Exploring the beauty of Tsum Valley Trek

Exploring-the beauty-of Tsum-valley

16 May 2023 Chandra Gurung

Tsum Valley Trek is a remote Nepal trek and a beautiful place in the Gorkha district. It is a holy valley and is called the home of Tsumbas. Tsumbas are indigenous Tibetan Buddhists who have distinct lifestyles and cultures. The Manaslu region is a wonderful adventure.   

What Makes Tsum Valley Trek Special?

The following factors justify that the Tsum Valley trek is a trek that every trekker should take advantage of.

Unique Lifestyle And Culture Of People

Indigenous Buddhist people inhabit the valley. The local people in Tsum Valley are of Tibetan origin and have a unique language dialect. It is famous for its ancient monasteries, unique cultural practices, and eye-catching natural beauty. The valley is filled with some ancient Buddhist traditions. We can see numerous Chortens, monasteries, and prayer wheels on trekking. Some popular monasteries there are Rachen Gumba, Mu Gumba, and Lungdang Gumba, which sit at the base of a hill. One can find peculiar animals like Blue Sheep and Himalayan Thar. The pine forests, rigorous rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and breathtaking mountains are the assets of the Tsum Valley. The longest mani walls of Dzong and Phurpe are antic pieces that no one should ever miss to visit.

An Amazing Trekking Experience

Being in the remote part of Nepal, there are fewer facilities for food and accommodation. Since there is no proper transportation provision, only a few trekkers are seen trekking in the Tsum Valley compared to other regions. You can have a peaceful and stunning trekking experience because of the beautiful nature and fewer trekkers.

One can see many mountains in this region: Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal Range, Bauddha Himal, and Sringi Himal.

A Trip Extension To Manaslu Trek

The Tsum Valley trek and Manaslu Circuit trek lies in the same region, but the Manaslu trek takes longer than the Tsum Valley trek. After completing this trek, you can always have an opportunity to continue the Manaslu trek further. We can have more adventures after doing the Manaslu trek. The trip to Tsum Valley will be more fruitful and exciting if one continues the Manaslu trek after completing the Tsum Valley trek.

Highlights Of The Tsum Valley: 

  • Fabulous views of Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal 7187m, Boudha Himal, and Himalchuli.
  • A holy land where Guru Rinpoche and Milarepa meditated in several caves.
  • The valley area is geographically eye-catching and culturally rich.
  • The local people of the Budi Gandaki valley, called Tsumbas, are of Tibetan descent in terms of Culture and dialect. 
  • People here follow Tibetan customs. We can see many Buddhist Monasteries, ancient Mani walls, and Nunneries.
  • The traditional design of houses there makes the villages attractive.
  • The adventurous and tough trek to Ganesh Himal Base Camp.

Itinerary For The Tsum Valley Trek

Day 00: Pickup at TIA and drop at the hotel

Himalaya Guide Nepal will send a representative to pick you up from the airport and drive you to a hotel at Thamel. For two days, that is the day of arrival, and the next day, you will be in Kathmandu. You will visit some religious places and markets near your area during the duration. The day before trekking, you will meet your guide and do full preparation for the trekking.  

Day 01: Kathmandu – Arughat to Sotikhola (710 m)

After breakfast today, we’ll take a bus to the Dhading district hills. The roads will lead us to the villages of Arughat.On the way, we can enjoy the view of beautiful nature like forests, rivers, and villages. We will have a night stay at Soti Khola, which lies on the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River. We will visit Soti Khola that day for a village tour.

Day 02: Soti Khola- Labubensi- Khanebensi to Machhakhola (869 m)

Today’s excursion will begin with a breathtaking sunrise glimpse of the mountains. While trekking to Machha Khola, we cross a few significant places. Walking through the lush Sal forests, we cross Labubensi village. Then after a few hours of treks, we reach Khanebensi. On the way, we can witness several beautiful Gurung settlements.

Further following ups and downs and stone stairs, we finally arrive at Maccha Khola. We’ll spend the night there. Dinner, lunch, and all three are included.

Soti khola near Tsum valley

Day 03: Machha Khola-Khorla Bensi-Tatopani – Dovan to Jagat (1400 m)

On this day, we will leave Maccha Khola and climb up the farmlands and settlements there. On further trekking for a few hours, we reach Khorla Bensi village. As we move further, we will see a hot spring, Tato Pani. After about an hour of relaxation, we will head towards the village of Dovan. We will eventually reach the beautiful village of Jagat after crossing places like Thulo Dunga and Yaruphant. We will spend the night at a lodge in Jagat.

Day 04: Jagat-Sirdibas-Philim (1750 m)

On this day, we’ll ascend Salleri and Sirdibas. On further trekking, we reach Ghatta Khola. After a few hours of trekking, we reached the Gurung village, Philim.

Day 05: Philim- Ekle Bhatti – Chumling (2386 m)

Walking through the forests and crossing the new bridge, we will arrive where the real trails to Tsum Valley start. We will leave the trails to Larke Pass and continue the trek toward the Tsum Valley. We will reach Lokpa after traveling across grasslands and plains. After taking a short lunch break here, we will continue our trek. After walking for 3 hours, we will reach the Chumling village. We will have an overnight stay there.

Day 06: Chumling – Renjam – Gho to Chhekam Park (3031 m)

In addition we will trek through hills and see stone-patched houses. After a few hour of walk we will see a few of the crops here they are Potato, maize, and buckwheat. Then after crossing Sarpu Khola, we will walk for some time and finally reach Gho village. Finally we will continue our trek to Chehekam Park after having snacks at Gho village.

Day 07: Chhekam Park – Lamagaon – Chhule to Nile (3500 m)

After a few hour of leaving Chhekam Park today, we will reach Lama Gaon and visit the well-known Rachen Gompa here. Next we will visit Milarepa cave after a few hours of walking. This cave has great religious value. Surprisingly a saint named Milarepa has medicated inside the cave a long time ago.

Day 08: Exploration day at Mu Gompa and back to the Nile

On trekking for a few hours, we climb up to the Mu Gompa. We now explore many Tibetan landscapes as we reach very close to the Tibet border. Following this we will also visit Dhephu Doma Gompa on the way. Today we will be sightseeing in the Gompa area. As Mu Gompa is situated at the high altitude and rural part of the Tsum Valley. We will have a chance to see different mountain flowers and vegetation at the higher altitude here. On the other hand we can witness a few rare animals found here such as Blue sheep, Naks, Chauris, and several species of birds. Finally we will overnight stay at a lodge in the Nile.

Day 09: Mu Gompa-Chhule- Pangdun and to Ranchen Gompa (3240 m)

Our target is to reach Ranchen Gompa from the Nile. Today is an easier and shorter trek compared to other days. We will arrive at Rachen Gompa after traversing Chhule and Pangdung. We will spend the night at a hotel in Ranchen Gompa.

Day 10: Rachen Gompa – Lamagon – Chhekam Park – Gho to Dumje (2460m)

Today after breakfast, we will start a walk from Rachen Gompa and continue walking downhill. On the way, the first place you see is Chhekam Park. After a few hours of continuous trek, we will arrive at Gompas of Gho. After crossing the Shiar Khola, we will reach today’s destination, Dumje village. In fact one can visit the Lungdang Gumba in their free time. Thereafter we can overnight stay in Dumje.

Day 11:Dumje – Ripchet – Lokpa – Eklebhatti to Philim (1570 m)

Manaslu Mountain near Tsum valley

Today, after breakfast at Dumje, we will walk and pass multiple bridges to Ripchet town. The trail goes down to Lokpa through the pine and rhododendron forests. Moreover after taking lunch at Lokpa, we will continue walking to Ekle Bhatti. Later after trekking for a few hours, we reached the Philim village. Finally we will stay in Philim overnight.

Day 12: Philim – Salleri – Jagat – Dovan to Tatopani (870m)

Today, as we slowly descend to Lower Manaslu, we may indulge in the scenery and the greenery of the hills. We will have the chance to return to our favorite neighboring places when we pass the villages of Salleri and Jagat. Afterall we will take short breaks on the trail and reach our Dovan, where we will eat lunch. Then we will end our day at the small lodge of Tatopani.

Day 13: Tatopani – Khorla Bensi – Machha Khola to Labu Bensi (700 m)

The journey today will be wonderful. We will see various terrace farms and waterfalls beside the mighty Budhi Gandaki River. Then we will pass Mocha Khola and get an opportunity to visit the unique Gurung village. At the end we will continue the two-hour journey by foot to Labu Bensi. Then we will spend the night at a lodge in Labu Bensi.

Day 14: Labu Bensi – Soti Khola – Arkhet Bazaar to Arughat Bazar (608 m)

The last day of our trek in the Tsum Valley region is today. As we make our way to Soti Khola, the views of the far hills and mountains to the north improve. Eventually we will eat lunch before continuing on the trail alongside the Budi Gandaki to Arkhet. Here, you can sample local fare before continuing your ascent to Arughat. Then we will take in the scenery and vistas while you’re at Arughat. Furthermore we will spend the night at a lodge in Arughat.

Day 15: Arughat Bazaar – Dhading besi to Kathmandu

We will travel to Kathmandu by local bus or jeep. At Arughat, there are no tourist buses available. There is a provision for private jeep booking if you don’t prefer something other than a local bus for travel. The journey in a private jeep is more comfortable and safer. Now ,on the way, you will cross Dhading Besi. After reaching Kathmandu, at the end of the day we try local Nepali cuisine and visit local markets to buy souvenirs at Thamel.