Manaslu Tsum Valley Circuit Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu International Airport

• Our representative will pick you up from the airport after your landing and escort you to the Hotel.
• You can complete the checking-in procedure and enjoy a night’s rest.

For Meals

• Breakfast Included

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 1400m

Trip Orientation and Briefing at the Hotel

After a delicious breakfast in the hotel we will have a trip orientation meeting to learn about your stay in Nepal and answer any questions/concerns about the itinerary.
Most importantly after the briefing, we will go through the checklist of all the required gear and items to make sure you are equipped for the journey. If you require more items, there are many local trekking shops to accommodate what you need.
When all are satisfied each person is fully equipped, we’ll go out on a Katmandu Sightseeing Day Tour, around one of the important cultural hubs of the valley.  Katmandu city alone holds four heritage sites that are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

For Meals

• Breakfast Included

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 1400m

Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola [Drive: 7-8 hrs]

We head out from Kathmandu for the long drive to Soti Khola, driving through Arughat along the way on the dusty road. Soti Khola is set on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River, our companion and guide through the Manaslu valley whose source we'll eventually touch on when we ascend to the pass of Larkya La.

For Meals

• Included BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 700m

Soti Khola to Machhekhola [Trekking: 5 hrs]

The trek commences with an easy day of walking on the route to Machha Khola, (the name means 'fish river') with pleasant views of the surrounding jungle and occasional waterfalls adding their soothing sound bite to the hike.

For Meals

• Included BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Maximum Altitude

• 869m

Machhakhola to Jagat [Trekking: 7 hrs]

We ease through Khorlabesi during the early part of the day and make our way to Tatopani, famed for its natural hot springs. A steep climb takes us up to Dobhan as we enter the Manaslu Conservation area and on to the scenic village of Jagat and its rugged setting and narrow paved lanes.

For Meals

• Included  BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 1340m

Jagat to Lokpa [Trekking: 6-7 hrs]

A series of striking suspension bridges dominate our path today as we steadily make our way up the trail past numerous waterfalls towards the Gurung village of Philim and its pretty setting. From there the trail climbs again and branches away into Tsum Valley, with the striking image of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal drawing our attention as we make our approach to Lopka to end our day on the trail.

For Meals

• Included BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 2240m

Lokpa to Chumling [Trekking: 5 hrs]

Lush jungle and three more suspension bridges usher us into the mystical Buddhist valley, and after an initial sharp climb, the rest of our hike to Chumling is a fairly leisurely one that allows us to relax and take in the beauty of the valley.

For Meals

• Included BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 2386m

Chumling to Chhokangparo [Trkking: 4-5 hrs]

Glorious views of the Ganesh Himal serve as our backdrop during the day as we steadily ease higher along the Shiar Khola, a minor tributary of the Budhi Gandaki, a small Tibetan monastery along our path reminding us of the valley's strong Tibetan influences. The day finishes off with our arrival at Chhokangparo, the largest settlement in the valley.

For Meals

• Included BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 3031m

Chhokangparo to Mu Gumpa [Trekking: 6 hrs]

With the tributary still acting as our guide we make our way deeper and higher into the valley, following the ancient trade route to Tibet as we make our way past Chortens, stupas, mani walls, monasteries, and nunneries, all reminders of the close cultural and historical bonds to Nepal's mystical neighbor to the north — not for nothing is Tsum Valley known as 'Little Tibet'. We can pause briefly to inspect Milarepa cave before we arrived at the monastery of Mu Gompa where we'll stay the night and enjoy the hospitality of the resident monks — truly one of the cultural highlights of the trek.

For Meals

• Include BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 3700m

Mu Gumpa to Chhokangparo [Trekking: 5 hrs]

We retrace our steps from Mu Gompa as far as the village of Lar then takes an alternate route back to Chhokangparo via Rachen Gompa, home to the valley's most famous nunnery

For Meals

• Included  BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/lodge

Altitude

• 3800m

Chhokangparo to Gumpa Lungdang [Trekking: 7 hrs]

Our day begins with a descent to the village of Dumji, after which we change direction and take a steep trail through dense pine and rhododendron forests until we reach Gompa Lungdang and its serenely situated monastery below Ganesh Himal.

For Meals

• Included  BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/lodge

Altitude

• 3400m

Hike to Ganesh Himal Base Camp then back to Gumpa Lungdang [Trekking: 8-9 hrs]

The ascent to the base camp takes approximately four hours, perhaps a little less, and once there our efforts are rewarded with some of the finest views on offer of towering Ganesh Himal and the surrounding alpine wilderness. After a suitable amount of time to savor the view we retreat down the trail to Gompa Lungdang.

For Meals

• Included  BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 4900m

Gumpa Lungdang to Ripchet [Trekking: 4 hrs]

Our return path takes the alternative route towards Ripchet, which gives us a new and rewarding perspective on the landscape as we make it overnight.

For Meals

• Included BLD

For Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 2470m

Ripchet to Deng [Trekking: 6 hrs]

As we leave behind our stay in the magical Tsum Valley our attention refocuses on the trail through the Manaslu region and our ultimate goal of Larke La pass. Our old friend, the Budhi Gandaki River, greets us and leads us westward towards Pewa and on up the steep-sided valley to Deng.

for Meals

• included  BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Maximum Altitude

• 1860m

Deng to Namrung [Trekking: 7 hrs]

An undulating trail leads us steadily through forests until we arrive at Ghap, then continues gaining altitude steadily as we trail by the tumbling white water of the river close at hand. A final steep climb leads us into Namrung.

for Meals

• Included  BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 2630m

Namrung to Sama [Trekking: 7 hrs]

The lower temperate forests give way steadily as we break free of the tree line and hike higher into the mountains, the lush greens of the lower valley giving way to the muted browns and grays of the Himalayan terrain and the vivid blue skies one only experiences at altitude. Our first destination for the morning is the scenic village of Lho with its gorgeous views of Manaslu and Rebung Gompa perched atop a hillside nearby. From Lho we hike to the equally impressive village of Shyala and its spectacular vistas, then climb steadily through yak pasturelands to Sama Gaun.

for Meals

• Included  BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/lodge

Altitude

• 3520m

Acclimatization day. Hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungen Gumpa.

Sama Gaun is our temporary home for the day as we give our bodies time to acclimate to the altitude, and the choice is a good one as the village provides multiple choices for day excursions, including a short excursion to the pretty lake of Birendra Taal nearby, the highly rewarding and dramatic hike to Manaslu Base camp, or the alternative walk to Pungen Gompa and its serene setting amidst the mountains.

for Meals

• Included BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 3520m

Sama to Samdo [Trekking: 3 hrs]

Onward and up is the motto of the day as we put our heads down determinedly with the goal of Larke La ever nearer. The trail leads us on a short and gradual climb alongside the river then begins to steepen as it leads us up to Samdo around midday. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore and perhaps hike to a higher altitude briefly to help in the process of acclimatization.

for Meals

• Included BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 3860m

Acclimatization day. Explore the Tibet Border Rui La [Trekking:8 hrs]

Another rest day to help acclimate, with the rare option to spend the day on a return hike to the border with Tibet at the pass of Rui La (4998m). The views of the Himalayas and Fukang Glacier add another level to the day's journey.

for Meals

• include  BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 4998m

Samdo to Dharmasala [Trekking: 5 hrs]

Our trek to the high altitude camp of Dharmsala brings us to the very threshold of Larke La, with snow more evident and the air feeling thinner with each step towards our destination. Another brief hike to higher ground is recommended to help our bodies get used to the altitude and sleep better during the night.

for Meals

• Included BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/lodge

Altitude

• 4460m

Dharmasala to Larke La then descend to Bhimthang [Trekking: 8 hrs]

The typical method for crossing Larke La is to head out before daybreak, our head-mounted lights bobbing in the dark as we clamber up the path in the cold morning air, our breath apparent in the glow of the lamps. The trail to Larke La is a deceptive one of constant switchbacks, promising everything one minute and snatching it away from the next as one false ridge leads to another. Finally, we catch a glimpse of the first prayer flags and our goal is finally attained as we stumble wearily to the marker and pose proudly for our cameras to mark the achievement. After pausing to luxuriate in the accomplishment and take in the magnificent views we begin the descent to Bhimthang and put our trekking poles to good use to spare our tired legs and knees from the steep descent to the arid valley below.

for Meals

• Included  BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 3590m to 5160m

Bhimthang to Dharapani [Trekking: 8 hrs]

With views of Manaslu to our left and the Annapurna ranges to our right, we descend from Bhimthang through yak pastures to the first signs of the Dudh Khola's headwaters trickling down the slope. A bridge leads to a path that gradually leaves behind the alpine climate and takes us down through familiar rhododendron forests to a narrow valley of terraced fields and patchwork crops. We reach the small and picturesque village of Tilje then make our way uphill to Dharapani, the major trekking confluence in the region and a modern starting point for trekkers heading out on the Annapurna Circuit and their goal of reaching Thorong La pass. With time and intent, we too can head in the same direction.

for Meals

• Included  BLD

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 1960m

Drive back to Kathmandu/Pokhara [Drive: 9/10 hrs]

A long day's driving by local transport to either Pokhara or Kathmandu.
 

for Meals

• Breakfast Included

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 1400m

Departure Day & Farewells

• Our representative will pick you up from your hotel (approximately three hours prior to your scheduled flight) for you departure.

for Meals

• Breakfast Included

for Accommodation

• Hotel/Lodge

Altitude

• 1400m