Tsum Valley Trek - 17 Days

Duration17 Days
DestinationNepal
Difficulty Strenuous
Max Altitude 4500m
Activity Trekking and excursion
Group Size min. 2
Accommodation Comfortable hotel in KTM and local lodges on trekking
Meals Full package at trekking
Transportation Overland drive
Starts KTM- Machhakhola drive & treks
Ends Macchakhola
Best Season Sep- Nov, March- May

Overview

Trip Highlights

The hidden land with historical caves where Guru Rimpoche and Milerepa visited for Meditation.
Geographically it is very spectacular and culturally and traditionally fascinating.
Exclusively Tibetan custom, picturesque villages, traditional houses, Buddhist Mani walls, ancient monasteries and beautiful Nunnery Monastery.
Very nice views of holy Mt. Ganesh Himal, Siringi Himal, Himalchuli and Boudha Himal.
Challenging excursion to Ganesh Himal base camp

Tsum

Tsum valley trekking is one another beautiful trek in Manaslu region. This trek is culturally and naturally distinctive. Where most people are Tibetan origins and rich in ancient art, religion, thousands of stone slabs carve with the deities, chortens, maniwalls, and prayer wheels, prayer flags hanging over the passes, houses and ritual sites. Geographically this Himalayan pilgrimage valley lies on the backdrop of Shringi Himal, Buddha himal and Mt. Ganesh himal. It is used to call 'Tsum Tso Chuksum', which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory in Tibetan language. Still, it is visible the ancient remains of the Tsum Kingdom. The Buddhist saint Milarepa is believed that he had meditated in the caves around these mountains for a long time so it is important as a pilgrimage holy valley.

Itinerary

We start overland driving along the Prithvi highway till Anbu Khaireni and turn towards Dhading Besi or Gorkah road by seeing the wonderful views of picturesque landscapes, mountains, villages, terraced fields, and different cultures of different ethnic groups. Lunch break will be somewhere in a good restaurant, you can try Nepalese famous daal bhat today. The rough and bumpy road starts from Arughat Bazaar to Sotikhola. Overnight at a local tea house.

The trek frequently follows the Gandaki River bank. Not a big ascends and descends prevail here, however, the path is always full of up and down. Frequently goods delivery groups of mules will be encountered along the path. By then please be safe yourself towards the wall side not to the edge.

Today we enter the constrained region of Manaslu and Tsum Valley. Leaving Jagat, we start walking on the riverbank of Budhi Gandaki past the settlements of Salleri, Sirdibas, and Philim. Enjoying the view of Shringi Himal (7161m), we register ourselves at the checkpoint in Philim before heading on to Ekle Bhatti. Still walking alongside the Budhi Gandaki River, we arrive at a waterfall before entering the village of Lokpa. Overnight at a lodge in Lokpa

Descend through beautiful forest, crossing three side streams (one shown wrongly on the Map as Shiar Khola) on bridges, circle under a huge bluff on the river then climb steeply on well-made but exposed stairs. After about 30mins start to traverse north through pines and rhododendrons, still climbing and with very steep slopes. The hidden valley of Tsum stretches enticingly ahead. Eventually, descend to a lone Bhatti Ghumlong (2130m) on the river. The path straight ahead climbs steeply to Ripchet (2470m; Ripche) in about 1hr; the path to Chumling (2360m) crosses the Shiar Khola on a wooden bridge and up. It is not for those afraid of heights - several locals have fallen to their death on this track while drunk. Make sure you climb up to Chumling and check out the old gompa, the traditional houses, orchards, the clinic, and the beautiful stone streets. This is Buddhist agriculture, with conical pine needle haystacks among the 4 prayer flags. Overnight at a lodge in Chumling.

The trail is lined with artistic chortens and mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with deities and prayers. An easier day after yesterday, Cross the suspension bridge just east of the hotel and traverse through the rich farming land of maize and potatoes. The houses are classic Tibetan with barricades of firewood on the roof, but without flat roofs, as it rains and snows here. Cross a huge slip where rocks and flood cleared the area even up onto the opposite bank, killing five in 1999, but is now covered with a forest of new trees. Up the valley to the east are superb views of the 7000m Ganesh Himal, of long suspension bridges on the opposite bank, and far above the perched village of Ripchet (2468m). Lunch is possible at Rainjham (2400m), a single bhatti with an enclosed courtyard. Cross the Serpu Khola and climb for 2.5 hours on a well-graded but exposed track to upper Tsum and the large village of Chhokangparo (3010m), stone houses nestled under cliffs without a single iron roof. The valley opens here into spacious fields of barley, maize, buckwheat, and potato, but wheat has been abandoned due to ‘hill bunt’, a disease which turns the heads black and causes total crop failure. Herds of Thar often graze the wild cliffs to the north, coming right down to the fields. If the air is clear Himalchuli (7893m) can be seen down the valley. Overnight at a lodge in Chhokangparo

Today we trek uphill alongside Shiar Khola to arrive at the nunnery of Rachen Gompa, which is an ancient nunnery of Tsum Valley. Enjoying the attractive views of the valley, we arrive at Piren Phu/Milarepa cave. Piren Phu is one of the holiest caves in the Tsum Valley. Ancient Buddhist paintings, excellent creative scripts carved on stones, long prayer flags, and important Buddhist scripts make this cave one of the most significant socio-cultural assets of the valley. We continue climbing up until we arrive at a beautiful village Nile.

Leave your rucksack at the Nile, Make an early climb up to the large Mu Gompa (3700m) with rows of chortens and widening mountain vistas. This is the largest monastery with over 100 monks and an ancient gompa. If time permits you can also visit Dhephyudoma Gompa (4000m) further west on an obvious track. On three sides now are tantalizing views of the border with Tibet, with frequently used passes to the east (Ngula Dhojyang or Mailatasachin Pass, 5093m) and west (Thapla Bhanjyang, 5104m) just out of sight. Some people climb to Kalung (3820m). Making a day trip to the passes for a view into Tibet. There are extensive seasonal yak pastures in all directions, the Lungdang Glacier to the east, and high peaks in all directions.

Returning down to the same way you came through via Phurbe village, but stay on the east bank of the Shiar Khola and cross flat boulder-covered plains to Rachen Gompa (3240m), where it is possible to inspect the ancient gompa. The older part of the nunnery is more interesting Gomba than the others. Most of the families in the Tsum practice at least one member is either Nun or Monk at the monastery. Keep walking down to the south until a bridge crosses to the west bank then descend again to Chhokangparo village. Overnight at a lodge in Chhokangparo.

Move downhill on a narrow track via the village and to a wooden bridge over Shiar Khola. Cross the bridge to reach Domje, and then, ascend steeply on an unclear path through pines and rhododendrons until the path arrives at the Mani wall with prayer flags. Finally, make a vertical twist and climb through a huge pine forest to reach Gumba Lungdang (3200m), a small nunnery on the foothills of the Himalayas. Astonishing view of the Ganesh Himal range and the other Himalayas can be seen from Gumba Lungdang. Overnight at a monastery homestay

Take a pack of picnic and enough water for the day's excursions. Cross Langdang Khola and climb steeply on a rough unclear track through the forest of pines and rhododendrons. Today you may lose the way while very less people hike for Ganesh Himal base camp upon arrival in Landan Kharka, we walk on the parallel moraine of Torogumba Glacier. Walking on the steep, icy, and slippery trails of Torogumba Glacier, we arrive in Torogumba Kharka before reaching Ganesh Himal Base Camp. From the base camp, a breathtaking view of the Ganesh Himal range can be observed. Later, hike back to Gumba Lungdang

Descend to Dumje and cross the Laudang Khola and stay on the south bank of the Shiar Khola. Climb over some very deep gorges and shaky cantilever bridges to picturesque Ripchet. Descend on steep stairs to the lone Bhatti Ghumlong (2130m) at the riverside. Make a climb through the forest to Lokpa village.

Continue descending via Chisopani, Phillim village to Budi Gandaki River bank trail, crossing suspension bridges to Sirdibas, rocky narrow hilly trail, and Sallery then finally to Jagat. Overnight at lodge

Trek downwards via Yaru plant, Tatopani, Khorlabesi to Machhakhola. The evening will be a farewell party for a successful closing

Driving back to Kathmandu from Machhakhola is also another interesting adventure. The route will go through the dusty newly built road to Arughat Bazaar. From here, you will drive towards Gorkha Bazaar or Dhadingbesi. The driver will choose the road according to the conditions of the road news.

Route Map

Useful Info

Tsum valley trekking permit

Tsum valley trek permit from September to November (autumn) will cost USD 40 for the first seven days and USD 7 for each additional days.
Tsum valley trek permit from December to August (winter, spring, and summer) will cost USD 30 for the first seven days and USD

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit Fee:

MCAP Entry Fee for SAARC: NRs.1000 per person
MCAP Entry Fee for other nationals: NRs. 3000 per person

Tsum valley Manaslu Trekking Permits Terms and Conditions:

For children under 10 years of age, no need to apply for permits
Trekkers need permits for MCAP and ACAP
An entry permit is non-refundable as well as non-transferable and valid for the single entry only
The person entering the Conservation Area shall abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 B.S. (1973) and the Regulations made under this Act
Entry Permits will not be issued from any check posts along the trekking routes of the Conservation Areas. It is only available from Kathmandu and Pokhara tourism board office
Entry permits must be carried during the entire trek and should be shown in checkpoint
Above Manaslu trek, permit cost include 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) and all other government taxes