Reference Code: TVTNP
Trip Start: Kathmandu
Trek Start: Soti Khola
Trek Days: 14 Days
Age: 20-60 years
Season: Spring and Autumn
Accommodation: Lodge and Homestay
Service: Full board
Destination: Nepal
Trip End: Kathmandu
Trek End: Sotikhola
Trip Durations: 18 Days
Physical Rating: Moderate
Group Size: 4-14
Theme: Walking and Observation
Meals: Standard
Tsum Valley was a restricted area until it was opened for trekking in 2008 and there is a little information available on the area.
The Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in northern Gorkha, Nepal. Literally “Tsum” means vivid.Against the majestic backdrop of the Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal, and Boudha ranges, this serene Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture and religion. The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin and speak unique dialect. Trails are strewn with artistic chortens and lined with mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers. The famous Kyimu Lung, a pilgrimage circuit in the central Trans-Himalaya, is well known for its center of learning and meditation. This circuit traverses the Tsum Valley the Manaslu area in Nepal, and southern parts of Tibet.
The Tsum Valley has long history of Buddhism. The Buddhist saint Milarewa is believed to be meditated in the caves of these mountains. Traditionally, the valley was a culturally distinct geographical called “Tsum Tso Chuksum”, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. The ancient remains of the Tsum Kingdom are still visible today. 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 remained intact.
The valley is drained by the Shear Khola, which originates from the western glacier of Ganesh Himal and east and southern glaciers of Sringi Himal and meets the Budhi Gandaki at Nyak.
The valley is uniquely rich in wildlife, especially the Himalayan Thar and Blue Sheep which congregates in herds of 50 to 200. Hunting, fishing is not permitted in the Tsum Valley. The valley also boasts some unique and historic monasteries, including Rachen Gumba and Mu Gumba, which lie on a pretty plateau nestled in the lap of the valley, and Gumba Lungdang, situated at the base of a conical hill against the main slope of Ganesh Himal
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Namaste! And welcome to Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting on arrival at the exit gate of Kathmandu airport. Our staff will welcome you and pick you to your accommodated hotel. Please seek our company palmplate to find our staff at the main exit gate of the airport. Rest of the day you can relax at the hotel or short evening walk around local market on your own as per your wish.
Day 02 Rest and preparation day
A well deserved rest day at cosy of hotel after a long tiring flight. This day, one can move around nearby local market to purchase or hire trekking equipment that is necessary for the trekking like sleeping bags, walking sticks etc, exchange currency as requirement or simply walk around in the local market or Kathmandu Durbar squire nearby with small entrance fee as per your preference on your own. Evening at the hotel lobby there will be pre-trip briefing in which you will be introduced with your trekking guide and explained about your trip in short, instruction for safety etc.
Day 03 Drive to Aarughat(608m.) and to Machhakhola(869m.)
Early morning you will be driven to Arughat Bazaar with 4WD jeep. It will be around 5 to 6 hours drive. Have quick lunch and then change local 4WD and drive(2.5 hours drive) to Machhakhola.
8-9 hours drive
Day 04 Trek to Jagat(1340m.)
This is the short trek day but fabulous day. We will cross couple of Suspension bridge over Doban Khola and Yaru Khola. 93 m. long suspension bridge over Yaru Khola is breathtaking. This day we need to be little more cautious while crossing landslides area and rock fall area. We can also view natural water fall on the way about to reach Bupchet village. Just to reach Jagat, we walk over stone paved trail. There is Mani walls, MCAP office and custom office in Jagat. Your permit will be checked over there. Jagat is also the best view point of Sringi Himal.
Day 05 Trek to Lokpa(2240m.)
Leaving Jagat early in the morning, we will choose the ascending trail to arrive at the top of ridge that endows gratifying views of Manaslu Mountain and surrounding. Crossing the suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki River, we will reach Philim. The scenic village of Philim is inhabited by the Gurungs. Moving further, we will pass through Ekle Bhatti to Lokpa where we will stay overnight. Lokpa is the first village of Tsum Valley.
Day 06 Trek to Chumling(2386m.)
Follow the climbing route to Chumling. Located at the south face of the Shingri Himal, Chumling is the quaint village that is home to Tibetan Gompas. It is going to be a bit difficult day for trek as we need to follow the ascending trail for most of the part.
Day 07 Trek to Chhokang Paro(3031m.)
Leaving Chumling, we will begin yet another difficult day of trek. Chhokang Paro which is also known as Chhekampar is located on the top of hill. Chhokang Paro comprises two unique settlements of Chhokang and Paro. The vantage point offers close-up view of Ganesh Himal Range. Besides, Chhokangparo is known for its practice of Polyandry culture.
Day 8 Trek to Nile(3347m.)
After visiting the nearby Tibetan Gompa, we will leave Chhokang Paro and continue our journey through forest of pine woods to Nile via lamagoan. There are some historical Buddhist Gompa and Chortens which you can observe on the way. Nile, existing in the edge of Shiar River, this is the last northern settlement of Upper Tsum Valley.
Day 9 Trek to Mu Gompa(3700m.)
Leaving Nile, we will go through series of ups and downs to Mu Gompa. Mu Gompa is one of the oldest existing monasteries in Tsum Valley region of Nepal. Due to its remote access, no human settlement is found in area around Mu Gompa. This Gompa exists at the highest and farthest point in Tsum valley. Yaks carrying goods to and from Tibet can be seen on the way.
Day 10 Exploration day
This is the final destination of this trek. There are many Buddhist old monasteries nearby where you can visit this day and observe Buddhist culture. This is the close place to Tibet where tourist are allowed to go.
Day 11 Trek to Rachen Gompa(3240m.)
Since Mu Gompa is as far as we will reach, we will begin our return journey on 13th day. It is going to be the easy day as we need to follow the descending path. We can get view of Punchen Himal throughout the day. At reaching Rachen Gompa, we overnight.
Day 12 Trek to Domje(2460m.)
Visiting Rachen Gompa early in the morning, we will observe worshipping and get blessing from Rinpoche. Following the descending trail through narrow steep path, we will reach Domje which is clustered with few local teahouses.
Day 13 Trek to Lokpa(2240m.)
Following our previous route we will down walk the trial to Lokpa village.
Day 14 Trek to Jagat(1340m.)
Lowering down from Lokpa, we will take the descending trek through pine forest that is rich in wildlife. The trek offers better opportunity of bird watching and wildlife viewing where musk deer, rhesus monkeys and langurs are among the most commonly seen mammals. Descending to the river, we will reach Jagat where will stay overnight.
Day 15 Trek to Machhakhola(869m.)
Leaving Jagat we will down walk most of the time following downstream of Buddhi Gandaki river.
Day 16 Drive to Kathmandu(1350m.)
About 8-9 hours drive in 4WD, we will reach Kathmandu via Arughat Bazaar. On arrival to Kathmandu, we will transfer you to the hotel.
Day 17 Rest and final shopping day
This is the final day in Nepal. A chance to do some shopping, explore at leisure or merely relax by the hotel. We enjoy a final night together, reliving the trek and our extraordinary achievements.
Day 18 Final departure
We say 'Namaste' for memories that will last a lifetime. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. For your final departure, our staff will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Kathmandu airport approximately 3 hours prior to your international flight time.
Inclusion
Lodge basis
All ground transportation as per itinerary
4 night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B plan.
TIMs (Trekking Information Management system) card
MCAP fee
Special Restricted Area Permit Fee
Food for the member during the trek( 3 meals a day as per lodge open menu)
Lodge accommodation on twin sharing basis
Medical supplies(First aid Kit will be available)
All required Nepalese staffs (salary, food, clothing, accommodation)
All Nepalese staffs insurance as per Nepalese Government rules.
Company service charge, VAT and government taxes etc.
Exclusion
International flight with airport tax.
Nepalese Entry Visa fee
Food during stay in Kathmandu
All personal equipment and personal expenses
Photography Charges, Monument charges and Monument entry fees
Personal Medical and travel insurance(must cover helicopter rescue evacuation cost)
Personal Medicine
Telephone and internet charges
Laundry charges
Alcoholic beverage, bottled drinks and cold drinks during the trip
Rescue evacuation charges if required
Staffs and porters Tips...
Equipment List
Clothing and Equipments List
» Pack to pack out - bring enough waterproof bags to carry all non-biodegradable rubbish back down the mountain.
» Remove all unnecessary packaging before leaving home.
» Bring enough warm dry clothes so that you can wrap up rather than burn firewood in the evenings.
» If you are going to trek higher than 5000m or you know it will be cold, buy an aluminum water bottle which can also be used as a hot water bottle at night.
» The easiest way to keep hydrated while trekking is to buy a 1 x liter platypus-drinking bladder to carry in your day pack.
» Make sure to buy proper trekking socks. Don’t buy synthetic socks as these promote sweating and can give you blisters. Always carry a few blister pads in your first aid kit and keep them handy in your day pack.
» Walking poles are very useful while trekking and helpful when descending.
» Please remember that waste disposal and recycling facilitates are limited in Nepal. When buying batteries make sure they are rechargeable and/or high quality so they last longer, and take them home to recycle.
More Lists
There is no definitive list. What you bring will vary according to the area, time of year and the length of your trek. Below is a suggested check list which you should adapt to your own needs. Ask yourself: Will there be snow/how long /high is the trek/are we camping?
» Good quality trekking boots with ankle support
» Lightweight shell/raincoat with hood
» Detachable fleece liner or separate fleece
» Fleece trousers
» Shorts and / or convertibles trousers- quick drying
» Sunglasses
» Sun hat and warm hat(good quality)
» Gloves
» Spare T-shirt x 3
» Sweat towel x 2
» Spare socks x 3 ( walking sock and thin inner sock)
» Small day sack
» Sun cream
» Small water bottle aluminum doubles as a hot water bottle.
» Iodine or water purifying kit,
» Soluble vitamin tablets to taste water or powder fruit drink
» Talcum powder
» Walking sticks or Trekking poles(good quality)
» Camp shoes/trainers/flip flops to wear in evening.
» Spare underwear 3
» Toilet kit
» Tissues
» Pen knife
» Bum bag
» Head torch(good quality)
» Biodegradable washing liquid / soap
» FILM
» CAMERA
» Ear plugs
» Sleeping bag liner(good quality)
» Sleeping bag(good quality-30)
» Bin bag/ gasbag to keep kit dry
» Small towel
» Lip balm
» Available in KTM
Personal First Aid (Aids Kit)
» Antiseptic
» Bandages
» Blister plasters
» Decongestant
» AMS medication like Diamox
» Eye drops – it can get very dusty on trails
» Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen
» Rehydration sachets, Imodium and antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea
» Scissors
» Sterile dressing
» Sticking plasters and tape
» Throat lozenges / sweets
» Tweezers
» A sewing needle etc.
This trekking equipment list has been prepared by Adventure Zambuling Treks (P) Ltd.
