The journey begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, the starting point of the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek. Leaving the bustling capital, the road follows the Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli River, passing terraced fields, hills, and traditional villages.

After Dhading Besi and Arughat, the route becomes rougher as we enter the remote Budhi Gandaki valley. Along the route, you may expect to see winding mountain roads, waterfalls, and suspension bridges. The drive takes around 8 to 9 hours and ends in the small village of Machha Khola along the river. We’ll rest in a teahouse there for the night and acclimatize for the adventure ahead.

The trek begins along the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River, passing through lush forests, small villages, and terraced farmlands. The trail includes several ascents and descents, crossing suspension bridges and narrow paths carved into rocky cliffs. Along the route, we’ll go via villages like Khorlabesi and Tatopani, where natural hot springs make for a nice break.

As we gradually gain altitude, the landscape becomes more rugged and scenic. The day ends at Jagat, a charming stone-paved village and official entry point of the Manaslu Conservation Area, where you stay overnight in a local teahouse.

Today’s trek continues along the Budhi Gandaki River, entering a more remote and culturally rich section of the Manaslu region. The trail climbs gradually through dense forests, terraced fields, and traditional Gurung villages such as Salleri and Sirdibas. We will pass Mani walls, prayer flags, and small monasteries, reflecting the growing Tibetan Buddhist influence.

The path includes a few steep ascents and scenic river crossings, offering beautiful views of surrounding hills and waterfalls. After walking steadily for around four to five hours, we will reach Chisopani, a tranquil village where we will rest and enjoy the beautiful mountain atmosphere by staying overnight at a small teahouse.

The trail today diverts from the main Manaslu route and enters the hidden Tsum Valley, offering a more remote and culturally rich experience. The trail goes up steadily through thick pine and rhododendron forests, over suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki River, and past small traditional villages.

As we gain altitude, you will notice increasing Tibetan Buddhist influence with prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens along the trail. There are a lot of tough climbs and descents on the trip, but the vistas of hills and waterfalls make the difficult journey worth it. After hiking for around 6 to 7 hours, we get to the quiet village of Chumling, where we will spend the night.

Today’s trek takes us deeper into the sacred Tsum Valley, gradually ascending through dense forests of pine, fir, and rhododendron. We will pass traditional villages with stone houses, mani walls, prayer flags, and small monasteries, offering insight into the valley’s rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. Parts of the trail are pretty steep, but it’s not too hard. There are beautiful river crossings and vistas of the hills all around. As we go, we might meet local kids and monks, which will make the trip more culturally rich.

After 4–5 hours of walking, we arrive at Chokhangparo, a tranquil village known for its monasteries and spiritual atmosphere, where you spend the night in a local teahouse.

On Day 6, the trail continues deeper into Tsum Valley, gradually gaining altitude and offering increasingly spectacular mountain scenery. The trek goes through mixed forests of pine and rhododendron, cross suspension bridges, and pass small, traditional villages with stone houses and mani walls. The cultural influence of Tibetan Buddhism is evident throughout, with monasteries and prayer flags lining the path. The terrain includes moderate ascents, with occasional steeper sections providing panoramic views of surrounding hills and distant peaks.

After about 5–6 hours of trekking, we reach Nile, a peaceful village where we can rest, enjoy the serene atmosphere, and experience warm hospitality in a local teahouse.

Today’s hike is a full-day excursion from Nile to the sacred Mu Gompa, one of the most important monasteries in the Tsum Valley. The trail ascends steadily through alpine forests and terraced fields, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, you’ll see mani walls, prayer flags, and small meditation caves, reflecting the region’s deep Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

The hike is relatively hard because the altitude rises slowly, but Mu Gompa is a place of cultural and spiritual importance, so it’s worth it. We go back to Nile in the evening to spend the night at the teahouse after seeing the monastery and taking in the peaceful ambiance.

On Day 8, we retrace our steps from Nile back to Chumling, descending gradually through pine and rhododendron forests. The trail offers a chance to revisit the serene villages and stunning landscapes of the Tsum Valley from a new perspective. We’ll cross the Budhi Gandaki River again on suspension bridges and pass by the stone buildings, mani walls, and prayer flags that are common in traditional Tibetan-influenced communities. This downward day is easier on the body, but it still has great vistas of terraced fields, flowing streams, and the hills around it.

Upon arrival in Chumling, we enjoy a relaxed evening at a local teahouse, reflecting on the spiritual and scenic experiences of the Tsum Valley.

On Day 9, we begin our descent from the higher altitudes of Tsum Valley back toward the main Manaslu trail, trekking to Deng. The trail winds through mixed forests, traditional villages, and terraced farmlands, gradually lowering in altitude. We’ll cross a number of suspension bridges and see local monasteries and mani walls as we continue to learn about the Tibetan Buddhist culture in the area.

Though mostly downhill, the trek is long—7–8 hours—requiring stamina and focus on the uneven paths. The surrounding landscape transitions from alpine scenery to subtropical forests as you descend. Upon arrival in Deng, a picturesque village along the Budhi Gandaki River, we stay overnight at a local teahouse.

Today’s trek ascends from Deng to Namrung, gradually climbing through lush forests of rhododendron, pine, and bamboo. The trail passes traditional Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages, with stone houses, prayer flags, and small monasteries along the way. Suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki River add scenic highlights to the journey. The journey is relatively hard, with steady uphill parts, but the vistas of the hills and the distant Himalayan peaks make it worth it.

After about 5 hours of trekking, we arrive in Namrung, a charming village that serves as a gateway to higher altitudes. Overnight is spent in a local teahouse, where we can rest and enjoy the peaceful mountain setting.

Day 11 is one of the most scenic and culturally rich days of the trek. We begin by trekking from Namrung to Lho Gaun, passing through terraced fields, forests, and traditional villages with Tibetan Buddhist influence. Lho Gaun offers a glimpse into local monasteries, mani walls, and prayer flags, enriching the cultural experience. The trail climbs steeply from Lho to Samagaon, a bigger settlement with beautiful vistas of the Himalayas and ancient stone buildings. The path has several steep climbs and suspension bridge crossings, and the views of Mount Manaslu and the peaks around it are stunning.

After 7–8 hours, we reach Samagaon for an overnight stay in a local teahouse, resting before the challenging high-altitude sections ahead.

On Day 12, we continue our journey along the Manaslu Circuit, trekking from Yangri Kharka to Dobate. The trail passes through alpine landscapes with sparse vegetation, rocky terrain, and occasional high-altitude streams. We’ll encounter traditional villages and prayer flags along the route, reflecting the area’s Tibetan Buddhist culture. The trek involves steady ascents and descents, requiring endurance and focus on uneven paths. As you gain altitude, panoramic views of surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Manaslu, reward your effort.

After 6–7 hours of trekking through this remote and serene region, we arrive at Dobate, a quiet settlement where we spend the night in a local teahouse and prepare for the upcoming high pass crossing.

Day 13 is a relatively short but important trek as we move from Samagaon to Samdo, the last village before the Larkya La Pass. The trail slowly goes up through alpine landscape, with rocky slopes, plants that grow at high altitudes, and scattered mani walls and prayer flags that show the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. Samdo is a beautiful village with ancient stone buildings and teahouses which provide us a chance to rest and acclimatize before the challenging high pass ahead.

The short 3-hour trek allows ample time to explore the village, interact with locals, and enjoy panoramic views of surrounding Himalayan peaks, preparing you mentally and physically for the next day’s ascent.

On Day 14, we trek from Samdo to Dharmashala, also known as Larkya Phedi, the high-altitude base camp before crossing Larkya La Pass. The trail gradually ascends through rocky terrain and sparse alpine vegetation, with spectacular views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and surrounding valleys. Along the route, prayer flags flutter in the wind, and mani walls mark the spiritual significance of the region. The 4-hour trek allows you to pace yourself for proper acclimatization at 4,450 meters.

Upon arrival at Dharmashala, we settle into a high-altitude teahouse, rest, and prepare for the challenging Larkya La Pass crossing early the next morning.

Day 15 is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek as we cross the iconic Larkya La Pass, the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit. The day starts early with a steep ascent from Dharmashala through rocky, high-altitude terrain, glaciers, and snowfields. As we climb, panoramic views of surrounding Himalayan giants, including Manaslu, Himalchuli, and Ngadi Chuli, unfold. The crossing requires careful pacing, acclimatization, and awareness of altitude conditions.

After summiting at 5,220 meters, the trail descends toward Bhimthang (sometimes referred to as Bhimphedi), passing moraine slopes and alpine meadows. The 8-hour journey is strenuous but immensely rewarding, offering unforgettable vistas and a deep sense of accomplishment. Overnight stay is at a teahouse in Bhimthang.

After the high-altitude challenge of Larkya La Pass, Day 16 involves a steady descent from Bhimthang to Tilje. The trail passes through alpine meadows, terraced fields, and small villages, gradually transitioning to lower-altitude forests of pine and rhododendron. Along the route, trekkers enjoy panoramic views of surrounding peaks and glacial valleys while crossing suspension bridges and local streams. The descent is less physically demanding than the high pass day but still requires careful footing on uneven trails.

Arriving in Tilje, we can rest in a local teahouse, enjoy a warm meal, and reflect on the incredible landscapes and experiences of the Manaslu Circuit.

On the final day of the Manaslu Circuit, we begin with a short 2-hour descent from Tilje to Dharapani, passing through terraced fields, forests, and traditional villages. This easy hike offers one last opportunity to enjoy the rural landscapes and local culture of the region.

Upon reaching Dharapani, we board a vehicle for the drive back to Kathmandu, which takes approximately 8 hours along the scenic Prithvi Highway. The drive goes through river basins, waterfalls, and terraced hillsides, slowly bringing you back from the high Himalayas to the busy capital. We arrive at Kathmandu in the evening, which ends your amazing trip to the Manaslu and Tsum Valleys.

We hope you cherished your unforgettable journey to the Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek, taking in the breathtaking and stunning Himalayan landscapes, culture, and vibrant traditions along the way.

We look forward to welcoming you again for your next adventure in Nepal with us Skyline Treks.