Trip Highlights
- Visit the famous Rachen Gumba (Nunnery), Dhephyudoma Gumba, and Mu Gumba.
- Sacred caves and many exotic villages on the way.
- Magnificent views of Mt Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, Mt Himalchuli, and Ganesh Himal.
- The beautiful, varied landscape, varied flora and fauna, mountain ridges, and glaciers.
- The unique cultural blend of Tibetan and Nepalese peoples.
- Peoples of Tsum Valley, Tsumbas with their ancient art, culture, and dialect.
About The Trip
Tsum Valley Trek lies between 2000 to 3500 asl in the Gorkha district of the Western part of Nepal. This hidden valley lies inside Manaslu Conservation Area, which is established in 1998. This Hidden Valley is surrounded by Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Siringi Himal to the North. The route is untouched by the modern world here; you will see an immaculate state and remoteness, and ancient ruins. The region looks completely different from what you will find elsewhere in Nepal. The people of Tsum Valley are also called Tsumbas, and they have their own religion, dialect, art, and culture.
Overview
Fell the secret Tibetan Buddhist land lying at the edge of most secluded Himalayan valleys. Tsum Valley Trek leads you to the Tsum valley, known as Hidden valley, full of monasteries and Gompas with Tibetan Inhabitants. T This remotest Himalayan Valley is also the restricted region until recently. The trek will take you to the lap of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal ranges. Very few trekkers made it to this mysterious valley, which used to be the important trade link with Tibet. The valley is yet to be exposed in comparison to other popular regions.
We will find that the Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal Himalayas is still less explored by the tourists as it was made public later in 2008 only gaining more attraction recently. But you still need to bury Resticted Area Permit ( RAP) to enter the region. The restriction policy is imposed to protect its fragile ecology and culture.
We can encounter many endangered and rare wildlife in the dense forest like Himalayan Thar and Blue Sheep. We walk through the bank of various rivers enjoying the great views of the majestic mountains like Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, HimlungHimal with a divine view of the Annapurna range. Going through the beautifully lush and wild landscapes with dense forests full of difficult terrain will reward you with wonderful lifelong memories.
We visit Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, and nunnery temple on our way to our destination. With prayer flags all around, we get a beautiful glimpse of these architectures. Moreover, we get to explore and experience the Tibetan culture throughout the valley. We will surely be amazed by the unique mountain lifestyles and their cultures, untouched and uninfluenced by the outer world.
Tsum Valley Trek is truly an adventurous one that takes you to the off-the-beaten route, where it takes you to Tibetan culture, witness nature’s beauty, and pleasant trek. If you want to extend the trek in Manasu Region, then you have below options for other trekking packages we offer:
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek
Tsum Valley Trek Route
Your memorable trek starts with the early morning drive to Soti Khola through Arughat Bazaar. The trailhead will start from here, where we walk further, passing dense forest, streams, narrow trail, and reach Machha Khola. We will then walk to Khola Bensi before continuing to Tatopani, where the trial will be slightly challenging. We then walk through rivers and suspension bridges and reach Jagat. Today, the initial part will be slightly uphill, cross the suspension bridge over Budi Gandaki, Gurung village, and then stay at Lokpa. This day you will leave the Manalsu Circuit Trek Route and head to Tsum Valley. From Lokpa, the trail is rough and rocky underfoot and steep ascents and descents. Walk through a narrow gorge, then open out a beautiful vista of mountains that takes you to Chumling. Today you will enjoy the view of the beautiful Ganesh Himal during the trek. After some hours of trek, we will reach Chokung Paro. The next day, the trek will be a little easier, with much to see on the way. The visit to Milarepa’s cave and the Gonhgye monastery above Chhulu is worthwhile. You will be staying at the Nile, which is situated at the bank of Shiar Khola.
Mu Gompa is also the home to ancient Tiberatn peoples and the trade route to and from Tibet. The mountains seen from here are mesmerizing. Further, we will walk to the Rachen Gumba where you will be able to enjoy the mesmerizing view of mountains as the valley. Today we will head toward the Chumling, and the Baudha Himal and Mt. Himalchuli will welcome you. Further, you will be back from the Phillim, Dobhan, Lapubesi, Arughat Bazar, and finally to Kathmandu.
Best Time for Tsum Valley Trek
The best season for Tsum Valley Trek is in (February – late May) spring and (September – late November) in autumn. The weather tends to remain stable in spring and autumn, with clearer views. But the pattern doesn’t remain the same.
Tsum Valley Trek in Spring
Spring month starts from March and continues up until May. You will feel excellent, and temperatures at high altitudes are still cold during the early season. The tea houses and lodges start to initiate in an alpine zone that was closed during the winter. You can easily cross the high altitude lands without any difficulties in this season. Forest inside Manaslu Conservation Area starts to blossom, giving the forest new greener looks, which feel amazing. You will get a chance to see many exotic and even endangered wildlife on the way to trek.
Around mid-spring, the temperature in lower elevation starts to rise, and it will be even hotter in late spring. Still, the upper elevation is perfect to trek during this weather. You will experience the blossom of flowers in the entire lush green forest in late spring. Green hills and snow-capped mountains in the backdrop view are amazingly stunning.
If you are wandering in lower elevation, we recommend you wear sunscreen, a sunhat, and sunglasses as sunlight can be strong. During the trek, we will recommend wearing sunglasses as the direct sun to white snow causes difficulties. Spring is the best season to trek Tsum Valley.
Tsum Valley Trek in Summer
June to August months falls in the summer season in Nepal and also known as the monsoon or rainy season. During this season, you will experience the super-hot in the lower region, especially in the eastern region of the Terai and Hilly region.
The month of June is the pre-monsoon period, and temperature declines during the downpours and thrives on sunny days. Clouds are most likely covers majestic views of mountains, but you may see mountains occasionally. From July to August, you will experience frequent rainfall in Tsum Valley Trek. Flight cancellation happens during these months.
As Nepal is located in a hilly area, there will be a chance to occur landslide problems in monsoon seasons. If you decide to trek in this season, just be sure to take precautions and safety measures. Your trek will be memorable if you have a proper guide who knew the route well as this is the offseason, so there will be few lodges that remain open in this weather condition.
Tsum Valley Trek in Autumn
The autumn season starts from September to November, when the monsoon is just leaving its effect. But still, the possibility of rainfall is high in the first two weeks. Rain steadily decreases, and moderately skies turn out to be clear where the green rich forest and stunning snow-capped mountain views will come to life. During the season, the trek route will be perfect with not much wind or clouds resulting in the best view of nature and mountains.
The autumn season is also the perfect time of the year, and many Nepalese festivals fall in this season. Taking part in local culture and celebrations is an experience not to be missed. During the late autumn, you will encounter cool weather at high altitudes. The number of tourists will slowly decrease in late autumn. Even the weather is cold; it doesn’t affect the spectacular view of the mountains.
Tsum Valley Trek in Winter
December to February is the winter season in Nepal. It is moderately cold at high altitudes, but the perspectives of the landscape are crystal clear.
In mid-winter, huge snowfall will make your trek tough or impossible sometimes. High altitude landscape is yet possible to cross before thick snow seal it down. This high altitude will be excessively challenging at this time. You can pass the trail but only with the best trekking gears.
The lodges will be closed this season, and you may have to camp at some stops. As the weather at a high altitude is challenging, it will add to the adventure. In the late winter, the temperature starts to improve. The snow deposits begin to melt down, and wildflowers start to blossom everywhere at the lower altitudes.
Tsum Valley Trek Difficulty
Tsum Valley Trek is the complete package of mesmerizing nature, exotic settlements, and rugged terrain hidden in the corner of Nepal. This wonderful trek leads you to the far north mid-west part tucked between Manaslu range and Ganesh Himal. This mysterious valley is less explored in comparison to other regions.
Tsum Valley is situated in physically demanding and nearly tricky treks in Nepal. The trek is in a restricted area and explored a few times. The trial to this valley leads to a narrow and remote trial. The most part of the trail is steep and rocky.
Trekking to Tsum Valley does not need any trekking experience to high altitude. But, to beat the challenge of this trek, you must always be in shape and be strong. Trekking to the mountain or in high altitude terrain is no easy as how it looks. To sustain the high altitude and rocky terrain, you must have better strength. To make better strength and be safe from high altitude, you should boost your physical endurance for trekking. You can engage in jogging, skipping, cycling, or swimming as a practice for trekking. You can also go to work out or some short day hike nearby hills before the actual trek.
Tsum Valley Trek altitude varies from 700m to 5000m on the Tibetan border. So, this trek is likely to be altitude sickness who have less strength. As you reach higher, you may experience long, harsh cold weather, so be sure to bring a warm cloth. Tsum valley route is around 180km, and the average walk is about 6-7 hours. Walking simultaneously for such duration on rocky, stee[ terrain is somehow difficult for trekkers.
Tsum Valley Trek Permit Cost
Tsum Valley Restricted Permit
Tsum Valley Trek permit costs USD40 for the first seven days and USD7.00 each additional day from September to November.
Permit for Tsum Valley Trek costs USD 30 for the first seven days and USD7.00 for each extra day from December to August.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
The entry fee for Nepalese is USD.10 per person, for SAARC USD.10 per person, and for other Nationals USD.30 per person.
