Tsum Valley Trek | 18-Day Trekking Itinerary
18 Days
Strenous
4200m
Manaslu Region
The remote and beautiful Tsum Valley is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist region and one of the hidden gems of Nepal. Against the stunning backdrop of the Sringi, Ganesh and Buddha Himal mountain ranges, this serene valley is rich in ancient art, culture and religion, with several unique and important monasteries, and trails lined with artistic chortens and mani walls made of stone slabs inscribed with Buddhist prayers.
The Tsum Valley is considered a Beyul, which means a holy hidden valley of refuge and happiness. The locations of Beyuls are traditionally kept secret, written on scrolls hidden under rocks and inside caves, monasteries and stupas. The Tsum Valley was only opened to visitors in 2008 and, for that reason, is pristine and relatively untouched by tourism. Its people are mostly of Tibetan origin and are welcoming, genuine and hospitable with warm hearts, living in communities centered around farming, herding and trading. The valley is also uniquely rich in wildlife because of Buddhist prohibitions on hunting, and visitors will see wild mountain goats, yaks, monkeys, herds of Himalayan blue sheep, and other animals. Some visitors say it is reminiscent of paradise, so it is no surprise that the word “Tsum” comes from the Tibetan word “Tsombo,” which means vivid.
The terrain is moderately challenging through a mix of beautiful pine and rhododendron forests, alpine and countryside villages, and majestic mountain trails, with altitudes ranging from 2,200 to 4,200 meters (7,200 to 13,000 feet).
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel
Day 02 : Preparation and sight seen program of Kathmandu
Day 03 : Kathmandu – Arughat- Sotikhola on drive
Distance: 138km
Duration:8-9 hours
It will take about 8 hours to reach Arughat bazaar from Kathmandu. The famous river of this region called Budhi Gandaki flows from the middle of this bazaar. It is a major town of Gorkha district from where our trek starts. Trekkers used to spend their night at Arughat earlier, but nowadays because of construction of road to Sotikhola, we can reach there within two hours' drive from Arughat. We will spend our night at Sotikhola.
Day 04 : Sotikhola - Machi Khola ( 870m)
Distance:14 km
Duration: 5 hours
While on the way to Machi Khola from Sotikhola, we have to cross the bridge and trek through Sal forest. The trail is rocky and it goes up and down with the view of waterfalls. On the way, we will see rice terrace and then again, we have to move up to reach the village of Gurung community called Labubesi. Now, our trail starts to descend to river bed of sand and it follows a trail meandering below the steep, craggy valley side. We will stay at Machi Khola at night.
Day 05 : Maccha Khola – Jagat ( 1340m)
Distance: 22 km
Duration: 7 hours
Now, the trail from Machha Khola starts to move up and down and crossing the river- Tharo Khola, we will reach Khorlabesi. If we follow the trail of more ups and downs, then we will reach hot spring called Tatopani. Again, we have to climb over another ridge and then cross Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Then there comes staircase, across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. After we cross on a suspension bridge on Dobhan Khola and we climb up along the trail to Duman. Now another place will come called Yaru Khola and to reach there, we have to ascend to Budhi Gandaki. There is a suspention bridge over Yaru Khola and after crossing over it, we will have to climb more to reach Tharo Bharyang. Crossing to the west bank of Budi Gandaki and then trekking more lead us to the place called Jagat, office of Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) and police check post.
Day 06 : Jagat- Lokpa ( 2240 m)
Distance: 18 km
Duration: 7 hours
We will be at Salleri within 30 minute we leave Jagat from where we can the range of Shringi Himal. We will be crossing long bridge and ascend Philim, which is a major village of Tsum valley located on a small plateau. It has a check post of Manaslu Conservation Area Project, a school funded by Japan, community health post and small hydro plant. We will find farmland, which looks beautiful and it is ahead of Philim and then we trek a village called Ekle Bhatti. Now, the valley becomes narrow and scene of waterfall is juts excellent. Then, we will follow the trail for about two and half hours to cross a bridge made of metal over Budhi Gandaki. If we take left turn of the trail, we will be doing Manaslu circuit, but we will take right to catch the trail, which will take us to Tsum valley towards narrow valley of Syar Khola. We will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes when we are at the top of Lokpa and we can also see nice view of beautiful mountain- Ganesh Himal.
Day 07 : Lokpa- Chumling ( 2386m)
Distance: 11 km
Duration: 5 hours
The trekking trail from Lokpa to Chumling is challenging and tough. It goes up and down through a dense forest. We will have to follow the path along Shia Khola before we climb up and down in a dense forest of pine trees. We will go down slowly to the rives, walking over the cantilevered metal bridge fixed at a cliff face. Tsum valley was remained completely isolated for few months in 2016 after the river sliced down this section. There is a suspension bridge fixed over Syar Khola, which we have to cross to reach Chumlin. It is one of the Buddhist village of this region with old monastery, traditional houses, stone paved streets and mani walls. It also has one school, a small clinic, prayer flag and this villages gives immense feelings of Buddhism culture and tradition.
Day 08 : Chumling – Chokangparo ( 3030m)
Distance: 10 km
Duration: Approximate 6 hours
Our next destination is Chokangparo and it is five hours trekking from Chumling. On the trekking, we will have the refreshing view of Lumbo peak, Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal I, II and IV. Going through the dense forest of pine tree, the trek is quite difficult because of the long, unrelenting uphill to Chopangparo. Walk past Rainjam to Serpu Khola crossing another bridge we arrive at the Gho Village. Crossing over the bridge o Serpu Khola, we arrive at Gho village. We have walk another 2 hours to climb Tsum and we will be at the village named Chhokangparo. If the weather is good, then we can have fantastic view of Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal. We will spend our night at Chhokangparo.
Day 09 : Chokhangparo – Nile ( 3360m)
Distance: 12 km
Duration: Approximate 5 hours
We may face altitude problem while going up from Chhkamparo, therefore, we need to be careful. Then we will be Lamagaon and crossing suspension bridge, we will arrive at Rachen Gumba. This gumba also known as Nunnery Gumba was established in 1905 and it has 1000 terracotta images of Avalokiteshowra. It also has images of other gods, goddesses and gurus related with Mahayan Buddhism. The interior of Rachhen Gumba is very impressively painted with stories related with Buddhism. If we are interested to vist the gumba and then we can visit there. Then crossing Shiar Khola and we continue our trekking through the villages – Lar, Phurbe and Pangdun. We can also see historic stupa of Buddha on the way to another village – Chhule and climbing up, crossing the bridge and then we will be at Nile.
Day 10 : Nile - Mu Gompa ( 3700 m)
Distance: 8 km
Duration: Approximate 2 hours
After doing breakfast at Nile, we will move towards Mu Gompa. It will take two hours to get there from Nile and is the last village of Tsum valley located above Syar Khola. While exploring the monastery, we will have opportunity to learn about Buddhism through religious books. The statues of Avalokiteshwara, Guru Padmasambhava and Tara will refresh us and we will forget our tiredness. The scenery of Longnang glacier and pasture of yak cannot be described in words. Another historic monastery we can visit is Dhephu Doma Gompa, which is considered 600 years old. It has safely preserved ancient thankas. From Mu Gumpa, the view of Ganesh Himal is excellent. We will spend our night at Mu Gompa and if the weather is favorable, then we can walk up to Dupchet. Further trek will take us to Bhajyo and we can make a day trip to Nepal Tibet at Nueladajyen Bhanjyang at 5093 meters and return to Mu Gompa.
Day 11 : Mu Gompa - Chhokang Paro ( 3030m)
Distance: 14 km
Duration: Approximate 7 hours
On this day, we will start towards Upper Tsum valley. Before starting our trek, we will walk around Mu Gompa and will spend our time in sacred Himalayan environment taking fresh air with splendid view of mountains. Then, we will trek down to Nile, Chule, Pangdun, Phurbe, Lar village and finally reach Rachhen Gumba. On the way, we will visit Chhekamparo Gumba and we continue our trekking to Chhokanparo to spend our night.
Day 12 : Chhokang Paro - Gumba Lungdang (3200m)
Distance: 15 km
Duration: Approximate 6 hours
This trekking route is one of the interesting parts of the Tsum valley trek in which we will visit to Gumba Lungdang and base camp of Ganesh Himal. It is generally done while returning from the upper Tsum valley. After doing breakfast at Chhokang Paro in the early morning, we trek to Gho village, where we will arrive within 3 hours. Then, we will trek down Syar Khola, crossing over wooden bridge and climb up steep to Domje, where we will do our lunch. Our next destination is Gumba Lungdang, which is 12km from Domje. The trail between Domje and Dumba Lungdang is very attractive since we have to trek through forest of oak, pine and rhododendron. The trail is zigzag, level and when we go above Langdang Khola, the trail become slope towards the Gumba Lungdang. The gumba is considered one of the holy places of Tsum valley located at an altitude of 3200m in front of Ganesh Himal. Most of the local people visit this holy site, which has houses for the nuns scattered through the rhododendron forest. The view of mountains from this place is excellent and majestic.
Day 13 : Visit to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4000m) - Gumba Lungdang (3200m )
Distance: 20km
Duration Approximate 7 hours
We will go through two small valleys taking up and down passing through beautiful pasture. Then, we will descend on the right side of the tail and walk down towards river. We will be at Langdong river and have to use wooden bridge to cross it. Climbing and going through forest of rhododendron and pine trees, we will reach at the glacier called Torogumba. Our trekking continues with the beautiful view of mountain range of Ganesh Himal and on the way, we will see huts made for yak. The trekking trial, which started from Gumba Lungdang to Ganesh Himal Base Camp passes via forest, and then to Langdang Khola towards Torungba glacier and the base camp of Ganesh Himal. We will have to carry our packed lunch with wayer for this trip. The trekking trail to the base camp has excellent view of mountains.
Day 14 : Trek from Gumba Lungdang - Lokpa (2240m) through Ripchet (2470m)
Distance: 24km
Duration: Approximate 8 hours
The descending trail from Gumba Lundgang goes through the forest of oak, pine and rhododendron to a small chorten. Taking left side of the narrow trekking route, we will be Langdang Khola, which we will have to cross. Then, we will be steadily crossing two high bridges over attractive narrow gorges up to Ripchet. Since it is an agricultural village, we will find the field of barley and buckwheat. We have to be careful while descending Ripchet village to Gumlung crossing Sarli river and trek through forest before we take final ascending route leading to Lokpa.
Day 15 : Lokpa - Yaru Phat (1170m)
Distance: 20km
Duration:7-8 hours
After finishing our breakfast, our trekking trail goes down to the place, which is the junction of Manaslu. Then, we have to trek up to the waterfall and reach Ekle Bhatti. We will walk to Philim to have our lunch and then walking the bank of river, we will be Siribas. Trekking through the village of Salleri will take us Jagat and continue our trekking till we reach Yaru Phat for our night stay.
Day 16 : Yaru Phat – Lapubesi
Distance: 25km
Duration:7-8hrs
In order to reach at Lapubesi from where we will move to Kathmandu on bus, we have to go through the villages of Dobhan towards Tatopani. Then we will trek to Khorlabesi, Macchakhola, Khanibesi and then finally Lapubesi. The trekking route become dense subtropical vegetation and we can enjoy the tropical environment while on the trail.
Day 17 : Drive Lapubesi to Kathmandu
Distance: 140km
Duration: 8-9 hours drive
Drive from Lapubesi to Kathmandu is very interesting since we can have scenic view of villages, farmlands, forests, rivers, mountains from the window of our jeep. We feel the first section of drive little bit difficult because of coal-tarred road. After arriving Kathmandu, we can take rest in our hotel or wander around Thamel or Basantpur to purchase souvenir goods followed by the closing dinner.
Inclusion
- All airport/hotel transfers
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel (Hotel Moonlight) in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Guesthouse accommodation during trekking in the mountains
- Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during trek
- All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
- All necessary staff with experienced leader (guide), assistant guide (4 trekkers: 1 assistant 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)
- Welcome dinner
- Exclusive Medical Kit Bag
- All government and local taxes
Exclusion
- Nepalese visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Travel and rescue insurance(Should be covered helicopter evacuation incase of problem on the trek and medical also)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Note
We shall not be responsible for any changes and alterations in the itineraries due to avoidable circumstances i.e. landslide, road blockage, floods, snowfall, political unrest, cancellation of flights, delay arrivals, sickness or accidents and any extra cost incurring there of shall be borne by the clients themselves at the spot. It is mostadvisable for clients to have full INSURANCE against medical and personal accidents.