Tsum Valley Trek
- Grade: Moderate
- Duration: 19 Days
- Destination: Nepal
- Activities: Trekking, Off The Beaten Path
- Departure: Flexible
- Best Seasons: March - May, and September - December
- Highest Altitude: 3,700m/12,136ft
- Start-Ends: Kathmandu - Kathmandu
- Price of Package:USD 1700
Tsum valley is the most secluded Himalayan Valleys of Nepal, untouched till 2008. The government of Nepal announced the region as an open touristic destination only in 2008 for foreign tourists. Before that, the region was a restricted zone. Tsum Valley trek takes you into the majestic surrounding of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal. Since the region has been a part of Tibetan civilization that resembles Tibet, the residents of the valley are Tsumbas belong to Tibetan origin. They have a distinct form of dialect, art, culture, and religion.
The mysterious valley has unique attractions however, very few numbers of tourists have visited the valley. Tsum Valley used to be an important trans-Himalayan trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Comparatively, the area is still less exposed to visitors than other tourist destination of Nepal. So, it offers virgin and less beaten paths and unique culture.
The trek to Tsum valley follows Budhi Gandaki which is one of the major tributaries of the Sapta Gandaki river. The trekking trail goes through a mixed dense forest, terraced fields, and hill settlements. Similarly, the trail separates from the main Manaslu trekking route and enters a hidden valley experiencing the alpine forest, glacial rivers warm hospitality of local ethnic communities. Besides this, Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa, Dephyudongma Gompa are other attractions of this trek. The highest altitude of Tsum valley trek is 3700m at Mu Gompa and you must be careful about the high altitude sickness while going to this trek. Since this is the off the beaten path trek, it is purely natural and untouched with modernism. Hence, the traveler gets the real taste of trekking in the Tsum valley.
Highlights of Tsum Valley Trek
- Pristine culture
- Reflection of Tibetan culture
- The hospitality of local ethnic communities
- View of fabulous Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Sringi Himal (7,187 m), Buddha Himal (6,672 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m) and many others along multiple waterfalls
- Exploration of Piren Phu (scared cave)
- Wonderful scene and unique lifestyle
Best season for trekking in Tsum Valley
Due to the monsoon, the trail is tricky and risky from Mid June to August. Hence, we do not recommend travelers to visit the region during these months. Likewise, January to February is extremely cold with thick hazes and it is further riskier to trek in Tsum valley during the month. Therefore, We recommend visiting the area during spring (March to May) and autumn season (September to November). These twp seasons are ideal seasons for the Tsum valley trekking. Suitable temperature and clear climate conditions are the terms to gauge spring and autumn times as perfect seasons.
Tsum Valley Trekking Route Map
One can complete Tsum Valley trek in 9 Days to 25 Days. However, the itinerary of 9 Days Tsum Valley Trek excludes the upper Tsum. And the longer includes Upper Tsum Valley and also the Manaslu Circuit. You can choose the itinerary based on your budget, preparedness and available time.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel
- Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
- Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Arughat (600m/1,968ft) 7-8 hours drive
- Day 04: Arughat to Soti Khola (700m/2,296ft): 5-6 hours
- Day 05: Soti Khola to Maccha Khola (870m/2,952ft): 6-7 hours
- Day 06: Maccha Khola to Jagat (2340m/7676ft): 6-7 hours
- Day 07: Jagat to Lokpa (2040m)
- Day 08: Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m/7,827ft): 6 - 7 hours
- Day 09: Chumling to Chokhangparo (3,031m/9,903ft): 4-5 hours
- Day 10: Chhokhangparo to Nile (3,361m/11,058ft): 5-6 hours
- Day 11: Nile to Mu Gompa (3,700m/12,174ft): 3 hours
- Day 12: Trek from Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa (3240m)
- Day 13: Trek to Gumba Lungdang to Lokpa (2240m)
- Day 14: Lokpa to Jagat (1340m)
- Day 15: Trek from Jagat to Lapubensi (900m)
- Day 16: Lapunbeshi to Arughat (535m)
- Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu
- Day 18: Final Departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel
The representative of Oriental Journeys will pick up you from airport and transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu. After having some rest in hotel, we will provide you a briefing about the trekking.
Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
An experienced and government licensed holder guide will take you to the UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. After sightseeing, we will have some time for trek preparation.
Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Arughat (600m/1,968ft) 7-8 hours drive
Today, we will be mostly driving. It takes seven hours to reach at Arughat Bazaar from Kathmandu by passing through the lower ruby valley. The bus drives until Arughat bazaar, located in the side of Budhi Gandaki River. Overnight stay at Arughat Bazaar.
Day 04: Arughat to Soti Khola (700m/2,296ft): 5-6 hours
Today is the first day of our trekking. We will be moving towards Soti Khola from Arughat after having breakfast. Overnight stay in Soti Khola.
Day 05: Soti Khola to Maccha Khola (870m/2,952ft): 6-7 hours
We will continue our trekking to the trail which follows along the Budhi Gandaki river. The trail rises upwards as it follows the river with many high overlooks and glimpses. On the way, we will pass hot springs at Tatopani. After 6 to 8 hours of walking, we will reach Machha Khola, which is a pleasant village with a good guest house.
Day 06: Maccha Khola to Jagat (2340m/7676ft): 6-7 hours
Jagat lies to the west side of the Budhi Gandaki river. It has paving stone streets. Today, we will pass by Mani Walls and high overlooks above the river. The trail passes through many picturesque villages.
Day 07: Jagat to Lokpa (2040m)
This day will take us into the entrance of Tsum Valley. The trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki river on a long suspension bridge. After this, the trail goes up to the side of the mountain to the village of Philim. When the trek continues, we will cross the Syat river from Tsum valley where Tsum valley leads to the right. Lokpa village is the first village of Tsum valley villages which offers great views of Manaslu. The food and accommodation in Lokpa is adequate.
Day 08: Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m/7,827ft): 6 - 7 hours
The trek from Lokpa drops down to the river valley and then up again to Gumling. We will not get any village in between Lokpa and Gumling. There is a small tea shop at Gumling where the trek divided. We will cross the Syar River and walk to the village of Chhumling.
Day 09: Chumling to Chokhangparo (3,031m/9,903ft): 4-5 hours
Today, the trek leads us from the lower to the upper valley. The trail follows along the Syar River down to Domjeand then rises over 500 meters to the largest city of Tsum valley called Chhokang Paro. The place has special Gomba. Beside this, there is a store where you can buy tea and drinks.
Day 10: Chhokhangparo to Nile (3,361m/11,058ft): 5-6 hours
We need to cross a number of villages from Chhokangparo to Nile. The trail is also developing as a highway through Tsum valley. Although the valley seems narrow, it is fertile and we can see residents farming. After crossing Lanagaon, we reach the cave of St. Millarepa, where his footprint is preserved. The trail continues upwards to the village of Nile.
Day 11: Nile to Mu Gompa (3,700m/12,174ft): 3 hours
Mu Gompa is the northern point on this trip and is home to a large monastery. We can find the rooms in Monastery and we will spend the night with monks. Today's trek is shorter.
Day 12: Trek from Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa (3240m)
Today's trek will take you from one monastery to another. Rachen Gompa is a large monastery and the return trek will take around 3 to 4 hours. If you are unable to visit Piren Phu on the 7th day, this day will offer a second opportunity to visit religious sites.
Day 13: Trek to Gumba Lungdang to Lokpa (2240m)
This is the long day trekking and it takes you to Lokpa after leaving Lungdang Lokpa and crossing Domje. The trail will drop back through the gorge that forms the entrance into Tsum valley along the Syar river. Overnight stay at Lokpa.
Day 14: Lokpa to Jagat (1340m)
The trek continues from Lokpa to Jagat. This is the day of retracing steps as you leave Tsum valley and also rejoin Budhi Gandaki river. Overnight stay at Jagat.
Day 15: Trek from Jagat to Lapubensi (900m)
We will follow descending trail and crossing the suspension bridges before coming to the village of Lapu Bensi where you will spend the night.
Day 16: Lapunbeshi to Arughat (535m)
Today, we do a short trek from Shoti Kola to Arughat bazar. Overnight stay at Arughat bazaar.
Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu
Today, we will take a bus from Arughat bazar to Kathmandu in the early morning and relax with enchanting views of natural scenes and sceneries on the way back.
Day 18: Final Departure
The oriental journeys representative or guide will drop you at the airport 3 hours earlier than your scheduled flight. It's the time for goodbye.
Cost Includes
- Pick up and drop service
- Domestic flight (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu)
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with tea and coffee (2 times) during the trek
- Accommodation of guest house, lodge in Twin sharing during the trek
- Special controlled area entry permit fee
- Trekking permits (TIMS and Conservation Area Entry fee)
- Experience guide and porter cost
- Luggage carrying fee per person during the trek( porter or yaks)
- Salary, food and accommodation, insurance, equipment for trekking staffs
- Medical kit for a group
- All hotel accommodations in Kathmandu
- Farewell dinner before departure
- Government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
- Lunch and dinner during the stay in Kathmandu
- Alcoholic drinks, personal expenses, mineral water, phone calls, laundry, and internet
- Emergency rescue evacuation if necessary like personal accident insurance or Helicopter rescue
- Personal trekking gears and extra luggage
- Porter cost (extra) - US $15 per person per days per 20 kg
- International flight tickets, re-issue or date change if necessary
- Nepal Visa fee
- Tips, souvenir and gifts
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