulty: Are You Ready?
This trek is rated as strenuous. It is suitable only for experienced trekkers with a high level of physical fitness.
You must be prepared for nearly three weeks of continuous walking, high altitudes, and basic lodging. The crossing of the Larkya La pass is a very long and demanding day. This trek is a true expedition and requires mental and physical toughness.
Food and Lodging on the Trek
- Teahouses: You will stay in local teahouses. The lodges in the Tsum Valley and upper Manaslu are more basic than in popular regions like Everest. They are simple, clean, and run by friendly local families.
- Meals: We provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. The food is simple but provides good energy. The main meal is Dal Bhat. The menus in Tsum Valley will be very simple.
