Tsum Valley Trek

Highlights

Tsum Valley Trek is a recently opened trek falling in a restricted area Gorkha district. Thus trekkers are required to pay special royalties to get trek permits for this trekking area.

The inhabitants of the tsum valley follow Buddhist tradition very similar to Tibetans. The valley is famous for herbs such as nirmasi, timur etc. and farming is limited to potatoes, buckwheat, barley and vegetables etc. Sheep, yak, langur monkeys, are some of the animals found in this high elevation.

People in Tsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have unique culture, tradition and their own dialect. They celebrate unique festivals like Lhosar, Dhacyhang, Saka Dawa, Faning and others. Many Tsumbas (resident of Tsum Valley) report they have seen or found the signs of Mehti, commonly refereed as ‘Yeti’ or ‘Abominable Snowman’.

The Tsum Valley Trek begins from Sotikhola in Gorkha district, which is easily accessible from Kathmandu. The exploration team has recommended three different itineraries in Tsum Valley.

The first half of the trail to Chhumling valley is quite steep and difficult but thenceforth it is gentle and scenic. You will be able to enjoy the forests of rhodendron, oak and blue pine. Along the trail, you can get the majestic glimpse of such peaks as Ganesh Himal (7000m), Sringi Himal (7161m), Ganesh I (7420m), Ganesh II (7100m). The area falls on the well preserved Manaslu Conservation Area.

Tsum Valley Trek is graded as an Easy To Moderate Trek and the highest point one reaches during the trek is Mu Gompa (3700m).

The Tsum Valley trek is mostly a Camping Trek but is also possible in a combination of camping and lodge trek. The trek is best during autumn (Sep-Nov) or Spring (Mar-May) seasons when the flowers come into bloom and wild animals spring into life of its own.

After breakfast drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (730m) via Arughat (570m) takes about 7 hours. You drive along well paved road up to Dhading Besi along the bank of Khani Khola, Trishuli River and Thopal Khola. It is a beautiful picturesque journey passing through green hill, flowing stream, farming terraces, villages, small market and mountain views at far distance. Leaving Tari Besi you continue to Soti Khola by graveled road passing through Arughat Bazaar.

Arughat is an old market situated at the bank of Budhi Gandaki River. Soti Khola is a river on the bank of which is a small settlement featuring few lodges.

Stay overnight at lodge.

After breakfast we start our trek following Budi Gandaki. The trek duration from Soti Khola to Macchikhola is 6 hrs. We will pass by Lapubesi where you will see the remnants of previous landslide. A big waterfall appears near Nyauli Khola. Follow the river bank to reach Macchikhola in 2 hrs.

Stay overnight at lodge.

The trek is a gradual uphill to Tatopani. There is a natural hot spring in Tatopani and another hour from here will reach Dovan. We stop here for lunch. From thence we see a big landslide as we gradually climb up to Yaru. Watch the amazing sight of Budi Gandaki River passing under a rock. Another one and a half hours trek through a section caved in by rocky mountains on both sides via cantilever bridge to arrive at Jagat. Jagat is a checkpoint and an entrance to Manaslu conservation area.

Stay overnight at lodge.

The trail follows a cliff to Salleri passing through beautiful villages such as Ghattekhola, Sirdibas on the way. Cross a long metal bridge and then reach Philim, which is second district headquarters of Gorkha district. Lunch will be served in Chisopani (Eklebhatti). After lunch we continue trek around cliff for one hour to reach Gampu which is junction for Manaslu and Tsum Valley. Another 45 minutes climb up to Lokpa which is surrounded by forests.

Stay overnight at lodge.

After breakfast we go downhill for 20 minutes and then steep descend through a cantilever path carved against cliff. Today it takes around 5 hrs to reach Chumling where both lunch and dinner will be served. Enjoy beautiful views of Ganesh Himal range from Chumling.

Stay overnight at lodge.

The trail ahead is horizontal till Kwo and thereafter it is a steep uphill climb all the way up to Chhoking Paro. On your right is Ganesh Himal and Rubinala on your behind. There is a monastery you can visit in the old village of Chhoking Paro. Beautiful views of Ganesh Himal, Baudha Himal and Rubinala peaks are visible from the village. There is a big settlement of Bhotia people.

Stay overnight at lodge.

The trail makes gradual ascent to Lama Gaon in two hours. Here we will visit Milarepa Cave and his footprint. We then cross a river to Lar where will have our lunch and dinner. After lunch we visit Rachen Gumba, a big monastery where many monks reside. It is often visited by Rimpoche on various occasions.

Stay overnight at lodge.

It takes about 4 hrs to reach Mu Gompa from Lar. We will visit monastery and villages of Phurbe and Pangdung on the way. Within 3 hrs we reach Nile for lunch and then continue our trek uphill for another 3 hrs. Mu Gompa hosts a big hostel for monks where tourists are also allowed occasionally. We will explore Ani Gomba, a nunnery, in late afternoon and return to Mu Gompa.

Stay overnight in lodge.

Today we will follow the trail to Tibetan border side which was once a trade route between Tibet and Tsum valley inhaitants. We will be able to see Tibetan mountains today. If you want to stay in Chhekya, you can stay in Camp.

After breakfast the trail will explore near the Tibet border surrounded by mountains and cliffs. We will carry pack lunch for our journey ahead. Bhajio is the last village before entering Tibet. It contains approximately 22 houses and a few yak farms.

Stay overnight at Camp.

Today we will return the same route we came up.

Stay overnight in lodge.

We continue our downhill journey. Lunch will be at Chhoking Paro. After lunch one and a half hour climb down and cross Syar Khola and then climb up the forested path to Ripchet.

Stay overnight in lodge.

Again we will be covering a steeply downhill section via Cantilever bridge. It takes around 4 hrs to be in Lokpa where we will have lunch. After lunch we carry on downhill trail for 30 minutes followed by 1.30 hrs uphill journey to Philim.

Stay overnight at lodge.

You leave the cultivated region around Philim as you descend along the path that follows the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. At Tatopani you can relax in the warm and rejuvenating waters of the hot spring.

Stay overnight at lodge.

This day you pass through some villages. You can enjoy the pristine beauty of the waterfalls on both sides of the river.

Stay overnight at lodge.

This is a picturesque journey. While driving, you head up to Dhading Besi and Malekhu and Malekhu, which is famous for delicious fish. En route, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city, Kathmandu.

Includes

Airport pick-up and drop-off services by private A/C car or Van
Entry Permit for National Park / Conservation Area
Trekking guide/s
Porter/s (1 porter carries 25 kilograms of luggage)
All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Teahouse / Local house accomodation during the trek
Sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags and trekking sticks if required
Necessary camping equipment such as tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, down jackets, cooking utensils, etc.
Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
All land transportation wherever applicable
Insurance and equipments for the guides and porters
First aid kit
Rescue assistance (Should any emergency arise during your trek, we will provide prompt and professional rescue and medical services. For this, it would be better to have your own travel insurance that can cover helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost incase required.
One farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
Souvenir (t-shirt, mug, pen, bag, etc.)