Our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is a wonderful combination of two treks: The Manaslu Circuit Trek and Tsum Valley Trek. Neither of these trails is heavily trafficked, and in fact, they are two of the more underrated treks in the country. The combination makes for a 23-day excursion into the precious Hidden Valley of Tsum and around the pristine Manaslu(8,156 meters/26,758 feet) – the 8th tallest mountain in the world.
This journey has it all – terraced hillsides, raging rivers, mountain settlements, alpine passes, and of course, huge snow-clad mountains. If you look at a map of the ManasluTsum Valley Trek, you will see that the trail is nestled between two popular trekking spots: the Annapurna Conservation Area and Langtang National Park. However, this trail, particularly Tsum Valley, has a completely unique, almost untouched feel to it.
This is where the trek begins, in Tsum Valley. We head up from SotiKhola, following the turquoise Budi Gandaki River northward. The cool breeze makes us feel at peace, though inside we are so excited for each day to come. From Jagat, we enter Tsum Valley, and we are already surrounded by mountains. Upon arrival there, trekkers feel as if they have entered a truly Hidden Valley, existing outside of time. During our time in the valley, we will stay with the Tsum people, who practice Tibetan Buddhism. Admire their mani stones, wavering prayer flags, and ornate monasteries. Following the Shyar River, we leave the fertile valley to get an up-close view of the mountains at Mu Monastery. The Tsum Valley is really a magical place, teeming with spiritual energy.
Then, we begin the Manaslu Circuit part of the trail. A major highlight of this section is traversing the Larkya La Pass (5135 meters), which exposes trekkers to mind-boggling mountain views. We are eye-to-eye with these massive peaks, which make us feel humbled to be in their presence. Two days after the pass, we arrive in Dharapani, take a two-hour drive to Besisahar, and stay for the night. The following day we bid farewell, or rather “see you later” to the mountain, and will return to Kathmandu.
Throughout the trek, we are surrounded by peaks, including SringiHimal (7165m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Ganesh Himal (7422m), and of course Manaslu (8156m). Additionally, there’s plenty of wildlife to admire, including the musk deer, snow leopard, red panda, and much more. The sceneries throughout the ManasluTsum Valley Trek are the kind that inspire religions. Don’t forget to look up from your feet and set your gaze upon the beautiful environment surrounding you.
Trekking is possible throughout the year, but Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) provide the best weather. During the Spring, there is a bit more color and the rhododendrons are blooming, and in the Autumn months, the skies are generally clearer. The ManasluTsum Valley Trek requires moderate fitness and acclimatization to avoid acute mountain sickness. Breeze Adventure arranges the trek with complete management. Please, feel free to contact us for more detailed information.