Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek

Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek

Manaslu Circuit-Tsum Valley Trekking an adventure of great combination that leads you to far hidden corners of Nepal Far North Mid-West around remote and extreme zone of Gorkha district.

Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trekking , although a long journey but fruitful as you will be walking into tranquil environment away from main stream trekking trail, where you will be in a world of your own for a week within high mountains of Sringi and Ganesh Himal with Manaslu range.

Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trekking will certainly delights you with its unbelievable scenery in the harmony of local Tsum and Manaslu villages interwoven with Buddhism religion and impressive culture which is similar to across the border with Tibet.

The area around Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley at one time a flourish trade exchange use to take place which still continues but in smaller ways than in old good days, where Old Trans-Himalayan Salt and Caravan Route passed the trail, that you will be walking on the same path for some days.

Starting this magnificent Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trekking heading towards the valley of happiness at Tsum in our first section of the adventure after an exciting drive to reach and begin the walks.

Walking from low warm green paddy fields to reach higher areas filled with coniferous woodland, and exploring lovely villages full of agriculture fields overlooking stunning scenery of dramatic landscapes of mountains and rolling hills, as walk slowly enters the hidden pockets of Mid-West Himalaya at Tsum Valley.

Enjoy interesting time in isolated areas of upper Tsum valley visiting Mu and Rachen Gompa/monasteries of great interest enriched with ancient artifacts of Buddha idols and old relics as well exploring its cultural villages which is one of the highlight of this amazing journey.

After a wonderful and interesting time around Tsum valley our next adventure leads to join the Manaslu Circuit trail at near Dyang village and heading on the main trail visiting nice and interesting villages of Lo and Sama-Gaon villages located with stunning views of Manaslu North Face.

Slowly as adventure progress on high valley of Manaslu to reach over a high Larke -la pass festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful flags and offering which marks the top of the pass at above 5, 5,160 m/16,929 ft high facing breathtaking panorama of Manaslu range of peaks with Annapurna and Himlung peaks towards Manang area.

Enjoying super views and then with long descent to reach back into green forest around Manang district, where walk follows downhill at Dharapani village unto Syange for overland ride back to Kathmandu or other places of your interest, after a great marvelous experience and adventure on Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trekking.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Drive  to Soti Khola (700m/2296 ft) – 6/7 hrs
Day 02: Trek to Machhe Khola (869m/2851ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 03: Trek to  Jagat (1340m/4396 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 04: Trek to Lokpa (2240m/7349 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 05: Trek to Chhokang Paro (3031 m/9944 ft)- 5 hrs
Day 06: Trek to Chhule (3347 m/10980 ft) -5 hrs
Day 07: Trek to Mu Gompa (3700m/12139ft) – 4 hrs
Day 08: Rest Day (Mu Gumpa).
Day 09: Trek to  Rachen Gumpa (3240 m/10629 ft) – 5 hrs
Day 10: Trek to Chumling (2386 m/7828 ft)  5 hrs
Day 11: Trek to Deng (1860m/6102 ft) – 5 hrs
Day 12: Trek to Namrung (2630 m/8628 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 13: Trek to SamaGau (3520 m/11548 ft) -4/5 hrs
Day 14: Sama Gau rest day, visit around Manaslu Base Camp (4400 m/14435 ft) -4/5 hrs
Day 15: Trek to Samdo (3875 m/12713 ft) – 3/4 hrs
Day 16: Trek to Dharmasala (4460 m/14632 ft)-3/4 hrs
Day 17: Trek to Bhimthang (3590 m/11778 ft), via Larke la Pass(5160 m/16929 ft) – 6/7 hrs
Day 18: Trek to Dharapani (1963 m/6440 ft) – 5/6 hrs
Day 19: Trek to Syange (1100m/3608 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 20: Drive to Kathmandu (1300 m/4265 ft) or Pokhara(850 m/2788 ft) by local Jeep and Bus.-6/7 hrs

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Drive to Soti-Khola 700m / 2,296 ft - 06/7 hrs.

Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trekking starts taking an early morning drive to Nepal Mid West, as journey leads on main Nepal highway past many interesting towns and villages with farms to reach at Arughat around Gorkha district.

From here drive continues following Burigandaki River upstream within warm-low areas of paddy fields and terraces to reach at Soti-Khola for first overnight stop of the adventure.

Day 02: Trek to Machhi-Khola 869m/2,851ft- 04/5 hrs.

Beginning our first day walks from Soti-Khola, where our route takes you into steep valley, within thick forested areas past number of small villages that dots green hillside, and then walking into a wide valley opposite near a large tributary stream that joins Burigandaki River.

Nice views of cultivated terrace of Lapbesi upper village as our walk descends to a wide, sandy riverbed following a trail that meanders below a steep, craggy valley side.

As walk progress leading to a climb towards Machha Khola for overnight stop, a village with number of teashops and small lodge, Maccha Khola means a Fish Stream.

Day 03: Trek to Jagat 1,340 m / 4,396ft - 04/5 hrs.

From Macchi-Khola village walk leads through several interesting farm villages with neat cultivated fields, as morning walk leads to cross over Machhi Khola (Fish stream) where name comes from, and then walk upstream towards Khola-Bensi village with Tatopani a place with natural 'hot spring'.

Journey continues on broad gravel field towards Lauri stream and then crossing suspension bridge which leads to a climb on high trails and then descending into open valley of Yara Khola, where our journey continues on for another hour to Jagat for overnight stop.

Day 04: Trek to Lokpa 2,240 m/ 7,349 ft - 04/ 5 hrs.

Morning walk from Jagat descends to a long stone steps to reach a river, where path climbs on terraced hillside at Saguleri, with distance view of Sringi Himal 7,187m, walk continue with ups and down trail as our route reach at a bridge over Buri-Gandaki.

After crossing a bridge where trail winds up to Philim village within its rich cultivated fields and terraces, from here walk past scattered farm villages with climb through terraces of golden fields of wheat’s and barley to reach a rocky ridge top covered within bamboo forest area towards Eklai Bhatti means a lonely Inn, at present few more shops has been come up.

After a rest walk towards Lokpa, where our route divert toward North West to reach our overnight stop at Lokpa.

Day 05: Trek to Chhokang-Paro 3,031m/ 9,944 ft-5 hrs.

From here onward entering into fresh territory and away from main trekking trails of Manaslu, as walk leads into Tsum valley, walk proceeds past few small farm lands and scattered villages with views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal, as our day walk ends entering a nice village at Chumling.

Where our route leads to a descend and over a bridge towards Smatiking Khola, with views of Ganesh Himal also called Yangra in local language of Tibetan origin, and then reaching a fair size village at Chokan-Paro for overnight stop.

Day 06: Trek to Nyle 3,347m/10,980ft - 05 hrs.

From here onward heading within inner Tsum valley, where morning walks leads to high areas at Nyle village within well exposed and open wide valley, a dramatic arid and dry country similar to Tibetan landscapes.

Where tree lines fades for few smaller juniper and pine trees, as our journey carries on facing views of massive Ganesh and Manaslu Himal mountain range, after a scenic and tough, good trek finally ending the day at Nyle, on route exploring Guru Milereppa meditation cave a great Buddhist saint with history of 11^th century, Milereppa a poet, singer as well tantric guru where his folk stories, good words and songs are still remembered by large number of Tibetans to this day.

Day 07: Trek to Mu Gompa 3,700m/12,139 ft -04hrs.

After overnight stop at Nele, where one can witness local culture exploring its traditional and fascinating villages with strong influence of Tibet custom with same Buddhist religion and traditional way of life.

Today short morning walk to reach end of Tsum Valley area at Mu Gompa, an old interesting monastery of the area, as walk leads to a climb within high and dry country facing views of surrounding high peaks within North, East and West direction, and then slowly walk completes reaching Mu Gompa for overnight stop.

Afternoon enjoy exploring around least visited areas by other trekkers and westerners where you will certainly have peaceful time and moments around its traditional village with impressive ancient monastery of Mu Gompa, treasures antique important idols, statue and relics.

Mu Gompa will be the highest spot of the trek around Tsum Valley before heading towards Manaslu valley and over Larke-La pass.

Day 09: Trek to Rachen-Gompa 3,240m/10,629 ft- 05 hrs.

With exciting and pleasant time at Tsum valley, walk leads to next monastery of great interest to Rachen Gompa, walk leads on gradual trail with short ups and downs with lovely panorama of snow capped peaks, heading through yak herders summer pasture to reach Rachen Gompa and its moderate size village for overnight stop.

Day 10:  Trek to Chumling 2,386 m/ 7,828 ft -05hrs.

Return journey leads lower elevation reaching at Chumling where our route heads within back into tree lines along green vegetation at Chumling village, for last and final overnight around Tsum Valley area.

Day 11: Trek to Lokpa 2,240 m/ 7,349 ft - 04/ 5 hrs.

From here retrace the journey back to Lokpa to join Manaslu valley route, where walk leads further down leaving behind Tsum the valley of happiness, as good walk continues facing grand views of mountains and surrounding dramatic landscapes all the way to Lokpa for overnight stop.

Day 12: Trek to Namrung 2,630 m/ 8,628 ft -04/5hrs.

Morning walk leads with some down section entering into sheer cliff walls, walk continues to reach on main trail of Manaslu, as our route leads west direction to reach at Bihi village, the start of Manaslu valley, from here morning walk continues for another two hours to a steep sided and scenic valley, encountering Mani prayer stone walls as walk leads at Ghap a nice village with stop for possible lunch break.

From here with grand views of Manaslu with Pang Phuchin, Saula Himal with range of unnamed peaks, walk from here on uphill as altitude gains at slowly past farm village to reach at Namrung for overnight stop, the village also called Sho Namru.

Day 13: Trek to Sama Gaon 3,520m /11,548 ft- 04/5hrs.

After a peaceful overnight stop at Namrung, walk leads to more spread out farm fields and Yak herder huts and shelter, around this high Manaslu valley people are much engaged in farming during summer.

From here reach Lo-Gaon an attractive villages of Manaslu region, at Lo enjoy close views of towering Manaslu North Face, walk carries on  with slow climb facing views of Peak 29 ahead, after few hour reaching into a patch of forest at Shala village with excellent view of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli.

Walking for few hours further where day completes on reach Sama-Gaon village, with superb view of Mt. Manaslu.

Sama-Gaon village one of the largest within high Manaslu Valley, where natives are mostly farmers cultivating buck wheat, barley which are the main crops in this high and harsh terrain, potatoes and some high and cold vegetables are also grown.

Day 14: Sama-Gaon rest day visit near Manaslu base camp4, 400 m /14,435 ft -04/5hrs.

A rest and spare day at Sama-Gaon to support acclimatization before heading high Larke-la pass, here enjoy walk around high Manaslu valley where history and culture related with ancient Buddhist heritage similar to its origin Tibetan predecessor.

The local villagers are still active with trade and bartering across the border with Tibet taking few days to reach the frontier of Nepal and Tibet, actually located on old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade route of the two countries.

Day 15: Trek to Samdo 3,875m/1,2713ft -03/4 hrs.

From Sama-Gaon, morning walk of more than four hours to reach last village of Manaslu valley at Samdo, walk starts with slow climb as elevation gradually gains with dry much air which makes walk slower than earlier past days, an exciting walk on high valley of Manaslu and then reaching at Samdo village located on a small flat plateau.

Day 16: Trek to Dharmasala 4,460 m /14,632 ft - 03/4 hrs.

On leaving upper Manaslu valley, where walk leads at the end of a
valley facing views of snow capped peaks of Manaslu which is also known as Kutang in local language.

Walk continues crossing few icy streams to reach at Larke Phedi means bottom of the pass, also called Dharmasala (travelers rest house / shade), where in old days which was also known as Larke Bazaar.

At Larke Phedi afternoon free for short walks and preparations for next early morning long climb and descend crossing high Larke-La pass to reach Manang areas.

Day 17:  Trek to Bhimthang 3,590 m/11,778 ft via Larke la Pass 5,160 m/16,929 ft - 06/7 hrs.

After overnight at Larke Phedi, start early morning before dawn where walk leads to a steep climb past few huts of Dharmasala, walking over moraine of rocks and boulders.

Our route leads north of Larke glacier, with grand views of Cho Danda with Larke Peak, as walk progress with gradual ascent and much steeper  to reach at the top of Larke-la festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags.

At the top marvel excellent panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II includes series of Manaslu peaks.

From here a long descend reaching to a valley called Larcia, with further hour walks on moraine ridge to Tambuche at 3,900m, the bottom of the pass, and then a short walk leads to Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long, tough day walks.

Bhimthang a lovely place located on a wide green valley with number of lodges adorned with prayer Mani walls, the area surrounded by green tall trees of rhododendron-pines and oaks.

Day 18: Trek to Dharapani 1,963 m/6,440 ft -05/6 hrs.

From Bhimthang rest of the journey is much easier with downhill walks with some short climb on route to Gho and Dharapani villages, morning with views of peaks heading with gradual walk into thick alpine woodland.

Walking into beautiful forested areas to reach a small clearing in the midst of woodland at Gho, continue further down through wooded areas reaching at Telje village, a nice place by the raging Marysangdi

River, with rest taking final last climb of the trip after crossing a bridge to reach at large and nice lovely Dharapani. This village located on the junction of famous and popular Annapurna Circuit trail and Around Manaslu Trekking route.

Day 19: Trek to Syange 1,100 m / 3,608 ft - 04/5 hrs.

Last day of the great adventure following raging Marysangdi River downstream, past nice villages of Tal-besi and Chamje to reach our final overnight stop at low warm areas at Syange village, by the Marysangdi River after long descend from Jagat village.

Day 20: Drive to Kathmandu 1,300 m / 4,265 ft or to Pokhara  850m/2,788 ft on local Jeep or Bus- 06/7hrs.

After a marvelous adventure around Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trekking where this morning our journey completes with scenic to Besisar, headquarter town of Lamjung district.

From Besisar switching to another vehicle for exciting overland journey to Kathmandu, where drive leads past many farm villages and town, as our drive joins the main highway of Kathmandu and

Pokhara at Dumre town, from here on easy and interesting drive to reach back to Kathmandu, with rest of the evening free at leisure in the hotel.

For interested people can take a drive towards scenic Pokhara from Dumre town onwards where road branches of towards Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Cost Information

Equipment

FOR HEAD

1. Sun hat / Scarf
2. Sun glasses and Head light

FOR UPPER BODY

1. Water Proof Jacket
2. Down Jacket / Warm Jacket
3. Light Weight T-shirt (At least 1 pair)

FOR LOWER BODY

1. Water Proof Pants
2. Running tights
3. Light Weight Pant

FOR HAND

1. Gloves

FOR FEET

1. Thin Inner socks (At least 2 pairs)
2. Woolen socks
3. Trekking boots (preferred comfortable boots)

OTHER ACCESSORIES

1. Sleeping bag
2. Water bottle etc
3. Suncream
4. Water purification tablets
5. Toiletries (Toilet paper etc)
6. Warm hat
7. Trekking Bag Etc.

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