Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek 19 Days

After a satisfactory breakfast in your hotel, you will embark for a guided tour to some of the most historical and spiritual attractions of the city that are listed under the UNESCO world heritage sites. A visit to the highly venerated Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the high-flying monkey temple at Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath – a Buddhist shrine and one of the largest stupas in the world, and the charismatic Basantapur Durbar Square leaves impressive reminiscences at the back of your head for a considerable period of time. Later in the afternoon, you will visit our office where you will meet your trip manager, other trekkers, and crew members. Your trip leader will brief you shortly about your upcoming trip in the Mardi Himal region, check your equipment and interact for any unclear thoughts in your head before you go back to your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The drive from Kathmandu to Arughat is long yet quite adventurous across scenic landscapes, dirt roads and the magnificent countryside with vivid mountain views. Hence after an early breakfast, you will get on board a private vehicle which will drive you through numerous vibrant villages and terraced fields. Until you reach Dhading Besi which is around 3 hours drive from Kathmandu, the road is snaky, paved and smooth but onwards, the drive becomes entirely freaking exciting for adventure lovers before reaching an important small town Arughat. Overnight in Arughat.

After breakfast at Arughat, you will begin the first hiking day by crossing a bridge over the Budi Gandaki River. Following the stone-paved town passing the hydro-electric power plant starting from the western side of Arughat, you will cross several paddy and millet terraced fields and reach Mangaltar. Crossing a verdant green forest with luxuriant shrubbery, green hills, several tiny villages, and Shanti Bazaar, the track gets steeper and a bit demanding before crossing a suspension bridge to reach Arkhet Bazaar. You will have your lunch in this town and then continue a downhill trail through a cascading waterfall followed by a steep walk up to Kuerepani. The path from here drops down until reaching Soti Khola, where you have an option for relaxing or enjoy swimming to re-energize yourself. Overnight in Soti Khola.

Beginning the day’s walk after a hefty breakfast, you will cross a bridge and hike through spectacular Sal forests, winding rocky trails and sublime waterfalls over a steep cliff. Walking past crystal clear streamlets and magnificent waterfalls across terraced paddy fields, you will arrive at a Gurung village of Labu Besi. Hiking along rocky terrain where valleys open and the rivers twist, your walk will lead towards the riverbed. Walking for some time along the bank of the river, it is then a gentle ascent over a valley ridge. You will finally make a subtle descend to the river once again to reach the Machha Khola Village. Overnight in Machha Khola Village.

After breakfast today, you will begin hiking by crossing the Thado Khola through several ups and downs and takes you to Khorla Besi. Walking through similar trails, you will arrive at a village with natural hot springs known as Tatopani (literally Hot Water in Nepali). Climbing a valley ridge and then crossing the Budi Gandaki River over a suspension bridge, it is another ascent passing a landslide zone to reach Dobhan. From here, you get another opportunity to walk over a suspension bridge to reach Duman. Traversing through undulating paths several times and crossing several tiny rivers and suspension bridges, the rugged trails will lead you to Thado Bharyang (which means steep staircase in Nepali). Crossing the Budi Gandaki River one more time at Lauri and then gently walking along the riverside, you will arrive at Jagat, a small farming village with a decent number of stores and shops. Overnight in Jagat.

Today, it is required for you to complete the formalities of the ACAP process before leaving Jagat and walking towards Chisopani through rocky trails over a crest to Salleri, and then gently descending to Sirdibas. Crossing the Ghatta Khola over a suspension bridge and following a rivulet along a long hanging bridge, you will arrive at Philim, a considerably large Gurung village. Walking ahead of the Gurung village northwards trudging through a thick forest will lead you to Chisopani. Overnight in Chisopani.

Your spectacular hiking day begins after breakfast at Chisopani crossing a gorge and a large waterfall after which you will enter the beautiful dense pine and oak forests dropping down to the Tsum Valley. From here you will arrive at Lokpa village on ascending through another rhododendron forest accompanied by excellent views of the snow-clad mountains such as Himalchuli and Boudha Himal. This village is an attractive small village and from here onwards the trail is quite demanding with frequent ups and downs through more pine and rhododendron forests. Passing the eye-catching village of Lokpa, you will descend towards Lungwa Khola and then tread on the undulating path for a few hours through the forests of Gumlung. Crossing the Siyar Khola, you will in due course of time reach Chumling, from where majestic views of Shingri Himal can be cherished. You may visit the old Chumling monastery and explore the stone lanes of the village. Overnight in Chumling.

After breakfast at Lower Tsum valley, you will begin the day’s hike crossing a suspension bridge with astounding views of Ganesh Himal. Climbing gradually to higher elevations, you will traverse through villages and landscapes that are similar to the Tibetan plateaus. Crossing another bridge walking past the villages of Rainjam and Serpu Khola, you will arrive at Gho village. From this village, it is an uninterrupted climb for about two hours to reach the Upper Tsum valley, Chokhangparo, which is also known as Chekhampar. Situated on a hilltop, it is quite challenging and a difficult ascent to reach the village at Upper Tsum Valley. Comprised of two rocky settlements Chokhang and Paro, the combination is a large village inhabited by Tibetan Buddhists. One unique attribute of this village is that no sacrifices of animals are made for any religious purposes. In this village, there are some medieval monasteries which you may explore after lunch. Overnight in Chokhangparo.

Today’s hike requires attention concerning altitude issues as you will be ascending above the Chokhangparo village. Heading northwards, you will pass Lamagaon and on crossing a flimsy rope suspension bridge, you will arrive at Rachen Gompa, which is otherwise also known as the Rachen Jangchub Choeling Nunnery. After a short visit to the nunnery, you will cross the Shiar Khola and continue walking through the villages of Lar, Phurbe, and Pangdun. You will get to see an old significant Buddhist stupa as you cross the Chhule village. From here, it is a gradual climb upstream to cross a bridge and arrive at Nile. It is not very far from here if you wish to visit the popular Chhule monastery located on the top of a hill. Overnight in Nile.

Mu Gompa is the largest monastery of this region and is located at the highest point of the Tsum Valley. You will begin with a short gradual climb after breakfast leaving behind Nile village. Since it is a less frequented segment that is rarely accessible to human, the day’s walk will let you savor the environs of a clean and beautiful site with no human inhabitation. Walking towards the western bank of the valley amidst Tibetan landscapes, the path rises up that leads you to the ancient Mu Gompa. Here, you will also embark on a short hike to Dephyudonma Gompa – the oldest monastery in the valley located just nearby. Overnight in Mu Gompa.

The day is set aside for acclimatization and to get acquainted with the higher elevations in the days ahead. Although it is a free day, you will be exploring the surrounding areas within the region of Tsum Valley and visiting small traditional villages and the Mu Gompa itself. The monastery is located at the most remote and the highest part of the Tsum Valley. This monastery is the oldest monastery of both Tsum and Manaslu regions established in 1895 AD and it has some of the oldest books and statues. Another option would be to hike to the base of Pika Himal for inspiring views of the glaciers, Tibetan peaks, Ganesh Himal and other surrounding mountain peaks. Overnight in Mu Gompa.

After breakfast in the morning, you will trek back through Chhule and Phurbe villages on the east bank of the Shiar Khola which is comparatively a more comfortable hike, major portion being downhill. Eventually, you will arrive at Burgi village, a tiny eye-catching village. While you are at this village, you will ascend up to the famous Milarepa’s cave (Phiren Phu), one of the most sacred caves in the Tsum valley. The cave is distinguished for the astounding magnificence of the Poshyop Glacier, Kipu Himal, and Churke Himal. Overnight in Burgi.

This is the day you will retrace your footsteps descending with a gentle pace to Chokhangparo after your breakfast at Burgi village. On the way, you will enjoy the greenery and the views of the beautiful nature all around. Continuing the downhill hike, you will pass the Gho village and further beyond to cross a bridge over the Serpu Khola that is made from the Syakpa Glacier. Walking further below towards the lower Tsum valley, you will ultimately reach Chumling to spend your second night with a possibility to meet your hosts one more time. Overnight in Chumling.

After breakfast today, you will leave Chumling on a flat trail, first to reach Lokpa village stumbling upon the graceful Samba Falls that provides ample opportunities for photography. During the day’s hike to Philim, you can savor moments with beautiful sights of forests and small streams. After several hours of a memorable hike, you will reach Philim, the village from where you can observe a visible trail that leads towards Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Overnight in Philim.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will head towards Khorla Besi leaving behind the cultivated areas of Philim. Descending from Philim crossing Sirdibas will eventually bring you to Jagat, the same farming village you passed through on your way up to Tsum valley. Descending further, you will reach Yaruphant and then to Dobhan, where the neighboring areas seem to become more tropical and greener unlike the arid Tibetan climate at higher altitudes a few days back. Dropping downwards along the staircase and crossing the landslide area, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki River to reach Tatopani, the village with natural hot springs. Continuing your hike on undulating paths from Tatopani, you will reach Khorla Besi following the river banks. Overnight in Khorla Besi.

Following the same trail from Khorla Besi along the Budi Gandaki River like you did on your way up, the path you walk crosses the Thado Khola. From here it is a steep downhill rambling to the river and then you will traverse all the way towards the Machha Khola village. The pristine beauty of the waterfalls on a steep rocky trail lets you relish your walk through the tiny Gurung settlement of Labu Besi which further leads you to another tiny hamlet of Khursane. Walking along the ridge above Budi Gandaki River from this tiny village crossing the Sal forests, you will reach Soti Khola village after finally crossing a bridge. Overnight in Soti Khola village.

Today is the final day of your trekking spree where you will be hiking on the same trail that you walked on the first day of your trip from Arughat. Ascending from Soti Khola to the crest at Kuerepani, you will drop deeply down to the cascading waterfall. Leaving behind the Budi Gandaki River and hiking towards Arkhet Bazaar, you will cross the river to reach Shanti Bazaar. Then passing through the forests at Mangaltar, you will reach Arughat passing the same terraced paddy and millet fields and the hydroelectric power plant. After lunch, you will get onboard a private vehicle to drive towards Kathmandu along the banks of the Marshyangdi and Trishuli Rivers surpassing the green hills, mountains, terraced farms, and tiny villages. On arrival at Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel room. Later in the evening, you are free to catch up on some last minute shopping or stroll around Thamel streets. Overnight in Kathmandu.

You will be dropped off at the airport well ahead of your scheduled flight time by one of our representatives. If you have an evening flight, you may wish to visit certain heritage sites of Kathmandu on your own. However, if you wish to extend your holidays in Nepal, then Royal Holidays are ever ready to create another wonderful trip in the Himalayas.