Manaslu Circiut and Tsum Valley Trek - 22 Days

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of the Himalayan Trekkers’ representatives will greet you and escort you to the designated hotel. We will have a short discussion regarding your Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek afterward. And, if your arrival is on time or before the evening, we will take a stroll around Thamel Bazaar. Thamel is the commercial hub in Kathmandu with the best shops for trekking equipment, restaurants, hotels, pubs, clubs, handicraft shops, tea shops, etc. You can also see small temples and monuments on corners of the Thamel streets. 

After a warm breakfast, we will begin your guided sightseeing of Kathmandu from the biggest stupa in Nepal namely Boudhanath Stupa. It is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu which got added in 1979. Boudhanath represents Tibetan Buddhism while the area is also known as Little Tibet. The stupa is also one of the biggest figures in the world which is well-known for its aesthetic appeal, tranquility, and spirituality. Both domestic and international visitors love this place. 

After making a kora (holy circuit) of the giant Boudhanath Stupa, we will drive to a holy Hindu site named Pashupatinath Temple. It is also a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 1979. The temple is one of the four most significant Hindu sites in the world and the main temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Non-Hindus aren’t allowed in the main temple but are free to explore other parts of the temple complex. You can also observe the Hindu open-air cremation ceremony on the bank of the holy Bagmati River. 

After exploring these two significant places, we return to Thamel where you will meet your trekking guide and your fellow trekkers if you are joining the group. Then you can spend the remainder of the day preparing for the trek, and checking your gear. You can also do your last minutes shopping in the Thamel market where you can get everything required for treks, climbs, and expeditions for renting or purchase. 

Our journey to the Manaslu region starts today with the scenic drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola. We travel down the Pokhara route with scenic views of terraces and green hills and sporadic vistas of mountain peaks such as Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal. We will have to traverse via Arughat to Soti Khola and there are different routes to reach Arughat. We will take the route from Dhading Besi. From Arughat, we will take the local jeep drive to reach today’s destination Soti Khola passing via some Gurung and Magar settlements, terraced fields, and beautiful waterfalls. 

The trekking journey starts today as we travel north following the Budi Gandaki River. We walk along a mule trail, then climb a beautiful road carved into the side of a cliff, and then descend to Lapubesi. From here, we proceed to Nauli Khola, passing over a suspension bridge. Then, we trek alongside the Budi Gandaki River until we reach Machha Khola for the night. 

Our journey today will be quite more difficult than the previous day due to the ups and downs in the route. We will travel from Machha Khola to Khorlabesi, a lovely Gurung village following the trail along Tharo Khola. Then after a brief steep climb, we will arrive at Tatopani, a natural hot spring site. Continuing our trek, we cross the Budhi Gandaki River, ascend a stairway and ridge, and reach Doban. Then, entering the Manaslu Conservation Area, we encounter multiple ascents and descents and river crossings to reach Jagat village.

We leave Jagat after breakfast and trek along the Budi Gandaki Riverbed. We first come across Salleri village, where we get stunning views of Mount Sringi. Then, we trek down to Sirdibas, a traditional Buddhist village before we reach the bigger Gurung settlement of Philim which is the checkpoint for the entrance to Tsum Valley. Leading the way north of Philim, we make a little ascent to Ekle Bhatti where we will have lunch and keep going until we reach Lokpa which is situated above the meeting of the Buddhi Gandaki and Siyar Khola.

Today’s walk includes numerous ups and downs, stunning views of the mountains, forest, and a few streams and waterfalls. We also have to cross three suspension bridges and traverse past Ripchet village and a short stone wall to reach Chumling with its old monastery, traditional Tibetan dwellings, prayer flags, mani walls, and stone-paved streets.
Once in the Buddhist village of Chumling, we will visit the monastery at the higher end of the village to see Ganesh Himal. We can also enjoy the fields covered with buckwheat or barely depending on the season.

Leaving the Chumling village of Tsum Valley behind, we will gradually ascend up the Shiar Khola, a tiny tributary of the Budhi Gandaki, with magnificent vistas of the Ganesh Himal as our backdrop during the day. We will cross over the Samatikring, Sarpu, and Udilu Rivers, walk past Gho Village and come across a small Tibetan monastery on our route which serves as a reminder of the valley's significant Tibetan influences. Our arrival to Chhokangparo, the biggest community in the valley, marks the end of the day. We will enjoy a panoramic view of Ganesh Himal and other distant peaks from here.

After leaving Chhokang Paro, we make the ascent alongside Shiar Khola to the nunnery of Rachen Gompa, a historic building in the Tsum Valley. We get to one of the sacred caves in the Tsum Valley known as Piren Phu/Milarepa while taking in the lovely valley views. Then we keep climbing to the Nile which is the opening point of Upper Tsum Valley. From Nile village, we trek past the Chule village before we reach Mu Gompa for the night. 

Mu Gompa is an ancient monastery with around 100 monks which was established in the year 1895 AD. This sizable monastery is one of the cultural highlights of this Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. 

After breakfast, we retrace the route to Chhokangparo via Rachen Gompa, established in the year 1905 AD. The monastery is colored brightly with carved pillars and got larger prayer wheels, which gives a glimpse of Buddhism. It is definitely worth stopping by this nunnery to admire the Buddhist thanka murals. 

Our day starts with a descent to the village of Dumje. From there, we climb steeply up a route among rhododendrons and pine trees until it reaches the Mani wall with prayer flags. Then we turn around and go up a difficult trail through forested areas of rhododendron and pine until we reach Gompa Lungdang and its tranquil monastery, which is located beneath Ganesh Himal.

After breakfast, we set out on our trek, descending to Rainjam while taking in the unforgettable sight of the Ganesh Himal. After that, we make a little ascent before descending until arriving at Ripchet. You will have the opportunity to discover more about the customs, traditions, and way of life of the locals here. We spend the night in a homestay or teahouse.

We bid farewell to our time spent in the enchanted Tsum Valley today as we leave Ripchet. We pass by Gumlung village, descend a rock fall region, proceed through the Sarti Gorge, cross the Lungwa Khola, and come across Lokpa. After Lokpa, we enter Nyak by crossing the suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. Then the Budhi Gandaki River welcomes us and directs us westward towards Pewa before continuing up the valley's steep sides to Deng.

After breakfast, we start our trek from Deng along the trail traversing through Mani walls and various bridges across the Budhi Gandaki River while taking in the backdrop of Shringi Himal (7161m) before arriving in Ghap. From here, our path winds through rhododendron and bamboo forest and climbs alongside a river. Then we reach today’s destination, Namrung after trekking for some time. 

Today you do a short trek of 3 hours to Samdo from Samagaon. Samdo is a very remotely located village where there are many Tibetan refugees residing. This village is only a day walk far from the Tibet border. You get to explore the village today and get to know little about the Tibetan culture followed in this village.

We stay at Samagaon for another day to aid in acclimatization to the high altitude. This rest day also offers a great opportunity to explore the worthwhile surrounding landmarks. We can make a quick trip to the nearby Birendra Taal (lake) and go for the dramatic and highly rewarding hike to Manaslu Base Camp, or the alternative walk to Pungyen Gompa which offers a peaceful setting among the mountains. We return to Sama for the night by the end of the day. 

Today you do a short trek of 3 hours to Samdo from Samagaon. Samdo is a very remotely located village where there are many Tibetan refugees residing. This village is only a day’s walk far from the Tibet border. You get to explore the village today and get to know a little about the Tibetan culture followed in this village.

Note: You can spend another day in Samdo if you need additional acclimatization. You will have the opportunity to spend the day on a return trip to the Tibetan border at the Rui La pass (4998m) and the moraine of the Fukang Glacier, where you will be rewarded with expansive vistas of multiple passes that locals take to enter Tibet.

Today's walk is also a short trek of about 4 hours. At first, we cross the northern village fields and cross a few streams to reach Larkya Bazaar, where there is a maximum of trade done with Tibet. After that, we continue our walk with a steady climb, until we reach Dharmashala which is also called Larke Phedi for the night. 

We start before dawn today and follow the track up a long, moderate ascent across a moraine. A little hike brings us to a gorge, then we descend to the first of four tiny, dispersed ice lakes. The path continues along the moraine to a ridge that is identified by two cairns. The prayer flags identifying the Larkya La Pass(5105 M) are seen from here. We finally travel through Larkya Glacier and arrive at Larkya-La Pass, the longest mountain pass in Nepal. You can enjoy the stunning vistas of the mountains like Himlung (7126m), Cheo (6820m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6981m), Annapurna II (7937m), and many more.

After pausing to bask in the success and enjoy the breathtaking vistas at the pass, we start to descend to Dangboche Kharka, where the track turns to follow the Salpudanda Glacier's side moraine into the lovely Bimthang Valley.

Leaving Bimthang, we descend to Dudh Khola headwaters through yak meadows with views of Manaslu to our left and the Annapurna peaks to our right. We cross a wooden bridge and enter a woodland of pine and rhododendron before reaching Hompuk. Our trail then goes past Karche and Gho villages, terraced fields, and patchwork crops to arrive at the charming little village of TIlije. We then make our final descent to Dharapani where we will conclude the trekking journey and spend the night before departing to Kathmandu the next day. 

After breakfast in Dharapani, we leave for Kathmandu on four wheels. The drive will be long but scenic along the lush hills, terraced farms, and small towns and villages. Once in Kathmandu, you can take a rest for the remainder of the day and stroll around the Thamel market in the evening to buy some souvenirs for your friends and families. 

As your Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek journeys have concluded, we will transfer you to the airport after breakfast or 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight back to your home country.