Manaslu Tsum valley

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport. Our Staff member meets you and transfers you to the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel.

Morning wake-up and breakfast in hotel.

Our guide will meet you in your hotel and brief you about the upcoming Manaslu Tsum valley trekking. He will guide you through all the formalities and necessary paper-works required for the trekking.

After that, we then do a Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley of famous UNESCO world heritage sites like Boudhanath, one of the largest Stupas in the world; Swayambhunath, a famous monkey temple and Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple complex. Apart from Sightseeing, we also get TIMS card and permits for our trekking on this day. In the evening, we do initial preparation for the trekking.

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After breakfast, we head west on the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway towards Soti Khola village and then turn towards Dhading mountain village. From Dhading Bensi we drive to Arughat, where the streets become lively. Arughat is a huge settlement that is connected by a suspension bridge on both sides of the Budhi Gandaki River. The next two hours drive take us to Soti Khola.

In the first hours we reach Dhading Bensi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1050 m). Manaslu and Ganesh Himal Range, small villages along the Budhi Gandaki River. On the way we see an elegant mountain landscape that resembles the mountain. On this long journey we take a break for several breaks and also for lunch.

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At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail weaves its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi.

We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village.

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The path follows the river with small ups and downs that often drop to the gravel bank before crossing the Thado Khola and on to Khorlabesi, where coffee, buckwheat and tobacco are grown. A path from Gorkha flows into the Manaslu course and the GHT path turns east from Manaslu to the Langtang and Everest regions.

Our path then leads into a lush, narrow gorge that restricts the course of the river. Behind it is a landslide with a dice path just before the hot springs in Tatopani triple. The path then climbs a ridge before crossing the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge (to avoid a huge cliff and waterfalls). A good flight of stairs leads to a landslide before a last ridge climbs up to Dobhan.

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Exit via Dobhan Khola and follow the east bank of Budhi Gandaki to the hamlet of Thulo Dhunga. about cataracts. The gradient continues to change; The valley opens and the river flow at Yaruphant is calm. Cross an old suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola (from Ganesh II and VI) and then climb to Thado Bharyang. Cross the west bank of Budhi Gandaki and gently follow the river to the old village of Jagat: entrance and checkpoint to the restricted Manaslu Reserve. Cross a tributary and hike up a steep path to Salleri – with a view of the Shringi Himal (7,187 m) in the north.

Descent to Sirdibas; and the first signs of Buddhist culture. Another suspension bridge leads to the east bank and leads uphill to Philim: a wealthy Gurung village and the Chholing Sandu Gompa, surrounded by corn fields and millet.

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Drive north of Philim through lush grass and scrub the exquisite, narrowed valley to the village of Chisopani and then to the millet fields of Ekle Bhatti (a house, 1,600 m). The path then gradually descends into the gorge under a spectacular waterfall and leads to Larkya La at an intersection in front of the “New Bridge”. To the right (east) is a well-graded, exposed zigzag path through pine and rhododendrons to Lokpa and into the narrow lower Tsum valley. Around 4,000 people live in 18 villages in the Tsum region.

Descend through the forest and cross the streams before tackling a long and steep climb on the south side of the Siyar Khola Gorge that drains the Tsum Valley.

The highest point is marked by flags in a curve of the valley with a view of the Shringi Himal over colorful fields with grain, potatoes and beans. Departure to Gumlung and Siyar Khola. Cross the suspension bridge and finally climb the narrower path to Chumling. The houses are classic Tibetan, but built with sloping roofs to cope with the abundant rain and snow.

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Cross the suspension bridge into a new forest that grows over a landslide. Drive past a small prayer wheel powered by water and follow the path “Nepali flat” through the lush forest, which is inhabited by langurs with white faces. Onward journey to Tanju and to the small Damphe Gompa [with hundreds of small ceramic statues by Chenresig (Buddha of Compassion): a special feature in the valley].

Behind Dumje you can see the Ganesh Himal and the Baudha Peak. Behind the Rainjam Farm, the path leads over the Sarphu Khola, which drains the Syakpa glacier north of the Shringi Himal. The path then climbs for about 2.5 hours on a well graded but exposed path past Gho into the upper Tsum valley.

Magnificent slate choirs that face Ganesh Himal announce the interconnected villages of Chhokang and Paro. collectively known as Chhekampar (place of wisdom). Here the valley widens, but the stone houses nestle under the cliffs to take full advantage of the extensive fields for barley, corn, buckwheat and potatoes. Tahr herds often graze on the wild cliffs in the north. Failure to monitor them can result in devastation in the fields.

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A shorter and easier route: there is a lot to discover on the wide, flat valley floor on either side of the river. The visit to the sights can be divided into two days. North of the river: From Chhekampar, pass a local school in Kaye before reaching the twin villages of Ngakyu and Leru. The Rachen nunnery is on the other side of the river. The path then climbs in front of Lama Gaon to a low ridge with chortens. Next is the village of Burji and near the Milarepa cave (Piren Phu – Pigeon Cave) on the slopes of the Langju Himal.

There are two chapels and two caves. Features include an impression of Milarepa’s footprint and an elephant-shaped rock. His meditation place was transformed into a gompa dedicated to him; the other is dedicated to the region’s Nyingma deities. A little east of the cave, Chi Phu Retreat clings to the higher slopes of the Langju Himal. The path then inevitably crosses to the southeast bank of Siyar Khola and joins the path from Rachen Gompa to Nil shortly before Phurbe.

South of the river: Before Ngakyu, another bridge crosses the southeastern bank of the river and leads northeast to Rachen, Nil and Tibet. The Rachen nunnery, founded in 1905, is surrounded by extensive walls that form the outer living space for the nuns. The original small monastery (and a large prayer wheel) is located in the southwest of the complex and is adorned with murals depicting the history of Buddhism. There are separate retreat buildings. It belongs to the small Ngak-pa sect that prohibits the slaughter of animals. A large and imposing new temple was built on the site: spacious, bright and decorated with acrylic paintings and light curtains.

The inner wall houses numerous deities in tall casings with a glass front. Next comes Phurbe and further up Pangdun: his gompa has a large prayer wheel. Behind Pangdun, the valley gently curves north. Next is an unusual round stupa in front of the impressive entrance gate to the large village of Chhule (Chhu Li, shady side). 30 minutes above this village in the south is the 700-year-old two-story Gonhgye monastery. with a beautiful view. Beyond the village, bridges cross a tributary (with an impressive waterfall ahead) and then Siyar Khola back to the west bank – and a final short climb to the Nile.

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Start the 2-hour walk to the 77-year-old Mu Gompa with another 1.5 hour hike to the small 856-year-old Dephyu Doma monastery (birthplace of light), which is beautifully situated at an altitude of 4,000 m; small promontory; with Ganesh II as the main view. Views of the western Ganesh Himal are visible on the left side of a peak in between. Mu only has the last look (including Ganesh I) and a look back into the valley.

Mu is the highest permanent settlement in the Tsum Valley. In the north there are seasonal kharkas and passes to Tibet. Return to Nile for lunch, then back to Chhekampar.

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Follow the path to the small gompa in Gho, then drive south to a wooden bridge over the river and on to Dumje, where there is a Tibetan clinic and a herbal medicine school. The path then leads steeply (approx. 3.5 hours) through magnificent pine, oak and rhododendron forests to a mani wall, after which it crosses an exposed route before zigzagging to the gompa on a ridge through huge silver pines. The views of the mountains in all directions are fantastic: this is probably a highlight of the hike.

This 110 year old gompa with about 20 nuns (each of whom lives in a small cell) has an intense and captivating puja every late afternoon. Visitors are invited to participate and get permission to sleep on the gompa veranda and use their kitchen and washrooms.

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On the way back to Dumje, turn left to cross Langdang Khola and take the south bank path that connects Siyar Khola and briefly the lower of two paths that cross deep, impressive gorges on new bridges for the ascent to the fertile highlands and Banddorf Ripchet. Several varieties adorn barley and buckwheat fields that come from the surrounding pine forest. Beyond the village, steep stairs lead to Gumlung on the river before the path through the forest leads back to Lokpa.

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Follow the path to the intersection with Philim’s Manaslu path. Cross Budhi Gandaki (below its confluence with Siyar Khola) and enter its narrow gorge on a high path with river crossings. After a suspension bridge, the path leads into the bamboo forest and to the village of Deng (1,800 m). This is the entry point to Kutang or lower Nupri (part of Tibet until the 1840s): a region where Gurungs live, who practice Buddhism, have their own language and trade with the passports with Tibet.

The path leads to the east bank and zigzags to Rana. A short series of vertical switchbacks then leads to a wooden bridge inlet and an isolated watermill before the path gently descends to the lodge at Bihi Phedi high above the river.

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The path sways over the river, drops to cross the Serang Khola, and later leads to an impressive curve between bare basalt walls. Huge peaks appear on the right – with a spectacular waterfall over the fields of corn and wheat. The valley extends beyond and turns to the northeast. The path crosses a bridge in front of a well-preserved entrance canal and walls made of carved mani stones that lead to the attractive village of Ghap (2,250 m) on the south bank. The path then climbs over the steeply falling river through bamboo, rhododendron and oak forests (with birds to which the Impheyan pheasant belongs).

For a short section, it is pushed back through transparent walls to the north bank and returns to the south bank on a wooden bridge (over a natural stone bridge) at a point where the river thunders down a narrow slope. It then rises steeply (for 1 hour) from the river to Namrung: a police checkpoint for permits. Before you reach the village, you will see the Tum Khola from Tibet, the water of which significantly increases the volume of the Budhi Gandaki at the confluence (not visible from the path).

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Namrung is the entrance to Upper Nupri (the western mountains), a region with purely Tibetan inhabitants who speak a (different) dialect of western Tibet and continue to trade on the passes. Chubas are the common dress. The path leads through a mixture of forest and extensive barley fields: guarded by bear watchers (simple watchtowers dot fields from Bihi Phedi to Shrip). In Lihi (2,900 m), several apartments are combined under a single shingled roof. There are impressive Chortens and a great view of the Himal Chuli (7,893 m) in the south. Only the Ganesh Himal is visible in the east.

The path then descends into a side valley to cross Hinang Khola (where a path leads south to Himal Chuli BC). Behind the bridge with two spans, a steep ascent rises to a detailed shortcut, from which impressive views of Ngadi Chuli (7,873 m) rise over the side walls of the valley. Behind it are the crowded houses of Sho (2,960 m). There are good prospects for the climb, past a large prayer wheel on the way to Shrip.

On the way to Lho, Manaslu (8,156 m, mountain of spirit from Sanskrit Manasa – “intellect” or “soul”, the eighth highest peak), Manaslu North and Naike Peak are unveiled for the first time. A steep climb leads to the ridge and the large village of Lho. Many of the stone houses in this region have characteristic wooden decks and shingles.  The large Ribung monastery above the village is home to around 150 monks. The best place for sunrise and sunset photos is a kani over the village. can be reached by walking through barley fields, past a long mani wall and old chortens. Get up early to see Manaslu sunrises.

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The Budi Gandaki now flows far down in the valley north of the path that crosses the long mani wall of Lho before descending steeply to cross the Damonan Khola tributary. Then follows a gentle stream through exquisite mixed forests. Then a short climb to a plateau: and the heavily deforested village of Shyala (3,520 m). Huge mountains surround it: Himal Chuli (7,893 m) and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli, 7,873 m) in the south; Manaslu (8,156 m) and large glaciers ahead; More snow-capped peaks in the west and north.

The path also leads over a bridge over the Numla Khola, which drains the Pungyen glacier from Manaslu. One path later leads to Pungyen Gompa. Drive through the wide valley, past a school, to a large choir, behind which a yellow kani leads to rows of houses with courtyards that form the main part of Sama. The Kargyu Chholing Monastery faces a forested moraine at the end of the village. Only the upper sections of Manaslu and the Naike ridge are visible from the village.

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Sama is the regional center of Nupri. Discover the village architecture and customs: only potatoes and barley thrive at this height in the short summers. Cloth weaving for chubas (from local goat and sheep wool or Tibetan imported wool) and the production of hooked carpets are important occupations for trade with Tibet. Yak and dzopkyo herds and horses are kept and traded.

The Labrang Gompa (Lama Square) in the lower village and the Kargyu Chholing Monastery on the other side of the village were founded about 500 years ago when this region was first populated by Tibetans. The monastery architecture is unique with fine woodwork. There are eight temple buildings: the largest, Pemba Chholing Gompa, contains an impressive statue of Guru Rinpoche. It belongs to the Buddhist Nyingma sect and so most of her lamas are married and live in apartments in the complex.

An easy and rewarding hike across the monastery is to the Birendra Valley (3,450 m) under the Manaslu Glacier. It can be seen from a hill or from a rocky beach and offers breathtaking mountain views. ~ 3 km, 1.5 hrs or follow the path towards Samdo on a bridge over the stream from the lake and then climb the demanding path that climbs over the lake and the tongue of the glacier to the base camp (4,900 m over 1200 m) ~ 8 km, 5 – 6 hours walk to Pungyen Nunnery (3,870 m), which stands on a plateau above the Pungyen Glacier from near the Gompa and offers incredible views of the Nadi Ridges and Manaslu.

It also adds a lighting perspective of the mountain and its satellites to the other views seen along the ladder track. Go back the way past the school, the junction to Pungyen Monastery. It lies over the ridge on a plateau over the glacier, and overlooks Manaslu (known locally as Kang Pungyen).  The 2.5 hours path through the summer kharkas (no tea houses) along the Numa Khola and Pungyen Glacier can be icy and slippery. There is a gompa cave over the complex with an even better view. Most of the Gompa buildings were destroyed by an avalanche in 1953 and only recently rebuilt. The avalanche was blamed for the first Japanese expedition to Manaslu this year.

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Descend towards the Budhi Gandaki, which has turned north, and pass the lake and base camp trail, as well as several mani walls, as the valley begins to expand. This is an easy path along a shelf above the river, past juniper and birch forests that surround Kermo Kharka. A stone wall divides the region into two parts with a stile and an animal gate that separates the herds Sama and Samdo. We continue over a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki before climbing steeply across the confluence of the river with the Mayol Khola from the Samdo glacier to the northeast to a promontory.

At the top there is a stone arch, followed by fields in front of a white canoe at the entrance to the village: an attractive cooling area for yaks and goats. This was an old summer pasture region that was only populated in the late 1950s when the residents fled Tibet.  They built the bundled dry stone houses with stone slab roofs along a low ridge with fields below and behind the village. They trade north and south.

On yak paths behind the village zigzag to one of the rows of flags on a high ridge, from which you can enjoy an excellent view at 270 °: with Samdo Peak (6,335 m) and its dramatic glacier basin in the east; the Sama Valley and its areas in the south (Manaslu is covered by a rocky peak in the southwest); To the west, you can see a bird’s eye view of the northern Syacha Glacier from Manaslu (partially hidden). Tomorrow’s path leads to Dharamsala and Larkya La. Samdo is the last village before Gho in Manang District. Only informal kharkas (with lodges) lie between these villages.

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Pass the fields of the northern village and for the last time cross Budhi Gandaki at the remains of the Larkya bazaar. The river flows north into the Pana Danda valley. Follow the trail west across grassy slopes with juniper, rhododendron and lichen-covered granite across the Syacha Khola Valley. The source of the Syacha Glacier, which descends from the Manaslu North Ridge, is in sight.

The path leads gradually up the valley to the Larkya glacier behind 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 with 8 cramped beds each and a third for trekking staff. Short walks lead to better views of the peaks Larke (6,249 m) and Naike (6,291 m).

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When the snow is clear, today’s pass takes 3 to 5 hours to climb the 800 m to the summit and 3 to 4 hours to descend the 1,500 m to Bimthang. It can be very cold, especially when it is windy. Snow and ice conditions require more care and time. The path along the north moraine of the Larke glacier is not steep or difficult, but long and rocky all the way. Snow poles line the route. From Dharamsala, it gently rises to a ridge, followed by a long, gentle climb to the huge and confused moraine. Larke Peak on Larke Himal Wall and Pawar Peak on Cheo Himal are in the south and north of the glacier. A short climb leads to an ablation valley, followed by a descent to the first of four small, scattered, frozen lakes.

A gradual ascent to the left up the glacier moraine and a last train led to the first set of summit flags. Back to the East; Look over the way to the Tibetan border areas behind Samdo Peak.  The Larke Himal wall blocks the view to the south. The Pawar Himal looks north. A long moraine ridge runs parallel to the Larke wall from the first flags and is separated by a deep channel from a second row of flags and breathtaking views. These flags also mark the boundary between the Manaslu and Annapurna Protected Areas.

The western peaks include (from the north counterclockwise) the impressive Pawar Summit (6,620 m), the Cheo Himal (6,820 m) and the Himlung Pyramid ( 7,126 m), Gyaji Kung (7,030 m), Kang Garu (6,981 m) and Annapurna II (7,937 m) and its satellites in the east.

Below is a magnificent pool with dramatic rock and ice walls from which a glacier complex flows. The descent begins with these flags and drops steeply from the moraine. Then it goes over loose scree slopes in steep zigzag lines to the grassy Dangboche Kharka (4,450 m) almost directly below. The trail offers a bird’s eye view of the ice age that feeds the upper dudh (milk) khola. From the Pawar Himal, the Salpudanda Glacier merges into the Ponkar Glacier under the middle of Lake Ponkar (enclosed between its moraines) and then turns from the western Kechakyu Glacier to the Bimthang Glacier, which forms the valley.

The slope decreases from Dangboche Kharka and the path follows the curve of the side moraine of the Salpudanda / Bimthang glacier into the beautiful Bimthang valley. A T-junction points to a path up over the moraine to Lake Ponkar or down to the picturesque settlement of Bimthang (sandy plain). The Kechakyu Himal rises in the north and Manaslu’s northeast wall and connecting areas are high above the valley in the east. Bimthang is now the summer pasture settlement for the residents of Samdo. Before the Tibetan border was closed, it was an important trading post. The Tibetan Khampa warriors had a center here in the 1970s.

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Another descent of 1,200 m begins with a walk across the Bimthang plain, over the stony glacier and over the distant moraine into the beautiful, untouched rhododendron and pine forest. The view back to Larke, Manaslu, Nadi and Chuli Himals is excellent on this route. The path leads along the west bank of the Dudh (milk) along Khola past Hompuk (3,430 m) and the attractive Sangura Kharka (3,020 m) Karche (2,700 m). There is also a landslide, more terraced fields and a steep ridge climb before descending into the big village (Gurung) Gho.

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After breakfast you hike through farmland to the old cobbled village Tilje (2300 m), cross the east bank of the river and then quickly descend through the bush forest towards the Marsyangdi valley. Return to the west bank just before Thonje (1,965 m) and then cross the Marsyangdi Khola (from Manang) above the confluence in Thonje, before heading on the new road for lunch and at the end of the route to Dharpani. Enjoy a hot shower in the afternoon and marvel at this Tibetan village.

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After breakfast, drive a jeep down the dusty and bumpy road to Besi Sahar and the paved road back to Kathmandu.

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We have reserved this day for you to do some final shopping for your loved ones back home and take rest to regain your strength for the final departure.

Overnight at Hotel.