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Hotels & Guesthouse
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Kathmandu
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March to May & Sep to Dec
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Tourist Bus & Private Vehicle
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Moderate
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4500 M
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Eco-Tour, Hiking, Trekking
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2-22
Manaslu Circuit Trekking With Tsum Valley
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley is a hidden treasure destination in Nepal. On the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley, you will experience culturally rich and incredibly beautiful Himalayan scenery, natural landscapes, high-altitude romantic glacier lakes, and fascinating flora and fauna. This trek follows the Buri Gandaki River and is surrounded by Siddhartha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the north.
This trek can also be combined with the Larkya La Pass (5123m). On the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley, you will be treated to stunning views of Himalchuli (7893m), Manaslu (8163m), Ngadi Chuli (7879m), and other mountains, along with a beautiful and varied landscape. The region is inhabited by people of Tibetan origin in several villages, with other groups such as the Gurung and Tamang also present. In the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley, you will find mountains and valleys covered with a diverse and pristine ecosystem. The area is also considered home to the legendary and elusive yetis.
We begin our 24-day tour in Kathmandu with visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites before heading to one of the untouched trekking trails in Nepal: the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley.
We welcomes you to join our group trek and make your trip wonderful and memorable with your friends or family.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking With Tsum Valley
- Trek through diverse landscapes with breathtaking views of Himalchuli (7,893m), Manaslu (8,163m), and Ngadi Chuli (7,879m).
- Discover the culturally rich Tsum Valley known for its Tibetan origin villages and diverse flora and fauna.
- Conquer the challenging Larkya La Pass (5,123m) for panoramic mountain views.
- Experience a pristine eco-system and explore the remote beauty of the Manaslu region.
- Interact with local communities including Gurung and Tamang peoples, and explore legends of the elusive yeti.
- Start with a 24-day journey from Kathmandu, including visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites before tackling the remote trails of Manaslu and Tsum Valley.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking With Tsum Valley
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, we offer you pick up facility from the airport and manage your stay at the most comfortable hotel in the city. You get to meet the team of trekkers and together we prepare for the trek.
Today would be the most exhilarating day where you will be introduced to the most pious Hindu and Buddhist religious places that are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites and elucidates you to the entire mysticism over its existence Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath stupa.
A westward 70km scenic drive along the Prithvi Highway, through the forested Middle Hills, leads to Malekhu. A 30km secondary tarred road heads north, over the Trisuli Nadi, towards Dhading Besi and a rutted 35km dirt road northwest to Arughat on the Budhi Gandaki. Overnight stay at Aarughat.
We set off early today for Sotikhola. While traveling, we enjoy beautiful views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. We go through a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarter of Dhading (1050m), but the drive from Dhading Bensi to Arughat will be on a difficult road. Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region, we drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight stay at Soti Khola.
While crossing the bridge, we trek through the wonderful Sal forests, then move onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. After that, we reach Khursane upon which the trail weaves its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among huge gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along with rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight stay at Machha Khola.
The trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola, reaching Khorlabesi. After a few more ups and downs, we come across a small hot spring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge and then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. During this period, we climb on a big, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. While crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. After crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river, and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight stay at Jagat.
Today we trek for 6 hours from Jagat to Lokpa. We will pass through the rocky ridge to Salleri and descend to Sirdibas. We continue up to Ghatta Khola and hike upstream to a simple pulley bridge and climb up to Philim, a large Gurung village. From Philim, we head north across woodland with beautiful views and reach Lokpa. Overnight stay at Lokpa.
Descend through forest, crossing streams, before tackling a long and steep climb up the south side of the Siyar Khola gorge that drains the Tsum Valley. The high point is marked by flags at a turn in the valley with views across to the Shringi Himal above colorful grain, potato, and bean fields. Descend to Gumlung and the Siyar Khola. Cross the suspension bridge and finally ascend the gentler narrow trail to Chumling. The houses are classic Tibetan but built with sloping roofs to cope with the abundant rain and snow. Overnight stay at Chumling.
Cross the suspension bridge onto the opposite bank. We enjoy the great views of Ganesh Himal. Walking by Rainjam to Serpu Khola and crossing another bridge, we arrive at the Gho Village. After continuing a 2-hour climb to Tsum, we reach the village of Chhokangparo. If weather permits, we can enjoy the beautiful views of Himalchuli at 7,893 meters and Ganesh Himal at 7,140m. Overnight stay at Chhokanparo.
Today we will trek for around 4-5 hours to reach the Nile, which is 3,361m high from sea level. We can cross the last village Shiar Khola. On the way, we will trek through rocky cliffs near the village of Burji and visit Piren Phu cave, which is one of the holiest caves with murals painted and carved on stones. The cave offers a magnificent view of Shiar Khola, Rachen Gompa, and beautiful settlements surrounded by agricultural land. Overnight stay at the Nile.
Today we will hike to Mu-Gompa, which takes around 4 hours to reach, and then back. It takes 2-3 hours to return from Mu Gompa to Nile. We trek through mountain views and Chortens. Mu Gompa is the highest and most remote part of the Tsum Valley. We observe the daily routine of monks and enjoy breathtaking views of the Tibet border. After visiting Mu-Gompa, we will return to the Nile. Overnight stay at the Nile.
Today we trek for 5 to 6 hours from the Nile to Chumling. After breakfast, we trek down the descent trail. We will explore different pine and fir forests and encounter much wildlife. Overnight stay at Chumling.
Today we trek for around 6 hours. We follow a mostly downhill and slightly uphill trail to reach Deng. On the way, we cross bridges and the Budhi Gandaki river through forests. The trail is a combination of up and down until we reach Deng. Overnight stay at Deng.
After an extensive walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1,910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through woods and mani walls as we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another path, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a mesmerizing sight of Siring Himal. After that, we cross the Budhi Gandaki many times today and come across several gompas on our way. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense, and the trail is fine again. The pleasing walk continues and after a last steep climb, we reach Namrung.
Namrung village is a wonderful viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal, and from the village, one can also see Mt. Himal Chuli in the south. We climb steadily and pass through forests, reaching Lihi, a fine village with many Chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by. After that, we go through Sho, Lho, and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy the extraordinary views of Mt. Manaslu from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village, we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and vast glaciers straight ahead, and other snow peaks to the right, with Ganesh Himal standing at the far end. Overnight stay at Samagaon.
Today is a rest day in Samagaon. Our guide will bring you to explore around Birendra Lake or the nearest viewpoint, or you can take a day trip to Manaslu Base Camp. Overnight stay at Samagaon.
Today, we move downwards to the Budhi Gandaki River, which has turned north, and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base Camp. The Larkya La trail passes many mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river, passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch, we can view a large white Kani. Finally, passing through the Kani, we find Samdo. Overnight stay at Samdo.
As always, we continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki, and move upward. While crossing two streams and observing the Larkya Glacier, we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to the stone guest house (4,450m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larkya Phedi. Overnight stay at Phedi.
After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy amazing views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes harder only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are overwhelming views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru, and the vast Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to reach Bimtang, but walking into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in and Mt. Manaslu looming close by is a great experience. Overnight stay at Bimthang.
From a ridge at Bimthang, we can enjoy outstanding views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. We move downwards again and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. We go through the rhododendron forest and follow a stream through a small valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche (2,785m). We pass across fields before making a difficult climb over a ridge. The trail then descends to the river bank at 2,580m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho. Then we reach Tilije. Overnight stay at Tilije.
We climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone-paved trail as it passes through a wonderful village. After that, we cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a Chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall, and reach Thonje village. At the village, we go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we come across Karte village, and after quite a bit of walking, we cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, located at the foot of a huge waterfall. Overnight stay at Tal.
We follow the trail to Chyamje village, crossing the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marsyandi valley opens with its terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through rhododendron and pine forests to Syange. Overnight stay at Syange.
After breakfast, a jeep ride along the dusty and bumpy road takes us to Besi Sahar, and then we drive on a paved road back to Kathmandu. There will be a farewell dinner (Nepali Food) to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Your wonderful adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. We wish you all the best. A representative from us will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking With Tsum Valley Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Pick up and drop off from and to International airport.
- 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu (first two nights and last one night).
- One porter for each two people.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit.
- Manaslu Special Permit.
- Accommodation in tea houses twin sharing (private room/ Shared bathroom).
- Farewell dinner at Nepalese cultural restaurant after the trek in Kathmandu.
- All taxes and Company service charges.
Cost Excludes
- Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport size photographs).
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- Monument sites entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and earlier return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet / Wi-Fi, laundry, bar bills - tea/coffee, hot chocolate, juice, beer, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower etc.).
- Tips for guides and porters (Tipping is expected, but not compulsory).
Packing List
Warm Clothing: The weather can be chilly, especially at higher altitudes, so bring warm clothes, including a jacket, gloves, and hat.
Comfortable Footwear: Good trekking boots are essential for the mixed terrain you will encounter.
Daypack: A small backpack to carry essentials like water, snacks, camera, and a jacket.
Snacks: Bring some energy snacks such as nuts, granola bars, or chocolates to keep your energy levels up during the trek.
Water: Stay hydrated by carrying a water bottle and purifying tablets.
Camera: Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning mountain views.
Essential Info
Physical Fitness
Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.
In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.
Trekking Seasons in Nepal
There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July and August are the monsoon season and as such the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassible due to landslide activates. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places.
Winter in Nepal is dry, with very cold nights where temperatures can drop to -20°C at the highest altitudes, but the days are pleasant and sunny. Additionally, the trails are much less crowded during this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures reach around 20°C.
Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations.
Trekking Day
A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.
Meals and Accommodations
During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of the restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb, and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary.
Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high altitude place dormitories are the norm. Each room has 1 or 2 single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of western and squat style toilets in the bathrooms.
Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse and these lodges have large family style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali style western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine.
Internal Flight Delays
Nepal is an incredible country of mountains and valleys, rivers and green rolling hills. With this incredible diversity of landscapes, road travel can be extremely time consuming and flights within Nepal to reach popular trekking destinations is a must. Along with this mountainous terrain also comes the possibility of in climate weather. Not to mention the incredibly high number of visitors during peak seasons makes internal flight delays a very real possibility. To manage this possibility, it may be helpful to have a few extras days on either end of your tour. If any cancellations or flight delays do occur (high chances of flight delays from around Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest region), we also provide services to arrange helicopter to help you to be on your schedule on the premises of Civil Aviation Rules in Nepal which state that helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m. The cost ranges from USD350 to USD650 according to the number of passengers. The payment can be made either to the helicopter company or to us directly and can be made either by cash or using a credit card. It will also be helpful to purchase and review your insurance as some of the alternative measures for travel may be covered. Flight insurance too may cover changing your international flight if necessary.
Travel Insurance
Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully.
Nepal Visa Entry Procedure
For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions.
Three options are available for entry
15-day single entry: US $30
30-day single entry: US $50
90-day multiple entries: US $125
Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.
For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in un-acclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate and sufficient precautionary measures too are taken to take utmost caution. We also equip our staffs with cell phones and satellite phones in occurrence of any emergency cases. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern.
Drinking Water
Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water and if doing so make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified so ask him or her what is available.
Arrival Instruction
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.
Traveler Reviews
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