Today’s journey begins by following the trail that runs along the Budhi Gandaki River, taking the lower path that traces the river’s winter route. As we leave Machha Khola, we pass through fields of marijuana (ganja) and make our way to the hillside village of Khorlabesi. The trail then narrows, hugging the cliffs of the Budhi Gandaki gorge, and brings us to the natural hot spring of Tatopani, where trekkers can take a brief rest and soak their feet. Continuing along the trail, we pass ancient chortens, small monasteries, and gushing waterfalls, reaching the settlement of Dovan. Not far from here, a spectacular viewpoint offers dramatic views of snow-capped peaks, most notably the striking Baudha Himal.

From Dovan, the trail takes us through a forest of red-berried peppermint bushes and leads us to Thulo Dhunga, meaning "big stone." The path winds past steep ridges and offers panoramic sights of deep valleys, roaring rivers, and towering Himalayan walls. After a full day of scenic and cultural experiences, we reach Jagat, a charming village perched on a rocky terrace above the river. We’ll check into a local lodge and rest for the night.

After an early breakfast in Jagat, we begin our trek towards Philim, a picturesque Gurung village known for its welcoming culture and stunning views of Sringi Himal. The trail ascends gradually, passing through stone-paved paths and terraced fields, and enters a serene blue pine forest. This section offers occasional openings with wide panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape. As we continue walking, the trail gently climbs through lush forests and narrow ridges, where you’ll often hear the soothing sound of the Budhi Gandaki River below. Eventually, we reach Philim, a larger settlement where trekkers can take a break and enjoy the village atmosphere.

From Philim, we leave the main Manaslu trail and take a quieter path that leads to the mystical Tsum Valley. The route becomes more remote and peaceful, winding through pine-covered hills and offering glimpses of hidden gorges and deep valleys. By late afternoon, we reach Lokpa, the first village in Tsum Valley, situated amidst the dense forest with stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and peaks. Lokpa is a small and tranquil settlement with only one lodge, but it offers a great chance to interact with fellow trekkers—often those descending from their own Tsum Valley adventure. After a fulfilling day, we rest here for the night, surrounded by wilderness and mountain serenity.

From Lokpa, the trail leads through a dense forest and descends into the scenic gorge of the Sardi River. We walk alongside the Siyar Khola, passing through a beautiful mix of pine, bamboo, and rhododendron trees. The quiet trail offers views of Ganesh Himal and occasional sightings of Himalayan Griffons flying above. Several hidden waterfalls add charm to the route. After a peaceful walk through this natural landscape, we reach the remote village of Chumling, surrounded by cliffs and traditional stone houses.

The trek begins with a pleasant walk through a lush forest filled with pine, larch, and birch trees. As we follow the Siyar Khola upstream, we pass by spinning water-driven prayer wheels and traditional mani walls. The views of Ganesh Himal gradually become clearer as we ascend. After a steady climb, we reach Gho, a small village adorned with colourful chortens and surrounded by farmland.

From Gho, it takes about an hour to reach Chhokang Paro. The trail continues to rise gently, with fluttering prayer flags and distant views of Sringi Himal keeping us company. A group of three whitewashed chortens signals our arrival at Chhokang Paro, a beautiful and culturally significant village perched on a broad plateau.

We begin the day by walking through a series of beautifully carved mani walls and stone chortens. The trail is mostly flat, passing above the Siyar River with views of buckwheat and millet fields on either side. After a short while, we reach Ngakyu-Leru, a peaceful village surrounded by prayer flags and traditional homes.

Roughly 30 minutes beyond Ngakyu-Leru, the trail leads us to Burji, a quaint settlement best known for the sacred Milarepa’s Cave (Piren Phu). This is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Tsum Valley, featuring ancient paintings, meditation caves, and a calm spiritual ambiance. It’s a perfect place to rest and explore.

As we leave Burji behind, the scenery becomes increasingly alpine. Snowcapped peaks such as Churke Himal and Kipu Himal start to dominate the skyline. The trail continues gently with the occasional fluttering of prayer flags, leading us to Chhule, a picturesque village marked by terraced fields and traditional stone houses.

A final push along a slightly rising trail brings us to Nile, the last village before Mu Gompa. It sits near the Tibetan border and is surrounded by majestic peaks and Buddhist shrines. The area offers great opportunities to explore small gompas and interact with the local people, who have preserved an ancient way of life.

Leaving Nile, we follow the trail along the Siyar Khola, passing mani walls and small chortens. The landscape opens up into wide alpine pastures like Sengum and Rhomi, where locals often search for Yarsagumba, a prized medicinal fungus-caterpillar fusion. The quiet setting here contrasts with the majestic wilderness around. As we continue deeper into the Tsum Valley, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. Stunning views of Langju Himal, Ganesh Himal II, and parts of Manaslu begin to dominate the skyline. After a gradual ascent, we reach Mu Gompa, the highest permanent monastery in the region. It houses practising monks, ancient murals, and a peaceful spiritual aura. Optional Exploration Beyond Mu Gompa: A short walk beyond Mu Gompa leads to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by high cliffs and mountain views — a perfect spot to rest, reflect, and absorb the raw beauty of the valley before heading back to Nile.

We retrace our steps from Nile, passing through the same trail that offers sweeping views of the upper Tsum Valley. Descending past Chhule and Burji, we once again encounter Milarepa’s Cave (Piren Phu), nestled along a dramatic cliffside. This time, we cross the Siyar Khola to visit the serene Rachen Gompa, a prominent nunnery in the region known for its peaceful setting and beautiful murals. The monastery is surrounded by barley fields and offers a glimpse into the spiritual life of the Tsum Valley. After exploring the gompa, we continue the descent through Ngakyu-Leru, following rows of mani walls and fluttering prayer flags. The trail winds through gentle terrain and small forests until we arrive back at Chhokang Paro, where we settle in for the night with familiar mountain views and warm hospitality.

As we retrace our steps from Chhokang Paro, the trail takes us back through familiar landscapes, with the towering peaks of Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal providing a constant backdrop. The trail meanders through forests of pine, rhododendron, and bamboo, offering glimpses of local wildlife and the soaring vultures that often glide overhead. We pass through the villages of Gho and Siyar Khola, where the vibrant prayer flags and Mani walls continue to adorn the path, creating a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. Along the way, we may revisit some of the views and natural highlights we encountered before, such as the charming hamlet of Lokpa. After crossing the Siyar Khola and navigating the terrain, we eventually arrive in Chumling. This serene village marks the end of our trek for the day, where we can rest and reflect on the beautiful landscapes we've traversed throughout the journey.

Starting from Chhumling, we approach Lokpa by passing through ‘Damien’s Corner’. This section of the trail offers glimpses of the beautiful surroundings, and we make our way through dense forests and steep climbs, eventually arriving at Lokpa.

From Lokpa, we continue our journey towards Deng, a picturesque Gurung village nestled beneath the towering Sringi Himal. Along the way, we pass several chortens and mani walls, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the trek. The trail drops down to the Budhi Gandaki river before ascending again, offering a mix of ups and downs until we finally reach the village of Deng.

After crossing the bridge over the Budhi Gandaki, we arrive at Rana, a scenic village with traditional farmhouses. The peaceful setting offers a glimpse into the rural life of the region. We continue eastward along the Budhi Gandaki River and cross another bridge at Bihi Phedi. Not far from here, we come across a small mani wall, intricately carved with images of Buddhist deities, showcasing the local craftsmanship.

Our next destination is Serang Gompa, a significant religious site where ancient Tibetan paintings and typical Buddhist culture can be observed. It’s a perfect spot to pause and immerse ourselves in the spiritual atmosphere.

After crossing the Serang Khola, we head towards Ghap, a village adorned with a large prayer wheel. Though it lacks prayer inscriptions, the colourful chorten paintings are remarkable and worth admiring.

We continue through lush pastures, leaving Ghap and heading to Kwak. This section of the trek is peaceful, with wide views of the natural beauty.

From Kwak, we walk through a lovely rhododendron forest, and soon arrive in Namrung, our destination for the day. Along the way, we’re treated to occasional glimpses of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls. Namrung is a Tibetan-origin village, where you’ll hear the Sino-Tibetan dialect, a distinctive feature of the culture here.

From Namrung, we walk through a landslide-prone region, making our way towards Lho. The trail offers stunning views and is marked by typical alpine houses with pine-shingled roofs. In Lho, we have time to explore its monasteries and chortens. The village offers a peaceful retreat with awe-inspiring mountain views, ideal for a relaxing stroll before heading back to our accommodation.

We pass through Hinang Monastery and then the village of Sho, known for its rustic houses and small gompa. Sho represents a typical Buddhist community, where you can feel the serene and spiritual atmosphere.

From Lho, the trail begins with a steep descent before rising again through braided streams. Along the way, we pass the Hongsangbu Gompa, a monastery complex that leads us to a viewpoint offering stunning views of the glorious Manaslu. After about 2 hours, we arrive at Shyala.

From Shyala, enjoy views of Ngadi Chuli and its surrounding glacier walls. The trail slightly climbs before descending to the icy river originating from the Pungyen Glacier. As we approach the Pungyen Monastery, the landscape becomes more dramatic, setting the stage for the final stretch.

After visiting the monastery, we continue down the trail leading to Sama Gaun, often referred to as Ryo. The trail is scenic and serene, with panoramic views guiding us into this peaceful Tibetan-style village.

On this acclimatisation day, we’ll take time to rest and explore Sama Gaun, a tranquil village with two-tiered traditional Nepali houses. The village is surrounded by stone walls, which protect the farm fields from the region’s strong winds. Inside the village, you’ll find a courtyard featuring a large prayer wheel, surrounded by colourful walls adorned with images of various Buddhist deities, especially Guru Rinpoche and Sakyamuni Buddha. The Guru Rinpoche statue is another highlight of the village, adding to the spiritual ambiance. Side Trip to Pungyen Monastery: In the afternoon, we’ll take a side trip to the Pungyen Monastery, located at a higher altitude than Sama Gaun. This short hike not only provides breathtaking views but also helps with acclimatisation. The journey to the monastery offers intoxicating views of the surrounding mountain vistas, making it a rewarding experience.

The trek to Samdo may seem flat at first, but the altitude and thin air make the journey challenging. Each step can feel like running a marathon, as the high altitude puts pressure on your breathing and pace. Along the way, we will pass by the Birendra Tal (glacier lake), which stands out with its turquoise blue colour, reflecting the sky above. This picturesque scene is one of the many highlights of the trek.

After Birendra Tal, we will come across a trail leading to the Manaslu Base Camp. We won’t stop here, but instead, we’ll continue through rhododendron forests, and pass several maniwalls and chortens that mark our path. These spiritual markers encourage you to keep going as you push forward on the trail.

As we get closer to Samdo, the Samdo Peak starts to appear in the distance. The mountain’s beauty is striking and exotic, making it an unforgettable sight on the journey. Eventually, we will pass under a Kani Gate and arrive at the village of Samdo, where we can rest and take in the surrounding scenery.

The journey begins with great mountain and glacier views as we head towards Dharamsala (also known as Larkya Phedi). However, due to the altitude, it's crucial to walk slowly and carefully, as rushing could lead to altitude sickness. It’s important to take your time as you cross snowy bluffs and ascend steadily towards the destination. From Samdo, we follow the ancient Larkya Bazaar trading route. The path climbs through ravines and offers breathtaking views of the Syache Glacier, which adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the journey. Along the way, Mount Manaslu becomes even more visible, standing majestically close as we trek further. Upon arrival, you will reach Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi), named for the pilgrimage resting houses called Dharamsalas, which are scattered around the area. These places provide shelter for travellers on their spiritual journeys, and they also offer a serene stop to rest and prepare for the next day’s trek.

From Larkya Phedi, the trail climbs steeply, often crossing small meadows and gorgeous glaciers along the way. The journey takes us to frozen lakes and provides breathtaking views of Manaslu Peak, Larkya Himal, and surrounding mountain ranges, all of which create a reminder of the Himalayan beauty. We continue the ascent through snow-covered trails, reaching Larkya La Pass (5,160 m) — the highest point of the trek. Due to the altitude, altitude sickness is a concern here, so it’s important to take deep breaths and, if needed, descend quickly to lower altitudes to alleviate symptoms.

After the pass, the trail descends into the valley, and the landscape gradually changes. We are welcomed by beautiful greenery as we approach Bimthang, with Juniper, Birch, and Rhododendron forests becoming more prominent. This section of the trek is particularly rewarding, offering pleasant forests and stunning views as we near Bimthang.

From Bimthang, the trail contours around a moraine for about 30 minutes, crossing a main bridge over the Dudh Khola River. As we ascend from the moraine, the views of Larkya Himal, Manaslu North, and the towering Phungi Peak are sensational and give us a taste of the majestic mountain scenery. The trek to Tilije is characterised by its dense forests of cedar, blue pine, oak, birch, and rhododendron. These forests are over 1000 years old and blanket the rocky slopes of the Manaslu and Phungi mountains. Snow often covers the landscape, adding a mystical touch to the surroundings. As we continue our journey, we will cross icy spires and pass through vivid rhododendron forests, heading towards Yak Kharka. The scenic beauty here is truly enchanting.

After crossing a bridge over the Suti Khola, which originates from the Suti Glacier, we continue our descent. It takes just a few hours to reach Gho, a charming Gurung village nestled in the valley. From Gho, it's just a short distance to our final destination for the day: Tilije.

Today, we begin our descent from Tilije, heading steadily down through lush forests and terraced hillsides. After about an hour of trekking, we reach Dharapani, a significant village where the Manaslu Circuit officially joins the Annapurna Circuit. Dharapani is a lively place with teahouses, shops, and trekkers from both circuits crossing paths.

From Dharapani, we follow the trail alongside the Marsyangdi River, passing through traditional Gurung and Magar villages, dense woodlands, and cascading waterfalls. The trail is wide and pleasant, with stone staircases in some sections and suspension bridges to cross. After a few hours, we reach Tal, a charming riverside village tucked into a wide valley. True to its name, “Tal” (meaning “lake” in Nepali) once had a glacial lake that shaped the landscape into a beautiful, flat-bottomed valley surrounded by steep cliffs and roaring waterfalls. The turquoise river flowing through adds to the village’s tranquil setting. Tal marks our final stop for the day, offering a peaceful overnight rest before we head further down the valley the next day.

After breakfast in the peaceful village of Tal, we board a jeep for the drive back to Besisahar, retracing the rugged mountain road alongside the Marsyangdi River. The road winds through beautiful villages, cascading waterfalls, and lush terraced hillsides, offering one last taste of the Himalayas. Upon arrival in Besisahar, we switch to a more comfortable vehicle for the journey back to Kathmandu. The drive passes through the vibrant mid-hill towns and scenic valleys of central Nepal, gradually descending into the bustling Kathmandu Valley. After approximately 8–9 hours of combined travel, we arrive in Kathmandu, where a cosy room awaits you at Hotel Chhimeki. This marks the end of your incredible journey around the Manaslu Circuit—full of adventure, cultural immersion, and awe-inspiring mountain vistas. You can now relax, refresh, and reflect on your Himalayan experience.