The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek takes you through unique and remote villages in Nepal. The valley is uniquely located between Manaslu and Ganesh Himal (a beautiful mountain) and is sacred for Buddhist pilgrims. The name Tsum comes from the Tibetan Tsombo and means lively. Traditionally, the Tsum Valley was a culturally separate geographical area called Tsum Tso Chuksum; whose thirteen provinces were governed by a single territory. The ancient remains of the Tsum Kingdom are still visible today.

We are sure your encounters with lonely monasteries, and unadulterated cultural and natural treasures on the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek will surely create memories of a lifetime. 

One of the most interesting destinations of the 21st century, the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek was only opened to foreigners in 2007. The trek offers an undiluted Tibetan cultural experience in one of the last places in the world. The trails are strewn with artistic chortens and lined with Mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers. It is believed that the Buddhist saint Milarepa meditated in one of the caves in the valley. The nunneries of Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa, and Gumba Lungdang follow centuries-old tradition. And you can witness the same at the evening puja in the monasteries. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, this sacred valley and its people have been bypassed by mainstream development for centuries. As a result, the unique culture of this valley has remained intact.

We recommend the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek if you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path trek in Nepal. The trail is technically demanding but our itinerary ensures a good pre-acclimatization (altitude adjustment). On the same note, you can also combine the Manaslu Circuit Trek with this trip for the best experience. You can join the Manaslu circuit trail from Deng and carry on the usual Manaslu circuit trek itinerary.

Trip Highlights

• Half day Kathmandu Sightseeing tour
• Overland drive to and from Kathmandu
• Explore Tibetan Tsum Valley
• Mixed Tibetan Sherpa and Gurung culture and lifestyle
• Walk through Manaslu trail from Arughat
• Beautiful forest of fir and rhododendron with many birds
• Crossing over a wooden bridge with a roaring narrow canyon
• Incredibly diverse scenery and cultures
• Extensive Himalayan views
• Tibetian Buddhist monastery

Trip Grade - Moderate

Trip Summary

• Day 1 :Arrive Kathmandu
• Day 2 :Kathmandu Sightseeing & Special trekking permit preparations
• Day 3 :Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930m; 9-10 hrs)
• Day 4 :Trek To Jagat (1410m; 7-8 hrs)
• Day 5 :Trek Ekle Bhatti (1600m; 3-4 hrs)
• Day 6 :Trek to Chumling (2386m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 7 :Trek to Chhokangparo, a.k.a. Upper Tsum (3050m; 3-4 hrs)
• Day 8 :Trek to Chhule-Nile, en route visit Milarepa Piren Phu Cave (3370m; 4 hrs)
• Day 9 :Trek to Mu Gompa (3700m; 2 hrs)
• Day 10 :Trek to Rachen Nunnery (3210m) Walk approx. 5-6 hrs
• Day 11 :Trek to Domje (2405m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 12 :Trek to Gumba Lungdan (3310m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 13 :Trek to Ripchet (2500m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 14 :Trek to Philim (1570m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 15 :Trek to Jagat (1410m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 16 :Trek to Machha Khola (930m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 17 :Drive to Kathmandu (9-10 hrs)
• Day 18 :Full day at leisure
• Day 19 :Transfer to Airport for your onward destination

Daily Movements

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Your group leader will meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel where there will be a short arrival briefing and then trek briefing at 5 pm (depending upon the time of your arrival). At the same time, your group leader will distribute sleeping bag, down jacket and kit bag.

At the evening meal, we will come together for a mail with Keep Walking Nepal family.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing & Special trekking permit preparations

We will procure the special permits required for Tsum Valley today, so that you can experience the sights and the sounds of the city.

After breakfast you will embark on half-day sightseeing tour of the 2 major attractions in Kathmandu; Boudha Stupa (the second largest Buddhist stupa in the world) and Pashupatinath (one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River).

The rest of the afternoon at leisure for last-minute shopping or you may like to explore Durbar Square or the extensive handicraft shops in Thamel.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930m; 9-10 hrs)

You will set off early today for Soti Khola (710m), the hot, enclosed, deep valley heading north upstream along the Budhi Gandaki River. During the drive, you can enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the distant Himalayan peak of Ganesh Himal. We will drive on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, district headquarter of Dhading (1050m) up to Soti Khola.

From Soti Khola onwards, you will drive on dirt road for about 2 hours to Macha Khola.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 4: Trek To Jagat (1410m; 7-8 hrs)

You will depart Macchakhola to take a gently uphill path along the Budhi Gandaki towards the village of Khorla Besi after which the trail is quite exposed and challenging at places.

After a few more ups and downs you will come across a small hot spring in Tatopani. The route now changes over a suspension bridge to the left bank of the river. Climbing up a wide, well-designed staircase, you will eventually reach the village of Doban after crossing a short stretch of forest. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, passing another village and climbing a ridge you’ll get back on the river tail. A gentle ascent lies the beautiful village of Jagat.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 5: Trek Ekle Bhatti (1600m; 3-4 hrs)

You will begin the trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues to the Ghatta Khola river. You’ll continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. From here, the trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 6: Trek to Chumling (2386m; 5-6 hrs)

The adventure walk today has lots of wonderful moments for us as we trek to Chumling after breakfast.

The first hour of the morning takes you on a spectacular trail to a roaring waterfall in a narrow gorge. Leaving Ekle Bhatti, the trail descends till it splits into two different routes – one leading to Tsum Valley and the other heads to Manaslu circuit journey. We obviously follow the Tsum Valley trail and walk further leaving the second route behind.

You start gaining altitude, as you climb through a forest and reach Lokpa, the first village in the valley. The village offers up close views of the snowy peaks of Shringi Himal and Ganesh Himal. The trail is relatively quiet and for the next few hours the trail undulates through a dense forest until the village of Chumling. After some rest you can visit the village and monastery at the village.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 7: Trek to Chhokangparo, a.k.a. Upper Tsum (3050m; 3-4 hrs)

Today we walk through the trail strewn with artistically decorated Mani walls, Khnyis and colorful local Gompas (monasteries) most of them built away from the settlements. Cascading waterfalls can be seen from the trail above Siyar Khola. Walnut and apple trees are seen in the valley. The Khanyi gateway Chortens are one of the main architectural features in Tsum, they are built to ward off evil spirits. From the next settlement, Tamba, you can also see Dumje village across the valley and the trail to Gumba Lugndang and Ganesh Base Camp. Lama Jhyusa, a clump of three houses, means ‘special place for high Lamas’. It is strategically located at the confluence of three rivers- the Sarphu Khola, originating from the eastern glaciers of Shringi Himal; the Siyar river from the east; and the Lungdang Khola, draining the glaciers of Ganesh Himal from the south. This place offers a view of Ganesh II and the conical hills of Elung Chuli and Ghala Chuli from left to right.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 8: Trek to Chhule-Nile, en route visit Milarepa Piren Phu Cave (3370m; 4 hrs)

From Chhokang Paro the trail passes beside many Mani walls to Kaye and the Chhekam primary school with its long buildings and large playing ground. Many Mani walls adorn this trail. The villages of Ngakyu and Leru are not too far ahead. This productive valley has been widely cultivated, growing wheat, buckwheat, mustard, and potatoes.
Lamagaon village, also known as Nga, is a 1hr walk from Ngakyu-leru. The famous scared Milarepa’s Cave is up in the rocky foothills about a 50 m climb above. There is an impression of Milarepa’s footprint and his meditation place has been made in Gompa. The retreat is near a row of stupas. Because part of this cave is used by snow-cock pigeons, it is also known as Piren Phu or Pigeon’s cave. Offering butter lamps here is believed to give merit to all sentient beings. From the Langju Khola moraine area, the trail passes long Mani walls inscribed with Buddhist scriptures ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 9: Trek to Mu Gompa (3700m; 2 hrs)

Chhule literally means the ‘riverside’. If time allows, you can climb up to Gonghe Gompa, perched high above the village. From here, there is a spectacular view of upper Tsum, with the meandering Siyar River. After the bridge at Rholmi the trail goes through alpine vegetation and ascends gently into more arid landscapes. Yak herders and local people are encountered coming and going to nearby Tibetan border markets. Trekking at this higher altitude can be exhausting The Dhephu Doma nunnery and the nearby Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in Tsum, should not be missed.

Overnight at local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 10: Trek to Rachen Nunnery (3210m) Walk approx. 5-6 hrs

From Mu, it is necessary to retrace the route to Phurbe and then follow the left trail to the village of Lar. High across the valley, a spectacular moraine drops from the Langju Himal to the rushing torrent of the Siyar Khola. In Lar is the Buddha’s primary school, the first school in Tsum built after the visit of King Birendra. The sturdy houses of Lar have relatively large compounds for the livestock. Well-built stone walls protect the fields from the wind while thorny bushes keep the livestock out. Close to Lar is the famed Rachen Gonpa, the largest nunnery in Tsum, with its red tin roof. The nunnery houses eighty young and old nuns who meditate, pray and study.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 11: Trek to Domje (2405m; 6-7 hrs)

Following the left bank of the Siyar River, we head through the pasture lands of Ngakharken to the bridge at Ngyorang. Dzong village has around ten households; surprisingly a VSAT telephone is available nowadays there. The local Gompa is on top of a big rock covered with trees and has recently been renovated. It is run by Nga Landrang, who often conducts the rituals during the festivals in this Gonpa throughout the year.

The trail again follows long Mani walls near the Saki Lungba River. Along here the village of Chokkang Paro is framed by the peaks of Baudha and Himalchuli, seen to the far west. Gho, down the valley, is a small village with four households and limited cultivation. The newly built Khanyi, in pagoda-style, dominates the village. Lower down the valley, across the bridge over the Siyar Khola, is Domje. There is a small clinic here run by nuns from Gumba Lungdang.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 12: Trek to Gumba Lungdan (3310m; 5-6 hrs)

Our trail today initially climbs steeply up through dense rhododendron and pine forests. Ganesh III (7110m) soon pops into view before us while, to the west, an inspiring vista of the distant Manaslu range also appears. The valley we are now entering has the feel of a secret amphitheater, containing a circle of numerous soaring Himalayan giants, including Ganesh I (7429m), Ganesh II (7111m), Ganesh IV (7052m) and Ganesh III (7110m). We camp near an ancient Buddhist nunnery (800+ years old) that clings to a vertiginous hillside with a sweeping panorama of the Ganesh amphitheater. Known as Gumba Lungdang, it is the most remote nunnery of all Tsum valleys.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 13: Trek to Ripchet (2500m; 6-7 hrs)

We descend today back to Dumje before following the shaded trail along the lush banks above the Shiar Khola. We traverse two old wood cantilever footbridges high across deep side canyons before arriving at our camp near Ripchet…a ridgetop village boasting an abundance of good farmland. The narrow and winding stone-lined trails through the village take many unexpected turns and are fun to explore.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 14: Trek to Philim (1570m; 6-7 hrs)

You will descend down to Philim. It’s a long day with an undulating trail but its almost the end of your trip.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 15: Trek to Jagat (1410m; 5-6 hrs)

Descending further down the valley, you will back track to Jagat.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 16: Trek to Machha Khola (930m; 6-7 hrs)

You backtrack the initial route you’d followed to Machha Khola.

Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu (9-10 hrs)

You will drive back to Kathmandu following the Trishuli river.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B,L)

 

Day 18: Full day at leisure

You have the full day at leisure at Kathmandu.

At evening, you are invited to a farewell dinner commemorating your trip to the wonderful Tsum Valley.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B,D)

 

Day 19: Transfer to Airport for your onward destination

A representative from Keep Walking will pick-up at your hotel for the departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport as per your flight departure time.

Drive to International Airport (B)

Cost Includes:

Cost Excludes: