Tsum Valley Trek (17 Days)

Tsum Valley TrekThe Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in northern Gorkha district of Nepal. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word "Tsombo" which means vivid. The trail heads up the valley of the Budi Gandaki River through wild and unexplored country inhabited mainly by members of the Gurung ethnic groups. Good cup of the local cultivated natural coffee and Tatopani hot springs will help you to relax on this intensive trial.

Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalaya) open from Chhokangparo, where hospitable local people (Tibetan group "Tsombo") welcome you with traditional Tibetan Chiya (butter tea) and local meal. The Tsum Valley is extremely rich in cultural assets. The valley is dotted with gompas (Buddhist monasteries), chortens and mani walls. The longest mani walls (over 250m) are at Dzong and Phurpe. The valley preserves steps of the great Buddhist Yogi Chyuchin Milarepa and story about Guru Padmasambhava circumbulation. The people here never slaughter animals, even as sacrifice to the gods. The Tsum Valley is surrounded by the Buddha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the North.

Trip Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. And as your plane hits the tarmac, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Welcome drinks will be served and over night at your hotel.
Day 02: From Kathmandu drive to Arughat Bazaar by bus (7-8 hrs) and trek to Arkhet Bazar (2 hrs)
We take a 7- 8 hrs bus ride to Arughat bazaar in Gorkha district. The village of Arughat is in two parts, on opposite sides of the Buri Gandaki. Arughat Bazaar is large, clean and prosperous with hotels and shops selling cloth, food and hardware.
From the bus stop we trek for two hours to Arkhet bazaar. We pass through Gurung and Magar villages and terraced fields along the way.

Day 03: Arkhet Bazar to Machha Khola (6 hrs)
From Arkhet Bazaar we take the trail to Machha Khola. Machha Khola is a village situated above a stream with the same name. We set up camp at a good campsite.

Day 04: Machha Khola to Yaru khola (6 hrs)
From Macha Khola we trek to Yaru Khola. The village of Yaru Khola at 1,330m has a good campsite near the Buri Gandaki river. The river meanders serenely among gravel bars.

Day 05: Yaru khola to Lokpa (6-7 hrs)
from Yaru Khola we trek to Lokpa. Lokpa is the first village as you enter the Tsum Valley. The local people are farmers and grow potatoes, gucchi mushrooms and soya beans.

Day 06: Lokpa to Chumling (Lower Tsum) (4-5 hrs)
From Lokpa we trek to Chumling Tanjo. We can see the Baudha Himal(6672m) and Ganesh Himal VI on a clear day. Chumling has three monasteries: Panago Gumba, Mani Dhungyur and Gurwa Gumba. There are also several good campsites. There is a telephone service and health post too.

Day 07: Chumling to Chhokangparo (Upper Tsum) (7 hrs)
From Chumling we trek to Chhokangparo. Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalaya) open from Chhokangparo, where hospitality local people (Tibetan group “Tsombo”) welcome you with traditional Tibetan Chiya (butter tea) and local meal.

Day 08: Chhokangparo to Nile/Chhule, visit Milarepa Piren Phu Cave on the way (4-5 hrs)
From Chhokangparo we trek to Nile/ Chulle. This is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum Valley. Nile is on the western , sun-side of the Shiar Khola, about 20 minutes walk across from Chhule.
On the way we pass the Piren Phu cave. Piren Phu(pigeon cave) is one of the most sacred caves in the Tsum valley. It is located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. Milarepa, the famous Tibetan saint, was believed to have meditated here. There are two separate gumbas attached to the rocky cave.  Richly painted Buddhist murals, excellent artistic scripts carved on stones, long prayer flags and significant Buddhists paper scripts make this cave one of the most important socio-cultural asset in the valley.
Beautiful views can be had of the Shiar Khola, Rachen Gumba , the mountains and settlements amidst vast agricultural land.

Day 09: Nile/Chhule to Mu Gompa (3700 m), visit Dhephyudonma Gompa (4060 m) (4-5 hrs)
Dephyudonma gumba is one of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley and is situated in the  rugged mountains, a 2 hr walk from the village of Chhule and Nile. The history of this monastery is directly associated with the dawn of Buddhism in the valley.The monastery is run by Lama Serap of Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sect. There are a few campsites and dinking water facilities.

Day 10: Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa, visit Gonhgye Gompa (Nyigma-pa Buddhist sect) (5 hrs)
The trail ascends to Mu Gumba, the largest monastery in the region. Mu Gumba is located at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum Valley.On the way to Mu Gumba

Day 11: Rachen Gompa to Dumje (6-7 hrs)
Rachen Gumba is one of the largest nunneries in the Tsum Valley, with 80 nuns currently studying.It was established in 1905AD.Iyt houses the nuns belonging to Ngak-pa sect, which does not allow animal slaughter.Dhumje is a small village with about eight houses and adjoining cattle shed.

Day 12: Dumje to Philim (cross Ripchet) (7-8 hrs)
From Dumje we trek to Philim and cross Ripchet. on the way we witness one of the most beautiful falls in the Lower Tsum Valley, Samba Tingding Chhupyang. Phillim, at 1550m, is a large Gurung village with fields of corn and millet. The trail that climbs through the village and heads up over the ridge leads to Ganesh Himal Base camp.

Day 13: Philim to Tatopani (7-8 hrs)
From Phillim we trek to Tatopani. There is a hot spring at Tatopani. You can relieve your tired muscles by soaking yourself in the hot spring.

Day 14: Tatopani to Lapubeshi (6-7 hrs)
From Tatopani we trek to Lapubeshi, a Gurung Village. We pass through terraced fields and tropical waterfalls. We camp at the village.

Day 15: Lapubeshi to Arughat Bazar (5-6 hrs)
As we make our way from Lapubeshi to Arughat Bazar, we come to the last leg of our journey.

Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu by bus (6-7 hrs)
We drive to Kathmandu.

Day 17: Depart Kathmandu

Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, do some wild-water rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking, etc- please contact us).

TRIP FACTS

Trip duration: 17 Days

Grade: Moderate

Maximum altitude: 4060m

Activity: Sightseeing/Pilgrimage & Trekking

Starts in: Kathmandu

Ends in: Kathmandu

Trek type: FOT (Fully Organized Trek or Camping Trek)

Accommodation: Hotel and Camping

Meals: Hotel / tented camps

Transportation: Private car or tourist bus

Region: Manaslu / Langtang

Others: Entrance without licensed guide prohibited.

TRAVEL DATES

No fixed dates. Best Season for travel is October to December and April to June

Our Trip Package Includes:

  • Daily itinerary as described,
  • All inclusive camping or lodge trek with English speaking guide and porters
  • All meals on trek, tea,
  • All fees and land transportation,
  • Coffee and boiled water
  • Camping gear such as twin sharing tent, mattress, toilet tent,
  • Dinning/kitchen tent,
  • Necessary staff.

Not Includes

  • Bottled beverages,
  • Tips,
  • Items of a personal nature,
  • Delay due to weather,
  • Equipment failure or situations beyond our control.

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P. O. Box.: 19538, Thamel, Kathmandu , Nepal

Tel.: +977-1-4255715 / 4255702
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