Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek - 24 Days

Flying into Kathmandu on a crystal clear day is itself a truly breathtaking experience. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, & begin a whole sequence of memorable experiences that stay with you for a real long time. Upon arrival, a representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Our team will assist you with check-in process and provide an orientation about your daily activities. This will be your first overnight stay in the city of temples.

Kathmandu, is the historical heart of Nepal, has been a popular destination for tourists ever since the country opened its borders to outside world. The city presents a wonderful combination of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two prime neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances.

We will arrange a professional tour guide for you and a private tourist vehicle with a driver to explore between monuments. The tour guide will take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupa, the historical and cultural sites you’ll visit today. Offering panoramic views of the valley.

After completion of your day tour, you will be having meeting with your trek guide at our office/hotel. He will brief you about the Trek and all the essentials. The Thamel has many trekking gear shops, where you can buy missing gear in the late evening and get ready for the jeep driving to Machha Khola. 

Early morning after breakfast drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (870m.) takes about eight/nine hours. You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day; after Malekhu you turn towards the hill bazaar of Dhading Bensi. After Dhading bensi the road is still good up to Salyantar but quite narrow. After Salyantar the road is bumpy and dusty but the beautiful scenery and villages will make your day memerable. You will reach your destination Machha Khola late in the afternoon. There is a small market with a few shops, lodges and donkeys that are kept there. Stay your first night in mountain in Machha Khola.

You cross the Machha Khola [Fish Stream] and head upstream to the tiny village of Khorla Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley sides are steep until they are impassable and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path you reach the single teahouse at Doban. Above Doban, the Budi Gandaki descends on an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, you cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where you stop for another night at mountain.

The trek from Jagat to Lokpa, the path follows the Budhi Gandaki River, small villages, terraced fields, bamboo groves, and forests, which give a glimpse of rural Nepali life. You will aslo get to see tarditional mani walls, chortens and prayer galgs which reflect the Buddhist Culture. On the way you will the beautiful views of peacful mountains. After few hours, you will reach Lokpa village where we will stay overnight prefect for resting.  It is a small village with few teahouses. 

After a delicious breakfast at teahouse in Lokpa, we head to Chumling. We desecnd  into the Lungwa river valley. After that you climbs through quiet forests of pine and rhododendron whcih offers a peaceful hike. The trails follows through up and down quiet forest, crossing some small suspension bridges, mani wall and choretens. The path is remote with no villages or teahouse in between. After few hours you cross the Syar Khola (a river) via a suspension bridge to reach Chumling village. Chumbling is a small, spiritual village which is located into the Tsum Valley around you can aslo visit three monastries Panago Gumba, mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gumba. We can aslo get a view of Ganesh Himal on a clear day.

From Chumling we trek to Chhokangparo. Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalaya) open from Chhokangparo.Chhekamparo is a village situated on flat land and made up of two settlements Chhekam and Paro. From the valley, the Ganesh Himal range can be seen directly to the south where it provides superb views of the Baudha and Himal chuli peaks to the south-west. Some households in this village practice polyandry.

From Chhokangparo we trek to Nile/ Chulle. This is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum Valley. Nile is on the western, sun-side of the Shiar Khola, about 20 minutes walk across from Chhule.

On the way we pass the Piren Phu cave. Piren Phu (pigeon cave) is one of the most sacred caves in the Tsum valley. It is located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. Milarepa, the famous Tibetan saint, was believed to have meditated here. There are two separate gumbas attached to the rocky cave. Richly painted Buddhist murals, excellent artistic scripts carved on stones, long prayer flags and significant Buddhists paper scripts make this cave one of the most important socio-cultural asset in the valley. Fantastic views can be had of the Shiar Khola, Rachen Gumba, the mountains and settlements amidst huge agricultural land.

From Nile the trail gradually ascends to Mu gumba, the largest monastery in the region. Mu Gumba is located at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum valley. Mu Gumba was established in 1895 AD and is situated at an altitude of 3510m.The monastery houses religious books, including Kangyur, a life sized statue of Avalokiteshwara, and images of Guru Padmasambhava and Tara.

Dephyudonma Gumba is one of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley and is situated in the rugged mountains, a 2 hr walk from the village of Chhule and Nile. The history of this monastery is directly associated with the dawn of Buddhism in the valley. The monastery is run by Lama Serap of Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sect. 

We take a hike up Mu Gumba and reach the base of Pika Himal (4865m).We are quite close to Tibet and get a good view of the Tibetan peaks as well as the Ganesh Himal range. After the day’s excursion we return to  Mu gumba.

From Mu Gumba we take the trail to Chhokangparo via Rachen Gompa, the path walk us through  pine meadow and forest, offering a scenic view of Ganesh Himal and surrounding peaks. You rest at Rachen Gompa, a peaceful and remote monastery which reflects the Buddhist architecture. After resting, the pah descends into narrow valley, and passing through small traditional villages. We reach our destional Chhokangparo village, which is small village that proivdes warm welcome and perfect for restion. We spend our night at teahouse in chhonkangparo.

After an delicious breakfasta at Chhhokangparo we start our trek to Lokpa, the path descends through quiet forets of rhododendron and pine. We rest at Ripchet a small settlement with beautiful views of Ganesh Hima. The journey continues down remote vallyess and riversides wntil we rech Lokpa. we stay overnight at teahouse in Lokpa. This route is scenic, culturally rich, and quite remote, requiring proper permits and, ideally, a guide for a safe and enjoyable trek.

After early breakfast we begin our trail from Lokpa with a descent through quiet forest towards Budhi Gandaki River. Here we rejoin the main Manaslu trail the path enters a narrow and dramatic section of the Budhi Gandaki Gorge. Along the way, you pass waterfalls near Nyak Phedi and walk through quiet pine and bamboo forests. After crossing the rivers, we reach the Deng Village. One of the village which is influenced by Tibetans with mani walls and stone houses. Continuing onward, the trail passes small hamlets and terraced fields before reaching Bihi Phedi, a peaceful riverside village surrounded by beautiful hillside views.

The trek from Deng/Bihi phedi to Namrung, the trek follows along the Budhi Gandaki River via forests, waterfalls, and typical Tibetan-influenced villages. You then pass small settlements, such as Bihi and Ghap, with mani walls, prayer wheels, and terraced fields along the way. From here, there is a steady climb through the rhododendron and oak forests, and you reach Namrung, a beautiful village with stone houses, monasteries, and great views of the Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.You will stay overnight here.

After an early breakfast we countinue our trek from Nmarung to Sma Goan, the trails passes scenic Tibetan-influenced villages like Lihi, Sho, Lho and Shyala, with stunning views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Himal Chuli. You’ll see chortens, mani walls, barley fields, and the impressive Ribung Monastery in Lho. After crossing open alpine meadows and glacial streams, you reach Sama Gaon, a large traditional village surrounded by incredible mountain scenery and perfect for acclimatization.

You can rest toady or spend the day exploring Sama Gaon and it surroundings. We can hike to beautiful Manaslu Base Camp via the stunning Birendra Lake, or take a walk to a peaceful monastery  Pungen Gompa with great views of a Manaslu and the glacier. his rest day is perfect for acclimatization and enjoying the culture and mountain scenery of the region.

The gentle trek from Sama Gaon to Samdo begins through wide alpine valleys, yak pastures, and glacial streams. As you go higher, the breathtaking views of Manaslu, Naike Peak, and surrounding mountains begin to beautifully unfold. The trail is quite gradual and easy to follow, crossing mani walls and small shelters every now and then.You arrive at Samdo  a traditional Tibetan village close to the Nepal–Tibet border, known for its stunning landscapes and peaceful atmosphere—an ideal place to rest before heading toward the Larkye Pass.

We start trek from Samdo to Larkye La Phdei, the trails follows climbing through open rocky terrain with views of snow-covered and the Larke Glacier. The alpine meadow, small brooks, and traditional yak shelters mark the passage of this track towards high altitude. A gentle ascent brings you up to Dharamsala, which is the last overnight stoppage before crossing Larkya La Pass. It’s a simple but important overnight point for rest and acclimatization before the big pass day.

Today gonna be toughest day of the trek, after and early breakfast we head to Larkye La Pass from Larkye La Phedi through rocky and snowy terrain. From the pass, one can get spectacular panoramic views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Garu, and Annapurna II. Afterwards, the trail descends to Bhimtang via alpine meadows, yak pastures, and forests at 3,590 meters above sea level, a tranquil village with breathtaking views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and peaks around.

From Bhimtang, the trails follows a descends through through high-altitude alpine meadows, yak pastures, and small streams. The path passes scattered Tibetan-style villages, stone houses, mani walls, and chortens, giving a glimpse of local life and culture. You’ll walk through rhododendron and pine forests, with occasional clearings offering views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and surrounding peaks.The path leads us to our destination.

This gonna be our last trek, the trails follows us through forests, terraced fields, and small villages along the Marsyangdi River. From Dharapani, you continue by shared jeep to Besisahar, the starting point of the Annapurna and Manaslu trekking routes. The drive passes scenic river valleys, farmland, and hillside villages, marking the end of the Manaslu Circuit trek.

Take a scenic bus drive from Besisahar back to Kathmandu, passing terraced hills, rivers, and traditional villages along the way. Relax and enjoy the countryside views as you return to the capital, completing your Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley adventure. You will stay overnight at hotel in kathmandu.

We spend a whole day in Kathmandu and this is a buffer day in case of bad weather in Lukla. We may use this day on the trek or if there is any delay or cancelation on our Lukla-Kathmandu flights. If everything goes according to the scheduled date, then day is yours for a guided sightseeing tour to visit Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square if you wish too.

In the evening, the company will organize a farewell dinner with cultural program, where you will meet with the team of your trek for the last time.

As we have successfully completed the trip, it is time to return home or embark on your next journey. Even you can join our next adventures trips in the Himalayas if you wish too. If not, our airport team will take care of your airport escort and say you our last goodbye till the next adventure holidays.