Arriving in Nepal for the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit trek marks the beginning of an unforgettable Himalayan adventure. Nestled in the Gorkha region, this combined trek offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion and rugged mountain scenery, taking travelers through remote Tibetan-influenced villages, lush valleys, and high alpine passes like the Larkya La (5,160m). It’s a journey into one of Nepal’s most preserved and off-the-beaten-path trekking regions.

Jagat is the starting point of Manaslu Trek which is located in Gorkha. It takes 8 to 9 hours from Kathmandu (10-12 hours from Tansen) to reach Jagat in a private jeep. But if you opt to travel by public transportation, i.e., buses, it takes 9 to 10 hours of journey. Whether to travel by bus or jeep entirely depends on your preferences. The road condition is smooth until Dhading Besi. But from then on, the road conditions become rugged and rough. The road from Arughat to Jagat is especially challenging. Despite the challenging road conditions, the drive is completely safe. Overnight at Jagat.

The very first day of the trekking. We will start with some stretching exercises/Yoga before breakfast. The trekking journey to Tsum Valley follows through the riverside hamlets of Lapubesii, Khorlabesii, Jagat, Salleri, and Ekle Bhatti before reaching Lokpa village. Jagat village acts as the entry and exit point for the restricted area in this Trek. Lokpa Hamlet is the divergent point between the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Tsum Valley Trek. Furthermore, the trekking path from here heads eastward, making gradual ascents. Lokpa village is a confluence point for the Budhi Gandaki River, which originates in Manaslu. Overnight at Lokpa.

After the sun rises, you will have morning rituals and breakfast to start the day’s trek. Chumling is a picturesque village nestled in the Tsum Valley, a hidden gem in the northern part of Gorkha District, Nepal. Chumling serves as the entry point to the enchanting Tsum valley and offers a glimpse into the unique culture and stunning landscapes that await trekkers. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,386 meters (7,828 feet), Chumling is surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, including Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal. The village is nestled within a lush green valley adorned with terraced fields, where locals grow crops like barley, buckwheat, and potatoes. The mesmerizing beauty of the landscapes is a treat for the eyes and provides a serene environment for travelers. Overnight at Chumling. Chhekampar, also known as Chhokang, is a village nestled within the Tsum Valley, which is often referred to as the "Hidden Valley" of Nepal. The cultural heritage of Chhekampar is deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Chhekampar is situated at approximately 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level. This high elevation rewards visitors with awe-inspiring panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including the majestic Mount Manaslu, which stands tall as the eighth highest mountain in the world. Overnight at Chhekampar.

Having a wonderful stay at Chumling village, upon completing morning rituals start trek towards Chhekampar and it takes 4 to 5 hours to get there.

Nile is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum Valley. Nile is on the western, sun-side of the Shiar Khola, about 20 minutes’ walk across from Chhule. On the way we pass the Piren Phu cave. Piren Phu (pigeon cave) is one of the most sacred caves in the Tsum valley. It is located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. Milarepa, the famous Tibetan saint, was believed to have meditated here. Overnight at Nile.

Nile is the last village before the Tibetan border, situated in the Upper Tsum Valley. It is known for its traditional Tibetan-style architecture and its proximity to several significant monasteries, including Mu Gompa. The village is an excellent place to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and experience the peaceful lifestyle of the locals. The surrounding landscapes, with their high mountains and deep valleys, provide a stunning backdrop, making Nile an important cultural and scenic highlight of the trek. During this day, we can visit the village to meet local people, local government office, health post, social mobilizers, leaders, Lamas and Rinpoche whoever is available. Overnight at Nile.

Mu Gompa, also known as Mung Gompa or Mui Gompa, is a remote Buddhist monastery located in the Manaslu region of Nepal. It lies in the northern part of Gorkha District, close to the border with Tibet. Situated at a high altitude of approximately 3,700 meters (12,100 feet) above sea level, Mu Gompa offers a serene and spiritually rich experience for those who venture to this remote corner of the Himalayas. The monastery is nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Himalayas, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight at Mu Gompa.

Descending to Chumling the vegetation gets greener as we return through lower Tsum Valley. Overnight at Chumling.

We will start with some stretching exercises/Yoga before breakfast. After morning prayers and breakfast, you will walk to Salleri and descend to Sirdibas. The village welcomes you with several gompas and Buddhist prayer flags. At Phillim, you will have your permits checked, and then you will continue along the western bank of the river. The trail is beautiful, with unique sculptures over the boulders on the river bank formed due to river water. Leaving the riverbank, you proceed through rhododendron forests, Himalayan pine, and the overhanging rocks on the towering peaks. These highlights beautify the trail. On proceeding further, you cross the Siyar Khola bridge and reach a junction where the trail separates Tsum Valley on your right. Finally, you will reach Pewa. Just a little further, you will reach Deng, where you can finally rest for the day. You can gather around the fireplace in the evening and share your experiences with fellow trekkers and locals before you go to bed. Overnight at Deng.

After the sun rises, you will have morning rituals and breakfast to start the day’s trek. Before ascending the winding trails, you will walk across the bamboo forest to reach Deng. Moving further, you will cross a suspension bridge to climb to Rana and Bihi Phedi. On the trail, White-Faced monkeys visit villages looking for free food. The trail then proceeds to Ghap through several landslide zones. At this point, you must be extra careful as you walk. Plus, you must be attentive to your guide’s instructions to maintain physical safety. After the landslide zone, you will follow the trail up to Namrung. The place has some of the best teashops, a restaurant, and rest houses on the trek. Overnight at Namrung.

Having a wonderful stay at Namrung village, upon completing morning rituals, start trek towards the Lho village and it takes 6 to 7 hours to get there. Lho is a remote village settlement in the Nubri Valley of the Gorkha district of Nepal, famed for providing stunning views of Mount Manaslu (26,781 ft.), the world’s eighth-highest peak. Lying in between Namrung and Samagaun villages in Manaslu, the townlet also serves as a popular accommodation stop on the Manaslu Circuit Trek route. Lho village resides at an elevation of 10,433 feet. above sea level. And, although remote, there are many local teahouses and restaurants to cater to tourists traveling to Larkya La Pass (16,752 ft.). Overnight at Lho.

When exploring Lho village, we can primarily focus on the stunning views of Mount Manaslu, the serene Ribung Monastery, the local lifestyle of the villagers, the diverse flora and fauna of the region, and the nearby Syangok hill which offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks including Nike Peak and Sringi Himal. Additionally, we can also explore the nearby Syala valley for additional scenic beauty. During this day, we can visit the village to meet local people, local government office, health post, social mobilizers, leaders, Lamas and Rinpoche whoever is available. Overnight at Lho

Having a wonderful stay at Namrung village, upon completing morning rituals start trek towards the Shayala village and it takes 6 to 7 hours to get there. The trail is completely gradually up with a thrilling walk to the lap of the mountains. Even though we pass through separate villages like Lho village, local culture, historical Buddist monasteries, landscapes, and glowing mountains. The Lho village is a massive where you can explore authentic houses with the largest Buddist monastery, Mout Manaslu, Buddhist Chhorten, and numerous peaks too. Shyala is an amazing place surrounded by the majesty of Manaslu Himalays also you can see Mt. Manaslu very closely and relish an amazing view of Mount Manaslu. Overnight at Samagaon.

This is the day of acclimatization at Samagaon to prevent altitude-related sickness. About Samagaon: Samagaun, also known as Sama Gaun, is a large and culturally rich village located at an altitude of around 3,520 meters (11,549 feet) along the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Nestled in a broad valley beneath the towering presence of Mount Manaslu, the village is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Tibetans, who have preserved their traditional Buddhist culture over centuries. The economy revolves around agriculture, animal husbandry, and increasingly tourism, with Samagaun being a popular base for trekkers acclimatizing before heading towards higher altitudes or attempting the Manaslu summit. The village is dotted with stone houses, ancient mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags, all adding to its spiritual ambiance. The iconic Pungyen Gompa, a revered monastery, is a short hike away and offers insights into the local religious practices. During this day, we can also visit the village to meet local people, local government office, health post, social mobilizers, leaders, Lamas and Rinpoche whoever is available. Overnight at Samagaon..

After breakfast start the trek to the Samdo, as you are at a high altitude, you must walk slowly, so this is a short day trek. You will notice extended yak pastures up a broad valley with long mani walls and various birds. Once at Samdo, you can explore the nearby villages or hike to Samdo Peak. The Larkya La trail is on the left above the valley. You can also see the main track for Tibet over the Larjyang La forming slopes on the Larkya La trail. Samdo is a village that houses the Tibetan Refugee Camp. Overnight at Samdo.

After breakfast, we descend passing by monasteries before crossing the Budi Gandaki River on a wooden bridge. We arrive at Larkya Bazaar after crossing the river. We continue our trek by hiking to Syacha Glacier moraines and a vantage point from which we can observe Larkya Glacier. As we go between Mani walls and stoned houses until we reach Dharmasala, we witness breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains. We rest for the entire afternoon because we are crossing Larkya La Pass the next day. It serves as a crucial acclimatization point for trekkers heading towards the Larkya La Pass, one of the trek’s highest and most challenging sections. The name “Dharmasala” translates to “a place of rest” in Sanskrit, reflecting its role as a refuge for those acclimating to the high altitude. Overnight at Dharmashala.

This is a special day as we will walk to the trail’s highest point. On this day, you will walk to Larkya La Pass (5,160m / 16,929 ft). The walk could be quite challenging in bad weather and the snow, yet it is doable. We will cross the pass before the afternoon, so we must wake up early morning around 4am to have breakfast or we can take it away, and leave the teahouse early. This is the challenging part of the trek, but if you walk steadily, we can successfully cross the pass. The stunning views you will witness once you stand at the pass make the trip more enlightening. You will catch views of Himlung (7,126m/ 23,379 ft) near Tibet Kang Guru (6,981m /22,903 ft), and Annapurna II (7,937m / 26,040 ft) in the Annapurna Range. Spending your particular time at the pass, you will walk down for around 3 hours toward Bimthang for an overnight stay. On descending, you will get views of huge icefalls and mountains in all directions, Pongkar Tal between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers. Overnight at Bhimthang.

We continue our journey by climbing a small ridge and entering a settlement along a stone-paved path. After crossing Dudh Khola and ascending further, we arrive at Thonje Village and pass through a police checkpoint. Overnight at Gowa.

At the conclusion of the Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will return to either Kathmandu or Pokhara from Dharapani using either private vehicle or public transportation as per your choice. Overnight at Kathmandu.