25-day Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek: Nepal's remote high valleys

A journey crossing two hidden Himalayan valleys, from river gorges to the Larke La pass

A 25-day trekking tour in Nepal that combines the Manaslu and Tsum Valley routes, starting and ending in Kathmandu. You trek through remote villages, monasteries and high-altitude terrain, crossing the 5,215m Larke La pass and reaching Mu Gompa at 3,700m. The trek includes a guide, porter support, lodge accommodation, all permits, airport transfers and equipment rental. Minimum age is 16 and moderate fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and welcome in Kathmandu

• Arrive at Kathmandu airport
• Meet guide and transfer to hotel
• Check-in and refresh
• Attend trek briefing
• Enjoy welcome dinner with folk culture

Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
• Visit Boudhanath Stupa
• Visit Pashupatinath Temple
• Afternoon free for rest and preparation

Day 3: Drive and walk to Machha Khola

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Mid-West Nepal
• Lunch en route
• Visit Nauli Jharana waterfall
• Walk along Budigandaki River to Machha Khola
• Pass Manaslu Conservation Area check post
• Settle in accommodation

Day 4: Trek to Dobhan via Tatopani

• Breakfast at Machha Khola
• Trek to Tatopani hot spring
• Enjoy hot spring
• Trek to Dobhan
• Rest in Gurung settlement

Day 5: Trek to Philim village

• Breakfast at Dobhan
• Walk across gravel bed to Lauri
• Cross suspension bridge and climb high path
• Descend to Yara Khola valley
• Reach Jagat village and check permits
• Continue trail to Salleri and cross Buri-Gandaki bridge
• Arrive at Philim and settle

Day 6: Trek to Lokpa village

• Breakfast at Philim
• Trek to Ekle Bhatti for lunch
• Pass pine forest
• Arrive at Lokpa, first Tsum valley village
• Rest at accommodation

Day 7: Trek to Chumling village

• Breakfast at Lokpa
• Trek through pine forest
• Cross Sarti gorge and suspension bridges
• Lunch en route
• Arrive at Chumling and settle

Day 8: Trek to Chhokangparo village

• Breakfast at Chumling
• Visit Tanju's prayer wheel
• Trek through pine forest and above Syar Khola
• Reach Domje
• Uphill hike to Chhokangparo
• View Buddha Himal and Siringi Himal
• Settle in accommodation

Day 9: Trek to Nele via Rachen Gompa

• Breakfast at Chhokangparo
• Visit Rachen Gompa monastery
• Continue trek to Nele village
• Rest at accommodation

Day 10: Trek to Mu Gompa monastery

• Breakfast at Nele
• Trek to Chho Syong for lunch
• Continue to Mu Gompa
• Explore Mu Gompa and surroundings
• Overnight at Mu Gompa

Day 11: Return trek to Chhokangparo

• Breakfast at Mu Gompa
• Visit Rachen Gompa monastery
• Trek downhill to Chhokangparo
• Settle in accommodation

Day 12: Trek to Lokpa village

• Breakfast at Chhokangparo
• Trek along Budigandaki River
• Pass lush green forests
• Arrive at Lokpa and rest

Day 13: Trek to Bihi Phedi village

• Breakfast at Lokpa
• Trek uphill and downhill sections
• Pass cliff wall trails
• Reach Deng village
• Continue to Bihi Phedi for overnight

Day 14: Trek to Namrung village

• Breakfast at Bihi Phedi
• Pass apple gardens and farms
• Lunch at Ghap
• Walk rocky terrain to Namrung
• Settle in accommodation

Day 15: Trek to Lho village

• Breakfast at Namrung
• Pass villages Lee and Sho
• Observe Sherpa culture
• Arrive at Lho and visit monastery
• Rest at accommodation

Day 16: Trek to Samagaon village

• Breakfast at Lho
• Trek to Samagaon
• Rest and explore high valley

Day 17: Trek to Samdo village

• Breakfast at Samagaon
• Trek flat trail to Samdo
• View Samdo peak
• Settle in accommodation

Day 18: Rest day at Samdo village

• Acclimatize at Samdo
• Short hikes and local excursions
• Enjoy views of snow-capped peaks

Day 19: Trek to Dharamshala camp

• Breakfast at Samdo
• Uphill trek to Dharamshala
• Settle in camp or teahouse

Day 20: Cross Larke La and trek to Bhimthan

• Early morning start to Larke Pass
• Cross snow trails and steep ascent
• View Larke Peak and Punker Mountain
• Descend to Bhimthan
• Overnight at Bhimthan

Day 21: Trek to Tilje village

• Breakfast at Bhimthan
• Climb to Dharapani village
• Follow Marsyangdi River downstream
• Arrive at Tilje and rest

Day 22: Trek to Tal village

• Breakfast at Tilje
• Climb to Dharapani
• Follow Marsyangdi River to Tal
• Lunch at Kharte
• Arrive at Tal and settle

Day 23: Trek to Baundanda village

• Breakfast at Tal
• Descend to Marsyangdi River
• Pass Chamje and Jagat villages
• View waterfalls en route
• Climb to Baundanda hilltop
• Overnight at Baundanda

Day 24: Trek to Bhulbhule and drive to Kathmandu

• Breakfast at Baundanda
• Descend to Ngadi village
• Follow Marsyangdi River to Bhulbhule
• End trek at Bhulbhule
• Drive to Kathmandu
• Lunch en route
• Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 25: Departure from Nepal

• Transfer to international airport
• Farewell and assistance
• Depart Nepal

The experience

The trek runs 25 days total, with two days in Kathmandu at the start for briefing and sightseeing (Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath temples) before the overland drive to Machha Khola where the walking begins. From there the route follows the Budigandaki River upstream through Dobhan, Philim and Lokpa, then branches into the Tsum Valley proper, a region the itinerary describes as "Valley of Happiness" in Tibetan. You walk through pine forests, cross suspension bridges and pass through Chumling and Chhokangparo, the largest village in Tsum, where you can see terraced potato farming and views of Buddha Himal and Siringi Himal. The highest point of the Tsum section is Mu Gompa at 3,700m, a monastery for male monks where trekkers can stay overnight. A rest day at Samdo (3,690m) follows to acclimatize before the pass crossing.

The route then retraces toward Manaslu proper, descending to Bihi Phedi and climbing again through Namrung and Lho (famous for its first views of Manaslu itself) to Samagaon and Samdo. From Samdo you cross the Larke La at 5,215m, an ice lake formed from Larke Peak with steep snow trails and views of Larke Peak and Punker Mountain. The descent takes you through Bhimthan (where Annapurna South appears behind the pass) and down to Tilje and Tal, where you rejoin the Annapurna Circuit trail. The final days walk through Baundanda and Bhulbhule before a 7-hour drive returns you to Kathmandu. Throughout, you stay in lodges and guest houses run by local families. A porter carries half your gear for every two trekkers.

Your guide is English-speaking, government-licensed and trained in altitude sickness recognition. The operator provides an oxymeter to check your oxygen saturation twice daily. Equipment included covers sleeping bag, down jacket, t-shirt, cap, duffle bags and maps. All permits are arranged: ACA (Annapurna Conservation Area), MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) and the special permit required for the Tsum Valley. Airport pickup and drop-off use a private vehicle. Public transport covers the Kathmandu-to-Arughat and Bhulbhule-to-Kathmandu legs. You'll need to arrange your own international airfare, travel insurance and helicopter evacuation insurance. Tips to the guide and porter are separate.

What’s included

• English-speaking, government-licensed guide and porter support (one porter per two trekkers).
• lodge and guest house accommodation throughout the trek.
• all permits for Manaslu, Tsum Valley and Annapurna Conservation Area.
• sleeping bag, down jacket, t-shirt, cap, duffle bag and trekking maps.
• oxymeter to monitor oxygen saturation and altitude sickness symptoms twice daily.
• first aid kit.
• airport pickup and drop-off by private vehicle.
• welcome dinner in Kathmandu with folk culture program.
• half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu temples (Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 to 75 years) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Trekking Planner Nepal

Is this one for you?This 25-day trek suits trekkers with moderate fitness who want to walk remote valleys few tourists reach (the Tsum Valley section and Mu Gompa monastery are rarely visited), and who have the time to acclimatize properly before crossing a high pass. If you have only 2–3 weeks or prefer a faster-paced itinerary, a shorter Manaslu or Annapurna route would fit better. This one trades speed for depth in the mountains.

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Top questions

What is Mu Gompa and why do trekkers stay there?

Mu Gompa is a monastery for male monks only, located at 3,700m in the upper Tsum Valley and described as one of the most important monasteries in the Tsum and Manaslu area. Trekkers can sleep inside the monastery for the night, and the itinerary notes it holds ancient antique idols, scrolls, statues and relics. A free afternoon lets you explore the high valley around it.

How high does this trek go and what happens at the Larke La pass?

The highest point is Larke La at 5,215m, an ice lake formed from Larke Peak. The crossing involves steep snow trails in a very windy region. You start around 4am from Dharamshala (4,470m) and walk for about 5 hours to reach the pass. From the viewpoint you can see Larke Peak and Punker Mountain, and after crossing you descend toward Bhimthan where Annapurna South becomes visible.

What villages and monasteries will I actually visit in the Tsum Valley?

The Tsum section includes Lokpa (the first village of Tsum Valley), Chumling (2,386m), Chhokangparo (3,031m, the largest village in Tsum with views of Buddha Himal), Nele (3,361m, famous for potatoes), and Mu Gompa (3,700m). You also visit Rachen Gompa, the largest monastery in Tsum Valley, which houses around 200 nuns and sits on the route to Milarepa cave.

What is included in the cost and what do I need to arrange separately?

Included are all lodge accommodation during the trek, a guide and porter, all permits (ACA, MCAP and Tsum special permit), airport transfers by private vehicle, equipment rental (sleeping bag, down jacket, maps, duffle bag), and an oxymeter for daily altitude checks. You arrange your own international airfare, travel and evacuation insurance, visa fees, and tips for the guide and porter.

How much walking happens each day and what is the terrain like?

Daily walks range from 4 to 7 hours, with most days between 5 and 6 hours. The early sections follow the Budigandaki River with waterfalls and suspension bridges. The Tsum Valley section climbs through pine forests and passes terraced farmland. Later stages include steep uphill sections carved into cliff walls and, near the pass, snow trails. The final days descend through warmer, lower terrain with paddy fields and farm settlements.

What is the acclimatization schedule and rest days?

There is one dedicated rest day at Samdo (3,690m) for acclimatization before the Larke La crossing. The trek also includes two days in Kathmandu at the start (one for arrival and briefing, one for sightseeing), which help your body adjust before the drive to the trailhead. The itinerary notes that the walk from Samagaon to Samdo is kept short (4 hours) to allow gradual altitude gain.