Location
Tsum Valley
5.0
Looking for a trek that combines beauty and culture? The Tsum Valley is your perfect destination. Get to explore serene trails, and ancient monasteries, and discover wildlife in a landscape that feels untouched by time.
Tsum Valley
10 Days
Trekking
Hotel/Lodge
All included Except in Kathmandu
Min 2 Pax.
Spring and Autumn
3800m.
The Tsum Valley lies to the east of the Manaslu massif, located as an enclave within Tibetan territory. Recently opened to foreigners, this valley has diligently preserved its Tibetan cultural heritage. It holds a deep spiritual essence as a sacred valley where many lamas have been reincarnated. The valley strictly observes non-violence, making animals unafraid of humans. Wild sheep, blue sheep, and sometimes even leopards come near villages.
To reach the valley, you trek alongside the Budhi Gandaki River before turning eastward and ascending the Shyar Khola torrent. The trail climbs above steep gorges, eventually opening up into the valley near Chekhampa. You can also see the majestic Ganesh Himal range dominates the nearby horizon. You’ll pass through Tibetan villages with flat-roofed houses along the way, each stop adding to your cultural immersion. As the journey comes to an end, we stop at Mu Monastery, which sits along the Tibetan border.
Our strong relationships with Tsum Valley inhabitants allow you to experience their unique way of life intimately. You can meet the Amchi, a Tibetan female doctor renowned for traditional healing practices, and savor yak butter tea in Nyle. The Tsum region is carefully protected, with permits limited to trekking agencies, ensuring the preservation of its authenticity. Villagers sustain their traditional roles as farmers, yak herders, and dzo herders. Similarly, monasteries remain central to village life, maintaining their spiritual and communal importance. Throughout your journey, you’ll be fully engaged in the rich tapestry of Tibetan culture.
After an early morning breakfast, we depart from Kathmandu via a local bus. The drive takes approximately 4 hours through rural Nepal. From there, we will reach Arughat via a rough road and then continue to Dhoban by local jeep. If you prefer added convenience, private vehicle options are available at an extra cost.
Today, we begin our day by crossing a suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki River and hiking through a narrow gorge. The trail ascends gradually to a sandy plain before reaching Jagat at 1350m. Enjoy the quaint stone houses and a bustling main street. After crossing the Budi Gandaki again, follow a beautiful trail on a balcony above the river, passing through fishing villages and farmlands before reaching the suspension bridge leading to Philim. Philim is a large village with shops and a significant school. We spend the night at a lodge after 6 and a half hours of trekking.
We hike through the scenic gorges of the Budhi Gandaki River, which turns into a mountain torrent. After crossing a bridge, follow a trail through pine forests to Lokpa. Then, descending into Shyar Khola gorges, we reached Chumling via a suspension bridge. Stay in a comfortable lodge admiring the stunning mountain views. The trek will last approximately 7 hours.
We start by gradually descending towards the banks of the Shyar Khola and the Domja village, located at an altitude of 2460m. Continuing our climb along the right bank of the river, we soon reach Chekam Paro, the first village of Upper Tsum. This village is surrounded by the majestic peaks of Ganesh Himal, which soar to heights of over 7000m. The traditional Tibetan-style houses with intricate interiors reflect the village’s rich history as a center for trade between Tibet and Nepal. Our lodge accommodations in Chekam Paro provide a peaceful sanctuary with stunning mountain views. The trek took 5 hours to complete.
As we continued trekking through the Tsum Valley, the landscape expanded into wide plateaus covered with winter wheat and barley fields. Here, yaks grazed with the stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks including Ganesh Himal and its neighboring mountains. A visit to the renowned Rachen nunnery in Nyle provides insight into local traditions and spiritual practices. We spent the night at a lodge in Nyle, the last village in the valley. Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit the clinic of Amchi, a traditional Tibetan doctor known for her healing arts. The trek to the Nyle took 4 hours from Chekam Paro.
Today’s journey takes us on a spiritual and adventurous ascent towards Mu Gompa monastery at 3700m near the Tibetan border. For those who are adventurous, there is an optional climb to an elevation of 4000m above the monastery, providing an exceptional panoramic vista of the Tsum Valley. After exploring Mu Gompa, descend towards Nyle and continue the journey to Lama Gaon via a different path. Along the way, visit the historic cave of Milarepa overlooking Lama Gaon. The trek took 6 hours to complete.
Starting from Lama Gaon, our journey today led us through the beautiful landscapes of the Tsum Valley. We trekked via Chekam Paro and continued to Domje, following the calm waters of the Shiar Khola River. We spent the night at a lodge in Domje. The trekking journey took 5 hours.
After leaving Domje, we continued our journey by crossing the Shya Khola and ascending the gorges on the left bank. Passing through Ripchet village on a small plateau, we proceeded to trek through the forest to reach the lodge in Lokpa, where we stayed for the night. The duration of today’s trekking was 5 hours.
After having breakfast in Lokpa, we start the day with a one-hour descent, that leads us to the famous Manaslu Circuit trail. As we return to Philim, we cross the Budhi Gandaki River via a long suspension bridge. The trail then continues to descend until we reach Dhoban at 1070m, where we will spend the night in a comfortable lodge. This day’s trek takes about 6.5 hours.
On our final day of the adventure, we start our journey back to Kathmandu. After reaching Arughat Bazaar from Dhovan, we will take a bus to return to Kathmandu. Along the way, we will pass by the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers.
Travelers have two exciting options to customize their Tsum Valley trek. The first option is to extend the trek by one day with an excursion to Lungdang Monastery and Ganesh Base Camp. This option allows trekkers to explore the serene monastery and enjoy breathtaking views from the base camp. The second option is to continue the trek on the Manaslu Circuit, creating a complete 19-day adventure. This extended journey combines the beauty of Tsum Valley with the diverse terrains of the Manaslu Circuit.
Additionally, We can also add private vehicle transportation for an additional cost. For more details and to customize your trek, please contact the Glacier Safari Treks team.
The Tsum Valley Trek is an adventurous journey through Nepal’s hidden valleys. It is rich in Tibetan culture and offers gorgeous Himalayan landscapes. Because it is near the Tibetan border, the Tsum Valley is a restricted area. The Nepalese government has set it as such to ensure border security, control tourism, and protect its unique culture and landscape.
To go on this adventure, you’ll need two permits. The first is the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP). This permit allows you to enter the Tsum Valley region. You can get it through a registered trekking agency in Nepal or the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. The second permit is the Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (MCAP). This permit covers the Manaslu Conservation Area, which includes the Tsum Valley.
To apply for the Tsum Valley Permit, you’ll need a valid passport with at least six months of validity. You will also need two passport-sized photographs. Finally, you must complete an application form, which the agency will help you with.
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