Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek 23 days

Welcome to Nepal! A person from Corporate Travels and Tour will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Thamel at Tribhuvan International Airport. In the drive, you will see the historic temple of Pashupatinath and Newari culture along the way.

After check-in, you will have some time to rest before a briefing with your trekking guide on the details of the trek, essentials for trekking, safety and gear inspection. This session will prepare you to get ready for the Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit trek. Our team will also obtain all permits necessary for trek such as Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit for Tsum Valley, Manaslu Conservation Area and other required trekking permits.

In the early morning after breakfast you will leave Kathmandu towards Soti Khola. The drive is via the Prithvi Highway to Arughat and to Budhi Bazar a village in the Budhi Gandaki River side. From there, you'll reach Soti Khola village after 7-8 hrs of driving.

Trekking starts from Soti Khola. Along the way, you will go through the dense subtropical forests of Sal trees and broadleaf trees, mossy cliffs, ferns, climbing vines, wild orchids, etc. You will cross the Gurung village of Labubesi. You will be able to see Langur monkeys and rustling sound of pheasants or hill partridges in the dense forest before arriving at the Machha Khola.

Today your trek starts by crossing Machha Khola towards Jagat. You will pass through the village of Kholabesi. On the way to Jagat, you will see the forest of Sal trees, Chir Pine, conifers, wild bananas, ferns, and birds like Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant, House Swift, and animals like langur monkeys and the Himalayan Pika, as well as insects like Common Mormon Butterfly, moths, etc. You need permits to enter and pass through Jagat, which the Corporate Travels and Tour team had prepare before the trek. This is the main checkpoint and entry gate for the restricted area of the Manaslu region.

Your trek starts from Philim village of the Manaslu Region, one of the Gurung community villages in the region. You will be walking towards Chisopani. After leaving the village of Nyagphedi, you will enter the restricted area of Tsum valley and you'll need to show permits to enter the valley. You could see Himalayan langur, Himalayan tahr, musk deer and Himalayan griffon, Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant and others. Here you'll reach Lokpa village which is situated between Budhi Gandaki and Siyar Khola. Also known as the Gateway to the sacred Tsum Valley.

After breakfast in the morning, you will leave Lokpa and trek towards Chumling. The Tsum Valley can be seen from here. Dense forest of blue pine and other coniferous trees, with lichens, ferns and moss can be observed. Passing by Lungwa Khola, you will eventually come to a point of Nepal's first-ever metal cantilever bridge. You will pass bridge at Chumling from where you can view the stone houses, Tibetan culture and the sacred Chumling Gompa. 

This will begin the trek up the trails into the heart of Upper Tsum Valley, where you'll witness the continuation of the Tibetan Buddhist heritage of the Tsumba people, which has been sustaining for a century. The trails will pass through Gho village where you can also get a good view of Ganesh Himal (7422 m). Proceeding further on, one passes through blue pine forests, silver fir forests, rhododendron forests etc. Here, you'll find traditional Tibetan Buddhism and stone houses, as well as the rare and endangered snow leopard, which is found in this area, in addition to birds such as the golden eagle and the bearded vulture, the Tibetan snowcock, etc., and other wild animals: blue sheep, bharal or "big sheep", Himalayan tahr, musk deer, pikas, etc. 

One day onwards, you will be given a day for acclimatization at Chhekampar to be acclimatised to the raising altitude before you embark further into the high altitude of Tsum Valley. Visiting and exploring in Chhekampar village and Tsumba community can enjoy the Tibetan Buddhist Culture which has been kept over a thousands years gracefully. The panoramic view of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal and the surrounding peaks can be seen as well. Attending you can also be able to taste snacks from the local community like yak cheese, tongba, Tsampa etc.

You will leave Chhekampar (Chokhangparo) after having breakfast and continue into the Upper Tsum Valley. It is through the traditional villages of “Lamagaon” and “Burji” along the trails. There you will visit the special Piren Phu Cave, or Pigeon Cave. The cave also has close connection with Guru Padmasambhava as well as Tibetan saint Milarepa and has old paintings, prayer flags and meditation spots. From here, you'll enter the trails to one of the highest villages in the valley, Nile, close to the Tibetan border.  

Set off on a hike along Nile towards the monastery of Mu Gompa (3,700 m), the largest and highest monastery in the valley. The monastery of Mu Gompa has a significance in the realm of Tibetan Buddhism. This provides a panoramic view of Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal rising towards the west with Lungdung Glacier. Afterwards, you will be taken to see the heritage of Buddhism in Dhephu Doma Gompa. From here, you'll then head back to Nile after visiting these locations.

After breakfast, you will begin descent the journey to Nile via the Upper Tsum Valley. Before coming to Rachen Gompa you will traverse through Tibetan Buddhist villages. The vantage point you will get as you come down will provide you with a view of the surrounding mountains, before going back down to Chumling. Make the trek again on Manaslu Circuit to arrive at the hidden Tsum Valley before heading back again.

The early morning walk goes through forest to reach Lokpa again where you will be joined by the tracks of the Manaslu Circuit. The road runs through a pine and rhododendron forest and then around Lokpa Village to reach the junction at Nyak. The footpath then heads towards Larkya La Pass, along the lower section of the Manaslu circuit, and passes through several Buddhist stone arches (Known as Kani Gates), stone temples, and across a suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River, then leads through several more traditional Buddhist villages. You will reach Deng where the Tibetan Buddhist culture plays a more significant role.

After breakfast you will slowly ascend on to the higher valley of Manaslu area from Deng. While trekking through the trails you'll also cross several suspension bridges and pass through the forest of pine, oak and rhododendron trees along with the Budhi Gandaki River. You will proceed you trial through the tiny hamlets of Rana and Bihi Phedi. The way is serene, peaceful and through the hills towards Namrung. 

Today you will be slowly making your way up the villages of Banjam and Lihi, where you will catch a glimpse of many Tibetan houses, through the town of Namrung. After coming out of Lihi, one will enter Lamagaon then cross the river Hinan, which after crossing a glacier of the same name (Linda), will pass into Sho. This hike offers excellent views of Mt. Manaslu (8163 m), and through the pine, fir and rhododendron forests, gaining in elevation along the way. After visiting the Tibetan Buddhist Lama Autisey's residence, move up to the peaceful village of Lho (3,180 m), which has the monastery of Ribung (Ribang), one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the region in the afternoon.

In the morning, while eating breakfast, you will head the way through Nubri Valley towards Samagaon, in front of Lho. On the way, visit the historic Ribung Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the Manaslu region and then hike to Shyala (3,500 m). From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Manaslu North (7,157 m), Naike Peak (6,211 m), Ngadi Chuli (7,613 m), and Simnang Himal (6,158 m). The trail then goes through the yak pasture, stone-walls and alpine grasslands before arriving at the built-up parts of the large, big Sherpa village of Samagaon.

Today we spend our day acclimating so as to get our body accustomed to the higher altitude before crossing Larkya La Pass. Those who wish to see Mt. Manaslu and its glacier closely can opt for another trek to the basecamp (4895 m) of this 8626-meter high peak but in summary, those willing to trek less but see the beauty of Mt. Manaslu can choose to hike to the peaceful monastery Pungyen Gompa which overhangs the wonderful Birendra Lake (Birendra Tal) bordered by glaciers. During the journey you'll pass through Nubri regional folk and will notice that they are ministering to their yaks and spinning wool, tasks that are integral to the existence of the locals in the Nubri Valley. On reaching Samagaon walk back down after the steep climb to rest for the rest of the walk on land.

The trail today moves from Samagaon to Samdo and slowly moves into the high alpine area of the Manasu region. The route passes through the upper Budhi Gandaki Valley, is rather rugged, and the forests are very sparse and where the yak herd comes in contact with them. The beauty of Manaslu is just beyond description and this trek will provide you with stunning views all through, including Mt. Manaslu (8163 m), Simnang Himal (6251 m), Ngadi Chuli (7871 m), the Manaslu Glacier and the impressive Manaslu Icefall. Birds (lammergeier, golden eagle), blue sheep and himalayan tiger (tahr) have been observed. In the afternoon, you will be in the traditional Tibetan village of Samdo which is situated near to the Nepal–Tibet border at an altitude of 3,875m.

You will depart the morning to the Pass, leaving after breakfast, on route to the town of Larke Phedi which is the final stop before crossing the Larkya La Pass. In ancient times, Larkya Bazar, the most popular historic site along the trekking route was a trading point between Nepal and Tibet. As you ascend to the Budhi Gandaki bridge, you will cross over a bridge crossing Budhi Gandaki river followed by a rocky alpine terrain. Up in the air - take in views to the Larkya Glacier and lots of nearby peaks covered in snow. A range of hardy alpine plants exists as well as blue sheep (bharal) and occasionally Himalayan tahr to be found on the surrounding slopes. You arrive in Dharamsala (4460 m) where you are well prepared for crossing the pass the following day, Larkya La Pass (4700 m).

The section of the walk from the yellow pass Larkya La Pass is the hardest. The trek out of Dharamsala will begin with scrambling and climbing up towards Cho Chanda and then reach the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit, Larkya La Pass (5160m). During the day thrillingly one can see the Himal from a pass with the peaks of Himlung (7126 m), Cheo Himal (6820 m), Kang Guru (6981 m), Annapurna II (7937 m) and Larkya Peak. Now gently descend through the glacial land forms and the alpine areas down to Bimthang (3720 m).

Then after breakfast, you will continue to descend through beautiful alpine grassland and pine, fir and rhododendron forest. The path goes through the small village of Hampuk, yak grazing site of Yak Kharka and Kharche. You are able to get views of Mt. Manaslu, Southwest Manaslu, Nemjung and other peaks of the Himalayas while traveling there. The notable Ponkar Glacier and Changri glacier are also visible here, which are the source of the rivers of this valley.

Lowering altitude, the scenery surrounding you becomes greener and forestier, and you suit up and travel to the old village of Gurung, Tilije (2300m).

Following breakfast at the start of the trek, you will leave the “Tilije” and continue through the old villages of “Thonje” to reach “Dharapani” where the Manaslu Circuit meets up with the Annapurna Circuit. It is parallel to Marsyangdi River, passing the agricultural fields, forest and villages. After that proceed by vehicle for about 3-4 hours towards Besisahar (District head in Lamjung) and proceed again by Prithvi Highway towards Kathmandu crossing over villages, terraced hills and river etc. The views on clear days are distant to Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Mt Manaslu, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Lamjung Himal. 

After finishing the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley trek, you will be picked up from the airport and driven to the hotel in Kathmandu where you will be able to relax after a tiring day. 

After finishing the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek today is a day for rest and leisure in Kathmandu. The area of Thamel and historic place Basantapur Durbar Square can be visited to experience traditional Newari architecture, lifestyle and centuries old cultural practices. Try the local handicraft items of handmade products like traditional paintings, metal crafts, and wood carvings and enjoy the local delicious Newari dishes like "Yomari", "Bara", "Chatamari" and "Newari Khaja Set" in the local restaurants. And savor Kathmandu city on your own pace before heading back in the day to enjoy the heritage and traditions and food of Kathmandu.