Manaslu Tsum Valley -Trek – 19 Days

Distance: 160 km / 99.4 miles
Duration: 6-8 hours

After an early breakfast, we'll embark on our journey along the Prithvi Highway, heading west from Kathmandu. This scenic drive offers breathtaking views of terraced farms, rushing rivers, picturesque villages, and lush forests.

We'll cross the Trishuli River to reach Dhading Bensi before continuing to Arughat, where the landscape remains captivating as we follow the Dorandi Khola north towards Gorkha. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning vistas of the Manaslu and Ganesh Himal ranges. After passing Arughat, we’ll have about two more hours of driving to reach our destination, Soti Khola.

Distance: 9.7 km / 6 miles
Highest Altitude: 890 m / 2,965 ft
Duration: 6 to 7 hours

Our trek continues as we follow the Buddhi Gandaki Valley northward, where we’ll be treated to views of the stunning Himalayan peaks. The path winds through lush, dense forests and passes several charming villages until the valley opens up.

Along the way, you’ll notice a large stream cascading into the Budhi Gandaki River from the opposite side. As we progress, we’ll arrive at the picturesque village of Lapubesi (880 m). From there, we’ll navigate a winding path leading us down to the riverbank at Macha Khola.

Trek Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
Highest Altitude: 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Trek Duration: 6 - 7 hours

We begin our day by crossing the Tharo Khola River and making our way upstream to Khola Beni. The trail takes us through stunning gorges adorned with waterfall-sculpted rocks and areas affected by landslides.

After crossing a bridge, we’ll arrive at the small village of Kholabesi, followed by the natural hot springs of Tatopani, known for its rejuvenating waters.

From Tatopani, we’ll navigate another trail, crossing the Budhi Gandaki River via a suspension bridge. Continuing on, we’ll pass through a landslide area before reaching Dobhan village. Here, we’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola and ascend stone steps to Thado Bharyang. Finally, we’ll make our way to the charming village of Jagat, where we’ll register our permits at the police checkpoint, marking our entry into the Manaslu Conservation Area.

Trek Distance: 17.5 km / 10.8 miles
Highest Altitude: 2,040 m / 4,493 ft
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

We begin our journey into the restricted area of Manaslu by ascending a ridge to reach Salleri. From there, we stroll along the riverbanks and cross the Budhi Gandaki River via a long suspension bridge. As we proceed, the valley expands towards Philim.

Passing Ekle Bhatti, we encounter a fork in the trail: one path leads to Tsum Valley while the other continues towards Manaslu. We then ascend towards Lokpa, traversing several quaint villages. The rivers narrow, and we’ll catch sight of the confluence of the Syar Rivers flowing from Tsum Valley.

Continuing on the right side of the Tsum Valley, we’ll arrive at Lokpa village, the gateway to Tsum Valley, where stunning views of the Manaslu range greet us. This hidden valley, blessed by Padmashambhava, the revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, offers breathtaking vistas of Himalchuli and Boudha Himal.

Trek Distance: 6.3 km / 3.9 miles
Highest Altitude: 2,386 m / 6,692 ft
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours

After breakfast, we begin our trek from Lokpa Village, marking the wild entry into Tsum Valley. On clear days, the path offers breathtaking views of Baudha Himal (6,672 m) and Ganesh Himal VI as we make our way towards Chumling.

Our journey starts with a descent into the Lungwa River valley, followed by an ascent through a lush subtropical forest filled with dense rhododendron and pine trees. There are no villages between Lokpa and Chumling, making this stretch feel wonderfully secluded.

We'll cross the Syar Khola to reach the village of Chumling, where you can take a side trip to the upper parts of the village to visit a monastery that provides stunning views of Ganesh Himal. Chumling is home to a health post and three monasteries: Panago Gumba, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gumba.

Trek Distance: 8.4 km / 5.2 miles
Highest Altitude: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

Today, we venture into the upper valley of the inner Himalayas. Our trek begins alongside the Syar River, leading us to Domje, the largest village in Tsum Valley. From there, we’ll continue our ascent to Chhokangparo, where breathtaking views of Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal await on clear days.

In Chhokangparo, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoying the warm hospitality of the Tsombo community. Savor traditional Tibetan chai (butter tea) and sample delicious local dishes, enhancing your experience in this picturesque region.

Trek Distance: 9.7 km / 6 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,361 m / 11,026 ft
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Today’s trek is relatively short, taking us from Chhule, the last village in the upper Tsum Valley, to the Nile, located just a 20-minute walk across the Shikhar Khola. As we approach Ngakyu Leru, you'll notice the fertile land where locals engage in farming.

Continuing past Lamagaon, we arrive at the sacred St. Milarepa Piren Phu Cave, known for its preserved footprint said to belong to the revered figure Milarepa. This cave is one of the most significant spiritual sites in Tsum Valley, featuring two Gumbas, beautifully painted Buddhist murals, intricate carvings, long prayer flags, and important Buddhist texts.

After exploring this cultural gem, we cross a suspension bridge over the Shiar River and proceed through charming villages on our way to Nile.

Trek Distance: 7.9 km / 4.9 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours

A short trek from the Nile along the west bank of the valley, near the Tibetan border, takes us to Mu Gompa, the highest point of the Tsum Valley Trek. The path leads us through yak pastures in the typical dry and arid terrain of the trans-Himalayas. At Mu Gompa, you'll find rows of chortens and stunning mountain vistas. You’ll also have the chance to explore Dhephu Doma Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley.

Highest Altitude: 3,240 m / 10,629 ft
Trek Duration: 6 hours

Starting from Gompa, we begin our descent towards Rachen Gompa, passing through Chhule and finally reaching Phurbe. Rachen Gompa, located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, is surrounded by towering mountains. Today's trek takes you through beautiful forested areas, leading us to our destination at Chhokangparo.

Highest Altitude: 3,010 m / 9,903 ft
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

We continue our descent from Chhokung Paro towards Gho, crossing a suspension bridge along the way. From Gho, we hike on to Rainjam Village, then descend into Tsum Valley, ultimately reaching Chumling, our destination for the day.

Highest Altitude: 2,386 m / 7,827 ft
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

Today, we depart from Chumling, enjoying a relatively easier descent as we follow the banks of the Shair Khola towards Lokpa Village. On clear days, you might encounter large herds of sheep and goats along the route.

After reaching Lokpa, the trail continues downward, crossing the Budi Gandaki River on a sturdy bridge. We then enter a narrow gorge, where the path begins to ascend and descend as we gradually climb through the valley. Crossing a river via a suspension bridge, we make our way through bamboo forests, eventually arriving at the Gurung village of Deng (1,860 m).

Highest Altitude: 2,900 m / 9,512 ft
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

Starting from Deng, we ascend towards Rana Village (1,910 m) and continue on to Bhiphedi (2,130 m). The trail winds through the valley canyons, crossing the Serang Khola before leading us to Ghap (2,160 m).

As we depart from Ghap, the terrain becomes steeper, requiring a long climb through bamboo and rhododendron forests. We will navigate across wild rivers several times before reaching Namrung Village, which serves as the gateway to the Nupri region. The inhabitants of Namrung are of Tibetan descent, adding a unique cultural touch to the area.

Trek Distance: 17.7 km / 11 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
Trek Duration: 8 to 9 hours

We depart from Namrung, passing through numerous Mani wall entrance gates, several Buddhist Gompas, and quaint villages along the way. As the valley widens, we trek through Sho Village, home to many yaks and offering stunning views of Manaslu (8,163 m) and Manaslu North (7,157 m).

This day is perfect for soaking in the breathtaking mountain scenery. Continuing toward Sama Gaon (3,530 m), we follow the right bank of the river while enjoying views of Peak 29. After a couple of hours of ascent through the forest, we reach Shyala Village, from which we can see the majestic Phungi, Manaslu, and Himal Chuli mountains. The locals of Shyala depend on yaks, potatoes, and barley for their livelihood in this alpine environment.

As we climb higher, Ganesh Himal comes into view to the east, with Himalchuli and Manaslu visible to the south. Eventually, we look down upon the two rows of houses that make up the heart of Sama Gaon, with the renowned Sama Gaon Monastery standing at the far end. Located near the Tibetan border, we will spend a day here to acclimatize before continuing our journey.

To aid in acclimatization, we will spend a day resting in Sama Gaon. Nestled near Manaslu Base Camp, this village features thousands of mani stones adorned with Buddhist texts and intricate sculptures. Notably, local women often wear beautifully crafted silver spoons as jewelry.

Although today is designated as a rest day, you have the option to embark on exciting excursions. You can explore the stunning glacial moraine, visit Birendra Lake, or check out Pungyen Gompa. The trek to Manaslu Base Camp takes around eight hours, but the effort is rewarded with breathtaking views of the Manaslu Glacier and the striking turquoise hues of Birendra Lake.

If you prefer to stay closer to home, consider exploring the charming village of Sama Gaon or visiting Pung-Gyen Monastery, which lies beneath the majestic east face of Manaslu. For those seeking a bit more adventure, there are caves and natural hot springs situated higher up in the village.

Trek Distance: 18.5 km / 11.4 miles
Highest Altitude: 4,460 m / 14,632 ft
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

We begin our journey early in the morning, departing from Sama Gaon en route to Samdo. Our path meanders through terraced fields, alongside ancient mani walls, and leads us across a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. As we gradually ascend into the Samdo Valley, we’ll encounter another mani wall marking the start of our climb toward Larkya La Pass.

Along the way, we will cross two streams and enjoy views of the majestic Larkya Glacier. As we navigate the Salka Khola Valley, the trail ascends once more, bringing us to Dharmasala (4,450 m)—not a traditional lodge, but a resting place known as Larkya La Phedi.

Today’s trek rewards us with stunning vistas of Larkya Glacier and the impressive Manaslu mountain range. We’ll take some time to rest at Larkya La Phedi in preparation for crossing Larkya La Pass the following day.

Trek Distance: 24.7 km / 15.3 miles
Highest Altitude: 5,160 m / 16,929 ft
Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours

We set out from Dharmasala early in the morning to tackle one of the most challenging segments of our trek. Our goal is to cross Larkya La Pass (5,160 m) before strong winds pick up at the summit. The trail begins with a gentle ascent across the moraine, then slightly descends to a lake before becoming rough and indistinct as we navigate steep grassy slopes.

Continuing along the moraine, we reach a ridge marked by two cairns, where we can spot the prayer flags that indicate the pass. From there, we descend to four frozen lakes and then make our final steep ascent to the pass. The top offers breathtaking panoramic views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kanguru, Minjung, and the towering Annapurna II.

After taking in the stunning vistas, we begin our descent. The trail follows the edge of the moraine westward, featuring a series of steep, rough switchbacks before gently descending on loose gravel to a grassy moraine at 4,450 m. The path then becomes easier to follow as we reach a small meadow, and the valley opens up, leading us to a large meadow past a mani wall and a small rest house, marking our arrival at Bhimtang (3,590 m).

Trek Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,720 m / 12,205 ft
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Starting from Bhimtang, we embark on a journey that crosses the moraine and descends to the headwaters of Dudh Khola. After crossing a wooden bridge, the trail leads us into a vibrant forest of pine and rhododendron, rich with multi-colored blooms and lively wildlife, including sheep, horses, and monkeys.

As we hike, we are treated to stunning panoramic views of Phungi, Manaslu, Manaslu North Peak, Cheo Himal, and Himlung Himal. Following a 30-minute descent through the forest, we reach the Sangore Kharka meadow. From there, we navigate across a landslide before making a steep ascent to a ridge adorned with prayer flags. Finally, the trail descends to the riverbank at Gho (2,575 m), completing our day’s trek.

Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Highest Elevation: 2,550 m / 8,367 ft
Duration: 4 - 5 hours

The trail features a mix of ascents and descents, predominantly winding through open fields and occasionally cutting through dense forests. After less than an hour of walking, you’ll reach Tilije, a vibrant multiethnic community. Exiting Tilije through a stone arch, you’ll cross the Dudh Khola River and meander along its banks, descending through areas of scrub forest.

As you continue your trek, the impressive walls of the Marsyangdi Valley come into view, with the houses of Dharapani appearing on the horizon. You’ll pass through Thonje village via a wooden bridge adorned with a chorten-shaped arch, and cross a long suspension bridge to reach Dharapani. From there, the path leads along the sandy shores of the Marsyangdi River until you arrive in Tal. The presence of prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens indicates that Tal is a Buddhist village.

Accommodation: Overnight stay at a lodge.

Driving Time: 9 - 10 hours

In the morning, we’ll take a local jeep or bus from Tal to Besisahar, a journey that lasts about 4 to 5 hours. The route winds through charming villages, including Bhulbhule and Khudi, before reaching Besisahar. It’s important to arrive before 3 p.m. to catch the last jeep or local bus heading to Kathmandu.

As we travel back to Kathmandu, the road follows the picturesque Marsyangdi River before merging with the Trishuli River along the Prithvi Highway. You’ll enjoy stunning views of lush landscapes, terraced fields, and, if the weather permits, some final glimpses of the towering snow-capped pe