Short Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek - 19 days

You can fly into Kathmandu from any of the international hubs that share air connectivity with Nepal. Once your plane lands at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you can disembark and complete the immigration process before heading to the terminal. Our guide will be waiting for you outside holding a placard with your name on it or Third Rock Adventures printed in bold letter. He will greet you and drop you off at your hotel.

Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink while checking in. Later, when you get to your room, you can freshen up and take a rest.

Late in the afternoon or evening, there will be a meet-up with your trekking guide at our office or at your hotel’s lobby. He will brief you about the route, and you can have a final check of your gear and equipment list that you will be needing for your trek. If you haven’t brought any gear or equipment with you, then you can buy or rent in Thamel itself. There are scores of trekking gear and equipment shops and rental outlets from where you can get a good bargain.

Retire early, as you will have an early start tomorrow.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Your day will start early in the morning. After breakfast, you will board a vehicle and exit Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan Highway. Leaving the valley, the road winds down a narrow hairpin bend known as Naubise and reaches Dhading, a small hillside town. From Dhading, the vehicle will take the road leading to Gorkha. On the way, you can enjoy heartwarming views of verdant hills, traditional villages, and lonely farmsteads.

The road starts to get bumpy and rough once you leave the main highway. As you reach closer to your destination, you will be greeted with idyllic views of terraced farms and verdant hillside.

Machha Khola, your stop for the night lies beside the Budhi Gandaki River. It is a small settlement and the starting point of most treks in the Manaslu region. There are few lodges available for tourists at the village, and you can stay in one of them. Your guide will have already booked your room, so you won’t have to worry about finding accommodation.

Overnight in Macha Khola.

Today you will start your trek. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will leave Machha Khola and follow your guide as he takes the trail to Jagat. The route goes up a bumpy jeep track that runs parallel to the Budhi Gandaki River. Walking on the Budhi Gandak River Valley, you will be greeted with lush terraced fields and dense tropical forests. The abundant greenery appears refreshing.

After an hour or so of walking, you will arrive at Khorla Besi, a Gurung village. If you are tired, you can take a short break here. Later, continue along the dirt road and arrive at Tatopani, a charming hamlet with a hot spring. After Tatopani, you will leave the jeep track and walk on a foot trail.

You will cross to eastern side of the river via a metal suspension bridge. Along the way, you can enjoy refreshing views of waterfalls cascading down the steep hillsides. The villages along this route are pretty rustic and seem untouched by modernity. At Dovan, you can stop for lunch.

After leaving Dovan, you will navigate a difficult section by crossing a bridge erected on the side of a precipitous rock face. The final few steps to Jagat will lead you on a flat and easy trail.

The village of Jagat served as the bastion of the Maoist rebel forces during the ten-year long civil war. It served as a safe haven for Maoist insurgents in the middle of the 1990s. With the end of the armed conflict, the village of Jagat has flourished and is now home to enterprising farmers and business owners. There are new lodges and teahouses catering to trekkers walking along the Manaslu route. Jagat also serves as the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project.

On reaching the village, you will head to a lodge and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Jagat.

Wake up early in the morning and prepare for the day’s trek. After breakfast, you will start your hike and walk out of the village. At the end of the village is a check post where your permits will be checked.

Immediately after leaving Jagat, you will be greeted by a beautiful waterfall. Enjoy the view and take pictures from the bridge. Later, continue your trek and keep walking, enjoying inspiring views of mountains and villages tucked on the hillsides.

The Budhi Gandaki River flows swiftly alongside the trail. Immediately after leaving Jagat, you will be greeted by a beautiful waterfall. Enjoy the view and take pictures from the bridge. Later, continue your trek and keep walking, enjoying inspiring views of mountains and villages tucked on the hillsides. The Budhi Gandaki River flows swiftly alongside the trail.

The path is carved on the side of a rocky hill. You will ascend stone staircases and walk on paths paved with flagstones. There are crossings over swaying suspension bridges en route. The route will take you past the picturesque traditional settlements of Ghatte Khola, Salleri, Phillim, and Sirdibas. Dotted with stone cottages, these villages offer a peek into the lifestyle of the indigenous mountain communities living in the Manaslu Region.

Soon after crossing these villages, you will reach the village of Chisapani. From here you will cross a river and enter the small settlement of Phillim. You will also walk past the villages of Ekle Bhatti and Gampul, where you can stop for a brief rest. As the trail weaves along the side of the hill, a junction is encountered along the route.

The upper trail connects to Tsum Valley, and the lower trail follows the Manaslu Circuit Trail leading to the Larkya La Pass. You will choose the path that leads to Tsum Valley. From Gampul, it takes a short walk to reach Lokpa, your overnight destination. In Lokpa, you are in the country of the Tsombas and the holy Tsum Valley.

You will stay overnight at a local homestay or a teahouse.

Overnight in Lokpa.

Your day will begin with a hearty breakfast. Do not expect any fancy food, as people over here follow a more traditional way of life. Along this route, you will be served with simple local dishes that are nutritious and filling.

After packing your stuff, you will say goodbye to Lokpa and head towards Chumling. The trail to Chumling takes you over narrow paths carved on the sides of jagged cliffs. Walk cautiously and remember to stay on the side of the wall instead of the exposed side while giving way to yaks and mule trains. En route, there are some steep ascents on stone staircases and crossings over shaky bridges. You pass through canyons formed by rivers and beautiful forests of cedar, pine, and rhododendron.

The village of Chumling is reached after a difficult ascent up the north-west side of the valley and a descent to the river. Barley fields and old stone houses adorn this charming village. The frozen spire of Langbo Kangri (6648 m) can be seen rising majestically close to the village.

After arriving at the village, you can take a brief rest and later explore the village. You are in Tsum Valley, and you can feel the old-world ambiance. You will feel as though you are in a rural part of Tibet. Here you can notice a marked difference in culture and customs. The Tsomba dialect, which is more similar to Tibetan than Nepali, is spoken here, and the locals practice Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion. They also don the Tibetan attire known as Chuba or Bakhu.

You can stroll around the village and visit the three ancient Buddhist monasteries, which are the main attractions of this village. These monasteries—Panago Gumba, Guwa Gumba, and Mani Dhungyu—lie on the upper reaches of the village. Glorious views of Ganesh Himal can be viewed while walking up to these monasteries.

Overnight in Chumling.

Today’s hike will take you to Upper Tsum, which is part of the Inner Himalaya. Leaving Chumling, you will walk past a gentle and even trail dotted with forests and barley fields. As you walk briskly, you can hear the river flowing below. If it’s spring, you will find clusters of wildflowers blooming on the side of the trail. After trekking for about an hour, you will come to a steep section. This point marks the boundary between Lower Tsum and Upper Tsum.

Please note this section of the trail is pretty isolated, and there are no shops, teahouses, or villages en route. Carry drinking water and snacks or packed lunch if possible. After climbing for about an hour or two, you will reach Upper Tsum. At this point the views get dramatic and you can enjoy stunning views of Baudha Himal, Singri Himal, and Ganesh Himal. The trail is decorated with rows of stone chortens and mani stones carved with Buddhist symbols and mantras.

Chhokang Paro, or Chekkampar, lies surrounded by tall, snow-covered mountains. You will enter this lovely village via a beautiful traditional ‘kani’ gate decorated with colorful Buddhist motifs. Stay at one of the new lodges that offers modern amenities. You can stroll around the village and interact with villages late in the afternoon if you are not too tired.

Overnight in Chhokang Paro.

Today you will head to one of the highest villages in Tsum Valley. The village of Nile lies close to the Tibetan border, and it is here you will hike to. You will walk through the wide valley, surrounded on all sides by craggy peaks. The trees and vegetation that you saw in Lower Tsum are not to be found here. You are above the tree line, and vegetation is sparse. Along the way, you will stop at a newly built monastery.

The brightly painted enormous gompa looks stunning against the backdrop of the barren landscape. A row of pure white stupas with golden spires greets visitors as they walk that way. After the monastery visit, you will continue trekking towards Nile.

You will also stop at the sacred meditation cave of Milarepa, a Buddhist saint. Known as Piren Phu or Pigeon Cave, this is a sacred pilgrimage site for followers of Tibetan Buddhism. The footprint of the saint is left on a rock that’s inside the cave. Located at the base of a rocky cliff, the Piren Phu

cave has two small monasteries where sacred Buddhist relics, paintings, and brass statues of Buddhist deities are showcased. After visiting the cave, you will continue your journey to Nile. Enjoy wonderful sights of women spinning yak wool and villagers working in their fields at the villages en route. The pristine Shayar Khola (river) flows close by the settlements.

On reaching Nile, you will head to a teahouse and rest your tired legs. Nile is the last village on the Nepal side of the valley. After crossing Nile, one can enter Tibet. The villagers living in Upper Tsum Valley find it easier and less time-consuming to shop for essentials and conduct trade on the Tibetan side than in the lowlands of Nepal. Thus, yaks can be seen laden with supplies making their way up and down the mountainous trail along the Nepal-Tibetan border in Nile.

The villagers of Tsum Valley have special passes given by the Chinese authorities to enter Tibet and conduct trade there.

Overnight in Nile.

You have a long day ahead of you today, so you will start your day early in the morning. After a quick breakfast, you will leave the village of Nile and head towards Mu Gompa. The gompa lies on a steep hill, isolated from the rest of the world. This remote area is the haunt of the elusive snow leopards. Maybe you will get a glimpse of these Himalayan cats while walking up the hill. It takes a long while on a steep trail to reach this monastery.

Perched on a hillside about 3700 meters above sea level, Mu Gompa is an active monastery. The gompa is home to more than ten monks who reside and study at this monastery. While the young monks do chores around the monastery after their study hours, the old monks guide the novice monks, conduct prayer meetings, and spend much of their time meditating and praying.

You can explore the gompa and interact with the young monks. There’s a huge statue of Avalokiteshwara inside the main chapel. Sacred Buddhist texts, thangkas, or scroll paintings and murals decorate the main prayer hall of the monastery.

Later you will head towards Rachen Gompa, an important nunnery in this region that provides education to the Buddhist nuns. This is one of the largest monasteries in the Tsum Valley and is home to about eighty nuns, or anis. Located close to the Tibetan border, the Rachen Gompa has a school where nuns are taught English, Math, Science, Tibetan, and Buddhist philosophy by learned monks and qualified teachers. The nunnery also operates a health center where locals from nearby villages come for treatment.

While living conditions were quite primitive at the nunnery in the earlier days, in recent years modern amenities have been added. New buildings have been constructed, and the nunnery now has electricity and running water. Guest rooms are available at the gompa, where visitors can stay overnight. At Rachen Gompa, a nun will give you a tour of the nunnery and explain their daily activities. You can interact with the novice nuns and maybe help them in their chores.

Overnight in Rachen Gompa.

After a memorable stay, it’s time to bid goodbye to the nuns of Rachen Gompa. You will start your trek after breakfast and head towards Chumling. You will walk via the same route you had taken a few days earlier. You can spot some wildlife while making your way down to the villages of Lower Tsum.

The Tsum Valley follows a tradition known as Shagya, where every form of life is respected and allowed to exist. Hunting, killing, trapping of wild animals, fishing, honey harvesting, etc. which endangers the lives of animals, birds, and even insects is prohibited in the Tsum Valley. For Tibetan Buddhists, the Tsum Valley is a sacred place blessed by Guru Padmasambhava and other Buddhist saints. Therefore, the lives of all sentient beings are protected and preserved here.

Since all forms of life are protected, this area has a rich wildlife. You will be able to spot Himalayan tahr, Musk deer, Red Panda, Himalayan Blue Sheep, etc. while walking through Tsum Valley.

After a long and tiring descent, you will finally reach Chumling.

Overnight in Chumling.

From Chumling, you head towards Deng. It is a tough hike that lasts for about seven hours. You will walk via the same picturesque villages and small Buddhist shrines and monasteries you walked through on your way to Tsum Valley. After Lokpa, you will leave the trail to Tsum Valley and arrive at the intersection that divides the Manaslu trail and the Tsum Valley trail. You will now take the lower trail and continue your walk to Deng. The trail goes down to the Budhi Gandaki River and steadily climbs up a narrow canyon with a beautiful waterfall.

You can stop for rest and food at the village of Pewa. From Pewa, the trail meanders above the river, offering inspiring views of Singri Himal. After trekking for about an hour or two from Pewa, you will finally reach the village of Deng.

Deng sits on a hillside high above the confluence of the Budhi Gandaki River and Deng Khola. It is a small settlement with few houses and teahouses. Facilities here are very basic. You can get freshly cooked food and a bed to rest on. But further than that, do not expect more (no hot showers, running water, or fancy food). There are also frequent power outages.

However, the village lies in a scenic place, and you can enjoy splendid views of the mountains.

Overnight in Deng.

Leaving Deng, you will continue your hike to Namrung. Continue on an endless series of ups and downs, climbing stone staircases and making way for the mule trains. After crossing Rana, you will reach Bihi Phedi where you can stop for lunch. From Bihi, you will walk alongside the river and continue towards Ghap. The trail meanders on the side of a hill shadowed by tall, Rocky Mountains.

The verdant scenery feels refreshing to the soul and motivates you to walk on, even though you may be exhausted. You can stop for a brief rest at Ghap. Walking on the trail, you will encounter monkeys running around on the fields and pastures. From Ghap, it takes around three hours to reach Namrung, your destination for the night. The whole way leads to a dense fairytale-like forest filled with rhododendron and fir trees and the Budhi Gandaki flowing in a narrow canyon below.

The village of Namrung is small, but it is clean and pleasant. There is a small café that serves really good coffee, and you may want to try a cup of the refreshing brew after arriving at Namrung. The village also has a luxury lodge for those who want to spend a night in luxurious comfort. If you are not worried about the cost, you can choose to stay at this lodge.

Overnight in Namrung.

From Namrung, you will head towards Samagaon. This section of the trail is one of the most scenic on the Manaslu Circuit. You will walk past endless fields of barley with the sparkling spire of Ganesh Himal towering on the horizon. As you make your way out of Namrung, you will come across a long row of mani stones standing by the side of the trail. The trail is pretty flat and easy to walk on. After walking for about forty minutes or an hour, you will reach the barley fields of Bhanjam.

The green stalks of barley dancing in the wind like the gentle waves of an ocean is a beautiful sight to behold.

Later, the trail climbs up steeply and then follows a gentle trail. The next village you will walk through is Lhi, a picturesque village with a charming stone gate and a gompa with a huge prayer wheel. More barley fields greet you as you walk by the village.

After Lhi, the trail drops to the river. You will cross a suspension bridge and again clamber up a steep route. The valley widens as you go higher. You will keep on ascending up the valley and cross small hamlets and fields till you reach the village of Lho. Lho is a popular stop on the Manaslu Circuit and features several lodges and teahouses. It is also home to a beautiful monastery that sits on a secluded hill above the settlement.

However, Lho is not your overnight stop, and thus you will leave this village behind and walk onward to Samagaon. The trail goes past a beautiful forest with a small stream flowing beside the trail. After following a gentle uphill, you will come across Shyala, a small settlement with several brand-new lodges. The settlement offers enticing views of Mount Manaslu, Peak 29, Himal Chuli, and Pangbuche Himal. From here, it takes about two hours to walk to reach Samagaon.

Samagaon lies right at the foot of Mount Manaslu. This large Tibetan-style village is an important stop for trekkers and mountaineering expedition groups walking on this trail.

On reaching Samagaon, you will head to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Samagaon.

In the coming days, you will be gaining altitude steadily. Thus, it’s important to acclimatize properly. To help your body adapt to thin air, you will stay an extra day at Samagaon and take an acclimatization hike to either Pungen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp. While Pungen Gompa is the oldest monastery in the Nubri Valley, the Manslu Base Camp sits right at the foot of the world’s eighth-highest mountain. Mount Manaslu. The hike to the base camp takes longer than the hike to the monastery.

The historic Pungen Gompa is located between Shyala and Samagaon. The monastery sits on a plateau, right below Mount Manaslu’s south face. This ancient monastery lies at an elevation of 4100 meters and offers amazing 360-degree views of snow-covered Himalayan peaks. The Pungen

Gompa was built by the first Tibetan settlers who came to Nubri Valley more than four hundred years ago. You can hike up to the old gompa and enjoy the views of the mountains. The hike takes around four or five hours.

The hike to the Manaslu Base Camp is a bit tougher and takes longer to complete. However, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Mount Manaslu and the valley floor, including a bird's-eye view of Samagaon and Shyala village.

Whichever hike you choose, you will have to start early and carry a packed meal with you.

Overnight in Samagaon.

After a memorable stay at Samagaon, it’s time to repack your bag and continue your trek. You will leave Samagaon after breakfast and walk towards the village of Samdo. The trail leads you to a wide and flat valley surrounded by mountains. Soak in the majestic views of Manaslu and Himalchuli as you proceed towards your destination. The first part of the hike is fairly easy while the second half involves climbing a gentle incline.

Overall, this is one of the easy and short days of your Manaslu adventure. Within three or four hours of walking, you will reach Samdo. You will enter the settlement via a traditional stone gate. Samdo is an ancient village inhabited by people of Tibetan origin. Like in other villages in the Nubri Valley, the inhabitants of Samdo also follow Tibetan customs and traditions. You will find lodges right along the side of the trail outside the village. You will stay at one of the new lodges.

Overnight in Samdo.

Today you will head towards Larkya Phedi, which is the last stop before crossing the Larkya La Pass. The trail takes you towards the west, with dramatic views of mountains covering the skyline. It is a short hike, but the high altitude makes it difficult to walk. You will also cross the Budhi Gandaki River for one last time.

The trail goes down and up and crosses the Larkya Bazaar. Within a few hours, you will reach Larkya Phedi or Dharamshala. This is not a village or a settlement. The place serves as a base camp for the approach to the Larkya Pass. Larkya Phedi has only three basic teahouses that cater to trekkers crossing the Larkya La Pass. There is no internet connection or power to charge your devices.

The huts are made of aluminum containers and have four beds. If there are fewer members in your group, you will have to share the room with other trekkers. There are also tents for those who fail to get accommodation in the huts. The small teahouses lie close to the Shyacha Glacier.

On reaching Larkya Phedi, head to a teahouse and take rest.

Overnight in Larkya Phedi.

Today is the most important and toughest day of your trek. You will start your hike early, before daybreak. The trail follows a gentle slope initially. After climbing for about one and a half hours, you will come across a stunning mountain lake with deep blue water. After crossing this lake, the trail gets steeper and is covered with rocks.

Walk carefully while navigating the rocky path. After about two hours, you will find a small stone hut selling tea and snacks. You can stop for a brief tea break and rest your muscles. Later, continue your walk up to the pass, walking alongside the Larkya La Glacier. The source of the mighty Budhi Gandaki River lies somewhere here.

While the route is not that steep, the thin air makes it difficult to walk. Soon you will reach four smaller lakes, which lie right at the base of the Larkya la Pass. From here you will approach the pass and make a brisk climb. The last few meters to the top are quite steep and difficult. In about four or five hours, you will reach the top of Larkya La. Stone chortens and prayer flags mark the top of the pass. From the top, you can enjoy incredible views of Himlung Himal, Gyaji Kung, Cheo Himal, and Annapurna II.

You have reached the highest point of your trek, and you can celebrate the moment with your guide and team members. Take pictures and film videos before descending to Bimthang.

The path down the pass is steep and slippery. Keep your microspikes ready, as you will be needing them on the icy and slippery bits. After you reach the valley floor, you will head down to Bimthang, where you will stop for the night. Bimthang lies in a wide glacial valley, surrounded by jagged peaks. There are small wooden cottages where you can stay overnight.

Overnight in Bimthang.

Leaving Bimthang, you walk down to the lush and verdant hills of Dharapani. The trail weaves past a beautiful moss-covered rhododendron and pine forest. You can also enjoy your last view of Mount Manaslu from the trail. You will pass the charming villages of Chauri Kharka, Gho, and several other villages before finally concluding your trek at Dharapani.

You have left the Manaslu Region and have now entered the Annapurna Region. Dharapani, a busy little village, lies on the popular Annapurna Circuit route. On reaching the village, head to a teahouse or lodge and enjoy a nice hot shower and a good meal.

Overnight in Dharapani.

Today marks the end of your trek. You will finally leave the trail and head towards Kathmandu. From Dharapani you will take a jeep ride to Besisahar, and from Besisahar you will continue towards Kathmandu. It’s a long and bumpy drive filled with amazing views of verdant hills and traditional villages.

Once you reach Kathmandu, you will be driven to your hotel. Rest and relax at your hotel.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

It’s time to bid farewell to Kathmandu. After check-out, our driver will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport at least three hours prior to your flight’s departure. If you wish to stay longer and explore more destinations in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, please do let us know.

Our travel consultant will help you plan some more amazing Himalayan experiences like the Short Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek.