Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

After arrival at Kathmandu International Airport an ‘Region Treks’s representative will take you to your hotel in town. You will be briefed about your trek and there will be time to walk around in the vicinity of the hotel. Evening Meal in the hotel.

After breakfast we offer a guide for a tour of the Kathmandu valley with visits to the Pashupatinath Temples, Durbar Square and the Boudhanath Stupa. If preferred you can have a free day. Evening meal in the hotel.

A westward 70km scenic drive along the Prithvi Highway, through the forested Middle Hills, leads to Malekhu. A 30km secondary tarred road heads north, over the Trisuli Nadi, towards Dhading Besi and a rutted 35km dirt road northwest to Arughat on the Budhi Gandaki. The dirt road winds upwards towards the Gola Bhanjyang where panoramic views of the southern slopes of the Ganesh, Baudha and Manaslu Himals should be possible. The road then drops to cross the Ankhu Khola and later, at Arughat, the Budhi Gandaki that drains the Manaslu - Tsum region. A further 3 hrs drive up the west bank of the river leads to Soti Khola. Overnight at lodge in Soti Khola Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, today’s trail rises gradually through beautiful Sal forests. It then undulates over forested and terraced ridges passed numerous waterfalls. The trail is generally narrow, at times clinging to the sides of cliffs. It later drops to pass rice paddies before climbing to the attractive Gurung village of Labubesi (885m/2,800ft). After crossing a suspension bridge at the spectacular Nauli Khola falls, the valley opens out and the trail drops onto gravel banks along the river before rising slightly to the village of Machha (Fish) Khola. Overnight at lodge in Machha Khola Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The trail follows the river, with minor ups and downs, often dropping to the gravel bar before crossing the Thado Khola and on up to Khorlabesi: where coffee, buckwheat and tobacco are grown. A trail from Gorkha joins the Manaslu circuit here and the GHT trail turns east from the Manaslu to the Langtang and Everest regions. Our trail then enters a lush narrow gorge that constricts the river’s progress. Beyond is a landslide with a dicey path, shortly before the triple hot spring spouts in Tatopani. The trail then climbs a ridge before crossing the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge (to avoid a huge cliff face and waterfalls. A good staircase, leads to a landslide before a final ridge climb to Dobhan. Overnight at lodge in Dobhan.Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Exit over the Dobhan Khola and continue up the east bank of the Budhi Gandaki to the hamlet of Thulo Dhunga; above cataracts. Further on the gradient changes; the valley opens and the river flow at Yaruphant is placid. Cross an old suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola (from Ganesh II and VI), then climb to Thado Bharyang. Cross to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki and follow the river gently upwards to the old village of Jagat: entrance and checkpoint to the restricted Manaslu Conservation Area. Cross a tributary and walk on to Salleri, via a cliff-side trail – with views of the Shringi Himal (7,187m/23,580ft) to the north. Descend to Sirdibas; and the first signs of Buddhist culture. Another suspension bridge leads to the east bank, and a tiring climb up to Philim: a prosperous Gurung village and the Chholing Sandu Gompa surrounded by fields of maize and millet. Overnight at lodge in Philim Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Traverse north of Philim, through lush grasses and scrub up the exquisite narrowing valley to the village of Chisopani and then the millet fields of Ekle Bhatti (one house, 1 600m/5,250ft). The trail then gradually descends, beneath a spectacular waterfall, into the gorge below and a junction before “New Bridge” which leads to the Larkya La. To the right (east) a well-graded, exposed, zigzag track rises up through blue pines and rhododendrons, to Lokpa and the narrow Lower Tsum Valley. The Tsum region is home to ~4 000 people in 18 villages. Descend through forest, crossing streams, before tackling a long and steep climb up the south side of the Siyar Khola gorge that drains the Tsum Valley. The high point is marked by flags at a turn in the valley with views across to the Shringi Himal above colourful grain, potato and bean fields. Descend to Gumlung and the Siyar Khola. Cross the suspension bridge and finally ascend the gentler narrow trail to Chumling. The houses are classic Tibetan but built with sloping roofs to cope with the abundant rain and snow. Overnight at lodge in Chumling Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Cross the suspension bridge into new forest growing over a recent landslide. Pass a small water driven prayer wheel on a ‘Nepali flat’ path through lush forest, inhabited by white-faced langurs. Continue to Tanju and the small Damphe Gompa [with hundreds of small ceramic statues of Chenresig (Buddha of Compassion): a common feature in the valley]. Beyond Dumje are glimpses of the Ganesh Himal and Baudha Peak. Beyond Rainjam farm the trail drops to cross the Sarphu Khola that drains the Syakpa Glacier off Shringi Himal to the north. The trail then climbs, for some 2½ hours, on well-graded but exposed track, past Gho to the Upper Tsum Valley. Magnificent slate chortens, facing Ganesh Himal, herald the linked villages of Chhokang and Paro; collectively known as Chhekampar (place of wisdom). Here the valley broadens but the stone houses nestle under cliffs to make full use of the spacious fields for barley, maize, buckwheat and potatoes. Herds of tahr frequently graze the wild cliffs to the north: and if not monitored can cause havoc in the fields. Overnight at lodge in Chhekampar Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

A shorter and easier route today: with much to explore on the wide flat valley floor on either side of the river. Visiting the sights can be divided over two days. North river: From Chhekampar, walk past a local school at Kaye before reaching the clustered twin villages of Ngakyu and Leru. The Rachen Nunnery stands across the river. The trail then rises to a low ridge with chortens before Lama Gaon. Next is the village of Burji and nearby is Milarepa’s Cave (Piren Phu – Pigeon Cave) on the slopes of Langju Himal. Features include an impression of Milarepa’s footprint and a rock in the shape of an elephant. His meditation place has been made into a gompa devoted to him; the other is devoted to the Nyingma-pa deities of the region. The trail then, perforce, crosses to the southeast bank of the Siyar Khola and joins the trail from Rachen Gompa to Nile shortly before Phurbe. South River: Before Ngakyu another bridge crosses to the southeast bank of the river and heads northeast to Rachen, Nile and on to Tibet. Including Phurbe and further up the trail, Pangdun: its gompa has a large prayer wheel. Beyond Pangdun, the valley gently curves towards the north. Next is an unusual round stupa before the impressive entrance gate to the large village of Chhule (Chhu Li, shady side). 30 mins above the village is the 700 year old two storeyed Gonhgye Monastery; with superb views. Beyond the village, bridges cross a tributary and then the Siyar Khola back to the west bank and a final short rise up to Nile. Overnight in Nile. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Make an early start for the 2hr walk up to the 77 year old Mu Gompa with another ¾ hr stiff hike up to the small 856 year old Dephyu Doma Nunnery (place of the birth of light) which is superbly situated at 4,000m/13,100ft on a small promontory; with Ganesh II as its primary view. Views of the western Ganesh Himal are visible to the left of an intervening peak. Mu only has the latter view (including Ganesh I) and a view back down the valley. Mu is the highest permanent settlement in the Tsum Valley. To the north are seasonal kharkas and passes to Tibet. Return to Nile for lunch, then trek back to Chhekampar. Overnight at lodge in Chhekampar Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Retrace the trail to the small gompa at Gho, then drop south to a wooden bridge over the river and continue to Dumje: which has a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and school. The trail then leads up steeply (~3½hr), through magnificent pine, oak and rhododendron forest to a mani wall after which it traverses along an exposed route, before zigzagging up through huge silver pines to the gompa perched on a ridge. The mountain views in all directions are fantastic: this is likely to be a highlight of the trek. This 110 year old gompa with ~20 nuns (who each reside in a small cell), has an intense and engrossing puja late each afternoon. Visitors are invited to attend and permission may be obtained to sleep on the gompa veranda and use their kitchen and ablution facilities. Overnight at gompa in Gumba Lungdang Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descend on the trail back to Dumje, turn left to cross the Langdang Khola and take the south bank trail down the Siyar Khola and shortly the lower of two trails that crosses deep, impressive gorges on new bridges to the climb to the high fertile land and ribbon village of Ripchet. Several chortens adorn barley and buckwheat fields that have been cut from surrounding pine forest. Beyond the village, steep stairs lead down to Gumlung on the river before the trail climbs back through the forest to Lokpa. Overnight at lodge in Lokpa Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Follow the trail down to the junction with the Manaslu trail up from Philim. Cross the Budhi Gandaki (below its confluence with the Siyar Khola) and enter its narrow gorge on an up-and-down trail with river crossings. After a suspension bridge the trail enters bamboo forest and rises to the village of Deng (1,800m/5,906ft). This is the entry point to Kutang or lower Nupri (part of Tibet until the 1840s): a region inhabited by Gurungs who practice Buddhism, have their own language and trade across the passes with Tibet. The trail crosses to the east bank and zigzags up to Rana. A short series of vertical switchbacks then lead to a log-bridge tributary crossing and an isolated water mill before the trail descends gently to the lodge at Bihi Phedi, high above the river. Overnight at lodge in Bihi Phedi Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The trail undulates above the river, drops to cross the Serang Khola and later enters an impressive S bend between sheer basalt walls. To the right, huge rocky crags appear – with a spectacular waterfall above fields of maize and wheat. Beyond the valley broadens and turns northeast; the trail crosses a bridge before a well preserved entrance kani and walls of carved mani stones that lead to the attractive village of Ghap (2,250m/7,382ft) on the south bank. The trail then ascends through bamboo, rhododendron and oak forest (with birds that include the impheyan pheasant) above the steeply descending river. For a short section it is forced back to the north bank by sheer walls and re-crosses back to the south bank on a wooden bridge (above a natural stone bridge) at a point where the river thunders down a narrow defile. It then climbs steeply (for 1hr) away from the river to Namrung: a police checkpoint for permits. Before reaching the village, the trail overlooks the Tum Khola from Tibet whose waters considerably increase the Budhi Gandaki’s volume at the confluence (not visible from the trail). Overnight at lodge in Namrung Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Budi Gandaki now flows far below in the valley north of the trail, which passes the long mani wall out of Lho, before dropping steeply to cross the Damonan Khola tributary. It then follows a gentle stream upwards through exquisite mixed forest. Then a short climb to a plateau: and the badly deforested village of Shyala (3,520m/11,549ft). Huge mountains surround it: Himal Chuli (7,893m/25,897ft) and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli, 7,873m/25,831ft) to the south; Manaslu (8,156m/26,760ft) and large glaciers ahead; more snow-capped peaks to the west and north. Further on, the trail crosses a bridge over the Numla Khola that drains the Pungyen Glacier from Manaslu. Later a trail leads left to Pungyen Gompa. Continue down the broad valley, past a school, to a large chorten, beyond which a yellow kani leads to rows of houses with front courtyards that form the main part of Sama. The Kargyu Chholing Monastery stands above the far end of the village against a forested moraine. Only the upper sections of Manaslu and the Naike ridge are visible from the village. Overnight at lodge in Sama Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Sama: Rest and exploration day: Birendra Tal / Pungyen Gompa / Manaslu Base Camp Sama is the regional centre of Nupri. Explore the village architecture, customs, landscape and their activities and flora and fauna.Yak and dzopkyo herds and horses are kept and traded. The Labrang (Lama’s Place) Gompa in the lower village and the Kargyu Chholing Monastery on the rise beyond the village, were established first region about 500 years ago and settled by Tibetans. The monastery has unique architecture and fine woodwork. On of the eight largest building Pemba Chholing Gompa contains an impressive statue of Guru Rinpoche. An easy and rewarding hike beyond the monastery is to the Birendra Tal (3,450m/11,319ft) below the Manaslu Glacier. It offers striking views of the mountain from stony beach. (3km, 1½hrs) Or, follow the trail towards Samdo to a bridge over the stream from the lake and then ascend the demanding trail that rises 1200m above the lake and the snout of the glacier to the Base Camp (4,900m/16,100ft), (8km, 5-6 hrs From Pungyen Nunnery (3,870m/12,697ft) and Pungyen Glacier offers unbeatable views of the Nadi ridges and Manaslu. Walk back along the trail, past the school, to the turnoff to the Pungyen Nunnery. It lies over the ridge on a plateau above the glacier, and looks out onto Manaslu. The 2½hr trail through summer kharkas (no teahouses) along the Numa Khola and Pungyen Glacier can be icy and slippery. Most of the gompa buildings were destroyed by an avalanche in 1953 and were only recently rebuilt. The avalanche was blamed in 1956 first Japanese expedition to Manaslu. (10km, 5-6hrs ) Return to lodge in Sama for the night Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Towards down the Budhi Gandaki has turned north and pass the lake and Base Camp trail with several mani walls before valley begins to widen. An easy trail goes along a shelf above the river past juniper and birch forests that surround Kermo Kharka. A stonewall divides the region into two with a stile and animal gate that separates the Sama and Samdo herds. After crossing Budhi Gandaki wooden bridge follows steeply onto a promontory above the confluence of the river with Mayol Khola from the Samdo Glacier to the northeast. On top with stone arch, followed by fields before a white kani at the entrance to the village: an attractive, cold, yak and goat herding area. This ancient summer grazing region was settled in the late 1950s by residents fled Tibet. They trade to the north and south. Zigzag up yak tracks behind the village and now starts view of Samdo Peak (6,335m/20,785ft) and its dramatic glacial basin to the east; the Sama Valley and its ranges to the south. Overnight at lodge in Samdo Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descend past the northern village fields to cross the Budhi Gandaki for the last time at the remains of the Larkya Bazaar site. The river turns north up the Pana Danda Valley. Follow the westward trail on grassy slopes with scrub juniper, rhododendron and lichen covered granite above the Syacha Khola Valley. The source of the Syacha Glacier that descends from the Manaslu North ridge comes into sight. The trail works its way gradually up the valley towards the Larkya Glacier beyond the Larkya La Phedi, called Dharamsala. The guest house is a simple stone structure: with a kitchen and dining room, two separate buildings with 15 small double rooms, two tunnel-tents each with 8 cramped beds and a third for trekking staff. Short walks can lead to better views of the Larke (6,249m/20,503ft) and Naike (6,291m/20,641ft) peaks. Overnight at Lodge in Dharamsala Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we start 3-5 hours to ascend the 800m/2,600ft to the summit and 3-4 hours to descend the 1,500m/4,900ft to Bimthang. It can be very cold, especially if windy. Snow and ice conditions demand more care and time. Great panoramic view of anticlockwise from the north is very impressive Pawar Peak (6,620m/21,720ft), Cheo Himal (6,820m/22,376ft), the Himlung pyramid (7,126m/23,380ft), Gyaji Kung (7,030m23,065ft), Kang Garu (6,981m/22,905ft) & Annapurna II (7,937m/26,041ft) and its satellites away to the east. Below lies a magnificent basin within dramatic rock, ice walls and complex of glaciers an even on the Ponkar Lake as well. Bimthang is now the summer grazing settlement for the people of Samdo. Before the closure of the Tibetan border it was an important trading post. The Tibetan Khampa warriors held a centre here in the 1970s. Overnight at lodge in Bimthang Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

A further 1,200m/3,900ft descent begins with a walk across the Bimthang Plain, a drop to cross the stony glacier then up and over the far moraine to enter magnificent pristine rhododendron and pine forest. Views back towards the Larke, Manaslu, Nadi and Chuli Himals are excellent all along this route. The trail descends along the west bank of the Dudh (milk) Khola past Hompuk (3,430m/11,254ft, a rock shelter near the bridge) and attractive Sangura Kharka (3,020m/9,909ft) before descending steeply to the highest cultivated land at Karche (2,700m/8,860ft). Beyond is a flood related landslide, more terraced fields and a steep ridge climb before dropping to the substantial (Gurung) village of Gho. Overnight at lodge in warmer Gho Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, trek through farmlands to the old paved village of Tilje (2,300m/7,546ft), then cross to the east bank of the river before descending rapidly towards the Marsyangdi Valley through scrub forest. Cross back to the west bank just before Thonje (1,965m/6,447ft) and then, in Thonje, cross the Marsyangdi Khola (from Manang) just above the confluence before joining the new road along the main Annapurna Circuit route in Dharpani at the perfect lunch time and end of the trek. Afternoon enjoy hot shower and wonder around this Tibetan village. Overnight at Lodge in Dharapani Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

harapani- Besi Sahar (760m/2,495ft) – Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft): 190km 7-8hrs After taking breakfast, a jeep ride along the dusty and bumpy road to Besi Sahar and the paved road back to Kathmandu.

After a memorable experience, we take you 3 hours before to the airport for your departure. Thank you for your journey with Region Treks.