Two Treks in One: Why the Combination Is Worth It
The Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley are two of Nepal's most remote and culturally rich trekking routes. They share a trailhead region in the Gorkha district and diverge in the upper Buri Gandaki valley, making a combined itinerary a natural choice for trekkers who want to experience both the high-pass drama of Larke La and the extraordinary ancient Buddhist culture of the Tsum Valley.
The combined route typically takes 21 to 25 days and requires two separate restricted-area permits. It is not a trek for people with limited time or limited high-altitude experience. For those who commit to it, it is arguably the finest extended Himalayan trekking experience available in Nepal.
What Makes Tsum Valley Different
The Tsum Valley is a hidden Himalayan valley that remained closed to foreign trekkers until 2008. Its isolation has preserved a form of Tibetan Buddhist culture that has largely disappeared elsewhere. The valley's people — the Tsumbas — practice a syncretic form of Tibetan Buddhism, and the landscape is studded with ancient gompas, mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags strung across cliff faces.
Unlike the Manaslu Circuit main route, which sees a growing number of trekkers each season, the Tsum Valley receives only a fraction of the visitors. Tea houses are more basic. The trails are quieter. The cultural immersion is deeper.
Tsum Valley Key Facts
- Access point: The Tsum Valley trail splits from the main Manaslu route near Chhokangparo (around Day 4 of the standard circuit)
- Duration add-on: 7 to 10 additional days
- Additional permit: Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit ($40–50 per week, purchased through a registered trekking agency)
- Key villages: Lokpa, Chhule, Nile (3,368m), Mu Gompa (3,700m)
- Highest point: Around 4,000m (well below Larke La)
- Difficulty: Moderate — no high pass crossing, but remote and basic facilities
Combined Manaslu Circuit + Tsum Valley Itinerary
| Day | Route | Elevation | Hours | Notes | |-----|-------|-----------|-------|-------| | 0 | Drive Kathmandu → Soti Khola | 890m | 8–10 hrs drive | — | | 1 | Soti Khola → Machha Khola | 869m | 6–7 hrs | Jungle gorge | | 2 | Machha Khola → Jagat | 1,340m | 5–6 hrs | First checkpoint | | 3 | Jagat → Chhokangparo | ~1,600m | 6–7 hrs | Tsum Valley split point | | 4 | Chhokangparo → Lokpa (Tsum entry) | ~2,000m | 4–5 hrs | Enter Tsum Valley | | 5 | Lokpa → Chhule | ~2,200m | 5–6 hrs | Ancient mani walls | | 6 | Chhule → Nile | 3,368m | 5–6 hrs | Twin villages of Nile-Chhule | | 7 | Nile → Mu Gompa | 3,700m | 4–5 hrs | Oldest gompa in valley | | 8 | Exploration day at Mu Gompa | 3,700m → ~4,000m | 4–5 hrs hike | Milarepa Cave optional | | 9 | Mu Gompa → Chhule | 3,368m | 4–5 hrs | Descent | | 10 | Chhule → Deng (rejoin main circuit) | 1,804m | 6–7 hrs | Long descent | | 11 | Deng → Namrung | 2,630m | 6–7 hrs | Views of Manaslu massif | | 12 | Namrung → Lho | 3,180m | 3–4 hrs | Rachen Gompa | | 13 | Lho → Samagaon | 3,530m | 3–4 hrs | Arrive early, acclimatize | | 14 | Acclimatization: Samagaon → Pungyen Glacier | up to 4,800m | 5–6 hrs hike | Mandatory | | 15 | Samagaon → Samdo | 3,860m | 3–4 hrs | — | | 16 | Samdo → Dharamsala (Larke La BC) | 4,460m | 3–4 hrs | Rest, prepare for pass | | 17 | Dharamsala → Larke Pass (5,160m) → Bimtang | 3,590m | 8–10 hrs | Start 2:30–4:00am | | 18 | Bimtang → Tilche | 2,300m | 5–6 hrs | Rhododendron descent | | 19 | Tilche → Dharapani | 1,860m | 3–4 hrs | Exit restricted area | | 20 | Drive Dharapani → Kathmandu | — | 7–9 hrs | — |
Tsum Valley Stage Details
Chhokangparo: The Split Point
At around Day 3 to 4 of the main circuit, the trail enters Chhokangparo, a small settlement where the Tsum Valley trail branches north. You will need your Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit from this point. Most agencies arrange both the MCAP/TIMS and the Tsum Valley permit together before departure from Kathmandu.
Lokpa and Chhule: The Lower Valley
The lower Tsum Valley is quieter than the main Manaslu circuit by a significant margin. Lokpa and Chhule are small farming villages where Buddhist culture is visibly woven into daily life. Mani walls — long rows of carved prayer stones — line the trail for hundreds of meters in places.
Nile and Mu Gompa: The Cultural Heart
Nile village at 3,368m sits across a river from the twin settlement of Chhule. The trail above Nile climbs to Mu Gompa at 3,700m, which is considered one of the most sacred sites in the region. The gompa itself is several hundred years old, and monks and nuns from the valley study here.
From Mu Gompa, experienced trekkers can make a side hike to the Milarepa Cave, a hermitage associated with the revered 11th-century Tibetan Buddhist poet and yogi Milarepa. The cave is at approximately 4,000m and requires about 3 hours return.
Rejoining the Main Circuit
The descent from the Tsum Valley back to Deng involves retracing steps through Chhule and then dropping steeply to the Buri Gandaki valley floor. From Deng, you follow the standard Manaslu Circuit itinerary to Namrung, Lho, Samagaon, and over Larke La.
Permit Requirements
For the combined route, you need:
| Permit | Cost | Where to Get | |--------|------|-------------| | Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | NPR 3,000 (~$23) | Trekking agency in Kathmandu | | Restricted Area Permit (Manaslu) | $100/week (first 4 weeks), $25/week after | Trekking agency only | | Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit | $40–50/week | Trekking agency only | | TIMS Card | NPR 2,000 | Trekking agency or TAAN/NTB offices |
Note: The Restricted Area Permits for both Manaslu and Tsum Valley can only be obtained through a government-registered trekking agency. You cannot obtain them independently.
Practical Considerations
Tea House Standards in Tsum Valley
Tea houses in the Tsum Valley are more basic than those on the main Manaslu circuit. Expect shared dormitory sleeping, limited menu options (typically dal bhat, noodles, and eggs), no hot showers in most places, and limited charging facilities. Carry a power bank and enough cash — there are no ATMs once you leave Jagat.
Best Season
The combined route is best trekked in October–November (post-monsoon, clear skies) or March–May (pre-monsoon, rhododendron bloom). The Tsum Valley, being north of the main Himalayan range, has a relatively dry climate and can be trekked in winter months (December–February) if you are prepared for cold.
Guides and Porters
A licensed guide is mandatory for the Restricted Area. For the combined circuit, budgeting for a guide and one porter per two trekkers is typical. Local Tsum Valley guides who know the cultural sites add significant value to the experience.
Is the Combined Trek Worth It?
Unequivocally yes, for the right traveler. The Tsum Valley adds cultural depth that the main circuit alone does not provide. The combination of high-alpine drama on Larke La and the time-capsule quality of Tsum Valley culture creates a trekking experience that few other routes in the world can match. If you have three weeks and a genuine interest in both landscape and living culture, this is one of the finest itineraries in the Himalayas.