A newly opened trek area fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism and cultural heritage
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
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Day 01: Drive From Kathmandu to Machekhola 9,00 m./3,050 ft./160 km./100 miles/8 hrs.
Your adventure journey begins with a dot road drive to Soti Khola and Machekhola. The first four hours to Dhading Besi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1,050 m), and further to Taribesi is on paved roads, but for the section to Machekhola, we will be driving on a rougher surface. This is a scenic drive with a diverse landscape. You will have great experience with the scenic drive. Overnight at Machhekhola with the pleasant sound of river.
Distance Cover: 160 km/100 miles
Altitude Descend: 450 m.
Driving Duration: 8 hrs.
Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Day 02: Machekhola to Jagat 1,840 m./5,915 ft./22 km./13 miles/7 hrs.
After crossing the Machha River and Khrolabesi, we will pass through the hot springs at Tatopani. The trail follows a forested area until we cross the Dovan Khola from where we will make our way to the Budhi Gandaki Valley. With white sandy areas along the riverside, the scenery undergoes a drastic transformation as the elevation increases until we reach Jagat.
Distance Cover: 22 km/13 miles
Altitude gain: 450 m.
Walking Duration: 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 03: Jagat/ Lokpa, 2,240 m./ 7,347 ft./15 km./9.30 miles/6 hrs.
In Jagat, we have to complete the MCAP/ACAP procedure. In the early part of our trek, we ascend over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descend to Sirdibas through a flat, level path. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long, simple hanging bridge and climb up to Philim. It is a big village, mainly inhabited by the Gurungs. Philim valley is well known for its Japanese-made schools and police stations. As we walk past Philim to the north across a forest with views of the narrowing valley, we reach Chisopani and Lokpa.
Distance Cover: 15 km/9.30 miles
Altitude Gain: 400 m.
Walking Duration: 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 04: Lokpa/ Chumling, 2,586 m./7,826 ft./10 km./6.25 miles/6 hrs.
Chumling is a small, beautiful Buddhist village with a great Himalayan view. The Monastery is so beautiful, with a colorful prayer flag and stone carved Mantra. The path is quite zikjaking with up-and-downhill walking.
Distance Cover: 10 km/6.25 miles
Altitude Gain: 350 m.
Walking Duration: 6 hrs.
Day 05: Chumling trek to Chhekamparo 3,010 m./ 9,872 ft./10 km./6.25 miles/6 hrs.
After breakfast at Chumling, we carry out our walk towards Chokhangparo by crossing the suspension bridge on the opposite bank of the river. The scenic views of the valley and views of Ganesh Himal amply compensate today’s walk. Cross a huge slip where rocks and flood, Up the valley to the east are superb views of several of the 7,000 m.7,400 m. Ganesh Himal, of long suspension bridges on the opposite bank, and far above the perched village of Ripchet (2,468 m). Passing through Rainjam acrossing Serpu Khola we climb for over two hours on well-graded but exposed track to upper Tsum and the join villages of Chokhangparo, stone houses with a few iron roofs nestled under cliffs. Chokhangparo is situated on flat land and consists of 2 settlements, Chokhang and Paro. You will have the best view of Himalchuli (7,893 m.) and Ganesh Himal (7,140 m.). Some households practice polyandry down here. This area is prominent for its Tibetan Buddhist heritage. Overnight at the guest house.
Distance Cover: 10 km/6.25 miles
Altitude Gain: 450 m.
Walking Duration: 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 06: Chokhangparo trek to Nile 3,361 m./11,024 ft./12 km./7.50 miles/5 hrs.
Ascending from Chokhangparo, you might get symptoms of Altitude sickness. So, we recommend you take precaution for it and drink plenty of water in order to keep yourself hydrated. We head east through small villages and pass a local school. The magnificent view here pauses our trekking and makes us stop in honor of the amazing nature. Gradually climbing over a ridge of Chortens, we pass Lama Gaon (3,202 m) through the flat fields, looking across the extensive crops and river to the huge courtyard of the Rachen Gompa/Nunnery Gompa (3,240 m) The friendly people speak Tsumba, related to Tibetan, but often little Nepali and are quite unused to visitors. We can also make a small visit and then cross the Shiyar Khola, pass through hamlets of Phurbe (3,251 m) and Pangdun (3,258 m) and pass an unusual round stupa before reaching the larger village of Chhule (3,347 m) through an impressive entrance gate. Heading upstream to cross the bridge and climb to the Nile (pronounced Nee-lay). The Nile is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum valley. This area is massively deforested. Overnight at the guest house
Distance Cover: 12 km/7.50 miles
Altitude Gain: 350 m.
Walking Duration: 5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 07: Nile trek to Mu Gompa 3,700 m./12,136 ft./7 km./4.35 miles/5 hrs.
Today we make the day hike to Mu and back. We are now almost close to the Tibetan border. Walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. This Mu Gompa is the largest monastery in the region. The Gompa lies at the highest and most remote part of the Tsum Valley.
Distance Cover: 7 km/4.35 miles
Altitude Gain: 440 m.
Walking Duration: 5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 08: Nile Trek Back To Chumling 2,368 m./7,862 ft./15 km./9.35 miles/6 hrs.
We return same way to Chumling, 7–8 hrs. As you are coming back, the hike seems like easy and smooth. Once you are back to Chumling, you have a chance to take hot showers and warm dining with a variety of food.
Distance Cover: 15 km./9.35 miles
Altitude Descend: 1,332 m.
Walking Duration: 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 09: Chumling Trek to Deng 1,860 m./6,100 ft./20 km./12.50 miles/ 7 to 8 hrs.
Today, the path is descending all the way to Budi Gandaki river through the forest. We should cross a couple of bridges to reach the Deng. Of course, we will stop at Lokpa for lunch. Once we cross the Budi Gandaki, the trail is quite long. Deng is a small settlement with certain facilities at the Guest House.
Distance Cover: 20 km/12.50 miles
Altitude Descend: 500 m.
Walking Duration: 8 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 10: Deng trek to Namrung 2,900 m./9,512 ft./17 km./11 miles/6 hrs.
We scramble steeply up onto a spectacular trail and descend to cross the river. We pass through some small settlements and then ascend to an impressive valley. There we encounter Mani stones (prayer stones) carved into wayside rocks, a sign that we are entering a Tibetan territory. In the afternoon, we make an excursion to the small settlement of Prok, a two-hour round trip.
Distance Cover: 17 km/11 miles
Altitude Gain: 1,040 m.
Walking Duration: 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 11: Namrung trek to Lho Gaun 3,180 m./10,430 ft./11 km./7 miles/4-5 hrs.
Continuing from Namrung the trek climbs steadily into the alpine, where you’ll see a first stunning glimpse of Manaslu North and Manaslu. From this point on, many of the locals dress in traditional Tibetan clothing called chubas.
Distance Cover: 11 km/7 miles
Altitude Gain: 300 m.
Walking Duration: 5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 12: Lho Gaun Trek to Sama Gaun 3,500 m./11,480 ft./11 km./7 miles/5 hrs.
We pass the stone gate and the long Mani stone wall of the village after Lho, with a full view of Peak 29 ahead. You can make a side excursion to Pungen to get a very close up view of Manaslu from here. The trail follows a lateral moraine of Pungen towards Sama. It takes another 20 minutes to reach Sama Gompa from there for a night halt.
Distance Cover: 11 km/7 miles
Altitude Gain: 320 m.
Walking Duration: 5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 13: Acclimatization Day at Sama Gaun
This day has been set aside for acclimatization. An option for full or half day walks has been set aside. The full-day walk is towards Manaslu Base Camp (approximately a 6-7-hour round trip). Alternatively, there are half day walks, either across the valley or to Birendra Kale.
Day 14: Samagaon to Samdo 3,690 m./12,103 ft./10 km./6 miles/4 hrs.
We cross pasture areas and gradually ascend to the valley. Fantastic views of the mountains, especially Manaslu, are ahead of us as we reach Samdo (3,860 m), a Tibetan refugee village. This remote village is only a day’s walk from the Tibetan border. In the afternoon, we will explore the village and the surrounding hills.
Distance Cover: 10 km/6 miles
Altitude Gain: 200 m.
Walking Duration: 4 hours.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 15: Samdo trek to Dharmashala 4,450 m./14,596 ft./12 km./8 miles/5 hrs.
After crossing a couple of streams, we’ll reach the Larkya Bazaar. This is a village which thrived from trade with Tibet years ago. After a steady climb, we will arrive at our lodge at, 4,450 m./14,596 ft.
Distance Cover: 12 km./8 miles
Altitude Gain: 760 m.
Walking Duration: 5 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 16: Dharmasala trek to Bhimtang over Larkya La Pass 5,220 m./17,121 ft/24 km./15 miles/8 hrs.
We climb Cho Chanda and then slowly head uphill towards the steep, snowed-up pass. The panorama from the top is magnificent: Himlung Himal (7,126m./23,373 ft.), Cheo Himal (6,820 m./22,370 ft.), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m./22,897 ft.) and the Annapurna II (7,937 m./26,033 ft.). The descent is steep, through moraines, to Bhimphedi.
Distance Cover: 24 km./15 miles
Altitude Gain: 670 m.
Walking Duration: 8 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 17: Bhimtang trek to Darapani 2,300 m./7,544 ft./7 hrs.
With a gentle climb through paddy fields, we head towards the small Karcha La pass. The trail descends through fig trees and rhododendron forests to Darapani
Distance Cover: 17 km/10 miles
Altitude Descend: 1,290 m.
Walking Duration: 7 hrs.
Day 18: Dharapani Drive to Besisahar by jeep 4 hrs. Besisahar to Kathmandu by bus road distance is 397 km./ 246 miles/6 hrs.
Morning, hike down to Dharapani which takes around two hours. Once we reach Dharapani, we need to cheek out the stamp on the permit at the ACAP office counter. We take a jeep to Beshishahar and a bus to Kathmandu. It is a long but beautiful drive, as you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the surroundings.