Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport our guide and staff will receives you with traditional welcome. After knowing the staff of Himalayan Forever Treks, a short drive to your hotels. Located in the heart of a city within an exciting Thamel area, an interesting place where most good hotels and restaurants situated. Reaching at the hotel, check your lovely rooms, after getting refreshed join in for group briefing. Provided by your guide or Group Leader, offers useful and important information of the trek, hotels and local lodge. 

Morning after breakfast, our city and cultural guide receives you at the hotel for exciting tour. The drive leads in the heart of Kathmandu city, where interesting historical Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard located. The right spot to observe Nepalese cultures. Tour of ancient monuments listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, next tour takes you to old Swyambhunath Stupa of more than 2,600 years history.  A Buddhist monument situated on a hillock west of Kathmandu city outskirt, the famous landmark of the country. From here back to hotel, afternoon at leisure and preparation for Tsum Valley & Manaslu Circuit trek.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Located at the heart of the city, Kathmandu Durbar Square serves as a living museum of Nepal's royal history. Surrounded by ancient palaces, courtyards, and temples, the square boasts a captivating blend of Malla and Shah architecture. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace, with its intricately carved wooden windows and doors, stands as a testament to the city's regal past.

The Kumari Ghar, an integral part of the square, is the residence of the Kumari, a young living goddess revered by locals. Visitors may catch a glimpse of her during scheduled appearances, adding an air of mystique to the historical ambiance. The square's narrow alleys are lined with hidden courtyards, shrines, and bustling vendors, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the cultural richness of Kathmandu.

Pashupati Nath:

A short distance from the city center lies Pashupati Nath, a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated on the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple complex exudes spirituality and tranquility. The main temple, adorned with intricate wood carvings and golden spires, attracts pilgrims and tourists alike.

The eastern bank of the Bagmati River provides a vantage point for observing the religious rituals and ceremonies performed by devotees. The site is also home to wandering sadhus, adding to the spiritual aura. Pashupati Nath not only serves as a religious center but also showcases Nepal's architectural heritage through ancient statues, shrines, and ghats along the river.

Boudha:

Heading northeast, the journey culminates at Boudha, home to the majestic Boudha Stupa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a profound symbol of Buddhism. The colossal white dome, adorned with the Buddha's all-seeing eyes, creates a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

Surrounding the stupa is a bustling market where vendors offer an array of Tibetan artifacts, prayer flags, and traditional handicrafts. The rhythmic chants of prayers, the spinning of prayer wheels, and the fluttering of colorful flags contribute to the spiritual ambiance. Pilgrims circumambulate the stupa, engaging in prayer and ritual, while nearby monasteries house monks immersed in their daily practices.

As the day progresses, the stupa is illuminated, casting a peaceful glow that enhances the spiritual experience. Boudha encapsulates the essence of Buddhist culture and serves as a haven for those seeking a connection to Nepal's spiritual roots.

An interesting overland journey to Nepal Mid-Western Nepal, the drive leads on the main highway for some hours. Then our route diverts heading towards Gorkha district, reaching the mid-hills and down to low warm farm country.

After an exciting journey reaching Arughat town and then on dirt tracks to Machha Khola for overnight stop. A small farm village slowly turning into a town due to the construction of motorable road.

After a long drive from Kathmandu, having a pleasant overnight in a nice local lodge at Machha Khola farm village. A long day walk but interesting, after breakfast, start the first day trek heading north. Follow the Buri-Gandaki River for some hours, as the trail leads through spread-out farm villages. Entering a serene forest of Sal and pine trees to a small settlement of Tatopani, a place with natural Hot-spring. Having short refreshing break continue walk past Khorla Besi village.

The trail leads on steep uphill for few hour, reaching Jagat a nice large village with mixed race of hill tribes. Check into a nice lodge for overnight stop after a long days walk, with time to browse and observe the village life. The villagers of both Hindu and Buddhism religions and cultures.

From Jagat morning walk follows to a short climb into a forest of pines trees and bamboo grooves. As trail heads higher air gets cooler facing lovely scenery of landscapes, then reach another lovely farm village at Philim.

A possible lunch stop time permitting, from Philim on the high trail overlooking grand views of beautiful green hills. After few hours of steady walk reaching our overnight halt at , Lokpa  a small farm village with nice simple lodges.

Morning enjoy the surrounding landscapes views and of distant peaks, from Lokpa enter the former forbidden country of Tsum. The valley of Happiness as described since ancient times by great Buddhist Gurus. Morning walk leads to a narrow river gorge and then down for a short while. The climb starts with steep up entering a cool forest lined with rhododendron and pine trees. 

The walk continues past smaller farm villages with some gradual up as the path heads east above a stream. Then slowly the walk ends on reaching the first inner village of Tsum at Chumling overnight stop.

Enjoying the first pleasant overnight around Tsum areas, morning after breakfast start the day walk heading east. The trail follows through a nice tidy farm terraces and villages, overlooking views of Ganesh, Sringi and Manaslu Himal.

Slowly the trail leads down to cross a bridge above Smatiking Khola / stream to Chokanparo for overnight stop. A nice moderate farm village amidst stunning views of surrounding landscapes and snow-capped peaks. After getting organized in a small simple lodge, enjoy the afternoon exploring the village of impressive Buddhism culture. The native of Tsum valley are known as the Tsumbas people of strong Tibetan origin.

The morning begins facing grand views of dramatic landscapes, the walk follows on gradual winding path. As walk leads within inner areas of Tsum Valley to Nile nice village en route Mu Gompa. Today’s walk is not far from overnight village at 

Nile, as it includes short side trip to a cave of 11th saint Millerepa. A great guru of Tibet who stayed and meditated for a year. An interesting high spot to experience Tibetan Buddhism and culture. As well overlooking spectacular views of 

surrounding high snow peaks. After an exciting morning hike continue walk to join the main trail to Nile, the last permanent lovely village before Mu Gompa.

Today, adventure leads to our main first highlight of the trip to remote isolated area at Mu Gompa. Staying overnight in Nile, as the lodge accommodation is Spartan with small simple guest house and lack of good comfort.

The walk follows to gradual climb reaching dry and windswept country, similar to Tibetan landscapes. Enjoying views of White Mountain range along the walks to reach Mu Gompa, after few hours of good hike. After a refreshing rest, enjoy

visit of the monastery interior and surrounding on the highest spot before Larke-

La Pass.

Mu Gompa the oldest monastery of Tsum, treasures ancient relics with idols of Lord Buddha, and famous saints, Gurus. Explore around Mu Gompa with short visit to Dhephu Doma Gompa time permitting, a nunnery with dozen of Buddhist Nuns. After an interesting time at Mu Gompa, head back to Nile for overnight stop, on achieving our first highlight of the adventure.

After an exciting moment at Nile and hike to Mu Gompa, our second part of the adventure begins to Manaslu valley. Return journey to Chumling, heading south to cross a bridge, as walk leads past Chokanparo village with downhill to join on main trail to Chumling for last overnight stop around Tsum Valley area.

Morning walk begins heading back to Lokpa, starting the morning with gradual ups and down. The walk continues heading further down on leaving Tsum valley outskirts. As walk follows with short descend past Domje then reach Deng village for overnight stop.

From Lokpa, back into forested ridge lined with tall rhododendron, pine, and fir trees. A slow and steady downhill to Bhi Bazaar, situated near the riverside, after a pleasant stop. The walk continues heading towards farm areas with nice cultivated terraces of millets and barley and then reaching Namrung. After checking into the best available lodge, enjoy the grand views of Mt. Manaslu North Face with an array of peaks.

After an enjoyable overnight stop at Namrung village, start the morning with steep climb into dense forested trail above Buri-Gandaki River. The walk follows short down with more ups and on winding path past few small settlements with shops smaller tea-houses. Slowly the day completes reaching a nice village at Lo-Gaon, offers many good lodges. Located beneath majestic North Face of Mt. Manaslu facing views of Sringi and Boudha Himal.

A charming village to explore with an old monastery of great cultural, religious interest worth a visit.

From Lo-Gaon onwards enter the scenic Upper Manaslu valley, the trail follows through several smaller settlements. Walking past summer camp of cattle herder beneath the mighty Mt. Manaslu and adjoining peaks. The walk is pleasant with slow rise in altitude, overlooking fabulous views of peaks on both side of the valley. The trek continues on gradual ups to Sama-Gaon, a lovely large village with nice lodges for overnights stops. Sama Gaon the major village around Upper Manaslu, the main route to Manaslu base camp. As well to the border of Tibet and towards Dharmasala and Larke-La Pass.

At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization before heading towards our final highlight of the adventure. A perfect place and altitude to have leisure time for short hike to view-points. Enjoy a short day hike on route to Manaslu base camp where beautiful glacial pond called Birendra Tal situated. Rest of the day explore the village of immense Buddhism culture.

After a pleasant rest day at Sama-Gaon, leaving the lovely village on windswept high terrain. Walk leads to Samdo the last village of Gorkha and Manaslu valley,the trail follows on gradual ups. Enjoy the grand beautiful views of snow-clad peaks, as walk continues, a short steep climb leads to Samdo village.Located on a wide small plateau, a moderate size settlement of more than forty houses for near two hundred inhabitants.

Morning, on leaving the last Samdo village of Gorkha and Upper Manaslu valley, walk leads on a wide river valley. Overlooking views of giant snow peaks with Mt. Manaslu also called Kutang in native language of Tibetan origin language.

The trail follows to cross few streams and then reaching Dharmasala or Larke Phedi. Which means the base of a hill or pass, the name Dharmasala for rest house or shelter for travelers. After checking into simple room, having lunch afternoon free for short walk, and preparations for early morning climb to cross Larke-La pass towards Manang areas.

Start the day, early morning having breakfast, and carrying packed lunch for the long hours. From Larke Phedi the path leads to steep climb over moraine of rocks and boulders, following north of Larke glacier. Facing view of Cho Danda and Larke Peak.

Slowly the undulating climb reaches on top of Larke-La Pass, the highest point of the adventure. The pass is festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags and rock cairns as a marker of Larke-La top. Although a strenuous climb rewards you with glorious morning views of surrounding Himalayan range. Includes views of Larke Peak, Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna-II includes all of Manaslu Himal range.

From the top enter the Manang district, a long descend past a small settlement of Tambuche. Finally the downhill ends reaching the bottom of Larke-La other side base at 3,900 m. From the bottom few hour walk brings you at Bhimphedi also called Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long day walks.

Bhimthang a lovely spot, amidst a green wide meadow surrounded by tall trees of rhododendron-pines and oaks. This nice settlement provides good lodges and food menu to enjoy after a vigorous walks of the day.

From Bhimphedi or Bhimthang, a short and pleasant day walk heading downhill as altitude decrease. The trail leads into dense tree lines with few small climb but more or less downhill to reach Gho for overnight stop. Gho a small settlement with few nice lodges, situated in the midst of lovely woodland.

After a pleasant overnight halt at Gho, enjoy the last day trek of the adventure, heading down to Dharapani village. An exciting leisure walk to Tilje, a nice village, located on the shelf of Marsyangdi River. At Tilje for refreshing break or for lunch stop, from Tilje a short climb to cross a bridge towards Dharapani. Enjoy the last overnight stop at Dharapani village, located on motorable road Which is also on route of famous and popular Annapurna Circuit trek. At Dharapani transfer into a nice lodge, the accommodation are much better standard than other previous overnights.

Start early morning for a long interesting drive to Kathmandu, an exciting journey following the Marsyangdi River downstream. Reaching low warm farm villages of Syange and Bulbule to Bhesisar a big town, headquarter of Lamjung district.

From here either transfer to another vehicles or carry on chartered four-wheel drive, heading on the good highway. As drive follows through several town and villages, then uphill to enter the Kathmandu valley and city area.

Finally the long drive ends reaching Kathmandu and back to your hotel by evening or late afternoon.

Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, get ready for final departure as per your international flight time. Himalayan Forever Trek guide and staff transfer you to the airport. Bidding farewell to the guide and staff as you depart for homeward bound flight, after a wonderful experience and adventure on Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trekking.