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Tsum Valley Trekking

Trip Facts

  • Total Duration 16 days
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Max Altitude 4500m.
  • Start From Machha Khola
  • End From Machha Khola
  • Min Size 2 Pax
  • Max Size 10 Pax
  • Trip Mode Tea House
  • Accommodation Tea House
  • Best Season: Autumn to Spring

Trip Highlights

  • Spectacular Landscapes
  • High Himalayan passes
  • Beautiful Waterfalls and Rivers
  • Typical Gurung and Tibetan villages
  • Buddhist/Hindu culture
  • Ancient Buddhist/Bon Monasteries, Stupas, and Mani Walls
  • Stunning Mountains view
  • Best Trekking

Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan valley situated in northern Gorkha district. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word tsombo, and translates roughly as “vivid colors”. This refers to the colorful geology of the encircling mountains. The Tsum valley is a distinct geographical area whose full name is ‘Tsum Tso Chucksums’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. The majestic backdrop of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, Boudha Himal ranges makes for wonderful hiking every day. This peaceful Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture, and religion. Hundreds of old mani walls and stupas make the area so auspicious with dozens of great monasteries including Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, Dephu Doma Nannery Gompa, and Milarepa Gompa.

The trails are strewn with artistic stupas and lined with stone-carved mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers. The famous Kyimo Lung, a pilgrimage circuit in the central trans-Himalaya is a well-known seat of learning and meditation. The famous Buddhist saint Milarepa is believed to have meditated in the caves of these mountains. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, this sacred valley and its people have been bypassed by mainstream development for centuries. As a result, the unique culture of this valley has also remained fairly intact.

The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin and speak their own dialect. They still practice polyandry (multiple husbands) systems and they have their own unique culture and traditions. They celebrate festivals such as Lhosar, Dhacyhang, and Saka Dawa.

Tsum Valley trekking begins from Arughat after a 6-7 hour bus ride or somewhat less with private transportation. The trail follows the Budigandaki river valley and passes through several Chhetri, Bahun, and Gurung villages and their steep, cultivated farmland. The first three days you will be deep in the valley made by Budigadaki river. After reaching Jagat, the view slowly opens up and from Salleri you will see spectacular views of the Sringi Himal. From Nyak Phedi you leave the main trail that follows Budigadaki river valley toward to Manaslu-Larke Pass trek. The trail goes north-east following Siyar river valley, from where the actual Tsum valley trek begins. The trail continues to Mu Gompa (one of the famous monasteries in the area). The hidden valley is surrounded by the Boudha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, the Ganesh Himal to the south, and the Sringi Himal to North. Basically, the trail on the way back is the same except for some sightseeing trips to Rachen Gompa, Domje, Ganesh Himal Base Camp, and Ripchet.

Trip Itinerary

Days Program
1 Arriving in KTM and transfer to hotel
2 Kathmandu Valley sightseeing:  Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Patan Darbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boddhanath Stupa. Time 6-7 hours
3 Drive to Machhakhola by Bus or Jeep (870m) 6-7 hours
4 Trek to Jagat (1340m.) 7-8 hours
5 Trek to Lokpa (2240m) 6-7 hours
6 Trek to Chumling (2385m) 4-5 hours
7 Trek to Chhekhampar (3030m) 4-5 hours
8 Trek to Nile (3360m) 4-5 hours
9 Exploration day to Mu Gompa (3700m) and back to Nile 5-6 hours
10 Trek to Chhekhampar (3030m)  via Rachen Gompa 5-6 hours
11 Trek to Lokpa (2240m) 7-8 hours
12 Trek to Dovan (1070m) 6-7 hours
13 Trek to Machhakhola (870m) 6-7 hours
14 Drive back to Kathmandu by reserved Bus or four drive
15 Free Day
16 Departure to Home

Trip Highlights

  • Spectacular Landscapes
  • High Himalayan passes
  • Beautiful Waterfalls and Rivers
  • Typical Gurung and Tibetan villages
  • Buddhist/Hindu culture
  • Ancient Buddhist/Bon Monasteries, Stupas, and Mani Walls
  • Stunning Mountains view
  • Best Trekking

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Nepal Contact Info

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Phone Tel: 977-1-4810388
Cell: 977 - 9841454462
Email: info@blossomexpeditions.com
ambartg@yahoo.com

U.S. A. Contact Info

Gyandip Lama
556 Tulsa Street, San Lorenza
California, 94580
Tel: 415-694-1388
gyandip_lama2002@yahoo.com

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