Arrival in Kathmandu, we are greeted at the airport by our local team and transferred to the hotel, to take advantage of a time of rest, briefing of presentation of the progress of the trek, then free time. In case of arrival in the morning, free day: rest or the possibility of making free visits for those who wish. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse you in Nepalese culture and to test the local gastronomy.
Have breakfast and then you have the whole day to explore the best Kathmandu Sightseeing spots with your guide. You can visit and explore one of the most famous Shiva temples, Pashupatinath, recognized as the monkey temple; Swyambhunath, largest Stupa in the world, also called Boudhanath Stupa; and finally the Royal Palace, Kathmandu Durbar Square. The next day, you will begin your trek on the Annapurna Circuit, so you have to check your equipment to make sure that you are ready for your adventure and climb. Have dinner and stay overnight in the same hotel at Kathmandu.
We will have early Breakfast at the hotel then departure for Arughat by a beautiful road crossing the Kathmandu valley, 135 km. The views and the road are spectacular from Thankot. Arrival at Dadingbeshi, crossing the bridge over the Trisuli, then climbs to Ramkot for Lunch then continuation to Arughat where we change vehicles and take a local jeep to Machakhola.
The long day of trek beginning walking from Khorlabesi. We will walk about an hour to Tatopani where a hot spring springs from the cliff in small waterfalls. The path winds its way through the gorges of the bubbling Budhi Gandaki and, further on, after a long climb, we reach a sandy plain. At Night in a lodge in the village of Jagat and its beautiful stone houses (entrance to the national park).
The valley widens a bit, we cross a long bridge to reach Philim perched on a small plateau, we are on the path that leads to Manaslu. Then we leave the Manaslu tour trail to enter the narrow Shiar Khola valley.
We descend to the bottom of the valley via wooden bridges then the path goes up to 2,300 m above the torrent. We lose a little altitude before going up through the forest for Ripchet on a small plateau. Ripchet is the first village of Tibetan culture that we will meet. The narrower path passes impressive wooden bridges down to Dumje where the valley begins to open. We cross the Torogompa Khola which rises at the northern Ganesh glacier. Dumje is at the confluence of three important rivers.
Our path goes up to Chekam which marks the entrance to the hidden valley. The village gives its name to the whole Chekam Paro region. We leave, then, the narrow and vertiginous slopes which overhang the Shiar Khola. The Tibetan houses are imposing here as are the gompa. Llamas have an important place in village life. The bravest can visit the nearby sacred cave which houses an imprint of Milarépa. We will Arrival at the monastery of the nuns of Rachen. The old monastery is preserved inside a recent enclosure.
We go up the wide cultivated valley where the small thick-haired horses come from Tibet. We will cross Nile village in one of the three main lamas in the valley. We will reach the monastery of Mu gumba. We are a few hours from Tibet with the impression of being at the end of the world
We descend through the valley against the backdrop of the end of a Ganesh ridge and further on, the Himal Buddha and the Himal Chuli which are gradually discovered.
At Dumje, we will pass by the southern slope of the Tsum this time, the villages are poorer than at the top of the Tsum, and the houses more scattered. We will find terraced crops and gardens.
We return to the path taken at the start of our trek just after crossing a suspension bridge before arriving in the cool of the forest. We pass by the “lock” of the valley marked with a Tibetan inscription, at the foot of the torrent
We find the circuit of the Manaslu Tour from the beginning by following the Budhi Gandaki until Dhoban where we spend the night in a lodge.
Walk along the river and cross some fishing villages. The path winds its way through the Burhi Gandaki gorges and runs along with the terraced rice fields, passing through Tatopani and its hot spring. We will Arrival at Lapu Bensi.
We resume our private vehicle to return to Kathmandu, arrival, and free time without a guide
We will drive you back to Tribhuvan International Airport for your scheduled flight to your destination.
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ACCOMMODATION
In a standard category hotel (base: double room) in Kathmandu and Pokhara, during the rest of the trip in a tent (3-person tents for 2 people) or in a lodge depending on the trip. The lodges in Nepal are very comfortable random. In general, conditions are quite good around the Annapurnas and the Everest region. On the other hand, in Mustang, in the Manaslu, Tsum valley, and in the region of Kangchanjung or Makalu, they can be very rudimentary to the point of being a dormitory sometimes even a kitchen. lodges can look like a refuge or sometimes a bed and breakfast from home. Most of the time it is a family house with double, triple, or dormitory rooms. Toilets and showers are always separate.
MEAL
In the cities, many restaurants allow us to discover the typical local cuisine. Meat is scarce in the high mountain, the Nepalese are generally vegetarians. The basic ingredients are rice, pasta, lentils, potatoes, and vegetables. Snacks are included during the trek (cereal bars, dried fruits, etc.).
For camping trek accommodation: during the trek, breakfasts and evening meals are prepared by the kitchen team. They are taken under the mess tent. Depending on the profile of the stages (length of the day’s walk and/or presence of water), midday snacks will be served hot or cold in the form of picnics.
For tea house trek accommodation: meals are prepared by the cooks of the lodge and are taken in the dining room. Here is a typical one-day menu:
breakfast: eggs, toast or chapati, Tibetan bread or pancakes, or pancakes, butter/jam, tea or coffee
lunch: the main course, tea or coffee.
dinner: soup, main course, fruit (fresh or canned), tea or coffee
NB: Hindus and Buddhists are most often vegetarians. We, therefore, eat very little meat or fish. The dishes are pasta, rice, potatoes, lentils, etc.
DRINKS: during the trek, tea is served with meals (two cups of tea per meal). Additional cups of tea and other beverages, including mineral water, are the responsibility of the participants. You can fill your gourds with water in the lodges, but it is essential to treat them with purifying tablets.
- All airport/hotel transfers
- 3 night hotel stays in Kathmandu on B/B Plan
- Full Board Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during trekking period
- Local Guesthouse accommodation during trekking in the mountains
- Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
- A government license holder guide
- Food, drinks, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipment, transportation and local tax for guides and porters
- Ground Transportation Charge while returning back to Kathmandu from the trekking destination
- All necessary staff with experienced leader (guide), and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
- All necessary paper works; trekking permits (ACAP, special permit for Manaslu/Nar Phu)
- Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
- Travel and rescue arrangements but prices
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges
- Farewell dinner prior to departure
- First Aid Kit
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
- Travel Insurance
- Tips for Trekking Staffs
- Any kind of Drinks and Liquors
- Personal shopping and laundry, Personal trekking equipments, Gifts and souvenirs
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)
- Optional trips for activates and sightseeing if extended
- All items not listed in Cost included section
- Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
Notes: Costs may prone to change in itinerary. So costs will be recalculated if the trekking/tours days get modified.
About Accommodations/Meals: All Meals on full board basis will be served during Manaslu / Narpu Valley trekking. During trekking; three meals a day will be served according to the tea house/lodge/ homestay menus. Everyday’s dinner and breakfast are taken in the same place that we stay the night. Lunch will be taken in a tea shop on the way. Please know that the Manaslu region does not have a well-established tourist infrastructure as like as Annapurna or Everest region (and this is the main beauty of this region). I.e. variety of foods will not be available or possible on menu. We mainly eat Tibetan bread, dal bhat, tsampa porridge, fried potato, and other simple local organic foods.
SIMILAR TRIPS
You May Also Enjoy Our Other Trips
Tsum Valley Trek
Tsum Valley is a hidden treasure trekking destination in Nepal. The Valley lies in the northern part of the Manaslu region and which was also a restricted region. Trekking in Tsum Valley takes you into the impressive surroundings of the Buddha Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Sringi Himal. It is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage and an untouched valley.
The trek enters the Tsum Valley on a well-established, ancient but reliable trade route that leads to Tibet. Tsum Valley was opened only in 2007 and is restricted to registered trekking groups. Because to prevent corruption of the ancient communities with modern lifestyles or behaviors. This isolated but rich agricultural valley is at the foot of huge 7000m peaks. It has long-established hamlets and ancient monasteries seeped into Buddhist and Tibetan cultures. The valley inhabitants are mainly of Tibetan origin and speak a unique dialect.
Our tsum valley trek itinerary travels up to a Tibetan monastery in Mu gumpa. Mu is the final inhabited community of the Valley prior to the pass leading to Tibet. This ancient trade route passes through fields of barley and corrals of horses and yaks. And, it is still in use by the local people. One of the many amazing experiences of this trek is seeing the day-to-day changes in the landscape, cultures, and languages. With outstanding views of the mountains, you will feel like you are in paradise on earth
The trail follows the ascent of Budi Gandaki and shyar Khola on rough paths through terraced fields and hill villages mixed with dense forest. As we leave the main Manaslu Trail for the Tsum valley, suddenly we get a feeling of entering truly into the hidden valley. also, we pass through the alpine forests, and glacial rivers, and enjoy the warm hospitality of ethnic Tibetan culture. We will visit the ancient Gombas such as Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa, and gumpa lundang.
Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1300m)
Day 02: Explore Kathmandu and prepare for trekking (1,300 m)
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Machakhola (8 69 m)
Day 04: Trek from Machakhola to Jagat (1 340 m). 7-8hours
Day 05: Trek from Jagat to Lokpa (2240 m) 6-7hours
Day 06: Trek from Lokpa to Dumje (2460 m). 6hours
Day 07: Trek from Dumje to Rachen Gompa (3240 m).6-7hour
Day 08: Trek from Rachen Gompa to Mu Gompa (3709 m). 5-6hour
Day 09: Trek from mu gumba to Chekam (3550 m). 6hour
Day 10: Trekking from Chekam to Chumling (2386 m). 5hour
Day 11: Trek from Chumling to Lokpa (2,240 m). 5hour
Day 12: Trek from Lokpa to Dhoban (1070 m). 5-6hour
Day 13: Trek from Dhoban to Lapu Bensi (884 m). 6hour
Day 14: Drive from Lapu Bensi to Kathmandu (1300m). 7-8hour
Day 15: Final Departure to International Airport.