Tips for a Successful Tsum Valley Via Manaslu Circuit Trek:
- Train regularly, such as in cardio, gym, trail run, trekking, or hiking with a backpack, before trekking Manaslu Tsum Valley Regions.
- Choose a professional organizer along with a local guide who has deep knowledge, good English-speaking, experience, a good decision-maker, and has a positive attitude.
- Trek slowly and steadily.
- Trek in the best seasons, such as March to May and September to November.
- Be hydrated all the time (drink 3 - 4 liters of water every day).
- Hike higher, sleep lower.
- Well-acclimatize (do not rush your itinerary).
- Eat balanced meals.
- Proper gear (try using it beforehand).
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during the ascent.
- Hire a porter to carry your backpacks.
- Carry a first-aid kit.
Tsum Valley Manaslu Trek Permit Cost:
Tsum Valley Manaslu Trek lies in the Manaslu Conservation Areas Project (MCAP) of Nepal. This trek offers the raw beauties of natural and cultural paradise. To keep it preserved and unique, the government of Nepal declared it a restricted zone where trekkers must have the following trekking permits.
- Manaslu Special (available from Nepal Immigration in Kathmandu and Pokhara): - It costs $100 from September to November for the first seven days plus $15 for each additional day, and $75 from December to August for the first seven days plus $10 per additional day per person. Also, a minimum of two people and a licensed guide is mandatory to obtain the Manaslu Circuit Trekking permit.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) (Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu, and Pokhara): - It costs 3000 Nepali rupees per person, which can be obtained from the Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) (Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu, and Pokhara): - Also, it costs 3000 Nepali rupees per person, which can be obtained from the Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Tsum Valley And Manaslu Circuit Transportation facilities:
As per the package, Nepal Trekking Experts offers transportation by bus (available early in the morning only) from Kathmandu (Gongabu Bus Park) to Machhakhola (9/10 hrs) and Dharapani to Besisahar by a local Jeep (4/5 hrs), then we switch to another bus or van to Kathmandu (6/7 hrs). The local bus will be relatively cheaper but might be congested (with limited legroom), overcrowded (especially if you are traveling during festival time), untidy, and may stop in many villages to pick up and drop off more people en route. Therefore, it definitely takes a couple of hours longer than a private jeep to reach the final destination, which will be a unique experience of authentic Nepali travel, if you are up for experimenting.
Otherwise, we provide private transportation on request as well, which costs a total of $200 to Machhakhola and $250 from Dharapani to Kathmandu. It is a more flexible option with comfort and convenience that can be shared among seven trekkers. This ride offers you spacious seating, better legroom, and the luxury of stopping at scenic spots along the way.
Meals In Manaslu And Tsum Valley Regions:
Consider that you are in South Asia in Nepal and going through unexplored, very remote areas to experience the country's unspoiled splendor. Typically, the menus at each tea house in the villages are rather similar. Overall, you can choose from a variety of local dishes like Dal Bhat (rice, vegetable curry, lentil soup, pickle that can be refilled as much as you like), fried rice, dumplings (Mo Mo Tibetan meal), Thukpa, any style of potato (boiled or fried), spring rolls, or western dishes like pasta, pizza, noodles, any style of egg, porridge, muesli, chapati, Tibetan bread, etc.
Now, if you are seeking a more unique culinary experience, you should not miss out on yak cheese, a creamy and flavorful local delicacy, or the iconic butter tea, a salty and rich drink that’s perfect for keeping warm in the chilly mountain climate. Also, do give it a try to Tibetan bread and tsampa which is a flour porridge that locals have relied on for generations. As for the drinks, you will have a variety of options for tea. Also, while at such a high altitude, we do not recommend you drink coffee or any alcoholic beverage.
Accommodation In Manaslu And Tsum Valley Regions:
The lodging along the routes of the Manaslu and Tsum Valley regions is not as luxurious as in the Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang regions, due to the fact that the Manaslu region is a relatively isolated, lesser-known, and less-frequented trekking route in Nepal. The tea houses are basic featuring twin beds with thin mattresses, pillows, and blankets. While cozy, it’s advisable to carry your own sleeping bag for added warmth. Likewise, heating systems in the rooms are usually not available, but the dining area often has a central wood or yak dung stove to keep trekkers warm.
Washroom facilities also vary depending on the location. Typically, you have to share a toilet and bathroom. The toilets are generally Asian squat-style. On a similar note, hot showers are often available for an additional fee, though in higher regions, "hot" may simply mean lukewarm, or you may be offered a bucket shower. A single hot shower will also cost about 3/4 of a dollar, depending on where you are.
Telephone, Internet, and Battery Charging:
Telephone Service in the Manaslu Circuit And Tsum Valley:
Nowadays, most villages have phone service and mobile reception. NCELL and Nepal Telecom are our two major SIM card providers. NTE recommends Nepal Telecom for better reception in the Manaslu region. As you ascend higher, the mobile signal is either weak or nonexistent. For emergency communication, some tea houses may have satellite phones, but their use is costly.
Internet in the Manaslu Region:
Certain villages and tea houses, like Philim, Chumling, Namrung, Lho, Samagaon, Samdo, Bhimthang, and Dharapani have internet, but consider that sometimes it may not be reliable due to weather and other issues. For more consistent access, trekkers sometimes rely on local SIM cards (NTC or Ncell) with a data package, though coverage is limited beyond the lower sections of the trail.
Battery Charging in the Manaslu Region:
Despite being in a very remote trekking region, most of the tea houses have either electricity or solar power. Each tea house charges a small fee for device charging. A fully charged device costs roughly 2/3 of a dollar in rupees. Carrying a power bank may be useful during the trek in the Himalayas.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Difficulty:
While the landscape is rugged with numerous landslide areas and the trail is uneven, you may encounter difficulties for the first few days. However, you will gradually build muscle and adapt to the terrain. Because the trek begins at 930 meters above Machhakhola, you will gain elevation gradually, which will aid in acclimatization. Almost two weeks of walking six to seven hours per day on uneven trails and crossing 5,060 meters will not be easy for anyone. Likewise, the Tsum Valley is one of Nepal's most remote regions, with limited infrastructure, requiring you to be self-reliant and prepared for basic amenities.
While several beginners have tried and accomplished this trek, you will still need to have a reasonable level of fitness and determination. If you are a beginner with some prior trekking experience or have prepared with regular cardio, strength training, and practice hikes, you will find it manageable. This is why we recommend trekking, hiking, jogging, gym, cardio, and other physical activities before visiting Nepal.
Porter:
As per the tailored-made packages, porter is excluded. But if you would like to have porters, we will be more than happy to offer them. Normally, we provide a porter for two people, and he carries 20 kilos. A porter makes a massive difference in terms of avoiding carrying a burden of kilos and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. They are also well-trained in cases of emergencies, giving you an extra layer of help along the trail. I am pretty sure you are fit enough, but if you ask me, I would recommend a porter since it makes a huge difference on the high altitude, rugged, and uneven trails.
Manaslu Circuit And Tsum Valley Trekking Gear Checklist:
When we are planning holidays for new destinations, it often comes to mind what to pack in our backpacks. Especially for the adventure, it is a very common question regarding the practical packing list. However, as per our 25 years of experience in trekking in Nepal, NTE makes you stress-free and suggests the following:
Clothing:
- Raincoat, poncho, or combination jacket and trousers
- One down jacket or Gore-Tex jacket
- One down vest
- Windproof trouser
- Two pairs of hiking pants
- One pair of shorts
- Four pair T-shirts
- One fleece jacket
- One or two pairs of base layers
- Six pairs of hiking socks and a couple of pairs of thicker socks
- Two pairs of gloves—one pair light fleece, the other waterproof/windproof
- Undergarments
Footwear:
- Ankle-supporting water-resistance trekking boots
- Flip-flops for leisure time around camp or one pair of sneakers
Other Equipment:
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, a sun hat, a woolen or fleece hat/beanie, neck gaiter, a first aid kit, a Swiss army knife (optional), a luggage cover, a headlamp, trekking poles, a gaiter (optional), crampons, water purification tablets or steripen, extra batteries, an adapter, a power bank, water bottles/camel bags/thermos, washing powder or multi-purpose soap, shampoo, a small towel, antiseptic hand wash, toiletries, female hygiene products, wet wipes, whistle, mosquito spray (optional), earplugs, reading books, playing cards, or chess
- A sleeping bag rated to minus 10–20 degrees Celsius extreme temperature depending on trekking seasons
- Backpack (50–60 liters)
- Daypack (20–30 liters)
Travel Insurance:
It is one of the most important things you will need overseas, particularly when trekking in Nepal. A policy that covers loss and theft, medical and hospitalization, evacuation from high altitude, and adventure activity coverage are among the basics you will need. A wide variety of policies are available, so make sure to shop for the best possible options. You need to have a policy that's specific to the maximum height on your trek, bearing in mind that several companies place restrictions on that score—look closely at the fine print so that you're sure to get the right coverage, especially in the event of an emergency such as altitude sickness—helicopter evacuations are horrendously expensive.
Also note that most medical treatment and facilities in Nepal, such as hospitals, require payment upfront or approval from your insurance company, so it’s wise to choose a policy that pays the bills directly rather than lumping the burden on you and leaving it till later for the insurer to reimburse you.
Nepalese Currency and Payment:
The currency of Nepal is the rupee. The ideal currencies for exchange are those of the USD, AUD, GBP, Swiss Franc, Canada Dollar, and SGD, as well as the Euro, any of which can be readily exchanged in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Credit and debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted in major tourist-class hotels, restaurants, airlines, and larger stores in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Pokhara, etc. A surcharge of 3.5% is typically levied on all purchases or payments.
ATMs are also very common in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with Thamel being a particular area of focus for their use. Some ATMs only allow a daily maximum of Rs 10, 000 to be withdrawn, while others allow for as much as Rs 35, 000. A charge of USD 4 is usually applied per transaction, on top of which your bank may also apply a fee of its own.
Can I get an on-arrival visa in Nepal?
On arrival in Nepal, you can obtain the requisite visa at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, or you can choose the alternative of applying for it at the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your home country before departure. The visa is also available at land-based points of entry such as Birgunj, Kakarbhitta, Bhairawa, Belhiya, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendranagar. The Kodari Pass is the access point from Tibet where the visa can be obtained.
While you can use different modes of payment at the visa fee counter, we advise you to bring cash in the following currencies: US dollars, euros, Swiss francs, pound sterling, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Singapore dollars, and Japanese yen. Credit card payments are also available nowadays.
As per a recent update, the visa fee costs you the following amounts:
- Multiple entries for 15 days—USD 30 or equivalent
- Multiple entries for 30 days—USD 50 or equivalent
- Multiple entries for 90 days—USD 125 or equivalent
- You should also have a minimum of six months of validity remaining on your passport.
- Visa extensions are available from the offices of Nepal Immigration in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
For more details, please go through the Nepal Immigration website or contact us.
Booking And Payment With Nepal Trekking Experts
To book your trek with us, you have to send a deposit of 10% of the total cost of the trek. Please also forward a copy of your passport, a passport-sized photo, and full flight details if and when available. For your convenience, you may forward the deposit to us online through our website. It is completely safe, and as soon as you make it, you will get an automatic receipt in your inbox. The rest of the payment can be paid upon arrival.
If you are not satisfied with any aspect, talk to our local experts.