Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek

Duration: 25 Days

About Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek

The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek is a 25-day exhilarating trek that takes you around and up close to the world's 8th highest mountain, Manaslu (8163 M) with an extension to the hidden valley of Tsum. The combination of two amazing treks is one of the best ways to explore the Manaslu Region, its rich culture, natural beauty, wildlife, and vegetation.

The trek starts from the Lower Manaslu region which the Gurung people heavily dominate. The views of the majestic mountains can be seen from the very first day of the trek. The trek passes through beautiful terraced fields and settlements of the Gurung people. The Gurung's unique and rich culture and traditions like Bon, Shamanism, and Nature Worshipping practices can be seen in this region. After a couple of days of trekking along the hills, and rivers and bypassing different villages, we will enter the valley of Tsum which is inhabited by the people of Tibetan origin called Tsumba. Then we will return to the same route, join the Manasalu Circuit Trail, and walk to Chamche via the crossing of Larke La Pass(5160 M) where the trek will end. On the trek, the stunning views of Manaslu, Annapurna 2, Himlung, Kangguru, Cheo Himal, Lamjung Himal, Ganesh Himal, etc. can be seen while passing through beautiful villages, Buddhist monasteries, Chortens, mani walls, majestic waterfalls, suspension bridges e.t.c. Various types of wild animals like Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, and Himalayan Marmot can be seen along the trail. You will frequently encounter Yaks and Mules as well. 

Our 25-day Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary starts from Sotikhola and ends at Chamje. And the best thing is that our itineraries are flexible and can be customized. Just leave us a message and our experts will help you craft a perfect itinerary for you ensuring a top-notch experience with safety.  

Highlights

  • Walk through the Manaslu Conservation Area, a home to a variety of wildlife such as Snow leopard, Lynx, Musk deer, Red fox, Jackal, Brown Bear, Blue sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Serow, Wooly Hare, Himalayan Marmot, etc, and diverse vegetations
  • Encircle the 8th highest peak of the world, Manaslu (8163 M) starting from the low valleys of Budhi Gandaki river all the way up to the Annapurna region
  • Less explored trekking trail which is lately being popular as an alternative to the more busy Annapurna and Everest region
  • Magnificient views of Manaslu, Annapurna 2, Himlung, Kangguru, Cheo Himal, Lamjung Himal, Ganesh Himal, etc.
  • Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries like Mu Gumba, Nunnery Gumpa, Rachen Gumpa, and Milarepa Cave 
  • Larkya La(5160 M), the highest point of the trek provides stunning mountain sceneries
  • The rich culture of the Gurung, Tsumba, and Nubri people

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350 M) and transfer to hotel

One of the members of our company will welcome you at the international airport terminal gate and take you to the hotel. You will have a few hours to rest. Later, in the evening, you will meet with the tour guide in your hotel lobby. He will brief you on the day 2 program.

  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

You will go on a guided sightseeing tour to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will visit one of the holiest temples of Hindus, the Pashupatinath temple. Nearby this temple is located the largest in Nepal, Boudhanath stupa. After visiting these places, you will head to Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening, if you would like, you can explore the vibrant streets of Thamel and prepare for the trek.

  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

After a quick breakfast, you will start 7-8 hours of scenic drive to Barpak through the Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River. You will take our lunch at Khaireni and continue towards Barpak via Baluwa. Barpak is a big beautiful village inhabited dominantly by the Gurungs and Ghales situated on top of a hill. The beautiful view of the Boudha Himal can be seen from here.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Barpak
  • 1915 M
  • 7-8 hours

So, you will start the trek today. After a steep uphill climb of 3 and a half hours, you will reach Mamche Hill (2700 M) where we will have our lunch. From the top, you can enjoy superb views of Sringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, Bouddha Himal, Langtang ranges, and Annapurna ranges. You will continue walking on a straight trail until Gupsidanda, a new settlement built by NRN Australia for the people of Laprak after the earthquake. From there you will descend all the way down to Laprak.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Laprak
  • 2100 M
  • 5-6 hours

Today the trek will be short and easy as well. You will cross a suspension bridge at the end of the village and pass through terraced farmland and quite beautiful forests. You will again cross a suspension bridge in the middle of a forest. After some time, you will continue walking through the terraced farmlands until reaching the beautiful village of Gumda inhabited by the Gurung community. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Gumda
  • 2000 M
  • 3 hours

Walking through the terraced farmlands and then descending down through the alluring forest of pine and rhododendron, you will arrive at a small Gurung village, Yamagaun. Continuing our trek downwards again, you will pass through another Gurung village, Lapsibot. From there, you will descend all the way to Machha Khola through the forested trail.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Machha khola
  • 870 M
  • 5 hour

After crossing the bridge over Machha Khola, you will walk on a rugged vehicle road until a bridge a little bit further up from Tatopani. Here, you can take a short break and spend some time enjoying the natural hot spring. The trail then ascends and crosses Budhi Gandaki reaching Dobhan. From Dobhan, you will gradually ascend through the landslide area to reach Thulo Dhungga, then Yaruphant, cross the bailey bridge, and again a suspension bridge and reach Jagat.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Jagat
  • 1070 M
  • 6-7 hours

Today, your guide will register the permits and ascend a rocky ridge to Salleri. From here, you will descend towards Sirdibas and continue trekking to Ghatta Khola. Crossing a long suspension bridge, you will ascend to Philim. Further trekking through the forest, you will be at Chisopani. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Ekle Bhatti
  • 1600 M
  • 4 hours

After taking breakfast, you will trek for 1-1:30 hours on a straight cliffside route via a beautiful waterfall until reaching a point where you will leave the Manaslu Circuit Trail. From here, you will take the trail on the right which ascends uphill through the forest of pine and rhododendrons. You will get to see the stunning views of Himalchuli and Boudha Himal. Leaving Lokpa behind, you will descend to Lungwa Khola and ascend to reach Gumlung. Crossing Shyar Khola, you will reach Chumling.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Chumling
  • 2386 M
  • 6-7 hours

Crossing a suspension bridge you will trek enjoying captivating views of Ganesh Himal. The trail then passes from Renjom to Serpu Khola and crosses a bridge you will reach Gho village. From here, you will trek for another 2 hours via a huge landslide area and ascend to Chhekam Paro welcoming you with the beautiful views of Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Chhekam Paro
  • 3031 M
  • 4-5 hours

After having breakfast, you will trek mostly on flatlands passing through the middle of beautiful buckwheat, wheat, potato, and barley fields.  Trekking through a couple of small and beautiful Tsombo villages, mani walls, Chortens, caves, Monasteries, and crossing several bridges you will arrive at Nile.  You will visit the Milarepa Cave, where it is believed that the Buddhist saint, 'Milarepa' meditated.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Nile
  • 3361 M
  • 4-5 hours

Today is your rest day. You will explore the villages and go on a short hike to visit Mu Gompa. Located closer to the Tibetan border, Mu Gompa is the largest monastery in this region. After that, you will visit Dhephu Doma Gompa and Nunnery Gompa. In the evening, you hike back to Nile.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Nile
  • 3361 M

After having breakfast, you will begin trekking towards Chhekam Paro. The trail will pass by small villages and present us with scenic views. You will visit Rachen Gompa on the way. After visiting Rachen Gompa, you will cross a suspension bridge where you will rejoin the same route that you took from Chekamparo to Nile.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Chhekam Paro
  • 3010 M
  • 5 hour

Today, you will descend down to the lower Tsum Valley. You can stop for a rest in villages along the way, or make a short visit to the gompa. You will have lunch at Chumling. Then you will continue descending via the same trail crossing a suspension bridge and passing a dense forest until arriving at Lokpa. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Lokpa
  • 2240 M
  • 6-7 hours

After our breakfast, you will descend down for a few hours before rejoining the Classic Manaslu Circuit  Trail. Then you will cross a strong metal bridge over Budi Gandaki and trek west of the river passing through the beautiful tropical forest dominated by bamboo, and pine. Today you will be crossing the bridges more than 6 times over Budi Gandaki and other different rivers. You will trek through several small villages like Pewa, Tang, and, Rana before reaching Bihi Phedi.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Bihi Phedi
  • 1985 M
  • 6-7 hours

The initial part of the trail will be narrow, on relatively flat terrain, and on a landslide area as well before reaching Ghap by crossing a couple of bridges. After leaving Ghap, you will again cross several bridges over Budi Gandaki River and walk along with the beautifully cultivated fields. After crossing the last bridge, you will ascend through the beautiful low alpine forest all the way to Namrung. Namrung is a beautiful highland hamlet inhabited by people resembling closely to Tibetans.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Namrung
  • 2630 M
  • 5 hours

Trekking through Bhanzam, you will pass through many beautiful ethnic villages like Lihi, Sho, and Lho. You will visit Ribung Gompa in Lho village situated on the top of a hill with a magnificent view of Manaslu. From there, you will continue trekking through the pine & rhododendron forest to reach Shyala.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Shyala
  • 3500 M
  • 6 hours

Today you will climb to discover Punggyen Gompa before trekking to Samagaun with packed lunch. You will trek through pastures and cross a river draining from the Pung Gyen glacier. From Pungyen Gompa, you can see a really impressive panoramic view of many surrounding peaks along with the eastern face of Manaslu. Then you will descend down the same way and join the main trail to Samagaun, the last largest village in the Manaslu region.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Samagaun
  • 3520 M
  • 6-7 hours

Today is a day of rest day. You will take a short excursion to Birendra Lake for acclimatization. While hiking, you might also come across wildlife like Himalayan Tahr. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Samagaun
  • 3520 M

Passing by forests of birch and juniper, you will further trek through small villages. You will then cross the wooden bridge over the Buddhi Gandaki River and reach Samdo village, which is a small Tibetan refugee village. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Samdo
  • 3875 M
  • 3-4 hours

You will cross a suspension bridge and continue to ascend gradually through the high pasturelands where you will encounter many yaks grazing with a beautiful view of Manaslu North, Larkya Peak, and Larkya glacier on the left side of the trail. And by crossing several rivulets and continuing the ascent you will arrive at Dharmasala.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Dharmasala
  • 4460 M
  • 4-5 hours

You will start early in the morning after breakfast. With a short climb, you will reach the north side of Larkya glacier. The trail then ascends through the steep path and takes you to the top of the Larke La Pass from where you will enjoy stunning views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II, and many other mountains. Then you will descend down to Bimtang where you will be automatically in the Annapurna region of Manang district. It's a long and challenging day compared to the other days.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Bimtang
  • 3590 M
  • 8-10 hours

After having breakfast, you will pass the Kechakyu Khola Glacier and trek through the lush forest of rhododendron. On the way, you will get to see beautiful views of Mt. Manaslu. Further, you will reach Gho village and head towards Tilije. Tilje is a nice and old typical village inhabited by Manangi Gurung. You can find facilities for a hot shower, wifi, electricity from here onwards.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Tilje
  • 2300 M
  • 6-7 hours

Leaving Tilije behind, you will descend to Dharapani by crossing several bridges over Dudh Khola and Marsyangdi,  From here, you will drive to Kathmandu via Besishahar. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will move to your hotel. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner organized by the company.

  • B,L&D
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • 9-10 hours

After having breakfast, one of the members of the company will escort you to the airport for your flight back to your home.

  • B&B
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What’s Included

  • One porter for two people (maximum weight: 12 kg per client) and an assistant guide for group sizes above 4 people.
  • 3-night shared accommodation in a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu on a BB basis.
  • Trekking Lodge/ Tea House accommodations with twin sharing basis during the trek.
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, hot drinks) during the trek.
  • Kathmandu- Barpak, and Chamje-Besisahar-Kathmandu by private vehicle.
  • Rescue and evacuation arrangements in case of emergency.
  • All the necessary permits and paperwork needed for the trek. 
  • Kathmandu valley tour with a tour guide in a private vehicle.
  • Government taxes, service charges, and official expenses.
  • All staff’s salary, meals, accommodation, and insurance.
  • Professional English-speaking guide.
  • Airport pick-up and drop.
  • Tips for the guide, assistant guide, porter, and driver (Tipping is expected).
  • Meal while you are in Kathmandu, Lunch, and Dinner.
  • Medical evacuation cost (In case of emergency).
  • Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees.
  • Your Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
  • Your personal expenses.
  • Nepal entry visa fee.
  • International airfare.

Useful Information

The construction work for the vehicle road is still going on and recently it has reached the hill across Philim. We have an alternative but will need to walk on those roads on a number of occasions.  

And at Dharmasala we will have to share a single room with 4-5 people as the accommodation services are basic and limited.