Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek

Trip Duration 27
Max Altitude 3700M at Mu Gompa
Group Size 2 to 20
Best Time for Visit March to May, Sep to February

Trip Overview

Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek

The Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek is a mesmerizing adventure that takes you through the remote and picturesque landscapes of the Manaslu region in Nepal. It is a hidden gem for trekkers seeking a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience. Spanning around 18-21 days, this trek also combines cultural immersion, breathtaking mountain scenery, and a sense of tranquility.

Journey to Arughat

The journey begins in Kathmandu, where you'll drive to the starting point in Arughat. From there, you'll also trek through diverse terrain, including lush forests, terraced fields, and deep river valleys. As you ascend, you'll also encounter traditional Gurung and Tamang villages, where you can immerse yourself in their unique culture, traditions, and hospitality.

Tsum Valley

The Tsum Valley, often referred to as the "hidden valley of happiness," is one of the highlights of the trek. This sacred valley is renowned for its ancient monasteries, chortens, and prayer flags. You'll also have the opportunity to explore these cultural treasures and witness the daily lives of the local people, who have preserved their Tibetan Buddhist traditions for centuries.

Journey to Larkya La Pass

Continuing further, you'll trek alongside the mighty Budhi Gandaki River, passing through picturesque villages such as Samagaun and Samdo. The trail gradually gains altitude, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks, including the majestic Manaslu, which stands at 8,163 meters (26,781 feet). The highlight of the trek is the challenging yet rewarding crossing of the Larkya La Pass at 5,135 meters (16,847 feet), providing breathtaking panoramic vistas of the surrounding Himalayan ranges.

Accommodations and Facilities

Throughout the trek, you'll stay in teahouses or guesthouses, where you can enjoy warm meals and comfortable lodging. The facilities become more basic as you venture deeper into the mountains, so it's advisable to carry necessary trekking gear and a sleeping bag.

Best time to visit during Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek

The best time to undertake the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is relatively stable, and the views are spectacular.

Conclusion and Summary for Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek

Overall, this Trek offers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and physical challenge. It is an opportunity to witness the raw beauty of the Himalayas, experience the rich cultural heritage of the region, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
 

 Trip Highlight

  • The scenic drive from Kathmandu to Arughat.
  • Distinctive traditional Tibetan culture and customs.
  • Stunning views of Mt. Manaslu, Himchuli, Ganesh Himal and other snow-capped mountains..
  • Visit ancient monasteries – Gompa Lungdang, Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa.
  • Waterfalls, rivers, and caves along the way
  • Prayer flags and mani walls along the route
  • A comparatively easy trek with little fear of altitude sickness
  • Beautiful pine, juniper, and rhododendron forests.
  • Visit sacred caves and Buddhist monasteries rich in history and spiritual significance to Tibetans.
  • Deep gorges and pristine landscape of Tsum Valley.
  • High altitude trek to Mu Gompa (3700m) and its monastery..
  • Trek to Ganesh Himal Base Camp. below Mt. Ganesh Himal (7422m).
  • Wildlife animals like blue sheep and Himalayan tahr

Itinerary

 

Itinerary Facts
Driving Hours (160km / 99.4miles) 6-8hrs

After early morning breakfast, you will start the journey with a scenic drive to Arughat, followed by Soti Khola. The bus will follow the Prithivi Highway, west of Kathmandu, along the banks of the Trishuli river. After a few hours, you will reach Dhading Bensi, the district headquarters of Dhading. 

From Dhading Bensi, the bus will follow the Budhi Gandaki river and head to Arughat Bazaar, providing exceptional views of Mt. Manaslu and Ganesh Himal on the way. Arughat Bazaar is a compact settlement on both the banks of Budhi Gandaki and joined by a suspension bridge. A drive of about two hours from Arughat will take you to Soti Khola.

  • Overnight stay at ABC Hotel (room with attached bathroom)
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 890m / 2,965ft
Trek Duration 6-7 hrs

You will head to Machha Khola early morning. The trek begins by crossing the Soti Khola as you enjoy the attractive views of several waterfalls and rivulets. Then you will be walking inside a beautiful Sal forest and head to a ridge above the gigantic Budhi Gandaki rapids. You will then make your way to Liding and then to Khursane.

From Khursane, you will descend by the sides of terraced farmlands to reach an ethnic Gurung village called Lapubesi. Then the path enters a wide valley, and you will follow the sandy river banks of Budhi Gandaki to reach Nauli Khola, which you must cross to reach Maccha Khola.

  • Overnight stay at Hotel Everest View
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 1,400m / 4,593ft
Trek Duration 6 to 7 hrs.

After early morning breakfast, you will trek through a fertile landscape, across several ups and downs, and reach Tharo Khola, which you will cross to enter Khorlabesi. Then, you will leave Khorla Besi behind and reach Tatopani. Tatopani means hot water in Nepali, and, sure enough, there is a natural hot spring at Tatopani. The valley you will be trekking on now starts to get narrower and leads to Budhi Gandaki River, which you need to cross on a suspension bridge. Then comes a stone staircase adorned with prayer flags to reach Tharo Bharyang. You will continue along a path paved with stones to Jagat, a town that lies west of the Budhi Gandaki River.

  • Overnight stay at a lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Trek Duration 1,400m / 4,593ft
Trek Duration 6 -7 hrs

Before heading to Lokpa, we register our permits for Manaslu and Tsum valley at the entry checkpoint in Jagat. Then we will climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, where we stop for a while to enjoy the views of Mount Sringi and descend to Sirdibas. At Sirdibas, we cross the longest suspension bridge in Nepal to enter Philim and continue our trek forward, reaching Ekle Bhatti and then Lokpa, the entry point of Tsum Valley. This village is the first village in the Tsum valley that allows us to view the beautiful Manaslu range. This village is isolated and said to have been blessed by Padmashamva centuries ago.

  • Overnight stay at a lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 2,386m / 7,828ft
Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

The day starts with a trek from Lokpa village, the route to Tsum Valley, although the actual entrance to Tsum Valley begins from a deep slender, and narrow gorge leading to Lokpa. From the path, you will get amazing views of the Boudha Himal (6,672m) and Ganesh Himal.

The route then descends to the Lungwa river valley and progresses through a dense forest full of rhododendron, juniper, and pine. Then you will reach Gumling, and shortly afterward, you will arrive at Syar Khola, which means you have reached the village of Chumling. The short trek will leave you enough time to visit the three main monasteries of Chumling – The Panago Gompa, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gompa.

  • Overnight stay at a lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 3,031m / 9,944ft
Trek Duration 5-6 hrs.

The destination for this day is Chhokangparo, and we begin early in the morning. The upper Tsum valley opens from Chhokang Paro, situated on flat land. Actually, there are two settlements in Chhokangparo, one is Chhokang, and the other is Paro. You will follow Shair Khola and reach Domje – the largest town in Tsum Valley. From Domje, you will climb uphill to reach Chhokagnparo and get stunning views of Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli. We are sure you will enjoy the local hospitality and taste their unique Tibetan tea (butter tea). 

  • Overnight stay at a lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 3,361m / 11,026ft
Trek Duration 4-5 hrs

The Nile village is on the western side and is the last village north of the upper Tsum Valley. It is on the sunny side of the Shiar Khola, and you have to walk for twenty minutes to reach the Nile from Chhule. Along the way, you will pass the sacred Phiren Phu Cave, also called Pigeon Cave. People believe the Tibetan Buddhist master Milarepa meditated in this cave, and his footprints are imprinted on this cave.

As you proceed, you will walk past green meadows and fertile but narrow landscapes. There are two more gumbas in this region, abundantly painted with Buddhist murals. In these Gumbas, you will find artistic scripts carved on the stones. In addition, you will also find scripts written on papers, and prayer flags make these gompas a socio-cultural asset. You will cross a suspension bridge on the Shair Khola to arrive at the Nile village.

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 4,060m / 13,320ft
Trek Duration 3-4 hrs

After early morning breakfast, you will head out of Nile Village on a trail that gradually ascends to Mu Gompa – the largest monastery in this region. 

However, after 2 hrs of a trek from Nile village, you will first reach Dephyudonma Gumba (monastery), one of the oldest monasteries in the region, signifying the dawn of the Buddist religion in this valley.

Mu Gompa, established in 1895, lies at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum Valley and contains many religious books, including Kangyur, a life-size statue of Avalokiteshwara, and portraits of Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Tara. To reach Mu Gompa, you will pass through several yak pastures and arid Trans Himalayan terrain.

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 3,700m / 12,139ft
Trek Duration 4-5 hrs

Shortly after breakfast, we head to Rechen Gompa, a nunnery situated in the Shiar Khola Valley in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. You will return through Chhule and continue down as far as Phurba. Then onwards, you will take a route on the east banks of Siyar Khola through boulder-covered plains to reach Rachen Gompa. This Gompa, built in 1905, houses Ngak-pa sect nuns. The Gompa’s interior contains several murals relating to Buddhism and its history.

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 3,240m / 10,629ft
Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

The trek heads south, leading to Chhokangparo, on a route towards Chumling. Within two hours of the trek, you will see a small white Gompa at Gho (2,485m). From this monastery, you will descend on a path that eventually leads to a wooden bridge over Siyar Khola. After crossing this bridge, you will reach Domje, home to a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and a school.

From Domje, we head east, climbing through pine, juniper, and rhododendron forest, and from the path, you will see several mani walls and prayer flags. You will ascend one more time through the silver pine forest and reach Lungdang Gompa.Especially in spring, you will get breathtaking views, complete with blooming rhododendrons from the trails.

Gumba Lungdang is home to about forty nuns and is known for its intense puja, which takes place from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. From the gompa, you can enjoy beautiful and astonishing views of the mountains all around.

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 4,200m / 13,779ft
Trek Duration 7-8 hrs

Today will be an exciting day as you will trek to the Ganesh Himal Base Camp. You will start the trek by ascending, but the views will reward you amply. The path takes you through smaller valleys. Few people head towards Ganesh Himal Base Camp, so the trails might not be obvious, but you should not worry, as our guides will show you the path. You will reach Ganesh Himal Base Camp in about four hours. After appreciating the views from Ganesh Himal Base Camp, you will return back to Gumba Lungdang for the night.

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 3,200m / 10,498ft
Trek Duration 6-7 hrs

We head back to Lokpa. At first, you will descend to Domje, taking the upper track, crossing the Laudang Khola. From Domje, you will head south, passing beautiful dense forests and crossing suspension bridges to Ripche (2,470m). Then you will descend to Batti Ghumlong and, from there, ascend a bit to reach Lokpa. 

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 2,040m / 6,692ft
Trek Duration 6-7 hrs

It is time to descend to Jagat, where you will rejoin the Budhi Gandaki river. From the trails, you will get a few glimpses of the mountains. Today’s hike through forests and terrain downhill should be pleasant and easy for your legs. You will cross several suspension bridges to reach Sirdibas village before arriving at Jagat.

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 1,400m / 4,593ft
Trek Duration 7-8 hrs

After early morning breakfast, you will descend to Lapu Bensi. The trek will mostly be pleasant as you walk downhill, but the suspension bridges provide excitement. Before reaching Lapu Bensi, you will reach Machha Khola, then cross a suspension bridge over Nauli Khola, and follow the sandy Budhi Gandaki river bed to arrive at Lapu Bensi – a beautiful Gurung Village. 

  • Overnight stay at a local lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

 

Itinerary Facts
Highest Altitude 900m / 2,952ft
Trek Duration 4-5 hrs

Today’s trek back to Arughat Bazaar will be a short one. Firstly, we follow the Budhi Gandaki river for a few hours to reach Soti Khola. From Soti Khola, we will take a jeep to Arughat Bazaar. After a couple of hours of driving, you will reach the Arughat Bazaar. Arughat Bazaar has small cafes and shops that you should consider visiting.

  • Overnight stay at a lodge
  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

Itinerary Facts

Driving Hours (126 km/78miles) -7-8

After early morning breakfast, we will drive you back to Kathmandu. The drive will be scenic as the bus moves by the side of the beautiful Trishuli river. The greenery of the hills will be eye-pleasing as well. Soon, the bus heads east to Kathmandu via the Prithivi Highway. Your trek package ends in Kathmandu. You are free to spend your time in Kathmandu as you wish.

  • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch)

Departures & Availability

The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.

Check Available Dates
Start Date Price Availability

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Price include

  • Both-way transportation between Kathmandu and Arughat by local bus
  • Accommodations at best available lodges(Generally twin Sharing room)-15 Nights
  • All standard meals – 16 lunches, 15 dinners, and 16 breakfasts during the trek.
  • Government licensed English Speaking Friendship World Trekking experienced trek leader (12 or above trekkers: 1 assistant guide).
  • Porters to help trekkers luggage. (2 trekkers:1 porter) Luggage weight limit per trekker is 9 kg.
  • Guides and porters’ salary, their meals, insurance, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment
  • Tsum Valley special permit and Conservation Area Permit fees.
  • Water purification tablets for safe drinking water
  • Snacks (cookies) and seasonal fresh fruits every day
  • All government, local taxes, and official expenses
  • Arranging rescue operations in case of complicated health conditions (funded by travel insurance)
  • Souvenir – a company’s T-shirt & a cap
  • Friendship World trek achievement certificate after the successful trek
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trek

Price Excludes

  • International flight costs
  • Excess luggage charges (Luggage weight limit is 9 kg per person)
  • Visa fees at Tribhuvan International Airport. USD 50 for a 30-day sta
  • All accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, before and after the journey
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival or late departure, early return from the trek.
  • Personal expenses (shopping, snacks, boil bottle water, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, hot shower, alcohol, Wi-Fi, telephone call, battery re-charge fee, extra porters, etc
  • Personal clothing and gear
  • Travel insurance has to cover emergency high-altitude heli-rescue and evacuation (compulsory)
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Additional costs due to delays caused by circumstances beyond our control, such as landslides, weather conditions, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, changes in government policies, strikes, etc
  • All the costs and expenses not listed in “cost includes” are counted as excludes

Gears And Equipment

Trip Information

Free airport pick up and drop off

We offer a complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off service from/to Tribhuvan International Airport to/from the hotel in Kathmandu. Upon arrival at TIA, you will find our representative holding our company pamphlet with your name on it. After greeting you, they will present you with a garland as a welcome gesture and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Similarly, when you depart for your home country, we will pick you up from your hotel and drop you at the airport. To take advantage of this service, you must share your flight details with us. We provide this service to all our clients so that our valuable clients do not feel alone in a new country or face navigation problems.

The beginning of the journey

You must arrive in Kathmandu two days before the trek departure date. Please make sure the second day after your arrival is a weekday. We need one full weekday to acquire a restricted area permit for you. To get this Manaslu Circuit trek, we need your passport with a Nepal visa. If, in case, you missed the online trip briefing, it will also provide us time to conduct an in-person trip briefing. On the trek departure day, we will drive you to Sotikhola via Arughat for the trek start.

This package included both-way transportation between Kathmandu and Arughat on a local bus, but you can hire a private jeep at an extra cost for comfort.

Accommodation during the trek

This 16 days trek includes 15 nights of lodge-to-lodge stays at the best lodges in trek regions. We hand-select all lodges, paying attention to hygiene. You will be staying in rooms with attached bathrooms where possible and in standard rooms at other accommodations.

You will need at least three nights of hotels in Kathmandu before and after the trek, but this package does not include these stays. Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels for all budgets and preferences, and we respect your choices.

You can use hot showers and Wi-Fi at most lodges/hotels you will be staying in, but you will have to pay for the service.

Food during the trek

This 16-day trek takes you to high elevations, so you need plenty of nutritious food. We will provide you with enough nutrient-rich food, but your choices get limited as you ascend. The food also gets expensive with height.

We will provide 16 breakfasts, 16 lunches, and 15 dinners during the trek. The cuisine is local, Asian, or Western. Some of the most popular menu items in the trek regions are:

Breakfast – Muesli Bread, Fruits, Vegetables, Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French toast with Jam, Butter, Cheese, Honey Tibetan bread or Chapati, Local Tsampa porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, Hot drinks (varieties of teas and coffees, hot chocolates, etc.)

Lunch – Dhal, Bhat, & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Potatoes, Vegetables, Salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni dishes, Tenduk Spaghetti Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Desserts, (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), etc

Dinner – Dhal, Bhat & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Various Soups, Potatoes items, Vegetable and salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni, Tenduk Spaghetti, Noodles Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts items (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), Hard Drinks Steaks, etc

We advise you to take plenty of fresh vegetables. Similarly, liquids such as lemon tea, green tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup (must) are known to be beneficial in high altitudes.

However, we do not recommend non-veg items during the trek because the meat in trek regions may not be hygienic. Similarly, you might consider avoiding dairy and caffeinated items, alcoholic drinks, and hot chocolates.

All personal bills – alcoholic, hot (tea, coffee, etc.), and cold drinks – in tea houses/ lodges or cafes except standard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner with seasonal fruits) are not included in this package.

Best time for the trek

Weather, mainly temperature, is the most important factor to consider when deciding to trek to the Tsum Valley. March to May and September to November form the busiest season for the Tsum Valley trek. In winter (December to February), the heavy snowfall forces the lodge in Mu Gompa to close. The summer season in Nepal starts in June and lasts till August, but this is the season when the monsoon becomes active, making the trails wet and slippery.

Though all seasons provide different trek experiences for the best views and good trail conditions, spring (March-May) and autumn (Sept -Nov) are the best seasons.

March to May (Spring)

It is the best season to trek to Tsum Valley. You will find weather favorable throughout the trek, enabling you to catch stunning views of the Manaslu mountains and glaciers in the region. The temperatures start rising in mid-March, and the clear skies mean fantastic views. During April and May, the temperatures rise comparatively, making it slightly hot in lower regions, but the temperature is perfect for the trek at high altitudes. Most trekkers choose to trek to Tsum Valley in spring. It is also the season rhododendron flowers bloom in the forests making your trek scenic.

September to November (Autumn)

It is also one of the perfect seasons for the trek. Many tourists come to trek to Tsum Valley this season, taking advantage of the favorable weather. As the monsoon recedes in September, a perfect trekking climate sets in. The temperature can reach 20 degrees in the daytime but falls to 5 degrees at night.

If you decide to trek during this time, clear skies, amazing views of the mountains, and good trail conditions will enrich your trek experience. Moreover, several major festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chhat, and Indrajatra fall in autumn, making the whole environment festive. November treks are also popular due to clear, sparkling days. From late November, the temperatures dip, and snowfalls begin in the high trek altitudes.

The weather in high altitudes is unpredictable and changes quickly.

Trip Grade: Fitness level, Medical, and Health

The Tsum Valley 16 days trek is a moderate-grade hike. The highest point you will reach lies at Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200m). The second highest point is Mu Gompa at 3,700m. You will be hiking for 5 to 7 hours in lower regions and about 3-4 hours in high elevations. Treks in higher elevations are more difficult due to low oxygen levels.

A normally fit person can certainly complete this trek. However, as with all high-altitude hikes, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. You just need to be ready to walk for four to six hours, taking enough breaks in between. We recommend you participate in stamina-building exercises such as jogging, cycling, or swimming a few weeks before your trek departure date. The trek routes involve long climbs, steep descents, and forward trails on rocky paths at certain sections. We do not recommend this trek for those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart, blood, or lung disease.

Trekking group/single

We conduct private as well as group treks. However, Nepal Government provides a special permit only to a group with at least two trekkers. So, you will need at least one partner for this trek. However, you need to worry. If you do not have a trekking partner, we will find someone for you. We can handle any group size and add an assistant guide for a group of 12 or more members. Moreover, if you have your group, based on the group size, we will provide you with discounts. However, a private trip for a solo traveler to Tsum Valley is not possible.

A typical day during the trek

Every day will reward you with a unique experience of trekking, climbing, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, tasting new dishes, and exploring local villages. Our friendly, experienced, and government-licensed guide/Sherpa will accompany you throughout the trek, providing information about the places as you visit them.

We assign porters to carry your luggage. However, the luggage weight limit per trekker is 9kg. One porter will carry two trekkers’ luggage. However, we expect you to bring a small backpack to keep your valuables and informational documents safe.

Each day will start with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After a wholesome breakfast, you will set off on the day’s walk around 7 AM to 8 AM, depending on the duration and nature of that day’s walk.

After trekking for three to four hours, we will serve you lunch around midday en route to the next destination. You will be resting for about an hour before starting the trek again. The afternoon trek will generally be shorter, lasting for two or three hours. After reaching your destination, you can snack on extra-dietary food, and you are free to explore your destination until it gets dark.

We serve dinner around six to seven pm. After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. After this briefing, you will have some time before going to bed. You can use this time to converse with your fellow trekkers, read books or play games such as chess, cards, or Monopoly. Most of our guests also engage in learning light fun Nepali words.

Communication during the trek

While on the trek, you can use the internet service available at most of the lodges you will be staying in by paying a small fee. You can freely contact your friends and family from the lodges. However, at high altitudes, we will use mobile phones for safety. Friendship World Trek remains in contact with all its trek teams at least once a day via the trek lead. We want to ensure that the trek is progressing smoothly and everyone is comfortable. You can buy a local sim in Kathmandu for your mobile. However, at high altitudes, the signals may not be strong enough.

You can enjoy using Wi-Fi from the lodges you will be staying in, but you will need to pay to use it.

Extra personal expenses on trekking

This trek covers most expenses during the trek, but not all costs. Please refer to the cost includes and cost excludes section for details. You will need at least three days of hotel stays in Kathmandu, two days before the trek and one day after. This package does not include hotel accommodations and meals in Kathmandu. Kathmandu has all sorts of hotels and lodges that can fit all tastes and budgets. In addition, trekkers must bring personal spending money to cover several costs such as visa application fees, insurance for the trek, souvenirs, hot (tea/coffee), cold and alcoholic drinks, tips for crew members, snacks, etc. We advise you to bring cash (major currencies) and exchange them in Kathmandu as trek regions do not honor foreign currencies. We estimate that you will need USD 10 to 20 per trek day to cover miscellaneous costs.

Electricity and battery recharge, water on trekking

Throughout the lodges at Manaslu Circuit Trek trails, electricity for electronics recharge is available at an extra cost. You can easily buy bottled water from en-route shops, but some trek regions might not allow plastic water bottles. Hence, we advise you to bring a water bottle and fill it with boiled/filtered water, which you can buy at tea houses/lodges. It is better to use a water purification pill before drinking. If you need these pills, we can provide them for you.

You shouldn’t drink water from rivers, taps, and wells in trek regions because the water might not be as drinkable as it seems.

Travel insurance policy

This Manaslu trip grade is challenging, and you will reach a height of 4,200m at Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Though the elevation is not too high, this trek comes with high altitude risks such as potential altitude sickness, landslides, etc. So, travel insurance is compulsory.

All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate to Friendship World Trek before starting the trek. The policy should cover emergency repatriation, including helicopter rescue and evacuation up to the highest trek altitude (4,000m), and medical treatment costs. It is important because the trek region does not have adequate health facilities.

We can recommend insurance companies for you based on our previous client experiences, but we are not involved in selling insurance policies at all.

During emergencies, we will use your insurance and other informational documents to arrange a quick and effective rescue.

Before buying travel insurance, we urge you to call the insurer and recheck if they include heli-rescue up to 4,000m. Do not just rely on what the insurers say on their website.

Passport and visa

All foreigners, except Indians, require a visa to enter Nepal. Citizens from most countries can get on-arrival visas at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) or immigration checkpoints along Nepal-India and Nepal-Tibet borders.

To apply for an on-arrival visa, you will require a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees. The current visa fee is USD 50 for a 30-day stay. Chinese and SAARC (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka) get free visas. Similarly, children under ten get free visas.

However, citizens from certain countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan – may not receive an on-arrival visa. If you are a national from any of these countries, you need to contact your nearest Nepali embassy for a visa.

Nepal government may change visa rules at any time, so for the latest information visit https://www.immigration.gov.np.

 

Tsum Valley Trek Route Map

Tsum Valley Map

FAQS

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

Traveler Reviews

These full and frank reviews are from travelers who have traveled with Ace the Himalaya previously. The reviews and experiences shown here are from reputable travel websites like TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trust Pilot, etc.