Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek follows the ancient salt trade route through Nepal to Tibet.This 25-day itinerary offers the best of two worlds: the Tsum Valley trek plus the Manaslu Circuit. Remote, spectacular, uncrowded and dotted with interesting cultural sites—there’s a good reason why this is often considered one of the best treks in Nepal.

The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek follows the ancient salt trade route through Nepal to Tibet.This 24-day itinerary offers the best of two worlds: the Tsum Valley trek plus the Manaslu Circuit. Remote, spectacular, uncrowded and dotted with interesting cultural sites—there’s a good reason why this is often considered one of the best treks in Nepal.

Highlights of the ManasluTsum Valley Trek

Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries in the Tsum Valley
Experience diverse landscapes, from jungle to terrace farmland to rocky high Himalaya
Incredible views of Mount Manaslu over the high Larke Pass (5135m).

Mount Manaslu, at 8156m, is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Very few tourists visit this area–around a tenth of the number of Nepal’s most popular treks! Therefore, this is a wonderful place to head for a wilderness trek amid some of the tallest peaks in the world.

The Tsum Valley branches of the main Manaslu Circuit Trek. It has only been open to trekkers for a handful of years. This gives you an idea of how uncrowded and untouched the area is.

The Manaslu/Tsum areas are of religious significance, too. As you trek higher in altitude, you’ll increasingly come across symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, such as carved mani stone walls (inscribed with mantras) and chortens/stupas. A legendary Buddhist sage, Yogi ChyuchinMilarapa, is believed to have meditated in one of the caves in this area. You can even find his footprint in a monastery in the Tsum Valley.

Another plus of the ManasluTsum Valley Trek is that the trailhead is much closer to Kathmandu than other major treks in Nepal (such as Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit/Base Camp treks). This means less time traveling, more time enjoying nature.

The Route Followed Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Like most treks in Nepal, the ManasluTsum Valley Trek starts by passing through terraced villages and subtropical jungle gradually climbs up to alpine meadows and pastures and culminates in a 5000-meter-plus mountain pass.

The trail follows the deep Budi Gandaki River gorge, with its many exciting suspension bridge crossings—a classic Nepal trekking experience! It then passes Aarughat, SotiKhola, MachhaKhola, Jagat, and Phillim. Next, it enters the higher lands inhabited by people of Tibetan origin.

The Tsum Valley branches off from the main trail after Phillim, and extends all the way up to the Tibetan border. The valley is enclosed by the Ganesh Himal Range, BoudhaHimal and ShringiHimal, so offers a stunning mountain panorama. There are a number of beautiful and important monasteries in the Tsum Valley to visit.

The main trail after Phillim passes through pine forests, pastures and the villages of Deng, Namrung, Lho, and Sama Goan. It finally reaches Samdu, the last settlement of the valley. SamaGaon is the biggest settlement, from which side trips can be made to PungGyenGompa and Manaslu Base Camp.

The Larkya Pass is at the end of the valley and separates the Annapurna and Manaslu regions. Although a challenging hike to this altitude, there are dramatic views from the pass of Cheo Himal (6621m), HimlungHimal (7126m), Kang Guru (6981m), as well as the Annapurna Massif.

The pass is a great way to end the trek, as the ManasluTsum Valley Trek ends at Dharapani, only a day and half away from Larkya Pass.

Accommodation

Traditionally, this has been a camping trek. Since 2010, basic tea-houses and lodges have also appeared along the route of the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek. We can arrange a camping or tea-house trek, as to your preference.

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek short itineraries:

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1338 meters).
Day 2: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.
Day 3: Drive to Sotikhola (530 meters).
Day 4: Trek to Machha Khola (930 meters).
Day 5: Trek to Jagat. (1120 meters)
Day 6: Trek to Lokpa (2240 meters).
Day 7: Trek to Chumling (2368 meters).
Day 8: Trek to Chhokangparo. (3010 meters)
Day 9: Trek to Mu Gompa. (3700 meters)
Day 10: Trek to Chhokangparo. (3010 meters)
Day 11: Trek to Gomba Lungdang. (3200 meters)
Day 12: Trek to Lokpa. (2240 meters)
Day 13: Trek to Deng. (1860 meters)
Day 14: Trek to Namrung. (2630 meters)
Day 15: Trek to Lho. (3180 meters)
Day 16: Trek to Sama Gaon. (3525 meters)
Day 17: Acclimatization day at Sama Gaon.
Day 18: Trek to Samdo. (3860 meters)
Day 19: Trek to Dharmasala. (4460 meters)
Day 20: Cross Larke La (5106 meters) and trek to Bhimthang. (3610 meters)
Day 21: Trek to Tilche. (2300 meters)
Day 22: Trek to Dharapani and drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. (760 meters)
Day 23: Free day at Kathmandu.
Day 24: Departure.

Detail Itinenary

Day 01

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters)

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. (Overnight at Hotel).

Day 02

Day 02: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.

A half day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included).

Day 03

Day 03: Drive to Sotikhola (530 meters)

We leave early in the morning for Sotikhola via Arughat. We stay on a highway in the morning but most part of the driving is done on the dusty newly built roads. We camp at Sotikhola.(8 to 9 hours drive) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Dinner included)

Day 04

Day 04: Trek to Machha Khola. (930 meters)

The trek heads north and follows the Budhi Gandaki River for the whole day. The trek stays close and follows the Budhi Gandaki River all way up to the base of the pass, and crosses and re-crosses the river several times through suspension bridges. The trail undulates through Lapu Beshi, then continues on the sandy banks of the river, and finally reaches Machha Khola. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included).

Day 05

Day 05: Trek to Jagat. (1120 meters)

The trail stays relatively easy in the morning and goes through Khorlabesi. A brief stop at Tatopani, to check out the hot spring is followed by a steep climb through Dobhan. The trail drops down into the banks of the Yaru Khola at Yaru Beshi, campsite for the day and is followed by a couple of good climbs until Jagat, a small village by the banks of Budhi Gandaki River. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 06

Day 06: Trek to Lokpa. (2240 meters)

The trail once again enters the sandy banks for a brief period. The path gets steep near Sirdibas and after crossing a dramatic suspension bridge, another good climb leads to a beautiful village of Phillim, the biggest village until the pass. The trail steadily loses height and enters Tsum valley. A relatively comfortable path follows and a final brief climb ends at Lokpa. Ganesh Himal (7422 meters) and Shringi Himal (7187 meters) appears on opposite directions at Lokpa. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 07

Day 07: Trek to Chumling. (2368 meters)

After three suspension bridges in the morning, a steep ascent follows for the rest of the day. At the end of the day, the ascent starts to turn into a gradual nice walk and reaches Chumling. It is a short day as the trek enters into higher elevations. (4 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 08

Day 08: Trek to Chhokangparo. (3010 meters)

The day’s trek is relatively on an easy terrain as the trek heads higher into Tsum Valley. The trail follows one of the tributaries of the Budhi Gandaki River and follows it for the most part of the day. After passing a small monastery, the trail crosses another tributary and slowly starts to ascent. The climb ends at Chhokangparo, the biggest settlement of Tsum Valley. Several mountains can be viewed from this village. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included).

Day 09

Day 09: Trek to Mu Gompa. (3700 meters)

An easy trek leads through several small villages of Leru, Ngakyu and finally Lamagaun. After a brief visit to the Milarepa Cave, the trail continues on the riverbed and passes villages of Lar, Phurbe, Pangdun and reaches the twin village of Chule and Nile. Still staying with the river, the trail now starts to slowly climb through a narrow valley. A final brief steep climb leads out of the valley and ends the day at Mu Gompa. There are no options of teahouses and the night would be spent inside the monastery with very modest mode of accommodation. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Monastery. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 10

Day 10: Trek to Chhokangparo. (3010 meters)

The trek retraces back on the same route until the village of Lar and then takes a different route back to Chhokangparo via Rachen Gompa. However, the terrain is similar to the one taken the day before. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 11

Day 11: Trek to Gomba Lungdang. (3200 meters)

The trail now descends down to the village of Dumje and a long steep climb in a different valley follows. The terrain slowly turns easier but still continues to climb and only ends at Gomba Lungdang. Ganesh Himal (7422 meters) stands tall and close to the monastery adding an edge to the already serene environment. The place also has no teahouses around and similar mode of accommodation that of Mu Gompa would be repeated. (5 hours) (Overnight at Monastery. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 12

Day 12: Trek to Lokpa. (2240 meters)

The trek once again retraces back on the previously travelled route back to Chumling via Dumje. Still continuing on the same route the day’s trek finally ends at Lokpa. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 13

Day 13: Trek to Deng. (1860 meters)

After a brief drop back into the narrow valleys, the trek exits the Tsum Valley and again joins the Budhi Gandaki River. After crossing the river, the path gets steeper for a while and then steadies near Pewa. After Pewa, another uphill walk continues for the rest of the day and ends at Deng. The change in culture can be experienced at Deng. The people, culture and the houses in the villages from Deng are heavily influenced by Tibetans and completely differ with the people and their culture from the people lower in the valley. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 14

Day 14: Trek to Namrung. (2630 meters)

A quick drop down to the river is followed by a steep climb until the village of Rana. The trail yet again drops and gradually ascends to Bihi Phedi and then undulates into the valley and finally reaches Ghap. The trek continues gradually gaining more height through the forest following the now much smaller Budi Gandaki River. A steep climb through the forest until the village of Namrung ends the day. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 15

Day 15: Trek to Lho. (3180 meters)

From Namrung onwards, the trek now enters into the higher altitude. After a brief walk on an easy terrain, the trail starts to go uphill until the village of Shyo. View of Manaslu (8163 meters) appears towards west as the path drops into a river and yet again gets uphill until it reaches Lho. (4-5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 16

Day 16: Trek to Sama Gaon. (3525 meters)

The trail once again drops into a river and yet again, is followed by a climb. The climb ends at Shyala and the valley starts to open up with the trail turning into an easy walk through the pasturelands. (4-5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 17

Day 17: Acclimatization day at Sama Gaon.

The options at Sama Gaon are a short hike to the nearby beautiful lake named Birendra Taal or a full day hike (6 hours) to the Pungyen Gomba and back. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 18

Day 18: Trek to Samdo. (3860 meters)

The trail gradually climbs through the valley and continue to follow the river. The path then gets steeper at the end of the day and reaches the village of Samdu, with Samdu Ri (6335 meters) towering on the east direction. (3 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 19

Day 19: Trek to Dharmasala. (4460 meters)

The trail gradually descends briefly and then starts to ascend afterwards towards the Larke Glacier. The path becomes easier and ends at the start of the next day’s climb at Dharmasala. (3 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 20

Day 20: Cross Larke La (5106 meters) and trek to Bhimthang. (3610 meters)

An early start and a gradual ascend into the Larke Glacier only ends at the top of the pass. The top rewards with the views of Himlung ( meters), Annapurna II ( meters), Kangguru (meters) and several other pinnacles standing above 6000 meters. A steep drop starts on the snow and later on, the glacial moraine continues for the rest of the day. The descent finally ends with the view of Bhimthang located on a huge flat ground. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 21

Day 21: Trek to Tilche. (2300 meters)

The trail quickly drops in and out of a glacier and then starts to drop towards the lower valley through the forest. The path once again follows the river by its banks and finally passes through Surki Khola and Goa while consistently losing more altitude. The path continues to get downhill and finally ends at Tilche. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 22

Day 22: Trek to Dharapani. (1860 meters) and drive to Kathmandu Via Besishar

The path still continues to go down and joins a newly constructed road near before reaching the busy settlement of Dharapani. from Dharapani we drive to Kathmandu continue via Besishar 8-9 hours drive) (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast, included)

Day 23

Day 23: Free day at Kathmandu.

A leisure day in Kathmandu which can used for an early morning mountain flights to Everest or can extended into further more tours to Chitwan, Lumbini etc. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

Day 24

Day 24: Departure

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)

Gear List

Visit Himalaya Treks has always been keen on safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG. You must bring the following items:

Fleece jacket or warm jumper	Thermal shirts/underwear	Nightwear thermals
Fleece/sweatpants	Day-wear shirt/rain pants	Trekking pants
Wind pants	Warm hat/balaclava	Neck gaiter
Sunhat	Warm hat	Sunglasses
Mittens/gloves	Water bottle	Torch / Flashlight
Quick drier Towel	Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen 35++
Water purification	A set of Earplugs	Trekking Poles
Hiking Boots	Socks	First aid kit
Antiseptics	Camera and video camera

Medical

Betadine / Dettol.	Hand-plaster	Bandage
Eye drop.	Eardrop	Sinex.
Gauge	Cotton	Move / Spray
Digene	Diamox	D-Cold
Vicks	Paracetamol	Medicine for diarrhea
Medicine for a toothache