Tsum Valley & Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your journey begins with an early departure from Kathmandu, heading west along winding roads through vibrant villages and terraced farmlands. The drive follows the turquoise Budi Gandaki River, passing Arughat and Soti Khola as the landscape shifts from bustling towns to remote settlements.

After 8 to 9 hours, you arrive in Machha Khola, a small settlement perched on the riverbank. You settle into your lodge for the night, surrounded by the soothing sound of rushing water and the first whispers of the adventure ahead.

Continuing along the river, the trail passes through subtropical forests and traditional Gurung villages. Jagat is a charming village with stone-paved streets and a checkpoint for the restricted area.

Your journey continues from Jagat, crossing a suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail climbs steadily through terraced fields and scattered villages, then enters a lush forest of pine and rhododendron. After four to five hours of walking, you arrive at Lokpa, a small settlement perched on a hillside with commanding valley views.

Lokpa offers your first real taste of Tsum Valley's isolation. Stone houses and a single monastery watch over terraced fields. Your teahouse provides simple comfort, and the evening meal is a chance to share stories with your guide as dusk brings silence broken only by wind in the pines.

Today's trek from Lokpa to Chumling takes 4 to 5 hours with a gradual uphill climb. The trail opens to dramatic, arid Tsum Valley landscapes, passing scattered settlements and ancient mani walls.

Chumling at 2,386 meters welcomes you with Tibetan Buddhist culture. Explore local Gompas with intricate murals and chanting, wander stone-paved lanes, and connect with warm-hearted locals in this peaceful valley.

A steady climb leads to the main settlement of the Tsum Valley, Chhokangparo. The valley is dotted with chortens and prayer flags, and you can visit the local monastery for a glimpse of spiritual life.

The trail continues up the valley to Mu Gompa, one of the most important monasteries in the region. The views of the surrounding peaks, including Ganesh Himal, are breathtaking.

Today you explore Mu-Gumpa, an ancient monastery featuring centuries-old murals and sacred relics. Continue toward Ganesh Himal base camp for intimate views of the massif, then return to Nile, a peaceful village of traditional stone houses. This moderate walk combines cultural depth with mountain grandeur, with some uphill sections to the monastery. You arrive in Nile by late afternoon, with the evening free for rest.

Today's descent from Mu Gompa to Chumling follows the Buri Gandaki River downstream through a narrowing gorge lined with mani walls and chortens. The landscape softens from high-altitude stillness into juniper and pine forests. The five-to-six-hour, 12-kilometer downhill walk crosses suspension bridges before reaching Chumling's tidy stone houses on a hillside. A family-run lodge welcomes you with a warm meal as evening settles in, reinforcing how deeply you've stepped into this world apart.

Trek from Chumling to Deng on a five-to-six-hour walk through terraced fields and pine forests. Follow the Budhi Gandaki River over suspension bridges, passing chortens and mani walls that reveal the valley’s solitude.

Deng welcomes you with traditional stone houses and carved windows, a hallmark of Tibetan-influenced culture. Settle into a lodge, sip butter tea, and listen to the river’s hum.

Your trek begins with a steady descent from Deng along the Budhi Gandaki River, winding through pine and rhododendron forests with clearings that reveal the Manaslu range. After two hours, you reach Ghap, a village of terraced fields and stone houses, then continue past chortens and prayer wheels into a more sacred landscape.

Approaching Namrung, the valley opens to your first unobstructed views of Manaslu’s south face. The village itself is a classic Tibetan-style settlement with narrow alleys and a prominent gompa. Expect 5 to 6 hours of walking with moderate elevation gain.

A shorter day allows for acclimatization and exploration. The trail passes through the village of Shya and offers stunning views of Manaslu's west face. Lho is known for its monastery and friendly locals.

The trail climbs steadily through alpine meadows and yak pastures, with the peak of Manaslu dominating the skyline. Samagaon is the largest settlement in the region and a base for further acclimatization.

On your acclimatization day in Samagaon, rest at 3,530 meters with close-up views of the Manaslu glacier and its towering south face. This strategic pause reduces altitude sickness risk and prepares you for the challenges ahead.

Enjoy a gentle three-to-four-hour hike to Pungyen Gompa, where ancient murals, juniper forests, and panoramic peaks like Manaslu and Himalchuli await. Back in the village, visit the local cheese factory or relax at your teahouse, using the slower pace to connect with raw Himalayan beauty.The trail climbs steadily through alpine meadows and yak pastures, with the peak of Manaslu dominating the skyline. Samagaon is the largest settlement in the region and a base for further acclimatization.

Today's walk from Samagaon to Samdo is a short three-to-four-hour leg preparing you for the high-altitude crossing. The trail climbs gently through moraines with the Manaslu Glacier to your left, arriving at the compact village of Samdo at 3,875 meters.

Samdo is the last settlement before Larkya La Pass, with a distinctly Tibetan feel. Use the afternoon to rest, explore the small monastery, and hydrate for tomorrow's demanding push. The quiet evening offers a chance to bond with your guide and fellow trekkers beneath a star-filled sky.

Walk from Samdo to Dharmasala (Larkya Phedi) in 3 to 4 hours through stark moraines and boulders, following the upper Budhi Gandaki River with dramatic views of Larkya Peak and glaciers. This short day conserves energy for tomorrow's early Larkya La Pass crossing.

Dharmasala is a basic stone lodge offering warmth and a hot meal. Spend the afternoon hydrating, resting, and preparing gear for the pre-dawn departure. The profound stillness, broken only by wind and distant ice, sets a focused prelude to the next day's adventure.

Day starts before dawn as you cross Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters. The trail climbs through stark moraine and ice, morning light illuminating surrounding peaks. At the top, a 360-degree panorama of Manaslu, Himlung, Cheo Himal, and the Annapurna range rewards your effort before the long descent toward Bhimtang.

The trail winds past glacial lakes through a remote valley. As altitude drops, the landscape softens, leading you to Bhimtang's stone lodges beside a river. After 7 to 8 hours, you rest here, having conquered the trek's highest point.

Today’s walk descends gently from Bhimtang’s high pastures to Tilije’s terraced fields and stone houses, following the Budhi Gandaki River through lush forests and streams. The 5-6 hour descent passes Thonje, where the Tsum Valley trail rejoins the main Manaslu Circuit.

Tilije’s whitewashed houses and slate roofs cling to steep hillsides. As evening falls, the river’s sounds and prayer bells offer a peaceful close to a day rich in changing scenery and shared trail stories.

Today you begin your descent. After breakfast in Tilije, a gentle three- to four-hour walk takes you through pine and rhododendron forests, past Gurung villages and terraced fields, following the Marsyangdi River to Dharapani. This bustling hub marks the junction of the Annapurna and Manaslu circuits.

In Dharapani, your private vehicle awaits for a scenic four- to five-hour drive to Besisahar along a river valley of waterfalls and rural life.