# Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek > The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trek combines two of the most rewarding restricted-area treks in Nepal in one 22-day journey. Walk up the Budhi Gandaki gorge and turn into the Tsum Valley, a hidden Buddhist valley close to Tibet, to visit Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m). Then return to the Manaslu trail through the Tibetan-influenced villages of Nubri, acclimatise at Samagaon beneath Manaslu (8,163 m), and cross Larkya La (5,106 m) to Bimthang and Dharapani.Graded strenuous, it suits fit trekkers who want remote valleys, monasteries and a high pass. Restricted area permits, MCAP and ACAP, a licensed guide, porters, teahouses and homestays, meals on the trek and transport are included. Solo trekkers are welcome; restricted area permits have been available to individuals since March 2026. ## Trip facts - **Destination:** Nepal - **Duration:** 22 days - **Difficulty:** Strenuous - **Activity:** Trekking - **Max altitude:** 5,106 m / 16,752 ft (Larkya La) - **Best season:** Oct–Nov, Mar–May - **Group size:** 1–12 people - **Accommodation:** Hotel in Kathmandu, teahouses and homestays on the trek - **Meals:** Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek - **Price:** from US$2,190 per person - **Web page:** https://himalayanhiking.com/manaslu-tsum-valley-trek - **Book:** https://himalayanhiking.com/booking?trip=manaslu-tsum-valley-trek ## Overview **Quick answer:** the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trek takes 22 days from Kathmandu, reaches 5,106 m at Larkya La and about 3,700 m at Mu Gompa, and costs from US$2,190 per person. It requires restricted area permits and a licensed guide. It is graded strenuous. Tsum opened to trekkers only in 2008, and its culture of non-violence, prayer walls and monasteries remain strong. Combining it with the Manaslu Circuit adds about a week to the classic loop and gives you two very different worlds: the quiet, sacred Tsum Valley and the high mountain scenery around Manaslu. Read our guides to the [Tsum Valley](/blog/tsum-valley-trek-guide) and the [Manaslu Circuit](/blog/manaslu-circuit-trek-guide). ### Trek at a glance Trip factDetailsDuration22 days (19 days of trekking)Maximum altitudeLarkya La, 5,106 mGradeStrenuousStart and finishMachha Khola; Dharapani (by road)PermitsTsum and Manaslu restricted area permits, MCAP, ACAPRulesLicensed guide and registered agency; solo trekkers allowed since March 2026Best timeOctober–November, March–MayCostFrom US$2,190 per person### Why choose this trek? - **Tsum Valley**, a hidden Buddhist valley with monasteries and nunneries. - **Mu Gompa**, near the Tibetan border. - **Manaslu (8,163 m)** up close from Samagaon. - **Larkya La (5,106 m)**, one of the most dramatic pass crossings in Nepal. - **Quiet trails** thanks to the restricted area system. ## Highlights - Hidden Tsum Valley, Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa - Tibetan-influenced Nubri villages of Lho and Samagaon - Views of Manaslu (8,163 m) - Crossing Larkya La (5,106 m) - Quiet, remote trails in a restricted area ## Day-by-day itinerary ### Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) Our team meets you at the airport. Permit paperwork and trek briefing. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 2: Drive to Machha Khola (930 m) A long drive via Arughat and Soti Khola into the Budhi Gandaki valley. _Altitude: 930 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge_ ### Day 3: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m) Follow the gorge past Tatopani hot springs to Jagat, where permits are checked. _Walking: 6–7 hours · Altitude: 1,340 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 20 km_ ### Day 4: Trek to Lokpa (2,240 m) Climb to Philim and turn off towards the Tsum Valley. _Walking: 6 hours · Altitude: 2,240 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 14 km_ ### Day 5: Trek to Chumling (2,386 m) Enter the Tsum Valley through forest and cross to Chumling. _Walking: 5–6 hours · Altitude: 2,386 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse or homestay · Distance: 11 km_ ### Day 6: Trek to Chhokangparo (3,031 m) Walk into the open upper valley with views of Ganesh Himal. _Walking: 5–6 hours · Altitude: 3,031 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse or homestay · Distance: 12 km_ ### Day 7: Trek to Nile (3,361 m) Visit Milarepa's Cave area and walk through villages to Nile. _Walking: 5–6 hours · Altitude: 3,361 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse or homestay · Distance: 13 km_ ### Day 8: Hike to Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m) Walk to Mu Gompa near the Tibetan border and explore the monastery. _Walking: 4–5 hours · Altitude: 3,700 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Monastery guesthouse or teahouse · Distance: 8 km_ ### Day 9: Trek to Rachen Gompa and Chhokangparo (3,031 m) Descend, visiting the Rachen Gompa nunnery on the way. _Walking: 6 hours · Altitude: 3,240 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse or homestay · Distance: 15 km_ ### Day 10: Trek to Lokpa (2,240 m) Descend the Tsum Valley back to Lokpa. _Walking: 6–7 hours · Altitude: 2,240 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 18 km_ ### Day 11: Trek to Deng (1,860 m) Rejoin the Manaslu Circuit and head north to Deng. _Walking: 4–5 hours · Altitude: 1,860 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 9 km_ ### Day 12: Trek to Namrung (2,630 m) Climb through forest into the Nubri region. _Walking: 6 hours · Altitude: 2,630 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 15 km_ ### Day 13: Trek to Lho (3,180 m) Through Tibetan-influenced villages with the first big views of Manaslu. _Walking: 5 hours · Altitude: 3,180 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 10 km_ ### Day 14: Trek to Samagaon (3,530 m) A short walk to Samagaon beneath Manaslu. _Walking: 4 hours · Altitude: 3,530 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 8 km_ ### Day 15: Acclimatisation day at Samagaon Hike towards Manaslu Base Camp or to Pungyen Gompa. _Walking: 5–7 hours · Altitude: 4,400 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge_ ### Day 16: Trek to Samdo (3,860 m) Follow the Budhi Gandaki to the village of Samdo near the Tibetan border. _Walking: 3–4 hours · Altitude: 3,860 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 8 km_ ### Day 17: Trek to Dharamsala (4,460 m) A short climb to the lodge below the pass. _Walking: 3–4 hours · Altitude: 4,460 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 7 km_ ### Day 18: Cross Larkya La (5,106 m) to Bimthang (3,720 m) Very early start to the pass, with views of Himlung and Annapurna II, then a long descent to Bimthang. _Walking: 8–10 hours · Altitude: 5,106 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 16 km_ ### Day 19: Trek to Tilije (2,300 m) Descend through forest and fields. _Walking: 5–6 hours · Altitude: 2,300 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Teahouse lodge · Distance: 14 km_ ### Day 20: Trek to Dharapani, drive to Kathmandu Walk to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit and drive back to Kathmandu. _Walking: 2 hours · Altitude: 1,860 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel · Distance: 6 km_ ### Day 21: Rest day in Kathmandu A spare day for delays, or free time in Kathmandu. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu Transfer to the airport for your flight home. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast_ ## What is included - Airport pick-up and drop-off in private vehicles - 3 nights in a hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast - Private jeep Kathmandu – Machha Khola and Dharapani – Kathmandu - Tsum Valley and Manaslu restricted area permits, MCAP and ACAP - Teahouse, homestay and monastery guesthouse accommodation during the trek (18 nights) - Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek - Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide trained in first aid - Porters (1 porter for 2 trekkers) with their wages, food, lodging and insurance - All government and local taxes ## Not included - International flights to and from Kathmandu - Nepal visa fee - Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,200 m and helicopter evacuation (compulsory) - Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara - Drinks, snacks, hot showers, battery charging and Wi-Fi on the trek - Extra nights caused by early return, flight delays, landslides or cancellations - Helicopter evacuation or charter - Personal equipment and expenses - Tips for your guide and porters ## Useful information ### Fitness and preparation This is a long and demanding trek with a very long pass day. You should be fit, comfortable walking 6–8 hours a day for three weeks and ideally have previous trekking experience. Train for three months with long hill walks, stairs and cardio. ### Altitude sickness This trek reaches 5,106 m at Larkya La, with nights up to 4,460 m at Dharamsala. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite and poor sleep. Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about any symptoms. If symptoms get worse, descending is the most effective treatment. Talk to your doctor before the trip about whether altitude medication is right for you. ### Weather and temperatures The lower gorge is warm; Tsum and Nubri are cold at night, below freezing in late autumn. Snow can close Larkya La after storms, and we may wait a day for conditions to improve. ### Permits The Tsum Valley and Manaslu restricted area permits, MCAP and ACAP are included. Restricted area permits require a licensed guide through a registered agency; solo trekkers have been allowed since March 2026. ### Money, charging and Wi-Fi Take out cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you set off: there are very few ATMs on the trail, and the ones that exist often don't work. Lodges charge a little for hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi, so a power bank saves money. ### Drinking water Bring a refillable bottle and either purification tablets or a filter. Lodges also sell boiled water, which is cheaper and better for the trail than bottled water. ### Travel insurance Travel insurance is compulsory. It must cover trekking to 5,200 m, medical treatment and emergency helicopter evacuation. Please send us your policy details before departure. ### Visa Most visitors get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or apply online before they fly. Your passport needs six months' validity, and bring a few passport photos for trekking permits. ## Packing list ### Clothing - Moisture-wicking base layers - Fleece jacket or mid-layer - Warm down jacket (can be borrowed from us) - Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers - Trekking trousers and shirts - Warm hat, sun hat and buff - Liner gloves and insulated gloves - Trekking socks ### Footwear - Broken-in waterproof trekking boots - Camp shoes or sandals for the lodges ### Equipment - Sleeping bag rated to about −15°C (can be borrowed from us) - Daypack of 25–35 litres with rain cover - Trekking poles - Head torch with spare batteries - Water bottles and purification tablets - Sunglasses with UV protection - Power bank and charging cables - Microspikes for Larkya La (ask us before departure) - Water purification tablets - Snacks (few shops in Tsum) ### Personal items - High-factor sunscreen and lip balm - Personal first-aid kit and medication - Toiletries, quick-dry towel and wet wipes - Snacks such as energy bars and nuts - Passport, insurance details and copies ## Frequently asked questions ### How long is the Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek? **22 days** from Kathmandu, with 19 days of trekking. ### What is the highest point? **Larkya La**, at 5,106 m. ### How difficult is it? **Strenuous**, with long days and a very long pass crossing. ### How much does it cost? From **US$2,190 per person**, including all permits, guide, porters, teahouses, meals on the trek and transport. ### What permits are needed? **Tsum Valley** and **Manaslu** restricted area permits, **MCAP** and **ACAP**, all included. ### Can I do this trek solo? Yes. Since March 2026, solo trekkers can get restricted area permits, with a licensed guide through a registered agency. ### What is special about Tsum? A hidden Buddhist valley close to Tibet, opened to trekkers only in 2008, with monasteries and a culture of non-violence. ### When is the best time? **October–November** and **March–May**. ### Can I extend to the Annapurna Circuit? Yes, from Dharapani over Thorong La. ### Are there teahouses in Tsum? Yes, simple lodges and homestays, plus a monastery guesthouse at Mu Gompa.