Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek – 20 Days

Today, we set out on a 160 km journey east of Kathmandu, following the picturesque Trishuli River. After a few hours of driving, we arrive at Dhading Besi and take a break for lunch at Jyamire. The route to Machha Khola includes a mix of paved and off-road paths, with about 30% of the journey being unpaved.

After lunch, we resume our drive, passing through beautiful green hills and traditional Nepalese villages. The journey takes approximately seven hours as we cross Arughat and continue through Soti Khola before finally reaching Machha Khola.

Prepare for another adventurous day in the mountains as we follow the Kali Gandaki Gorge towards Khorlabesi. Along the way, we reach Tatopani, a natural hot spring, offering a perfect spot to relax before continuing our trek.

The journey then takes us uphill to Dobhan Ridge, where we cross a thrilling suspension bridge. As we ascend to Tharo Bharyang, the surrounding forests may reveal glimpses of Langur monkeys. A final short walk leads us to Jagat, marking the end of the day's trek.

As we enter the restricted region of Manaslu, we complete the necessary paperwork before trekking towards Salleri and ascending to Philim. From Ekle Bhatti, the trail climbs to Lokpa village, where we meet the Syar River and reach the first settlement in Tsum. In the evening, we explore Lokpa, a secluded valley believed to have been blessed by Padmasambhava centuries ago.

Our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek officially begins on the third day. After crossing a bridge, we take a steady uphill trail, reaching Philim in about three hours. This large village has a permit checkpoint, banks, and restaurants offering both Nepali and Western cuisine, where we stop for lunch. Continuing for another hour, we arrive at Chisapani, where we get a beautiful view of the Bhotekoshi River. A final two-hour walk on a comfortable yet slightly uphill path leads us to Lokpa, marking the end of the day's journey.

We start the day with breathtaking views of the Himalchuli and Baudha peaks. The trail from Lokpa to Saradi Danda is peaceful and comfortable, with occasional stretches of dense jungle along the way.

Since there are no lunch stops on this route, we continue trekking for about two hours on a steep downhill path until we reach Chumling. Here, we rest for the night and enjoy a well-deserved meal.

Today’s trek is relatively easy as we journey through the Himalayan landscape. The day begins with a suspension bridge crossing, followed by a short walk to Tanju, where we visit a Gompa offering stunning views of Ganesh and Baudha peaks.

We then continue towards the Upper Tsum Valley, trekking for a couple of hours. As we approach the valley, the breathtaking slate cliffs of Chhekampar provide a spectacular welcome.

Today, we immerse ourselves in the beauty and rich culture of the Upper Tsum Valley. Walking across vast, flat terrain, we head north, passing through picturesque trails that lead us to Lama Gaon and Burji. Along the way, we encounter charming villages, lush fields, and several sacred stupas.

Our journey continues with a visit to Milarepa’s Cave, also known as the Pigeon Cave, followed by Chi Phu. Shortly after, we reach the Nile, where we explore the Rachen Nunnery, home to a small school dedicated to educating young children for their future.

On our second day of exploring the Tsum Valley, we embark on a two-and-a-half-hour trek to Mu Gompa, a unique settlement at a high altitude. After gaining cultural insights into this significant monastery, we visit an 856-year-old nunnery at 4,000 meters, where the breathtaking view of Ganesh Himal unfolds to the west.

Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the Tsum Valley, serves as a learning center for female monks and can accommodate over 200 students. While visitors can stay and dine at the monastery, we follow our itinerary and return to the Nile for the night.

After spending incredible days in the Upper Tsum Valley, we begin our descent. Following a hearty breakfast, we trek down through Phurba, tracing the path along Siyar Khola. Before long, we arrive at the Rachen Gompa area, a significant cultural and spiritual site worth exploring.

Today, we head south, moving closer to the mountains while retracing familiar paths. Along the way, we take in the scenic views before stopping for lunch at Gho. After a brief exploration, we continue our journey toward our destination for the day.

In the morning, we follow our previous route back to Chumling. From there, we take an uphill trail that leads us to Gumba Lungdang, offering a rewarding and peaceful trekking experience.

Today marks the most challenging, adventurous, and thrilling day of the trek. We start early, following a dusty trail high above the valley.
After a few hours, we pass through Laudang and enter the expansive Kharka before making our way to Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Standing at 4,800 meters, surrounded by towering peaks, the experience is truly surreal. After exploring the base camp, we retrace our steps back to our teahouse in Gumba Lungdang for the night.

Having explored the mountains at their base, we now begin our descent toward lower elevations. In the morning, we retrace our steps back to Gho before continuing toward the Shiar River and reaching Dhumje.

The trail ascends briefly through a pine forest before passing Gumba Lungdang. By the end of the day, we make our way down to Lokpa village, completing another rewarding leg of our journey.

In the morning, the trail descends to the Budi Gandaki River before ascending into a dense forest. Soon, we arrive at Deng, a traditional Gurung village nestled beside a bamboo forest.
From there, we continue our climb to Bhiphedi, our final stop before making the ascent to Ghap, where we conclude the day's journey.

After breakfast, we set off through a dense forest, crossing several rivers along the way.
Before long, we reach Namrung village, marking our entry into the Nupri region, home to Tibetan descendants. Continuing on, we pass small Gombas before arriving at the quaint Tibetan village of Lho, where the rich culture and mountain views enhance the experience.

We wake up to breathtaking views of Manaslu before beginning our day. After breakfast, we follow an easy trail leading to Shyala village, passing through potato farms with stunning sights of Himalchuli and Manaslu ahead.

The route is lined with traditional houses, home to locals who rely on farming and animal husbandry. After a few hours of uphill trekking, we arrive at Sama Gaon, where two rows of houses welcome us. The monastery here holds great cultural significance, and the Tibetan border is visibly close to the village.

Today is a well-deserved, relaxing day after weeks of trekking. As we explore the surroundings, we come across herds of yaks and dzopkyos on our way to Kargyu Chholing Monastery, a 500-year-old site renowned for its intricate woodwork. Here, we admire the eight temple buildings featuring an image of Guru Rinpoche.

For more adventure, we can hike to Birendra Tal, situated beside the Manaslu Glacier, or continue toward the Manaslu Base Camp for breathtaking mountain views. Another option is visiting Pungyen Nunnery, exploring nearby caves and rivers before returning to our lodge in Sama Gaon.

In the morning, we set off toward the village of Samdo, crossing the Budi Gandaki River once again. The trek lasts around 3 to 4 hours, offering a mix of stunning landscapes and lush pasture fields, where local farmers cultivate their crops.

As we approach Samdo, the trail descends gently, making for a relatively easy walk. Since it’s a short trekking day, we plan to have lunch upon reaching Samdo, allowing us ample time to rest and explore the village.

The trail from Samdo initially passes through yak pastures and open fields. You’ll enjoy stunning views of surrounding mountains like Manaslu and Larke Peak. The route gradually ascends, with plenty of space to admire the alpine scenery.

As you move higher, the path becomes rocky and barren. You’ll cross small streams and wooden bridges. The area is dotted with prayer flags, chortens, and Mani walls, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. The trail winds uphill, but the incline is manageable with a steady pace.
Finally, you’ll reach Dharmasala. Dharmasala is also known as Larke Phedi. It serves as the base camp for crossing the Larke La Pass the next day. The settlement is small, with a basic tea house for food and rest.

The day begins early as we depart from Dharmasala at dawn. The trail starts with a steady ascent over rocky terrain and winding paths, becoming steeper as we approach Larkya La Pass. Along the way, we traverse glacial moraines and loose rocks, often encountering snow at higher elevations.

As we climb, breathtaking views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II unfold. Reaching Larkya La Pass, one of the highest points of the trek, we take a moment to admire the stunning surroundings before beginning the descent. The steep and rugged path requires careful footing, gradually transitioning into alpine landscapes filled with shrubs and meadows. As we approach Bhimthang, the scenery transforms into lush rhododendron and pine forests, clear streams, and green pastures—an idyllic setting to rest after an exhilarating journey.

The journey from Bhimthang to Tilje is a scenic trek through lush forests, rivers, and charming traditional villages. The descent begins through pine and rhododendron forests, offering a refreshing change in landscape.

Passing Yak Kharka, we walk through open meadows with stunning mountain views and grazing yaks. Following the Dudh Khola River, we cross several wooden bridges over small streams, adding a touch of adventure. As the forest thickens with rhododendron, pine, and oak trees, we reach Gho Village, a peaceful settlement where we can rest and enjoy a warm meal. From there, the trail gently winds through terraced fields, leading us to the larger village of Tilje, known for its welcoming teahouses.

We start our journey back with a drive from Tilje to Besishar, passing through scenic landscapes and traditional villages. From Besishar, we continue towards Kathmandu, following the winding riverbanks of Marsyangdi and Trishuli.

After several hours on the road, we arrive in Kathmandu, where you can unwind and enjoy a comfortable stay with various amenities at your own expense.