Tourism License: 1793/072
-
Locals performing traditional dance during the festival -
Trekkers walk by prayers wall in Tsum Valley -
Tsum Valley Trek
1 Reviews
Trip Overview
Tsum Valley Trek takes visitors to the hidden valley of Tsum meaning “vivid” home to the direct descendant Tibetan people known as Tsumbas, the Tsum Valley is located to the east of Manaslu, on the border with Tibet. This isolated hidden Shangri-La just opened to trekkers in 2008. It remains relatively untouched, with ancient villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries waiting to be explored. Each day you will walk between 5 to 8 hours, with the high point of the trek being 4,000m above the largest of the monasteries in the valley, Mu Gompa. You will be accommodated in lodges and traditional ‘homestays’ on this trek, rather than in tents. As the Tsum Valley is much undeveloped but with its unique culture most hospitable people traditionally offer us a friendly welcome to their home can be somewhat rudimentary and you can expect to eat similar food to the locals (Dal Bhat, Chapatis, noodle soup). If you are not prepared to ´rough it a little bit, then this trek is probably not for you!
The trail to the sacred pilgrimage site of Tsum Valley heads upper Budi Gandaki River Valley through unexplored countryside inhabited by the Tibetan community and authentic Tsum Villages such as Chhokangparo, where the area is long considered Baeyul or Hidden land offers unspoiled culture and tradition of Tsumba with fabulous mountain view of Ganesh Himal Range, Sringi Himal, Bauddha Himal and Himalchuli. The valley is extensively rich in culture and tradition dwelled with Buddhist monasteries, nunneries, chhortens and prayer walls, and significant religious monuments, the longest mani walls at Dzong and Phurpe are great attractions.
Tsum Valley Trekking Permit is rock bottom cheap compared to other restricted areas trekking routes and even cheaper than its sister trekking route to Manaslu Circuit. Our ‘Tsum Valley Trekking Itinerary is provided only as a guideline so we can personalize this program per your need and preference that suit your schedule and budget. This trip can be combined with the Round Manaslu Trek.
When is the best season to trek to Tsum Valley?
Spring and autumn
Permit Cost: September-November USD 40.00 per person for the first 8 days. December-August USD 30.00 per person for the first 8 days. You will need an additional permit an MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) Permit that costs NPR 3000 per head.
Itinerary
Hide All
1 Day 01:Drive to Machha Khola (877m) from Kathmandu; about 8 hours drive.
A 8-9 hour´s drive from Kathmandu into the western mountains takes us to Arughat - Soti Khola – Machha Khola via Dhadingbesi, headquarter of the Dhading district. Through the dirt road from Salyantar viewing the greenery hills we reach Machha Khola, our trek start point; at bank of Budhi Gandaki river . Overnight in lodge. Meals included: Lunch and Dinner.
2 Day 02: Trek to Jagat (1345m) 6-7 hrs walk.
The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola, flowing in a rocky ravine, then reaches Khorlabesi. After a few more ups & downs there is a small trailside hotspring, from where we reach to Tatopani. From the Hot spring we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Dobhan Khola, the trail climbs on a rugged trail to Duman. Ascending up again to the Budhi Gandaki, we reach at Yaru Khola. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Cross to the west bank of the budhi gandaki, climb over a ridge, and trek along the river then climb towards the village of Jagat. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
3 Day 03:Trek to Lokpa (2240m), 6 hrs walk.
After completing with the ACAP procedure, we climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long simple hanging bridge. Climb up to Philim, a large gurung village. Philim valley is well known for Japanese made school and police station. Walk past Philim to the north across a forest with the views of the narrowing valley and walk up north from Gum Pul we reach Lokpa. Overnight at Lokpa. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
4 Day 04: Trek to Chumling (2386m) (Lower Tsum); 4-5 hrs walk.
From Lokpa the trail descend half an hour towards Lungwa khola and climbing jick jack difficult trail further two hours north through pines and rhododendrons we reach Gumlung. Crossing the Siyar Khola, finally arrive at Chumling, lower Tsum, from where we can view Shringi Himal. Visit the old Chumling gompa, and the stone streets of the village. Stay overnight in Lokpa. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
5 Day 05: Trek to Chhokangparo (3031m), 4-5 hrs walk.
Cross the suspension bridge onto the opposite bank. Enjoy the great views of Ganesh Himal. Walk past Rainjam to Serpu Khola crossing another bridge we arrive at the Gho Village. Another continues 2 hours climb to Tsum takes us to the village of Chhokangparo. Weather permitting; enjoy the views of Himalchuli at 7893 meters and Ganesh Himal at7140m. Overnight at Chokhangparo. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
6 Day 06:Trek to Nile (3347m) via Milarepa Cave, 5-6 hrs walk.
We trek through the villages of Ngakyu. Leru, Lama Gaun today. We will visit a cave and pay homage. It is believed that saint Milarepa had meditated here in the cave; (admission fee to visit the cave was NPR 300/U$3) the cave is also known as Piren Phu meaning “Pigeon cave. We continue passing Burji, Phurbe and Pangdun villages, there is magnificent big Buddhist Stups is sighted on the way to Chhule and Nile. Stay overnight in Nile. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
7 Day 07: Excursion Mu Gompa (3700 m) and Dhephyudonma Gompa (4060m) 5-6 hrs. walk.
We are now almost close to the Tibetan border. Walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. We also visit the monastery. Then after, we make a visit to the Dhephu Doma Gompa. Today we make a sightseeing of the whole Mu Gompa Region. Mu Gompa is the largest monastery in the region. The Gompa lies at the highest and most remote part of the Tsum Valley. After exploring the Mu Gompa area. Stay overnight in Nile. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
8 Day 08:Trek to Chhekamparo (3031m), 4-5 hrs walk.
Today it is a easy walk to Chhekamparo from Nile. We trek passing through Lar Village visit the Rachen Gompa, which is also well known as Nunnery Gompa too, cross over a suspension bridge and trek to Chhekamparo via same trail back. Stay overnight in Chhekamparo, Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
9 Day 09:Trek to Gumpa Lungdang (3200m), 6 hrs walk.
The trail drops down from Chhekamparo to Gho and then cross Dumje Bridge. We can visit a Amchi, a Tibetan Traditional clinic and there. There is a nun; teaches some 10-21 young nun and runs small Amchi. She welcomes the visitor by Tibetan tea, we walk up about 2-3 hours that takes us to Gumba Lungdang, there basic shelter and meals is provided by monastery. Wilderness Excursion will provide tent and extra meal our clients visitng Gumba Lungdang. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
10 Day 10: Hike to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200m)
Your guide will be required for this trip since the track is poorly marked. Circle from the gompa past the nuns’ housing, drop on dusty or muddy zigzags to regain the lower track, and continue up the valley on a rocky indistinct track through the forest. Cross the Laudang Khola to the west bank on a rickety wooden bridge and climb steeply through pristine pines and rhododendrons on a ridge. There is a hut in a kharka about halfway up, with the track continuing behind it, then up a birch-lined dry creek bed, and eventually you emerge into grassy flats behind the lateral moraine of the Toro Gompa glacier. Continue climbing past seasonal yak huts and you will find a track on the moraine wall that gives superb views of the Cirque of mountains. The camp is somewhere about here. It takes about 4 hours to reach the Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200m). The map shows another base camp on the east side of the glacier, but there appears to be no obvious track between them, so return to Gumba Lungdang in time for the evening puja by retracing your steps. Altitude can make this day difficult for some, but the intact forest wilderness and views make it an outstanding trip. Stay overnight at the Monastery.
11 Day 11:Trek to Lokpa, 6-7 hrs. walk.
Today, after breakfast at Lokpa, we walk down to Jagat. The trail goes down to Ghumpul through the pine and rhododendron forest and join to the main Manaslu trail again, We continue walk passin through Eklai Bhatti, Philim, crossing Buddhi Gandaki before reaching Sirdibas and finally to Jagat. Stay overnight in Jagat. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Meals in
12 Day 12:Trek to Machha Khola 6 to 7 hrs walk.
From Lokpa, the trail goes down to Gumpul after walking for some 1 hours we reach Philim then cross the suspension bridge and walk through the cantilever bridge that was built after the Nepal earthquake that hit the country so badly and caused the famous Manaslu trekking trail damage. Continue the journey via Dovan, Tatopani (hot spring), Khorlabesi and finally I stay overnight in Machha Khola. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
13 Day 13: Drive to Kathmandu via Arughat, 8/9 hrs drive.
We drive to Kathmandu by local bus/jeep. There is no tourist bus available at Arughat. Wilderness Excursion can arrange a 4WD private jeep with extra cost that is more comfortable and safer to drive if you would not like a local bus that is overloaded sometimes, playing non-stop music.
Cost Includes:
- An experienced registered English-speaking local trekking guide.
- Assistant guide to take care of group if above 6 pax
- Porters to carry your main pack during trek (weight limit 25kg per porter)
- Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, and 12 Dinners during the trek.
- Round local ground transportation to and from trekking.
- Lodge and homestay accommodation on a sharing basis during the trek.
- Food, accommodation salary of the guide and porters.
- All necessary Tsum Valley trekking permits.
- Documentation charge and all government taxes.
- Insurance and trekking gear for guide and porters.
Cost Excludes:
- Transfers, accommodation, and meals in Kathmandu.
- Hard drinks, beverages such as coke, fanta, mineral water, laundry service, and toiletries.
- Hot shower, hot water, internet, phone calls, and personal nature expenses.
- Personal travel insurance, Nepal visa, international air ticket laundry services.
- Rescue operation charge in case of emergency, hiring horse and extra porter.
- Gratitude and tips for your guide and porter.
Dates & Prices
We are local tour operator based in Kathmandu so we guaranty small private group departures any dates that suits your date and time. Please kindly contact us for your customized departure date, itinerary and the price. Thank you and Namaste!
-
Anthony and Jan
United KingdomPublished: Monday, April 29, 2019Tsum Valley Trek April 2019
There are hundreds of trekking companies in Kathmandu and prices are (often wildly) varied. So we really looked carefully at reviews before choosing Wilderness. And we had a great trip. Our various questions to Pradip before we arrived in town were promptly and truthfully dealt with. My wife and I travelled by ourselves. Our guide Aitel and porter Dorje were absolutely superb and a joy to be with. They helped out way beyond expectations. Their English was not brilliant but that was more than compensated for by their attentiveness and kindness. I would want to walk anywhere with them. Tsum Valley is beautiful (and some of the walking quite challenging) and long may it remain so. The big problem with the early part of the walk - that is also the beginning of the Manaslu trek - is that a road is being built by the Nepalese Army that is threatening to wreck that trek. Hopefully Tsum will not be damaged by it. We were not warned about this road and its progress that seriously impaired the second day of walking. Also there is a very dangerous landslide that we had to cross, at the entry to Chhokangparo, that travellers should also be warned about. We changed the itinerary a little as we went around the valley (due to weather and other trekkers' recommendations) and Wilderness were very relaxed about that and are flexible in sometimes demanding conditions.We liked their approach to this trek - to safety and planning. We thank them for helping us experience Buddhist Tsum and to really enjoy the trip (despite obstacles). We would recommend this company and would hope to use them again. All very best, Anthony & Jan
Trip Map
Useful Info
Trip Note: This trip can be personalized as per your requirements that meet your time frame. The trip price will be according to Deluxe, Standard, Budget and group size so please kindly provide us your details for tailor made program.
Trip Price: US$ 899
- Trip Duration 13 Days
- DestinationNepal
- Trip Difficulty Moderate
- Trip StyleTrekking
- AccomodationLodge and Home Stay
- Transportation: Local Bus, Jeep
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Max Person: 15 People
- Min Person: 2 People
- Best season to trek: Sept, Oct, Nov, Mar, April, May
- Highest Point: 4060m
Need Help?
Please feel free to contact us. We will get back to you with 1-2 business days. Or just call us now
+977 9851042153 journey2nirvana@gmail.comTrip Info
You May Also Like
Associate Certifications
-
Registered with:
Company Registration Office, Government of Nepal -
Licensed by:
Nepal Tourism Board & Department of Tourism -
Member of:
Company Registration Office, Government of Nepal -
Member of:
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal -
Affiliated with:
Wilderness Excursion Pvt. Ltd.