I just wanted to thank you and Abhi for looking after us so well. The walk up Chisapani nearly killed me (my daughter thought it was an easy stroll!)... overall we had a great time, D and my daughter are already planning their next trip - with Annapurna base camp (and spotting a tiger in Chitwan) the target!
Manaslu treks
An expert guide to trekking the Manaslu region
The hiking trails around mighty Manaslu (8,156m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain, have it all. Trekking in Manaslu takes you through steamy lowland valleys and fields of rice which give way to ice-coated passes stalked by leopards.
I've hiked through mystical valleys rich in Tibetan culture and seen monasteries stuffed with treasures. There's some exhilarating walking with relatively few other trekkers and exciting day-long side trips to glaciers, base camps and hidden gompas. The Manaslu trekking region didn’t open up to foreign trekkers until the early 1990s ( the neighbouring Tsum Valley opened even later), but it was an instant hit with those wanting a challenging and less developed trekking area. Anyone who has walked in the shadow of Manaslu will probably tell you that overall, this is one of the most rewarding Nepal trekking areas.
There are trekking lodges all along the standard routes in Manaslu but for now, they are a lot more primitive than those on the Everest and Annapurna treks. Getting to the trailheads in this area is easy and cheap with frequent public transport from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The top Manaslu treks
Our expert's top picks

Manaslu trekking map
Manaslu trekking highlights
Larkya La
Wonders never cease on the Manaslu Circuit trek, but the best part is near the end. The Larkya La (5,160m) isn’t the highest trekking pass in the Nepalese Himalayas but it’s certainly one of the most dramatic. It’s a draining climb up to the pass but the reward is a sweeping view over dozens of mountains.
Tsum Valley
Only opened to tourists in 2008, the Tsum Valley is an isolated Tibetan realm with beautiful gompas, traditional villages and exciting exploratory treks. It’s considered a baeyul, or hidden paradise land, in Tibetan culture.
Side trips
There are some fabulous side trips on both the Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley treks and you should allow three or four extra days to enjoy them. Chances are that treks to Manaslu base camp, to the high passes along the Tibet border, or to crystalline lakes and atmospheric monasteries will turn out to be the most memorable part of your trek.
Village life
Being a relatively recent addition to the Nepal trekking scene and, for now, relatively quiet, the Manaslu area offers the chance to see traditional village life where agriculture and yak herding play a more important role in local economies than tourism.
Manaslu trekking need to know
For the Manaslu Circuit trek you need a TIMS card, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and a restricted area permit (seven days, September to November/December to August, US $70/50. Additional days, US $10/7). For the Tsum Valley you need the same permits plus a Tsum Valley permit (seven days, September to November/December to August, US $35/25. Additional days, US $3.50/2.50). Technically, for any of these you must be in a party of at least two trekkers and be accompanied by a guide. However, it’s possible to pay for a second “ghost” trekker permit.
All these treks except the Tsum Valley are best between October to November and March to May. Between late November and late February, the Larkya La and the Rupina La will be buried under snow and almost impossible to cross. Avoid trekking most of this area during the monsoon.
Being slightly in the Himalayan rain shadow, the Tsum Valley is possible to trek between March and early November. During the wettest June to August period, mountain views are likely to be obscured. April to May and October are perfect for Tsum.
Trekking lodges along the Manaslu Circuit are improving fast. For now, the Tsum Valley is all homestays. It’s a good idea to come to the Tsum Valley with camping gear as that opens up interesting overnight side trips. The Rupina La trek is a camping-only trek.
There are no flights to trailheads, but getting to the start and end points of any of the treks is possible by vehicle from either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Manaslu trekking FAQs
Your questions, our expert answers
Question
We have been to EBC twice and Gokyo Lakes and are looking for new adventure. We have 20 trekking days. It appears the Manaslu Circuit + Annapurna and Tsum Valley is quite long. Is there a way to shorten this trek?
Answer
With 20 days you have time to do the Manaslu Circuit and the most interesting parts of the Annapurna Circuit. This time last year I was on the Manaslu Circuit again and the road now goes further up the valley so you can save a couple of days there by driving as far as Jagat. Allowing plenty of time to acclimatise by doing various side trips you can be over the Larkya La and down to Dharapani (on the Annapurna Circuit) within 10 days. You can then follow the Annapurna Circuit and get to Jomson (going slowly and again adding in an acclimatisation day or two) in nine days. From Jomson you can drive (or fly) back to Pokhara in one long day.
Add in an extra couple of days (three ideally) and you can even do the side trip to Tilcho Lake which is very impressive.
Twenty days though is not enough time to also include Tsum Valley. You would really need about 26/27 days for all three areas.