Tsum Valley Trek
Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal
Travel in a valley sheltered from the trappings of modernity shielded from outside influences, where village life is dominated by a deep devotion to pure Tibetan Buddhism. Walk in the shadow of Ganesh Himal, where few people have ventured.
This is a unique trek in this amazing valley; a piece of Tibet in the depths of Nepal. The people of Tsum Valley have been sheltered from the outside world, leaving them practically untouched by modernity and hence have maintained their pure heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Many lamas were reincarnated here and thus the Tsum valley became a sacred place for Buddhists. Under the shadow of Ganesh Himal (7,400m), lie villages, monasteries, barley fields, and herds of horses and yaks roaming free.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Valley well preserved and now it's open for all the trekkers
- Contact with friendly people of Tibetan culture
- Views of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal
- Wild nature, horses, and yaks in the mountain pastures
Itinerary
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- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya or Thamel House on a BB basis
- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya or Thamel House on a BB basis
Transfer by private jeep from Kathmandu to Dhovan depending on road conditions or continue on foot. - Transportation: 8-9 hours by private jeep.
- Accommodation: Lodge.
We walk along the river and reach the first gorge. Crossing the checkpoint at Jagat. Crossing typical villages and settling in Sirdibas (1350 m).
- Elevation +: 450 meters
- Number of hours of walking: 6
- Accommodation: Lodge
Regions inhabited by Gurung and Tibetans. Ascent to Eklebhatti.
- Elevation +: 600 meters
- Number of hours of walking: 5
- Accommodation: Lodge
Following the Shiar Khola (river) that the path sometimes dominates from the top of a cliff, through a mixed forest of fir trees and Rhododendrons, we reach Chumling.
- Walking time: 4h30
- Elevation: -400 m / +700 meters
- Accommodation: basic lodge
- Walking time: 4h30
- Elevation: +650 meters
- Accommodation: Homestay/lodge
A short day of walking to the village of Nile where we take our lunch in camp. Free afternoon to visit villages and Tibetan monasteries.
- Walking time: 3h
- Accommodation: Lodge
Lunch at Mu Gompa. Visit the last Gelugpa monastery before the Tibetan border. Then go to Bhajyo for the visit and view. Meadow. Return to Mu Gompa for the night
- Walking time: 5:30h
- Accommodation: night in the monastery
We continue to Rachen Gompa. The largest nunnery in Nepal already has about a hundred Gelugpa nuns. On a nearby cliff (20 minutes walk) is the sacred site of a cave where the hermit saint Milarepa meditated.
- Walking time: 4h
- Elevation: +850 meters
- Accommodation: basic lodge
Day of easy trek downhill to Rentsam near Dumje from where on our left the valley leading to the Ganesh Himal base camp.
- Walking time: 5h
- Elevation: -900 meters
- Accommodation: Lodge
Along the Shiar Khola, we walk to the confluence with the Bhudi Gandaki Khola in the village of Lokpa. Very nice view of the Ganesh Himal and the Shringi Himal.
- Walking time: 5h
- Elevation: +400 meters -400
- Accommodation: Lodge
Along the Shiar Khola, we walk to the confluence with the Bhudi Gandaki Khola in the village of Lokpa. Very nice view of the Ganesh Himal and the Shringi Himal.
- Walking time: 5h
- Elevation: +400 meters -400
- Accommodation: Lodge
Walk in the sunny gorges then descend to Dovan (reverse path to go over two days)
Descending in the reverse direction of the outward journey
- Accommodation: Lodge
Walk in the sunny gorges then descend to Dhovan (reverse path to go over two days)
Descending in the reverse direction of the outward journey
- Accommodation: Lodge
We start a long hike but it’s an easy descent to the valley of the Budhi Gandaki River. We then cross the river after Philim to reach Jagat.
- Descent: - 700m
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
Notes
- In Kathmandu, we use hotels of good category *** well located in the center of Kathmandu.
- The stay in Kathmandu is always done in B&B to give you your choice of restaurants that offer you traditional and continental cuisine according to your choices.
- During the trek, you will be in full board and accommodation according to the itinerary.
What's included
- Transfer Jeep Doban - Kathmandu
- 3 nights at Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu on BB
- Trek in full board in Lodge
- English-speaking guide for the whole trek
- Trekking team: 1 porter for 2 and a Sherpa from 4 for the whole trek.
- Carrying luggage up to 13 kgs/person during the trek
- MCAP & TIMS trekking permit
- Staff insurance
- Tsum Valley special permit 2 weeks (80 US$ per participant)
What's not included
- Visa Nepal 30 days to obtain at the airport (50$ + photo).
- PCR tests to be carried out at the hotel or hospital if necessary
- International flight
- Mandatory medical and repatriation insurance (minimum 5000 US$ coverage)
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, sleeping bag, hot shower during the trek...
CLIENT REVIEW
Catherine Mullier Trip (Voyage) : Tsum Valley Trek Date of Trip : 03/10/2023
Oulala!! It's already been a week since we got back and I haven't gotten back to you...
It was an extraordinary trek, especially the Tsum Valley where for 10 days we thought we were in nirvana!!! The beauty of the landscapes, life in the villages, and the human warmth of the valley's inhabitants made us forget the bad weather.
We only made it halfway around Manaslu because I unfortunately fell ill. We stopped just before Lhô where we turned around because, with the fever and cough, I didn't feel capable of crossing the Larke Pass.... That will be for another time, that's for sure, wouldn't be -what to “dive” again into the gorges of the Buddhi Gandakhi!!
Thank you for giving us a wonderful guide, in the person of Asohk Raï. Of all my treks he is truly the best guide I have ever had.
Otherwise, we informed the agency that to climb Kal Tal from Prok, you need a local guide: it was the village community that decided this. The cost charged this year was 1,500 rupees for the day.
The climb is tough but the reward is worth the effort. I sent photos to Jasmine, at her request.
There you have it, I wish you a slightly less stormy end to autumn, and many happy end-of-year holidays in advance.
And most certainly see you in a year!!!!
Catherine