TRIP OVERVIEW
Tsum Valley is located to the east of Manaslu, on the border with Tibet. This isolated hidden Shangri-La is just opened for trekkers in 2008.It remains relatively untouched, with ancient villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries waiting to be explored. Tsum Villages such as Chhokangparo, where the area is long considered Baeyul or Hidden land offers totally unspoiled culture and tradition with fabulous mountain view of Ganesh Himal Range, Sringi Himal, Bauddha Himal and Himalchuli.The valley is incredibly rich in cultural and tradition dwelled with Buddhist monasteries, nunneries, chortens and prayer walls and significant religious monuments, the longest mani walls at Dzong and Phurpe are great attractions. 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 Tsum Valley is uniquely rich in wildlife, especially the Himalayan Thar and Blue Sheep.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive to Kathmandu transfer to hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Trek Preparation
Day 03: Drive to Soti Khola (700m) 8-9 hours drive
Day 04: Trek to Macha Khola (930m) 6-7 hours trek
Day 05: Trek to Jagat (1,440m) 6-7 hours trek
Day 06: Trek to Lhokpa (2,240m) 6-7 hours trek
Day 07: Trek to Chumling (2,386m) 5 hours trek
Day 08: Trek to Chhokangparo (3,030m) 4-5 hours trek
Day 09: Trek to Nile (3,360m) 5-6 hours trek
Day 10: Trek to Mu Gompa (3,700m) 3 hours trek
Day 11: In Mu Gompa explore around
Day 12: Trek to Rachen Gompa (3,240m)
Day 13: Trek to Chumling (2,386m)
Day 14: Trek to Philim (1,570m)
Day 15: Trek to Khorlabesi (970m)
Day 16: Trek to Soti Khola (700m/2,296ft): 6-7 hours
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 18: In Kathmandu
Day 19: Departure Home
DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Waiba Adventure Trek who will drop you to your hotel in Kathmandu. A full briefing will be given after you check in. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu
After breakfast, you will be going for whole day city sightseeing with the Nepali tour guide to most historical attractions in Kathmandu which are also listed on UNESCO World Heritage sites. We visit the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is also one of the biggest Stupa in the world. The tour is likely to finish around 4pm and the rest of the day is free to explore around Thamel around your hotel as well as to pack your baggage for the trek starting tomorrow morning. You can leave a bag at the hotel with items not needed on the trek. Overnight at Fuji Guest House or similar in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (730m) 8 – 9 hours
After early breakfast we drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola. During the drive, we enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. We will be driving on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi and after Dhading Bensi we will drive on a rough road. Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight in Soti Khola .
Day 04: Trek to Machha Khola (930m) 6-7 hours trek
Today’s trail begins gradually through the beautiful Sal forests, leading you upstream alongside the Budhi Gandaki River. The scenery today is particularly gorgeous, with green rice paddies and cascading waterfalls. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail weaves its way up and down. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up then we drop to the sandy river bed, we walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight in Machha Khola.
Day 05: Trek to Jagat (1370m) 6-7 hours trek
After breakfast we begin our day. We will follow the narrow trail which takes us ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola and reaching Khorlabesi. And arriving at the Tatopani hot springs. From here, a short climb along a forest ridge will lead you to a suspension bridge above Budhi Gandaki River. Follow a steep set of stairs on the opposite bank to locate your next river crossing: a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola. After traversing this bridge and ascending another staircase, you’ll cross to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki River and follow the watercourse to reach the village of Jagat. All along the way, you’ll notice that the landscape changes dramatically as you steadily gain elevation. Overnight in Jagat.
Day 06: Trek to Lhokpa (2,240m) 6 -7 hours trek
After completing with the ACAP procedure, we tend to climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and so descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long simple hanging bridge. Climb up to Philim, a large Gurung village. Walk past Philim and Chisopani to the north across a forest with the views of the narrowing valley where also the trail separates for Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek. We take right up just before crossing the bridge and continue ascend on the steep trail to Lhokpa. Overnight in Lhokpa.
Day 07: Trek to Chumling (2,386m) 5 hours trek
After breakfast we leave Lokpa, from here we descend half an hour towards Lungwa khola and climbing jick jack difficult trail further two hours north through pines and rhododendrons forest we reach Gumlung. Crossing the Siyar Khola and we ascend north through pine forests and steep slopes. Finally we arrive at Chumling, from where we can view Shringi Himal. Visit the old Chumling Gompa, and the stone streets of the village. With each step, the Tsum valley displays itself. Overnight in Chumling.
Day 08: Trek to Chhokangparo (3,030m) 4-5 hours trek
Today we trek to Chhokangparo, Chhokangparo is a tiny village positioned on flat surface and has two villages Paro & Chhekam. From the village, if weather is good we can have a majestic view of Ganesh Himal, Buddha Himal and Hiunchuli in the south west. Overnight in Chhokangparo.
Day 09: Trek to Nile (3,360m) 5-6 hours trek
From Chokhangparo onwards, better to be careful of high altitude sickness. We past Lamagaon crossing suspension bridge to the Rachen Gompa, which is also well known as Nunnery Gompa too. We will make a short visit and then we cross the Shiar Khola. Continue walking through the well managed villages Lar (micro hydro power), Phurbe and Pangdun. Leaving old historic Stupa of Bhudda on the way crossing the village of Chhule, climb upstream and cross the bridge to finally arrive at Nile. Overnight in Nile.
Day 10: Trek to Mu Gompa (3,700m) 3 hours trek
We are now very close to the Tibetan border. We walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan atmosphere landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. In the afternoon we will hike up to the non monastery (Dhephu Doma) then we will head back to Mu Gompa. Overnight in Mu Gompa.
Day 11: In Mu Gompa explore around
Today we make a sightseeing around Mu Gompa Region. Mu Gompa is the biggest monastery in the region. The Gompa situated at the highest and most remote part of the Tsum Valley. After exploring the Mu Gompa area, you may also consider the option of getting to the base of Pika Himal (4865m). Overnight at Mu Gompa.
Day 12: Trek to Rachen Gompa (3,240m) 5-6 hours trek
From Mu Gompa, we retrace the trail back to Rachen Gomba. Today we can enjoy glimpses of the Punchen Himal which is unique in shape. Overnight in Rachen Gompa.
Day 13: Trek to Chumling (2,386m)
After breakfast we continue retrace the trail back throughout Chhokangparo , Kowa, Rainjam, and to Chumling. Today’s trail is relatively easy and mostly it’s descending. We will enjoy the scenery that we have messed on the way up. Overnight in Chumling.
Day 14: Trek to Philim (1,570m)
Today we will be returning back to Philim via Lokpa, Thangurmu, Eklebote and to Philim. On the way today we will enjoy stunning view of Ganhesh Himal and Shringgi himal. Also today’s trail is mostly downhill via beautiful forest, waterfalls, river etc. Overnight in Philim.
Day 15: Trek to Khorlabesi (970m) 7-8 hours trek
After breakfast, we will be continuing descend to Khorlabesi. The trek today will be easy and pleasant as we will walk through terrains and cross several bridges above Budhi Gandaki river. we will finally reach the Khorlabesi a small beautiful Gurung village. Overnight in Khorlabesi.
Day 16: Trek to Soti Khola (700m/2,296ft): 6-7 hours
Today the trail crosses the Tharo Khola flowing in a rocky ravine. Head down again to the river and traverse to Machha Khola village. Walk along the Budhi Gandaki River to reach to Gurung village of Labubesi. Pass the two waterfalls on a steep rocky trail on the side of a cliff. We then reach Khursane. Walk along the ridge above Budhi Gandaki river and cross the Sal forests. Finally, cross the bridge to arrive to Soti Khola. Overnight in Soti Khola.
Day 17: Drive from Soti Khola to Kathmandu-8-9 hours drive
After early breakfast we drive from Soti Khola to Kathmandu. During the drive, we enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. Soti Khola to Dhading Bensi we will drive on a rough road and after Dhading Besi we will be driving on a paved road till Kathmandu. Overnight Stay at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 18: In Kathmandu
Day of leisure in Kathmandu, do some souvenir shopping to take memory back home. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 19: Final departure
Our amazing journey to Tsum Valley trek comes to end today. A company representative will drop you off at the airport 3 hours before our scheduled flight.
PHOTO GALLERY
Trip Cost
Please contact us for costing detail.