The Hidden
Valley

Your solo spiritual adventure begins. Our representative greets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you privately to your hotel. Spend the evening exploring vibrant Thamel or resting before the journey ahead. Your guide briefs you on the trek, the cultural significance of Tsum Valley, and what to expect on the Manaslu Circuit.

A long but scenic private jeep drive takes you west through the hills of Gorkha district, passing terraced rice paddies and small Gurung villages. The road descends into the Budhi Gandaki valley, arriving at the riverside settlement of Soti Khola — your first night on the trail. The river roars below your lodge as you settle in for the journey ahead.

The trek begins in earnest. Follow the thundering Budhi Gandaki river through lush subtropical forest, crossing suspension bridges and passing waterfalls. The trail undulates through dense bamboo groves and small farming settlements. Arrive at the warm, low-altitude village of Machha Khola nestled beside the river.

Continue ascending through the narrowing Budhi Gandaki gorge. The landscape shifts as you gain altitude — subtropical jungle gives way to pine forest. Arrive at Jagat, the official gateway checkpoint to the Manaslu Conservation Area. Your Restricted Area Permit is verified here by the army post. This is the last settlement before the trail branches toward Tsum Valley.

Leave the main Manaslu Circuit trail and branch northeast into the sacred Tsum Valley. The landscape transforms immediately — prayer flags appear at every turn, ancient chortens line the path, and the air itself feels different. Arrive at Lokpa, the gateway village to upper Tsum, perched above the Shiar Khola river with views of Shringi Himal.

Trek deeper into the valley. The trail passes through pristine rhododendron and birch forest with stunning views of Shringi Himal (7,187m). Arrive at Chumling, a traditional Tibetan-style village where flat-roofed stone houses are stacked against the hillside. Visit the village gompa and meet local families — Tsum's residents are among the friendliest and most devout in all of Nepal.

The valley opens into a wide, sunlit basin surrounded by snow peaks. Chhokang Paro is the cultural heart of Tsum Valley — a twin village split by the Shiar Khola river. Ancient mani walls, some stretching hundreds of metres, line the approach. The village gompa houses centuries-old manuscripts and thangka paintings. This is a place where time has genuinely stopped.

A profoundly spiritual trekking day. Visit the legendary Piren Phu — Milarepa's meditation cave, where the great Tibetan yogi is said to have achieved enlightenment. Continue to Rachen Gompa, one of the most important nunneries in the Himalaya, clinging to the cliffside above the valley. Arrive at the remote village of Nile as the sun sets behind the peaks.

The spiritual pinnacle of the trek. A day hike ascends to Mu Gompa (3,700m) — the highest and most sacred monastery in the Tsum Valley, sitting on a windswept plateau near the Tibetan border. The views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks are overwhelming. Spend time with the resident monks before descending to Nile for the night.

Begin the descent from the sacred upper valley, retracing the trail through Chhokang Paro and down to Lokpa. The return journey offers entirely different light and perspectives on the ancient mani walls and monastery views. Savour the final hours in Tsum Valley before rejoining the main Manaslu Circuit trail tomorrow.

Rejoin the main Manaslu Circuit trail. Trek through the narrow gorge of the Budhi Gandaki, passing the peaceful village of Deng before climbing to Namrung. The vegetation transitions from subtropical to temperate forest as you enter the Nupri region — the "Western Valley" of Tibetan tradition. First clear views of Manaslu (8,163m) appear.

A shorter trekking day for acclimatisation. Ascend through beautiful pine and rhododendron forest to the village of Lho, which offers the most dramatic close-up view of Manaslu's north face. Visit the ancient Ribung Gompa and explore the village prayer wheels. The slower pace today prepares your body for the high-altitude days ahead.

Trek to Sama Gaon, the largest and most important village in the upper Manaslu region. This Tibetan settlement sits beside the stunning turquoise Birendra Lake with Manaslu towering above. Spend the afternoon on an optional side trip to Pungyen Gompa or exploring the glacial lake shore. This is the last major settlement before the high pass.

Ascend to the remote, wind-swept village of Samdo, one of the highest permanently inhabited settlements on the circuit. Samdo's residents historically traded salt and wool with Tibet across the Larkya Bazaar pass. An afternoon acclimatisation hike toward the Tibetan border offers stark, dramatic high-altitude landscapes. Tomorrow begins the approach to the pass.

A short but crucial trek to Dharamshala (also called Larkya Phedi) — the base camp for tomorrow's pass crossing. The stone shelters sit at 4,460m in a stark, rocky amphitheatre surrounded by glaciers. An early dinner and an even earlier bedtime are essential. Your guide reviews the pre-dawn start plan and ensures all gear is pass-ready.

The defining day of the trek. Depart before dawn with headlamps. The ascent climbs steadily through moraine and glacial rubble to Larkya La (5,106m) — marked by a massive cairn of prayer flags. The panoramic 360° views of Manaslu, Himlung, Cheo Himal, and Annapurna II are staggering. A long, steep descent through rhododendron forest brings you to the beautiful meadow of Bhimthang.

A long but joyful descent from the high mountains into the lush Marsyangdi valley. The trail drops through alpine meadows, dense rhododendron forest, and terraced hillsides. Arrive at Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit road — the official end of the Manaslu Circuit trek. Celebrate with a hot shower and a well-earned dal bhat feast.

A private jeep drives you from Dharapani to Besisahar and onward to Kathmandu (approximately 7–8 hours). Arrive in the capital by evening. Spend the night shopping for souvenirs in Thamel or simply resting at your hotel. A private farewell transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport completes your journey. You leave Nepal transformed.