Tsum Valley to Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trekkers arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A guide or company representative meets the group at the arrivals hall and transfers them to the hotel by private vehicle. Kathmandu sits at an elevation of 1,400 m and serves as the start and end point for the Tsum Valley to Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The remainder of the day is free for rest and recovery from travel. An evening welcome briefing introduces the overall program, the daily route structure, team members, and key logistical information. Trekkers are advised to stay well-hydrated at this elevation and to rest ahead of the long drive on Day 3. Accommodation is in Kathmandu.

The second day is set aside for pre-trek preparation in Kathmandu. Trekkers attend a full briefing that covers the complete route, daily distances and elevation profiles, altitude safety guidelines, and emergency procedures. Equipment is laid out and inspected for completeness and condition.

Any missing or unsuitable gear can be sourced from the Thamel district, which offers a wide range of trekking equipment shops. All three required permits — the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) are finalized and collected on this day. These permits are mandatory for the full Tsum Valley to Manaslu Circuit Trek and must be secured before leaving Kathmandu. Trekkers rest in the afternoon and prepare for an early departure the following morning.

The drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola takes approximately 8 to 9 hours by private vehicle. The road initially follows the Trisuli River before turning east toward Arughat and continuing along the Budhi Gandaki valley. The route passes through Dadhingbesi, the district headquarters of Dhading, and several small roadside settlements. Road conditions vary and can be rough in places, particularly following the monsoon season.

The drive provides a gradual transition from the urban pace of Kathmandu into the rural mid-hills landscape. Terraced rice and corn fields cover the hillsides for much of the journey. Mule trains are often visible on the lower valley trails, carrying essential supplies toward remote villages higher up. Machha Khola, whose name means 'fish stream' in Nepali, is a small settlement beside the Budhi Gandaki River at 869 m. Basic accommodation is available at local guesthouses here.

The day begins with a short vehicle drive from Machha Khola to Jagat at 1,340 m, taking about 1 to 2 hours depending on road conditions. Jagat is an important checkpoint village at the boundary of the Manaslu Conservation Area. Trekkers must register permits here before proceeding on foot into the protected zone. Authorities check documents for both the Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley Restricted Area.

From Jagat, the trek begins heading north along the established Manaslu Circuit route beside the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail passes through narrow gorges, crosses suspension bridges, and moves through small farming communities. Stone-paved paths and narrow cliff-hugging sections characterise this stretch. The walk from Jagat to Philim takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. Philim sits at 1,570 m and is a larger, ethnically diverse village with both Gurung and Tibetan-origin residents. Several guesthouses and tea shops serve trekkers in Philim.

Today marks the entry into Tsum Valley, and it is the most physically demanding day of the Tsum Valley Trek. Just before Lokpa, the trail branches north from the main Manaslu Circuit route. The path climbs steeply through dense rhododendron forests, offering views of Sringi Himal (7,187 m) rising to the north. A lunch stop at Lokpa provides a necessary break during the long ascent.

After Lokpa, the trail descends briefly to the river before climbing again toward Chumling. A suspension bridge crosses the Siyar Khola just below the village. Beyond the bridge, the landscape widens into a broad, green valley floor with scattered stone farmhouses — this is the beginning of Tsum Valley. Chumling sits at 2,386 m and is surrounded by the Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and the Tibetan mountain ranges. The total elevation gain from Philim is approximately 1,600 m, making this the steepest single-day climb of the entire Combo Trek. Trekkers check in to a guesthouse in Chumling for the night.

The trek from Chumling to Chhokang Paro takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. The ascent is moderate and well-graded compared to the previous day. Small mani walls and strings of prayer flags mark the trail as it enters deeper into Buddhist territory. The terrain shifts steadily from forested hillsides to an open steppe plateau that extends toward the Tibetan border.

Chhokang Paro sits at 3,031 m and marks a clear change in both landscape and cultural atmosphere. Farmers here still plow high-altitude fields using traditional wooden yokes and draft animals. Stone houses with flat roofs and small window frames line the narrow village lanes. Horses and yaks move freely through the settlement, a common sight that becomes increasingly familiar in the upper Tsum Valley. The afternoon is free to explore the village and observe daily life. Mountain views from this elevation are unobstructed on clear days. Trekkers stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Chhokang Paro.

The trail continues through the open steppe landscape of upper Tsum Valley. The walk from Chhokang Paro to Nile takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. The path follows relatively flat terrain through wide grazing meadows before a final climb leads into the village. Several small streams fed by glacial melt cross the trail along the way.

Two significant monasteries lie along this section of the off the beaten trek. Rachen Gompa is one of the most important active nunneries in the Tsum Valley region and houses dozens of nuns practicing Tibetan Buddhism. Trekkers typically stop here for lunch and a brief visit to the monastery grounds. Gonghyul Gompa sits nearby and is also active. Nile is the last major village before the upper valley and sits at 3,361 m. Stone walls line the trail into the settlement, and prayer flags are strung across rooftops and hilltops. Mountain scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the valley narrows northward. Trekkers stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Nile.

This is the highlight day of the Tsum Valley Trek. Trekkers set out early from Nile and hike to Mu Gompa, the highest point of trek through Tsum Valley at 3,700 m. The hike takes approximately 3 to 4 hours each way through a rocky, high-altitude landscape with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

Mu Gompa is both the highest point of the Tsum Valley Trek and the final permanent settlement in the valley. Monks who follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition live and practice here throughout the year. The monastery is an active place of worship and meditation, and trekkers can tour the grounds and observe daily monastic routines. Views from Mu Gompa extend to several peaks above 5,000 m and reach toward the Tibetan plateau. After spending time at the monastery, the group descends back to Nile by the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay are in Nile.

The day begins the return leg through Tsum Valley. Trekkers retrace the trail from Nile southward, passing through Chhokang Paro and descending back to Chumling at 2,386 m. The descent offers reverse mountain views and a fresh perspective on the valley and its settlements.

The wide steppe plateau between Nile and Chhokang Paro is particularly striking on clear mornings, with sharp light falling on the surrounding peaks. Below Chhokang Paro, the descent follows a well-marked trail through forested terrain. The change in vegetation becomes noticeable quickly as the altitude drops. The lower trail passes through stands of rhododendron and pine before reaching the suspension bridge above Chumling. The walk takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. Trekkers stay overnight at a guesthouse in Chumling.

From Chumling, the trail descends back toward the Budhi Gandaki valley. The route passes through the junction near Lokpa where the Tsum Valley trail rejoins the main Manaslu Circuit. The descent through rhododendron and mixed forest involves significant elevation loss over this section.

The trail continues through riverside terrain, crossing several suspension bridges over side streams before reaching Deng at 1,860 m. Deng sits where the Budhi Gandaki gorge begins to widen, and the settlement marks an early transition point into the broader upper valley landscape. Temperatures are noticeably warmer here after several days at higher altitude. Trekkers check in to a local guesthouse for the night in Deng.

From Deng, the trail climbs steadily along the Budhi Gandaki River, rejoining the established Manaslu Circuit route heading north. The path crosses the river by suspension bridge and ascends through mixed forest. A small monastery sits near the river crossing at Shringi, and mani walls with carved Tibetan inscriptions appear along the path from this point onward.

Higher up, the trail enters denser stands of conifers and juniper. Birdlife is active in the forest canopy, and Himalayan species are often spotted along this stretch. After a sustained climb, the trail reaches Ghap, a good lunch stop. The afternoon continues through more forest to Namrung at 2,630 m. Namrung marks the beginning of a strong Tibetan cultural influence in the region. Tightly packed stone houses, flat-roofed architecture, and carved mani stones are characteristic of the village. Trekkers stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Namrung.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek continues north from Namrung through small stone villages. The trail passes through Barchham and Lihi before climbing to Sho village. At this elevation, the landscape opens significantly and mountain views improve. Manaslu, Manaslu North, Himalchuli, and several surrounding peaks fill the northern horizon.

After Sho, a short descent crosses a rocky ravine before the trail enters Lho at 3,180 m. Lho is a key settlement in the Nubri Valley and contains a large monastery with approximately 80 to 90 resident monks and scholars. The monastery sits directly beneath the full face of Manaslu, making Lho one of the most visually powerful overnight stops on the Manaslu Circuit. The views of Manaslu's south face from the village are outstanding in clear conditions. Trekkers stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Lho.

Leaving Lho, the trail descends steeply to cross the Thusang Khola, a cold glacial stream. The Manaslu massif and Himalchuli tower over both walls of the valley throughout this section. Beyond the crossing, the path follows the ancient trans-Himalayan trade route, tracking close to the Tibetan border on the Manaslu Circuit.

The trail passes over a moraine ridge above a glacier-fed valley before arriving at Samagaon, also known locally as Sama. This village at 3,520 m is one of the most traditional and well-preserved Tibetan-influenced settlements in the entire region. It contains a major monastery, numerous mani walls, and a compact cluster of stone homes. Samagaon serves as the primary acclimatization hub of the Manaslu Circuit Trek and is the staging point for the following day's hike to Manaslu Base Camp. Trekkers stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Samagaon.

An early morning start allows the group to complete the round hike to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaon within a single day. This acclimatization hike gains 1,280 m above Samagaon and is an essential preparation for the Larkya Pass crossing ahead. The trail climbs steadily through boulder fields and moraine ridges as the valley narrows toward the glacier.

Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800 m sits directly at the foot of the Manaslu glacier and offers an unobstructed view of the north face of Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain. After spending time at base camp and taking in the surroundings, the group descends along the same trail back to Samagaon. The full outing takes approximately 6 to 7 hours. The overnight stay at Samagaon gives the body time to consolidate acclimatization gains before the long push over Larkya Pass on Day 16.

From Samagaon, the trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki River for the final time and follows it upstream past ancient mani walls with carved inscriptions. The route rises gradually through juniper scrub and open tundra vegetation as the valley narrows toward the Larkya glacier system. The landscape becomes more barren and exposed at this elevation.

The trail gains elevation steadily, passing a viewpoint that overlooks the Larkya La glacier below. Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi or the Larkya Rest House, sits at 4,460 m. Accommodation here is basic and sparse, with limited facilities available. This high camp serves as the final staging point before the crossing of Larkya Pass. Trekkers should rest completely, eat well, and prepare adequate warm layers for the early departure the following morning. Sleeping at altitude can be difficult, and acclimatization from the previous days is important.

The group sets out at approximately 4:00 a.m. to avoid the powerful afternoon winds that build over the pass. A long, gradual climb begins alongside a glacial moraine in the dark. The trail dips briefly to a glacial lake before rising to the head of the moraine at around 4,700 m. From there, the route climbs steeply to the crest of Larkya Pass at 5,106 m — the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the entire Combo Trek.

On clear days, the panorama from the pass stretches across Himlung Himal, Kanguru, Annapurna II, and the rear face of Manaslu. Four frozen lakes lie below the western descent. The descent from the pass is steep and drops approximately 650 m over a short, rocky section before the trail levels out onto open yak pastures. The day ends at Bimthang at 3,720 m, a cluster of summer herder shelters in a broad, open alpine meadow. Despite the length and difficulty of the crossing, the setting at Bimthang is calm and the views back toward the pass are rewarding.

The most demanding section of the Tsum Valley to Manaslu Circuit Trek is now complete. The trail from Bimthang descends steadily through open alpine meadows before entering dense stands of pine and rhododendron forest. The path follows the Dudh Khola river downstream, passing through the village of Hampuk and several smaller settlements. The descent continues through Karche and Gho, where lower-altitude vegetation, terraced fields, and rice paddies return.

The trail stays on the west bank of the Dudh Khola for most of the descent. Near the valley floor, it crosses to the east bank and reaches the junction of the Dudh Khola and the Marsyangdi river at Dharapani. Here, the Manaslu Circuit Trek meets the Annapurna Circuit trail. Dharapani sits at 1,860 m and is a lower valley with reliable vehicle access. The temperature at this elevation is markedly warmer than any point higher on the Combo Trek. Trekkers stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Dharapani.

From Dharapani, the group boards a vehicle and drives south through the Marsyangdi valley. The road follows the river downstream to Besisahar at 760 m, the district headquarters of Lamjung. From Besisahar, the journey continues south along the main highway toward Kathmandu.

The full drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu takes approximately 7 to 8 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. Trekkers arrive in Kathmandu in the late afternoon or evening. The night is free for rest, a farewell dinner, or last-minute shopping in the Thamel district. The Tsum Valley to Manaslu Circuit Trek is nearly complete at this point.

The program concludes today. Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport is arranged according to individual flight schedules. Hotel check-out follows standard times unless otherwise arranged in advance.