Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek

Our foot journey begins on narrow trails running along the rock faces high above the roaring Budhi Gandaki River. We cross a few high suspension bridges and pass through Tatopani, where natural hot springs flow directly from the cliffside. The path pushes through shady bamboo groves, crossing the river several times on sturdy wooden bridge planks. A final steady climb brings us to the neat stone houses of Jagat, where we present our permits at the official registration checkpoint.

Leaving Jagat, we walk up the main river gorge past the green farming terraces of Philim village. At the small junction of Ekle Bhatti, we officially branch away from the busy Manaslu Circuit route to enter the quiet pine woods of the Tsum region. The trail climbs steeply above the wild canyon where the two main rivers crash together. We arrive at Lokpa by late afternoon, an isolated hillside village that rewards your hard climbing with grand views of the snowy Boudha Himal peak.

Moving deeper into the valley, we descend through a cool canopy of fir and giant blue pine trees down to the narrow Siyar Khola riverbed. The route immediately switches to a long, tough series of steep switchbacks that will make your lungs work hard. We cross a high suspension bridge over the water to step past the local welcome sign of Lower Tsum. We reach the traditional stone houses of Chumling by early afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to drop your pack and view the historic wood carvings inside Panago Gompa.

Moving on from Chumling, the path climbs gently past the small houses of Rainjam before hitting a steep, rocky section cut into the valley cliffs. As the trees disappear, the trail opens up to offer great views of the snowy Ganesh Himal peaks. We walk past green fields of barley and buckwheat to reach the twin stone villages of Chokhang and Paro, which make up Chekampar. Drop your daypack at the lodge and spend the afternoon sitting in the warm sun on the wide valley floor, enjoying the unique local Tibetan-style hospitality.

Hiking deeper into the valley, we take a steep side path up to the sacred meditation cave of Piren Phu. Inside this ancient rock shelter, you can view the historic footprint left behind by the saint Milarepa and spot old religious paintings darkened by centuries of butter lamp smoke. Returning to the main path, we walk past the massive nunnery complex of Rachen Gompa. We cross a suspension bridge over the Shiar Khola (River) to reach Nile, the last twin trading village where you can sleep comfortably before entering the wild border highlands tomorrow.

We hike early into the cold, high desert wilderness toward Mu Gompa, the most remote monastery in the Tsum Valley. Founded in 1895, this stone refuge protects historic statues of Guru Rinpoche and sacred books tucked away near the high ridgeline. Weather permitting, the route pushes further up the mountain to the ancient walls of Dephyudonma Gompa, built right against the icy mountain shelves bordering Tibet. Take time to step inside the dark, quiet main hall to view the ancient metal artifacts before we follow the downward trail back to Nile for the night.

Today, we turn around to begin our return walk back down the main valley floor. The trail is mostly a gentle downhill path that tracks the rushing river past the traditional stone homes of Chhule and Pang. Along the way, we take a short detour to cross a bridge and visit the massive courtyard of Rachen Gompa, the largest historic nunnery in the region. Take a few minutes to view the bright clay statues inside the main prayer room before we push onward to the twin villages of Chekampar for a relaxing evening.

Moving on from Chekampar, the trail drops steadily along the riverbank path, guiding us back past the small houses of Rainjam. Take a quick rest break at the trail clearings before tackling the steep, rocky cliff section that leads down toward the lower valley gate. As the air gets warmer and easier to breathe, we complete our big descent day by walking back into the familiar stone houses of Chumling. Drop your packs early and rest up before we officially exit the Tsum Valley branch line tomorrow.

We hike out of the Tsum branch line through Lokpa and descend to rejoin the main Budhi Gandaki River corridor. Crossing back onto the official Manaslu Circuit trail, the route guides us north through deep bamboo and wild rhododendron woods. The canyon narrows dramatically as we cross several high suspension bridges hung directly above the crashing river rapids. Slow your steps to a steady rhythm as the trail makes a final rocky climb past the village of Nyak to bring us into the small settlement of Deng.

Moving on from Deng, we cross the river to Bihi Phedi and climb through shady woodlands where wild grey langur monkeys play in the tree canopy. The trail winds past Prok village, a perfect mountain viewing spot to pause and check your daypack straps before heading into the thick oak trees. A final series of steep, rocky switchbacks will make your lungs work a bit harder as the air cools down. We reach the old village of Namrung by late afternoon, where wide green fields of barley and unique stone houses guide us to our lodge.

Today also, we follow a shorter but visually spectacular hiking path past long stone walls carved with local prayers. The trail crosses a rushing glacial stream coming from the high Lindanda Glacier before making a steady climb into Lho village. The massive double-peak of Mount Manaslu stands directly above the town, looking close enough to touch. Spend your afternoon walking up to the historic walls of Ribum Gompa on the hill to listen to the evening prayers before watching the sun go down over the peak.

We take a gentle trail through a quiet fir forest this morning before emerging into the beautiful mountain village of Shyala. This open clearing offers an amazing 360-degree view of giant snowy peaks like Himalchuli and Peak 29 framing the horizon. After crossing the wooden Numla Khola bridge, the path levels out completely as we enter the wide yak pastures of Sama Gaun. This historic settlement serves as our main base camp for the next two nights, allowing your body to adapt to the thin alpine air safely.

To prepare your lungs for the high mountain pass ahead, we practice the classic rule: climb high, sleep low. In the morning, we take a steady day hike across high pastures to the 600-year-old cave monastery of Pungyen Gompa, which sits right beneath the mountain's east face. Walking at a slow, conversational speed triggers your body to produce more red blood cells without draining your muscle energy. Keep an eye on the high rocky ridges to spot wild blue sheep before we return to Sama Gaun for a warm afternoon meal.

The trail follows the thinning waters of the Budhi Gandaki River upward through low juniper bushes and open alpine meadows. This is a short, direct walking day designed to prevent altitude sickness as we approach the remote northern borderlands. The valley expands significantly as we make a final short climb into Samdo, a traditional yak-herding village founded near ancient trade routes. Change into your dry thermal layers immediately upon arrival to stay warm as the high-altitude mountain chill sets in quickly by mid-afternoon.

We take a second critical rest day to ensure everyone feels strong and clear-headed before tackling the high pass crossing. In the morning, we take a short, optional walk up the valley ridges that point toward the historic trade route of Rui La Pass. The path offers a raw, close-up look at the massive Samdo Glacier and surrounding border peaks like Kang Guru. Walk at a relaxed crawl and focus on deep, rhythmic breathing before returning to Samdo early to organize your cold-weather gear.

The landscape turns completely stark and arctic today as we cross a wooden bridge over the river for the final time. We walk past the old stone foundations of the seasonal Larke Bazaar before heading onto the rocky moraine trails near Larkya Glacier. Because this is the highest sleeping point of the entire loop trip, you will likely feel a slight altitude headache; drink plenty of hot garlic soup to help your blood flow. We eat an early dinner and turn in early to prepare for tomorrow's midnight wake-up call.

We wake up in pitch-black, freezing air at 4:00 AM to cross the high pass before the morning mountain winds hit. Moving like slow turtles under the light of our headlamps, we climb across frozen lake beds and steep lateral glacier ridges. The final push to the prayer-flagged summit of Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) requires immense mental focus as every single step takes three big breaths. Capture your victory photos by the sign quickly, then immediately begin the long, steep descent down loose scree, passing the blue waters of Pongkar Tal to reach Bimthang.

Your knees get a much-needed break today as the trail drops rapidly through thick, beautiful pine and pink rhododendron forests along the Dudh Khola River. The air gets thicker, warmer, and easier to breathe with every hour of descent as we pass through the quiet mountain villages of Karche and Tilije. Crossing a final suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River, we arrive in Dharapani, where our trail meets the main Annapurna Circuit route. Celebrate your loop completion with a long, hot shower and a warm meal at the lodge.

Our high mountain adventure wraps up as we board a private 4x4 jeep to clear the rough dirt roads along the Marsyangdi River gorge down to Besisahar. From there, we transfer to a smoother highway vehicle to head east back toward the capital city along the Prithvi Highway. The long drive winds past rural terraced fields, overhanging cargo cable cars, and bustling roadside market towns. We arrive back in Kathmandu by late afternoon, dropping you off directly at your hotel to relax and celebrate the completion of this combined expedition.