Tsum Valley Trek

18 Days
  • Trip Code: N-MT-141
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Season: Sep/Oct/ Nov/Mar/Apr/May
  • Max Altitude: 3700 meters/ 12139 feet
  • Trip Starts/Ends: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
  • Transportation: Private Vehicle/ Public Coach
  • Accomodation: Standard hotel in Kathmandu & Tea-house in Trekking
  • Trip Grade: Moderate

Trip Overview


Tsum Valley trek is a journey to possibly the most beautiful hidden valley nestled in Nepal’s western Himalayas. Tsum Valley was opened for tourists only from 2008. This valley boasts pristine nature and ancient cultural heritage. As mentioned in Tibetan Buddhist script this valley was described as the land of happiness by Guru Padmasambhava and is also the place Milarepa meditated for the spiritual gain.

Here the people are Tibetan origin and they speak Tibetan dialect. The valley has some historic monasteries including Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa on a pretty plateau and Lungdang Gompa at the base of a conical hill against the main slope of Ganesh Himal. In these monasteries, hundreds of monks and nuns are living.

In Tsum Valley monasteries are also the center of teaching and learning. Locals send their children for better education. Apart from the culture the spectacular mountain views of Ganesh Himal(7422m), Buddha Himal (6672m) and Sringi Himal (7187m); beautiful terraces; a forest of pine trees and rhododendron trees; waterfalls and hot spring on the route are the major highlights of this trekking.

Tsum Valley Trek starts from Arughat, a small town 126 km from Kathmandu and also ends in the same place. The trail starts low, passing through lush green countryside and small Hindu villages. Then it enters Tsum Valley passing through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests in the beginning then after through artistic chortens and mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers and small Tibetan-style villages.

Tsum Valley Trek- Note:

Tsum Valley Trek 18 days is the standard trip. However, the itinerary is likely to be customized. Thus, please let us know if you have any request.

Itinerary


Our tour officer will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu. He/She will be displaying play card with your name written in it outside the airport terminal. He will meet, greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to your respective hotel by our private tourist vehicle. At the hotel, he will assist you to check in and do a pre-trip meeting with you. You will be briefed about your overall program, introduced your guide and clear your questions/queries if any. During the meeting please clear the due balance and handover a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. Overnight at hotel.

Our trekking guide will meet you at the hotel at 7:00 am and he takes you to the bus station for the journey to Arughat. You will have 5 hrs scenic drives to Arughat through mountain terrain. Upon reach in Arughat check in mountain lodge Rest/ explore Arughat Bazaar. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast, your trekking starts to Soti Khola. You turn west across the bridge over the Budhi Gandaki river to begin the trek. The trail passes the stone buildings of the hydroelectricity power plant and walks through fields of rice and millet to Maltar. It continues past forests to Santi Bazaar. The Budhi Gandaki valley now becomes steeper. It crosses Arkhet Khola on a suspension bridge. After passing Akhet it arrives at Kyorpani, a small Magar, and Gurung village. Then after you come to Soti Khola. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today you trek through beautiful sal forests then climbs onto the ridge above the Budhi Gandaki River. Then trail leads to you Khursane, a big Gurung settlement. Then the rocky trail weaves its way up and down and passes two waterfalls. It traverses few rice terraces then up and down arrives at Labubesi village. The path gradually moves upwards then it descends to the sandy river bed. Head down again to the river and arrives at Machha Khola. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

The trail makes some minor ups and downs often dropping onto gravel bar alongside the river. It eventually crosses the Tharo Khola (stream) then reaches Khorlabesi village. It climbs over a small ridge then makes another steep climb and descent. After more ups and down there is a small trailside hot spring then the route reaches Tatopani village. From Tatopani, the trail climbs over another ridge and crosses the Budhi Gandaki River on a suspension bridge and then arrives another village Doban. After that, it crosses a long suspension bridge and further climbs ridge and descends to Yaru Khola (stream). After that, it ascends to Tharo Bharyang. Thus after few climbs up and down it reaches to beautiful village Jagat. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today before you move it will be checked out your trekking permit. From Jagat, after descending a long series of stone steps back down to the river and then climb on wonderful stone steps along a terraced hillside you will reach to the small hamlet of Saguleri and Sirdibas. Then the trail passes through the charming, village of Sirdibas. It crosses the river again on a long high suspension bridge at Ghata Khola. The path splits with the right-hand branch heading off towards the Ganesh Himal. Your route continues upstream, and again you have a steep climb to reach Philim. Philim is a nice place to take lunch. Then you continue your trip till Lokpa for the first one and half hours the trail heads up. After nearly half an hour of walking, you meet junction of two trails the one cross a bridge and heads for Manaslu but you follow the right trail for Tsum valley and then stride gently across the Budi Gandaki and walk into a tranquil forest emerging onto Lokpa (2240m).Overnight at a mountain lodge.

From Lokpa to Chumling is nice and climb up day but the really comfortable trail from starting time. You will the trail heads down for half an hour before it ascends steeply up. You then have a half hour descent to the riverside and cross the beautiful wooden bridge, before the final ascent of up to Chumling. In Chumling there are a primary level school and a small clinic with great views of the Ganesh Himal range. You are now in an area of Tibetan culture where they import goods from Tibet. In Chumling it’s worth to visit Chumling Gompa (monastery). Overnight at mountain lodge

With great views of Ganesh Himal, I (7422m) situated on the right-hand side, you start trekking for a couple of hours gradually ascending. From here the pine forest is quite dense. Then the trail heads up to Rentsam village. After passing this village you will walk for about four hours steeply up to Chhokangparo, which is situated in a nice valley. This village has fields growing barley, wheat, buckwheat, potato etc. There you see Yaks, Cows, and Blue Sheep. This is the main village in the Tsum valley region, where there are more than 50 houses. There is a police station as well where your trekking permit will be checked. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today trek begins little climb hill thoroughly beautiful mani walls at first twenty minutes then most trail follows flat villages and wider cultivated land. You walk past Lamagaon crossing suspension bridge to the Rachen Gompa, which is also well known as Nunnery Gompa. You will make a small visit and then cross the Shiar Khola. Continue walking through the well-managed villages Lar (micro hydro power), Phurbe and Pangdun. Leaving old historic Buddha’s Stupa in a way crossing the village of Chhule, climb upstream and cross the bridge to finally arrive at Nile. If you consider your guide can make a visit to a famous monastery of Chhule which is located at the top of the area. Overnight at Home Stay.

After breakfast trek continues gradually ascending to reach Mu Gompa through dry Tibetan country with rows of chortens and widening mountain vistas. Mu Gompa is a large monastery with over 100 monks and this is also an ancient gompa visited by David Snellgrove (Himalayan pilgrimage) in 1956. After reach Mu Gompa your guide also takes you to visit Dhephyudoma Gompa and explore Mu Gompa surroundings. O/n at Home Stay in Gompa.

From Mu Gumba you follow the trail to Rachen Gompa, a nunnery. The nunnery is situated in the Shiar Khola Valley in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. Rachen Gompa has established in the year 1905 AD and is one of the largest nunneries in the Tsum valley. It houses nuns belonging to the Ngakpa sect, which does not allow animal slaughter. The nunnery houses one thousand clay molded statues of Avalokiteshvara, a brightly colored & carved throne and a large prayer wheel. The interior is richly painted with murals about Buddhism and its history. O/n at Home Stay.

Today first of all you descend, then cross a suspension bridge and walk on a grassy gradient. The open trail makes your walking exciting, fun and pleasant. Later you arrive to the final bridge and from here few hours of walking brings you Domje. This is a village offer you the magnificent mountains view and scenery. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

From Dumje we trek to Philim and cross Ripchet. On the way, you see a very beautiful waterfall in the Lower Tsum Valley, Samba Tingding Chhupyang. Phillim is a large Gurung village with fields of corn and millet. From here the trail leads to Ganesh Himal base camp climbing over the ridge. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast, you follow the trail passing villages of Jagat, Yaruphant, Dobhan which you have already visited while you were moving to Tsum Valley and finally arrive at Tatopani. Here you find a hot spring. You can relieve your tired muscles by soaking yourself in the hot spring. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

From Tatopani, the trail crosses the Tharo Khola flowing in a rocky ravine. You head down again to the river and traverse to Machha Khola village. Then walking along the Budhi Gandaki River passing through terraced fields you arrive at Labubesi, Gurung village. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Your day starts walking on a steep rocky trail. Pass the two waterfalls on the side of a cliff and then arrive Khursane. Then you walk along the ridge above Budhi Gandaki, cross the Sal forests and reach Soti Khola. Then continue your walking until Arughat. In Arughat your exciting trekking ends. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Driving 7 hours. Evening farewell dinner with Nepali Cultural show
After breakfast, you drive to Kathmandu by coach passing beautiful mountain terrain. You arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon. The rest of the day at leisure/ you can do some last minute souvenirs shopping for your family and friends. Evening you will be offered farewell dinner with Nepali cuisines and cultural dances at typical Nepali Restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

The trip concludes today. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

Price


Gold Package Price
USD 1265 Per Person For Group Size of Two People
USD 1235 Per Person For Group Size of Three to Five People
USD 1205 Per Person For Group Size of Six to Eight People
USD 1175 Per Person For Group Size of Nine to Twelve People
USD 1145 Per Person For Group Size of Thirteen to Sixteen People

Travel Tips


The best season and most favored time of Tsum Valley Trekking are autumn (From Mid September till November end) and spring (From the beginning of March until mid-May). During this period day time is sunny and warm with outstanding views. At this time the temperature in the day is between 10 C and 30 C. The nights are often cold with a temperature between 5 C to -10 C.

All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:

Visa Facility Duration Fee
Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent Nepalese currency
Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent Nepalese currency
Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency

 

We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with your name card. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel.

In Tsum Valley Trekking most of the places available lodges. Few places where lodges are not available you will be at Home Stay with local people. Here it’s culture of locals to serve guest as their god. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for you (here rooms cannot be booked in advance).

In the case of Kathmandu, we offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.

In Tsum Valley Trekking it’s commonly available for Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chowmein, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake and another continental as well as Indian foods.

Tea and hot lemon are traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.

The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Tsum Valley Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.

During trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.

Every morning first of all packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in local restaurant. Then continue walking for your destination. After lunch it’s only couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At free time you may explore surrounding village, doing a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunch time and entire after noon will be free. Most people also spend free time by playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for well earned sleep.

Tsum trekking is moderate trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.

At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.

We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.

We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.

The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.

Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.

For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.

For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket

For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.

For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.

For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.

Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.

Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional), Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).

Note: * mark item we will provide you in service. If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.

The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.

Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.

Naturally the route of Tsum Valley Trekking is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do’s and don’ts to minimize your impact on the local environment.

In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park,  White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.

Trip Reviews

Pontus & Elin All in our entire Manaslu trek was very much exciting, memorable and fun too. We completed this trip with a great team of Excellent Himalaya Trek. Manaslu trekking was our second adventure trip in Nepal. In 2014 we successfully completed Annapurna circuit trek. We discovered Manaslu trek is less crowded than Annapurna Circuit. We enjoyed on the varied landscape with spectacular Himalayas vistas. We were very lucky to have the guidance of Tashi, experienced trek guide and porter Badri in this trip. They were both pieces of knowledge of this route. Tashi briefed us about every village and mountains which we saw during walking. Before the start of trekking some trekkers who recently did it told us in Kathmandu, there were problems of rooms and food in Manaslu. But we never faced such problems. Our guide arranged lodge and good meal everywhere, possibly best in those areas. We started our trek from Arughat and ended in Syange. To sum up we highly appreciate the services from Excellent Himalaya Trek. Thank you, Suman, for this great tour... We will back you again for the next trekking.

Pontus & Elin

Sweden

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