Tsum Valley and Manaslu Trek

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1: Welcome you at the airport & transfer to your Hotel.

  Our representative will welcome you at the airport. He / She will escort you and help you to reach your booked hotel in a private vehicle. We will shortly introduce about the program then you can enjoy your first night in cultural diversity Kathmandu.

• Day 2: Free day for trekking preparation.

  Today, we recommend you to enjoy your day in diversified cultural capital – the ever-changing city of Kathmandu. Also, we will make the necessary preparations for our trek. Overnight stay at Hotel.

• Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930m.) – 9 hrs.

  We suggest you to drive directly to Machha Khola rather than staying in Soti Khola and walking on the road the next day, because the road has been extended beyond Soti Khola. Passing through the Arughat and Soti Khola on the dusty road along the way, we leave Kathmandu for the long journey of about 150km. Machha Khola is situated on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River, the source of which we will eventually encounter as we ascend to the Larkya La pass, with our companion and guide through the Manaslu valley.

• Day 4: Machhakhola to Jagat (1,340m) – 7 hrs

  During the early part of the day, we walk through Khorlabesi and make our way to Tatopani, famous for its natural hot springs. A steep climb takes us up to Dobhan. We enter the Manaslu Conservation area and on to the scenic village of Jagat. Before we reach Jagat we will pass through rugged setting and narrow paved lanes. Overnight at Jagat.

• Day 5: Jagat to Lokpa (2,240m) – 7 hrs.

  As we steadily make our way up the trail, a series of striking suspension bridges dominate our path. The trail past numerous waterfalls towards the Gurung village of Philim. From Philim, we ascends again and branches away into Tsum valley, with the wonderful views of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal. The views draw our attention as we make our approach to Lokpa, the last destination of today’s plan. Overnight at Lokpa.

• Day 6: Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m) – 5 hrs.

  Three suspension bridges and lush jungles usher us in to the mystical Buddhist valley. At the beginning, we will take an initial sharp climb but the rest of our journey, we will hike fairly leisurely to Chumling. Today’s hike is simple and allows us to relax which takes us in the beauty of the valley.

• Day 7: Chumling to Chhokangparo (3,031m) – 5 hrs.

  As we steadily ease higher along the Shiar Khola, glorious views of the Ganesh Himal serve as our backdrop during the day. Shiar Khola is a minor tributary of the Budhi Gandaki. In our route, we will find a small Tibetan monastery which remind us of the valley’s strong Tibetan influences. With our arrival at Chhokangparo, the largest settlement in the valley, we will complete our today’s journey.

• Day 8: Chhokangparo to Mu Gumpa (3,700m) – 6 hrs.

  We make our way deeper and higher into the valley, following the ancient trade route to Tibet, with the tributary still acting as our guide. The trail past stupas, chortens, monasteries, mani walls, and nunneries. All these things are the reminders of the close cultural and historical bonds to Nepal’s mystical neighbot to the north. Before our arrival at the monastery of Mu Gompa, we can pause briefly to explore the Milerapa cave.  We will stay at Mu Gompa and enjoy the hospitality of the resident monks – truly one of the cultural highlights of the trek.

• Day 9: Mu Gumpa to Chhokangparo – 5 hrs.

  We retrace our steps from Mu Gompa as far as the village of Lar. From Lar, we take an alternate route back to Chhokangparo via Rachen Gompa. Rachen Gompa is home to the valley’s most famous nunnery. Overnight stay at Chhokangparo.

• Day 10: Chhokangparo to Gumpa Lungdang (3,400m) – 7 hrs.

  We begin our trek with a descent to the village of Dumji. Next, we change our direction and take a steep trail through dense rhododendron and pine forests. We will follow the lush path until we reach Gompa Lungdang and its calmly situated monastery below Ganesh Himal.

• Day 11: Hike to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4,900m) then back to Gumpa Lungdang. – 9 hrs.

  It takes about approximately four hours to reach the base camp and we will follow the ascent path. After we reach base camp, our efforts are rewarded with some of the finest views of towering Ganesh Himal and the surrounding alpine wilderness. We spend a suitable amount of time to savor the view and we return back down the trail to Gumpa Lungdang.

• Day 12: Gumpa Lungdang to Ripchet (2,470m) – 4 hrs.

  We will take an alternative route towards Ripchet on our return journey. The alternative route provides us a new and rewarding perspective on the landscape. Overnight at Ripchet.

• Day 13: Ripchet to Deng (1,860m) – 6 hrs.

  After the completion of magical Tsum Valley trek, we refocuses on the trail through the Manaslu region and our ultimate goal of Larke La pass. On our returning journey from Tsum valley to Larkey la, the Budhi Gandaki River greets us again and leads us westward towards Pewa. We take up the steep route before we reach to Deng valley. Overnight at Deng.

• Day 14: Deng to Namrung (2,630m) – 7 hrs.

  Before we arrive at Ghap, an undulating trail leads us steadily through forests. As we trail by the tumbling white water of the river, we will gain altitude steadily. A final steep climb leads us into Namrung. Overnight at Namrung.

• Day 15: Namrung to Sama (3,520m) – 7 hrs.

  As we hike towards mountain region at altitude, the lower temperate forests give way steadily as we break free of the tree line. The lush greens of the lower valley giving way to the muted browns and grays of the Himalayan terrain and the vivid blue skies. Our first destination of today’s journey is the scenic village of Lho with its wonderful views of Manaslu. From Lho, we can also see the Rebung Gompa settled atop a hillside nearby. Again, we trek to the equally beautiful village of Shyala, then climb steadily through yak pasturelands to Sama Gaun. Overnight at Sama Gaun.

• Day 16: Acclimatization Day. Hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungen Gumpa.

  Today, we give our bodies’ time to acclimate to the altitude in Sama Gaun. The village provides multiple choices for day excursions, i.e. the highly rewarding and dramatic hike to Manaslu Base Camp, or the alternative walk to Pungen Gompa, and a short excursion to the pretty lake of Birendra Taal nearby. Overnight at Sama Gaun.

• Day 17: Sama to Samdo (3,860m) – 3 hrs

  We begin a hike onward and up as we put our heads down determinedly with the goal of Larke La ever nearer. The route takes us on a gradual and short climb alongside the river and after that it begins to steepen as it leads us up to Samdo around noon. We have an enough time in the afternoon to explore and perhaps hike to a higher altitude shortly which help in the process of acclimatization.

• Day 18: Acclimatization day. Explore the Tibet Border Rui La (4,998m) – 8 hrs.

  Today is another rest day to help acclimate at higher altitude. We will walk to the border with Tibet at the pass of Rui La. From the top of Rui La, one can enjoy with the wonderful views of the Himalayas and Fukang glacier.

• Day 19: Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460m) – 5 hrs.

  The more we climb up to the higher altitude, it brings us to the very threshold of Larke La. The more we step towards our destination, there will be evident of more snow and a thinner air. Next, we recommend you to do a short hike to higher altitude as it help our bodies get used to the altitude. It also helps to sleep better during the night.

• Day 20: Dharmasala to Larke La (5,160m) then descend to Bhimthang (3,590m) – 8 hrs.

  Early morning, we start our trek to cross the Larke La before daybreak. Our head mounted lights move up and downs in the dark as we clamber up the trail in the cold morning. Our breath evident in the glow of the lamps. The trail to Larke La is an ambiguous one of persistent switchbacks, promising everything in a moment and seizing it away the next as one false ridge leads to another. Finally we catch a glance of the first prayer flags and our mission is finally accomplish. We stumble wearily to the marker and sit proudly for our cameras to capture the achievement. After stopping and spending the time at the pass to observe the magnificent views we begin the descent to Bhimthang. We put our trekking poles to good use to spare our tired legs from the steep descent to the dry valley below.

• Day 21: Bhimthang to Dharapani (1,960m) – 8 hrs.

  We descend from Bhimthang with views of Manaslu to our left and the Annapurna ranges to our right. We pass through yak pastures to the first signs of the Dudh Khola’s headwaters flowing down the slope. We cross a bridge in our path which gradually leaves behind the alpine climate. The route takes us down through familiar rhododendron forests to a narrow valley of terraced fields. After we reach the small and picturesque village of Tilje, we make our way uphill to Dharapani. It is the major trekking junction in the region and modern starting point for trekkers heading out on the Annapurna Circuit. Overnight at Dharapani.

• Day 22: Drive back to Kathmandu/Pokhara – 10 hrs.

  A long day’s driving by jeep/bus to either Pokhara or Kathmandu.

• Day 23: Departure

  Our representative will leave you at the airport before 3 hours to capture your schedule flight towards your home or a next destination. Thanks for visiting Nepal. Enjoy!!!

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