Tsum Valley Trek

16 Days

Overview

Tsum Valley of Happiness, known in the early centuries, from the ancient Tibetan language script ‘Beyul Kyimolung’. Tsum Valley remained a forbidden, and a newly discovered Shangri-La for centuries. It then opened in 2008 to the outside world, an unexplored country. Where few groups of trekkers often venture due to its remote locations beyond the massif Ganesh and Manaslu Himalayan ranges.

Trekkers in search of a fresh new Himalayan destination, Tsum Valley will be the perfect choice and options. Tsum Valley offers great religious and archaeological relics intact with its traditional heritage and cultures.

Visitors can witness the medieval time era of farm life and activities, which still exists. Make Tsum Valley an exclusive and quite different from other mainstream trekking trails.

Tsum Valley Trekking is located in the North Mid-West, around the Central Himalayas, in the remote pockets of Gorkha district. As well as towards the north of Mt. Manaslu and close behind the massive peaks of Ganesh Himal.

Tsum Valley Trekking, the first and last part of the journey leads on the same trail of famous Manaslu Circuit. Then the routes to Tsum Valley divert heading further northeast, leaving the main trail towards an isolated and remote country.

Where old traditional villages steeped with age-old heritage cultures are located, the walks follow from lower warm farm areas. Then the trail heads towards cooler mid-hills covered in lush green forest of tall rhododendrons, pines, and fir trees.

As the adventure progresses from a lovely village to another interesting settlement to reach Mu Gompa. Which is the main highlight and final destination of Tsum Valley Trekking. During the walk heading ups and downs and crossing several exciting bridges along with magnificent views of snow-capped peaks.

Trekkers will experience delightful moments from local culture and customs, scenic walks, and gorgeous snow-mountain views. On reaching Mu Gompa, after spending pleasant overnights in local simple and homely lodge accommodations en route. At Mu Gompa the highest point of the adventure and the main goal of the journey. Have time to visit the monastery interior enriched with ancient idols and monuments of famous saints, and gurus. Including statues of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha with vibrant religious art and paintings on walls and frescos. Mu Gompa is also situated on the old Trans Himalayan Trade Route of Nepal and South-West Tibet.

After a glorious moment amidst towering snow peaks and scenic landscapes in the shadow of age-old heritages and cultures. The return journey on the same interesting trail to end the trek at Maccha-Khola Village.

For an early next morning exciting drive back to Kathmandu, after a marvelous experience on Tsum Valley Trekking.

Tsum Valley Trek Highlights

  • Explore the newly opened areas around the hidden corners of Mid-West Nepal.
  • Enjoy the exciting trek following the scenic and cultural route to Tsum Valley.
  • Tsum Valley of Happiness where walks leads beyond Ganesh and Manaslu Himal.
  • Adventure on a pristine location far from the maddening crowd of civilization.
  • Walk from serene green forest towards dry and windswept Tibetan landscapes.

Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary

On arrival at Kathmandu international airport received by staff and guide and for a short drive to your hotels. Situated in the hub of Kathmandu city, around Thamel an exciting location. After checking into your rooms with refreshment our guides will brief regarding the treks. Evening a welcome dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurant to get familiar with the culture and Nepali food.

Morning after breakfast, an exciting tour of Nepalese culture and historical tour around Nepal's landmarks and World Heritage Sites. Rest of the day after an interesting tour, with time for trek preparations.

An early morning starts with a long drive towards Central and Mid-West Nepal to Maccha Khola. The starting point of trekking, an interesting drive covering160 km or near 100 mile distances. The drive heads through number of farm Villages and towns to enter Gorkha district. Then reaching a small farm village of Maccha Khola, slowly developing into a town. A moderate size farm village with serval simple lodges for overnight stop. The name Machha Khola means a Fishing stream. Transfer to a nice lodge for overnight, after a long and interesting overland journey.

Enjoy the first day trek from Machha Khola, morning walks lead towards cooler hills. As you leave the lower sub-tropical farm areas, the trail follows with ups and downs. Then head towards Tatopani, a place with a natural hot spring, enjoy the refreshing bath as time permits. From here walk to Khola Besi and then to Dovan, a nice farm village for refreshing Lunch stop. Afternoon the trail leads to climb towards cooler hills above the Budhi Gandaki River and lower farm areas. The walk finally ends reaching at Jagat, a nice moderate size hill village for overnight halt. At Jagat, have time to explore the village and witness the local cultures, a blend of Hindu and Buddhism religions.

After a pleasant time at Jagat, from here onwards starts the Restricted Area of Tsum Valley & Upper Manaslu. After Jagat all foreign visitors need to obtain a special permit to enter Tsum Valley & Upper Manaslu. The walk leads to climbing and then crossing a bridge to Nagjet and Philim villages, a lovely farm area. As route leads past the neatly tended farm terraces reaching a cool shade of the forest on reaching Deng. From here onwards into strong Buddhism culture, as walk follows higher area, past Deng. Slowly the long day trek comes to an end on reaching at a small farm village of Chisapani for an overnight stop.

From here onwards entering the hidden valley of Tsum, morning walk to a narrow river gorge. Leads to a short descent, and then with steep up reaching a forested path lined with rhododendron and pine trees. The walk continues past smaller farm villages. Then to a gradual uphill as walk heads east above a stream then reaching at first village of Tsum in Chumling overnight halt.

After first overnight around Tsum region, having breakfast morning walk leads further east. Adventure continues through cultivated farm terraces villages facing views of Ganesh, Sringi and Manaslu Himal. Walk then heads downhill to cross a bridge above Smatiking Khola / stream to reach at Chokang-Paro for overnight stop. A nice moderate traditional farm village facing views of stunning landscapes with snow-capped peaks. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the village of strong Buddhism culture and custom adorned with prayer monuments.

Start the morning overlooking great scenery of dramatic landscapes, after a pleasant overnight. From this nice village walk leads closer to our main highlight destination around Tsum Valley towards Nile and Mu Gompa. Following on windswept terrain, then reaching into a wide open scenic valley.

Enjoy a side trip to an interesting cave of 11th saint and guru Milarepa of Tibet, who stayed here for mediation. Milarepa a renowned Buddhist saint lived his whole life as a hermit meditating and staying in caves. From here into dry, arid landscapes similar like Tibetan terrains, where green vegetation and tall trees fades for smaller juniper bush. Walk continues along with grand views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal. Finally, the long day walk completes reaching Nile for overnight stop in a nice simple lodge. Probably the best overnight accommodation and food provided around Tsum area.

Enjoying a pleasant time and overnight in Nile village, morning from Nile a short day hike to Mu Gompa. Reaching our final destination at the end of Tsum Valley morning walk leads with gradual climb on a dry windswept terrain. As walk continues facing dramatic scenery of surrounding beautiful landscapes and of snow peaks. After hours of exciting trek, then finally ending the walk on reaching Mu Gompa the highest spot of the trip. Having rest, explore the scenic surroundings and visit the monastery interior of cultural and religious interest. The monastery adorned with statue of Lord Buddha and idols of famous saints and Gurus with vibrant religious paintings. Explore around Mu Gompa the highest and remote areas of Tsum Valley. Interested people can take a short visit of Dhephu Doma Gompa, a nunnery. Having simple lunch at Mu Gompa simple restaurants of the monastery, then head back to Nile for overnight stop.

After an exciting visit of Mu Gompa, Nile and Burgi villages walk towards Chumling, return route heading south to cross a bridge on the west bank. Walk leads through Chokang Paro, and then downhill to join the main trail at Chumling for last overnight stop around Tsum Valley area.

Morning walk to Lokpa and then downhill to Philim nice farm village, the route leads to gradual ups and down. Then reaching on the main trail of Manaslu trail as walk continues heading further down leaving Tsum valley area. The trail follows past Deng then at Philim village for an overnight stop, where the climate is mild. A lovely spread out village with neat tended farm terraces.

From Philim down to Jagat village for possible lunch stop, after a refreshing break walk continues on downhill. As altitude drops along with change of vegetation and landscapes, reaching warmer low farm areas at Khorla Besi. A small farm village for overnight stop, before ending our walk at Machha-Khola.

Enjoy the last day walk of the adventure, as route leads into a cool shade of forest to Tatopani. A place with natural hot-spring, time permitting enjoy the hot bathe relaxing the muscles after a long downhill walk. From Tatopani another few hours of pleasant walk to Machha-Khola for last overnight in the comfort of a nice simple lodge.

Final day around the Himalayan remote farm villages of Gorkha district, leaving Machha-Khola, after breakfast. Depending upon the size of a group and types of local public vehicles. A long overland journey but interesting on winding road through farm areas of Gorkha and Dhading districts. As drive leads past Arughat towns and farm village and then joining the main Kathmandu highway.

Drive continuers with last uphill on the outskirt of Kathmandu valley, then finally reaching Kathmandu city and back to your hotel. Arriving by late afternoon or evening time. After a most mesmerizing adventure of a lifetime experience on Tsum Valley Trek.

After a great tough and exciting adventure on Tsum Valley trekking, enjoy the free day. Options for another interesting tour of Bhaktapur and Patan cities, rest of the day enjoy shopping souvenirs of Nepal.

Last day in Kathmandu and Nepal, after a great experience on Tsum Valley Trekking. As time for the international flight transfer to Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport. Then bid farewell to the guide, staff as you enter the airport terminal for homeward bound flight, or to next port of call.

Tsum Valley Trek FAQs

Is Tsum Valley, a tough and difficult trekking?

Tsum Valley Trekking, is not tough nor difficult, as it looks by the nature of high landscapes terrains. The walk starts on moderate trail with gradual uphill and downhills with few gradual path. An enjoyable and pleasant walks amidst beautiful scenery of rolling hills and snow-capped peaks. Most of the walks lead to ups and downhills crossing exciting bridges, the altitude makes the walks slower. The only hardest parts of the adventure, is the distance from Nile to Mu Gompa and back. But overall it is one of the best and wonderful treks around the Himalayas.

Why Tsum Valley a Restricted Areas in Nepal?

The upper region of remote Manaslu and Tsum Valley remained as a forbidden country. From early 1960’s, since Tibet was annexed with mainland China, it was close for outside visitors. Due to close border of Nepal and Tibet, China from Tsum Valley and Upper Manaslu. After Tibet was part of China it was closed, but from 2008 it was open for all world-wide visitors. But trekkers must obtain a Special Permit to enter Tsum Valley and Upper Manaslu.

Do we have enough acclimatization days?

Yes, the itinerary is set accordingly with enough acclimatization days, once the walk enters the high Tsum Valley. Having short hours of walks, from Chumling Village towards Mu Gompa. Where altitude rise at slow and gradual pace, as the trek progresses trekkers will be well acclimatized. All trekkers need to walk slowly having enough short rest, when climbing steep hills.

How should we prepare for Tsum Valley Trek?     

For this wonderful Tsum Valley Trek, before and after booking the trip, one should be in sound medical health. As well as having daily an hour of exercise, like walking, jogging, running ups and downs. Including any outdoor physical activities and checking with your medical doctor. As well as packing the right gear for Tsum Valley Treks.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Tsum Valley Trek