Overview
Tsum Valley Trek is truly unique. This valley is a very secluded one, situated in the Manaslu Region, near the Tibetan border and is recently opened up for trekkers. And for this reason, a special permit is required to go there. As most of the route is over 3,000m, and the walking days are 5 to 7 hours long, the right level of fitness is required. These two week the trek can be combined with Manaslu Circuit Trek in this region, or, as here, as a stand-alone trek. Starting with a 7-hour drive from Kathmandu, the trek proper starts at Arughat, Sotikhola, a market town for Gorkha and Dhading districts.
The list of what you will encounter Tsum Valley Trek is amazing - pine Forests, riverbanks, waterfalls, suspension bridges, Buddhist gompas, mani walls (stone walls with Buddhist mantras carved into them), delightful villages and Milarepa’s Cave! Milarepa considered one of Tibet’s most famous yogi and poet; he traveled the area setting an example of how to live a Buddhist live circa 1051 when he was born. Those who love Buddhist culture will enjoy visiting the Tsum Valley and meeting monks and nuns and every-day people who practice this philosophy. As well as the mountains, of course! Himalchuli (7,893m), Ganesh Himal (7,140m), Manaslu (8,163m), Churke Himal and the Poshyop Glacier are just some of the giants found in this hidden valley. This trek is almost like a pilgrimage in itself, with a fantastic backdrop of giants.
Highlights of Tsum Valley Trek
- View stunning mountains, including Manaslu and Ganesh Himal
- Wonder at the Poshyop Glacier
- Take fascinating pictures of prayer flags and mani walls
- Follow (some of) the footsteps of Milarepa
- Feel privileged to enter this hidden valley, so near to Tibet
- Own an ancient form of dialect, art, culture, and religion of Tibetan people.
The Cost Includes
- An experienced registered English speaking local trekking guide.
- Porters to carry your main pack during the trek
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek.
- Round local ground transportation to and from trekking.
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis during the trek.
- Food, accommodation salary of the guide and porters.
- All necessary Tsum Valley trekking permits.
- All government taxes.
- Insurance and trekking gear for guide and porters.
The Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu.
- Beverages
- Hot shower, hot water, internet, phone calls, and personal expenses.
- Personal travel insurance
- Nepal visa
- Laundry services.
- Rescue operation charge in case of emergency
- Tips for your guide and porter.
Itinerary
After the early morning breakfast, we will drive towards Soti Khola via Gorkha Arughat. Arughat is the beginning point of our trek. Since the tourist's buses leaving from Kathmandu to Gorkha is inaccessible, we will either take local transport or private jeep. The trip will take 6 to 7 hours drive by a private vehicle while 8 to 9 hours by public jeep.
Through the bank of Budi GandakiRiver, we will pass via Lapubeshi up to Mache Khola. We will walk through the road way near the bank of the river. The trail is flat, and the trek is easy, however, the temperature is hot. Passing right through the fertile territory, we will reach to Lapubeshi. From there we will move towards the villages like NauliKhola, Khani Besi and at last to Mache Khola. We will spend our first night there in a small village where most of the inhabitants are Gurung and Ghale.
Early in the morning, we will head towards Jagat from Mache Khola, which is about 6-7 hours of walk. The route is mixed as some way are flat, and some are uphill while some are downhill. Firstly, we will walk for 1 and a half hours and reach Khorlabesi. Likewise, from Khorla besi we will reach Tatopani within 1 hour of walk. Tatopani is famous for hot spring water. We will take a short hot shower and head towards Dovan, i.e., 1 and a half hours walking. Walking, again for 45 minutes we will reach Yauraphat and Jagat from there walking 1and half hour. Before Jagat and after Yaruphat, we will cross the Cantiler bridge.
Jagat is a wide valley like territory next to Budi Gandaki. It is accompanied by local people with a small school in the middle. The following day, we will head towards restricted area directly after being checked at the check post of Jagat. Jagat is divided into two sections, i.e., upper and lower. The one right after crossing the bridge is lower Jagat from where we will hike up a little bit to reach the Upper Jagat. Upper Jagat is bigger and more congested with a narrow lane on the middle of the village and houses on either side of the trail.
Chekampar is somehow similar to Chumling but people look more neat and clean as well as accommodation is very better. Talking about the trail it is gentle start up to Gho Village from where we will climb steeply through rocky trail toward Chekampar. View of Ganesh Himal looks more fascinating and attracting. Although it is short walk of around four to five hour it is bit difficult because of steep up section in last part of trek.
We will pierce through Lama Gau, Burzi, and Rachen Gompa on next ridge searching Nile Village. Nile and Chule are twin village separated by river on the middle otherwise each and everything looks same in both village about housing, culture, people etc. Nile Chule area is famous for one old Kani on middle of trail that dates centuries back. Depending on time we might explore famous monastery on Chule Village at the top.
Mu-Gompa is not so far from village of Nile as after short walk we can see isolated monastery, which produce monk and Lama and accompanied by male Lama students. Another attraction of Mu –Gompa is Dhephu Doma Gompa, which is inhabited by two old nuns. Overnight in monastery with other Lama, do not forget to join prayers early evening.
Burzi small village on our way to Mu-monastery is just next to Rachen Gompa, which is inhabited by female monks. It is all about descend down from Mu-Gompa to Nile and flat cross-country trail up to Burzi, as it is a valley, i.e. Tsum Valley. Late afternoon we will explore Milarepa cave that is famous for view of kipu, Churke Himal and glacier of Poshyop.
Passing via green valley of Chumling we will descend down to Chekampar further toward Gho Village and finally on Chumling, lower Tsum Valley again. One more night in Chumling before leaving Tsum and descend toward Philim.
From Chumling we will descend down a bit cross a river and hike up again to Lokpa from where we will again descend down and trek a bit flat before reaching Philim. It takes around six to seven hour in total from Chumling to Philim.
Passing via Jagat, Tatopani, Dovan and Yaruphanta we will traverse back to Khorlabeshi. It is also quite long but does not matter as not steeper up and down, entire way flat and gentle downhill trail.
Tracing back same trail, passing via Machhakhola we will reach to Lapubeshi all the way through Budi Gandaki River. Low-level terrain Gurung village we will trek back to Khursane from where one more suspension bridge and back to Soti Khola.
It is about four hour of walk from Arughat to Soti Khola; depending upon situation we might skip this walk and take help of Jeep to retrace back Arughat from where another vehicle is standby to take whole crew back to Kathmandu. Late afternoon we will arrange feedback section for your valuable suggestion as well as experience of Tsum Valley Trek with NEST ADVENTURE.
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