Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek (19 Days) 19 Days Guide

The journey starts with a long, bumpy jeep drive out of Kathmandu following the Trishuli river before heading north. The road turns unpaved and dusty past Dhading, hugging the cliffside above the Buri Gandaki river. Expect heavy traffic early on and rough terrain as you arrive at Machhedikhola by late afternoon.

You cross several suspension bridges over the raging Buri Gandaki river and navigate rocky steps carved into steep stone faces. The trail passes through Khorlabesi and past natural hot springs at Tatopani before climbing a steep stone staircase to Jagat. Check in your restricted area permits here at the checkpoint.

The path ascends past Salleri and lowers down to a wide gravel riverbed before a steep, exposed climb toward the Tsum Valley split. You tackle hundreds of stone steps carved into the sheer cliff walls above the narrowing gorge. Lokpa serves as the official gateway settlement guarding the hidden valley.

The trail traverses pine forests and crosses the Lungdang Khola on a sturdy wooden bridge with steady upward gradients. You catch your first clear glimpses of the towering Ganesh Himal range framing the upper valley. Chumling greets you with traditional stone houses, mani walls, and barley fields.

You cross a long suspension bridge over the Shyar Khola and walk through open farming valleys dotted with ancient chortens. The wind picks up significantly as you enter the wider plateau of Upper Tsum. Chhekampar offers sweeping valley views and cold night temperatures requiring extra layers.

The trail meanders gently past ancient monasteries, extensive mani walls, and traditional stone villages like Lar. Altitude begins to make the morning uphill sections feel heavier, so maintain a slow and steady pace. Nile sits near the Tibetan border, featuring flat-roofed houses and yak dung fuel stacks.

A steady morning climb brings you up to Mu Gompa, the largest and highest monastery in the Tsum Valley. The thin air at this elevation demands hydration and deliberate breathing on the steeper inclines. You explore the ancient prayer halls before descending slightly to overnight at Chhule.

The route tracks back down the valley along the western bank of the Shyar Khola on easy dirt paths. You visit Rachen Gompa, a historic nunnery housing large clay statues and vivid murals of Buddhist saints. The afternoon wind sweeps down the valley floor, bringing a noticeable chill.

You retrace your steps down the forested gorge, dropping elevation rapidly through Lokpa back to the main trail junction. The descent tests your knees on steep, uneven stone steps and loose dirt tracks. Deng marks your return to the main Manaslu circuit route amidst dense bamboo.

The trail climbs steadily through cascading waterfalls, pine forests, and small settlements displaying distinct Tibetan Buddhist culture. You cross the Buri Gandaki on a high bridge and climb stone switchbacks toward the Bihi Phedi junction. Namrung features well-built lodges and marks the transition into alpine terrain.

You pass through Lho village, offering a massive upfront view of Manaslu rising directly above the valley. The trail levels out as you enter wide glacial valleys dominated by scrub and pine. Sama Gaon is a large traditional village where you will spend an extra day acclimatizing.

An active rest day designed to help your body adapt to the rising altitude before crossing the pass. Most trekkers hike up toward Pung Gyen Gompa or the Birendra Lake moraine for sweeping views of the glacier. Nights here drop well below freezing, and teahouses lack indoor heating.

The trail climbs gently through juniper and birch woods past stone walls and yak pastures beneath the towering peaks. The air feels noticeably thinner, making even moderate uphills require a slower cadence and frequent water breaks. Samdo is a harsh, windy settlement sitting close to the Tibetan border.

You take a short acclimatization hike up the ridge behind the village toward the old trade route leading to Tibet. The climb exposes you to cold mountain winds, requiring windproof outer layers and a steady pace. Return to Samdo by early afternoon to rest and hydrate thoroughly.

The trail crosses the Gyacho Khola on a wooden bridge and climbs steadily along a barren, rocky valley slope. Vegetation disappears entirely as you reach Dharamsala, a stark stone outpost serving as base camp for the pass. Accommodations here are basic and crowded, and water freezes overnight.

You start before dawn in freezing darkness, climbing a steep moraine ridge toward the prayer-flagged Larkya La pass. The final ascent is grueling due to ice, scree, and thin air at high altitude. The long descent down loose gravel requires careful footing before leveling out at Bimtang.

The trail descends rapidly through pine forests, rhododendron bushes, and open pasture land along the Dudh Khola. You pass temporary herder huts at Sangure Kharka before dropping into the warmer, greener Marshyangdi river valley. Tilije is a large village with stone-paved paths and lower-altitude air.

A short morning walk brings you down to Dharapani where you join the classic Annapurna Circuit trekking route. You board a local four-wheel-drive jeep for the rough, unpaved road journey down to Besisahar. Expect a bumpy ride along cliffside tracks overlooking the Marsyangdi river.

The final travel day involves a standard tourist bus or private jeep ride from Besisahar back to Kathmandu. The highway follows the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers through terraced hills and roadside towns. Traffic delays entering the Kathmandu valley are common by late afternoon.