If you’re already planning the Manaslu Circuit, there’s a good chance you’ve seen “Tsum Valley” mentioned somewhere and wondered whether it’s worth the detour. Short answer: for most trekkers with the time to spare, yes. Tsum Valley is a side branch off the main Manaslu route that leads into one of Nepal’s most isolated Buddhist communities — a valley that only opened to outside trekkers in 2008 and still sees a fraction of the traffic of the main circuit. Here’s everything you need to know about adding it on.
What Tsum Valley Actually Adds
Tsum Valley branches off the standard Manaslu Circuit route near Lokpa, roughly three days into the trek. Instead of continuing straight up the Budhi Gandaki toward Samagaon, the extension turns east into a separate valley system that dead-ends near the Tibetan border — meaning you walk in and walk back out the same way before rejoining the main Manaslu trail.
What you get for the detour:
- Mu Gompa, the largest and oldest monastery in the valley, sitting at roughly 3,700m near the Tibetan border
- Milarepa’s Cave (Piren Phu), a sacred meditation site linked to the Tibetan Buddhist saint credited with helping spread Buddhism into Tibet
- Rachen Gompa, a nunnery with strong pilgrim significance
- A living Tibetan-influenced culture, including a distinct local dialect and festivals like Lhosar (Tibetan New Year), largely unchanged due to the valley’s isolation
- Views of Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal that you don’t get from the main Manaslu route
How Many Extra Days It Adds
This is the main trade-off to weigh. A standard Manaslu Circuit runs 14–16 days. Adding Tsum Valley typically extends that to 18–23 days total, depending on pacing and how many side hikes you fit in within the valley itself. If your time is genuinely limited, this is the number that decides whether the extension is realistic for your trip.
Permits: What Changes
Tsum Valley requires its own restricted area permit on top of what you already need for Manaslu — it isn’t automatically included just because you’re doing the main circuit.
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) — required regardless of whether you add Tsum Valley
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) — also required for the standard circuit
- Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit — a separate permit specific to the valley, priced by week and season, with a lower daily rate in spring/summer/winter and a higher rate during peak autumn
As with Manaslu itself, a licensed guide and registered agency are mandatory — there’s no independent trekking option here. Your operator handles the permit paperwork, but get your passport and visa details to them early since restricted-area permits take longer to process than standard TIMS trekking.
A Rough Route Through the Valley
Once you branch off at Lokpa, the typical progression looks like:
- Lokpa to Chumling — entering the lower valley, climbing through pine and rhododendron forest
- Chumling to Chekampar — deeper into the valley, passing smaller Tsum settlements
- Chekampar to Nile — the last major settlement heading north, passing Milarepa’s Cave along the way
- Day trip to Mu Gompa — most itineraries base out of Nile and do this as a there-and-back hike rather than moving accommodation, visiting the valley’s largest monastery and its highest point
- Return journey back through the valley to Lokpa, rejoining the main Manaslu Circuit route toward Samagaon and eventually Larkya La Pass
Several operators build in an extra acclimatization day around Nile or Mu Gompa, on top of the acclimatization days already built into the main Manaslu itinerary at Samagaon.
Does It Make the Trek Harder?
Not technically, but it does add altitude exposure and remoteness on top of an already demanding trek. Tsum Valley itself tops out around 3,700m at Mu Gompa — lower than Larkya La Pass — so you’re not adding a harder single day. What you are adding is more cumulative time at altitude, more days in an area with even sparser infrastructure than the main Manaslu trail, and a longer overall commitment. If you’re already comfortable with the idea of 14+ days on the main circuit, Tsum Valley is more of a “more of the same, further from help” addition than a difficulty spike.
Who Should Add Tsum Valley (and Who Shouldn’t)
Worth adding if:
- You have 18+ days available and aren’t racing a tight schedule
- You’re drawn to Nepal for cultural immersion as much as mountain views — Tsum Valley delivers more of the former than the main Manaslu route does
- You want a trekking experience that’s noticeably quieter and less touristed, even by Manaslu’s already-remote standards
Probably skip it if:
- Your trip window is fixed at 14–16 days and can’t flex
- You’re mainly trekking for the Larkya La Pass crossing and high-mountain scenery specifically — Tsum Valley’s highlights are cultural and monastic rather than big alpine views
- You’re already pushing your comfort level with altitude and remoteness on the main circuit alone
FAQs
Do I need a separate permit for Tsum Valley?
Yes. It’s a distinct restricted area with its own permit, priced separately from the Manaslu RAP, MCAP, and ACAP you already need for the main circuit.
How many extra days does Tsum Valley add to Manaslu Circuit?
Typically 5–7 extra days, bringing a standard 14–16 day Manaslu trek up to roughly 18–23 days total.
Is Tsum Valley harder than the main Manaslu Circuit?
Not significantly — its highest point, Mu Gompa, sits lower than Larkya La Pass. The main added challenge is cumulative altitude time and remoteness, not a harder single day.
What’s the main reason to add Tsum Valley?
Culture and isolation. It’s home to well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist traditions, sacred sites like Milarepa’s Cave, and a level of quiet that’s rare even on the already-remote main Manaslu route.
Can I do Tsum Valley without doing the full Manaslu Circuit?
Yes, some trekkers do Tsum Valley as a standalone trip, typically around 10–11 days. Combining it with the full Manaslu Circuit is the more popular option for those with enough time, since the routes overlap for the first few days anyway.
Thinking about adding Tsum Valley to your Manaslu trek? Check our Manaslu Circuit + Tsum Valley package for the full combined itinerary and pricing. If you haven’t settled on the base Manaslu route yet, start with our complete Manaslu Circuit Trek guide.