Tsum Valley is a hidden sacred gem of the Himalayas, named from the Tibetan word “Tsombo,” which means vivid. Tucked just off the famous Manaslu Circuit, where the mighty Manaslu peak rises to 8,156 meters as the world’s seventh-highest mountain. With many trekkers calling the Tsum Valley trek one of the finest routes out there, it was opened for trekking in 1992. It begins at Gorkha, going along the Budi Gandaki river towards the north. The roads become a great mountain valley, along with Tibetan valleys and numerous monasteries.
The Tsum Valley trek is a serene part of the Himalayan range, perched on the majesty of the Ganesh Himal, the Sringi Himal, and the Baudha Himal ranges, and the people inhabiting this valley are mostly of Tibetan origin. The streets are strewn with the artistic, colored Buddhist chortens, and the mani walls of thousands of stone slabs carved with deities and prayers are being lined in the streets.
We meet you at the Trek Nepal sales office, where we will provide you with all the information you need regarding the trek. Before the final departure, the same day will be spent meeting with your travelling group for the Tsum Valley trek. Permit sorting out day. 1,350 m.
A scenic route of the Tsum Valley trekking, through terraced hillsides and villages. The road passes by the highs and lows of the hills until the river called Budi Gandaki. We will follow this river for the next ten days. 670 m.
The road cuts across woods and monkeys. We go through huge landscapes of the Shringi Himal. Gurung women are well dressed, wearing beautiful clothes with impressive jewelry and bangles. 860m.
Maccha Khola is a village situated above a stream of the same name in Tsum Valley Nepal. The path here follows the river and ascends to a certain extent, featuring steep routes. 930m.
Up the steep bank of the Budi Gandaki, we climb to Tatopani, the literal meaning of which is hot springs. Up and down, too, along the river, with some legs overhanging huge rapids. 1,410 m.
Jagat to Lakpa in 6 hours. 2,040 m.
This route goes through jungles along the narrow western gorge of Budi Gandaki into Manaslu and by a ridge to a base camp of Ganesh Himal, followed by Chumling (Lower Tsum). We camp overnight at Chumling. The good campsites are available in Chumling. 2,361 m.
From Chumling, we pass to Chhokangparo. The opening of Chhokangparo leads to Upper Tsum Valley Nepal (part of the inner Himalaya). Chhekamparo village is built on a plain land and made up of two villages, viz., Chhekam and Paro. 3,100 m.
We pass Chhokangparo, towards Nile/Chulle. The village is the last one that leads north to the upper Tsum Valley Nepal. Nile is at the west or sun-side of the Shiar Khola, or an almost 20-minute walk opposite Chhule. While following the route, we pass Piren Phu cave (Pigeon cave), located in the Tsum valley Nepal, at 3,360 m.
And here we cross a high plateau in the Tsum valley trekking, and go over the ridge of the lateral moraine. At Nile, the road then gradually ascends to the largest monastery in the locality, Mu Gumba. Mu Gumba is located in the extreme and the most elevated spot in the Tsum Valley. It ranges at an altitude of 3510m, established in 1895 AD. It houses some religious books, and among them, one is the Kangyur. It is a life-sized statue of Avalokiteshwara, and the images of Guru Padmasambhava and Tara. 3,700 m.
We go on the trail to Rachen Gumba, a nunnery, away from Mu Gomba. The nunnery is located in the Shiar Khola Valley. The lowland mountains sit between Nepal and Tibet. Rachen Gompa is the biggest nunnery one can find in the Tsum Valley trek, established in 1905 AD. 3,240 m.
Leaving Rachen Gompa, we’ll be going to Dumje, a small village of eight houses and a cattle shed attached to it. 2,440 m.
Dumje to Philim and Ripchet. On the way, we go through one of the most beautiful falls of the Lower Tsum Valley. 3,200 m.
Trek to Ripcet in 5.5 hours. 2,468 m.
Dobhan is at the meeting point of the Siar Khola and Sarpu Kho rivers that run east and west, respectively. Certainly, the trail of the Tsum Valley leads to Dobhan is rather steep, up and down. 1,070 m.
We pass along terraced fields and tropical falls and finally set up camp in the village. 720 m.
When leaving Lapubesi, our final leg of the Tsum Valley trek is the arrival at Arughat Bazar, 535 m.
After arriving there, you can either go sightseeing in Kathmandu or go a bit shopping, or simply put your feet up. Our Tsum Valley trek comes to an end. 1,350m.
