Tsum Valley/Manaslu Trek

Trek through Gurung and Magar villages on the untrafficked road following Buri Gandaki river, eventually the trail drops to the Labubesi. 

Continue up and down on the gravel riverbed, passing through Gurung villages and reach to ridges of Tatopani where there are hot water spouts under the sheer cliffs that provide a delightful evening shower.  

Continue up-river on the left bank, up and down before crossing Nepal’s longest suspension bridge to the east bank and a tiring climb up to prosperous Philip surrounded by rich fields of maize, potato, and millet.

The hidden valley of Tsum stretches enticingly ahead from here as the trail eventually descends to a lone Bhatti Ghumlong on the river then climbs steeply to Chumling. 

Cross the Serpe Khola and climb on well-graded but exposed track to upper Tsum and the large village of Chhokangparo with stone houses nestled under cliffs without a single iron roof.  

The trail goes through hamlets of Phurbe and Pangdun an unusual round stupa before reaching the larger village of Chhule through an impressive entrance gate then head upstream to cross the bridge and climb to Nile villages.  

Trek up the valley on the west bank to Mu Gompa through dry Tibetan country, with rows of chortens, Gombas and widening mountain vistas. Continue south until a bridge crosses to the west bank then descend again to Chhokangparo. 

Trek down through Dhumje which has a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and school then climb steeply on an indistinct track through pines and rhododendrons until the track starts traversing at a mani wall with prayer flags and reach Gumba Lungdang. 

Long day walks up and downhill through picturesque Ripchet and Bhatti Ghumlong on the river then reach to Lokpa.

Another long day leaving Tsum valley behind and entering Nupri through bamboo forests to Deng and further gentle walk brings to Ghap.

Enter a beautiful forest of fir and rhododendron climbing on well-made stairs to the architecture characteristic of upper Nupri and finally a leisurely walk onwards, in and out of gullies to Lho.  

This short day takes you into the mountains with time to enjoy and acclimatize. Easy walk to Syala and further to the large village of Samagaon.  

Climb to the iceberg-covered lake under the Manaslu Glacier then into yak pastures up a broad valley with long mani walls, marmots in all directions standing on their burrows and finally reach to Samdo a very picturesque village dedicated to yak herding. 

Trek through juniper with many marmots crossing two ravines on narrow tracks to reach the Larke Bazar and further an easy walk bring Dharamsala.  

Climb steadily over the ridge of the Larke Glacier to the left up to Larkya La 5100m marked by prayer flags then descend over the moraine to the west, on the right side of a deep gully and eventually reach the Bimtang.  

Climb steeply over a ridge and drop to Gurung Gho the first real village since Samdo. The valley becomes more agricultural as you pass fields and copses of oak, rhododendron, staying on the north bank until Tilje 2300m. 

Trek down following the Marsyangdi Valley and reach to Tal village.

Drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar.