Manasulu lies north of the historic fortress town of Gorkha, from where the last kings of Nepal ventured forth to conquer the rest of the country in the 18th Century. The Manaslu Circuit has recently become a teahouse trek, opening up the misty wood-shingled villages of the Nupri Valley. Tsum Valley trek has beautiful views of the four  7000m peaks of the Ganesh massif, and trekkers can experience the distinct Tibetan-influenced culture of the Tsumba people, who prohibit the slaughter of all living beings. No doubt this enhances the protection afforded to such endangered species as the Snow Leopard and the Red Panda.

The trek is beautiful with spectacular views of the Manaslu and going through authentic Hindu and Tibetan-style villages. The trail starts low, walking through green countryside passing small Hindu villages. Heading northwards, the valley opens up to reveal delightful alpine meadows and small Tibetan-style villages which cluster beneath Manaslu’s sweeping North Face. Eventually the trail reaches Samagaon, the largest and most important village in the region. From here the trek head west and cross the Larke Pass (5160 m), a classic and tough route linking the Buri Gandaki with the Marsyangdi valley. The descent passes through beautiful alpine meadows at Bimtang, before joining the main Annapurna Circuit route and heading to the trailhead at Besi Sahar.