Tsum Valley Trek
OVERVIEW
Duration
19 Days
Activity
Hiking & Trekking
Best Season
March, April, May, September, October and November
Difficulty
Challenging
Group Size
2-100
Transportation
Meals
Accomodation
Tea Houses
Tsum valley is located in Nepal-Tibet border of Manaslu region. It is one of the hidden jewelries of Nepal where Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) had visited and Milarepa did meditation in 8th century. Tsum valley is very rich in Tibetan culture having beautiful forests, Old monasteries, Chortens, Gompas, Mani Wall, and stunning view of Himalaya called Ganesh Himal. Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley of Nepal.
Tsum is a Tibetan word which signifies bright or colorful, so this place is covered by colorful Tibetan Buddhism. Tsum vally is also known as hidden trek of Nepal due to its classical Tibetan Buddhism, beautiful Pine and Rhododendron forests, Rivers, stunning view of Himalayas, thousands of stone slabs, ancient art, culture, Tibetan unique dialect which is untouched by modernity. This sacred valley presents amazing view of Ganesh Himal, Boudha Himal, and Shringi Himal.
Hunting and fishing is strictly prohibited in this region where trekkers can see wildlife such as Himalayan Thar & Blue Sheep. Culturally, this valley is very popular having old monasteries such as Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa, Gompa Lungdang. Old monks chanting mantra by playing praying wheels around Mani wall makes your trip more classical. Tsum valley was opened for foreigners since 2008.
Many people combine Manaslu Cirucit Trek with Tsum Valley with beginning their trek from Soti Khola after having 6/7-hour drive from Kathmandu. If the trekkers do not have time to go Manaslu circuit, they can even end their trek in Soti Khola after visiting Tsum Valley. The beginning days of the trekking ascend the Budhi Gandaki Valley with dense, forest, terraced filed and local villages. After we leave the main Manaslu ciruit route for the Tsum Valley, unexpectedly trekkers get the peaceful feeling and emotion, entering hidden valley. Trekkers pass through the alpine forest, Icy Rivers and having warm hospitality of Tibean People.
Highlights
- Amazing view of Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal & Boudha Himal
- Spectacular land of Geography and classical Tibetan Buddhism
- Tha land of Guru Rimpochen and Milarepa who had meditated in Tsum valley
- Old Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, Mani Wall, Chortens, Gompa and attractive traditional villages
- Trek to off the beaten path, sacred Himalayan Pilgrimage & Budi Gandaki River
Itineraries
Your adventure and cultural trip to Nepal begins after your arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu. After you will land, get your hand bag and go to immigration office where you can get your Nepal visa. There must be many people; need fill form before apply for visa and get down to 1st floor where you will wait your suitcase. After getting suitcase, go outside where our office member shows your Name in white paper sheet and transfer to Hotel. We have booked your hotel in Thamel which is the touristic hub of Nepal.
After breakfast, your cultural tour begins where our Guide will brief to you about whole Nepal including history, culture, people, religion, geography and living standard of People. You will visit popular world Heritage sites of Nepal such as Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple) - Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site, Patan Durbar Square – Old King Palace with Beautiful Temples and Houses, Pashupatinath Temple - popular Hindu temple of South Asia and Boudhanath Stupa – biggest Buddhist stupa with monastery around. It is full day guided city tour where you will learn most important historical and cultural things of Nepal. After you will return back to Hotel from sightseeing, meet with your Trekking Guide and brief about trekking program.
After breakfast, we drive along with Kathmandu- Pokhara Highway (Prithivi highway) till Malekhu. From here, we leave this highway and turn right to Dhading Besi and again drive to Soti Khola via Salyantar, Arughat and Arkhet village having scenic view of hill life with their lifestyle. From Arughat, we drive near the bank of Budi Gandki River that comes from the base of Manaslu Himalaya. Soti Khola is small local settlement with few lodges where we spend our night.
Today, we start our first day trekking in Manaslu region with our Guide and porters, the trekking trail begins by crossing suspension bridge of Soti Khoa and further walk ahead through Sal forest. We reach in Khursane and our trekking trail goes through waterfalls and reach to beautiful Gurung settlement of Lapu Besi. From here, we follow the rocky trail along with river bank of and again cross suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola.
After breakfast, we continue our adventure hike to Jagat from Machha Khola, following narrow valley to Tharo Khola and reach to Khorlabesi. We have some up and down trail till Tatopani where you can have break to wash your hand face in hot spring. And again we climb another ridge and cross the Budi Gandaki suspension bridge, cross landslide area to reach Dhovan village. From here we walk to Tharo Bharyang crossing bridge over Yarkhu Khola and steep crafted trails. Then we cross the west bank of Budi Gandaki River, ascend to ridge walking alone with Budi Gandaki River to reach in Jagat village.
We check our permits of Manaslu and Tsum valley at the Manaslu Conversation Area Project office and climb a ridge to Salleri along with Budhi Gandaki River bank, crossing suspension bridge. The trekking trail goes narrow valley and greenery to Philim which is a beautiful village settlement inhabited by Gurung ethnicity. Then, we move ahead to Ekle Bhatti from where we leave the main trail of Manaslu Circuit trek and enter by following the path of Tsum valley. We have peaceful trek to Lokpa via pine and rhododendron forest with beautiful waterfall in the route.
Today, we begin our hike from Lokpa to Chumling which is situated at the south face of Shringhi Himal. Most of the trekking route goes uphill to Chumling. Beginning of the trail goes down to Lungwa Khola and again climb ZigZag trail through pine and rhododendrons forest until we reach Gumlung. We reach at chumling village after crossing the Siyar Hola River. From here we can have eye catching view of Shringi Himal and historical Chumling Compa, Mani Wall and chorten with Stone Street.
Our destination today is from Chumling to Chokhangparo. It is beautiful village situated on flat land having two settlements Cheekam and Paro. We can having amazing view of Ganesh Himal, and Himal Chuli peak from here. During hiking, we cross the land of maize and potatoes with classical Tibetan barricades of firewood on the roof. It is very peaceful and silent nature walk having less crowded people on the way. After we reach in Chokhangparo, we meet the hospitable local friendly people who provide us Tibetan tea with local foods. This is amazing place to spend time with local people.
The trekking trail today ascends to Lama Gaon through Tibetan Buddhist Monastries, Gompa and Chortes. We explore Milarepa Cave here which is located 45 minutes hike from Lama Gaon. Milarepa, a Buddhist Guru came here from Tibet and mediated in this cave having his footprint inside cave. You feel more classical today due to having excursion of historical Gompas and monasteries. Then, we have beautiful walk passing through green meadows with fertile narrow valley. We can also see the local farmers working in the field harvesting potatoes and barley. We will continue our hike and reach to Nile, crossing suspension bridge over Shair Khola River.
The Nile village is the last Tibetan settlement located northern part of Tsum Valley. Today, we explore around Mu Gompa which is the largest and historical monastery of this remote part of Tsum valley. The monastery was established in the 1895 and having many religious books inside monastery with a huge status of Avalokiteshwara, Padmasambhava and Tara. We can also visit Dhephu Doma Gompa which is 600 years old Buddhist monastery. The trekking trail goes through Yak pastures through dry and Trans Himalayan Terrain. We will have beautiful scenery of mountain views, historical chortens and local houses. After exploring Mu Gumpa we return back to Nile and sleep in local Lodge.
After exploring historical Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Mu Gompa, we trek down to Rachen Gompa; a nunnery following the trails. Rachen Gompa is situated in the foot valley of mountain borders between Nepal and Tibet. Finally, we reach to Rachen Gompa crossing the Tibetan platinum and beautiful mountain valley. Rachen Gompa is one of the largest nunneries in the Tsum valley.
Today, we trek from Rachen Gompa to Gompa Lungdang passing through Chhokangparo. We trek down through old trail toward Chumling and again descend down a narrow trail that passes through a Gompa by crossing bridge over Siyar Khola. We explore classical Tibetan culture walking through zigzag route and reach to Gompa Lungdang. The Gompa has fourty nuns and can see the ritual of Puja inside monastery. We will also enjoy the beautiful images of Himalayan sights.
The trekking destination today goes to Ganesh Himal Base Camp from Gompa Lungdang. We cross two beautiful valleys and continue climb through dense forest, seeing pasture and descend to the River side. We reach to Laudang Khola and climb steep pine and rhododendron forests before reaching to Kharha having large stone. From here, we will enjoy the beautiful greenery image with Torogumba Glacier and again continue climb up to Ganesh Himal Base Camp. After exploring Base Camp, we return back to Gompa Lungdang.
We will return down to Lokpa from Gompa Lungdang; it is all the way down via Laudang Khola River, Domje, Siyar Khola, dense forest of pine and rhododendron, Ripchet village and finally reach to Lokpa. It is quite lond day descend from Gompa Lungdang.
Again, we will hike all the way down to Jagat from Lokpa, following Budhi Gandaki River having beautiful mountain and forest scenery. We cross suspension bridges and also meet the main trail of Manaslu Cirucuit Trek as we been here in the beginning of the days. We sleep in Jagat today.
Today is our last day trekking in Manaslu region having downhill walk to Lapu Besi from Jagat. It is very comfortable walk crossing many suspension bridges with terrace field. During our downhill walk, we hike through Machha Khola, Nauli Khola and finally reach beautiful Gurung village settlement of Lapu Bensi.
Today we drive to Kathmandu from Lapu Bensi by private Jeep via Arughat, Salayntar, Dhading Besi and Prithivi Highway to Kathmandu.
After completing, Gokyo Lake Trekking, you are free in Kathmandu or you can have shopping as gift of Nepal to your family and friends. You must be very tired after trekking, can also have good body massage in Spa center. You will feel free and explore local markets and also enjoy your time in good restaurant in Thamel.
Our staff help your departure to Tribhuvan International Airport for your respective destination. Hopefully, we will wait your recommendation and suggestion and also review about your trek to Everest Base Camp. Our Guide and Porters can wait for your next adventure journey to Nepal Himalaya. See you again and good bye.
INCLUSION
- Airport Pickup and drop in Private Transport
- Kathmandu Sightseeing with Cultural Tour Guide, Entrance Fees of Hindu/Buddhist Temple
- 3-star Hotel in Kathmandu with Twin Share including breakfast only
- Kathmandu to Soti Khola drive by Private Jeep (Before Trek)
- Dharapani to Besisahar drive by Private Jeep (After Trek) and Besisahar to Kathmandu drive by private Transport.
- English Speaking Trekking Guide including his salary, insurance, equipment, Food and Accommodation
- Strong Trekking Porter including his salary, insurance, equipment, Food and Accommodation
- Twin share Tea House Accommodation with Breakfast only during Tsum Valley Trekking
- Manaslu special permit, MCAP/ACCAP, and all documents for Tsum Valley Trekking
- Nepal Government Taxes and Office Service Charge
EXCLUSION
- Lunch & Dinner during Kathmandu
- Lunch & Dinner during Tsum Valley Trekking
- Nepal Visa Fee (30$ for 15 Days and 50$ for 30 Days)
- International Flight Ticket
- Personal Trekking /Travel Insurance
- Personal Trekking equipment and Clothes
- Hot Shower, Wi-Fi in mountain, Battery Charge and all personal expenses during Trekking
- Tips for Guide & Porter
- Any other things not mentioned
Additional Information
Trekking Difficulty
Is it difficult to trek Tsum Valley? You do not need to be a good Football player or Olympic athlete to success, Tsum Valley trek. Anyone who is mentally and physically fit can easily completer the journey to Manaslu Circuit. Walking slowly, drink plenty of water, enjoying nature, avoiding cold, eating a balanced died and mentally daring to reach Tsum Valley with happy mood are the hallmarks of your successful journey to destination. Though, Tsum Valley is challenging trekking trail having steep hills with ascending path, sometime with ice but there will be no need any technical equipment or skill.
High Altitude Sickness
If the trekkers have symptoms of headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, rapid pulse with sleeping problem, he/she is suffered by high altitude sickness. The other factors such as changing weather, cold, sun, wind, low oxygen and bad foods are the key component of high altitude sickness. So trekkers need to warm while trekking Annapurna Circuit with proper clothes and equipment. It can affect people of any age, sex and physical conditions. So, we suggest our clients, do not drink alcohol and smoke, drink plenty of water while hiking to Annapurna, train your body and strength up before trekking, eat energy food, and mentally be happy during your journey. The most common medicine for preventing high altitude sickness is Diamox or Acetazolamide. Even our guide takes Diamox on the route which is easily purchased in Kathmandu. Ascending down is the solution to avoid high altitude as the altitude sickness affects people from the elevation of 2600 meters above sea level. For normal high altitude sickness our guide helps to control by providing medicine and good food and he takes to medication center where available. If the trekkers feel bad, we send private helicopter for rescue, which is covered by your personal travel insurance. So, individual insurance is necessary while trekking to Tsum Valley.
Best Time to Go
If you are looking trek to Tsum Valley, must know the best time to visit such as weather and circumstances with other factors that affects in your trip. The best time to visit Tsum Valley is March – May and Sep – Nov due to clear sky and pleasant temperature. Spring and autumn is considered as the best season to trek Everest Base Camp. In spring, the days are warmer and longer whereas the autumn has short days. October and April is the peak touristic months having more crowd but the weather is fantastic and amazing.
Pre-monsoon is called spring season that covers the month of March, April and May whereas the lower region of Everest, rhododendron and flower blooms with warm temperature. In higher route, there will be more chance of problematic snowfall with sunny weather.
Post-monsoon is called autumn season that covers the month of September, October and November whereas the Himalaya is full of blue sky, pleasant atmosphere, moderate temperature with less chance of problematic snowfall. As for the climate, it is neither warmer at day or not freezing cold at night. The Tea houses, cafes are full of tourist and visitors in autumn season.
Accommodation
During the trekking trail to Tsum Valley, trekkers sleep and eat in Tea houses. Tea houses provide tea and food which is the best possible accommodation available on the route. Tea houses offer very basic accommodation facilities having bed and blanket inside the room and some places attached bathroom too. The tea houses looks very basic and normal but it is neat and clean. Though, tea houses provide us the blanket but it is not enough to reduce cold. That is why, we suggest to bring sleeping bag own self to make warm and safety night. The attached room is possible in low altitude but in high altitude after Manang, there will be very basic Tea house Room with Beds. In some places in Tsum valley section, there is monastic Tea houses.
Food and water
Food and water is very important things during the trekking to Tsum Valley. Tea houses provide breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea/coffee. Trekkers can choose the food from Menu list what they like to eat such as Nepali food (Dal Bhat), soups, snakcs, momos, fried Rice, continental and American breakfast, porridge, Bread with Jam and honey, Eggs, noodles, spaghetti, spring roll, fried potatoes, and steak. We recommend to have vegetarian food during trek due to porter and yaks carry meat from lower region which is not refrigerated that may cause stomach problem. Therefore, we would highly recommend to avoid meat dishes on the route with exception of tinned fish and preserved items. So, no need to carry food except chocolates, such as Diary milk, Snickers, Mars and so on. But in low region, if Tea houses can provide fresh meat of Chicken can eat easily. But meat is not allowed to eat in Tsum Valley section due to culture and belief to their tradition.
Do not drink water from river or waterfall; local people can easily drink the running water that is not fit for foreigners as they do not have habit before. So, we recommend to drink bottle water or boiled water for good health that keeps our body safe. Even, trekkers keep purification tablet inside water, kills 99.9% of bacteria, virus and protozoa. Because of the altitude, it is recommended to drink 2-3 liters per day.
Hire a Guide
A person having license from Nepal government, who guides visitor, interprets the cultural and nature, leads the right track to the Himalaya having responsible work recognized by the appropriate authority is known as trekking guide. Guide not only led the way rather he is the ambassador of country explaining People, history, geography, religion and make successful attempt for visitors.
Trekking guide is also knowing as Trek Leader who makes easy access in Himalayan region to book Tea houses, order food for visitors, manage porters, and lead the right trail to destination. During trekking, Guide is a good friend, makes entertainment with fun and laughter too. So, Trekking guides has very important role who not only make enjoyable trip but also educate the visitors through interpretation and contribute sustainability of local environment. The trekking agency should choose appropriate guide by providing suitable training time and again though they are government license holder. Guides expected to work to a high level of customer service keeping good reputation of the company and clients.
That is why our Guide has good communication skill, immediately solve the problem, decision making with self-motivation having physically strong and fit. Either the visitor go to Everest region trek, Annapurna region trek, Upper Mustang trek or other trekking trail, our guide makes successful effort to complete the trip.
Hire a Porter
Trekking porters are those people who carry the gear of trekkers from one place to other, lives in village especially from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung and Rai, community. They are very innocent, kind, pleasant and smiling having broken English will be together from beginning to the end of the trip. Even in Tsum Valley region, the Brahmin and Chhetri people are working as trekking porters nowadays. A trekking porter carries 25 kg to 30 kg of gears who are very fit from mountain altitude. Porters are the transport of the visitors so must be good relationship with Guide and trekkers. During the end of the trek at Lapu Bensi, we suggest for visitor to have TIP to porters for their support and cooperation.
Telephone and Internet
The internet, telephone and mobile phone is not available all the way to Tsum Valley. There are multiple option for Internet, mobile network such as NTC and NCELL. Sometimes internet becomes poor during the time of bad weather or snow. NCELL and NTC are cheaper that works during trekking trail as well as Kathmandu too. Even trekkers can purchase WIFI in local tea houses which is chargeable. Due to the exciting geography and sometime bad weather conditions the mobile network has not access in all parts of the trial but the network such as NCELL and NTC works most of the places. The both NTC and NCELL Sim Cards can purchase at Tribhuvan Interantional Airport, Kathmandu or in the street of touristic town Thamel.
Toilet and Shower
Wherever travel in the Himalaya, must know the circumstances of toilet and shower before departing to the destination. During the trekking to Tsum Valley, most of the places, toilet should be shared by all trekkers due to common Tea houses only with normal beds in the room. Bucket Shower is possible in high altitude after Samdo Village due to no running water. But during the time of bad weather for example if heavy snow at that time it is hard to get shower above 4500 meters. We suggest to bring toilet paper during the trail due to very cold water for your safety and protection. During the peak season, even in lower region the guest houses can be busy so you will have common Rooms during trek to Tsum Valley.
Trek Insurance
Trek insurance is very important component during the trek to Tsum Valley. We suggest trekkers to make plan to be covered up to 4,200 meters. Due to unexpected event or emergency evacuation, if the trekkers feel uncomfortable to walk in Himalaya, Helicopter rescue is necessary along with administration in hospital. So, need insurance for your safety and protection. There are so many insurance companies, you may find in internet and make strong insurance for your security. There may occur so many causes such as altitude sickness, accidents, physical illness, flight cancellation, that is why needed to make insurance before you fly to Nepal for Tsum Valley.
Trek Permit
Trekking permit is mandatory to entry Manaslu region. So, we provide Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) which cost 30$ per person.
Tsum Valley Permit cost September – November USD 40 per person / week and USD 7 per person / day (beyond 1 week), December – August USD 30 per person / week and USD 7 per person / day (beyond 1 week). Tsum Valley is restricted area so without a government holder licensed Guide, foreign tourist cannot entry to Tsum Valley region. So a Trekking guide is compulsory for Tsum Valley Trekking.
Permits can be purchased in Nepal Tourism Board by our company. During trek, need to show Permit in checking points from our trekking guide and provide permit to you after finish the trek in Lapu Bensi. Our company need your passport copy and 2 copy of passport size Photos to make permit at Kathmandu.
Trek Equipment List
While trekking to Tsum Valley, need to sufficient trekking gears for your protection and safety. Trekking gears not only make protection for your body, it makes successful trip to Annapurna Circuit. The trekking gears also have benefit to remove high altitude sickness and make easy access to destination. The following gears are mandatory towards Tsum Valley Trek.
- Sleeping Bag (-20)
- Trekking poles
- Waterproof hiking boot
- Water proof warm Gloves
- Sport shoes
- Waterproof hiking Pant
- Fleece pant
- Comfortable underwear
- Warm and thin socks
- Duffel Bag, 90L
- Hand carry bag
- Water bottle
- Hiking Shorts
- Down Jacket
- Warm Cap & Sun Cap
- Sun Glass
- Sun Cream
- Lip care
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Neck Gaiter
- Lightweight thermal tops
- Waterproof jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
- Raincoat
- Travel Towel
- Camera
- Personal first Aid Kit (Though our guide also has First Aid Kit)
19 Days
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