Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll arrive at Kathmandu International Airport and get transferred to your hotel in the city center. After settling in, there's a pre-trek briefing with your guide covering trek details and practical information about your stay. Later that evening, head to an authentic Nepalese restaurant for a welcome dinner with traditional folk culture performances.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at authentic Nepalese restaurant with folk culture program)
Included Activities
- Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
- Pre-trek briefing with guide
- Welcome dinner at authentic Nepalese restaurant with folk culture program
- Day 2
Kathmandu
This day focuses on Kathmandu's religious sites. Start at Swayambhunath, known as the Monkey Temple, which blends Hindu and Buddhist traditions and offers panoramic city views. From there, visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world's largest stupas surrounded by Buddhist pilgrims and the Tibetan community. Next is Pashupatinath Temple complex along the holy Bagmati River, featuring small temples and ancient heritage sites. The afternoon is free for rest and trek preparation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley landmarks
- Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Entrance fees for all sightseeing tours
Landmarks/POIs Swayambhunath Boudhanath Stupa Pashupatinath Temple - Day 3
Kathmandu to Machha Khola
An early drive heads westward along Nepal's main highway through farm villages and towns with views of snow-capped peaks. You'll pass through Dhading and toward the Gorkha areas, then descend into warm sub-tropical landscape to reach Machha Khola beside the rushing Burigandaki River. Spend the afternoon exploring this colorful village with its shops and restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Overland drive to Machha Khola
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Machha Khola village
- Day 4
Machha Khola to Doban
Start trekking with a morning walk crossing Machha Khola stream and heading upstream toward Khola-Bensi village and the Tatopani hot spring. As valley sides get steeper, the route switches to the left bank where you cross a suspension bridge. After walking through forest, continue to Doban, which sits on a high shelf above the Burigandaki River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Doban
- Day 5
Doban to Philim
Walk across a broad gravel bed toward Lauri, then cross a suspension bridge and climb to reach an open valley called Yara Khola. Continue for another hour to Jagat, a fair-sized village with mixed populations of Magar, Chettri, Brahman, and Newar residents. Descend stone steps to the river, then climb a terraced hillside past Saguleri village with distant views of Sringi Himal. After crossing a bridge, wind uphill to Philim, a spread-out settlement with cultivated fields and terraces.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Philim
Optional Activities
- Browse around Philim village
Landmarks/POIs Sringi Himal - Day 6
Philim to Lokpa
From Philim, walk through higher areas past scattered farm villages, climbing through terraces of golden wheat and barley fields. Climb a rocky ridge into bamboo forest to reach Eklai Bhatti where shops have recently been built. After a short rest, head toward Lokpa where your route leaves the Burigandaki River and diverts east, marking your transition from the main Manaslu trail.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lokpa
- Day 7
Lokpa to Chumling
After Lokpa, walk toward Tsum, known as the valley of happiness. Your route enters a narrow gorge, descends briefly then climbs back up through rhododendron and pine tree forests. Walk past small farm villages, climbing above Lungwa Khola to reach Chumling village for your first night in the Tsum Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Chumling
- Day 8
Chumling to Chokhanparo
Gradually gain altitude amid massive peaks of Ganesh Himal to the east and Manaslu to the west as the landscape transforms into a Tibetan windswept plateau. Walk downhill to cross a bridge over Smatiking Khola with views of Ganesh Himal at 7,422m. Continue to reach Chokhanparo village for your overnight stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Chokhanparo
Landmarks/POIs Ganesh Himal - Day 9
Chokhanparo to Nele
Continue toward upper Tsum at Nele with an uphill trek onto a wide open windswept valley where only small trees of juniper and willow survive. Walk uphill with magnificent views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himalayas. Reach Nele for your overnight stop and visit the old meditation cave of the 11th-century Saint Milarepa, famous among Buddhists.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Nele
- Visit meditation cave of Saint Milarepa
Landmarks/POIs Milarepa's Meditation Cave - Day 10
Nele to Mu Gompa
Trek to Mu Gompa, the highest point of this section. Continue climbing through arid terrain offering views of high peaks as you ascend to Mu Gompa for your overnight stop. In the afternoon, explore the high valley of Tsum with its traditional villages and the old Mu Gompa, featuring ancient antique idols, scrolls, and statues. This location sees few foreign trekkers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Mu Gompa
- Explore Mu Gompa monastery
Optional Activities
- Hike and explore areas around Mu Gompa
- Visit traditional villages
Landmarks/POIs Mu Gompa - Day 11
Mu Gompa to Chokhanparo
Begin your return journey back to Chokhanparo with a visit to the impressive Rachen Gompa monastery. Walk on scenic trails with short climbs and descents past small scattered farm villages of cattle herders. Rachen Gompa holds historical and religious artifacts, important statues, and an idol of Sakaymuni Buddha. After exploring the monastery amid snow-capped peaks, head downhill to Chokhanparo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Mu Gompa to Chokhanparo
- Visit Rachen Gompa monastery
Landmarks/POIs Rachen Gompa - Day 12
Chokhanparo to Lokpa
Leave the high Tsum valley and head back to Lokpa to rejoin the main Manaslu trail. Follow the same path back to Lokpa, walking within the Burigandaki River valley for your overnight stop as you transition back to the main trekking route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Chokhanparo to Lokpa
- Day 13
Lokpa to Bihi
Leave the Tsum route and join the main Manaslu trail. The walk follows up and down trails with some sections cut into sheer cliff walls. As trail conditions improve, reach Deng village where houses become noticeably more Tibetan in character. After a few hours of good walking, arrive at Bihi for your overnight stop. The people here are of Tibetan origin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lokpa to Bihi
- Day 14
Bihi to Namrung
Continue for two hours on steep-sided valley terrain, passing Mani prayer stones as you walk to Ghap village for a possible lunch stop. Enter a cool alpine climate with coniferous forest. The path becomes steep as the valley opens with extensive pastures. Cross a large stream with magnificent views of snow peaks, then walk pleasantly with gradual uphill gains through farm villages to reach Namrung for your overnight halt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Namrung
Optional Activities
- Lunch stop at Ghap village
Landmarks/POIs Pang Phuchin Saula Himal - Day 15
Namrung to Lho
Walk through spread out farm fields and cattle-yak herder shelters. During summer, people here farm; in winter, young folks travel to trade in big cities. Follow the high scenic valley to Lho village, one of the charming villages of the high Manaslu region. You'll enjoy close views of Manaslu's North Face above 8,163m, and the village features a little monastery, numerous chhortens, and Mani walls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lho
Landmarks/POIs Manaslu Ganesh Himal - Day 16
Lho to Samagaon
Leave Lho village trekking along the Burigandaki River on the right bank with views of Peak 29 ahead. Climb two hours through woodland to reach Shala village offering excellent views of Phungi and Manaslu. A couple of hours further leads to Samagaon village with superb views of Mt. Manaslu. The people here are mostly farmers descended from Tibet, and you can visit the old Monastery, a major red hat sect monastery of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Samagaon
- Visit old monastery in Samagaon
Landmarks/POIs Manaslu - Day 17
Samagaon to Samdo
Trek on a short day walk to Samdo village. The morning path climbs slowly toward Samdo; while the distance from Samagaon is short (a few hours), the increased altitude and dry air make the walk slower than previous days. You'll gain height gradually, taking time to enjoy the views as you reach Samdo village for your overnight halt and a rest day tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Samdo
- Day 18
Samdo
Rest day at Samdo, a remote permanent village located on a terraced hillside opposite the Budhi Gandaki. This village with more than forty houses is home to around 200 villagers living in severe arctic conditions. Samdo is the last village before Larkya-La pass. Enjoy the rest day with short hikes exploring this interesting village and its views of snow-capped peaks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Short hikes and excursions around Samdo village
- Explore the village
- Day 19
Samdo to Dharmasala
After two nights at Samdo, your morning walk leads west into complete wilderness. Cross the icy Gyala Khola stream, then ascend to a ridge where you can see ruins of Larkya Bazaar, which once thrived on trade with Tibet. Continue, nearing Larkya Glacier, to reach Dharmasala with a few tea houses and lodges. Rest overnight here with time for short walks before the big climb tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Dharmasala
Optional Activities
- Short walks around Dharmasala
- Day 20
Dharmasala to Bhimthang
A big day heading toward the trek's highest point at above 5,215m (17,110 ft). Start early with a short climb to reach an ablation valley on the north side of Larke Glacier with magnificent views. Walk across glacier moraines with gradual ascents becoming steeper to the pass summit decorated with Buddhist prayer flags. Descend long sections over snow and scree toward Larcia, then continue for another hour to Tambuche, then Bhimthang for your overnight stop. This lovely spot sits on a wide valley surrounded by green alpine vegetation and tall rhododendron, pine, and oak trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Larkya-La Pass
- Trek to Bhimthang
Landmarks/POIs Larkya-La Pass Larke Glacier - Day 21
Bhimthang to Tilje
After the strenuous previous day, enjoy a pleasant walk through forests of pines, rhododendrons, and summer pastures with occasional views of snow peaks. From Bhimthang, cross high pastures and descend toward Burdin Khola to the western base camp area of Manaslu with excellent views. Beyond a bridge over the Dudh Khola headwaters, descend through a narrow valley and forest to reach Karche after 4-5 hours of easy walking. Continue for several more hours dropping down to the Marsyangdi River, then reach Tilje village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tilje
Landmarks/POIs Manaslu Annapurna II - Day 22
Tilje to Tal
From Tilje, enter Manang district at the junction of the Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu trail. Your morning leads to a climb up to Dharapani, a nice large village, then continue on the main trail heading south toward warmer areas following the Marsyangdi River downstream. Reach Tal village for your overnight stop. Tal marks the last and ending point of Manang district.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tal
- Day 23
Tal to Baundanda
Walk this morning on a gradual path and then drop down to meet the Marsyangdi River again, reaching Chamje village. Continue past another lovely village at Jagat, then downhill to Syange with views of cascading waterfalls. From here, head back into low, warm paddy field areas with more farm villages. Climb up to reach the interesting hilltop of Baundanda overlooking beautiful valley views. This is your last overnight stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Baundanda
Optional Activities
- Explore Hindu tribe village at Baundanda
- Day 24
Baundanda to Kathmandu
Your trek concludes with a morning walk leading to a long descent to Ngadi village, then back to follow the Marsyangdi River downstream. The walk is pleasant through farm fields and small villages, reaching Bhulhule where your trekking journey ends. Drive back to Kathmandu via the large town of Besisar, then a few hours' drive reaches the main highway. Continue driving back to Kathmandu, and an hour's ride brings you back to your hotel with the afternoon free for activities and shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek to Bhulhule
- Transfer back to Kathmandu
Optional Activities
- Shopping for souvenirs
- Day 25
Kathmandu
Your last day in Nepal, the land of Himalayan wonders. Depart as per your international flight time to return home or travel to your connecting destinations. Your staff and guide will transfer you to Kathmandu airport after your time on the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trekking adventure.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
