Side by side
| Tsum Valley Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 14 | 16 |
| Highest point | 3,700 m | 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Challenging | |
| Total distance | 100 km | 210 km |
| Best months | March to May and September to November | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $1,000 to $2,000 | $900 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Soti Khola or Machha Khola | Besisahar or Chame (for road-shortened version) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Tsum Valley Trek if
The Tsum Valley Trek is a cultural journey into a hidden Himalayan valley near the Tibetan border. Known for its ancient Buddhist monasteries, traditional stone villages, and sweeping views of the Ganesh Himal, this restricted area offers a tranquil, deeply spiritual alternative to the busier Manaslu Circuit nearby.
Requires a good level of physical fitness.
Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek if
The Annapurna Circuit is Nepal's most diverse trek, taking 14 to 21 days to circumnavigate the entire Annapurna massif. It climbs from subtropical river valleys through pine forests and across the highest trekking pass in Nepal, the Thorong La at 5,416 m, before descending into the arid Mustang rain shadow. The circuit is partly motorable, so most trekkers now begin at Chame or Dharapani to preserve the best sections.
The altitude and duration are the main challenges. The walking itself is rarely technical, but Thorong La at 5,416 m is the highest trekking pass in the world that is regularly crossed and demands thorough acclimatisation at Manang.
