Tsum Valley and Manaslu Combine Trek

Namaste! And welcome to Kathmandu, the colorful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting on arrival at the exit gate of Kathmandu airport. Our staff will welcome you and pick you to your accommodated hotel. Please seek our company palmplate to find our staff at the main exit gate of the airport. Rest of the day you can relax at the hotel or short evening walk around local market on your own as per your wish.

A well-deserved rest day at cozy of hotel after a long tiring flight. This day, one can move around nearby local market to purchase or hire trekking equipment that is necessary for the trekking like sleeping bags, walking sticks etc, exchange currency as requirement or simply walk around in the local market or Kathmandu Durbar squire nearby with small entrance fee as per your preference on your own. Evening at the hotel lobby there will be pre-trip briefing in which you will be introduced with your trekking guide and explained about your trip in short, instruction for safety etc.

Today our trekking starts. After breakfast we board our bus for the drive through the foothills of the Himalaya following the Trishuli River to its confluence with the Burhi Gandakhi where we turn north to reach large village of Arughat Bazaar (670m). Clustered on both sides of the river, and linked by a suspension bridge, this is the largest settlement in the valley. Continuing northwards on a dirt road alongside the river we pass through several villages enroute to our overnight lodge at Macchu Khola (900m).

We cross the tributary river that gives its name to Machha Khola and head upstream to the tiny village of Kholabesi and the hot springs at Tatopani, where it is possible to stop for a wash. The valley sides become steeper and steeper, until they are impassable and the route then switches to the true left bank of the river by way of a suspension bridge. After a short section of forest path, we stop for lunch at Doban. Above Doban, the Burhi Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. We have a short, sharp climb to Louri, where we cross the Vana river on a suspension bridge and in a further hour we reach our next lodge in the pretty village of Jagat (1410m) with its paved street and lots of colorful flowers.

Today, after breakfast, we will start our Tsum Valley trek journey. We start climbing over a rocky, narrow path to hills to Salleri. After Salleri, we will then climb down to Sirdibas.

Our trek journey will continue to Ghatta Khola, and the open valley will get too close to us. After crossing the suspension bridge, we will climb the small hill to reach Philim.

We climbed along with forest areas for about an hour and reached Ekle Bhatti. Moving higher along pine forests, we get a scenic gorge and drop to a junction. We took the right trail that led to Tsum Valley, stay overnight at Lokpa. On this day we split the trail to the right for Tsum Valley and the Left trail leads to Round Manaslu.

You will begin descending through the forest and cross a stream then ascend steeply on the stairs and trek on the north side through the rhododendron and pine forest. You will then descend towards Bhatti Ghumlong and again ascend steeply to Ripchet. You will cross the Siyar Khola on a dangerous wooden bridge and ascend towards Chumling. Overnight at a lodge in Chumling.

After crossing the suspension bridge we pass the potatoes and maize field. You will see beautiful views of Ganesh Himal (7,422 m) and its neighboring peaks along the path. Further ahead again we cross the suspension bridge at Serpu Khola to ascend gradually to Chhokang Paro Village. If the weather is clear, you will get to see amazing views of Mt. Himalchuli (7,893 m) from here. Overnight at a lodge in Chhokang Paro.

Today we head through the small villages and ascend towards a ridge and reach to the huge courtyard of the Rachen Gompa (3,240 m). You will then ascend and visit Milarepa’s Cave and further, cross the Siyar Khola. You will go through the hamlets of Phurbe and Pangdun and reach the Chhule Village then to the Nile. Overnight at a lodge in Nile.

You will wake up early in the morning and trek along the west bank of the river towards Mu Gompa with the beautiful views of Chortens and Tibetan mountains. You will also visit Dephyudonma Gompa on the way and return back to the Chhule. Further, you will continue trekking until you reach the bridge on the west bank. You will cross the bridge and descend down to Chhokang Paro. Overnight at a lodge in Chhokang Paro.

Today, we explore whole Mu Gompa region. We can go to the pass to see the Tibetan plateau. You can consider to climb Kalung (3,820 m). There are extensive seasonal yak pastures in all directions, the Lungdang Glacier to the east and high peaks in all directions. You may consider visiting the base of Pika Himal (4,865 m).

Today, we continue the path to reach Lokpa on our Tsum Valley trek trail. After lunch, we move ahead on the flat route to the south. After enjoying the beautiful Samba Falls, we finally arrived at Chumling.

Today, we retrace our way back to Lokpa following, passing several small streams and monasteries, we arrive at a micro-hydropower station in Ripchet. Then, climb down a rock fall area past the small settlement of Gumlung, and walking through the Sarti Gorge, we cross Lungwa Khola to finally arrive in Lokpa. Overnight at a lodge in Lokpa.

Cross the suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki River and leave Lokpa to enter Nyak. Then continue walking uphill on the gorge of Budhi Gandaki River to arrive in the Gurung village, Deng. Enjoying the view of Shringi Himal (7161m) on the backdrop, we cross Mani walls and several bridges over Budhi Gandaki River to finally arrive in Ghap. Overnight at a lodge in Ghap.

Ascend on a landslide prone trail uphill and cross Mani walls, meadows, and houses through fir, rhododendron and oak forests before climbing to Lihi. Continue the walk uphill past the village of Sho, from where you walk on a landslide area to reach the small village of Lho. There are outstanding views of Manaslu (8163m), Himal Chuli (7893m), Ngadi Chuli (7971m), and other surrounding mountains throughout the trek. Overnight at a lodge in Lho.

Leaving Lho, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Ngadi Chuli ahead. A couple of hours climbing through the forest with occasional stream crossings on log bridges brings us to the village of Shala which commands a superb panorama of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli. Descending the main trail, we cross the outflow from the Punggen Glacier and then climb beside the torrent to a ridge. We now have the luxury of downhill trekking for a while but soon we reach the fields of Sama Gaon. We will stay at the lodge nearby Sama Gompa (monastery). There are breathtaking views from here of the granite pyramid of Manaslu. The altitude at Sama is 3520 metres and this is as far as we shall go today. This day you can enjoy with good internet WiFi (they will charge you hourly).

Rest day for Acclimatization and hike around Birendra Lake (On 21 April 2024, a flood from the glacial lake Birendra Tal occurred. This was triggered by a massive ice avalanche after the breaking of ice chunks (known as calving) from the snout (end) of the Manaslu Glacier into the lake water) or Manaslu Base Camp 4,800 meters (15,748 ft). If you decide to go to Manaslu Base Camp, then you need to carry your own pack lunch.

Leaving Sama Gaon, we continue to follow its course ever upwards heading north once again and there are now excellent mountain prospects around every turn of the trail. Manaslu which is now behind us, is particularly impressive from the meadows at Kermo Kharka. After crossing to the east bank of the river, we reach Somdu (3860m), the last permanent settlement in the valley. This very remote village was established in the 1950's by refugees from Tibet and is only a day’s walk from the border over the Lajyang La. Just 3 hours walking but an altitude gain of 340 metres is as much as we want to do for comfort and so we check into a lodge here.

Leaving Somdu we cross the stream which runs down from the Gya La, another pass crossing into Tibet. We pass the ruins of another village here (known as Larkya Bazaar) which once had a thriving trade with Tibet over the nearby passes. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach Duwang (4450m) also known as Dharamsala, where there is a small and quite basic Tea House (at 4450m). This place is also referred to as Larkya Phedi which means the 'foot of Larkya' and this is where the climb to the Larkya La begins. We check into the Tea House (Dormitory) but we may also opt to stay in shared tents here and eat in the lodge.

Note: on this day, we have to be very careful with the food, therefore our trekking guide will advise you the suitable meals.

An early (pre-dawn) start for the longest day of the trip. There is an initial, short climb above the lodge to reach the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier and from here it is a steady plod upwards. We pass small frozen lakes and there are views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. We cross boulder fields and crest several ridge lines making for frustrating 'false tops' until finally after around 4 hours of ascent from the lodge, we see the summit cairn and its lines of fluttering prayer flags, on the top there is a small tea shop. If you have any breath left at this point, the view will take it all away. The incredible panorama of Himalayan peaks include Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II. There is usually a chill wind blowing at this altitude (5135m) and so we are unlikely to want to stop long here. Initially, there is a steep descent which is likely to be over snow and then scree, to reach the ablation valley trail leading to Dangboche Kharka, here we will have our pack lunch, a good place to stop and rest before continuing the descent to the welcome lodges of Bimthang (3700m). Now we are in Annapurna region.

Crossing the high pasture of Bimthang, we now descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the basecamp for the west side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150 metre, we have excellent views of Manaslu to the south-east and Annapurna II to the south-west. Beyond a bridge over the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, we descend into a beautiful forest of cedar, birch and rhododendron and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley, at Karche. Then, beyond the low ridge of the Karche La, we can look ahead into a green and heavily forested valley which drops down to the distant Marsyangdi River. We descend through more forests of fir and rhododendron through the villages of Gho (2515m) and overnight at Tilje (2300m).

We make the return drive to Kathmandu, first descending the Marsyangdi on the jeep road in 4X4 vehicles to the start of the paved road at BesiSahar. Here we change to more comfortable transportation, boarding our bus or minibus to continue the journey. We travel on winding roads down the Marsyangdi Valley to its confluence with the Trisuli River where we meet the main Pokhara to Kathmandu road. Arriving in Kathmandu in the late afternoon we check into the hotel and have free time for relaxing or independent sightseeing before heading out to the bars and restaurants of Thamel for another celebration dinner.

This is the final day in Nepal. A chance to do some shopping, explore at leisure or merely relax by the hotel. We enjoy a final night together, reliving the trek and our extraordinary achievements