.....for the admirers of nature....
info@natureloverstrek.com
Manaslu Tsum valley trekking takes you to one of the least explored regions in the hidden corners of the Mid-West Himalayas. A fascinating journey towards Tsum valley goes from the warm sub-tropical lower Gorkha district to the arctic zone of mountains with impressive traditional villages where Buddhist and ancient Bon culture is a way of life. At the same time, this route is at a close distance from the Tibet border.
Tsum, as in Tibetan, “Beyul Kyimolung,” means “Valley of Happiness.” Hence we will explore the mesmerizing region of Manaslu and also the hidden valley of Tsum. Tsum valley trekking, northeast of Manaslu ‘The mountain of spirit,’ was first opened in 2008 and has been popular since. In the Manaslu region, the Tsumbas of Tibetan origin speak a different dialect and still trade with the North. The whole route is rich in typical ancient cultures and traditions. Combining Tsum valley with the Manaslu circuit region provides a unique experience.
Look out for the Himalayan Tahrs, Blue Sheeps, Langurs and Snow leopards while approaching the Upper Tsum valley area. Highlights include the monasteries in Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa. The Manaslu Tsum valley trekking trail rejoins the Manaslu circuit at Lokpa and leads towards Manaslu Base Camp. The physical fitness this Manaslu region trek requires is a bit above average. So only the fit ones are recommended. Again, spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Tsum valley region.
Day 01:Drive to Machha Khola 930m 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 02:Trek to Dobhan 1070m via Tatopani (Hot Spring) 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 03:Trek to Philim 1570m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 04:Trek to Chumling 2386m 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 05:Trek to Chhekampar 3010m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 06:Trek to Nile 3361m via Milareppa cave 7hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 07:Trek to Mu Gompa 3700m 4hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 08:Trek to Chhekampar 6hrs via Rachen Gompa, BLD, Lodge
Day 09:Trek to Lokpa 2240m 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 10:Trek to Bihi Phedi 1990m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 11:Trek to Namrung 2630m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 12:Trek to Lho 3180m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 13:Trek to Sama Gaun 3530m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 14:Sama Gaun for acclimatization and visit Manaslu base camp 4800m, BLD, Lodge
Day 15:Trek to Samdo 3860m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 16:Trek to Dharamsala / Larke phedi 4460 m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 17:Cross Larke La 5106m and to Bhimthang 3720 m 8hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 18:Trek to Tilije 2300m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Day 19:Drive to Besisahar & to Kathmandu 7hrs, BL.
Kathmandu sightseeing: $90 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)
Porter service: $30/day per porter
Day 01: Drive to Machha Khola 930m 10hrs, BLD, Lodge
We shall drive a long day from Kathmandu to Machha Khola via Gorkha Arughat and Soti Khola. Enjoy the countryside's bumpy rides through the scattered settlements, rivers, waterfalls, lush forests, farming terraces and other countryside nature.
Day 02: Trek to Dobhan 1070m via Tatopani (Hot Spring) 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
The first day's trekking trail is likely to ascend and descend following the river. After crossing the Thado Khola River, you can reach Khorlabesi, where coffee, buckwheat and tobacco are grown. You can find the best organic coffee here. After a while, the way passes through Tatopani, where you can find a natural hot spring and a bathing area. Walking some good staircase will lead to the Dovan.
Day 03: Trek to Philim 1570m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
It is the entry day of the Manaslu restricted area. The trail slowly ascends and passes through Yuru Khlola, then reach Jagat. The short hike goes through Sirdibas village, Ghatte Khola and finally to the destination Philim. Philim is a charming Gurung village. Also, you can visit Chholing Sandu Gumba.
Day 04: Trek to Chumling 2386m 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
The trail is initially descending and then climbs up through the green forest. After Ekle Bhatti, you can find two ways, one follows Larke La and another towards Tsum. We head towards Tsum. After descending to Gumlung and gently ascending leads towards Chumling. Chumling is a small Buddhist village famous for panoramic views of Ganesh Himal.
Day 05: Trek to Chhekampar 3010m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Chhekampar is also known as the 'place of wisdom.' The trail is easy and ascending. You must play safe while walking through landslides; the way can be slippery. You will cross the suspension bridge and passes through a potato field to reach Chhekampar. You can enjoy glimpses of Ganesh Himal and Siringe Himal.
Day 06: Trek to Nile 3361m via Milareppa cave 7hrs, BLD, Lodge
The valley gets wider from this day. This day is shorter and easier. The trail passes through many villages and many magnificent views of snow-capped mountains. After the village of Burji, there is Milareppa's cave (Oiren Phu, also known as pigeon Cave). You will travel through small villages and cross bridges to get to Nile. Nile is an ancient Tibetan village.
Day 07: Trek to Mu Gompa 3700m 4hrs, BLD, Lodge
This day is a short trek and also an exploration day. A couple of hours of walk is enough from Nile to reach Mu Gompa. When you reach Mu Gompa, your whole day will be an exploration day. A few hours of hiking from Mu Gompa can lead to the DephyuDoma Nunnery (Place of birth of light). It is also the best chance to admire the beauty of Ganesh Himal.
Day 08: Trek to Chhekampar 6hrs via Rachen Gompa, BLD, Lodge
After the epic exploration day on Mu Gumpa, it's time to head back for the Larke La pass. You will be staying in Chhekampar.
Day 09: Trek to Lokpa 2240m 6hrs, BLD, Lodge
Heading back for Larke La, the trail is almost descending. The way is through magnificent pine, oak and rhododendron forests. In addition to charming mountain views, retracing the route this day is special. Lokpa is the junction of Larke La and Tsum valley.
Day 10: Trek to Bihi Phedi 1990m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
The trail goes through a narrow gorge and up and down after crossing the bridge. The way passes through the bamboo forest before reaching Deng. The course is zigzag up to the Rana village. A short ascend, and the trail gently leads to Bihi Phedi.
Day 11: Trek to Namrung 2630m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
The trail passes through the village of Ghap. The ascending path goes through the bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests. The best part of walking through this trail is enjoying a spectacular waterfall above the wheat and maize. You can observe Gumbas or monasteries on the way. Namrung is the gateway to Upper Nupri. Overnight stay at Namrung.
Day 12: Trek to Lho 3180m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
The trail to Lho continues with a mix of forests and barley fields. You can witness the view of Himal Chuli and Ganesh Himal. Also, on the way up to Lho, Manaslu and Naike peaks can be observed.
Day 13: Trek to Sama Gaun 3530m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
During this short day trek, you can take your time and walk by enjoying magnificent views of the Himalayas. Acclimatize yourself well. You will stay in Sama Gaun, only a few hours from Syala.
Day 14: Sama Gaun for acclimatization and visit Manaslu base camp 4800m, BLD, Lodge
Today is an acclimatization day. You can take a rest and relax in the Samagaun. And as an option, you can visit Manaslu Base Camp. For more options, you can visit nearby Gumbas like Pungyen Gumba and Old Gumba.
Day 15: Trek to Samdo 3860m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
The trekking trail today is easy. You will descend to the river and cross the bridge. The mountain views on the route are breathtaking. On the way, you can also be close to the Tibetan border, only 3-4 hours from Samdo. You will stay at Samdo.
Day 16: Trek to Dharamsala / Larke phedi 4460 m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
Trekking today is a little bit descending and ascending. You will pass through a seasonal Tibetan market called Larke market. It is the best day to witness Larke glaciers. After Salka Khola, you will climb up Dharmasala, also called Larke Phedi, the last stop in this region.
Day 17: Cross Larke La 5106m and to Bhimthang 3720 m 8hrs, BLD, Lodge
It is the big day. Challenging and the longest hike of the trek. After the early morning breakfast in Dharmasala, you will head for Larke pass (5106m). Although it is a challenging trail, you can witness the glacier lake and beautiful valley along with snowcapped mountains. Some honorable mentions of mountains are Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II. After the Larke pass, you will stay at Bhimthang.
Day 18: Trek to Tilije 2300m 5hrs, BLD, Lodge
The trail to Tilije is mostly descending. On the way, you can enjoy great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. Walking through the rhododendron forests, you will reach Tilije in no time.
Day 19: Drive to Besisahar & to Kathmandu 10hrs, BL.
It is the last day of the trip. Early breakfast, and you will head back to Besisahar and to Kathmandu. This final drive offers beautiful views of landscapes and rivers like Marsyandi and Trisuli. This drive can take 9-10 hours to reach Kathmandu.
Customized Trips and Trip departure
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.
But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.
Accommodations during trek
You will be staying in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.
Route Map and Company T-shirt
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.
Safe Drinking Water during Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking
Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.
Your trekking guides and porters
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.
Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.
Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.
We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is totally safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are solo. However, since it is a restricted area, at least 2 travelers are needed for this trek. If you are traveling solo, we can arrange in such a way that you have to share the permit with other travelers & you might have to pay a little extra.
Extra personal expenses during and after trek
The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks like, for buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staffs, etc. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $500-600, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in majority of the Nepali market.
Shower during the trek
It's an important matter to discuss about. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and get fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend to shower on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offers you hot shower, but in the upper elevation, a bucket of hot water is provided. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($3-5).
Laundry on the trail
There are some teahouses which offer laundry services and you can use their service during the acclimatizing days. However, most of the lodges don't have laundry service and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or in any city. Please plan in advance about it.
Your safety
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking.
How much does the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking cost?
The cost of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking varies depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.
How is the Accommodation during the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
In Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Some teahouses even have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace but most don't. Also some of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.
What are the permits that I need for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
For Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking, you will need to make 5 permits: Manaslu Restricted permit, Manaslu Tsum Valley Special permit, MCAP {Manaslu Conservation Area Project}, ACAP {Annapurna Convservation Area Project} permit and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).
How does this tipping system in Nepal work and do I have to tip?
Tipping is not compulsory for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.
Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
You can sometimes charge your electronic devices during Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking but only by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.
Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking route has poor mobile network coverage in most of the days. But still you can buy one of the Nepali Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu which has wide coverage within Nepal. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the trek.
WiFi is available in some of the teahouses in Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.
When is the best time to trek to Manaslu Tsum Valley?
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Manaslu Tsum Valley. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.
Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
The itinerary of our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking.
Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5106 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents including crossing of the high pass which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least 3 months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Manaslu Tsum Valley.
What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
Full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are limited choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.
The most common and the highly recommended food during the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.
Do I need a travel insurance for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Manaslu Tsum Valley. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.
In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks.
How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?
Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well.
For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
Is there any age limit for Tsum valley trek?
Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is.
How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you by cash or I can use my card?
On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance either on cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card but however, you can also swipe your card which will incur you extra 3.5% charge from the bank.
How big should my backpack be?
It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag.
If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the restroom?
You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself.
Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?
Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?
For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.
What if I get sick or injured during the trek?
Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu.
How cold is it during the Manaslu tsum valley trekking?
The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude.
What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking?
Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Manaslu Tsum Valley. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Manaslu Tsum Valley. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.
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