Tsum Valley Trek

Trip Overview

Discover the secret Tibetan Buddhist land lying at the edge of one of the most secluded Himalayan valleys. Tsum Valley is one of world's remotest Himalayan Valleys which was also a restricted region until recently. The trek to Tsum Valley takes you into the majestic surroundings of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal ranges. The region once being part of Tibet looks completely different from what you will find elsewhere. The people of Tsum Valley or the Tsumbas belong to Tibetan origin with their own ancient form of dialect, art, culture and religion. Very few adventure travelers have made it to this high and mysterious valley, which used to be an important trade link with Tibet. In the initial days, we trek the route of Around Manaslu Trek or the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The Tsum Valley lies on the northern part of Manaslu and used to be a restricted area until 2008. The region is still less exposed in comparison to other touristy areas, with relatively virgin and less beaten paths in comparison to the more popular regions. The Tsum people have their own way of family life, which may be quite surprising for many outsiders. All the brothers in the family are married to a single girl, what you may call a practice of polyandry.

The trek starts and end point is Arughat, a seven hours drive from Kathmandu. The first half of the trek ascends the Budhi Gandaki Valley on good paths through a mix of dense forest, terraced fields and hill villages. As we leave the main Manaslu Trail for the Tsum valley, suddenly we get a feeling of entering truly into the hidden valley. While on the trek, we also pass through the alpine forests, glacial rivers, and enjoy the warm hospitality of ethnic people. Pass the lower Buri Gandaki regions of Liding, Machhakhola, Jagat and Philim. We also visit the ancient Gombas of the region such as: Rachen Gompa,Mu Gompa, Dephyudonma Gompa

Highlights

  • Explore the Manaslu National Park
  • Good views of Mount Manaslu
  • Word's remotest village
  • Tibetan buddhist culture
  • Rich variety of flora and fauna
  • Unique culture with varied customs

Trip Map

Tsum Valley Trek Map

Short itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu - Arugath Bazar (550 m, 1805 ft) - Soti Khola (700 m, 2296 ft) 7-8 hrs

Day 2 Soti Khola (700 m, 2296 ft) - Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) 6 hours

Day 3: Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) - Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) 7-8 hours

Day 4: Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) – Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) 7 hrs

Day 5: Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) - Chumling (2385 m, 7824 ft) 5 hrs

Day 6: Chumling (2385 m, 7824 ft) - Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) 4-5 hrs

Day 7: Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) - Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) 6-7 hrs

Day 8: Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) - Mu Gompa (3700 m, 12139 ft) 4 hrs – Back to Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) 2 hrs

Day 9: Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) – Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) 5-6 hrs

Day 10: Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) – Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) 6 hrs

Day 11: Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) – Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) 6-7 hrs

Day 12: Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) - Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) 5-6 hrs

Day 13: Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) - Soti Khola (700 m, 2296 ft) 3 hrs trekking, drive back to Kathmandu

Detail Itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu - Arugath Bazar (550 m, 1805 ft) - Soti Khola (700 m, 2296 ft) 7-8 hrs. We will be driving to Sotikhola through Arughat Bazar. Total distance is about 170km. Arughat Bazaar (670m), a clustered settlement on both sides of the Budhigandaki river linked by a suspension bridge. It is the popular trade centre in the region. Drive further towards Soti Khola. Overnight in Soti Khola.

Day 2: Soti Khola (700 m, 2296 ft) - Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) 6 hours. After breakfast we will start the trek by crossing a bridge the trail passes through beautiful Sal forest. Then we climb into a ridge above huge rapids of the Budhigandaki. We will pass a number of small villages. We will climb further behind the outcrop until you reach a wide valley at the confluence where a large tributary mixes at the Budhigandaki river. You will descend along the wide sandy riverbed. Cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight in Machha Khola.

Day 3: Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) - Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) 7-8 hours. We will cross a stream named Machha Khola. The trail is full of ups and downs. After crossing the another stream called Thadokhola you will head upstream to the tiny village of Khorlabesi. After few more ups and down we will come across a small hot spring in Tatopani. The route now switches to the left bank of the river through a suspension bridge. Climbing on a wide, well-crafted staircase you will finally reach tea house at Doban after crossing a short section of forest. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we will climb again over a ridge, trek along the river and ascend towards beautiful village of Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.

Day 4: Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) – Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) 7 hrs. After ending with the ACAP procedure, we tend to climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and so descend to Sirdibas. The herbal melancholy widens a touch because the course continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a protracted simple putting bridge. Climb up to Philim, an outsized gurung village. Philim herbal depression is frequent for Japanese created faculty and station. Walk previous Philim to the north across a woodland with the views of the narrowing herbal melancholy and stroll up north from Gum Afghan monetary unit we have a tendency to attain Lokpa. Night at Lokpa.

Day 5: Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) - Chumling (2385 m, 7824 ft) 5 hrs. The Chumling village is a small Buddhist village and has less number of habitants. The village is well-known as there is a monastery and it presents a picturesque view of the majestic Ganesh Himal. To attain Chumling, we descend through green forests, move bridges and climb sturdy but frightening stairs. We ascend north through pine forests and steep slopes. With each step, the Tsum valley displays itself. Be careful whilst crossing the wooden bridge of Shiar Khola as the bridge is dangerous.

Day 6: Chumling (2385 m, 7824 ft) - Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) 4-5 hrs. From Chumling the time if for  Chhokangparo (Upper Tsum) trekking. Upper Tsum valley opens from Chhokangparo. Chhokangparo is a tiny village positioned on flat surface and has two villages Paro & Chhekam. From the village, we can have a majestic view in the south and Buddha Himal and Hiunchuli in the south west.

Day 7: Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) - Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) 6-7 hrs. From Chhokangparo we will trek to Nile/ Chulle which is located in the western facet of Shiar Khola. This is the last village in the top Tsum valley. On the way we will go to Piren Phu cave which is additionally one of the holiest caves in the Tsum valley. The cave is positioned in the foot of rocky cliff near the village of Burji. A well-known Tibetan saint name Milarepa was believed to have pondered here. The location has two separate gumbas delivered to the rocky cave which have Buddhist murals painted, wonderful inventive scripts carved on stones, lengthy prayer flags and good sized Buddhist paper scripts making this cave socio-cultural asset in the valley. The cave gives mind-boggling view of Shiar Khola, Rachen Gumba and beautiful settlements in the middle of extensive agricultural land.

Day 8: Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) - Mu Gompa (3700 m, 12139 ft) 4 hrs – Back to Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) 2 hrs. We will head for Mu Gompa which is the final destination of our trekking. Basically it will take 3-4 hrs from Nile to Mu Gompa. We need to go through wide mountain vistas and numerous chortens. The Gompa lies on the highest and at the most remote part of the Tsum Valley. At the monastery, you can see monks busy in their daily routine and the breath-taking view of the border of Tibet. After exploring Mu Gompa, we will then head back to Nile.

Day 9: Nile (3361 m, 11026 ft) – Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) 5-6 hrs. From Nile, we will now trek down for Chhokang Paro about 5-6 hrs. This day we can enjoy glimpses of the Punchen Himal which is unique in shape. This day we continue our descent by retracing the path from our ascent . We will stay night at Chhokang Paro.

Day 10: Chhokang Paro (3031 m, 9944 ft) – Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) 6 hrs. Early in the morning we will have decent trekking to Lokpa. On the way, we will explore beautiful village of Philim. We will have decent trail all the way to Lokpa while crossing several pine and fir forests on the way. Many wildlife can also be seen on the way. We will stay that night at Lokpa.

Day 11: Lokpa (2240 m, 7349 ft) – Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) 6-7 hrs. We continue our decent trekking from Lokpa to Jagat. We will explore Gurung village on the way to Jagat. Walking about 2-3 hours from Lokpa to Jagat we will have many southwest, waterfalls, and many species.

Day 12: Jagat (1340 m, 4396 ft) - Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) 5-6 hrs. The trekking trails are easy as we are descending towards Machhakhola for 5-6hrs passing the Gurung and Brahmin village and crystal clear water falls makes the trekking more fun. We will stay overnight at guest houses or homestay.

Day 13: Machhakhola (869 m, 2851 ft) - Soti Khola (700 m, 2296 ft) 3 hrs trekking, drive back to Kathmandu. This is the last day of trekking where will have decent trekking from Machhakhola to Soti Khola and end at Arugath Bazar and we drive back to Kathmandu.

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes:

  • Public Transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as per itinerary.
  • 3 meals per day during the trek (breakfast, lunch & dinner) including the coffee and tea.
  • Accommodation in tea houses or in tents as per itinerary during the trek.
  • Highly experienced Government licensed guide and necessary porters during the trek.
  • Tsum Valley permit US$40/week
  • Manaslu Convervation Area Fee
  • TIMS
  • Proper Insurance of all staff including porters.
  • Government / Local taxes, Tourist service charge, guide / porter insurance and salary, general equipment, national park and conservation area fees.

Cost Exclude:

  • International airfares
  • Trekking equipment
  • Major meals, lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
  • Any type of personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages and drinks, phone and laundry.
  • Nepal entry visa fee; A single-entry visa valid for 15/30/90 days costs US$25/40/100 - you may easily obtain the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport - Kathmandu.
  • Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal effects. We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.
  • Tips & Gratuities

Date & Price

Date and price

Useful Info

Useful Info

Price from US$1100 per perosn
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Trip Facts

  • Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
  • Best season: February, March, April, May, October, November
  • Per day walking: 7 hours in average
  • Type of trek: Hotel and Lodge
  • General Duration: 13 days
  • Maximum Altitude: 3700m

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