Beyuls Tsum & Manaslu

Day 0 - early arrival

Arrive early to recover from long flights, shop and to sightsee. (Note, you will need a 90 day visa if arriving early.)

Day 1 - Saturday 24 October 2026?- Arrive Kathmandu

We meet you at Kathmandu airport, transfer to the hotel and now you can relax. If everyone has arrived then we have a briefing this evening.

2 - Kathmandu 1350m

The office gets the permits today while you have a morning sightseeing.  Perhaps dinner at Bauddha? For those on a tighter schedule, you could arrive today sometime in the morning.

3 - drive Barpak 2000m

Starting early, after a sometimes slow, bumpy day of driving, we reach this village that few trekkers visit now. We stay in a guesthouse with attached bathrooms.

4 - drive Mamche, trek Singla 2285m 5-6 hrs

We begin with a rough 1 hour jeep drive up to the Mamche viewpoint, hopefully beating the clouds for a Himalayan panorama with the Manaslu and Ganesh peaks. Then the trekking begins through villages that see few trekkers. Perhaps an early lunch at Laprak, fuel for the coming strenuous hill and descents. The Singla locals may have a surprise for us.

5 - trek Korla Besi 890m 4-5 hrs

We descend and descend through green fields and farming settlements. Use a trekking pole or two to be kind to your knees. We probably reach our lodge for lunch, so a shorter day's trekking, but phew, it is steamy down here. Reward yourself with a cold 'sports recovery beverage' (beer).

6 - trek Salleri 1333m 7-8 hrs

Back on the main Manaslu Circuit, we start early and enjoy the shade, already out of sync with most groups. It is an action-packed day dodging a waterfall and crossing a side stream, then ducking off the jeep track to pass through pleasant villages on the other side of the Budhi Gandaki. Admire the sheer valley walls. Most trekkers stop at busy Jagat but we continue another half an hour to quaint Salleri. Let's see how the jeep track has developed, we may jeep some of this - or not.

7 - trek Lokpa 1910m 5 hrs

We leave early for the shade. Once through the larger village of Philim (a tea and snack break, perhaps) soon we have a close up of an incredible waterfall (yes, yet another!). After a few smaller settlements, we leave the main Manaslu Circuit and climb through chir pines into the protected beyul of Tsum, and cooler air. There is no killing of animals in the valley and other edicts, as on a board at the entrance gate.

8 - trek Chumling 2400m 3? hrs

The valley tightens and we pass through a gorge that once must have been formidable trekking. After crossing a bridge over the main river, the character changes and we climb to the pleasant village of Chumling for lunch. Do explore around in the photogenic fields in the afternoon. 

9 - trek Chhokang Paro 3030m 4-5 hrs

A morning's trek only, for our first night above 3000m. There are old mani (prayer) walls in the centre of the quaint village, which is also called Chhekampar.

10 - trek Nile 3350m 4-5 hrs

Up on the agricultural flats are picturesque villages and gompas, and we stop to visit at least one. And that waterfall! Watch for Himalayan tahr. The day is not long either as we trek with altitude acclimatization in mind.

11 - day trek Mu Gompa 3700m 3 hrs

In the past, we have stayed at Mu Gompa but it has always been cold and windy. Perhaps best, to make a day trip and stay back at Nile. Alternatively, there is perhaps a simple lodge a little below the gompa area, and then tomorrow take a strenuous morning hike to the pond/lake well above the gompa.

12 - trek Chhokang Paro 3030m / Rainjam

A trek highlight is a possible post-breakfast climb to the pond above Mu Gompa for extensive views. We then head down, still with incredible views of the mountains above the steep-sided valley.

13 - trek Lungdang Gompa

This is the first of our overnight side trips. From the main valley, the climb is soon relentless and perhaps sweaty although on a good trail. Apart from the extensive mountain views, the reward is reaching the gompa and the simple accommodation. Do sit in a simple evening ceremony.

14 trek Chumchet / Ripchet / Lokpa

Do wake before sunrise to admire the mountain panorama from the gompa steps. After a simple breakfast, perhaps take a small trail wander slightly further up the valley better views of the upper valley, but be warned, this is a rough trail. Although marked on maps, there is no clear trail higher up the valley, and camping is required. Then we descend on a now familiar trail, probably to the lodges of Rainjam for lunch, then there is a choice of two routes. 

15-20 off the beaten track

Our itinerary is unique, researched in 2024, and very special. We know the trails and the overnight spots for this weeks trekking, filled to the brim with highlights. We also include a rest day (or perhaps two) and should see some wildlife too! However, rather than list the places we stay, I will leave it to others to work this out for themselves.

21 - trek Lho 3180m

Back to the main trail, we stay at this lively, busy village.

22 - trek Shyala 3480m

Do wake early (5:30am or so) for the famed golden sunrise on Manaslu, conveniently watched from the lodge deck. Leaving, we climb to the gompa school and then it is only an hour to where we stay, so a day for some recovery while basking in the breathtaking mountain views. Alternatively (and we can split the team), trek up Pung Gyen 4030m to stay at the basic teahouse there.

23 - trek Sama 3520m

On the main trail, Sama is less than an hour and a half away but don't miss the side trip to Pung Gyen with its in your face mountains. It is also possible to stay at the simple teahouse there.

24 - rest Sama 3520m

As the many days trekking catch up with us, this a real rest day. Why not rest in Samdo instead? We are probably acclimatized enough that one night in cold Samdo/Larkya Bazar is enough and therefore a rest day in Sama might be more pleasant.

25 - trek Samdo 3875m / Larkya Bazar 3920m

This is a 3 hour walk but with the strenuous option of climbing up to Manaslu Base Camp (no lodge/teahouse or shop en route). If choosing Between Pung Gyen (day 23) and Manaslu BC, I recommend Pung Gyen but if you have the energy, trek to both!

The more usual alternative is to trek via Birendra Tal.

Samdo has an interesting history, an entire Tibetan village fled the Chinese invasion and settled here.

Most trek groups take a rest at Samdo and a few people trek up to one of the passes to Tibet, or at least try to get up there. They are strenuous day trips and I suggest Manaslu BC and Pung Gyen are better options.

26 - trek Dharmasala 4460m 3-4 hrs

We are really in alpine terrain and the mountain views continue. If you want to explore en route, take a packed lunch.

27 - trek Bimtang 3590m via Larkya La 5160m 8-9 hrs

Leaving early, the trail starts gently enough but is a long, tough and hugely rewarding day as we cross the pass.

28 - trek Gho / Karche

While many groups hammer out, we can take our time on the descent by staying en route, probably at Gho.

29 trek Tilje, drive Besi Sahar

We descend to the roadhead then jump in jeeps and drive to Besi Sahar.

30 - drive Kathmandu

Leaving early, we reach Kathmandu sometime in the late afternoon, depending on the traffic and conditions.

(It is also possible to drive to Pokhara instead, have a day or two there then drive to Chitwan for a wildlife safari. Do discuss with us!)

Day 31 - Monday 23 Nov depart

Leaving in the late afternoon or evening gives some contingency time. (American's, you'll be home in time for Thanksgiving.)

*Note with a 30 day visa, you have one day's grace, so leaving today on a 30 day visa is OK, provided you arrived on day 1.

 

Annapurna Circuit extension

As the trek ends on the Annapurna Circuit, there is the option to continue over the Thorong La to complete the Annapurna Circuit. Here is a sensibly paced itinerary that also includes Tilicho, however there are many options, do discuss. This section can be guided or you can trek solo (and your excess trek gear taken to Kathmandu).

29 - trek Tilje, drive Manang 3500m

While people still trek the road bash to Manang, it is dusty and no fun being passed by motorbikes and jeeps.

30 - rest Manang 3500m

Manang has comfortable lodges, some wifi and coffee machines. There is a tough but good day trip up to Kicho /Ice Lake. Perhaps even stay here a couple of days to really recover.

31 - trek Tilicho Base Camp 4130m

We can drive to Khangsar or trek over the high bridge, or there is a trail on the southern side, which few other trekkers take.

32 - trek Siri Kharka Ledar 4200m

Everyone starts ridiculously early, and you should be fitter and more acclimatized than most, so bear that in mind. The lake viewpoint is at 5000m, and in the higher reaches, the mountains are in your face and spectacular. Then trek down, perhaps to the pleasant Siri Kharka with the afternoon to relax.

33 - trek Ledar 4200m/Thorung Phedi 4540m

Leaving the main trail and most trekkers, we take the shortcut to Yak Kharka and then on to Ledar or probably more likely Thorung Phedi.

34 - trek Ranipauwa-Muktinath via Thorong La 5416m

Most people leave ridiculously early for this spectacular and satisfying day. (If you stayed at Ledar yesterday, then today stay at Thorung Phedi or High Camp and head directly to Jomsom after the pass crossing.)

35 - trek Jomsom via Lupra / drive Jomsom

Either trek or drive down. This is a day in hand.

36 - fly Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu

Fly all the way in a day - or stay in Pokhara for a day or two. The Jomsom flight is a fine weather flight and infrequently cancelled. In that case, there is still enough time to drive to Pokhara today.

Day 37 - Sunday 29 Nov depart / or Kathmandu

Take an later afternoon or evening international flight, otherwise stay in Kathmandu to clean up and leave tomorrow.

Day 38 - Mon 30 Nov depart

Or stay on and take a wildlife safari at Chitwan or Bardiya...

 

Nar-Phu extension

With only a few hours drive to the usual start point of this trek, adding the Nar-Phu trek certainly makes sense, at least after some clean up and recovery time in Koto. Talk with us!