Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Morning free for sightseeing our city guide takes you around great places of interest with exciting tour around world heritage sites visiting, with time in the afternoon for trek preparation.

Manaslu and Tsum Valley adventure starts with exciting morning drive to reach Nepal Mid West on busy and main highway of the country, where route lead around low warm mid hills past farm villages and towns with views of snow capped peaks. As the drive continues with few refreshing stops heading further west to reach Dhading and at Gorkha area towards warm sub-tropical place at Arughat, a nice farm town located by the raging Burigandaki River, here transfer into best lodge available.

From Arughat town and farm area, where our first day walk beings following the river upstream past farm villages and terraced fields to reach at Soti Khola, for overnight stop with time to relax and stroll around this nice small farm village.

Morning walk leads from Soti-khola where trail cuts into steep valley, within densely forested areas and through number of small villages tucked in a hillside, then reaching a wide valley opposite at the point where large tributary stream enters into Burhigandaki River. The terraced cultivated field belongs to upper village of Lapbesi. From here our path descends to a wide, sandy riverbed following a trail meandering below the steep, craggy valley side. At some length leading to a climb on the trail to Machha Khola for overnight stop, with number of teashops and small lodge, the word Maccha Khola means Fish Stream.

Walk from this small village leads to several interesting farm villages and crops fields as vegetation changes slowly, as morning leads to cross a stream where Machha Khola village name comes from (Fish stream), from here follow upstream towards Khola-Bensi village and at Tatopani 'hot spring'. An opportunity for hot bathe as time allows, after a nice refreshing break walk carries on to reach at Dovan for overnight stop in this small farm village next of Yaruphant village.

Morning walk leads across a broad gravel field towards Lauri stream and then crossing suspension bridge which leads to a climb on high trails and then descending into open valley of Yara Khola, where our journey continues on for another hour to the village of Jagat. Jagat a nice looking farm village of moderate size after Arughat; people here with mix race Magar, Chettries, Brahman, Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan looking tribes) and some Newar people a lodge owner and shopkeepers. From Jagat descends s to reach a river, where route climbs on terraced hillside at Saguleri, with distance view of Sringi Himal 7,187m, walk continue with ups and down trail as our route reach at a bridge over Buri-Gandaki. After crossing over a bridge where our trail winds up to reach at Philim village for overnight stops, with time here to observe this nice farm village with rich cultivated fields and terraces.

After refreshing overnight stop at Philim, walk leads higher past scattered farm villages with climb through terraces of golden fields of wheat’s and barley, to reach a rocky ridge top covered within bamboo forest area towards Eklai Bhatti means a lonely Inn, after a rest head towards Lokpa, where route diverts to North East to reach Lokpa.

From here enter into fresh new area and away from main trekking paths of Manaslu where route divert to Tsum into a valley of happiness from here walk proceeds past few small farm lands and scattered villages with views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal, as our day walk ends entering a nice village at Chumling for overnight halt.

A serene country with fresh cool mountain air as elevation gains slowly as adventure progress heading into inner area of Tsum valley, where walk descend to cross over a bridge at Smatiking Khola, overlooking views of Ganesh Himal also called Yangra in local language of Tibetan origin, then slowly to our overnight stop at Chhokan-Paro a nice moderate size village.

Enjoy free and rest day at Chhokan-Paro a perfect place to get acclimatized before heading higher altitude, at this lovely village with time for short hike around view point for best scenery of surrounding beautiful landscapes with high hills and snow capped peaks. At Chhokan-Paro allows opportunity to explore the local interesting cultures of Tsum people interwoven with Buddhism religion of ancient heritage farm life and colorful custom. 

From here onward within inner Tsum valley, as morning walks lead towards higher elevation to reach at Nile village around wide open and exposed valley with dramatic arid and dry country similar to Tibetan landscapes.

As tree lines drops from here on with only few smaller juniper and pine trees with bushes, as journey continues along with views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal mountain range, after a scenic good trek finally ending the day at Nile.

On route trek with time to explore Guru Milereppa meditation cave a great Buddhist saint with history of 11th century, Milereppa a poet, singer as well tantric guru where his folk stories, good words and songs are still remembered by large number of Tibetans to this day.

Today a short day walk to reach at the end of our Tsum Valley adventure to reach at Mu Gompa, a place with old interesting monastery of the region.

Walk leads to climb within high and dry country facing views of surrounding high peaks within North, East and West direction, and then slowly walk completes reaching Mu Gompa for overnight stop.

Afternoon enjoy exploring around least visited areas by other trekkers and westerners where you will certainly have peaceful time and moments around its traditional village with impressive ancient monastery of Mu Gompa, treasures antique important idols, statue and relics, Mu Gompa highest spot of the trek.

From Mu Gompa after gaining much experience of local impressive and immense culture and custom, where walk leads to higher ground at Bhajyo, where route leads to climb on steep hill slope facing magnificent views of surrounding mountains that encircles the area and route of our walks. Slowly entering at Bhajyo a smaller farm village one of the most remote and hidden areas of Tsum valley and close behind Ganesh Himal, Bhajyo a place of cattle and Yak herders the village at the height of 4,240 m the highest point of the adventure before Larke-La Pass.

At Bhajyo a free day where one can take short excursion around pristine area where few trekkers and adventurer seldom explore or have ventured, enjoy scenic walks catching fabulous vista of peaks and visit around this small village of interesting farm life.

After an exciting with interesting time on high and remote areas of Tsum valley, walk leads to next monastery of great interest at Rachen Gompa, where walk leads on gradual trail with short ups and downs with lovely panorama of snow capped peaks, heading through yak herders summer pasture to reach Rachen Gompa and its moderate size village for overnight stop.

Return journey enjoying wonderful time arond high Tsum valley, where walk leadstowards lower area at the end of Tsum region at Chumling village, as route heads back within tree lines and green vegetation to reach at Chumling village the last and final overnight stop within Tsum Valley area.

Today where our diverts from the route of Tsum to join on Manaslu main trail as morning takes you with ups and down as path lead into a sheer cliff walls, after a dramatic section where trail improves towards Lokpa village, the houses and terrains completely changes into more Tibetan style from here onwards. After few hours of good walk brings you at Bihi for overnight stop, where villagers from here on with similar to Tsum people of strong Tibetan origin having both heritage and culture. Bihi villager cultivates buck wheat, wheat, barley and potatoes as staple crops, beside this since trekking became popular around this area, spinach, carrots and cabbages are also grown.

Journey continues for another two hours on steep sided valley, and then coming across rows of Mani prayer stone as walk leads to a nice village of Ghap with possible lunch stop.From here onward walk into cool alpine temperatures, as walk gain height to enter lovely woodland of coniferous tree lines as path meanders with steep up then valley opens out towards extensive pasture land, as route leads to cross a large stream flowing down from the Lidana Glacier, overlooking grand view of snow peaks towards north Manaslu or Kutang Himal range with Pang Phuchin 6,335m, and Saula Himal 6,235m with series of unnamed peaks of above 6,000 m. Walk is more pleasant; with gradual ups as altitude gains gradually as route leads to Namrung village for overnight halt, this place also called as Sho Namru.

After Namrung entering into nice and cool alpine woodland of fir, pine and rhododendron trees as walk meanders towards steep up as valley opens out with extensive pastures and then crossing a large stream flowing from the glacier of Lidana. As walk leads along with great views of Manaslu where local name is Kutang (Manaslu) Himal range includes Pang Phuchin 6,335m, Saula Himal 6,235m with many unnamed peaks of above 6,000m. Walk from here on slow uphill as altitude gains slowly heading past farm village to reach at Namrung also called Sho Namru,spending some time at Namrung, journey leads into more spread out farm fields and Yak herder huts with shelter, around high Manaslu valley people much engaged in

farming during summer, in winter young folks travels to big cities of Nepal and India for trade and to escape the cold winter. From here walk on high and scenic valley all the way to Lo-Gaon a nice village for overnight stops; attractive village of high Manaslu valley, at Lo-Gaon enjoy close views of towering Manaslu North Face, around Lo visit the monastery, numerous chhorten and Mani walls with views of Ganesh Himal towards east.

From Lo-Gaon walk leads to nice gradual path as high altitude gains slowly and then walking with slow climb with grand views of Peak 29 ahead, after few hours head into a small forested area at Shala village offers excellent view of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli, walk for few hours further as day completes on reaching at Sama-Gaon a village, with super close views of Mt. Manaslu. The local villagers are still active with trading with Tibet at the border which takes few days to reach the frontier of Nepal and Tibet, actually Manaslu area falls within on old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade route of the two countries.

After time with overnight at Sama-Gaon, morning walk of short four hours to reach last village of Gorkha and Manaslu valley at Samdo, starts with slow climb as elevation gains gradually, then taking time with short break to enjoy surrounding wonderful views of peaks and dramatic terrains. As walk continues finally ending at Samdo village with short climb to reach a small flat plateau where the village located, moderate size village of more than forty houses with about two hundred villagers living this high harsh country.

Leaving the last village of upper Manaslu valley and high Gorkha area where walk takes you at the end of Manaslu valley, facing snow capped peaks views of Mt. Manaslu range. Walk continues crossing few icy streams to Larke Phedi which means base of a hill or a pass, also known as Dharmasala a word for ‘traveler rest house / shade’, at Dharmasala or Larke Phedi afternoon free for short walks and preparations for next early morning long climb and descend crossing high Larke-La pass to reach Manang areas.

Morning start with climb over moraine of rocks and boulders (in snow condition tough job to find the right path), walk continue heading north of Larke glacier, with views of Cho Danda and Larke Peak, climb gets steep to reach on top Larke-la, festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags. From the top enjoy panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II includes series of Manaslu peaks, after a scenic mountain views with long descend to reach back within green forest and tree lines as walk leads to Larcia and at Tambuche which is the bottom of the pass, where few walk takes leads you at Bhimthang for overnight, a nice spot located on green valley houses number of lodges within dense tree of rhododendron-pines and oaks.

From Bhimthang much easier walks on downhill with some short climb on route to Telje and Dharapani villages, morning facing views of peaks heading with gradual walk into thick alpine woodland. Walk into beautiful forest areas on reaching a small clearing in the midst of woodland at Goha, a cattle and yak herders summer pasture area, from here walk follows downhill to complete our day on reaching a nice place Tilje village for overnight stop.

From Telje cross over a bridge and with last final steep climb for short while to reach large and nice lovely Dharapani village located at the junction of famous and popular Annapurna Circuit trail and Around Manaslu Trekking route. Dharapani located on a river gorge with lovely tree lines where motorable has been constructed since past few years, the village provides excellent lodges, after a marvelous adventure on Manaslu Circuit, as adventure walk continues from Dharapani follows Marysangdi River downstream past Tal Besi and Chamje and then finally reaching at Jagat village for overnight stop.

After a pleasant stop at Jagat, where walk ends at this village another Jagat with same name of earlier, where drive leads downhill to low warm country and back into paddy fields to reach at Syange located by the Marysangdi River, as ride continues

following Marysangdi River to reach a large town at Besisar, headquarter of Lamjung district, From Besisar drive continues back to Kathmandu as journey takes you around interesting town and farm villages to reach

main highway of Kathmandu and Pokhara at Dumre town. From here on good smooth road past Mugling Bazaar following Trisuli River upstream for an hour and then heading on winding zig-zag uphill to reach at the valley rim and then ending our marvelous Manaslu Circuit on reaching your hotel.

After marvelous adventure with exciting time in Nepal depart from the hotel for your international flight back home on completing wonderful adventure around Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trekking with great services of Himalaya Lungta Treks and Expeditions.