Tsum Valley Trek

Highlights of Tsum Valley Trek

Basically the trek starts with a long drive from Kathmandu to Arughat after the guided city tour just a day before. This trek can be categorized in a moderate category with trails being relatively easier one. The majority of the first half of the trek will be ascending going through the dense green forest, terraced fields and villages. For some time of the trek you will be walking on manaslu trail; as soon as you get apart from the main Manaslu Trail you can sense something new and true feeling of entering highly spiritual valley. While you will also go through numbers of geographical structure of the region from sub-tropical forest to alpine, at the same time enjoying the immense hospitality of the people living in the region.

Overview Of Tsum Valley Trek

Tsum valley is yet another region in Gorkha district which was restricted because of its high reverence mentioned in Budhists philosophy. Tsum valley trail was just established a decade ago and has already proven the reputation of being the most visited trails within a very short space of time after its first introduction because of its sacred Himalayan pilgrimage located in northern Gorkha district. The literal translation of Tsum valley means the valley with clarity which is justified when it comes with a view of Ganesh and Shringi Himal it offers. The clear view of the Ganesh and Shrimngi himal is something that a lot of people pay a visit to the valley just to get a glimpse of it. Beside the wonderful view of the mountains Tsum valley is also religiously very important and rich in culture.

The people that live around here are mostly from a Tibetan origin and speak a unique language with a different bit of expressions. The beautiful drawings crafted in numerous Chortens and Monastery is another excellence of arts that people of the valley posses. As you trek through the valley you will find many different historical paintings and drawings of different deities carefully crafted on a stone slabs inside monasteries all through the region. The history suggests that the great Buddhist Saint Milarewa have meditated in a cave somewhere in the mountain that is why this valley is considered very sacred to Buddhist. Lots of Buddhists come here in this valley to meditate on their journey to enlightenment.

Historically this valley has always been an important part of trans-Himalayan trade route joining Tibet with Indian sub continent. The people around here are known as Tsumbas and are the descendents of Tibetan people. People around here are highly spiritual and have a decent knowledge about transcendental meditation. Tourists from different countries come here to get a moment of peace which they have been thriving all their life.

Discover the secret Tibetan Buddhist land lying at the edge of one of the most secluded Himalayan valleys. Tsum Valley is one of world's remotest Himalayan Valleys which was also a restricted region until recently. The trek to Tsum Valley takes you into the majestic surroundings of the Ganesh Himal, SringiHimal, and BoudhaHimal ranges. The region once being part of Tibet looks completely different from what you will find elsewhere. The people of Tsum Valley or the Tsumbas belong to Tibetan origin with their own ancient form of dialect, art, culture and religion. Very few adventure travelers have made it to this high and mysterious valley, which used to be an important trade link with Tibet. In the initial days, we trek the route of Around Manaslu Trek or the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The Tsum Valley lies on the northern part of Manaslu and used to be a restricted area until 2008. The region is still less exposed in comparison to other touristy areas, with relatively virgin and less beaten paths in comparison to the more popular regions. The Tsum people have their own way of family life, which may be quite surprising for many outsiders. All the brothers in the family are married to a single girl, what you may call a practice of polyandry.

The trek start and end point is Arughat, a seven hours drive from Kathmandu. The first half of the trek ascends the BudhiGandaki Valley on good paths through a mix of dense forest, terraced fields and hill villages. As we leave the main Manaslu Trail for the Tsum valley, suddenly we get a feeling of entering truly into the hidden valley. While on the trek, we also pass through the alpine forests, glacial rivers, and enjoy the warm hospitality of ethnic people. Pass the lower BudiGandaki regions of Liding, Machhakhola, Jagat and Philim. We also visit the ancient Gombas of the region such as: RachenGompa,MuGompa, DephyudonmaGompa.

Trip Facts
Itinerary
Include / Excludes

Total duration of trek: 17 days where 2 would be accounted for arrival and departure.
Trek Category: Moderate
The highest altitude: Mu Gompa (3700m)
The lowest altitude: Sotikhola (710m).
The best time to visit: Between October and December or between March and May
Major Attraction: Diversified cultures and religions, life styles of indigenous people of Tsum valley the historical places and monasteries with religious and cultural value.
Mountains: Himalchuli(7893m), Ganesh HImal(7422m)

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

You will be greeted by our staff member upon your arrival in kathmandu. You will then be transferred to a hotel in Kathmandu. Your guide will pay you a visit and will brief you about your trek.

Day 02 Drive from Kathmandu to Soti khola (710m)

You will leave after the breakfast. You will be picked up from the hotel along with our staff member. It will be 8-9 hours of drive to Soti khola via Prithvi highway. Upon your arrival your guide will arrange a lodge for you to spend your first night of trek.

Day 03 Soti khola to Machha khola (870m)

The first day of your trek will be uphill and downhill walk and crossing the suspension bridge multiple times. You will go through a beautiful nice little gurung village in Labubesi on your way to Machha khola. Overnight at lodge.

Day 04 Machha Khola to Jagat (1340m)

Today you will be walking on uphill, downhill and flat trails alongside the riverbank of Budi Gandaki river. As you slowly and steadily start gaining altitude, your surrounding starts changing accordingly. It will take you about 6hours to reach Jagat where you will be spending the night.

Day 05 Jagat to Chisopani (2386m)

The first thing you will do today is to hike uphill on a rocky ridge to Salleri and descend to Sirdibas. You will then continue uphill towards Chisopani going through a wonderful Gurung village in Philim. You will be arranged a lodge to spend your fifth night.

Day 06 Chisopani to Chumling (2386m)

On your fifth day you will be entering Tsum valley going through the forest mostly filled with pine and Rhododendrons trees. The view of HImalchuli ,Boudha HImal during your walk is indescribable. It will take you about 6-7 hours to reach Chumling.

Day 08 Chumling toChokangparo (3010m)

On your day eight you will have a wonderful view of Ganesh Himal as you criss-cross suspension bridge many times. The trail will lead you to a small village called Gho and then to Chokangparo to spend your 8th night.

Day 09 Chokangparo to Nile (3361m)

As you walk on the trail, you will start sensing the drop in oxygen level and your breathing rate will start increasing. You will walk by past Lamagaon, Rachen Gompa and continue your trail towards Nile. It will be like 5-6 hours before you reach Nile where your guide will arrange a lodge for you.

Day 10 Nile to Mu Gompa (3700m)

Today will be a short trek with a total duration of just 3 hours until you reach Mu gompa. You will be very close to Tibetan border. Your guide will take you stroll around the village. Overnight at lodge.

Day 11 Mu Gompa to Burgi Village (3245m)

Today you will trek back via east bank of Shiar khola to reach Burgi village, small beautiful village. On your way to village you will also visit Milarepa’s cave from where you can see an amazing view of Poshyop glacier.

Day 12 Burgi village to Chumling (2386m)

After an early breakfast you will descend for about 900m to reach Chumling where green forest will be your constant companion during walk.

Day 13 Chumling to Philim (1570m)

The duration of today’s trek will be in between 6-7 hours mostly on a flat trail. During your walk you can see beautiful Samba falls in all its glory.

Day 14 Philim to Khorlabesi (970m)

You will wallk by past the villages of Sirdibas, Jagat, Yaruphant to reach Tatopani where there is a natural hot springs available. You can wash up yourself if you want or else can continue further to khorlabesi to spend the night.

Day 15 Khorlabesi to Sotikhola

The trail will take you across Thora khola and Machha khola. After getting across you will then walk along the riverbed of Budi Gandaki to reach a gurung village of labubesi. It will be 6-7 hours of walk to reach Sotikhola.

Day 16 trek from Sotikhola (710m) to Arughat and drive to Kathmandu

Your final day of walk will come to an end today. Basically it is just a 4hours of walk from sotikhola to Arughat. On reaching Arughat you will be driven back to Kathmandu which would take 7-8 hours of drive.

Day 17 Final Departure day

Your wonderful journey of Tsum valley is over. You will be transferred to the Airport 3 hours before your departure time.

Includes

Arrival & Departure Transport By private Car/Van /Bus.
Three meal during the Trekking (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
All Domestic Flights with Airport Tax and/or Private Car/Tourist Bus/Local Bus for the trekking.
Accommodation in Tea House during the Trekking in a Tea House Trek.
Porter with Insurance. (We provide 1 Porter for 1 Trekker).
An English Speaking Trekking Guide with Government Licence Holder.
Trekking starting and ending points by Private Car/Tourist Bus/Local Bus.
Accommodation in Kathmandu / Pokhara on a twin share bed and breakfast basis.
Kathmandu city and trekking maps.
Trekking permit (Conservation fee), TIMS.
Insurance for all staffs.