Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trekking

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 : Kathmandu to Sothi Khola by jeep (700m)

Drive to Arughat. Then take another Jeep from Arughat to Sothi Khola take drive of another 20 km (Note: there are restrictions by local jeep owner that they might not allow Kathmandu jeep to drive further from Arughat so we need to change at Arughat to drive to Sothi Khola )

Day 02 : Start Trek Sothikhola to Korlabesi then to Tatopani (6-7 hours walk, 1000m)

Start the trek from Sotikhola(715m). You will see a swimming Hole in the river where you can see local children swimming.Trek through sal forest then climb up & down for a little while then come to Lapubesi (881m)we continue the way up on the riverbed, we pass through Machhakhola (932m) then continue the same side of buddhi Gandaki (Buri Gandaki ) up & down again across the graveled river flats.Sometimes we may see the rocks nocking by the monkeys in the forest, so please take care. we see few houses at lower Khorlabesi (961m). Continue up & down over few ridges to Tatopani (932m)You find spout with hot water spring, you can take shower if time permits, this makes your skin smooth & kills some germs in the skin as it contains minerals & salt. Overnight in the lodges at Tatopani

Day 03 : Tatopani-Jagat (4-5 Hours walk, 1570m)

Climb over a ridge and cross the Buri Gandaki on a new suspension bridge, circle under cliffs and climb a little to Dovan (995m). After a landslip and Yaruphant (1145m) cross the bridge across the Yaru Khola (1362m) and emerge onto riverflats at Yaru (1138m) for lunch at the Sandbar. Look downstream at the massive rockfall that chokes the river. Just past Yaru, cross to the true right bank and enjoy easy up and down to Jagat (1415m), a Gurung village where Jagat ( kar –Tax ) is collected on Tibetan trade. You will need to show your MCAP permit at an office on the left. O/n in Jagat

Day 04 : Jagat-Lokpa-Chumling ( 6-7 Hours Trek, 2370m)

After breakfast, climb up the riverbed then climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri (1445m) with views of Sringi Himal (7188m), then descend to Sirdibas (1435m, Setibas, Tara). You’ll see your first signs of Buddhist culture here. Look out for rakshi spirit being distilled from millet beer in roadside kettles on this day. Continue up-river on the left bank, up and down before crossing Nepal’s longest suspension bridge to the east bank and a tiring climb up to prosperous Philim (1595m Dodang) surrounded by rich fields of maize, potato, and millet.Traverse north out of Philim on the obvious track signposted to the Larkya La, through some pretty forest with views up the narrowing valley. After 1hr climbing enter the Ekle Bhatti (1610m) then traverse high above a spectacular gorge, entering a largely uninhabited area of pine trees. Eventually drop to a trail junction going left to Ghap and right to the Tsum Valley, just above Gum Pul. Climb on a well-graded but exposed track through pines and rhododendrons, looking down on the other trail across the river. If the slopes here have recently had their annual burn there is a real risk of stonefall from the cliffs above, especially if there are goats grazing. Climb on zigzag steps, increasingly exposed, and gain your first glimpses of the narrow lower Tsum Valley, very steep across the Siyar Khola which drains from the very top of the valley. Across the Buri Gandaki is Himalchuli (7893m) above steep cliffs. Walk through a largely intact and peaceful temperate forest into Lokpa (2245m), Descend through beautiful forest, crossing two new bridges, circle under a huge bluff on the river then climb steeply on deteriorating exposed stairs. After about 30mins start to traverse north through pines and rhododendrons, still climbing and with very steep slopes. The hidden valley of Tsum stretches enticingly ahead. Eventually, descend to a deserted Bhatti Ghumlong (2135m) on the river. The path straight ahead climbs steeply to Ripchet (2475m; Ripche) in about 1-hour trek you will arrive at Chumling. O/N at Lodge in Chhumling

Day 05 : Chumling-Chhekamparo ( 5-6 Hours trek, 3030m)

Today is shorter day as compared to yesterdays. Walk Up the valley to the east there are superb views of several of the 7000-7400m of Ganesh Himal Complex of long suspension bridges on the opposite bank, and far above the perched village of Ripchet (2470m).Cross the Serpu Khola and climb for over 2hrs on well-graded but exposed track to upper Tsum and the joined villages of Chhekam-Paro (3030m. If the air is clear Himalchuli (7895m) can be seen .

Day 06 : Chhemparo to Chhule ( 4-5 hours Trek, 3350m)

After Chhekamparo , you will gain the altitude of 300m it is optimum suggested per day altitude gain as many people do not show any symptom of altitude sickness until 3000m. Please watch out your condition ,whether you are fine or not .Enjoy the village where you can see the Gompa cemetery of Lama Kongchog who died after 26 years of meditation ,his reincarnation is found in Village who tells the past & future of his life, he is living in Kathmandu now a days .You see kind villages around they speak Tsumbas.Thar can be seen here around.walk east through the small villages & past a school, trek upward over a ridge of chortens & past Lamagaon(3205m) through the flat fields,looking across the extensive crops & river to the huge courtyard of Rachen Gompa (3245m).A little ascent will take you to Piren Phu (Milerepa's cave) ,Padmasambhava supposed to have meditated here.It is customary to donate in the cave.Cross the Shiyar Khola, pass through hamlets of Phurbe (3250m) and Pangdun (3260m) and pass an unusual round stupa before reaching the larger village of Chhule (3350m) . There is a home stay , O/n in Chhule

Day 07 : Chhule- Excursion to Mu Gompa(3700m) Back to Nile ( 3361m)

Trek upward to cross the bridge and climb to Nile (3361m). Both villages are in traditional style with inclusion of livestock compounds into the houses and sheltered verandahs for drying crops. Leave your day pack behind and visit Mu Gompa as a day trip, continuing on to Nile for overnight stay. Visit the Dhephu Doma nunnery and Gompa and even climb above it for great view. Make up valley on the west bank, enjoying sunrise on the narrowing valley walls and yaks being put to pasture. The final climb up to the large Mu Gompa (3700m) is through dry Tibetan country, with rows of chortens and widening mountain vistas. This is a large monastery with over 100 monks and an ancient gompa .Return back to Nile for overnight .

Day 08 : Nile to Gumba Lungdang- Stay over night in Nile(3361m)

Climb very steeply through pines and rhododendrons until the track starts traversing at a mani wall with prayer flags. The track is exposed and narrow. Finally, in the pine forest, take a prayer flag marked uphill trail and make a zigzag climb through huge silver pines to reach Gumba Lungdang (3200m), perched on a ridge with small cells for the nuns scattered through the beautiful rhododendrons above. This small gompa with 40 nuns. Back to Nile of Overnight stay .

Day 09 : Nile- Domje (2460m)

Continue south until a bridge crosses to the west bank and pass again through ChhekamParo then drop below on the previous trail towards Chumling. After about 2hrs, see a small white gompa on the left at Gho (2485m). Descend on a narrow trail passing the gompa on your left and drop to a wooden bridge over the Siyar Khola. This is a good place to wash clothes and yourself after the lack of water further up the Tsum. Cross the bridge to Domje (2460m, Dhumje, Tumje) which has a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and school O/N in Domje

Day 10 : Day trip to Ganesh Himal Base Camp-return to Domje ( 7-8hours walk , 4200m)

The trek is clear through cut silver pines Eventually you emerge into grassy flats behind the lateral moraine of the glacier. Continue climbing past seasonal yak huts and you will find several treks on the moraine wall that give superb views of mountains. The camp is somewhere about here and it is a most beautiful spot.It takes about 4hrs to reach the Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200m)

Day 11 : Domje to Lokpa(2240m) ( Downhill & Uphill, 7-8 hours walk, 2200m)

Cross the Laudang Khola on a new swing bridge between the two lowest houses in Domje and stay on the south (true left) bank of the Siyar Khola . Traverse 10 mins on a new trail through forest until a choice of lower trails .Cross some very deep gorges on new swing bridges to picturesque Ripchet (2470m) where there is a homestay and you can get lunch if you ask around. Take time to look around at this perched fertile valley of barley and buckwheat with chortens in the fields backed by pine forest. Descend on steep loose stairs to the deserted bhatti Ghumlong (2130m) on the river, which you passed through some days ago. Climb again through the pristine temperature forest to Lokpa (2240m).

Day 12 :Lokpa to Ghap ( 6-7 Hours walk, 2300m)

After breakfast start the trek from Lokpa, trek until the trail comes in the left from Philim , then turn right , walk about an hour after crossing the Budhi Gandaki bridge thenpass a tea house from where you can have last view of Tsum Valley.After two hours of trek reach Sirdibas (1860m).after an hour walk you will arrive at Nupri through bamboo forest to Deng (1810m) settlement of Gurungs.Follow the river climb to Rana & then Bihi Phedi then trail upto stone carving village of Bihi (2130m).The river roars below. Continue in and out of continuous wild canyons, with a village perched in every conceivable cropping situation, cross the Serang Khola coming from the north and climb steeply again before finally getting into Ghap (2300m)

Day 13 : Ghap to Lho (6-7 Hours walk , 3180)

Trek to a forest of fir and rhododendron with so many birds, cross north on a wooden bridge with a roaring narrow canyon below then cross back to the south bank on a new swing bridge with grey langurs watching. The main trail now climbs on well-made stairs, but a highly recommended narrow shortcut to the right just after the bridge and along the riverbank is far quicker and through superb pine forest. After about 1hr, up & down from the river to village of Namrung (2665m) with shops While waiting for a meal it is worth wandering around the village, where carvings from Bihi have been painted in colours above a gateway. Pass mani walls, fields and houses through Banjam (2800m) Enter the fir,rhododendron and oak forest before climbing to Lihi (2900m; Li, Ligaon)with the Lihi Hotel in 1hr, then onto Sho (2950m, Syogoan) where there is a bhatti.Then walk few minutes to Lho

Day 14 : Lho to Samagaon ( 4-5 hours 3520m)

Today you will have few hours 2-3 hours walk only we can enjoy & acclimatize, The views of Manaslu. Easy walk to Shyala (3520m, Syal, Syalagaon, Shyaula) In Shyala village we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, and other snow summits to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal.Enjoy all direction views from here. An hour easy walk to the Sama Village (3535m, Samagaon)

Day 15 : Day trip to Manaslu Base Camp ( 7-8 Hours walk, 4400m)- O/N Samagaon

Today you will walk up to the Manaslu Base camp & return to Samagaon.It will take about 5 hours to the Base camp & 3 hours for return trip.We start early to enjoy the sight on day light , sight of Glacier reflected by the light.The trail has a short start in the forest then becomes exposed on the steep slope above Samagaon north of the impressive Manaslu glacier. As you gain altitude the scenery becomes more and more spectacular – the glacier just nearby, the turquoise lake beneath, and mountains as far as the eye can see. The last part of the climb is the steepest on a slippery trail on a narrow moraine. Beside the experience of seeing the camp activity and meeting climbers, the surrounding mountain scenery is breathtaking. Although there are some glacier based water sources on the way, carry enough water with you.The descent to Samagaon takes about 3 hours.

Day 16 : Samagaon to Samdo (3-4 hours 3865m)

Today you walking little gain on altitude go through Birendra Tal (3455m) near the Manaslu Glacier. Gentle walking through yak pastures up a broad valley ,trek up to a ridge and go down to cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge.we reach Samdo (3865m),colorful village

Day 17 : Samdo to Dharamsala (4-5 Hours 4500m)

Trek downhill, traverse Budhi Gandaki.Trek through the trail to Tibet on your right, you will take left from Mani wall, the cross juniper wood, through two ravines on narrow trail. We continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward.We arrive at Dharmashala, take time for relax.Overnight in Dharmashala.

Day 18 : Dharamsala to Bimthang Via Larkya La(5213m) (8-9 Hours 3720m)

We start early in the morning today as it is easier in the morning to cross the pass ,after short trek uphill takes you to valley on the northern side of the Larkya Glacier. The climb is not so difficult but long & rocky. We enjoy the view of Tso Danda & Larkya Peak .We go over the moraines on glacier , past four frozen lakes then make a climb to Larkyala (5160m) , as you can see it marked by players flags. You will have beautiful sight of peaks ; Himlung (7130m) , Kangaru (6985m) and Annapurna II (7940m) in the Annapurna Range

Day 19 : Bimthang to Dharapani (6-7 Hours walk 1915m)

Trek through the Moraine behind Bhimthang for about half an hour then cross the Bhimthang Glacier, then come to forest where you could see rhododendron blooming in different colours( during March/April) , you can have handsome view of Mt. Manaslu. Trek down to Dudh khola at Hompuk (3425m) , then come to Karche. This would be a great place to spend a night, In the next hour you will see many signs of a glacialflood, Climb steeply over a ridge and drop to Gurung Gho.The valley becomes more agricultural as you pass fields and copses of oak and rhododendron, staying on the north bank until Tilje. Then walk down to Marshyangdi valley crossing Thonje , then to Dharapani

Day 20 : Dharapani to Jagat (5-6 Hours walk 1270m)

We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walking we cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, Then walking down through Marshyangdi River gorge to Tal. The area here was formed when the valley was blocked by a landslide and a dam formed behind the lake. The lake has long dried up and now the village of Tal sits on the flat land. We overnight at Jagat .

Day 21 : Jagat Bhulbhule Then drive to Kathmandu

Trek 3 hours to Bhulbhule , board on private jeep to Kathmandu . Enjoy the farewell dinner & share the experiences.

Day 22 : Departure

Transfer to Airport for departure. We are saying bye bye until next visit in Nepal for other trekking .