Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Overview
Manaslu Tsum Valley is one of the most adventurous and immersive trekking routes in the Himalayas of Nepal. Regardless of all the challenges, the Trek is quite popular among adventure junkies. The Trek combines the Manaslu trail with the hidden Tsum valley. It is a tea house trek around the eighth-highest mountain in the world, the Mountain Manaslu.
The fact that the Manaslu Tsum Valley is one of the least explored trails in the Himalayas makes the venture even more intriguing. Unlike the famous EBC and ABC treks, the Manaslu Tsum Valley Hiking route is not crowded.
Even the basic tourist infrastructure is built; you experience a raw trekking experience in this region. The trail takes you very close to the Tibetan border. The Manaslu trail opened in 1995, and Tsum Valley opened in 2008 for foreign visitors. Today, these parts of Nepal are restricted areas, meaning that foreign trekkers must obtain a special travel permit from the government of Nepal to trek in the Region.
The restricted area permit is only issued if you walk with a registered Nepali trekking company like Outfitter Himalaya, so you cannot trek alone in the Manaslu and Tsum valley Region. During the Manaslu with Tsum Valley Trek, you will see the rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage of the natives.
The Region was protected from the outside world for a long time, and little has changed in the daily lifestyle of the locals. In a way, the Manaslu-Tsum Valley Trek is also like traveling back in time. You get to embrace simple living and uncomplicated sentiments.
And, like the cherry on the top, diverse wilderness, stunning landscapes, and majestic Himalayan Mountains make the overall trekking experience in Tsum Valley and Manaslu far more tempting. The ancient monasteries, nunneries, Mani walls, prayer wheels, and sculpted rocks along the way add a further divine aura to the journey. The intimate encounters with the inhabitants, their simple yet fulfilling life, and strong values will blow your mind.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Highlights
- One of the most adventurous trekking trails in the Himalayas with offbeat and steep routes
- Enjoy a peaceful trek because the trail is not crowded at all
- Explore a restricted part of the Himalayas in Nepal
- Witness jaw-dropping mountain panoramas and diverse landscapes
- Come across a range of flora and fauna. Trek through lush forests of rhododendron and pine
- Explore around Mt. Manaslu (the eighth highest mountain in the world) and the hidden Tsum valley
- Visit ancient monasteries and hike to Manaslu base camp
- Get to see the lifestyle of the natives and learn about their values
Offbeat and Less Crowded Himalayan Trekking Trail
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek offers off-the-beaten-track hiking in the Nepal Himalayas. Most routes involve steep uphill walks following rough, forested paths. Because of all the hurdles this Trek poses, expensive restricted area permits, and strict regulations, only a few trekkers visit this Region every year, making the trail less crowded.
If you love walking in peace and embracing solitude, want to escape into the Mountains, and enjoy peace and serenity. In that case, you'll love Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal.
Unspoiled landscapes and excellent mountain views
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Route is heaven for trekkers looking for breathtaking landscapes and mountain views. The Region is close to the Tibetan border, so you can also witness Tibetan landscapes from some points.
You can look out for beautiful mountain birds, including the Lophophorus (Called Danphe in Nepali, the national bird of Nepal). Likewise, the lush green hills, waterfalls, glaciers, lakes, and verdant valleys sprinkle more beauty into the Region.
Mountains like Manaslu (8,163 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Chulu West (6,419 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Shringi Himal (7,083 m), Baudha Himal (6,672 m), Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Kang Guru (6,981 m), etc are seen along the trail. The landscape changes from dense forests, rivers & hills to pastures, moraines, and barren hills.
Travel in the Special Areas of Nepal
Nepal's Manaslu and Tsum valley are restricted areas. The trekker must obtain restricted area permits (RAP) from the government of Nepal, which is only possible with the help of a registered Nepali trekking company. Not only that, solo trekking is not allowed in the regions, and trekkers have to be in a group (at least two people) - not including a guide & porters) to participate in Manaslu with Tsum Valley Trek.
Explore ancient monasteries
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek lets you explore the sacred Piren Phu and Milarepa caves, where the legendary Buddhist sage is believed to have meditated. Likewise, the Region has many significant ancient monasteries, such as Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, Pungyen Gompa, and Lungdang Gompa, along with small stupas, chortens, sculpted stones, prayer wheels, etc.
Trail teeming with wilderness.
Fishing or hunting animals is prohibited in the Region, which has resulted in wealthy wildlife. The trail is in the Manaslu Conservation Area, so many plants and flowers can be seen. This conservation area is home to numerous exotic wildlife, including snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, red foxes, blue sheep, brown bears, and diverse species of birds.
Cross, the Larkya La, passes over 5,106 meters
Crossing Larkya La pass is the most challenging part of the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek. At 5,106 meters, it is one of the longest passes in the Nepalese Himalayas. The pass is located between Dharmashala and Bimtang. The route to the top of the pass is steep and rocky. Once you reach the top, you get rewards with jaw-dropping mountain scenery and find yourself amidst clouds.
Hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake
During your acclimatization day in Sama Gaon, you have two hiking options: Manaslu base camp and Birendra Lake. The Manaslu base camp is on the slopes of Mt. Manaslu, one of the eight highest mountains in the world. At 4,800 meters, it offers a sensational mountain landscape. Birendra Lake is a freshwater lake located near Punhyen Glacier. Brown hills and snow-capped mountains surround the turquoise lake, making the scenery heavenly. The lake is 3,691 meters deep.