Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Expedition

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is yours to rest or take a brief walk around the immediate neighbourhood.

We spend today visiting key cultural sites around the Kathmandu Valley, including the Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Our guide handles all arrangements while we finalize our trekking preparations and gear checks.

We leave Kathmandu early on a private vehicle, driving along the Prithvi Highway before heading north towards Dhading Besi and Arughat. The road follows the Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki rivers, delivering us to Machhakhola after 8 to 9 hours of driving.

Our walking journey begins today along an off-road section before transitioning to traditional stone trails winding through subtropical forests. We cross suspension bridges over rushing tributaries and pass through small settlements before arriving at Jagat.

After presenting our permits at the local checkpost, we climb through mixed terrain and terraced fields toward Sirdibas and Philim. The trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki once more, bringing us to our overnight stop in Chisopani with views of Shingri Himal.

Today's route climbs steadily through pine and rhododendron forests past a prominent waterfall. We descend toward Lokpa, the gateway to the Tsum Valley, before continuing onwards to Chumling.

We cross suspension bridges over the Siyar Khola and walk past long mani walls inscribed with Tibetan mantras. The trail leads us through agricultural terraces into the wider valley floor of Chhokangparo.

Our trail heads deeper into upper Tsum past Rachen Gompa, an important nunnery belonging to the Nyingmapa sect. We continue past traditional stone houses and scattered hamlets to reach Nile for the night.

A steady morning climb brings us to Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the Tsum Valley situated near the Tibetan border. We spend the afternoon exploring the monastery and visiting the nearby Milarepa Cave.

We retrace our steps down the valley, enjoying altered perspectives of the surrounding arid peaks and stone villages. Our journey terminates for the day at Rachen Gompa, where we settle into a local teahouse.

Leaving the Tsum Valley behind, we descend to rejoin the main Manaslu Circuit route at Lokpa and continue down towards Deng. The trail drops through dense riverine forests alongside the Budhi Gandaki.

We cross the Budhi Gandaki on wooden cantilever bridges and climb past waterfalls and cascading streams. The landscape grows more rugged as we enter areas with strong Tibetan cultural influences, ending our day in Namrung.

The trail passes through Lho village, offering a direct view of Manaslu looming above the valley. We visit Shyala village and inspect Ribung Gompa before arriving in Samagaon, our base for the next two nights.

We take a rest and acclimatisation day in Samagaon to help our bodies adjust to the rising elevation. Options include a day hike towards Pung Gyen Glacier or Birendra Lake beneath the massive glacial walls of Manaslu.

The trail heads past stone walls and juniper scrub as we ascend the valley towards the Tibetan borderlands. We reach Samdo by midday, leaving time to rest and explore this high-altitude herding settlement.

We cross the Athahra Saya Khola and climb steadily past ruined trade settlements toward the stone shelters of Dharamsala. The afternoon is spent resting in preparation for the pass crossing the following morning.

We start before dawn in sub-zero temperatures, climbing across glacial moraines to reach the prayer-flagged summit of Larkya La at 5,106 m. A long, careful descent over loose scree and ice leads us down to our lodge in Bhimphedi.

Our descent continues through pine forests, rhododendron groves, and small farming hamlets along the Dudh Khola. We notice a distinct shift in vegetation and culture as we drop into lower, warmer altitudes before reaching Tilije.

We walk our final stretch of trail to Dharapani, where the Manaslu Circuit officially connects with the Annapurna Circuit trail network. We celebrate the completion of the walking route with our support crew.

We board a shared jeep or private vehicle for the bumpy drive along unpaved mountain roads down to Besisahar, transferring onward to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for a hot shower and a farewell dinner.

Our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your international flight home, concluding your Himalayan journey with us.