Manaslu Tsum Valley-18 days

It will take about seven hours to reach Arughat from Kathmandu. Our journey will begin early in the morning after breakfast. You’ll drive along the Highway through beautiful paddy fields, Warm villages following Budi Gandaki River, Kyoropani to the Budi Gandaki junction and the Soti Khola. Overnight at a lodge/teahouse in Soti Khola.

The next morning after enjoying the delicious breakfast, you will start your trek through the rocky, small and narrow path from Soti Khola to Machha Khola. Although the path is rough, you will be the witness of the stunning scenery of the countryside view that will be more engaging. Overnight at a lodge in Maccha Khola.

We resume our journey from Machha Khola following Tharo Khola through the narrow path and finally to Khorlabesi. After a few times will reach the most popular hot-spring, Tatopani. We can relieve our stress and tiredness by taking a hot bath in Tatopani. Then we will cross the Suspension bridge of Budi Gandaki River to reach Thado Bharayag. Walking along the river we will reach Jagat village. Overnight at a lodge/teahouse in Jagat.

Today we will enter into restricted region of Tsum Valley. Guide will register your permit in checkpoint at Jagat. On the very first part you will trek a little bit through riverbank. After some up and down through Shridibas settlement of Philim come into your sight. Pass through suspension bridge and stop in Philim for lunch. Explore village of Philim and Japanese made school there. As you pass by Ekle Bhatti trail get separated toward Tsum and Manaslu. Pass through the welcome board and hike up toward Lokpa. You might feel like it is early to stop in Lokpa (2240m) but next settlement Chumling is far to go further. Overnight in lodge at Lokpa.

Today our plan is to make Chhumling from Lokpa and it is only 4-5 hours of hike but it is demanding and there no any lodges in between so don’t forget to carry energy bar or snickers. Trail completely passes through silence of tropical forest. You will encounter numerous up and down until you arrive small suspension bridge. Trail gets diverted from this bridge toward Ripchet and Chumling. You will cross the bridge and walk pass by small stone wall made by the side of trail. Chumling is not that far from this point. There are few teahouses by main trail. Late afternoon you can make small side trip to upper part of Chumling, there are few teahouses too. There is monastery at the upper end of village you can go for view of Ganesh Himal. Personal hygiene is not that good so use hand sanitizer every thirty minutes or whenever possible. Depending on season fields might be covered by barely or buckwheat. Big Chorten on middle of field helps to enrich the view of small valley. Stay there for overnight.

The day begins with a cross over a suspension bridge onto the opposite bank. We rejoice the great views of Ganesh Himal. Walk past Rainjam to Serpu Khola crossing another bridge we arrive at the Gho Villag having local teashop. Another continues 2 hours climb to Tsum takes us to the stunning traditional village of Chhokangpar. Weather permitting; enjoy the views of Himalchuli at 7893 meters and Ganesh Himal at7140m. Stay overnight at Chokhangpar in Tashi Delek lodge.

Today it is easy walk of 5-6 hours to Nile from Chhekampar. We may visit Milarepa Cave (locals called it Piren Phu). The entrance fee was NPR 300 as of 2015. Though it is an easy walk to Nile; we may feel altitude as we go higher so it is recommended to walk gently above Chokhangparo, better to be careful of altitude problems. We hike through Phurbe and Pangdun. Leaving old historic Stupa of Buddha in a way crossing the village of Chhule, climb upstream and cross the bridge to finally arrive at Nile. If you consider we can make your visit to a famous monastery of Chhule which is located in the top of area.

After a nice breakfasts; we go hiking to make a exploration day to famous and religious Mu Gompa without taking our luggage. We are now almost close to the Tibetan border. Walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. We also visit the monastery. Then after, we make a visit to the Dhephu Doma Gompa. We descend down to hotel for lunch and get our baggage and trek down to Chhekamparo via Rachen Gompa a Buddhist nunnery and retrace back to Chhekamparo

It is same way back to Lokpa via Chumling again though there is an alternative trail via Ripchet that detour at the bridge. Here, we will be following the trail into forest again that takes 6 to 7 hours. Spending a night at Lokpa we will arrange to shift towards Deng. Stay overnight at guesthouse.

The trail goes down to Gumpul where we reconnect with main Manaslu trail. Crossing on the top of stunning gorge and entering the mainly unoccupied area of pine trees previous to drop to a trail junction at New Bridge, we will be following the trail towards the left to Ghap, the Budhi Gandaki and then entering into its narrow gorge on an up-and-down trail with river crossings. After a suspension bridge the trail enters bamboo forest and rises to the village of Deng, hike further towards Rana and Bhi Phedi then to Ghap that takes approximately 7-8 hours depending on your pace and stamina to walk. Overnight in guest house at Ghap.

Today; it is an easy starts in the beginning, then we will rise up through the bamboo tree and the woodland of Rhododendron along the Budhi Gandaki River. The hydro electric plant will take us to Namrung. We might have lunch break here. Then resume trekking to Lhogaon from Namrung. We are ascending quietly by passing from the outsized stream gracefully downward from the Lidanda Glaciers. At Sho (3,000m), we will take some time for lunch. Arriving at Lho at the elevation of 3180 meter, we are taking pleasure from that breath taking scenery of Manaslu. We will put our camp in Lho (3,180m), viewing amazing small Gompa. Stay overnight in a tented camp.

On this day; it is short walk to Sama Gaun (3520) via Shyo. Walk through the blue pine and juniper pine woodland and soon we walk through very wide and flat fiend and can see the beautiful Sama gaun (3520m) in distance. Sama gaun is one of the attraction in this trek having monasteries, religious monuments and locals. Overnight stay in lodge at Sama gaun

Today, it is rest and acclimatization day as it is very important to get acclimatized considering AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness). The elevation goes higher and air becomes thinner now. It is always suggested to hike in higher and sleep in lower that makes you properly acclimatized, to drink more water is recommended. Hike slow and gentle walk is always wise. If you feel fine and strong; Sama Gaun offers several day long hike. Day hike to Pungyen Gompa, Manaslu Base Camp and Excursion to Birendra Lake is very popular to do day excursion. Overnight at Sama Gaun

Today, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River, that has turned north and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch we can view a large white kani. Finally passing through the kani we find Samdo ((3780m). Overnight in Samdo.

Even today, we continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larke Glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to the stone guest house (4460 m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. This is the highest altitude we sleep. he short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala.

After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larke Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larke Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. Overnight in Bimthang.

Today, we descend to Dhud Khola. We cross through the forest full of Rhododendron and pine to reach Dharapani, where we put off for night stay. As the last walking day of the Manaslu Circuit, you will have plenty of scenery to enjoy throughout the trail. Overnight at a teahouse/lodge in Dharapani.

We will catch a Bus from Dharapani to Besisahar. Again we drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu. After the successful trek, we will transfer you to your hotel. Rest for a while and join us for a farewell dinner.