Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek

Early morning after breakfast, drive from Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar (570m) takes about 6 hours.

You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day then drive towards to Arughat Bazaar.

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You trek over a flat leveled path along the bank of Budhi Gandaki River through mostly terraces, numerous villages, green hills, some pretty waterfalls and green forest. To reach Soti Khola, the trail fluctuates uphill and downhill through forest of Sal, Chilaune and other local vegetation. Soti Khola is a village at the bank of Budhi Gandaki.

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On the right side of the trail flows Budi Gandaki River whilst on the left you can witness waterfalls and hot spring. Along the way you will come across many teashops and small towns. Now you again traverse the zigzag path to reach Machha Khola.

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Follow the shore of Budi Gandaki as you gradually ascend to Yaru. Cross the cantilever bridge perched on a rock. The uphill trail makes its way through hills and beautiful valleys featuring almost 300m long stretch of big etched rock. Afterwards you pass through beautiful villages such as Salleri, Sirdibas, and Ghattekhola before crossing a long suspension bridge to reach Philim.

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Chispani and Eklebhatti are two major spots you will cross leaving Philim. Further you take a right turn before Gampul to arrive at Lokpa. The stretch from Lokpa to Chumling is a path of dense forests. Chumling is a nice village that offers splendid views of Ganesh Himal range.

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For 2 hours you will on a horizontal path keeping Sher khola on your right. Follow a uphill trek over a cliff to be quickly replaced by pine forest to reach ChhokangParo.

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The trail ahead of Chhokang Paro is gradually uphill. On the way we will pass through a sacred spot where Milarepa is said to have meditated and a footprint of Milarepa he left behind as flew away. The trail continues to ascend gradually all the way up to Nile.

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On both sides of the trail is covered by forested. We will visit a nunnery which is a 1 hr trek and a lake. There is a monks hostel in Mu Gumba which is used as tourist accommodation.

Stay overnight in Mu Gumba.

From Mu Gomba the trail goes downhill. The views to your left is of Ganesh and Buddha Himal. On the way we will observe Rachen Gomba followed by lunch in Lamagaon. Another 1.30 hrs trek from here will reach Chhokang Paro.

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You will start a downhill trek to Gho village and cross Shiar Khola then gradually ascend to Ripchet through forest path.

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Follow the downhill trail passing the cantilever bridge midway. You will cross Lokpa village before reaching Gampul. Next the trail turns uphill through forest to Deng.

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20 minutes after you leave Deng you will cross Budi Gandaki and then the trail goes uphill via Rana to Bihi. On your right is Siringi range and Prok village while on left is a sight of huge rocky hills.  From Bihi to stone bridge via Gaap village the trail is horizontal. The trail ascends from Gaap village through jungles of Himalayan pine and bamboo up to Namrung.

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For 45 minutes straight you take a horizontal trail through buckwheat fields and then 30 minutes uphill trek to Lihi. You will gradually walk uphill for 2 hrs and 30 minutes to Lo witnessing great Manaslu and Himchuli ranges. After taking lunch in Lho, continue trek for another 1.30 hrs up to Shyala.

Stay overnight in lodge with beautiful views of mountains.

After breakfast take 45 minutes and then turn left from here. 2 hours trek from here with a combination of uphill and horizontal path will reach you Pung-gyen Gumpa.  Along the trail you can enjoy spectacular views of Himchuli, Manaslu I & II and Shyaula peak. Return all the way down to Sama Gaon for 2 hrs.

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This day you will visit Birendra Lake which is at the bottom of the Manaslu glacier. This trail will also take you to Manaslu Base Camp.

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Follow the horizontal path which is windy while enjoying great views of Samdo, Manaslu and Naike peaks. Cross Budi Gandaki River and walk uphill for 15 minutes to Samdo.

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Today you will see many beautiful mountain peaks and rock hills such as Samdo, Manaslu, North face, Pawar, Peri, Larkey La and Naike peaks along the trail.

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Early in the morning you begin 4-5 hrs steep ascent until Larkya La through a rocky and windy path and another 2-3 hrs to Bimthang. Along the way you can enjoy the views of Larkya peak, Mt. Manaslu, Ratna Chuli, Cheo Himal, Mt. Himlung and Himlung glacier, Punker glacier and Punker lake, Mt. Kimlung and Kimlung glacier.

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From Bimthang, take a 20 minute downhill trek and then cross a river fed by three glaciers. Follow all the way down through rhododendron forest enjoying Manaslu views on your left until Yak Kharka. The trail ahead gradually descends to Surki Khola and you will step on to easy trail to beautiful Goa village where you will have lunch. After lunch, 1 hr flat level path to Tilije and another 1.30 hrs down to to Dharapani.

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The trail ahead crosses Marsyangdi River and then follows left trail for one hour to the beautiful village of Taal. There is a big waterfall in Taal. From Taal, you will climb down for 1.30 hrs to Chyamje which also features a huge waterfall. Trek for another hour to arrive at Jagat. 

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It is a picturesque drive on the way back to Kathmandu along the banks of the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers with splendid views of green hills, mountains, farming terraces and colorful villages on both sides of road.