Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Upon landing at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu, we will receive you in a private vehicle and transfer you to the hotel. All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you’re fully prepared for the trip. After lunch, we explore the medieval capital city of Kathmandu.

Today we visit the Boudhanath stupa, and the Hindu’s most holy Pashupatinath temple where the cremation takes place by the holy river Bagmati. Later on, we visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and the oldest market of Nepal “Asan Tole”. Return to the hotel for a special brief about your Tsum valley Manaslu trek information.

Your trekking staff will come to your Hotel early in the morning at 6:15 am to pick you up. The overland drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola distance is 141.3 kilometers (87.7 miles) and takes roughly about 8-9 hours by regular bus. Crossing Arughat and Soti Khola, we follow the Budhi Gandaki River toward its point of origin.

We start to follow the classical Manaslu trek route across the Budi Gandaki river valley and the gorges to Macha Khola. Travellers can also book a private jeep either from Kathmandu to Machakhola direct or from Soti Khola to Macha khola paying an extra cost to hike quickly further.

Cross Machha Khola and Khrola best, there is a hot spring called “Tatopani”, which follows a forested area after this toward Dovan. Below Dovan, there is a huge rapid of Budi Gandaki, as the elevation increases, the rapids, and the scenery undergo a complete transformation. Jagat has a police check post where trekking permits will be checked.

From Jagat, after descending a long series of stone steps back down to the river. Climb on wonderful stone steps along a terraced hillside to the small hamlet of Saguleri and Sirdibas, which offers an impressive Sringi Himal (7,187m).

Our route continues upstream, and again we have a steep climb to reach Philim. There are two trails where one crosses a bridge and heads for Manaslu and the new trail for Tsum valley heads right and ascends for a couple of hours to Lokpa (Lakuwa).

Today, an easy cultural trail heads down before it then ascends steeply up. 30 minutes of descent to the riverside and cross the beautiful wooden bridge, before the final ascent of up to an hour to Chumling center point.

They have a primary-level school, and a small clinic, with great views of the Ganesh Himal range. We are now in an area of Tibetan culture where they import goods from Tibet. We trek around two hours further to get to Dumje village where we can sleep overnight.

A long day of walking with a tough trail but the scenic views of the valley amply compensate for the long walk. Chhokung Paro, located at an altitude of 3,030m above sea level is situated on flat land and consists of 2 settlements, ChhokUng Paro.

From here you can get superb views of the Ganesh Himal range. Likewise, this area is prominent for its Tibetan Buddhist heritage and some households practice polyandry down here. Stay overnight in the guest house of Rachen Gumpa.

Nile at 3,361 meters is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum valley. It is situated on the banks of the Shiar Khola and it consists of a large number of households. Mu Gompa is home to a very old monastery and there are no village establishments here.

It is located at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum valley. Mu Gompa hiking trail is used to import and export things to and from Tibet in former times. You may come across several yak queues supplying goods to the local villages.

Exploration Mu Gumpa half-day hikes

As soon as you reach the guest house, drop your gear at the hotel and interested tourists can make a plan for further hikes. Short excursions to the many snow-covered peaks in the area for the most spectacular views of the entire route.

Walk to the Nunnery and to a small pond a bit further up to Nunnery if the time permits. Normally we stay overnight at Mu. Gumpa. Often Mu combo doesn’t offer food and sleep for tourists so it would be better to coordinate with a guide to make the best plan for that night.

On an entirely descending path. On this day you can enjoy glimpses of the Punchen Himal which is unique in shape. On this day you continue your descent by retracing the path from your ascent, where we stay overnight at the lodge.

On the way you can enjoy views of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. Gomba Lungdang is home to a beautiful and large monastery that houses monks (all females) thus, Men are not permitted in some areas of this monastery. The most spectacular sunrise through the Ganesh Himal range is a magic moment. Stay overnight in Lodge.

Trail heads all the way down to Chumling village and then onto Lokpa. You will feel great here having been to a higher altitude. Lokpa is a Lakuwa village, a small place where we can stay overnight.

We cross the strong metal bridge over Budi Gandaki and trek west of the river. Now we begin to walk across the beautiful tropical forest dominated by Bamboo.

Cross the bridge over Budi Gandaki once again and arrive at Pewa (1730m). Continue to ascend to the fascinating Nubri Valley where hikers can see plenty of Tibetan Buddhism symbols. Stay overnight at a lodge in Dyang village.

Ghap is a traditional Buddhist inhabitant with myriads of Mani stones and Chortens that indicate the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. Beyond Ghap we cross the wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki River and walk along with the cultivated fields.

And the final push of the day’s trek climbs up through the beautiful low alpine forest all the way to Namrung. Namrung is a beautiful highland hamlet with abundant traces of Buddhism. Interested hikers can make a plan to discover Black Lake (KAL TAL) adding an extra day as it takes almost a full-day tour.

At Namrung village, there is a police check post again. After Namrung, across the Hinan river originating from Linda Glacier, and continue on to Sho.

Naike peak, Manaslu north (7,774 m), and Manaslu (8,150 m) are visible from Sho village. We hike to Lho village and Ribum/Ningoon monastery located on the Manaslu foothill. Walk to Syala Gaon where we stay overnight at a guest house. Syalagaon offers almost the top sunrise view during the entire hiking journey.

Travellers continue to pass the stone gate and long Mani stone wall of the village with a full view of Peak 29 ahead. There are many things to see in the Manaslu foothills. Tourists can make a side excursion to Punggen Glacier from here to get a very close-up view of Mount Manaslu.

In the morning time, a hike to Punggen gompa offers unbelievable views of the entire Himchuli Mountain, Ngadi chuli, and the Manaslu itself. Interested hikers can extend their trip by renting a tent from Shyala to Punggen Gompa to stay for a night’s halt.

The day trek to Pungyen Gompa is pretty tranquil with a short ascending up on alpine terrain. And continue to follow a small branch route from near to suspension back to Syala Gaon for lunch. Pick your gears and continue your journey to Samagon to stay overnight.

It’s an amazing day for Samagaon exploration however we continue our journey to Samdo village to make a better hiking plan. On the day trip, we hike to Birendra lake in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thin air.

Option day hiking: If you have an extra day time then make a plan to visit the Manaslu base camp day tour only if the weather is clear. It takes about 7/8 hours roughly for going and returning (round trip).

However, we continue the journey further towards Samdo village, one of the easiest day tours after Samagaon as you have to walk over the sandy flatlands. Samdo village is located at 12,632 feet altitude above sea level and is still possible to explore Tibetan Buddhism.

We climb a terraced hill on the opposite bank of the Budhi Gandaki River from here towards a most remote permanent settlement to Samdo. Around two hundred families are living there. You might explore these typical inhabitants going into their local houses to see their daily lives.

Breakfast in Samdo and hike to Samdo Ridge about five hundred meters. Hike Samdo ridge with a Gokyo agency team is important to acclimatize better for yourself and as well as to get a better scenery of the entire Manaslu mountains range.

Lunch at Samdo Guest house, walk to Larke Phedi Guest house. The entire journey offers almost the best view of Mount Manaslu, Samdo (Pang phuchuli), Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall, and several other majestic peaks along the trail.

Hike a few meters above Dharmasala lodge in order to get better landscapes and altitude acclimatization. On your hikes, you will see blue sheep and marmots (mountain mice), eagles, and some birds. Return to Dharmasala for better sleep. Attention ! that on the next day, while crossing the pass, you should start very early morning around 4 am, so pack your all gear before you go to bed.

Breakfast around 3:30 am and pray for Om Mani Padme Hun to start. We first climb towards Cho Chanda and then slowly head steeply uphill toward the snowed-up pass. Larke la pass route is the best multi-day hike in the Himalayas.

Cross Larke pass is not the hardest hike the high pass hilltop offers the best vista of the Majestic landscape and the white mountains. They are Himlung Himal (7,126m), Cheo Himal (6,820 m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m), and the Annapurna II (7,937 m)..etc. Likewise, the descent is not as easy as you walk over the moraines towards Bhimphedi. Stay overnight at Bimthang guest house.

Almost the whole day, you need to walk downhill through a big mixed forest including color rhododendrons. Tilche is a nice and old typical Gurung village where you will have a very good hot shower.

Follow downstream of the Marshyangdi River passing through the scattered villages to Dharapani. Dharapani is a center point to get a trail to the Annapurna circuit. A top famous hike in the Annapurna mountains.

We have the plan to drive out to Besisahar Today, thus we take a local jeep (sharing basis) to get to the town. Roughly for a jeep drive down from Dharapani to Besisahar takes about 4/5 hours.

Moreover, immediately we take a local microbus to Kathmandu again on a sharing basis. The drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu takes about another 6 hours. Transfer to hotel and trip ends.