Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek – 19 Days

Fly to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel. Spend time resting, get used to the new environment, and ready for the trek. You will meet your guide, have a briefing about the trek, and check your gear.

Tips:

• Remember to drink water while you travel.
• Sleep to shake off your flight.
• Convert your local currency into Nepali Rupees either at the airport or banks in Nepal.

After a good night sleep today we will drive for a scenic drive 8-9 hours to Soti Khola where our trek begins. Stretching through central Nepaline countryside on lush hilly roads. Arriving there, we will retire to a local lodge and rest for the farther trek on the following day.

After breakfast we set off from Soti Khola on foot hiking alongside the Budi Gandaki River. We go through lush forests, small villages, and terraced fields. With winding paths, steep uphills, and rocky sections, the trail is not for the faint of heart, but the views of the surrounding landscapes are more than worth the effort. Our route to Machha Khola takes us over a series of small suspension bridges. On arrival we settle in for an overnight stay at a local teahouse.

This on as we stay side with the Budi Gandaki River, the way crossing local farmsteads and so on inclosure small stony fields shaded by thick bushes. As we go, we get our first sight of the snow-capped peaks ahead. We cross the pahari jubar, suspension bridge, and ascend gently until we reach Jagat, a small Gurung village perching hilltop. Jagat serves as an entry point to the Manaslu Conservation Area, and the region offers breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas. We spend the night at a teahouse in Jagat.

Today’s trek begins with a steep ascent through the incredible pine forest and snaking up and down the steep river valley. We will be passing through the villages of Salleri and Philim to observe the native Gurung culture. After a full day’s walk we reach Deng, a tiny hamlet with stunning vistas of neighbouring summits. The trek will seem more remote, as we're venturing deeper into the Manaslu region.

Today the trek gets harder as we steadily ascend and head toward Namrung. The terrain transforms at the climb from lush forests to alpine meadows. We will soon pass through the villages of Rana and Bihi, treating us with impressive views of the surrounding peaks, including the Shringi Himal. Namrung: a small but beautiful village and the gateway to the Tibetan-influenced part of the world.

Today we hike deeper into the mountains, with sweeping views of Mount Manaslu and the neighboring crests. The trail to this point steadily rises through more Tibetan-style villages and barley fields. We pass through rolling hills as we get closer to Lho, a popular settlement with incredible views of Mount Manaslu. The night will be peaceful in Lho amidst the gorgeous Himalayas.

We trek on towards Samagaon from Lho. This part of the trail features more breathtaking or breathtaking views of Manaslu together with other nearby peaks: Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli. After passing through lush forests and tiny Tibetan villages, we will arrive in Samagaon, the biggest settlement in the area. As a major stop on the Manaslu trek, Samagaon is an ideal place to acclimatize before going to higher altitudes.

Today is a rest day so that we can acclimatize to the higher altitude. For today, we can do a short hike to Manaslu Base Camp or walk around nearby. One of the highlights includes the visit to the Pungyen Monastery, which is a short hike from Samagaon. You can relax in the beautiful surroundings in this sacred place. So this rest day is crucial for our body to acclimatise with the elevation and to keep us healthy for the upcoming distances.

Following our acclimatization day, we trek from Samagaon to Samdo, a small but bustling Tibetan village just below the Tibetan plateau. We will pass herders with their yaks and visit centuries-old monasteries in this area, famous for its traditional Tibetan culture. It’s a short walk, but you need to take your time to acclimatize to the altitude. The views don’t stop impressing as we walk toward high Himalayan peaks surrounding the valley.

Today, we start to gain some altitude, trekking on to Dharmasala alternatively known as Larkya Phedi. The hike will be tough due to high altitude, and we will be hiking on more rocky ground the higher we go. Dharmasala is the final teahouse before crossing the Larkya Pass. It’s a very small and pretty remote village, making it ideal for an overnight rest before heading up to the Larkya Pass the next day.

Today is the hardest day of the trek; we must cross the Larkya Pass, one of the highest trekking passes on the planet. We’re up early and climb sharply toward the pass. New height, new height from the top is amazing where you will see peaks like Mount Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal. On the other side of the pass, we descend to Bhimtang, a picturesque village in a valley encircled by many mountains.

It’s all downhill to Tilije today, after crossing the Larkya Pass. We wind through forests and typical Tibetan villages, a welcome break from the high-altitude landscape. The further down we go the more lush and green it gets, and the warmer the climate. Our resting place for the night, Tilije is a beautiful little village with really nice people.

Now well-rested in Tilije we start our descent into the lower Manaslu area. The trail winds through a forest of rhododendron and pine, providing welcome shade as we continue toward Tal. We walk through small villages, with typical houses made of stone and terraced fields. Tal means “lake” in Nepali, and the restaurant is named after the beautiful river that runs through the area. This village is located beneath the Annapurna Massif, giving it a great background of mountain views. Then, finally, after a long but fulfilling walk we check into a teahouse in Tal for the night.

Today we continue our climb to Chamje along the river valley. The route is a combination of narrow tracks, steep descents and interspersed climbs. We will go through some charming villages where you will see their daily life. The Landscapes become even more dramatic as we near Chamje and are encircled by river gorges and green valleys. Chamje is a nice village where we will sleep overnight.

This time, we are closer to the end of the trek as we follow the path leading down to Besisahar, Lamjung district headquarters. The hike heads through terraced fields, villages and suspension bridges as we slowly leave the mountains behind. We'll pass through several small villages where we will be immersed in the local atmosphere while enjoying the lush lowland foothills. Afterwards, we will make it to Besisahar and find ourselves at a nice lodge to reminisce about the trek.

After the trek, we take a private vehicle back to Kathmandu. It is a 6-7 hour drive through lush hills, cottages and rivers. When we land in Kathmandu, we will go to a hotel and have some free time to rest or tour around the city. Farewell dinner hosted by Inspiring Trek Pvt. Ltd. to reminisce on your journey and exchange tales with your trekking companions.

You'll have a free day in Kathmandu after the long trek. You can see Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Durbar Square etc. It’s also your last chance to do some souvenir shopping or to unwind at a local cafe. Your guide will help you with any activities or sightseeing you wish to do in the city.

Flight depart from Akka Hotels for your hotel transfer (depends on your flight time) If you have time before your flight, you can visit last-minute sights, or just stay at your hotel. The Manaslu Circuit & Tsum Valley Trek ends here, leaving you with memories of a lifetime in the remote and wild Himalayas.