Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary – Day-by-Day Breakdown

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400 m)

• After getting picked up from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will move to a hotel in Thamel or nearby Kathmandu.

• Stop by for a trek briefing and last-minute equipment purchases.

• Spend an overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Kathmandu to Machha Khola (870 m), 7 to 8 hours (drive)

• Begin your journey with an early drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola via Arughat. 

• Covering a distance of approximately 141 km, the drive takes you through terraced fields, traditional villages, and winding rivers. 

• Upon arrival in Machha Khola, settle into a lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat (1340 m), 6 to 7 hours

• Begin your Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with a gentle walk through lush forests and charming villages. 

• The trail follows the Budi Gandaki River, passing natural hot springs where you can relax. As you ascend, you’ll encounter Gurung villages with traditional stone houses. 

• When you reach Jagat, an entry checkpoint for the restricted Manaslu region, you'll be surrounded by a variety of ethnic cultures and beautiful scenery.

Day 4: Jagat to Lokpa (2440 m), 6 to 7 hours

• You will trek along the Manaslu Circuit in the morning. Following lunch, you will head off in the direction of the Tsum Valley. Travel through more forests, the villages of Salleri and Siribass, and more rivers and streams. 

• Philm, a larger Gurung village, is followed by the tiny community of Ekle Bhatti, which takes us to a river gorge and another crossing of the Budhi Gandaki River.

• You can now see the path to the Tsum Valley and anticipate going there tomorrow. First, however, there are mountain vistas to take in: our overnight stop at Lokpa offers views of Himalchuli and Boudha Himal.

Day 5: Lokpa to Chumling (2386 m), 4 to 5 hours

• The trek from Lokpa village, which leads to Tsum Valley, begins the day. You will have breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal and Boudha Himal from the path.

• The path passes through a thick forest with juniper, pine, and rhododendron before descending to the Lungwa river valley. 

• After that, you will arrive at Gumling, and soon after that, you will reach Syar Khola, indicating that you have arrived at Chumling village. 

• You will have enough time to visit the Panago Gompa, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gompa, Chumling's three main monasteries, after the short hike.

Day 6: Chumling to Chhokangparo (3031 m), 5 to 6 hours

• We set out early to reach Chhokangparo, the starting point for the upper Tsum Valley. 

• Chhokangparo consists of two settlements, Paro and Chhokang. Domje, the largest town in the Tsum Valley, can be reached via Shair Khola. 

• Ascending from Domje to Chhokagnparo offers stunning views of Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal. We hope to experience local warmth and taste their distinctive Tibetan tea, known as butter tea.

Day 7: Chhokangparo to Nile (3361 m), 4 to 5 hours

• The final village north of the upper Tsum Valley is Shiar Khola, with the village on its western side. 

• From Chhule, it takes twenty minutes to get to the sacred Phiren Phu Cave, which is thought to be the place where Tibetan Buddhist master Milarepa meditated. With two gumbas richly decorated with Buddhist murals and artistic scripts, the village is encircled by verdant meadows and winding landscapes. These prayer flag-adorned gompas are a sociocultural asset. 

• A suspension bridge on the Shair Khola leads to the village.

Day 8: Nile to Mu Gompa (3700 m), 3 to 4 hours

• You will trek from Nile Village to Mu Gompa, the biggest monastery in the area, following breakfast. One of the valley's oldest monasteries, Dephyudonma Gumba, will be reached. 

• The highest point in the Tsum Valley, Mu Gompa, was founded in 1895 and is home to a variety of religious texts, including Buddhist master portraits, Kangyur, and an Avalokiteshwara statue. 

• You travel through arid Trans-Himalayan landscapes and yak pastures.

Day 9: Nile to Chhokangparo (3031 m), 6 to 7 hours

• Since there isn't another trail to hike, we have to go back to Chhokangparo today.

• Spend your night at the beautiful Chhokangparo.

Day 10: Chhokangparo to Chumling (2386 m), 6 to 7 hours

• Walking feels a little easier as we lower our altitude because the air is not as thin. Today's walk, which took us through villages, forests, and alongside rivers, was truly enjoyable.

• Overnight at Chumling.

Day 11:Chumling  to Deng (2095 m), 6 to 7 hours

• On a rocky hill overlooking the Sringi Himal, the Manaslu Tsum Trek begins. 

• Beautiful views of Manaslu, the Ganesh Himal, and other snow-capped peaks can be seen from the trail. 

• To get to the Deng River, the trail crosses bamboo trees and travels through Ghatta Khola and farms. Along the bank of Budhi Gandaki, the trail continues.

• Spend the night in Deng village with the friendly locals.

Day 12: Deng to Namrung (2660 m), 6 to 7 hours

• The Deng to Namrung trail offers views of stunning waterfalls as it climbs through rhododendron trees. 

• You will ascend into an area that is heavily impacted by Tibetan culture. 

• The beautiful settlement of Namrung provides breathtaking views of Manaslu and the surrounding mountains.

Day 13: Namrung to Sama Gaun (3530 m), 6 to 7 hours

• You will be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of Manaslu and the surrounding peaks throughout today's hike.

• You will pass Syala, a charming destination with a serene environment and snow-capped mountains in the background.

• Sama Gaon, one of the biggest villages on the Manaslu Circuit, will be reached after that. Take in the breathtaking mountain scenery when you visit Ribung Gompa. 

• This settlement serves as a starting point for acclimatization before traveling to higher elevations.

Day 14: Acclimatization in Sama Gaun, Optional Hike to Manaslu Base Camp

• Enjoy a day of exploration, including the optional climb to Manaslu Base Camp (4800 m). The Manaslu Base Camp offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and the Manaslu Glacier. 

• This challenging trek aids with acclimatization and is rewarding.

Day 15: Sama Gaun to Samdo (3875 m), 3 to 4 hours

• You will get closer to the Tibetan border as the journey continues. 

• There are communities with Tibetan influences, and you'll notice a shift in the scenery and culture. 

• The village of Samdo is small, yet it has historical significance. A place to spend the night.

Day 16: Samdo to Dharamsala (4460), 4 to 5 hours

• Today, you will have a short trek to Dharamshala. It is the final stop before you cross the Larke Pass.

• Despite being barren, the location has breathtaking vistas of the mountains.

Day 17: Dharamshala to Bimthang (3720 m), via Larke Pass (5106 m), 8 to 9 hours

• Today will be one of the trek's most difficult yet rewarding days for you. 

• Before an extensive descent through glacial landscapes to Bimthang, the trek to Larke Pass offers unmatched views of the mountains.

• Get rest in Bimthang and spend your night in a lodge.

Day 18: Bimthang to Dharapani (1860 m), 7 to 8 hours

• Move downward continuously through the dense Rhododendron Forest and some beautiful traditional villages of Sherpa, Tamang, and other communities.

• We continuously go down to Tilche, a big Gurung village. From Tilche to Dharapani, it just takes half an hour. 

• Stay overnight at Dharapani. 

Day 19: Dharapani to Kathmandu (1400 m), 9 to 10 hours (drive)

• On the final day of the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek, drive back to Kathmandu from Dharapani.

• Enjoy the scenic drive through the hilly terrain, with views of terraced fields, small villages, and lush greenery, before arriving in Kathmandu.

Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu

• Depending on your travel schedule, you can head to the airport for your international flight to your hometown.