Tsum & Manaslu *private

Day 0 - early arrival

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

Day 1 - Wednesday 30 April 2025 - Arrive Kathmandu

Arriving around 12 noon, 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. Perhaps dinner at Bauddha?

3 - drive Jagat 1350m

Starting early, after a driving Nepal's main rough highway in a private bus, we change to jeeps for bumpy finish to end of the road, probably at Jagat. At least there is no worry of delayed flights. If the road is broken, and we must stop earlier, we have additional time in the itinerary so that no compromise is necessary.

4 - trek Chisopani 1640m via Philim 1572m 6.5 hrs

A shorter day's trekking, however it will be steamy so perhaps the end of the day reward can be a "sports recovery beverage" (beer).

5 - trek Chumling 2400m 7 hrs

After passing an incredible waterfall (yes, yet another!), 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.

6 - trek Chhokang Paro 3030m 4-5 hrs

As easier day to our first night above 3000m. There are mani (prayer) walls in the centre of the quaint village.

7 - trek Nile 3350m 4-5 hrs

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

8 - trek Mu Gompa 3700m 3 hrs

There are several ways we can work the itinerary from here. If the weather is good and people are feeling good, the best will be to trek to Mu Gompa (the last habitation) in the morning and perhaps explore the trail further north or the valley to the east. Alternatively, have a rest and leave Nile later to arrive arrive for later afternoon.

9 - trek Nile 3350m / Lamagaon 3300m

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

10 - trek Lar (near Rachen Gompa) 3250m / Chokang Paro

We visit chortens and gompas on the other side of the river from our trail up, and with a short day, we have some flexibility.

11 - trek Chumling 2400m / Ripchet

Back to a familar lodge and area. (For the energetic, staying off the main trail at Ripchet is a good option). 

12 - trek Deng 1860m / Pewa 

We exit the the Tsum Valley and return to the main Manaslu Circuit, and back to some sweat. **It may be that we slightly alter the itinerary from this point. I'll email the suggested optional itinerary.**

13 - trek Ghap 2100m /Ghapsya

Passing through the steep-sided valley in forest, we see little however there are huge mountains above and occasional glimpses of the old trail.

14 - trek Hinang Gompa ~3120m

We head off the main trail to stay at the gompa for stunning Himal Chuli views. The following days until Samdo are somewhat flexible with several possible different goals, including Hinang Gompa and Manaslu BC. We have plenty of time in this scenic highlight area of the Manaslu circuit.

15 - explore Hinang / trek Lho 3180m 3hrs

Explore up the valley on a day trip or soak up the panorama and have a rest day.

16 - trek Lho / trek Shyala 3480m

This is a highlight area with a pretty village so it is good have (another) short day of trekking.

17 - trek Shyala 3480m / Shyala

Spring weather requires some flexibility and this is a spare day or rest day. If we trekked to Lho yesterday then we can trek just a couple of hours to Shyala where the mountain views are also spectacular. Another option is to stay in Sama and trek to Manaslu Base Camp as a tough day trip. Perhaps the best scenic option is to trek via Pung Gyen 4030m or stay up there at the simple tented camp.

18 - trek Sama 3520m 3 hrs

Wake early for the golden sunrise on Manaslu from Lho/Shyala then it is a half day walk so more time to explore. 

19 - rest Sama / trek Samdo 3875m

En route, we can check out Birendra Tal with an ice fall falling into the lake. We are probably acclimatized enough that one night in cold Samdo or Larkya Bazar is enough and therefore a rest day in Sama might be more pleasant.

20 - rest-explore Samdo 3875m / Larkya Bazar

Relax and clean up in the sun or there are several valleys to explore, perhaps the best is to the Mayul Bhanjyang or Rui La or that main valley rather than the tough, long trail to the Lajyung La.

21 - 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.

22 - 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. There could be slippery snow patches even this late in the season. The pass height in feet is 16,930ft.

23 - trek Gho / Karche, drive Besi Sahar

We descend to the roadhead then jump in jeeps and drive to Besi Sahar. We will probably stay in the best place there. Cold beer!

24 - drive Kathmandu

We will get back to the hotel sometime in the late afternoon or evening, depending on the highway condition.

25 - Kathmandu

We have a day for recovery, relaxing and shopping.

Day 26 - Sunday 25 May 2025 depart