20-Day Manaslu Circuit & Tsum Valley Trek

Your 20-day Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Maccha Khola. You will board a local bus and traverse the diverse terrain. Witness the dramatic shift in landscape as you drive from the bustling capital to terraced hillsides and rural villages.

The journey lasts approximately 6 hours until you reach Maccha Khola. Upon reaching your destination, you can check into your lodge and explore the small village by the Budhi Gandaki River.

The second day marks the beginning of your trek through the Himalayan terrain. From Maccha Khola, you will traverse the narrow gorge and cross several suspension bridges. The journey takes you past charming Gurung and Chhetri villages like Khorlabesi and Tatopani. From Tatopani, the trail combines varied ascents and descents through lush forests and farmlands until you reach Jagat. Jagat is also the entry point to the Manaslu Conservation Area.

From Jagat, the trail continues along the Budhi Gandaki. You will pass the significant Gurung village of Philim before the trek enters a more remote but pristine section. You will trek through dense forests, relishing the stunning waterfalls and crossing suspension bridges toward the main Manaslu trail.

Before reaching Lokpa, the first village in the lower Tsum Valley, you will take on a steady uphill hike. From Lokpa, you can enjoy the serene views of the surrounding peaks and landscapes.

As you leave Lokpa behind, you will traverse deeper into the secluded Tsum Valley. Today’s trek involves a mix of ascents and descents through dense rhododendron and pine forests. The trek takes you across the Siyar Khola suspension bridge toward Chumling. From Chumling, you will find a more open landscape with terraced fields and traditional stone houses.

Chumling is a beautiful village with extensive views of the Tsum Valley and the Ganesh Himal range.

From Chumling, the trek continues toward Chekampar with a gradual ascent through lush forests. You will pass small villages along the way and enjoy awe-inspiring views of the surrounding peaks, including Ganesh Himal. On the way, you will further encounter ancient chortens and mani walls, reflecting the strong practice of Buddhism in the region.

A 5 to 6-hour trek brings you to Chekampar, where you can find a deeper insight into the local lifestyle of the Tsumba community.

Today’s journey takes you deeper into the Tsum Valley. Your journey gradually makes its way through alpine landscapes. As you reach higher elevations, you will experience a more barren land with fewer trees. The views open up, giving you stunning views of Himlung Himal and other icy peaks. Your journey further passes through several significant monasteries and traditional settlements, including Chule.

After 5 to 6 hours of trek, you will reach the small settlement of Nile, neighboring the Tibetan border.

After a week of trekking, you will stop to acclimatize in Nile. Acclimatizing is crucial while trekking in high-altitude regions as it helps your body cope with the thin atmosphere, significantly reducing the risks of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness.

To aid in better acclimatization, you will hike to Mu Gompa, at 3,700 meters. This is the largest monastery in Tsum Valley and offers spiritual insights and stunning panoramic views of Tsum Valley and the bordering Tibetan mountains.

Today, you will retrace your steps to Chekampar. The journey includes a gradual descent from Nile back to Chekampar. As you return to the lower-altitude village of Chekampar, you will find different perspectives of the landscape. As the descent is generally easier, you will get a chance to revisit the charming villages you passed earlier.

Retracing your steps through the Tsum Valley, today’s journey takes you back to Chumling. The trek lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours and passes through diverse terrain, charming villages, a nd lush forests. You will cross the Siyar Khola one more time and enjoy the dramatic view of the Ganesh Himal before reaching Chumling.

Today, you will rejoin the Manaslu Circuit trail as you trail toward Deng from Chumling. The journey is a mix of significant descent and gradual ascent. The pristine Tsum Valley environment transitions back to the broader Manaslu region as you cross the Budhi Gandaki river and pass through several villages to Deng.

From Deng, you will take a more challenging and longer journey to Namrung. Your trek passes through rhododendron and pine forests, offering glimpses of Manaslu Himal. The trail winds past several charming villages and takes a stray ascent into Namrung. As you reach Namrung, you will experience a gradual shift to a more alpine environment.

From this quaint Gurung village, you can enjoy the stunning views of Siringi Himal and the Manaslu range.

Today’s trek is shorter, but you will gain a significant altitude. The trail passes through picturesque forests and small villages. As you gain altitude, you will find a clearer and a more close-up view of the Manaslu range.

After a 4-hour hike, you will reach Lho. Here, you will find yourself surrounded by prayer flags and a panoramic view of Manaslu. Lho is also known for its ancient monastery. You can take the time to visit the spiritual center and soak in its aura.

Today’s trek takes you from Lho to Sama Gaun. The journey offers awe-inspiring views as you make your way into the upper Nupri region. To get to your destination, you will trail along lush forests, streams, and pass chortens and mani walls. After a 7-hour trek, you will reach the significant Nupri (Gurung) village of Sama Gaun. From here, you will get incredible close-up views of Mount Manaslu and the entire Manaslu range.

Today is your second acclimatization stop. You will practice the principle of “climb high, sleep low” to allow your body to adjust to the high altitude conditions. To follow this strategy, you will trek to Manaslu Base Camp (approximately 4,800 meters). This is a challenging excursion that takes you to the foot of the world’s eighth-highest peak, offering views of the Manaslu icefall and glacier.

Another short trek awaits from Sama Gaun to Samdo. The journey takes you across the Budhi Gandaki River and passes through juniper and birch forests. To reach Samdo, you will cross a high alpine pasture. Samdo is a small village near the Tibetan border. It is known for its ancient monastery and incredible view of the Himalayan landscapes.

You will spend another crucial acclimatization day in Samdo as you prepare for the challenging Larkya La Pass. Today, you can rest in your teahouse and explore the Samdo village. Alternatively, you can go on an acclimatization hike to a viewpoint located at around 4,900 meters above Samdo. The viewpoint offers beautiful views of Ganesh Himal, Himlung Himal, and other surrounding peaks.

Today, you will trek to Dharmasala, also known as Larkya Phedi. This is the final stop before the Larkya La Pass crossing. To get to Dharamsala, you will gradually ascend the rocky and barren terrain. The trek is short. This gives you enough time to rest and prepare for the strenuous day tomorrow.

Prepare for the longest and most challenging day of your trek. Today, you will take on the adventure across the Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters). Your trek starts before dawn. Take the steep ascent over moraines and rocky trails toward the summit of the Larkya La Pass. After a challenging uphill journey, you will be rewarded with unparalleled views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Garu, and Annapurna II, and an immense sense of accomplishment.

After spending some time on the summit, you will take a steep descent to Bimtang, with the stunning mountains in the background.

After a long and strenuous journey to the highest point of your trek, you will continue with a long descent to Dharapani. Your journey takes you through lush forests, across glacial streams, and through charming villages like Tilije and Gho. As you move to a lower altitude, you will enter the sub-tropical region with greener landscapes. At the end of the long 9-hour trek, you will reach Dharapani, the meeting point of the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit treks.

Your Himalayan adventure concludes today. After breakfast in Dharapani, you will board a local bus and enjoy a scenic drive back to Kathmandu. The journey passes through varying landscapes. You will pass from mountain roads toward a more bustling settlement, passing Besisahar. After an 11-hour journey, you will arrive in Kathmandu. Our representatives will transfer you to your hotel, ending your incredible 20-day Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trek.