Manaslu Region of Nepal Trekking is one of the most mystical and spiritual. The place has its own legacy and it is believed that the region is protected by gods and goddesses as the myth says. Therefore, trekking to these places will awaken our spirits and take us closer to the spirituality and immense wonders of Mother Nature. Among two iconic trekking routes of the region, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a long detour and involves the activity like crossing of the Larke La Pass. The trip is tiring and extends above five thousand meters altitude. For those willing to explore the authentic rural environment of the Manaslu region, Tsum Valley Trek is an ideal choice. In less than 12 days, you can explore the places where 8th eons once meditated! Tsum Valley Trek is indeed a surreal trekking route to experience diverse attractions ranging from culture to nature.
Among several restricted trekking destinations of Nepal, Tsum Valley is the most mystical and mythical. It would not be exasperating to say that Upper Mustang and Tsum Valley have the best spiritual experiences in comparison to all the restricted trekking destinations of Nepal. However, all these destinations are equally popular and have their own peculiar attractions!
Tsum refers to brightness according to the Tibetan language. Therefore, if you visit the place, you will be brighten by its natural beauty and spirituality. There are hardly 2000 people living in the region but the place offers quintessential trekking moments for the trekkers to cherish. Nunneries, monasteries, and mystical hill caves can provide trekkers the sheer joy. All the trekkers who had done Tsum Valley Trek shared with us that they reminiscent about their life while doing the trek. It is truly blissful and surprisingly helpful in finding yourself. Don’t miss out to find yourself and awaken your soul by visiting the most picturesque and cultural valleys of Tsum.
The language spoken in Tsum Valley is either Nepali or Tibetan influenced Tsombo. The dialect is heavily influenced by the Tibetan language but it is not Tibetan. Many years ago Tibetans flocked to the fertile valleys of Tsum. The place is also famously known as the hidden valley surrounded by the hills with green lush forests. People say that the place was an ideal destination for the people to escape from war and famine. Therefore, in ancient times people fled Tibet and settled in these parts of Nepal.
The myth says that the 8th eons meditated in the caves of the region. Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava himself spent quality time for meditation and spiritual awakening in this region. No wonder there are lots of stupas, pagodas, manes, monasteries, and nunneries in the region. If you would like you can spend overnight in the guesthouses of these monasteries or nunneries.
The Manaslu trekking route is under the restricted trekking regions of Nepal. Therefore, you must fulfill certain criteria to enter the region. You are not allowed to do solo trekking without the help of the trekking agency and trekking guide. There must be at least two trekkers to do the trek and these trekkers must have a trekking guide. Besides this rule, you must obtain a special immigration permit, TIMS, and Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit.
The best time to do the trek is during the months of spring and autumn. During this time of the year, the scenery is clear and the green lush forest environment looks gorgeous. Moreover, you can get the best experience of trekking without any natural hassles during this time of the year in Nepal. The spring season has months of March, April, and May whereas the autumn season has months of August, September, and October.
Food and accommodation in the trekking route is well balanced. You can get diverse menu items ranging from Chinese, Indian, Nepali, Continental, and Local dishes to proper monastery meals. The accommodation is basic as you will get a bed and bedding to spend a night during the trek. The trail has not been commercialized yet. Therefore, you can get the authentic rural Nepal experiences!
Book the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with Nepal High Trek. Our trekking guides and porters as well as all the trekking crew members for the Manaslu region is from the region. Therefore, you will have a chance to travel with the locals as it ensures authentic information and quality services. Don’t miss out to explore the majestic and mystical valleys of Tsum where Milarepa a Buddhist scholar once meditated back in the 11th century. If you’re looking for a short restricted and scenic culture trip in Nepal the short Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek would be a perfect to immerse into nature with culture.
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will hop into a jeep and head to Machhakhola. The majority of the road is black tarred but the road from Salyantaar to Machhakhola is on graveled bumpy road via Aarughat and Aarkhet. The place is on the banks of the Budi Gandaki River. On either side, you will see terraced farmlands and hills. Overnight at lodge
We will enter the Manaslu Conservation Area from here onwards. We will have to cross many suspension bridges over the Budi Gandaki River on this day. There are many waterfalls and wildlife-spotting places on this trail. We will trek through green lush forests and hamlets of Gurung and Tamang people along the way. Today, we will have to walk through many small uphill and downhill. Overall, the trek can be a thrilling experience as it is the first day of the trek.
After breakfast, we will follow the Manaslu Circuit Trek route. Only after the lunch we will leave the Manaslu Circuit Trek route and heads towards Tsum Valley. We will have trek through villages like Salleri and Sirdibas. On the way we will traverse through densely populated village of Gurung people called Phillim and through a river gorge we will enter the Tsum valley towards the village of Chumling the next day. In this anticipation, our stay in Lokpa will be memorable.
Today is steep climbing day as we will have sore legs once we reach Chumling. Be prepared for this. However, forests of rhododendron, juniper, and pine can help you forget all the pains. Moreover, the hide and seek moments with snow capped mountains will definitely help you forget about the pain and enjoy the majestic attractions of the Manaslu region’s trekking in Nepal.
We will wake up with the magnificent sunrise view from the casement of Shringi Himal and continue our journey towards Upper Tsum Valley. From this day onwards, you will start to see the change in the village and people. More Tibetan origin people will be encountered. Tsum communities of people are also either Gurung or Tamang but of Tibetan origin.
This is the most tiring and longest day of our trek. We will trek to Nile village and head towards Mu Gompa monastery. It is believed that the monastery is the place where Milarepa a Buddhist sage meditated during 11th century. Besides Mu Gompa, we will also visit the Rachen Gompa. The day will be spiritual to the fullest. You can choose to spend overnight in Mu Gompa or return back to Nile for overnight sleep.
It is relatively easy day to trek as we descend and rejoice in the green terraced farmlands as well as forests along the way. We will be leaving Upper Tsum and enter the Lower Tsum region.
We will traverse through terraced farmlands and cross Siyar River enjoying the majestic view of the magnificent landscape. It is worthy to be published as a post card. Yes, we will trek through this post card like place towards the village of Philim largely habituated by Gurung community of Nepal.
We will again meet the Budi Gandaki River and most of the trekking on this day is on the ridge to the river through villages like Lapdada. We will enjoy at the lodge either in Soti Khola or Machha Khola with our trekking crew members as today is the last day of the trek.
We will retrace back to Kathmandu on either a jeep or local bus traveling through places like Aarkhet, Aarughat, Salyantaar, Dhadingbeshi, and Malekhu. In the evening, the officials of Nepal High Trek will join you to discuss about the events during Tsum Valley Trek and collect your reviews. The agency will treat a farewell dinner at a cultural Nepalese restaurant.
Our airport representative and guide will accompany you to the International Airport for departure.