Tsum Valley lies on the Gorkha district of western Nepal at an altitude of 2000m to 3500m. The Tsum Valley lies inside the jurisdiction of the Manaslu Conservation Area which is northern part of Manaslu near the Tibetan border. Tsum Valley Trek is culturally rich and geographically diversified area. It is one of the most isolated valleys for trekking with less crowd and enrich authenticity of Tibetan culture and lifestyle which also provides spectacular views of high mountains. Trekking in Tsum Valley we can see inhabitants of Tsum Valley who closely follow Tibetan-style Buddhism and culture. Here we can explore the secret Tibetan Buddhist land lying on the edge of the most secluded Himalayan valleys.
Trekking in Manaslu Circuit & Tusm Valley requires Special Restricted Area permit from Immigration and this valley was restricted amongst travellers till 2008. Close to the Tibet Border people here follow Tibetan-style Buddhism and culture. Also, the villagers are keen to their culture and we can see many beautiful and old monasteries (Gompas): Ani Gompa, Tsum Gompa, Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa and so on. where Rachen and Mu Gompa are the most important monastery of this region related to Buddhist monk Milarepa. During this trek, we can visit monks and lamas as we pass through the monasteries. Here, trekking in Tsum valley we can visit the caves where ancient Buddhist scholar and yogi Milarepa meditated 100s of years ago.
Along with the enriched Tibetan culture and tradition here we can see remotest Himalayan valleys and breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal, Himchuli Himal, Mount Manaslu, Shringi Himal, Boudha Himal and so on. We can also enjoy our trek as we pass through the pine and rhododendron forest, pristine valleys, caves and rivers. We will also have to cross the high suspension and cantilever bridges during the trek.
The Tsum Valley Trek begins from Machha Khola, crossing the Budhi Gandaki valley, pine and rhododendron forests we head towards Jagat, where we will have to show Special Restricted Area permit to head further. From there we will head to Lokpa, then reach Chumling, Chokangparo, Nile, Mu Gumba, Rechen Gompa, explore around Gumba Langdang and then return back to Kathmandu via drive from Machha Khola.
Trekking in Tsum Valley requires at least 2 people as per the rules of Immigration of Nepal to issue Special Restricted Area permit. Also, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) is required to trek in this region. The best time to trek in Tsum Valley is in Spring (March – May) and Autumn (September – November). This trek is suitable for the ones who have few experiences of trekking and hiking (Grade: Moderate).
Inquire our team (Asian Adventure Treks & Expedition) for booking, cost details and more information related to the Manaslu Circuit & Tusm Valley Trekking.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our correspondent who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Once checked in, we will arrange a pre-trip meeting where we will brief in short about the trek, answer any queries you have and meet your trekking guide as well. After the short brief, you can relax and spend rest of the day at your leisure.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Today we will have to prepare for the permit for Manaslu Circuit Trek. While the permit being prepared guest can explore around the Kathmandu city and visit UNESCO Listed World Heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath today.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and prepare to begin our journey towards Soti Khola via Arughat Bazaar which takes about 9/10 hours’ drive. On the way to Soti Khola we will enjoy various scenery of hills, traditional houses, locals, rivers and landscapes.
Soti Khola is a small village situated in the Gorkha district, in the north-central part of Nepal inhabited by the Gurung community which is one of the main ethnic groups of Nepal.
Stay overnight at the lodge.
This day after having breakfast in the morning we will head towards Jagat which takes about 7 hours of walk.
We will begin our walk by crossing suspension bridge of Maccha Khola and then walking gentle uphill trial we will reach Khola Bensi and then Tatopani, natural hot spring. Then again walking ascending forest trial along the Sal trees we will reach Doban. As we reach Doban we have to descend towards Budhi Gandaki River and again cross suspension bridge of Lauri. From Lauri, again climbing uphill trial we will reach a traditional village settlement and our destination for the day, Jagat.
Jagat is a beautiful village surrounded by the mountains and picturesque landscapes. This village was hugely impacted by the earthquake in April 2015, but trekking routes have been well restored already. We can observe many locals, terraced farming, rural lifestyle here in village of Jagat.
Stay overnight at the lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and then begin our second day of the trek. At first, we will have to register our permits in Jagat and then begin our trek. We will follow the route of Manaslu trek untill Nak Phedi and then we walk towards right side to follow Tsum valley trial and reach Lokpa.
Today we will follow rivers and streams passing through forest also climb rocky ridge to reach Salleri. From Salleri, we can see amazing view of Mount Sringi. Then after we descend to reach Sirdibas. From here we will cross Budhi Gandaki River and enter Philim. Philim is a beautiful village settlement of Gurung people (one of the major ethnic groups of Nepal). Crossing Philim we reach Ekle Bhatti and walking through straight trail until we reah Nak Phedi. From Nak Phedi we can see gate of Tsum Valley from where we will walk uphill trial all the way to Lokpa. Lokpa is the entry point of Tsum Valley trek.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and then begin our trek to Chumling which takes about 5-6 hours.
At first, we will descend towards Lungwa River valley walking along the Rhododendron, pine and juniper forest. We will also have to cross landslide area as we descend downhill. After that we have to cross canti lever bridge and then climb steep uphill along the Rhododendron Forest for about 2.5 hours until we reach another suspension bride. As we cross suspension bridge, walking another 40 minutes uphill trial we will reach Chumling. We will have lunch in Chumling after that we will explore around the village.
There are 3 important Tibetan monasteries: Gurwa Gompa, Mani Dhumgyur and The Panago Gompa. Also, we can see beautiful view of Ganesh Himal from Chumling.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the early morning and then head towards Chokangparo which takes about 5-6 hours. Chokangparo is also called as Chekampar.
Today’s trial we will head towards the Upper Tsum valley. At first, we will have to walk straight trial passing through the Tibetan villages for about 2.5 hours till Rhenjam. After that we will have to climb uphill through the alpine & rhododendron forest for about 30 minutes till Gho. We can have lunch here in Gho or continue the trek. From here we have to walk total uphill trail for about 2 hours crossing landslide, and reach Chauri (Yak) Kharka. Now moving forwards, we can see Stupas and Statue of Guru Rinpoche. The stupa indicated the starting point of
Chokangparo. Chokangparo has 2 settlements, 1st Chokang and 2nd Paro. As we reach towards Chokang paro we can see houses and people more like Tibet as the settlement started by people coming from Tibet centuries ago. Here, we can experience flat land and see people harvesting in terrace farming also see yaks grazing on the way.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in morning and then trek towards Nile which takes approx 4 hours along the straight trials. Nile village lies in the western side of Tsum and is also the last village on the north of Upper Tsum valley. Afer resting in Nile for a while, we will ascend for another 2 hours to explore Mu Gompa, which is one of the main destination of Tsum Valley.
At first, we will begin our trek walking for about 15 minutes and then walking straight trials for about 1 hour we will reach Lamagaun. We will visit Tsum monastery in Lamagaun and also Milarepa Cave which has belief that Buddhist yogi and scholar named Milarepa meditated during his travel period in 11th century as his footprints are imprinted on this cave.
As we trek on straight trail for another 2 hours, we reach Chule. From Chule, we walk through the fertile and narrow landscape and again we can see 2 more Gompas (monastery), with imprint of Buddhist murals and artistic scripts written on the stone. We can stay here in Chule or in another 10 minutes’ walk crossing suspension bridge on the Shair Khola and we will arrive Nile village.
From Nile, we will have to walk through the little straight trial and uphill trial for about 2 hours to reach Mu Gumba. We will reach one of the oldest monasteries named: Dephyudonma Gumba (monastery) and from there again walking uphill trial we will reach Mu Gumba. Mu Gumba is very close to Tibet, and we can meet monks (lamas).
Mu Gumba Gumba is most famous monastery established in 1895 surrounded by the housing of lamas, monks who come for praying and meditation. Here we can find many ancient treasures like 125 years old traditional stone sculpture of Lord Buddha, religious books, old Thangka paintings along with a life-size statue of Avalokiteshwara, and portraits of Buddhist master Guru Padmasambhava. There is very basic accommodation in Mu Gompa, so we can also return back to Nile or stay overnight in Mu Gompa. It takes about 2 hours to return back to Nile. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and we will head towards Rechen Gompa which takes about 3-4 hours.
We will continue our trek to Chhule and then descend towards Phurbe village (one of the oldest villages of Tusm) and from there we will walk on the east bankside of Siyar Khola and walk again along the rocky plain trials to reach Rechen Gompa. It is a monastery situation in the Shiar Khola valley which lies in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. As we reach Rechen gompa, we will explore the monastery. This Gompa was built in 1905 A.D. and has the Buddhist murals related to Buddhism. After exploring the monastery, we will move towards Lama Gaun which takes about 30 minutes.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and head towards Gumba Langdang which takes about 8 hours. We have to walk downhill for about 3 hours untill white Gumba at Gho (2485 m). We will have lunch here as there are no villages or lunch camp in between. From Gho, we again descend down and reach wooden bridge in other 15 minutes. Now, the trekking trial will change as we cross Siyar Khola bridge, we will reach Domje. From Domje we will have to walk uphill trials towards east along the rhododendron, pine and juniper forest passing mani walls and prayer flags on the way for about 4 hours and reach Gumba Lagdang. From here, we can see beautiful and amazing view of mountains Ganesh Himal Range.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 6 hours. The road is downhill to Dumje, where we must cross the Langdang Khola River and after walking through several hanging bridges and pine forests we arrive at Chumling.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 6 hours. Walking through mostly downhill and slightly uphill trail we will reach Deng. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 7 hours. We will walk along Budhigandaki river side, on the way we will cross few villages and suspension bridges over Budhigandaki river.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk through pine forest and cross suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki river. We will cross several villages and terraced wheat and potato fields. After walking 6 hours from Ghap we will reach Lo Gaun.
Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 3 hours. On the way we will walk through pine forest, cross several settlements. We will see good views of Manaslu Himalayan range. In the afternoon we will reach Samagaun and stroll around the area.
Stay overnight at lodge.
We will visit Monastery, Ice fall and lake, hike around the area or long day trip to Manaslu base camp. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 3 hours. We will walk through slightly uphill trail to reach Samdo. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 3 hours. Crossing few river streams in the afternoon we will reach Dharmasala. After having lunch stroll around the area, Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 7 hours. Wake up early in the morning cross Larke Pass (5200 m), after that walk through downhill trail to Bhimtang. From the pass we can have beautiful views of Himlung, Annapurna II, Lamjung himal and many others. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will walk for about 5 hours. We will walk through Rhododendron and pine forest. Cross suspension bridges over Dudhkhola river and Marshyangdi river near Tilje. In the evening we will reach Dharapani. Overnight at lodge.
This day we will descend from Tilje to Dharapani whcih takes about 3-4 hours. Upon reaching in Dharapani, we will have lunch and then drive from Dharapani to Besisahar along the country road and reach in about 3.5 hours.
Overnight at hotel in Besisahar.
After having breakfast in the hotel, we will drive from Besisahar to Kathmnadu whcih takes about 5-6 hours in private vehicle and 7 hours in private vehicle. We can enjoy the scenery, landscape on our drive back to Kathmandu.
If we have extra day then we can go for tour to Pokhara or Chitwan and enjoy our holiday and get to explore different landscape, jungle and nature..
Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
This day you will be free for various activities such as shopping ,sightseeing and etc. Overnight at hotel.
Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu before departure. At your scheduled departure time, our correspondent will pick you up from the hotel, transfer you to the airport, and bid you farewell with warm hearts.