Tsum Valley Trekking

Overview

The Tsum Valley Trekking begins from Arughat in Gorkha district, which is easily accessible from Kathmandu. The exploration team has recommended three different itineraries in Tsum Valley. They are Tsum Valley Trek With Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley With Ganesh Himal Base Camp and Tsum Valley With Ganesh Himal And Manaslu Circuit.

Aptly called the "hidden valley", Tsum valley is located in the remote northern Gorkha region of Nepal. The valley is nestled between the Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the north. Owing to its distant location, inadequate information and promotion, trekking route to this region was only opened in October, 2007.

'Tsum' which is derived from the Tibetan word 'Tsombo' means vivid. True to its meaning Tsum valley till date has closely guarded its distinct and natural treasures of clear streams, teeming vegetation, towering mountain, cascading waterfalls, unspoiled hot springs and ancient relics still intact. One of the interesting features the Tsum valley trekking is the people and their unique culture and lifestyle that they have been following for hundreds of years.

People in Tsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have unique culture, tradition and their own dialect. They celebrate unique festivals like Lhosar, Dhacyhang, Saka Dawa, Faning and others. Many Tsumbas (resident of Tsum Valley) report they have seen or found the signs of Mehti, commonly refereed as ‘Yeti’ or ‘Abominable Snowman’.

The Tsum Valley trekking is mostly a Camping Trek but is also possible in a combination of camping and lodge trek. The trek is best during autumn (Sep-Nov) or Spring (Mar-May) seasons when the flowers come into bloom and wild animals spring into life of its own.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat (570m.) takes about seven hours.

Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat (570m.) takes about seven hours. You drive along well paved road up to Dhading Besi along the bank of Khani Khola, Trishuli River and Thopal Khola. It is a beautiful picturesque journey passing through green hill, flowing stream, farming terraces, villages, small market and most of all mountains at far distance. Leaving Dhading Besi you continue your drive along gravel and bumpy path all the way to Arughat Bazaar. Arughat is an old market situated at the bank of Budhi Gandaki River. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 2 : Trek from Arughat Bazaar passing through Soti Khola (730m.) to Liding (800m) takes about six hours.

Trek from Arughat Bazaar passing through Soti Khola (730m.) to Liding (800m) takes about six hours. You trek over a flat leveled path along the bank of Budhi Gandaki River through mostly terraces, numerous villages, green hills, some pretty waterfalls and green forest. To reach Liding, the trail fluctuates uphill and downhill through forest of Sal, Chilaune and other local vegetation. Liding is a village at the bank of the Budhi Gandaki. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 3 : Trek from Liding thru Machha Khola to Khorlabeshi (930m.) takes about six hours.

Trek from Liding thru Machha Khola to Khorlabeshi (930m.) takes about six hours. The zigzag path passes through forest, villages, streams, pretty waterfalls and green valley until you reach Lapu Besi. This is a village mainly covered by Mongolian inhabitants. Now you again traverse the zigzag path to reach Machha Khola and on to Khorlabeshi. There is a small market with a few shops and lodges. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 4 : Trek from Khorlabeshi to Jagat (1440m.) takes about six hours.

Trek from Khorlabeshi to Jagat (1440m.) takes about six hours. You cross the Machha Khola [Fish Stream] and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path you reach the single teahouse at Doban. At Lauri, you cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where you camp. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 5 : Trek from Jagat to Lokpa/Lukuwa (2240m.) takes about six hours.

Trek from Jagat to Lokpa/Lukuwa (2240m.) takes about six hours. The early part of trek moves 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. Form Philim you climb a gradual up hill stopping for lunch at Ekle Bhatti. Lokpa is the first village as you enter the Tsum valley. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 6 : Trek from Lokpa to Chumling (2385m.), takes about 6 hours.

Trek from Lokpa to Chumling (2385m.), takes about 6 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 7 : Trek from Chumling to Chhokng Paro (3030m.), takes about 6 and half hours.

Trek from Chumling to Chhokng Paro (3030m.), takes about 6 and half hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 8 : Trek from Chhokng Paro (3030m.) to Chule (3350m.) / Nile (3360m.), takes about 7 hours.

Trek from Chhokng Paro (3030m.) to Chule (3350m.) / Nile (3360m.), takes about 7 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 9 : Trek from Chule (3350m.) / Nile (3360m.) to Mu Gumba (3705m.), takes about 6 hours.

Trek from Chule (3350m.) / Nile (3360m.) to Mu Gumba (3705m.), takes about 6 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 10 : Trek from Mu Gumba to Rachen Gumba (3240m.), takes about 5 hours.

Trek from Mu Gumba to Rachen Gumba (3240m.), takes about 5 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 11 : Rest day at Rachen Gumba. You will visit Milarepa Cave and Gumbas.

Rest day at Rachen Gumba. You will visit Milarepa Cave and Gumbas. It is also famous for beautiful local settlement which is totally different than other parts of Nepal.

Day 12 : Trek from Rachen Gumba to Dumje (2440m.), takes about 4 hours.

Trek from Rachen Gumba to Dumje (2440m.), takes about 4 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 13 : Trek from Dumje to Gompa Lungdang (3200m.), takes about 4 hours.

Trek from Dumje to Gompa Lungdang (3200m.), takes about 4 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 14 : Trek from Gompa Lungdang thru Rainjam to Chumling takes 6 hours.

Trek from Gompa Lungdang thru Rainjam to Chumling takes 6 hours. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 15 : Trek from Chumling to Philim (1700m.) takes 5 and half hours.

Trek from Chumling to Philim (1700m.) takes 5 and half hours. As you follow the descending route you will pass by fairly dense pine forest where many species of birds inhabit the forest. Stay overnight in /lodge/local house.

Day 16 : Trek from Philim to Khorlabeshi (930m.) takes 6 hours on a completely descending path.

Trek from Philim to Khorlabeshi (930m.) takes 6 hours on a completely descending path. You leave the cultivated region around Philim as you descend along the path that follows the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. At Tatopani you can relax in the warm and rejuvenating waters of the hot spring. Stay overnight in lodge/local house in Khorlabeshi.

Day 17 : Trek from Khorlabeshi to Soti Khola (730m.) takes 6 hours and drive from Soti Khola to Arughat.

Trek from Khorlabeshi to Soti Khola (730m.) takes 6 hours and drive from Soti Khola to Arughat. This day you pass through some villages. You can enjoy the pristine beauty of the waterfalls on both sides of the river. Stay overnight in lodge/local house.

Day 18 : Drive from Arughat Bazaar to Kathmandu takes seven hours.

Drive from Arughat Bazaar to Kathmandu takes seven hours. This is a picturesque journey. While driving, you head up to Dhading Besi and Malekhu and Malekhu, which is famous for delicious fish. En route, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city of Kathmandu.

Trip code	NET-TR-TSVT1
Package name	Tsum Valley Trekking
Duration	18
Max. elevation	m
Level	MODERATE
Transportation	Land
Accomodation	2-3 Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu. Lodge (Teahouse) / Local house Accomodation during Trek
Starts at	Kathmandu
Ends at	Kathmandu
Trip route
Cost	USD 0 per person