Tsum Valley remained closed to outside visitors until 2008, and it still receives only a small fraction of the trekkers who visit the wider Manaslu region — let alone Annapurna or Khumbu. The valley’s Tibetan Buddhist culture developed largely in isolation, preserved in monasteries like Mu Gompa and the nunnery at Rachen Gompa, both still active centers of religious life rather than tourist attractions.
The trek branches off the main Manaslu Circuit at Jagat, following a side valley beneath Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal rather than climbing toward Larkya La — making this a genuinely different trip from the main circuit, focused on culture and village life rather than a high-altitude pass crossing.
Because the valley requires its own restricted-area permit on top of the standard Manaslu permits, Tsum sees only a small number of visitors each season — for trekkers drawn to remote, culturally rich destinations over headline mountain views, it’s one of the most rewarding options in Nepal.
