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Tsum Valley Trek

Overview

TSUM THE VALLEY OF HAPPINESS TREKKING

‘adventure around the hidden pockets of Nepal Far North West Himalayas’

Tsum the Valley of Happiness Trekking, is an exciting country to explore around Far North Mid-West Nepal. Hidden behind massif Ganesh and Manaslu Himalayas high mountain range, truly a Shangri-La isolated from the rest of the world.

Tsum the Valley of Happiness Trekking, is an unforgettable adventure of fewer than two weeks in the harmony of pristine wilderness. The upper areas of Tsum Valley are an extension of Tibet’s South West plateau, a desert-like country.

An amazing country to experience around remote wild areas of Nepal Himalayas, where the local custom of age-old heritage is still practiced. The beauty and charm of the trek are its beautiful scenic landscapes and traditional villages adorned with immense culture.

Tsum the Valley of Happiness Trekking, begins from Kathmandu taking an interesting drive to Central Nepal around the Gorkha district. The walk starts from low warm farmlands following the glacial Budi Gandaki River most of the way.

Where trail leads on the same route of Tsum valley and Manaslu Circuit for a few days till Lokpa village. As the trek progressed reaching higher cooler hills covered in a lovely forest of rhododendron and pine trees. On leaving the main trail of Manaslu Circuit, heading northeast towards Ganesh Himal into a wild country.

Where few groups of trekkers seldom venture, due to its complete wilderness as well most travelers are unaware. As Tsum Valley was opened from 2008 onwards and remains a Restricted Area of Nepal Himalayas.

Adventure to Tsum valley is quite different from other mainstream trekking trails, the villagers are slowly awakening. In providing the traveler's comfort of good accommodation and food, at the present number of nice simple lodges have flourished.

The adventure continues reaching the first village of Tsum at Chumling and then another Chokanparo and lively Nike village. An interesting place steeped with ancient heritage culture similar to its Tibetan predecessors.

The border to Tibet is located a few days' walk beyond Nile and Mu Gompa, which is our last final destination.

The major highlight of Tsum Valley of Happiness is visiting a remote and isolated old monastery of Mu Gompa. The walk leads to windblown terrain facing dramatic scenery of beautiful landscapes of wind-eroded hills and views of snow peaks.

On reaching Mu Gompa, an interesting tour of the monastery, the interior is enriched with religious artifacts idols of Lord Buddha, and famous Buddhist saints. As well visit the nunnery close to the monastery area overlooking grand views of Ganesh Himal massif peaks.

On reaching the highest point of the trek, return journey on the same scenic route back to Chumling. As the walk leads back down to warmer low farmland at Machha-Khola for an exciting drive to Kathmandu. After a great memorable adventure to Tsum the valley of happiness trekking.

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 02: At Kathmandu for trek preparation and sightseeing tour.

Day 03: Drive to Machha-Khola 930 m and trek to Khorla Besi-08 hrs.

Day 04: Trek to Jagat 1,340 m - 05 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Lokpa 2,240 m via Deng 1,800 m -06 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Chumling 2,386 m via Chisapani -06 hrs.

Day 07: Trek to Chokhanparo 3, 010 m-06 hrs.

Day 08: Trek to Nile 3, 361 m-06 hrs.

Day 09: At Nile for Hike to Mu Gompa 3,700 m-07 hours both ways.

Day 10: Trek back to Chumling -07 hrs.

Day 11: Trek to Lokpa - 06 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Jagat-06 hrs.

Day 13: Trek to Machha-Khola -06 hrs.

Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu via Arughat town-06 hrs.

Day 15: At Kathmandu free day for individual activities.

Day 16: Depart for international departure

Trip Highlights

    “Enjoy the dramatic scenery of beautiful landscapes of far north-west Nepal. Walk in between great giant mountain range of Ganesh and Manaslu Himalayas. Explore the hidden, scenic country of Tsum around the valley of happiness. Adventure far from main trails on off the beaten tracks to remote Mu Gompa. Exciting views from start to the end of walks visiting impressive cultural villages”

    Trip Brief Summary:

    Trekking Mode: Staying in best available Lodges on treks.

    Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.

    Highest Spot: At Mu Gompa 3,700 m / 12,174 feet.

    Activities: Exciting drives and scenic walks. Trekking

    duration: 11 Nights and 12 Days with drives both ways.

    Total Trip: 15 Nights and 16 Days from arrival to departure.

    Best Seasons:

    Tsum the Valley of Happiness Trekking, the best seasons are in spring and autumn/fall, where days are crystal clear for views and pleasant walks.

    The springtime begins from March till May, the high seasons for trekking around Nepal Himalayas and to Langtang Valley.

    Most days are clear fine and bright with sunshine, which can get overcast in the late afternoon. Chances of snowfall sometimes on higher terrain, cold in the morning late afternoon, and nighttime. The mid-hills are lively with wildflowers in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendron of various species from trees to a short bush.

    The next best time is in autumn/fall, one of the peak seasons. For trekking around the Himalayas and to Tsum Valley, most days are crystal clear for views and scenic walks. However, the days are shorter due to fewer sun-light hours, much colder morning and late afternoon till night time. Chances of snowfall sometimes during the walk around higher areas above 2,000 m high, but with a clear starry night sky.

    Religion, Culture around Tsum Valley:

    The highlanders of Tsum are known as Tsumba, the traditional natives of the hidden valley of Tsum. The Indigenous peoples, speak a unique Tsumke or Tsumba, a dialect influenced and similar to Tibetan and descendent from Tibet. Quite different to Gurung of lower-middle hills of Gorkha district region.

    The native of Tsum valley follows Tibetan Buddhism known as Mahayana or Greater Wheel. Established by great Guru Rinpoche Padamasamba in the 7th Century, reforming Buddhism which was near to extinct.

    The culture, tradition, and heritage are similar to its Tibetan predecessors, the Manaslu native is farmers and raises livestock. As a well famous craftsman and artist painting Thangka the religious arts of Buddhism religions.

    Interesting villages on this trek are Chumling, Chokan Paro, and Nile, other places are temporary settlements from Nile onwards and Mu Gompa.


Detail Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

On arrival in Kathmandu at Nepal international airport, received by our staff and guide for short drive to your hotel. Located amidst the main city, check into your rooms and join in for trek briefing with other members of the trip. Our guide provides information about the trekking trails, local lodge, and culture and so on. Evening group dinner an introduction to Nepalese meals and traditions.
Day 2:

At Kathmandu for trek preparation and sightseeing tour.

Enjoy the free day for trek preparation and join for an interesting sightseeing tour around historical, cultural and religious places. Kathmandu is steeped with World Heritage Sites, our city / cultural guide will takes you around the great places of historical wonders of great interest. Afternoon free for individual activities and trek preparation.
Day 3:

Drive to Machha-Khola 930 m and trek to Khorla Besi-08 hrs.

An early morning departure for the Manaslu Circuit adventure, a long interesting drive on a private coach or comfortable tourist standard bus. As group size, drive leads beyond Kathmandu city and the valley heading down on winding main highway towards Gorkha district. Drive follows past town and farm villages as route divers heading Mid-West around Gandaki Zone. Drive leads to mid-hills, heavily farm areas of paddies. Finally drive reaches Arughat town. Arughat town, situated on low warm areas close to Buri Gandaki River, from here another few hours of drive. Following the dirt rough road to Soti-Khola and then finally ending the long drive at Machha Khola. After a long drive, start the refreshing short walk of few hours to Khorla Besi for overnight halt. Situated close to Tatopani, a place with a natural hot spring.
Day 4:

Trek to Jagat 1,340 m - 05 hrs.

After an exciting long drive of previous day, feeling glad to start the walk, as morning walk through number of smaller farm areas. As climb leads up to cooler hills. Walk into forested on leaving Khola Besi and then to Dovan, a nice farm village, climb continues to Jagat for overnight stop. Jagat a nice moderate size hill village with time to observe the local culture and way of local farm life.
Day 5:

Trek to Lokpa 2,240 m via Deng 1,800 m -06 hrs.

From Jagat, walk continues heading higher areas through many small farm villages and then a short climb with downhill crossing over suspension bridge to reach at Nagjet and Philim, a large village with scattered farm houses. After Philim walk through farm terraces of golden fields of wheat’s and barley, then a climb on rocky ridge top into bamboo forest area. After walking for few hours past Philim village, reaching at Deng of more Tibetan cultures, from here walks leads North East towards Tsum Valley with overnight stop at remote and small farm village of Lokpa.
Day 6:

Trek to Chumling 2,386 m via Chisapani -06 hrs.

After Lokpa village leaving the Buri-Gandaki River for some days, walk lead towards Tsum valley. As walk follows towards a narrow gorge, and then with short descend with climb into rhododendron and pine tree forest. Walk continues past smaller farm villages then uphill above Lungwa Khola to reach Chumling village for first overnight within Tsum Valley
Day 7:

Trek to Chokhanparo 3, 010 m-06 hrs.

Spending first night around Tsum valley area, todays walk leads much higher as altitude gains gradually. Facing grand views of Ganesh Himal, as walk continues through smaller villages, where landscapes and village appears much similar to Tibet plateau and culture. Walk downhill to cross a bridge over Smatiking Khola, facing Ganesh Himal, also called Yangra. After hours of interesting day walk reaching Chokhanparo village for overnight stop.
Day 8:

Trek to Nile 3, 361 m-06 hrs

Today’s walk is much interesting as adventure head closer towards upper Tsum area to Nile (Ne-lay). Morning starts with slow climb to an open valley within windswept terrain with few smaller trees that can survive on this dry terrain. Walk continues uphill along with views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal, after a pleasant day walk reaching Nile. Just before to our overnight stop, a side trip to an old cave of 11th Century Saint Millerepa famous poet, singer and a tantric guru his folk-tales and songs are still remembered by Tibetans and Buddhist alike. After an interesting visit of Millerepa meditating cave walk leads to a nice village of Nile, having better lodges and guest house.
Day 9:

At Nile for Hike to Mu Gompa 3,700 m-07 hours both ways

At Nile for another overnight stop, as Nile has better lodge accommodation and foods than at Mu Gompa. Morning hike starts to the highest point of the trek reaching remote end of Tsum at Mu Gompa. As climb continues on high terrain offering views of snow peaks on route to Mu Gompa. On reaching Mu Gompa visit of monastery interior treasures antique scrolls, statue and relics. The oldest monastery of Tsum and around Manaslu area, time permitting visit the nunnery nearby. After an exciting time at Mu Gompa walk back to Nile, after a long and interesting day hike.
Day 10:

Trek back to Chumling -07 hrs

Today our last day around Tsum valley, as morning walk leads to a long descend to Chumling village past farmland and then back into tree lines, after a long downhill walk of more than six hours to Chumling village for last overnight stop around Tsum valley areas.
Day 11:

Trek to Lokpa - 06 hrs

From Chumling village, morning walk down-hill following a river downstream with views of waterfalls then reaching villages of Samba, Tingding Chhupyang till our walk ends at Lokpa for overnight stop.
Day 12:

Trek to Jagat-06 hrs.

From here towards mid-hills around paddy areas, after a breakfast walk down hill past nice village of Philim. A village with nice farm fields and terrace, and the slowly walk leads through Nagjet, Sidibas Bazaar then reaching Jagat for overnight halt
Day 13:

Trek to Machha-Khola -06 hrs

A long day walk but easy on pleasant downhill reaching at low warm farm areas and into a nice forest. As walk continues to Tatopani a place with natural hot-spring. From Tatopani route follows down to Yaruphant, and then following the Budhi Gandaki River downstream. As day long walk finally ends on reaching Machha-Khola village for last overnight around Gorkha district.
Day 14:

Drive to Kathmandu via Arughat town-06 hrs.

Morning an exciting drive to Kathmandu, as road follow downhill to low warm farm country, reaching Arughat a large farm town. From here change of transport, and then on good road on reaching the main highway to Kathmandu. As drive follows Trisuli River for few hours, the road then winds up reaching the outskirt of Kathmandu valley. An hour drive from the suburb of Kathmandu to the main city area and back at your hotel. Reaching by late afternoon or evening by dinner time.
Day 15:

At Kathmandu free day for individual activities.

A leisure day in Kathmandu, after weeks of walking around Far North Mid-West Himalayas. On this day enjoy relaxing with fantastic memories of the adventure. Take a tour of Patan and Bhaktapur cities worth a visit, steeped with ancient historical monuments listed in the world heritage sites
Day 16:

Depart for international departure.

Transfer to Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, as per your international flight time, our guide and staff transfer you to the airport. The bidding farewell to staff and guide, enter the airport terminal for homeward bound, after a great wonderful adventure on Tsum the Valley of Happiness Trekking.

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