Tsum Valley Trekking

Tsum Valley Trekking is situated in northern Gorkha district of Nepal. It is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley Tsum comes from the Tibetan word "Tsombo" which means vivid. The people here never slaughter animals, even as sacrifice to the gods. Physically, it’s not an especially hard trek. Max height 4060 m. The only consideration is the lack of facilities which means must go by registered trekking agency.

Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalaya) open from Chhokangparo, where hospitable local people (Tibetan group "Tsombo") welcome you with traditional Tibetan butter tea and local meal. The Tsum Valley is extremely rich in culturally. The valley is dotted with beautiful valley, mani walls, gompas (Buddhist monasteries), and chortens . The longest mani walls (over 250m) are at Dzong and Phurpe. The valley preserves steps of the great Buddhist Yogi Chyuchin Milarepa and story about Guru Padmasambhava circumbulation. The Tsum Valley is surrounded by the Buddha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the North.

Itinerary:   
                                                                                                                                                            
Day 1: Greet at the Kathmandu airport gate and escort to the hotel. Over night at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Sightseeing at Kathmandu old city and Soyambunath Stupa by professional culture guide and pre group departure meeting.    
                                                                                                                           
Day 3: 8 hrs drive to Arughat 535 m. This place is large, local hotel and big local markets.

Day 4: 6 hours trek Arughat to Soti Khola 720 m. Trek through field, waterfall, Gurung and Magar village and enjoy splendid views of Himalayan Shangri La.

Day 05: 6 hrs trek trek  Soti Khola to Machha Khola 930m. Machha khola is a village situated above a stream. 

Day 6: 6 hrs trek Machha Khola to Doban 1410 m. After doing ascents and descents steep we reach over a ridge to Doban. 

Day 6: 6 hrs trek Doban to Philim 2040 m. Climb on a rugged rocky trail climb up and down ravines and alder/blue pine / poplar trees from where we have good views of Sringri himal trekkers continue up to the Gurung village of Philim with fields of corn and millet. This is a large Gurung village with fields of corn and millet. 

Day 7: 6 hrs trek Philim to Chumling (Lower Tsum) 2363 m. We take the trail up through Philim and head up to Chumling (Lower Tsum). 

Day 8: 5 hrs trek Chumling to Chhokangparo (Upper Tsum)) 3010 m. Upper Tsum valley (Inner Himalaya parts.  Chhekamparo is a village situated on flat land and made up of two settlements Chhekam and Paro. From here Ganesh Himal range, Baudha and Himal chuli peaks to the south-west can be seen. Few households in this village practice polyandry.

Day 9: 6 hrs trek Chhokangparo to Chhule 3361 m, visit MilarepaPirenPhuCave on the way. The last village heading north in the upper Tsum Valley, Nile is on the western, sun-side and about 15 minutes walk across from Chhule. We pass the Piren Phu cave (pigeon cave).  This is one of the most sacred caves located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. Milarepa, the famous Tibetan saint, was believed to have meditated. Two separate gumbas attached to the rocky cave which is richly painted Buddhist murals, tremendous artistic scripts carved on stones, significant Buddhists paper scripts and prayer flags make it cave one of the most important socio-cultural asset. Perfect scenery of Rachen Gumba, the mountains, settlements and vast agricultural land show awesome day.

Day 10: Chhule to Mu Gompa (3700 m) and Dhephyudonma Gompa (4060 m) (4 hours). The trail gradually ascends to Mu gumba (largest monastery in the region 3510 m). This Gumba established in 1895 AD, is located at the highest and farthest point in the valley.  The monastery houses have religious books, including Kangyur, a life sized statue of images of Guru Padmasambhava, Avalokiteshwara and Tara. 2 hours walk from  the village of Chhule -  Dephyudonma Gumba is  a oldest monasteries in the  this Valley and is lied in the rugged mountains.  This monastery history is directly associated with the dawn of Buddhism and run by Lama Serap of Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sect. 

Day 11: Rest and extra day for excursion.  Hike up and reach the base of Pika Himal (4865m).We are quite close to Tibet and take a good view of the Tibetan peaks, beautiful Ganesh Himal range peaks and back to Mu Gumba.

Day 12: 5 hrs trek Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa 3240 m. This day we take the trail to Rachen Gumba, a nunnery. The nunnery is located in the ShiarKholaValley. Rachen Gumba and is one of the largest nunneries and was established in the year 1905 AD. It houses nuns belonging to the Ngak-pa sect, which does not allow animal slaughter. The nunnery houses a brightly colored, one thousand clay, carved throne, moulded statues of Avalokiteshwara,  and a large prayer wheel and pillar. The interior is warmly painted with murals about Buddhism and it’s history.

Day 13: 6hrs trek Rachen Gompa to Dumje 2440 m. We proceed towards Dumje, a small village and adjoining cattle shed.

Day 14: 6 hrs trek Dumje to Philim (cross Ripchet 2468 m) 2040 m. Trek to Philim and cross Ripchet. On the way, pass beautiful waterfalls in the Lower Tsum Valley, Samba Tingding Chhupyang.

Day 15: 6 hrs trek Philim to Tatopani 975 m. Tatopani means hot spring. You can relieve your tired muscles by soaking in the hot spring by yourself.

Day 16: 6 hrs trek Tatopani to Soti Khola 720 m. We pass tropical waterfalls ad terraced fields.

Day 17: 6 hrs trek Soti Khola to Arughat Bazar 535 m. The last leg of our journey.

Day 18: From Arughat Bazar drive to Kathmandu (8 hours).
We drive to Kathmandu. After you check in at hotel you can give your trekking clothes to laundry.

Day 19: Sightseeing at Pashupatinath, Bhaudhanath, and Bhaktapur by professional culture guides. 

Day 20: Depart from Kathmandu airport or extent your journey to Chitwan National Park or do white water rafting or any other activities such as Tibet tours and etc.

 

Trip Cost Includes:

§  Airport / hotel / airport pick up & drop by private transport.

§  Standard accommodation in Kathmandu hotel (in twin sharing basis).

§  City tours by professional culture guide in Kathmandu by private transport.

§  Full board meal during camping, prepared by our cook with tea & coffee / hot water.

§  Twin sharing tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We provide two men tents to sleep, kitchen tents, toilet tent, kitchen wear, toilet tent).

§  A local government licensed English speaking guide, cook, required number of porters, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine.

§  All trekking permits & fees.

§  Ground transfer to and from Kathmandu.

§  Comprehensive first aid medical kit.

§  All government taxes.

Trip Cost not includes:

§  Nepal entry visa fee.

§  Meals in Kathmandu.

§  Your travel insurance. 

§  Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drink, cold drink, laundry.

§  Personal trekking equipment.

§  Tips for trekking staff and driver.

§  Sightseeing / monuments entrance fees in Kathmandu.

§  Any others expenses which are not mentioned in trip cost. 

§  International airfare.