Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek

On arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our staff
and guide for short transfer to your hotels. At the hotel, our guide will brief
regarding the hotel, trekking, local culture with do’s and don’ts.

Then check into your lovely rooms and get refreshed before group welcome
dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurants.

A free day in Kathmandu, allows time preparation for the Manaslu Circuit trek.
Interested people can join in for exciting tour of Kathmandu ancient sites, steeped
with world heritage sites. A great way to explore and understand the local
cultures of both Hindu and Buddhism religions.

Depart from the hotel as early as possible, having breakfast for the long overland journey. As drive leads beyond Kathmandu valley towards low farm areas with lively villages and towns. Then the ride heads further Mid-West reaching around Dhading and Gorkha district reaching the starting point of trek. Overnight in a nice simple lodge at Soti-Khola arriving by late afternoon or in the evening for dinner time.

First day of the walk starts having a simple breakfast, as trail follows along the raging Buri Gandaki River. The first few hours of walks on gentle path through several farm villages and entering small forested area. Then finally the day ends on reaching a nice village at Machha-Khola for overnight halt. In the comfort of nice simple local guest-house or lodge. The village name as Machha-Khola means a Fish Stream, which is close to the village.

Enjoy the second fay walk, as trail follows on following the river upstream through
cool forested farm areas. Leading to a small village at Tatopani, a place with
natural hot-spring, as time permits enjoy the refreshing bath. From here onwards
the path heads uphill through several village reaching a nice place at Jagat for
overnight halt. An interesting lively village of mixed tribes of hill people
interwoven to both Hindu and Buddhism religions.

After checking into a nice lodge, having time to explore and witness the village
farm life. From Jagat onwards starts the restricted areas, where all visitors needs
a special permit to enter upper areas of Manaslu.

Quite a long day walk, but interesting heading down and ups on leaving Jagat village, as walk leads above to much cooler areas. On entering restricted area towards Upper Manaslu and remote north region of Gorkha district. Walk follows through forest and past villages reaching a lovely farm settlement of Philm, full of cultivated terraces. At Philim for possible lunch break in one of its nice simple lodge, afternoon walk continues heading uphill climb. Then reaching a small farm village of Deng. From Deng onwards within strong Buddhism religion and culture similar to its Tibetan predecessors.
After possible lunch stop at Deng, afternoon walks gets more exciting as altitude gains slowly heading towards cooler high hills. Walk leads past Pewa village, as climb leads to a coniferous forest of tall rhododendron, pine, and fir trees.

On reaching towards alpine zone, a short descent to Bhi Bazaar, close on the
Riverside. After a refreshing rest, from here our route diverts to the entrance of
Tsum valley at Lokpa. Leaving the main trail of Manaslu circuits for some days
heading towards our first main destination. As trail follows with steep short climb
and then on gradual path reaching Lokpa village for overnight stop.

After a lovely pleasant morning at Lokpa village, walk from here enters to Tsum
the hidden valley of Nepal Mid-West Himalayas. Walk starts entering a narrow
gorge in between steep rocky cliffs, facing views of Boudha Himal and Ganesh
Himal. The trail follows downhill to Lungwa River valley as climb starts heading
through forest of rhododendron, juniper, and pine. As walk reach Gumling a small
settlement, facing grand surrounding views, then cross Syar Khola, then reaching
our overnight stop. Check into a nice simple lodge at Chumling, a lovely village.
Having time to explore around and visit the monasteries and Buddhist
monuments, Panago Gompa, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gompa.

Walk today leads to inner Tsum areas, as morning starts heading to Chhokang Paro for overnight halt. Where Tsum valley opens from Chkangparo onwards to Mu Gompa. A twin villages situated on a flat field the Chokang and Paro.
Starting our adventure crossing over a suspension bridge to reach opposite bank of the river. Enjoy fantastic views of Ganesh Himal in the east with Boudha Himal and Himal Chuli peaks towards southwest. Walk continues through Rainjam to Serpu Khola, crossing another bridge to reach Gho village. After a refreshing stop, and then few hours climb leads to Chokanparo villages for pleasant overnight stop.

Walk today leads closer to our destination towards Mu Gompa, after spending overnight in lovely Nile village. Which is the last permanent village of Upper Tsum Valley areas. Starting the walk past the Piren Phu cave, also called as the snow pigeon shelter. One of the sacred caves around Tsum Valley, close to small village of Burji. Where famous 11th Centuary saint and guru Millerepa spend his time here meditating in one of these caves. One can witness the footprint imprinted on the cave, after an interesting moment walk follows past green meadows.
Reaching a farm yard as walk leads to two separate monasteries, attached to the rocky cave. Which is painted with Buddhist murals, excellent artistic scripts carved on stones adorned with prayer flags. From this exciting spot, walk leads to cross over a suspension bridge above Shiar Khola / stream. Then slowly reaching Nile a lovely village for overnight halt, check into a nice lodge.

Enjoying breakfast for short walk to Mu Gompa our first highlight, start the trek on gradual uphill to Mu Gompa. Walk leads on dry arid terrain almost like a mountain desert landscapes, walk slowly reaches at Mu Gompa.
One of the important monastery of the region, located on the highest and at the ending point of Tsum Valley. Overnight in a simple lodge accommodation, rest of the afternoon with time to relax and enjoy the views.

After several days of continues walk, enjoy the rest or free day at Mu Gompa, as well for acclimatization. Explore and visit the Mu Gompa, which was built around 1895 AD, treasures religious holy books. Includes life-size statue of Avalokiteshwara or Chenriz, and images of Guru Padmasambhava and Tara.
The monastery with series of Chorten / Stupa facing grand vista of snow-capped peaks. Visit a historical Dephyudonma monastery a nunnery, located on the lap of high mountain range. Mu Gompa the oldest monasteries around Tsum valley.

Shortly after breakfast, we will head from Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa; a nunnery following the trails. It is situated in the Shiar Khola Valley in the foothills of the mountains that border Nepal and Tibet. We return down the valley through Chhule and continue down as far as Phurba. Walking on the east bank of the Siyar Khola and crossing flat boulder-covered plains following the power lines to Rachen Gompa. Rachen Gompa for overnight halt, with time visit the monastery established in the year 1905 AD. Includes the largest nunneries in the Tsum valley, the interior of the Gompa is richly painted with Buddhism history.

From Rachen Gompa, the trail leads south, crossing a bridge to the west bank
and walking back through Chokanparo again. As the trail heads down on an old
trail to Chumling and then reaching a small white Gompa at Gho.
Walk continues descending to a narrow trail and crossing a wooden bridge over
the Siyar Khola. Encountering another bridge soon to cross a bridge reaching
Domje, an interesting place with an old Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and a
primary school.

Adventure heads further with steep climb through pine, juniper, and
rhododendron forest, coming across a nice Mani wall. Adorned with many prayer
flags, as walk heads to a winding climb through a silver pine trees reaching Gompa
Lungdang. This lovely settlement offers grand vista of surrounding landscapes and
Snow-capped peaks, a nice pleasant village for overnight stop.

The small monastery of forty nuns where prayer is held every evening, rest of the
Afternoon enjoy the glorious views of the Himalayan peaks.

After an enjoyable and exciting time around Tsum Valley, return journey leads
back to Lokpa, on the main Manaslu trail. Morning walk descends to Domje to
cross over Laudang Khola / stream. Crossing on an unstable bridge between two
houses below of Domje, as walk follows to the bank of Siyar Khola.

As trail leads into lovely dense forest reaching a deep gorge and crossing again
another exciting swinging bridges to Ripche. Then walk down the steps to Bhatti
Ghumlong, which we passed earlier, as climb leads through pine forest to Lokpa.

On completing our first part of the adventure and highlight around Tsum Valley of
Happiness.

Morning walk follows on a nice pleasant path above the raging Burigandaki River,
as trail leads into cool forested areas. Then finally ending the day walks reaching
Namrung village for overnight halt. Enjoy the majestic views of Mt. Manaslu and
adjoining towering snow-capped peaks.

After Namrung village, today’s walk comparatively quite short of less than five
hours to Lo-Gaon. Another nice and lively village, as morning walk leads into
cool forested trail above the raging Buri Gandaki River.

Walking through smaller farm areas and hamlets, and then reaching Lo-Gaon a
beautiful settlement, having nice houses facing wonderful views.

The guest houses and lodges are quite up to a standard compared to other
previous overnight stops. After checking into your nice rooms, enjoy walks around
the traditional village adorned with beautiful Buddhist monuments and
Monastery.

From Lo-Gaon onwards into beautiful and scenic Manaslu valley, enclosed by
an array of snow mountain range. Morning enjoy the grand views of
Mt. Manaslu beautiful North Face, and continue walk after a good breakfast
a scenic trek to Sama-Gaon. The route follows with gradual climb within cool shade of lovely alpine tree lines through Yak herder camps. As walk finally ends on reaching Sama-Gaon, the main village of Manaslu valley, located on route to several exciting destinations. Mt. Manaslu Base Camp starts from here and towards Larke-La pass, as well to Tibet border.

On arrival at Sama Gaon in good time by late afternoon. Check into a nice lodge, with time to browse around the village and explore local colorful culture of Buddhism.

A deserving rest days after a continuous walks of several days, the right and ideal
spot and height. For acclimatization, enjoy the day either taking a short hike to
Bhirendra Lake, or Pungyen Gompa / monastery. One can just laze around
enjoying the beautiful scenery of snow-mountains.

After an enjoyable rest at Sama-Gaon, adventure leads towards arid and barren terrain to Samdo village. Walk follows on nice easy trail, as altitude gains every hour and then to reach Samdo. The village of more than 40 houses an interesting place with typical Tibetan styled houses. Check into a nice lodge and guest houses, and enjoy walk around this last village of Manaslu and Gorkha district.

From Samdo village, today a short walks of less than four hours to Dharmasala or
Larke Phedi. Morning starts walking across smaller streams and into a wild arid country, as trail follows west. Towards the end of Manaslu valley rim reaching Dharmasala or Larke Phedi, the highest overnight stop of the trek.

Dharmasala means a resting spot for travelers, having few simple huts for trekkers, can be crowded in high seasons. At Dharmasala for lunch and overnight stop, along with grand views of Cheo Himal and Larke Peak.
Rest of the afternoon relax and preparation for the toughest day of the adventure to cross over Larke-La Pass.

A great day and the main highlight of the adventure, start as early as possible having breakfast. As well carrying packed lunch for the long day climb and steep descent, follow our expert guide. As climb begins on a rocky gravel trail past above Dharmasala, then head towards a steep slope path. The walk contours on winding trail, having few stops to enjoy views and then finally reaching on top Larke-La Pass. The pass festooned with Buddhist colorful prayer flags and stone cairns facing mind-blowing views of surrounding towering mountain range.

After a grand vista, a slow and steady descent to the other side of the Phedi / bottom to Bhimthang. A beautiful places amidst lovely forest surroundings, a place with nice lodges for overnight stop in cozy rooms.

An easy day walk after a tough hard climb and down of previous day, morning leads through beautiful woodland. Covered in tall pine, firs and rhododendron trees, heading past few summer pastures then reaching Gho for overnight halt.
A small settlement with few simple lodges in the midst of forest surrounding with views of snow-capped peaks.

Enjoy the last final day of trekking to Dharapani village, on reaching around Manang district. Walk leads to gradual downhill with few small, short climb to Tilje village for lunch in a nice village. After lunch an hour walk up crossing a bridge over Masrsyangdi River to Dharapani village for last overnight stop.

Dharapani village, located on motorable road-head where famous Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit trail joins. Enjoy the last halt on the mountain lodge on completing a great adventure Manaslu Circuit trek.

The last long drive to Kathmandu from Dharapani village, start early morning for the long day overland journey. An interesting drive on winding downhill to reach low warm farm areas of Lamjung district. After few hours of exciting scenic ride reaching at Besisar, the headquarters town of Lamjung district. From here drive leads on a nice, good road as ride leads to join the main highway of Pokhara and Kathmandu at Dumre town.

From Dumre town few hours of good drive lead to uphill on winding uphill road reaching outskirt of Kathmandu valley. Then an hour ride reaches your hotel, arriving by late afternoon or evening time. After a great adventure on Manaslu Circuit Short Trek.

After a great walks of two weeks up in the mountain of Mt. Manaslu, enjoy the
free day in Kathmandu. Having a leisure time for individual activities and for
shopping spree, or join in for another interesting tour of Kathmandu, Patan or
Bhaktapur cities.

Last day in Kathmandu, Nepal with time for departure towards homeward
bound, transfer to airport for your international flight. Bidding farewell to staff
and guides, after a memorable adventure around Tsum Valley & Manaslu Circuit
Trek.