Budget Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek - 21 days The Mystical land where there is Buddhist old kingdom with many unique Traditions.

The trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola is a distance of 14 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of 890 meters. The trail is mostly flat, with some gradual climbs as you ascend towards Machha Khola. Along the way, you will pass through several villages, terraced farmlands, and impressive mountain views. You can expect to take around 5-6 hours to complete the trek.

We will start the trek after having an early breakfast. On the first day, we will follow the river and experience some climbs and descents. The trail will mostly lead us to the gravel bar just before reaching Thado Khola and then to Khorlabesi. Khorlabesi is a well-known village that grows and sells buckwheat, tobacco, and coffee. It is also a junction where the trail from Gorkha joins the trail that leads to the east of Mt. Manaslu towards Langtang, Everest, and Arun valley.

The trekking trail then enters a narrow and lush green gorge. After some walking, you will reach a massive landslide area with a small trail that leads to the hot spring known as Tatopani. From Tatopani, the trekking route goes straight up to the ridge and crosses the Budi Gandaki River. The trail then follows the staircase that leads up to the landslide area and the final climb to reach Dobhan. You will stay overnight in Dovan.

Today, we will depart from Dobhan Khola and head towards the east bank of the Budi Gandaki River to Thulo Dunga. We will follow the wide valley and riverbank towards Yaruphant, crossing an old bridge as we pass through the village. Our trek will then take us to Thado Bharyang on the west bank of the Budi Gandaki River before continuing beyond the valley to Jagat. This is where you will need to check in your permit for further trekking on the Manaslu route.

From Jagat, we will follow the cliff-side trail and cross streams to reach Salleri, where you will have a great view of the Massif Shringi Himal to the north. The trek then steeply descends to Sirdibas before crossing a suspension bridge and making the final climb for the day to Philim. We will stay overnight in this traditional village, where you can visit the Chholing Sandu Gompa and the picturesque farming fields.

Today, we will cross the north side of Philim village and follow the trail through grasslands to a narrow valley and on to Chisapani. After Chisapani and Eklebhatti, we will continue our trek to a lower place and witness stunning waterfalls through the deep gorge before reaching the New Bridge. From there, the trail leads to Larke La.

When trekking to the right east side from the New Bridge, the trail will take a zigzag path through the blue pine and rhododendron forest before reaching Lokpa. After a short walk, we will arrive at Tsum Valley, a mixed traditional village where approximately 4000 people reside.

We will then follow the trail to Siyar Khola after descending through the forest, streams, and steep staircase trail. After climbing the south part of Siyar Khola, you will reach the spectacular Tsum Valley. The top ridge is adorned with many prayer flags and you will descend to the stream, cross it, and make the ascent to Chumling village, a traditional village with classic houses with sloped roof tops. You will stay in Chumling overnight.

Today's trek starts with a crossing of a suspension bridge, leading into the forest and through a landslide area. The trail mostly winds through dense forest and stunning wilderness, with the first part showcasing a small water-powered prayer wheel. The journey continues to Tanju via a monastery and then on to Dumje, offering stunning views of the Ganesh Himal and Baudha Peak.

As you descend Sharphu Khola, the Syakpa Glacier of Shringi Mountain comes into view. The trail then leads up the hill to Gho in the upper Tsum Valley. The breathtaking beauty of the area and towering snow-capped mountains will keep you motivated, leading to a short walk to Chhokang Paro and Chhekampar, known as a place of wisdom. Chhekampar is a breathtakingly beautiful village, with well-maintained farmland growing crops such as corn, buckwheat, potatoes, barley, and vegetables. You will spend the night at a tea house in Chhekampar.

From Chhekampar, we walk along the village school at Kaye and continue on a gradual trail to Leru and Ngakyu. After passing by the Rachen Nunnery near the river, the trail descends slightly to the ridge and goes through several Buddhist chortains before reaching Lama Gaon.

Today's route is relatively easy and consists mostly of a downhill trail, passing Buddhist chortains, caves, and lush forests. Along the way, you'll see sights like the Burja village, Milarepa cave, footprints of Milarepa, and an elephant-shaped stone, all while taking in the breathtaking mountain views. You will spend the night in Nile.

Begin your journey early in the morning and hike towards the ancient Mu Gompa. The next few hours of the trek will take you to the even older Dephyu Doma Nunnery, which was built 856 years ago and is situated atop a slope at an elevation of 4000 meters.

Once you reach the top of the Old Gompa, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Ganesh Himal II. After admiring the view, return to Nile for a lunch break before continuing your trek to Chhekampar. Spend the night in Chhekampar.

Starting from the bridge, we follow the trail to Dumje, known for its Tibetan medicinal school. The journey to Gumba Lungdang is a steep, 3.5-hour trek through a dense forest of Rhododendron, oak, and pine. Along the way, the stunning wilderness will amaze you.

Upon reaching Gumba Lungdang, you will have the opportunity to visit the 110-year-old gompa where 20 nuns reside. If interested, you may be able to spend the night in the gompa, sleeping on the balcony, although access is not guaranteed for all visitors.

We begin our trek by heading downhill to Dumje, crossing the Sagdang Khola stream. From there, we follow the trail on the south bank and continue to Siyar Khola. There are two trails available, we take the lower one, which takes us through a steep descent into the gorge and then up to the fertile village of Ribbon Gaon (Ripchet).

As we continue our trek, we pass by stunning landscapes and forests, as well as Buddhist chortens and fields of crops like buckwheat and potatoes. We make our way to Gumlung and then Lokpo before heading back down to Dumje. The lower trail offers breathtaking views of the gorges as we cross them on newly built bridges.

At Lokpa, there's a junction where the trail meets up with Philim. We must cross the Budi Gandaki River, then navigate the narrow gorge, crossing the river once more to enter a forest of beautiful bamboo, before reaching Deng (1,800 m).

Deng is a well-known gateway to Kutang and Nupri and is home to the Gurung people, who practice Tibetan Buddhism and have their own unique culture, language, and trade route to Tibet. After this charming village, the trek continues to Rana, crossing a log bridge over a small stream, before descending to Bihi Phedi.

The trail moves to the east bank and takes a zigzag path upward to Rana. Then, a set of steep switchbacks leads to a log bridge over a tributary and a secluded water mill, before the trail gradually descends to the lodge at Bihi Phedi, located high above the river.

From Bihi, the trail starts by climbing along the river. Then, it descends to the Serang Khola stream and continues through basalt walls, rocks, and waterfalls. After crossing these obstacles, the trail leads northeast and crosses bridges, taking you to Ghap (2250 m).

As you reach Ghap, the trail becomes steep and takes you through forests of Rhododendron, Bamboo, Oak, and Fir. You then cross the north river bank and cross back to the south bank over a wooden bridge. The trail continues to climb steeply for about 1 hour until you reach Namrung, where you must check your trekking permit at the entrance of the village.

After a nutritious breakfast at the lodge, your trek takes you through a lush forest filled with diverse vegetation and breathtaking landscapes. The destination for today is Lihi, a Tibetan inhabited area known for its unique culture, traditions and festivals.

As you make your way towards Lho, the view is simply breathtaking with the majestic Ganesh Himal in the east and Himlachuli in the south, along with numerous other peaks and breathtaking scenery.

The trail descends to a lower altitude before entering a small valley, where you cross the Hinang Khola. From here, the trail also leads to the Himal Chuli base camp. The trek continues to Sho (2960m) with an awe-inspiring view of the surroundings, including numerous prayer wheels along the trail. The trail then steeply ascends to Shrip, with an overnight stay at Lho, where you can enjoy a captivating sunset view of Manaslu, the 8th highest peak in the world.

After a breakfast, the trek continues through the forest and reaches the village of Lho, a high-altitude settlement inhabited by Tibetan people who have their own language, culture, and festivals. From Lho, the stunning panoramic view of the Ganesh Himal in the east and Himlachuli in the south, along with other peaks and landscapes, is simply breathtaking.

The trail then descends to the Damonan Khola and smoothly passes through the forest to reach Shayla, a plateau at 3,520 meters with a magical view of 180-degree landscapes including the Mount Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, Himal Chuli, and many snow-capped peaks and glaciers.

The route crosses the Numla Khola bridge, leading to Pungyen Glacier and Pungyen Gompa, walking past a school and a large Buddhist Chorten in the broad valley. After a few hours of trekking, the trail reaches Sama Gaon, with a clear view of the Manaslu and Naike peaks. The Kargyu Chholing Monastery stands at the far end of the village, surrounded by a forested moraine.

Today, you have the opportunity to explore the region and experience some of the best trekking moments of your trip. You can take a break and venture out with a small day pack to visit two main attractions: Manaslu Base Camp and Birendra Tal.

The village of Nupri is the center of traditional architecture and culture, where you can learn about their old customs and witness farming practices such as potato and barley cultivation, as well as wool production from sheep and goats.

One of the highlights is a visit to the ancient monastery, over 500 years old, which showcases unique and captivating paintings. Afterwards, you can hike to Birendra Tal (3450 m), located just below the Manaslu Glacier for breathtaking views.

For those who are more interested in exploring the base of Manaslu, there is a trail leading from Samdo, after crossing a bridge, that takes you on a steep climb to the hilltop and the Manaslu Base Camp. However, this is a relatively long trek, so it's suggested to only attempt it if you are physically fit. If not, you can still explore the cultural area and visit the gompas.

From Sama, you will trek down to the Budi Gandaki River and cross a beautiful lake and several Mani walls. The trail is relatively easy and goes through a Birch and juniper forest surrounded by Kermo Kharka. You'll also come across a large stone wall that separates the villages of Sama and Samdo.

After reaching the Budi Gandaki River again, you will cross it via a wooden bridge, then begin a steep ascent to the convergence of the river with the Mayol Khola, located to the northwest of the Samdo Glacier.

Once you reach the top of the hill, you will find a rocky area with some farmland before arriving at the picturesque Samdo village. This region is a popular spot for summer grazing, as well as for yak and goat herding.

As you continue along the zigzag trail, adorned with flags, you will have a chance to get an up-close view of the majestic Samdo Peak (6,335 m) and the mysterious glacier to the east. Samdo is the last village before Gho in the Manag district and is a unique and naturally stunning place, full of interesting attractions and cultural heritage.

Today's trek begins with a steep descent to the Budi Gandaki River and continues through the lush forests of the westward trail towards the Syacha Khola valley. The trail then ascends gradually to the Larkya Glacier past the Phedi of Larkya La, also known as Dharmasala.

Dharmasala is a remote area with limited stone-structured tea houses. During peak trekking season, it may be necessary to stay in a shared tent as there may not be enough tea houses. Despite its remote location, the view from Dharmasala is breathtaking, especially the towering peaks of Larke (6,249 m) and Naike (6,291 m).

Today marks a defining moment in your trekking journey as you make your ascent to the summit of Larkya La Pass. Standing at an altitude of over 5,100 meters, this pass presents a formidable challenge with its steep incline and potential for snow-covered trails.

Starting from the remote Dharmasala, the trail to the top of Larkya La rises steadily, making it a long but rewarding journey. On the way, you'll encounter several points adorned with colorful Buddhist prayer flags, and eventually reach the summit where you can sit and take in breathtaking views of both the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges.

The descent from the summit to Bhimtang is steep, but the views of the snow-capped mountains along the way are sure to leave a lasting impression. Bhimtang, a local village surrounded by natural beauty, serves as the perfect place to rest and reflect on the day's journey.

Today's trek starts with a descent of approximately 1200 meters, passing through the Bhimtang village. The trail then drops to the glacier and continues over the moraine, through a beautiful forest. The views in the background are breathtaking, featuring peaks such as Manaslu, Nadi, Himal Chuli, and more.

Next, the trail descends towards the west bank of the Dudh Khola river, and you'll follow a small trail down to the village of Karche (2,700 meters). After passing through landslides, farming fields, and a short climb to a ridge, a short walk takes you to the picturesque village of Gho.

After breakfast, we embark on the final stretch of our budget Manaslu trek. We start by passing through terrace fields and local farmlands to reach Tilje village (2,300 m). Then, we cross the east bank of the river and descend steeply to the Marsyangdi river valley. After making our way to Thoje, we cross the Marsyangdi river and arrive at the junction of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu region in Dharapani.

This marks the end of our trek, and we can spend some time exploring the charming village of Dharapani. A refreshing shower is the perfect way to celebrate the successful completion of our journey.

After your last day of trekking in Dharapani, it's time to head back to Kathmandu. The journey is 190 km long and takes around 8 hours, starting from Dharapani and passing through Besi Sahar. You will be descending 1,300 m/4,264 ft over a distance of 1.3 km to reach the capital city.