Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek

Your adventure begins with a scenic, yet bumpy, drive from Kathmandu to Macha Khola. Depending on your preference, your guide will either meet you at the hotel after breakfast for a comfortable jeep ride or meet you early for a local bus journey. While the bus is included in the trek package and gives you a chance to travel like a local, the jeep offers more flexibility and comfort. Expect a long 7-9 hour ride with breathtaking views of the countryside, winding roads, and the occasional jolt on unpaved roads. This remote village marks the start of your trek.

Today, the trekking officially begins! As you start ascending, the weather will likely be warm and sunny at this lower elevation. The trail takes you across several suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki River, with opportunities to spot local wildlife in the Manaslu Conservation Area, perhaps even monkeys in the lush forests. The path undulates with plenty of ups and downs, giving you a real taste of trekking in the Himalayas. After around 6 hours of hiking, you'll arrive at Jagat, a quaint village inhabited by the Gurung and Tamang communities, where you’ll spend the night.

The trail follows the Manaslu Circuit today, before branching off towards Tsum Valley. You'll hike through forests and past streams, ascending to Salleri before descending to Siribas. The landscape begins to open up as you reach Philim, a picturesque village with terraced fields. After crossing the Budhi Gandaki River through a gorge and passing bamboo forests, you’ll stop for lunch at Ekle Bhatti. From there, the path veers off to the less-traveled Tsum Valley, leading you to the remote village of Lokpa, where you’ll rest for the night.

Leaving Lokpa, the trail ascends over a scenic ridge leading to Ganesh Himal Base Camp, offering mesmerizing views of the Himalayas. From here, you'll trek towards Chumling, where you'll enjoy stunning vistas of Shangri Himal overlooking the village. The trail meanders through remote settlements and lush forests, finally bringing you to Dumje, a tranquil spot where you’ll spend the night at a cozy lodge.

After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on a 6-hour trek towards the Upper Tsum Valley. The route follows the Shiar Khola river and passes through several small villages, offering glimpses of rural life. Along the way, you'll encounter Piren Phu cave, a sacred meditation site located near the cliffside village of Burj. The day is filled with cultural encounters, as you trek past Rachen Gompa and vast terraced farmlands. You’ll end the day at Nile-Chule, where you'll rest before continuing further into the remote Tsum Valley.

Today’s trek starts from the peaceful village of Nile-Chule, heading towards Mu Gompa. The trail takes you uphill to the highest point of the Tsum Valley, home to the largest gompa in the region. As you reach Mu Gompa, you'll explore an 18th-century monastery filled with religious texts, including Kangyur, and statues of Tara, Avalokiteshwara, and Guru Padmasambhava. After your trek, you’ll settle in at a teahouse for the night, surrounded by the serene atmosphere of this spiritual site.

This day is set aside for acclimatization and exploring Mu Gompa. You'll wander through stunning landscapes, visiting small chortens and Buddhist landmarks. For those seeking a bit more adventure, a hike to the base of Pika Himal offers sweeping views of snow-capped peaks and the Tibetan region beyond the border. After a day of exploration, you’ll return to Mu Gompa for a restful evening.
 

From Mu Gompa, the trail descends to Rachen Gompa, a nunnery nestled in the Shiar Khola Valley near the Nepal-Tibet border. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings. At Rachen Gompa, you'll discover a sanctuary housing nuns from the Ngak-Pa sect and marvel at the thousands of Avalokiteshvara statues that add to the spiritual ambiance. Spend the night here, resting up for the next day’s trek.
 

Today’s trek is a long and challenging journey from Rachen Gompa to Chumling. The trail takes you through a mix of uphill and downhill sections, offering both scenic beauty and physical challenge. After around 7-8 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Chumling, a large settlement where you’ll rest for the night in a local lodge.
 

From Chumling, the trek continues towards Deng. Along the way, you'll be treated to magnificent views of the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. The trail crosses several gorges and the Budhi Gandaki River multiple times, making for a varied and interesting journey. After passing through dense forests and across suspension bridges, you’ll reach the village of Deng, where you’ll spend the night in a cozy teahouse.
 

Today’s trek starts with an uphill climb followed by a descent to the Budhi Gandaki River, which you’ll cross on a suspension bridge. The forested trail is rich with natural beauty, and along the way, you’ll pass Buddhist landmarks and Mani stones. After trekking through the village of Prok, where you can catch views of Siring Himal, you’ll continue across the river and through more forests before reaching Namrung. Here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal, Siring, and Mt. Himal Chuli, and rest for the night in the village.
 

Today’s trek takes you from Namrung to the village of Lho. The trail is challenging, with a steep ridge climb followed by a forested path. Along the way, you’ll pass Buddhist landmarks like chortens, prayer flags, and mani walls. As you trek through the Simnang Valley and past the barley farms, you'll eventually reach Lhi and then continue to Lho. In Lho, you can explore the stunning local monastery and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. You’ll rest for the night in a cozy teahouse.

From Lho, you’ll trek to Samagaun, passing through the scenic village of Shyala. The trail offers incredible views of Mount Manaslu and other towering peaks. You’ll also get a glimpse of the region’s rich cultural heritage as you walk through the landscapes. Upon reaching Samagaun, you can visit Ribung Gompa and enjoy breathtaking views of the glacial mountains. After a day of exploring, you'll settle into a teahouse in Samagaun for the night.

Acclimatization Day at Samagaun (Day Trip to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa)
Today is an acclimatization day, giving you a chance to rest and adjust to the altitude. You can choose between a few options to stay active: a short walk to Birendra Tal, a peaceful high-altitude lake, or a longer 5-6 hour hike to Pungyen Gompa, dedicated to the guardian of Mt. Manaslu. For a more challenging adventure, trek to Manaslu Base Camp (4,880m), a 7-hour round trip. Though strenuous, the panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Himalchuli, Shringi Himal, and Ganesh Himal, make it all worthwhile. You’ll return to Samagaun to rest overnight.

The trek continues from Samagaun to Samdo, following the Budhi Gandaki River. You’ll cross several suspension bridges along the way, gradually making your way toward the Larkya La pass, one of the highest and most challenging passes in the region. The trail then eases as you walk through forests of birch and juniper, adorned with prayer flags. After crossing ridges and passing the river again, you’ll arrive at Samdo, where you'll spend the night in a local teahouse, ready for the next day’s journey.

Today’s trek takes you from Samdo to Dharamsala, passing through Larke Bazaar, an ancient trading post between Nepal and Tibet. If trade is happening, you can witness some of the exchanges. After crossing the Budhi Gandaki River, the trail leads to Dharamsala, where you’ll get to see the impressive Larkya Glacier. You’ll spend the night in Dharamsala, resting up for tomorrow’s early start.

At around 3-4 AM, you’ll begin the challenging trek to cross Larkya Pass (5,160m). The early start is crucial to avoid the high winds that rise later in the day. The trail is rocky and steep, but the panoramic views from the top are worth the effort. From the pass, you can admire Himlung (7,126m) and Annapurna II (7,937m). As you descend, you’ll pass Pongkar Tal, Salpu Danda Glaciers, and breathtaking icefalls before arriving at Bimthang

Today’s trek takes you from Bimthang to Dharapani, passing through varied landscapes. The trail descends across a stony glacier and ascends a moraine before leading through dense forests. You’ll be treated to stunning views of Manaslu, Larke, Nadi, and Chuli Himal. The trek continues through Sangura Kharka and Karcher, passing the Marsyangdi Valley and small settlements like Tilje. After crossing the Dudh Khola on a suspension bridge, you’ll arrive at Thonje, where you’ll pass a police checkpoint before reaching Dharapani. Here, you'll stay overnight, enjoying views of the snow-capped mountains.

Your trek concludes with a scenic drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu. After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to your guides and porters before boarding a private jeep. The drive takes around 4 hours to Besishar, after which the paved road along the Prithvi Highway takes you to Kathmandu in about 8-10 hours. Once in Kathmandu, you’ll settle into your hotel for the night. In the evening, you can explore the vibrant streets of Thamel, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy the local nightlife. This marks the end of your incredible Manaslu Circuit Trek!