MANASLU TSUM VALLEY TREK - 23 DAYS

On arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be met by a representative from jia cheng travel and tours who will take you to your 3-star hotels. You can rest at your hotel or stroll around Thamel and do some last-minute shopping and take in the sights.

After breakfast, you will meet your trekking leader when he will go over what is required for the trek, such as your Manaslu & Tsum Valley Restricted area trekking permit. You will also need 3 passport size photos and a copy of your travel insurance policy. The rest of the day is free and will allow you to explore Kathmandu and visit many famous landmarks, such as Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. You may also wish to catch up on shopping for any last-minute requirements for your trek.

We will take a public bus, stopping along the way for a lunch break. Tonight we will stay at Soti Khola near the river.. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Our trek today traverses a mule track and ascends on a breathtaking path cut into the face of the cliff, then descends to Lapubesi (880m). Caution is required here! We then continue to Nauli Khola, crossing a suspension bridge on the way and then take the trail beside the Budi Gandaki River before reaching Machha Khola (900m). This so happens to be where many trekkers were stranded after the earthquake in 2015 and had to be rescued, Depending on current conditions, there is an alternative overnight stop in Kashi Gaun located on the east side of the river. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Our route today follows the river to Khorlabesi and the tepid spring at Tatopani (meaning hot water) (930m), and then continues on the eastern bank of the Budi Gandaki River to Doban, Thulo Dunga and Yara Bagar (1370m). The trail zigzags across the river with several suspension bridges to cross before reaching the entrance gate to Manaslu Conservation Area and Jagat (1410m), with its unique flagstone village square. Permits are checked by authorities. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking will check that the route is passable, and may suggest we take an alternative route taking a much higher path on the east side of the river before descending to the old trail near Doban. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today we head off on a 6-hour trek, first reaching Salleri where we have magnificent views of Mount Sringi before descending to Sirdibas, a traditional Buddhist village. The trail continues until we reach Lokpa Village, just north of Philim and then go through Ekle Bhatti and climb to a ridge along a trail through a pine forest. We come to a junction where we take the trail heading to Tsum Valley. We stay the night at Lokpa.

Today we have a 5-hour trek ahead of us to Tsum Valley. The first sights of Tsum Valley appear as we head down to along with mountain Chumling Village. We then climb up to Ripchet and a short time later reach the authentic Buddhist village of Chumling, well known for its ancient monastery, traditional Tibetan style houses, prayer flags, mani walls, and its stone-paved streets. We stay here overnight.

Today we start our 5-hour trek by crossing a suspension bridge where we have amazing views of the Ganesh Himal. The trail continues and takes us past Rainjam and across Seru Khola before arriving at Gho Village. After a total of 5 to 6 hours trekking, we reach Chokhangparo Village from where we have views of Himalchuli (7893m) and Ganesh Himal (7140m). We stay here tonight. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today’s trek of 6 to 7 hours follows the trail to Rachen Gompa and to the Shir Khola (river). After leaving the river we pass by Phurbe and Pangdun villages before arriving at Nile where we stay the night. Mu Gompa is the largest monastery in the region and the highest point in the Tsum Valley. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Our short trek of 4 hours today leads downhill to Chhule and then to Phurbe where it is possible to find Sherpa homestays. We follow the trail along the banks of the Siyar River until reaching a nunnery at Rachen Gompa (3240m). Tonight we stay at Rachen Gompa.

Today we cross a river then pass by the village of Chhokang Paro at which point we descend to Chumling. Prior to reaching here we come to a white monastery and head down to the Siyar Khola (river), a good place to rest and refresh. We stay at Chumling for the night.

Today we have a 6 to 7-hour trek ahead of us as we descend from Chumling to Lokpa after first crossing a suspension bridge. The trail follows a rocky ridge where we have a great view of Sringi Himal. We then pass through Ghatta Khola passing by farms growing maize, millet, potatoes, and vegetables. As we continue we follow the trail along the bank of the Budhi Gandaki passing through a bamboo forest before coming to the Deng River. Tonight we stay at Deng next to the river.

Today we climb beyond the Tom Khola to Longa Chuta and then come into a captivating fir and rhododendron forest filled with birds and Langur monkeys located on the north side of the Buri Gandaki River. We then cross back to the other side of the river before reaching Namrung (2660m), an earlier customs post in the days when this was a route for transporting salt from Tibet. Namrung also suffered extensive damage from the 2015 earthquake, but today it has been restored to its previous charm.

Our trek today is about 5 hours and along the way, we have spectacular views of Sringi and Ganesh Himal. The village of Namrung is where from here on you will see mostly Tibetan villages and their religious symbols and monasteries. As the trail continues we will pass through forests and farmlands where barley is grown on the terraced hillsides. The trail starts to expose the giant peak of Manaslu right up to Lho Gham Village where we stay the night. In the morning we have a great opportunity of capturing the mountain views from our lodge or the Gompa.

Today the trail passes through several Tibetan villages and past Gompas. After a 4 hour trek we reach Samagaun where we will stop and relax and get used to the higher altitudes. While here we can explore the village and enjoy the welcoming smiling faces of the people. The architecture here is distinctly Tibetan and their costumes reflect their Tibetan origins. We can also take a short hike up to a Gompa above the town or wander the streets and chit-chat with the locals – a very heartwarming experience. Tonight we stay at Samagaun.

At these higher altitudes it is necessary to get acclimatized, for at least one day, before attempting climbs to higher altitudes. Health specialists suggest that you move about and don’t sit idly. A good way to stay active is to explore the Gompa at Pugyen (4070m), a one day hike that leaves the trail between Syaula and Sama. If time permits, it is possible for you to carry on up this valley to the rugged rocks and terrain of the Pugin glacier. Another option is a trip to the lake at Birendra Tal (3450m) and a demanding ascent to Manaslu Base Camp (4900m). It is believed that north of Birendra Tal is Milarepa's Cave (famous Buddha) claimed to have been used as a meditation retreat by the Buddhist saint. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Today the trail descends and heads back to the Buri Gandaki River passing the junction of Birendra Tal and Manaslu Base Camp. The valley the expands before reaching Kermo Khadka and then continuing to the white Kani Gateway signaling the entrance to Samdo (3860m). If time permits we may trek to the peak above the village for impressive views of Mount Manaslu. If it is necessary to further acclimatize, there is a 6 t0 7 hour trek climbing 640m to the moraine of the Fukang Glacier, where you will be rewarded with far-reaching views towards several passes used by locals to cross over into Tibet. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

The trail today crosses ridges and across wooden bridges over the Budi Gandaki River. After crossing two rivers we come to Larkya Glacier and then climb to Larke Phedi (4450m) meters. Tonight we stay at Dharamsala.

Today’s trek is about 8 to 9 hours but first starts with a short climb to the north side of Larkya Glacier. From this vantage point, we have excellent views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. The climb to the Larkya La (5100m) pass initially is quite a gradual ascent but gradually becomes steeper as we reach the pass. After arriving at the top of the pass we are blessed with incredible panorama views of various mountain ranges. The descent from the pass is equally physically demanding. We soon arrive at Bhimthang where we stay the night in a teahouse

Today we have awesome views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal along with views to the valley and forests below. We cross the Dudh Khola (river) and trek through rhododendron forests, and past the village of Karche (2785m) which you will find is the highest farmland in the region. We stop for a brief rest at Gho Village before making our way to our overnight stop at Tilje.

A 6 to 7 hour trek today along a stony trail, across a ridge and through Tibetan villages eventually sees us descending to the Marsyangdi Valley and further on to Dharapani where we connect with the classic Annapurna trail. We pass through Karte Village and cross the Marsyangdi Khola (river), past Mani walls and enter the village of Tal and finally reach Chamche where we stay the night.

Today we drive back by public transport or private vehicle to Kathmandu following the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers and passing through Besisahar Village, the district headquarter of Lamjung Province.

Our representative will take you to the airport around 3 hours before departure. This is only ‘farewell’ until we see you again for your next expedition into the Himalaya region.