Duration: 23 Days
Trip Grade: Challenginng
Best Season: Sep-Dec/March-April
Activities: Trekking
Group Size: 2-10
Transportation: Private Vehicle and Public Bus
Accomodation: Standard Hotel in Kathmandu and Tea House during the trekking
Meals: Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during the trek
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking is a journey around Manaslu combined with the exploration of the mystical Tsum Valley. Worlds eighth highest peak, Manaslu is a beauty beyond description. Also a pilgrimage site, Tsum Valley adds the charm with its traditional Buddhist cum Tibetan culture and lifestyle untouched by modernity.
We drive to Arughat from Kathmandu where the trek commences. Passing through terraced fields and small villages, we walk past Budhi Gandaki reaching the village of Lapubesi. The walk to Tatopani crosses forests and small villages bestow a hot spring bath to relax in the evening. Views of Sringi Himal accompanies us on the way to Philim. Passing Chumling and we reach Chhokangparo in the Upper Tsum Valley with towering views of Ganesh Himal, Boudha Himal, and Himal Chuli. En route to Nile/Chhule, we pass through Piren Phu (pigeon cave), a sacred location which preserved Buddhist murals, scripts and carved stones where we stop for exploration. Our next stop is the Mu Gompa at 3700m from where we move to Rachen Gompa, a nunnery. The walk to Gumba Lungdang passes through pine and rhododendron forests and crosses the Siyar Khola. We rest here and take a trip to the Ganesh Himal Base Camp. The route to Lokpa, our next stop has no proper lodging or facilities, so we start early. From Lokpa to Ghap to Lho, we pass Gurung and Thakali villages. At Samagaon, we take a rest for another day and explore the village. We gradually gain altitude from here to Samdo, Dharmasala and cross the Larke La pass at 5200m to reach Bhimtang which marks the end of the trek.
Day 1 :Upon arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2 :Manasalu &Tsum Valley Restricted area trekking permit preparation and briefing of Trek.
Day 3 :Drive to Soti Khola (800m) by Public Bus
Day 4 :Soti Khola to Machha Khola (869m) 5 to 6hours
Day 5 :Machha Khola to Jagat (1340m )5 to 6 Hours
Day 6 :Jagat to Lokpa (2390m) 6 hours
Day 7 :Lokpa to Chumling (called Lower tsum) (2390m) 5 hours
Day 8 :Chumling to Chhokangparo (Upper Tsum valley) (3031m) 5 Hours
Day 9 :Chhokanparo to Nile/ Mu Gumpa (3360)7 hours walk
Day 10 :Nile to rachen Gompa 3240m (4 hours walk)
Day 11 :Rachen Gompa to Chumling(2386m) 6 hours
Day 12 :Chumling to Dang (1860m) 7 to 8 hours.
Day 13 :Deng to Namrung (2660m) 6 to 7 hour
Day 14 :Namrung to Lho Gham (3180m) 5 hour
Day 15 :Lho Gham to Samagaon (3520m) 4 hour
Day 16 :Samagaon (rest day)
Day 17 :Samagaon to Samdo (3860m) 4 hour
Day 18 :Samdo to Larkya Phedi (4480m) Pass 5hour
Day 19 :Larkya Phedi to Bimthang (3720m) – climb the Larkya La (5100m) 8 to 9 hour
Day 20 :Bimthang to Tilje (2300m) 6 to 7 hour
Day 21 :Tilje – Chamche (1410m) 6 to7 hour
Day 22 :Drive back to Kathmandu via Beshishahar
Day 23 :Final Departure or onward for next destination
Day 1 :Upon arrival in KathmanduOur Airport Representative will meet you at the Tribhuwan International Airport. A drop to the Hotel by private tourist vehicle is arranged. You can either take a rest or meet us at our office and know the detail arrangement of the Trek. B&B at the hotel.
Day 2 :Manasalu &Tsum Valley Restricted area trekking permit preparation and briefing of Trek.After breakfast, you will be introduced with the trek leader/guide at the hotel. This pre-trip meeting is for briefings on the trek and other necessary details. Please bring along your passport and three passport-sized photos and a copy of your travel insurance policy. You can use your free time to rest or explore around for some last minute shopping. A visit to the world heritage sites in Kathmandu including Swayambhu, Boudha, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square et cetera is also arranged as per request.
Day 3 :Drive to Soti Khola (800m) by Public Bus Early morning drive to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarter of Dhading and then to Aarughat along rough tracks. At Aarughat we take a public jeep and drive to Soti Khola which is an ideal for a freshwater bath. Overnight stay at Soti Khola in a small village beside the river.
Day 4 :Soti Khola to Machha Khola (869m) 5 to 6hours After we cross the bridge, the trail goes through the green Sal forests. Ascending through a ridge overlooking rapids of Budhi Gandaki leads us to Khursane. The last part is a rocky trail up to the Gurung village, Lapubesi. Then we continue along the riverbank treading on sand and rounded stones and cross a suspension bridge to arrive at Machhi Khola village. Overnight stay at MachhiKhola.
Day 5 :Machha Khola to Jagat (1340m )5 to 6 Hours The trail that passes through small settlements along Khorlabeshi and all the way to Tatopani. Large Gurung settlements are found higher along the trail and we come across herders moving up and down the hills. Passing through Tatopani, we climb a ridge, cross the Budhi Gandaki and further trekking Passing through to Yaruphant and across the Yaru River. We cross CANTILEVER bridge in Yaru Bagar which built on 2016 after earthquake with Swiss Technology, the trail eases to Jagat overnight gust house.
Day 6 :Jagat to Lokpa (2390m) 6 hours Jagat, another big Gurung village in a flat area. As we pass this agrarian village, we climb a rocky ridge and reach Salleri which rewards with views of Mount Sringi. Descending to Sirdibas, a traditional Buddhist village, we move further to cross the longest suspension bridge in Nepal and climb up to Lokpa North of Philim, we climb along forest areas for about an hour and reach Ekle Bhatti. Moving higher along pine forests, we reach a scenic gorge and drop to a junction. We take the right trail that leads to Tsum Valley our stay for the night on Lokpa..
Day 7 :Lokpa to Chumling (called Lower tsum) (2390m) 5 hoursNow we start trekking of Tsum Valley. The first glimpses of Tsum along with mountain view make for a pleasurable retreat.. Views of the hidden valley start appearing as we descend further to Ghumlong and climb again to Ripchet. A short walk from here takes us to Chumling, a traditional Buddhist village set beautifully with an old monastery, traditional houses, prayer flags, stone paved streets, mani walls and the like. Overnight stay in a lodge.
Day 8 :Chumling to Chhokangparo (Upper Tsum valley) (3031m) 5 Hours After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail passes through maize and potato fields. Crossing the valley across a scenic ridge, we climb for more than two hours to reach a small settlement under the cliffs, Chhokang Paro.
Day 9 :Chhokanparo to Nile/ Mu Gumpa (3360)7 hours walk After breakfast nice scenic trails to Nile we have lunch there left our big bag on tea house again day trip to mu gumpa,then we ascend along the scenic trails towards Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the region, and the highest farthest point in Tsum Valley. The five hour round trip walk to Mu Gompa (3710m) shows a different world, a flat bowl like valley surrounded by mountains. Overnight stay in Nile.
Day 10 :Nile to rachen Gompa 3240m (4 hours walk) The short walk today first takes a downhill to Chhule and further to Phurbe, where Sherpa home stays are available. Walking along the banks of Siyar River, the trail further crosses flat plains along power lines to Rachen Gompa (3240m), a nunnery. Over night stay at Rachen Gompa.
Day 11 :Rachen Gompa to Chumling(2386m) 6 hours After crossing the river to pass through Chhokang Paro, we drop towards Chumling. Walking for about two hours, we come across a white monastery and drop to Siyar Khola. The abundance in water here makes it suitable to wash clothes. We stop at chumling for the night.
Day 12 :Chumling to Dang (1860m) 7 to 8 hours. It’s a big descending walk from chumling to lokpa after we cross the suspension bridge .The trail begins along a rocky ridge with emerging view of Sringi Himal. We pass through Ghatta Khola and continue to we pass through farms growing maize, millet, potatoes and vegetables. Passing through an uninhabited gorge, and walking on the trails at the bank of Budhi Gandaki, we cross bamboo forests to the Deng river. Overnight stay at small Deng village beside the Deng river.
Day 13 :Deng to Namrung (2660m) 6 to 7 hour Shortly beyond Deng, the trail climbs to Rena. After passing some houses, the trail elevates high above the river and then drops into the Sringi valley passing numerous Tibetan Mani lined walls and colorful forest before reaching Namrung. The trail has beautiful views of Sringi Himal and crosses the Budi Gandaki river several times. Overnight stay at Namrung.
Day 14 :Namrung to Lho Gham (3180m) 5 hourWith stunning views of Sringi, Ganesh Himal, the trek starts from Namrung and climbs steadily into the alpine which is blessed with marvelous mountain views. The village of Namrung marks the beginning of the region of pure Tibetan inhabitants. Passing through forests, villages and barley terraces, the first stunning glimpses of Manaslu gets visible which accentuates at Lho village. We stay overnight at Lho village and enjoy the sunrise and sunset view from the lodge or a gompa.
Day 15 :Lho Gham to Samagaon (3520m) 4 hourWe pass through gompas, Tibetan settlement and alpine scenery. After a short trek we reach Sama Gaon where we stop. The retreat is both for rest as well as acclimatization. Its also a day to get acquainted with Sherpa culture and tradition. Set at the foot of the pastures, the village has a distinctive Tibetan architecture which ripens through the 500 years of settlement. Entrance gates to villages are common here, and you can also notice Chinese brandy on sale or see village women weaving wool into gowns. Hike up to a gompa above town or wander the streets of Sama Gaon. Overnight stay at a mountain lodge.
Day 16 :Samagaon (rest day) Trek to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa and Birendra Tal.Trek to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa and Birendra Tal. Descending to the Budhi Gandaki river and following it towards the north until we reach a bridge, we take a left and head to the Manaslu Base Camp. Pungyen Gompa is a 3-4 hours hiking and Birendra Tal is a 1 hour hiking, so both can be combined.
Day 17 :Samagaon to Samdo (3860m) 4 hourThe Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls in the valley and leads to juniper and birch forests. Descending back to Budhi Gandaki and crossing a small bridge, we climb to 'kane', the entrance to Samdo. A village with 3 valleys converging upon it, Samdo is known for traditional yak herding and it depicts the traditional Tibetan lifestyle - rearing sheep and goats, training horses and planting barley.
Day 18 :Samdo to Larkya Phedi (4480m) Pass 5hourThe walk throught ridges, crossing wooden bridges over Budi Gandaki continues. After crossing two streams, we come across the Larkya glacier after which a dramatic gorge is reached. Upon climbing to 4450 metres, we reach Larke Phedi where we take shelter in a Dharmashala. The walk is short providing plenty of time for acclimatization.
Day 19 :Larkya Phedi to Bimthang (3720m) – climb the Larkya La (5100m) 8 to 9 hourA short climb leads us to the north side of Larkya Glacier. The place provides great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. The climb to the Larkya La (5100m) pass is gradual in the beginning but steepens towards the end. Stunning panorama of different ranges can be seen from the pass. A challenging day over the high Larkya La. The steep decent from here is strenuous, but its an equally rewarding experience. Bimthang awaits the end of a tough day. Overnight at a tented camp.
Day 20 :Bimthang to Tilje (2300m) 6 to 7 hourWith outstanding views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal with the inspiring forest and valley below, the descent from Bimthang crosses over high pasture land, Dudh Khola and rhododendron forest. Karche, 2785 metres is the highest cultivated land in the area which leads to a steep climb over a ridge. The village of Gho is a rest option though better lodges are available at Tilje.
Day 21 :Tilje – Chamche (1410m) 6 to7 hourAfter crossing a ridge and a stone paved trail, we pass throught a beautiful village. Tibetan settlement can be seen along the way. We descend into the Marsygandi Valley and from Dharapani, meet up with the classic Annapurna trail. Walking across Karte village and crossing the Marshyangdi Khola, mani lined walls welcome us to the village of Tal and further move to Chamche. Overnight stay at Chamche.
Day 22 :Drive back to Kathmandu via Beshishahar Drive back public bus. The drive from here to Kathmandu is mostly along the banks of Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers and passes through Beshishahar, the district headquarter of Lamjung. In the evening, a celebration for the successful completion of the trip is done over dinner. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 23 :Final Departure or onward for next destination A drop from the hotel to the airport 3 hours before the scheduled time of flight is arranged in a private tourist vehicle. You can also opt for another package with Green Valley Nepal Treks and extend your stay.
This is my second time booking a trek with Green Valley. Kp is my go to when it comes to organising a trip to Nepal and planning the most incredible trekking experience. I completed Annapurna Base Camp in April and came back to do Everest Base Camp in October. We went as ...
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