Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

After an early breakfast, you will leave Kathmandu in the morning in our private jeep or land cruiser for Soti Khola. The first part of the journey is smooth as you go through highway. But, from Gorkha or Dhading, the path is rough (there are two ways that go to Arughat). Soti Khola is approx 13 km away from Arughat and is the starting point of the trek. Overnight at a lodge in Soti Khola.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Sotikhola
• Altitude: 710

Your trek starts from today. From Soti Khola, Machha Khola is 15km away and it will take around 5 hours to reach there. Little further from Soti Khola, there lies an army camp in Lighting and walking further from there will take you to the place named Khursani baari. (Khursani baari means green chilli field) you can also view the 100m lengthy amazing waterfall from opposite side of Khursani baari. Walking on the same side will lead you to Machha Khola. After the massive earthquake of 2015, you will get the shocking landslide view in the area. Nowadays road facility has been developed which was little disturbed by the earthquake. The residence in the area is less as you can find just 20-30 houses in the whole area. There also reside 4 popular hotels. Stay overnight at camp in Machha Khola

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Machha Khola
• Altitude: 930

After the permit checking in the police checkpoint in Machha Khola, you will continue your trial towards Jagat. On the way, you enjoy the bath in hot spring and move along the steep valley sides. An hour before reaching Jagat, you will have the mesmerizing horizon view of cantilever bridge from Yaru bagar (which will take 20 minutes to reach). This cantilever bridge is 158 m long and is considered as the first bridge in Nepal. Jagat is about 22 km away from Machha Khola and will take approximately 7 hours to reach there. After a little walk from the location of the bridge, the sight of Jagat’s field will welcome you for an overnight camp.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: jagat
• Altitude: 2095

In Jagat, you have to complete ACAP procedure. In the early part of your trek, you will ascend over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descend down to Sirdibas through flat level path. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long simple hanging bridge and climb up to Philim. Philim is a big village mainly inhabited by the Gurungs. Philim valley is well known for Japanese made school and police station. Walk past Philim to the north across a forest with the views of the narrowing valley you reach Chisopani. Stay overnight at Chisopani

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Chisopani
• Altitude: 1340

After breakfast you will start your trail. You will cross the gorge and walk for about half an hour which offers a view of big and beautiful waterfall. This day is challenging as it is an ascending path that stretches on almost the entire route. Entering through the Pine and Rhododendron forest, you will descend down to the trail which leads you to Tsum Valley. En route, you can see the panoramic views of Mountains. Continuing your walk, you will pass through a small beautiful village called Lokpa. It is along the old trial route. From Lokpa, you have to descend down for half an hour up to Lungwa Khola and then climb on a zigzag trail for further two hours north through Pines and Rhododendrons until you reach Gumlung. After crossing the Siyar Khola, you will finally arrive at Chumling. It is the Loyour Tsum valley. Chumling is located on the south face of the Shingri Himal from where you can see an eye catching view of Shringi Himal. You can also visit the old Chumling Gompa, and the stone streets of the village

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Chumling
• Altitude: 2386

An easier day after yesterday. Cross the suspension bridge just east of the hotel and traverse through rich farming land of maize and potatoes. The houses are classic Tibetan with barricades of firewood on the roof, but without flat roofs as it rains and snows here. Cross a huge slip where rocks and flood cleared the area even up onto the opposite bank, killing five in 1999, but is now covered with a forest of new trees. Up the valley to the east are superb views of several of the 7000-7400m Ganesh Himal, of long suspension bridges on the opposite bank, and far above the perched village of Ripchet (2468m). Your guide may find somebody willing to cook lunch at Rainjam (2400m), a single bhatti with enclosed courtyard. Cross the Serpu Khola and climb for over 2hrs on well-graded but exposed track to upper Tsum and join the villages of Chhokang-Paro (3010m), stone houses with a few iron roofs nestled under cliffs. The valley opens here into spacious fields of barley, maize, buckwheat and potato, but wheat has been abandoned due to ‘hill bunt’, a disease which turns the heads black and causes total crop failure. Herds of thar often graze the wild cliffs to the north, coming right down to the fields. The Tashi Delek lodge has a 12-bed dormitory divided into cubicles with curtains (bed Rs200, db Rs300). If the air is clear Himalchuli (7893m) can be seen down valley. Stay overnight at Chhekang.                                                                                                                                   

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Chhekang
• Altitude: 3000

Most people can climb to 3000m without getting altitude sickness, but the altitude gain in these track notes above Chhokang-Paro is right at the 300m per day suggested for safety. Watch for signs of altitude sickness and be prepared to rest or retreat if they emerge. Take time to explore the village and climb north to a retreat where Lama Kongchog died after 26 years of meditation. His child reincarnation, found in the village, was subject of the award-winning DVD Unmistaken Child (available in Kathmandu). Thar are often sighted near here. The friendly people speak Tsumba, related to Tibetan, but often little Nepali and are quite unused to visitors. Head east through small villages and past a local school, climb over a ridge of chortens and past Lamagaon (3202m) through the flat fields, looking across the extensive crops and river to the huge courtyard of the Rachen Gompa (3240m) with excellent pilgrim accommodation (see Day 9). This nunnery is the female equivalent of the main Kathmandu Kopan Monastery. Lamagaon claims to have a lodge. At a lodge in Pangchhe (Lar) (3245m, under construction) you can pay and get a key for a visit to Milarepa’s Cave (Piren Phu), where the bringer of Buddhism to Tibet is reputed to have meditated. The cave is being extensively restored and a donation of Rs 500 is suggested. Cross the Shiyar Khola, pass through hamlets of Phurbe (3251m) and Pangdun (3258m) and pass an unusual round stupa before reaching the larger village of Chhule (3347m) through an impressive entrance gate (Kani). There is one homestay in Chhule, turn right above the bridge. The children here all wear the Tibetan dressing gown called chubas and there are many yaks. Head upstream to cross the bridge and climb to Nile (3361m; Nyile, pronounced Nee-lay). Both villages are in traditional style with inclusion of livestock compounds into the houses and sheltered verandahs for drying crops. **Lobsang Homestay (bed Rs250, db Rs300) has a sheltered courtyard and 5 beds and plans to upgrade to a hotel shortly. Two years ago there was no toilet in this village; now there are 14 and plans for all households to have one within two years, partly as a result of money flowing from teahouse trekkers. Stay overnight at Nile.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Nile
• Altitude: 3361

Make up valley on the west bank, enjoying sunrise on the narrowing valley walls and yaks being put to pasture. The final climb up to the large Mu Gompa (3700m; Mugumba) is through dry Tibetan country, with rows of chortens and widening mountain vistas. This is a large monastery with over 100 monks and an ancient gompa visited by David Snellgrove (Himalayan Pilgrimage) in 1956. There are many rooms available and nearby toilets (bed Rs250, db Rs300). The food is basic. Try tsampa (roasted barley flour) for breakfast with tea or even Tibetan butter salt tea. On three sides now are tantalizing views of the border with Tibet, with frequently used passes to the east (Ngula Dhojyang or Mailatasachin Pass, 5093m) and west (Thapla Bhanjyang, 5104m) just out of sight. Some people climb to Kalung (3820m) or Bhajyo (4030m) and camp, making a day trip to the passes for a view into Tibet. Mingma Lama (enquire in Nile) can organise accommodation and/or horses if you want to do this. It takes about 4hrs to climb to the pass from Bhajyo and 3hrs down. From Mu Gompa there are extensive seasonal yak pastures in all directions, the Lungdang Glacier to the east and high peaks in all directions. In the early monsoon, in pastures at 5000m, many Tsumba collect the most expensive natural medicine in the world, known as Yarsagumba. This is the caterpillar of a ghost moth parasitised by a fungus Cordyceps sinensis and is worth $10,000/kg in China as an aphrodisiac and cancer cure. The isolated 600 year-old Dhephu Doma Gompa (3900m) is 30-45mins uphill on the obvious westward track and has two resident nuns who report seeing snow leopards and musk deer and may give you tea. The inside of the gompa has been repainted by monks from Tibet and there are some ancient Thankas. Stay overnight at Mu gompa.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Mu Gompa
• Altitude: 3700

After breakfast you will explore the place and take a small rest from the tiring trek. Get a chance to experience their culture and traditions. You stay overnight at Mu Gompa

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Mu Gompa
• Altitude: 3700

Return down valley through Chhule, collect your rucksack if you left it there, and continue down as far as Phurbe, where the Sheraps (sic) homestay with camping looks clean and comfortable. Stay on the east bank of the Siyar Khola and cross flat boulder-covered plains following the power lines to Rachen Gompa (3240m), where it is possible to inspect the ancient gompa if you want and the many young nuns are very friendly. Families in the Tsum usually have at least one family member as either a monk or a nun. Stay overnight at Rachen Gumpa.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Rachen Gumpa
• Altitude: 3240

You retrace back to Chumling.                                                                     

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Chumling
• Altitude: 2386

Descend through beautiful forest, crossing two new bridges, circle under a huge bluff on the river then climb steeply on deteriorating exposed stairs. After about 30mins you will start to traverse north through pines and rhododendrons, still climbing and with very steep slopes. The hidden valley of Tsum stretches enticingly ahead. Eventually descend to a deserted bhatti Ghumlong (2130m) on the river. The path straight ahead climbs steeply to Ripchet (2470m; Ripche) in about 1hr; the path to Chumling (2360m) crosses the Siyar Khola on a wooden bridge and up. It is not for those afraid of heights – several locals have fallen to their death from this track while drunk. After about 30mins, below Chumling, take the level track to right (east) for 15mins to arrive at a lodge with 6-8 beds. Make sure you climb up to Chumling and check out the old gompa, the traditional houses, orchards, clinic and beautiful stone streets. This is Buddhist agriculture, with conical pine needle haystacks among the prayer flags. From here on trails are lined with artistic chortens and mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with deities and prayers. Traverse north out of Philim on the obvious track signposted to the Larkya La, through some pretty forest with views up the narrowing valley. After 1hr climbing enter the increasingly misnamed Ekle Bhatti (1600m; ‘lone teashop’) with at least six bhatti, then traverse high above a spectacular gorge, entering a largely uninhabited area of pine trees. Eventually drop to a trail junction going left to Ghap and right to the Tsum Valley, just above Gum Pul (‘bridge’). Climb on a well-graded but exposed track through Pines and Rhododendrons, looking down on the other trail across the river. If the slopes here have recently had their annual burn there is a real risk of stone fall from the cliffs above, especially if there are goats grazing. Climb on zigzag steps, increasingly exposed, and gain your first glimpses of the narrow lower Tsum Valley, very steep across the Siyar Khola (Shiar Khola) which drains from the very top of the valley. Stay overnight at Philim.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Philim
• Altitude: 1590

You follow the trail to doven through the greenery of nature. Stay overnight in Doven

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Dovan

You follow the trail back to Soti Khola. Stay overnight in Soti Khola

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Place: Soti Khola
• Altitude: 710

After breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu you will take a rest at our hotel or stroll in the streets of Thamel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
• Place: Kathmandu
• Altitude: 1300

You take a rest at our hotel or stroll in the streets of Thamel, a popular tourist hub for some souvenir shopping and after adventurous but little tiring trekking you can reward your muscles with a massage service. You can also take an early evening yoga class at Pranamaya Yoga, with two locations in Thamel and Patan. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner hosted by TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE to celebrate the successful completion of your 15 days trekking. Then you will stay overnight in Kathmandu.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
• Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
• Place: Kathmandu
• Altitude: 1300

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. Our representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal and say farewell to Nepal and its amazing people, mountains and nature. Until the next time!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Place: Kathmandu Airport
• Altitude: 1300