Tsum Valley Trekking

        Tsum Valley Trekking Highlights

• Stunning views of Mt. Ganesh, Manaslu range, Hiunchuli and Poshyop Glacier
• Exploration of pre-Buddhist culture, dialects, art and culture
• Exploration of ancient Rachhen Gompa, Mu Gompa, Milarepa Cave and other sites
•  Close observation of remote Himalayan life

Tsum Valley Trek takes you to the secret Tibetan Buddhist land lying at the edge of Ganesh Himal. The
valley lies along the border with Tibet and is one of the most secluded part of Himalayas. About 4,000
Tsumbas reside in 18 villages. Time has stand still; little has changed and you are rewarded with
fascinating glimpse of bygone era. The geography comprises countless ups and downs; making it fairly
challenging trek.

Very few adventure travelers have made it to this high and isolated valley, which used to be significant
trade route between Nepal and Tibet. The Tsum valley trekking route is relatively less-visited in
comparison to other touristy areas, with relatively virgin and less-trodden trail. Tsum valley was first
opened in 2008 at the request of Tusambas.

Tsumbas are the descendant of Tibetan who are believed to be migrated here centuries ago. They follow
unique culture and form of Buddhism; they speak an ancient dialects and have unique lifestyle. You will
be surprised to witness the practice of polyandry system; where one girl is married to all brothers of
family. But the system is practiced by few families which tend to wealthier than conventional families.
Barley, maize, buckwheat and potatoes are grown on here short growing season. Look out Himalayan
Thars and Bharal along with illusive snow leopards on high slopes.

The major highlights of Tsum Valley  Trekking includes impressive square chortens, clustered stone
houses and ancient religious sites with ancient arts and jaw-dropping views. Mu and ancient Dephyu
Doma Gompas (800 years old) are the final destination and highest permanent habitation of the region.
Notable sites also include Rachen and Gumba Lungdang Nunneries. They warmly welcome visitors to
stay overnight and participate in their evening puga. Fropm Gumba Lungang, a forest trail leads to the
Ganesh Himal Base Camp: and presents superb views of Ganesh Himal to the west and Manaslu to the
east with its surrounding peaks.
Trekkers with more time and strength can combine Tsum valley with Manaslu Trek for more adventure
and discovery!

The Tsum Festivals

Tusm is a destination known for its rich and diverse culture. The lush culture has been preserved in
various forms – fortress, Chortens, Gumpas, houses and temples. Besides architectural uniqueness,
innumerable numbers of fairs and festival are integral part of Tsumbas. Each festival celebrated in Tsum
are unique but enthusiasm, fest and joy are common for these fairs.

“The Lhosar” is the most significant festival celebrated in Tsum valley. It literally signifies the Tibetan
New Year. The local sof the lower Tsum valley celebrates the festival earlier than in the upper reaches.
Likewise, “The Horse Festival” is also important festival in the region. The males of valley participate in
horse race during the day and in the evening, the women performs traditional singing and dancing.
On the full moon day, People celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha – also known as “Happy Saka Dawa”
which means the rituals of enlightenment and Nirvana. According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, if anyone
performs any kind of ritual in this day, the rituals will be multiplied by 100 million time. Thus, you can
witness devotees performing rituals in local monasteries and nunneries with great faith.
The “Fining” festival celebrated in mid-August signifies the internal energy from any kind of food
including water.

Tsum Valley Weather: When to Trek Tsum Valley

When it comes to travelling, weather play a significant role to make your trip memorable or worse one.
The weather in mountains are highly unpredictable, however, the spring and autumn are the statically
best season to visit Tusm valley. This is because, the winter is extremely cold and monsoon receives
heavy downpours inviting the threat of floods and landslides.
The month of January and February are extremely cold with heavy snow showers. Although days
remain clear, nights and mornings are at freezing level. The snows and ices on the approaches will add
more challenge to the trek.
Tsum Valley Weather is at its best in the month of March – May. The weather tends to remain stable
with clear views of Ganesh Himal and Himal Chuli. The colorful rhododendron flowers along the trail add
more dimension to the trek.
The month of July and August do not favor trekkers because the rainfall is at its peak and the trail
becomes slippery.
September – October is the best season to trek Tusm Valley. The climate favorable with clear sky and
stunning  mountain views.

Tsum Valley Trek Difficulties

As the valley is tucked away far amidst of Himalayas, Tsum valley trek presents real challenge that
includes long climb, steep descents, rocky path and remote trail. Therefore trekkers need to be fit and
confident enough to tackle the challenge that the mountain throws on them. The more fit you are, the
trek to the Tsum valley becomes more interesting and enjoyable. This trek is not recommended to the
trekkers with heart and lung disease.

Tsum Valley Trek Permit Cost

The protected area act of Nepal requires foreigners to obtain Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter
certain areas in Nepal. The restriction is imposed to protect the fragile ecology and culture.
Tsum valley is restricted for trekking and you need to obtain RAP Permits. You also need to purchase
MCAP and ACAP.

Permit cost details

September – November – USD 70 person per week and USD 10 per person for each additional day
December – August – USD 50 per person per week and USD 7 per day per person for each Additional day
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit) – USD 20 or convertible foreign currency
MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit) – USD 20 or convertible foreign currency
Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit Rules
· You must have a valid passport with at least six month of expiry date
· You must process for permit through the authorized local trekking/travel agency
· You must accompany an authorized guide or porter on trek
· You must be at least two in a group (excluding your guide or porter)

• Arrival in Katmandu. we will meet you at the airport and Transfer to Hotel.
• Kathmandu valley sightseeing and prepare for trekking.
•  Drive to Machhakhola 930m
• Machhakhola – Jagat 1440m
• Jagat -Lokpa 2240m
• Lokpa – Chumling 2863m
• Chumling – Chhokangparo 3070m.
• Chhokangparo- Nile
• Nile Rest Days
• Nile – MuGumpa 3700m. explore the Monastery and back to Nile.
• Nile – Chhokangparo
• RChhokanparo – Chumling
• Chumling – Filim
• Filim -Doban
• Doban- Machhakhola
• Machhakhola to By bus Kathmandu
• Departure from Nepal or extend your holiday.

• Arrival in Katmandu.
  One of our representatives will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel.
• Kathmandu valley sightseeing and prepare for trekking.
  After breakfast, we will have an amazing sightseeing trip to Swayambhunath (Monkey temple), Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath temple, Durbar Squares of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu with many more cultural as well as historical places. Later afternoon comprises short briefing and final preparation for the trek.
• Kathmandu  – Machhakhola  by  Jeep (930m, 7 hour drive)
  The track engorges above the edges and descends on a precipitous path that remained to the wall of a cliff. It subsequently goes down and passes rice paddies before rising towards the gorgeous Gurung community of Labubesi. In addition, the valley unbolts and the pathway inclines against gravel reservoir next to the river and reaches to Machha Khola village which literally means Fish River and stay overnight. And we can view Ganesh Himal (7000m) from the river area.
• Machhakhola – Jagat 1440m
  Today, our route consists of trifling ups and downs, moving across the Thado Khola with frequent dropping down to the gravel lump and walking through a rocky vale to Khorlabesi. Later we reach to Tatopani which is very famous for its hot spring which is considered to be cure for different allergies associated to skin. We then climb a ridge and come across the Budhi Gandaki River through a suspension bridge and reach Dobhan. In a while, the trail escorts us to east bank, a suspension bridge (93m long) over Yaru Khola, and ascends rocky set of steps up and to the river again before hiking to the Thado Bharyang. We cross to the west bank of Budhi Gandaki River, climb an edge and go behind the river tenderly upward and finally reach to Jagat village and stay overnight.
• Jagat -Lokpa 2240m ( 5, 6 hour)
  Today our destination is Lokpa. The early part of trek goes  gently uphill and then follows a flat leveled path. You cross a suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki before you enter Philim. Philim is a big village mainly inhabited by the Gurungs. From Philim, you climb a gradual uphill where we stop for lunch at Ekle Bhatti.  Lokpa is the first village as you enter the Tsum valley.
• Lokpa – Chumling 2863m ( 4, 5 hour)
  You take an ascending route to reach Chumling stopping for lunch along the way. Chumling is located on the south face of the Shingri Himal. This day you enjoy a pleasant visit to the Gombas of Chumling. It’s a bit challenging as it is an ascending path the entire way. Visit Chumling village which is quite interesting and  over night at  Lokpa.
• Chumling – Chhokangparo 3070m.
  We start our trouble-free day with a crossover through a suspension bridge and new-fangled jungle escalating above a topical landslide. Higher up, we can even have tremendous views of the Ganesh Himal. Further than Rainjam, the path goes down to come across the Sarpu Khola that draws off the Syakpa Glacier from Sringi Himal, 7101m to the north side. And shortly we ascend for about 2-5 hours, on a bare pathway, to Upper Tsum Valley and associated communities of Paro and Chhokang usually called as Chhokangparo and stay overnight. Now, the gorge spread out and stone houses located underneath cliffs make complete use of the large paddock for maize, barley, potatoes and buckwheat. We can view Himalchuli (7893m) on the west.
• Chhokangparo- Nile
  Today, we travel around the linked villages and rise north where the trail passes all the way through petite villages, then climbs up to an edge with Chortens prior to passing from Lamagaon (3020m). Before the Burji village, a track to the north leads us to Milarepa’s Cave (Pigeon Cave) where several Buddhists were believed to have meditated. In a while, we crossover the Siyar Khola through Rachen Gompa and finally arrive at Nile. In addition, an overpass leads us to the ultimate mount to Nile and stay overnight.
• Nile Rest Day
  We had some exhausting travel for last 10 days therefore; today we will have a day off.
• Nile – MuGumpa 3700m. Explore the Monastery and back to Nile.
  Early morning, we begin our journey with a walk to Mu Gompa, the biggest monastery in the area, through desiccated Tibetan landscape – along with paddle of extensive mountain panorama. The sacred stupa is positioned at the uppermost and extreme end in Tsum valley. On three regions, we can observe the outstanding views of Tibetan border and three passes time and again used for trade by the Tsumbas. We can even see widespread seasonal yak meadows, Lungdang Glacier to the east side and towering mountains in every direction. Soon after, we return back to Nile for an overnight stay.
• Nile – Chhokangparo
  Today, we will stopover at Rachen Gompa from Phurba and rejoin the path to Chhokangparo at Ngakyu Leru. We will stay overnight at Chhokangparo.
• Chhokangparo – Chumling
  
• Chumling – Filim
  
• Filim -Doban
  
• Doban- Machhakhola
• Machakhola to Kathmandu by Jeep
  This is a pleasing expedition. While driving, we move up to Dhading Besi and then to Malekhu famously known for delicious fish. While traveling, we can take pleasure of the green sceneries, mountain views, vegetable fields, rice terrace fields, and the local ethnic tribe. Tonight we will stay at hotel in Kathmandu.
• Departure from Nepal or extend your holiday.
  Today is the final day of the voyage in Nepal. Our representative will take you to the airport for the last departure.