Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Today you will begin your trek in the Manaslu region. The trails follows the Budhi Gandaki River, passing throuugh rivers, dense forest, and some farms. This day will be long but very difficult.

Along the trek, you will visit some villages such as Khorlabesi and Tatopani, where there are some hot spring that you stop for a short bath.

After more walking you will reach Jagat which is located at 1,340 meter and marks the entrance of Manaslu Conservation Area.

Activity: Trekking (6 to 7 hours)

Max. Altitude: 1340m./4,396ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

The trails continue toward the Budhi Gandaki River. As we go upward the vegetation changes from subtropical to broad leafed forest, and the air gets very cold.

The trails lead you through the villages of Salleri and Sirdibas, after which you will reach Philim, mostly populated by Gurung Community. This is the last settlement that will come across on your journey until you get to the split in the trail, when one route leads into the Tsum Valley while the other takes you further on the Manaslu Circuit.

The trail follows the main itinerary and continues toward Lokpa standing at 2,240 meter. It is a small village with basic teahouse facilities but enough to rest comfortably.

Activity: Trekking (6 to 7 hours)

Max. Altitude: 2240m./7,349ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Tsum Valley, when entered for the first time, is an experience that cannot be described easily. As soon as you starts walking on a side track from the main trail from Lokpa, everything changes.

The path leading to Chumling is a river trail up the Shiar Khola river, which passes through dense forest and ancient looking villages made of stones. You will start seeing mani walls on the side of the path, stone structures engraved with Buddhist scriptures. It is a custom to walk to the left of these walls, so that the walls remain to your right.

You can see that the architectural style in Tsum Valley is different from other areas. Houses are of Tibetan architecture – flat roofed, thick walled and adorned with religious signs. Prayer flags line the roofs of houses.

Chumling lies at an altitude of 2,386 meters above and is the first real village located within Tsum Valley. The villagers in the area are friendly and welcoming to the visitors, and it is recommended that you spend some time in the evenings to explore the village and its monastery.

Activity: Trekking (5 to 6 hours)

Max. Altitude: 2386m./7,828ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Today will take you further into the heart of the Tsum Valley, where you will see beautiful sight in very step. The trekking path will gently ascend through Shair Khola and then Gho village before reaching Chhokang Para. On the way you will see prayer wheels, chortens, prayer flags and mani stones. They are all symbols of the centuries of devotion from the people of the Tsum Valley, who have preserved their Buddhism despite their isolation.

View of the mountain becomes more visible from today. You will see two major mountain ranges: Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal. As you keep ascending further in the valley, the view keeps getting better.

The Chhokang Paro is 3,010 meter above, and there are two small villages in this place- Chhokang and Paro, which is close to each other. From here onward, Chhokang Paro becomes a significant base for the upper Tsum Valley exploration.

Activity: Trekking (5 to 6 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3010m./9,875ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Today is a shorter day, which is like 4 to 5 hours of trek. As we continues our hike further into the valley, we move through open alpine terrain where view can be seen from all direction. The mountain we saw yesterday seem so far, but today it’s like within you can reach with your arm.

The trails lead through Rachen Gompa where female monks meditate and live in peace. Many visitor visit this place, which provide insight into the life of Buddhist monks of Tsum Valley.

After some hike, you will reach Chule and Nile. The air here gets thinner, and the greenery is replaced by rocky terrain. In Nile you will stay which provide a comfortable stop for the night.

Be ready for tomorrow because you will reach the spiritual highlight of the entire Tsum Valley.

Activity: Trekking (4 to 5 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3361m./11,027ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

This is the day that truly makes the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek a cultural experience like no other. While the hike from Nile to Mu Gompa is relatively short, its importance cannot be overstated. With each step, you are getting closer to the heart of the Tsum Valley.

The trail winds its way up through the open Alpine landscape. In the distance lies the massive Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal. This area of the Tsum Valley is incredibly remote, with nothing more than the trail, rocks, sky, and sound of prayer flags in the breeze.

Mu Gompa is situated at an elevation of 3,700 meters. As the largest and most significant monastery in Tsum Valley, it serves as the religious center for a group of monks isolated from the rest of the world.

When you arrive at Mu Gompa, you feel like you have entered into another world. Mu Gompa is made up of old temples, halls with butter lamps, and walls covered with Buddhist murals. The monks here are extremely friendly towards guests.

While spending the afternoon in Mu Gompa, you can explore the entire place, attend the prayers if you are allowed, and just sit back with the amazing view around you. There is nothing as beautiful as Mu Gompa after sunset.

Activity: Trekking (3 to 4 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3700m./12,139ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

You will wake up early morning for that sunrise that will stays with you for a long time. After having breakfast, you can explore around the places that you did not visit yesterday.

After the exploration the trek head back to Chhokang Paro, but this time you are going downhill, which gives an entirely different feeing’s. You will see the valley with different perspective and notice thing that you might have missed while going up.

In the evening, you will arrive at Chhokang Paro. In the teahouse, take some rest and think about all that you learn from Tsum Valley.

Tomorrow the trail will head back to Manaslu Region.

Activity: Trekking (5 to 6 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3700m./12,139ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Today you will leave Tsum Valley and it’s a bit sad, but the second part of your journey is just getting started.

The trek retraces the route back to the lower parts of Chumling and the Tsum Valley. The descent is not that hard but the distance makes it harder which take full day. Your legs will feel heavy, so remember to rest and stay hydrated.

Finally, in the evening you will reach Lokpa and this is where your Tsum valley trek ends and begin the second Manaslu Trek.

Activity: Trekking (6 to 7 hours)

Max. Altitude: 2386m./7,828ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Rejoining the Manaslu Circuit after trekking days in Tsum Valley gives a different feeling. The trail descends down into the Budhi Gandaki River and continues northwards along the river passing through a number of spectacular gorges and crossings of the river.

The path travels through Phillim and then goes further into the valley on its way to Deng. This is one of the most beautiful section of the entire trail – the Budhi Gandaki River cuts through narrow gorges while the trail climbs up and down cliffs and alongside the river.

Deng is relatively large village compared to others with better teahouses facilities and food.

Activity: Trekking (6 to 7 hours)

Max. Altitude: 1860m./6,102ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

This is the day that sees a definite change in the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. As you trek up from Deng to Namrung, you will find that the plants have changed, the temperature has dropped, and there is definitely a different vibe in the villages. This is the Nubri area, where there is a Tibetan influence and a unique language and culture, as well as distinct architecture.

There are two villages that you will pass along the way. These are the villages of Rana and Bihi, which both have wonderful locations right above the river valley.

The ascent to Namrung is consistent during the day. It is located at an elevation of 2,630 m in the valley basin that offers spectacular view of the peaks. The village has several teahouses for trekkers where you can have hot meals and rest.

Activity: Trekking (6 to 7 hours)

Max. Altitude: 2630m./8,629ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

This particular day on the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, where you can feel the presence of the mountain. Namrung to Lho provide the first glimpse of Mount Kailash and seeing it for the first time is very powerful.

This path from Lho to Sama Gaon is where you really get into high altitude terrain. At 3,520 meters above sea level, Sama Gaon is one of the highest places where people actually live permanently within the Manaslu Circuit.

The hike involves walking through the village of Shyala and then ascending through open alpine terrain as the scenery becomes more and more mountainous. Manaslu remains visible throughout the day, as you walk along its south-facing slopes. As you approach Sama Gaon, you can see the Manaslu Glacier, an impressive glacier running down the upper reaches of the mountain.

There are some teahouses which provide comfortable accommodation and adequate food. Make sure you stay here for the night, take a look around the village in the afternoon, and drink lots of water since there will be no walking tomorrow.

Activity: Trekking (6 to 7 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3517m./11,539ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Do not underestimate the importance of today. While acclimatization days may seem like resting days, these days are some of the most crucial in the whole Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek journey. As your body adjusts to the lesser oxygen available at this altitude, taking some time off will help you in your future tough days.

The golden rule for acclimatization is to climb high and sleep low. Hike up to a point higher in altitude than where you are now. The Pungyen Gompa near Sama Gaon is perfect for this purpose, being at about 3,800 meters and having an amazing view of Manaslu and its glaciers.

Activity: Acclimatization

Max. Altitude: 3800m./12,467ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

With the recovery yesterday’s rest, you can now enjoy the walk to Samdo, which is a shorter day hike compared to the previous ones, but this is planned to help with the risk of altitude sickness as you climb higher.

The area is near the Tibetan border, and this is clearly evident from the prayer flags on the ridges and the high altitude barren area that resembles the Tibetan Culture. The views of Tibet from this point are breathtaking on clear days.

Samdo is a beautiful little village that stands tall at an altitude of 3,875 meters and is one of the highest villages along the entire circuit. Samdo is home to a very small number of people, who provide basic accommodation, while the surrounding environment is truly remarkable, lying amidst a beautiful wide-open valley.

Activity: Trekking (4 to 5 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3875m./12,713ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Today is going to be very short day, but very important. The ascent from Samdo to Dharamsala adds more altitude and prepare you for the base camp of tomorrows Larkya La Pass. All action during the day will be aimed at preparing and energy saving.

You will arrive early in Dharamsala, have a hot meal and get some good rest for tomorrow ascent. Keep drinking water regularly during the day and the evening. Pack your warm clothing, headlamp, snacks, and water because we will start early tomorrow morning.

Activity: Trekking (4 to 5 hours)

Max. Altitude: 4460m./14,633ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

This is the day that the entire trek to Manaslu Tsum Valley is building up to. Crossing the Larkya La Pass at an elevation of 5,106 meters which is truly a unforgettable experience for trekkers.

Leave very early in the morning, around 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM. This early departure is crucial for two reasons: the pass gets extremely slippery in the afternoons, and there are often clouds in the afternoons that block the view. Summiting in the mornings is important while the weather is clear.

From Dharamsala to the pass, the trek is all uphill through glaciers and snowfields. While the route is well marked, it is a challenging one. The ascent up to the pass is very steep, and you must be careful on your feet when the ground is slippery.

It is a very exhilarating experience to climb up to the top of the Larkya La Pass. It will be a view of snowcapped peaks for about five kilometers all around, including such names as Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Annapurna II, and many others. There will be prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Most trekkers remain silent for a few minutes just taking in the scene.

After that, you will walk a long way downhill to the valley of Bimthang, dropping a total of almost 1,400 meters. Take your time and make sure you have a firm grip as you walk over some rocky sections. Bimthang is located at an altitude of 3,720 meters and is nestled within a meadowed valley.

Activity: Trekking (8 to 9 hours)

Max. Altitude: 5160m./16,929ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Today is the last day on your Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. You body is exhausted and backpack seems very heavy but the path offers one last spectacular journey through the Himalayas.

The descent from Bimthang is steep and picturesque. There are fast descents down through rhododendron forests that bloom during the spring months, along suspension bridges, and through the settlements of Hampuk and Gho. The increase in vegetation becomes obvious as you descend, and it serves as a reminder of just how far you have come during the past 17 days.

This trail goes via Tilje and Thonje until it reaches Dharapani, which is a bustling roadhead village located in the valley of Marsyangdi river. The moment you reach the tarmac road from Dharapani, the trekking journey comes to an end. It is truly an odd feeling when you take your first steps on the road after 17 days of trekking in the mountains.

Activity: Trekking (7 to 8 hours)

Max. Altitude: 3720m./12,205ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

The last day of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek ends up bringing you right back to where you started, except that you are now a different person. The drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu will take 8 to 10 hours through the Marsyangdi valley and Prithvi Highway, going back through the familiar lowlands that you drove through on Day 1.

After reaching Kathmandu, our guide will take to your hotel and you can shower and take rest after that long days of walk.

Your Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek has come to an end. Only few people have completed it and you are one of them!

Activity: Drive (8 to 10 hours)

Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner