Tsum & Manaslu Wild

Tsum Valley exploration - Around Manaslu off the beaten track

Steep-sided gorges with misty waterfalls and soaring mountains with lively villages dotted throughout, the Manaslu Circuit is one of the Himalaya's very best treks. The offshoot Tsum Valley is also stunning and more than worthy of some of our trademark exploration in its upper reaches towards the Tibet border. Together, they combine for a trek rich in culture, from colourful flowers and vegetable garden villages to the alpine with smiling Tibetan faces, yak caravans and endless jawdropping Himalayan panoramas.

Yes, Around Manaslu in October is busy, or rather the lodges are packed - and this is why we are running this as a camping trek with kitchen crew and mules, and this enables us to away from villages and explore.

We truly savour the region with 10 days more (!) than most Tsum-Manaslu itineraries. Beginning with Tsum, we revel in exploring in the high country and camping by out-of-the-way gompas, otherwise inaccessible to lodge trekkers. Our first Tsum Valley foray was 2000 (the memorable toilet tent incident) then again in 2007 (ahem, both before Tsum even opened to trekkers in 2008!), where we explored to one of the passes to Tibet and there are several other passes to tease, plus there is the tempting Ganesh Himal BC valley.

Getting back onto the Manaslu Circuit can also involve adventures. The mules (and the more sensible trekkers) must take the usual way out however those keen/silly enough for a sleepout, can take the wilder route that I swore we would never take again (twice!), but now has sufficient improvement to warrant the outstanding panoramas again. Perhaps.

Once on the Manaslu Circuit, we continue to duck off to incredibly scenic camps under the towering mountains that are inaccessible to lodge trekkers for an experience like no other. And with additional time, we have more exploration opportunities, and days to cope with less than perfect weather. Most Manaslu itineraries are rushed whereas our certainly isn't, and we've also broken up a couple of the usual longer days too.

This is the ultimate Tsum and Manaslu trek and a little more wild than possible using the lodges - join us for an adventure!

Highlights

+ remote "before it's gone" Tsum Valley

+ Tsum Valley exploration

+ adventurous Tsum Valley exit

+ steep gorges and high waterfalls

+ endless spectacular mountain views

+ peaceful, scenic wilderness camps

+ many exploratory day/side trips

+ diverse scenery and cultures

+ stunning Larkya La crossing

+ gompas galore

+ 6 rest-exploration days

+ several shorter trek days too

+ no domestic flights

Travel basics

e-visa before/on arrival

pay USD125 visa fee on arrival

we handle all other permits & entry fees

Grading

max altitude 5135m+

max sleeping altitude ~4500m?

rough, challenging trails

strenuous trekking

insurance: hiking/trekking

understand your health risks

city dengue season: Aug, Sept, October

2023 details

8 Oct-10 Nov, 34 days USD4480

trip deposit: USD750

Start and end in Kathmandu, airport code KTM

Max 9 bookings

hotel extra nights USD70/80

Preparation

trek gear discussion

Nepal visa

trekking intro

Leader

Jamie McGuinness

Mobile/WhatsApp: +977 98021 49789

Arrival hotel

Hotel Thamel House

transfer: Ritesh +977 98435 44996

Our service includes

airport transfers

hotel in Kathmandu, single with breakfast

1 night Bandipur, twinshare

group transportation by private vehicle

entrance fees and permits as needed

Kathmandu group dinner

Expedition-style trek includes

all meals, afternoon tea and hot drinks

roomy single tent / large double for couples

horse-mule porterage

very experienced crew

Nice touches included

fresh coffee for breakfast

filtered drinking water

thin mat to protect your air mattress

our special comfy dining tent

and more unique Project Himalaya comforts

Our qualified guide carries

pulse oximeter

water filter (saves you buying bottles!)

first aid kit including altitude meds & antibiotics

first aid book

Our service excludes

insurance, Nepal visa, other meals in Kathmandu

additional hotel nights due to delays

international flights, equipment rental, alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks, laundry, tipping and other items of a personal nature

Tips & extra cash

allow approx $50 per day for Kathmandu meals

we suggest 5% of the trip cost per trekker for the crew tips pool

Day 0 - early arrival

Arrive early to recover from long flights, shop and to sightsee.

Day 1 - Arrive Kathmandu

We meet you at Kathmandu airport, transfer to the hotel and now you can relax.

2 - Kathmandu 1350m

The office gets the permits today while we relax. There is optional morning sightseeing and we have a briefing this evening.

3 - drive Machha Khola 890m

Starting early, after a bumpy day of driving, we sleep in a lodge.

4 - trek Yaru camp

Prepare for a steamy day's trekking, but shorter than the usual haul to Jagat. (Might an umbrella be useful?)

5 - trek Ekle Bhatti via Philim 6.5 hrs

Again, a longer, hot day but not as long as many itineraries. "Sports recovery beverages" are recommended!

6 - trek Chumling 2400m 7 hrs

We leave the main Manaslu circuit and head into Tsum and cooler air.

7 - trek Chhokang Paro 3030m 5-6 hrs

8 - trek Nile 3350m 4-5 hrs

9 - trek Mu Gompa 3700m 3 hrs

Some necessary acclimatization and a good time to have a rest day too.

10 - trek Kalung ~3800m

We leave villages behind to camp in the wilderness (or alternatively have a rest day near Mu Gompa).

11-12-13 - explore

Depending on local advice, we camp in the same spot - or move higher, so as to explore to the top of several passes to Tibet.

14 - trek Nile 3350m / Lamagaon 3300m

We head down, still with incredible views in teh steep-sided valley.

15 - trek Gumba Lungdang 3200m

We turn off the main route again.

16 - rest-explore Gumba Langdang

Up the valley, the in your face of Ganesh Himal views just get better.

17 - trek Chumling or further

We position ourselves for tomorrow's adventure.

18 - trek Lokpa 2240m / Dorjan Kharka 2740m

The mules and crew take the regular route. For other who revel in spectacular small trail trekking, we take the shortcut. Have the locals built a convenient small lodge? There are rumours.

19 - trek Bihi 2130m (/Rana)

We converge with the mules and kitchen crew again.

20 - trek Prok 2375m

(Well above Prok is a lake ...)

19 - trek Namrung 2630m

A shorter trek day but there are alternative trails.

22 - trek Hinang Gompa ~3230m 4 hrs

We head off the main trail for stunning Himal Chuli views (thank you, Richard).

23 - trek Lho 3180m 3hrs

Explore or soak up the panorama in the morning then trek to Lho.

24 - trek Pung Gyen Gompa ~4000m 5 hrs

More unbeatable views!

25 - trek Sama 3520m 3 hrs

A half day walk so more time to explore.

26 - trek Samdo 3875m

En route, we check out Birendra Tal, and other possible options too.

27-28 - rest-explore Samdo 3875m

There are several valleys to explore!

29 - trek Dharmasala 4460m 3-4 hrs

30 - trek Bimtang 3590m via Larkya La 5135m 8-9 hrs

A long, tough but rewarding day as we cross the pass.

31 - trek Tilje / Dharapani

Lets see where it is best to stay.

32 - drive Bandipur

We break up the drive with an overnight in delightful Bandipur.

33 - drive Kathmandu

We will get back to the hotel sometime in the afternoon.

Day 34 - depart

Annapurna Circuit extension

As the trek ends on the Annapurna Circuit, there is the option to continue in the lodges to Tilicho and/or the Thorung La to complete the Annapurna Circuit. Please ask.