TSUM VALLEY TREK

The Tsum Valley is a scared Himalaya pilgrimage valley situated in the northern Gorkha district, Nepal.  The word Tsum came from the Tibetan word “Tsombo” which means vivid. People in the Tsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have unique culture, tradition and a dialect of their own. The unique festivals observed here are Loshar, Dhacyhang, SakaDawa, Faning among others. The residents of Tsum Valley are called Tsumbas.

The altitude of Tsum Valley trek varies from 1,905m in Lhokpa to over 5,093m at NgulaDhohyang pass on the Tibetan border. The Hidden Valley is surrounded by the BaudhaHimal and HimalChuli to the west, GaneshHimal to the south, and SringiHimal to the North. The Upper Tsum is called Chhekamper village while The Lower Tsum is called Chumchet village.

Detailed Itinenary

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA); our airport representative will receive you at the airport and Transfer to Hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley

Full day guided trip to world heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley and surrounded areas i.e. Pashupatinath Temple, BoudhanathStupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath(monkey temple) and Fifty five windows durbar.

Day 3: From Kathmandu drive toArughat Bazaar by Bus and then trek to ArkhetBazar

From Kathmandu, we take a bus ride to ArughatBaazar for approx. 7-8 hrs in Gorkha District. ArughatBaazar is Large, clean and prosperous with numbers of Hotels and cloth selling shops, Food and hardware. The village is divided into two parts, on the opposite side of BuriGandaki.

After we reach ArughatBaazar, we trek for two hours to ArkhetBaazar. While trekking, we pass through Gurung and Magar villages and the terraced fields.

Day 4: Arkhet Bazaar to MachhaKhola

After leaving ArkhetBaazar, the trail leads us to the MachhaKhola where we will set up camp at a good campsite. MachhaKhola is a village situated above a stream with the same name.

Day 5: MachhaKhola to YaruKhola

From Machhakhola, the trail leads us to the YaruKhola. As we move inside the village of YaruKhola, we will find a good campsite near the BuriGandaki River. The river twists claim and untroubled among gravel bars.

Day 6: YaruKhola to Lokpa

From YaruKhola, the trail leads us to Lokpa. As we enter to the Tsum Valley, we find Lokpa as the first village. The local people living here are farmers. They grow potatoes, gucchi mushrooms and soya beans.

Day 7:Lokpa to Chumling (Lower Tsum)

Leaving Lokpa, we trek towards ChumlingTanjo. Chumling has three monasteries: PanagoGumba, Mani Dhungyur and GurwaGumba.  We can also see the BaudhaHimal and GaneshHimal VI on a clear day. Here, we can find several good campsites and there is a telephone service as well as health post too.

Day 8: Chumling to Chhokangparo (Upper Tsum)

From Chumling, the trail leads us to the Chhokangparo. From Chhokangparo, Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalaya) is open, where the local people (Tibetan group “Tsombo” welcome us with traditional Tibetan Chiya (butter tea) and local meal.

Day 9: Chhokangparo to Nile/Chhule, visit MilarepaPirenPhu Cave on the way

Leaving Chhokangparo, we trek towards Nile/Chhule.The last village heading north in the upper Tsum Valley. Now, we take a walk for about 20 minutes across from Chhule to reach Nile on the western, sun-side of the ShiarKhola.

On the way, we visit PirenPhu Cave. This cave is also known as the Pigeon Cave and is one of the most scared caves in Tsum valley. It is located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. The famous Tibetan saint, Milapera, was believed to have meditated here. There are two separate gumbas attached to the rocky cave. Significant buddhist paper scripts, richly painted Buddhist murals, artistic scripts carved on stones, long prayer flags makes the cave one of the most important and beautiful socio-cultural assets in the valley.

Day 10: Nile/Chhule to MuGompa, visit DhephyudonmaGompa

One of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley is Dephyudonmagumba, situated in the rugged mountains. Here, we take a walk for about 2 hours from the village of Chhule and Nile. The history of this monasteries is directly associated with the dawn of Buddhism in the valley. Lama Serap of the Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sector runs the monasteries. Here we can find few campsites and drinking water facilities.

The trail now leads us upward to the Mu Gumba, which is the largest monastery in this region. Mu Gumba is located at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum Valley.

Day 11: Mu Gompa to RachenGompa, visit GonhyeGompa (Nyigma-pa Buddhist sect.)

From Mu Gumba, we follow the trail to RachenGumba, a nunnery. The nunnery is situated in the shiarKhola Valley in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. RachenGumba is one of the largest nunneries in Tsum Valley. The nunnery houses one thousand clay, moulded statues of Avalokiteshwara, a brightly colored, craved throne and pillar and a large prayer wheel. The interior of this gumba is richly painted with murals about Buddhism and its history.

Day 12: RachenGompato Dumje

Leaving RachenGompa, we proceed our trek towards the Dumje, a small village with about 8 hours and adjoining cattle shed.

Day 13: Dumje to Philim (across Ripchet)

From Dumje, we trek towards Philim and cross Ripchet. On the way to Philim, we witness one of the beautiful waterfalls in the lower Tsum Valley, Samba TindingChhupyang.Philim, one of the large gurungvillage with fields of corn and millet.

Day 14: Philim to Tatopani

From Philim, we trek to Tatopani. In Tatopani, there is a hot spring where we can relieve our tired muscles by soaking ourselves.

Day 15: Tatopani to Lapubeshi

From Tatopani, we trek to the Gurung Village named Lapubeshi. While trekking to Lapubeshi, we pass through terraced fields and tropical waterfalls.

Day 16: Lapubeshi to ArughatBazar

Today we trek to the last leg of our journey to ArughatBazar.

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu by Bus

Drive back to Kathmandu via Bus. Evening at your own.

Day 18: Depart Kathmandu

Our office representative will take you to the airport for Final Departure.