Trip Route
Lapubesi - Jagat - Chhokangparo - Rachen & Mu Gompa - Gompa Longdang - Soti Khola
Trip Facts
2+ PAX
Easy/Moderate
Lodge/Homestay
4,000 M/13,120 FT
Full Board on Trek
Jeep/Bus
Autumn to Spring
Tsum Valley Trek Highlights
- The sacred Buddhist Valley where animals sacrificed is not allowed by the community
- Unique walking experience from the humid valley to alpine climate zone
- Traverse alongside Buri Gandaki River with crossing high iron bridges on the gorge of boulder rock formation
- Enjoy to see Gurung and Tibetan culture also Polyandry culture still exists in Tsum Valley
- Enjoy to see an image of Tibetan Buddhism on beautiful Tsum valley Monasteries, Gompas, Chhorten, Meditation Cave, etc
- Side trek beyond the human settlement on snow leopard territory and touch border of Tibet "Thapla Bhanjyang"
- Experience both male and female monks culture in peace and calm Gompa Longdang and Mu Gompa
- Superb day hike throughout the pristine forest to Ganesh Himal base camp and glacier
- Panoramic mountain view of Ganesh Himal, Churke Himal, Budha Himal, Siringi Himal
Guided Tsum valley trek, a journey to the sacred Buddhist valley to explore medieval cave & monasteries in unique and exclusive landscapes with doing side trek to isolate Gompa Longdang, Tibet border, and Ganesh Himal base camp.
The remote Tsum Valley is one of the hidden gems of Nepal. Tsum Valley is known as the Beyul Kyimolung, the holy hidden valley of happiness, first described by Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) in the eighth century. Milarepa meditated in the caves of Piren Phu and there are centuries old nunneries.The Tibetan Buddhist culture is still very common in Tsum and the scenery is just stunning, with beautiful forests and countryside, with Ganesh Himal towering above the valley. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word 'Tsombo', which means bright and after visiting Tsum, you can only agree. Many people combine the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit, starting in Arughat Bazaar and ending in Besisahar, which is also the starting point for the Annapurna circuit. You can already catch a jeep further north from Dharapani onwards. Others proceed back to Arugath the same way, a circuit is not possible. You start low, walking through green countryside, and passing small Hindu villages. You enter the Tsum Valley going right from the main trail and you soon enter a beautiful forest with pines and rhododendrons. Heading eastwards, the valley opens up to reveal a beautiful countryside and small Tibetan-style villages.
Daily itinerary
Once you provides us your Kathmandu arrival details, we pick you up from on arrival gate of Tribhuvan international airport. The airport representative stay standby with your name on placard. Then you'll be welcomed with fresh garland after that short driven to your hotel. After room check-in take your own time for relax and leisure.
Day 01: Kathmandu to Lapubesi (810 m/2,656 ft)
8 Hrs by drive B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
Our drive starts from Kathmandu with beautiful scenery of landscape and Himalayas to Dhading. After lunch the drive continues on rough road over the hills and along the river to Lapubesi via Soti Khola.
Day 02: Lapubesi to Dobhan (1,260 m/4,132 ft)
5 Hrs Trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
Today trek is an easy, the trail starts and goes through the villages jungle, paddies field with view of stunning water fall to Machhi Khola. After lunch we trek on banks of Budi Gandaki river to Dobhan village also visit natural hot spring alongside of Buri gandaki river.
Day 03: Dobhan - Jagat - Philim village (1,650 m/5,412 ft)
5/6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
We reckon this takes about five hours. The meandering path passes through forest, villages, streams, pretty waterfalls and green valleys. This is a village mainly occupied by Mongolian tribes. Now you again traverse the zigzag path to reach Philim.
Day 04: Philim - Lokpa - Chumling (2,600 m/8,528 ft)
5/6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
The trail is quite exposed in the gorge and its goes gradual up on the rocky path often goes into the jungle. After Yarubesi we trek on the sandy beach again the wind to Jagat tinny multi ehtnic village at lap of huge rock. We check our trekking permits and continues our trek along the river passing typical gurung villages to Philim.
Day 05: Chumling - Chhokangparo - Rachen Gumba (3,230 m/10,560 ft)
6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
The trail takes an ascending through villages, jungle to Chhokangparo, the first village of upper Tsum valley with view of deep valley and high Himalayas. After lunch here, the trek along at beautiful Chokanparo village, we trek throughout villages and beautiful agricultural terrain to Rachen gompa.
Day 06: Rachen Gompa - Nile - Mu Gompa (3,760 m/12,332 ft)
5/6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
Today, we have an easy trail on the green valley and walking thru the traditional village and also passes charming Buddhist sites where Tibetan words are engraved in the rocks. Beyond the Nele village is perfect for animal grazing where often see baby yak are pasturing. A path to Mu Gompa is lightly climbing up on the shrubs and then short ascending up on dwarf herb to a female monastery where few nunneries are looking after. From Mu Gompa possible to do a side trip to Tibet border. The gompa has few neat and clean accommodation for the trekker's and the young monks cook meals in the kitchen. Mu gompa offers the best scenery of deep Tsum valley and towering white mountains.
Day 07: Mu Gompa to Chhokan-paro (3,032 m/9,944 ft)
6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
You'll be mesmerized by stunning sunrise scenery on the surrounding Himalayas and glistering sights of smokey Tsum valley. The trek begins after breakfast and follow descending path across the villages and cultivate agriculture farm to Chhokangparo village.
Day 08: Chhokanparo - Tumje - Gompa Longdang (3,200 m/10,496 ft)
5 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
Follow the downhill trail on the pine forest and passes traditional local villages to Tumje village where we stop for the simple lunch. From here follow an uphill path on the east bank of the river into the dense pine and rhododendron forest.
Day 09 Side trek to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4,200 m/13,779 ft)
5/6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
It would be a longest hike day trip to Ganesh Himal base camp on a poorly trail inside the shrubs and hardly seen footprints of previous trekker's. We begin the trek with sufficient drinking water and proper foods as well as energy bars. We follow an uphill trail in the pristine forest where often have a roaring sound of the birds and deer's as well thriving of the wild herbs. This route basically for the yak herbs on summer camp and for local who collect Caterpillar fungus around May and June. We towards to Ganesh Himal base camp on pebble physical demanding trail also pass the stone-hut which is for the yak herdsman. Once we finished trek into the forest continuing on the lateral moraine of Toro glacier. Around here hardly visible the track but we have a professional guide who has been doing trek since long. We trek further up as far as we can continue and get a marvelous view of Ganesh Himal and the sacred valley. From here retracing to Gompa Longdang before get dark and attend daily ritual at Gomba.
Day 10: Gompa Longdang - Ripchet (2,900 m/10,496 ft)
5 hrs Trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
We trek descends along the Laudnag River to Domje then cross the suspension bridge on the east of the village. Trek in the forest and come cross the other swing bridge on a boulder. After short trek reach at Ripchet, from here you will see good landscapes of Chhumling, Chumchet, and Siringi Himalayan range.
Day 11: Ripchet - Lokpa - Philim (1,650 m/5,412 ft)
6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
After breakfast follows a trail on steeply descend to the main route then route often go up and down which passes thru Lokpa and Ekle Bhatti before reaching to Philim village.
Day 12: Philim - Jagat - Dobhan - Tatopani (1,050 m/3,444 ft)
6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
Descend passing a villages and gorge along the bank of river to Tatopani.
Day 13: Tatopani to Lapubesi (810 m/2,656 ft)
6 Hrs trek B/L/D with hot drink Guesthouse
From Tatopani, trek route goes west bank of buri gandaki river across the ethnic villages to Lapubesi.
Day 14: Lapubesi to Kathamndu
9 Hrs by drive B/L/D with hot drink
A 9 hrs drive start from Lapubesi, it goes along the Budi Gandaki river. It is a scenic drive which contains off and paved road. The bus stop for the lunch and toilet then around 3/4 pm arriving Kathmandu then transfer to your hotel.
Your Tsum valley trek comes to an end today with us. You will be transferring to airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight.
What's included?
- International and domestic airport transfer airport/hotel/airport
- Tsum valley trekking permit (Manaslu conservation area and Tsum valley special permit)
- English speaking licensed guide with salary, accommodation, food & Insurance
- Three meals a day during the trek in the mountains (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner with hot drinks)
- Seasonal fresh fruits where available
- Kathmandu to Lapubesi and Lapubesi to Kathmandu by public bus/jeep
- Musical Adventure Trekking complimentary trekking equipment's like four seasonal sleeping bag, dawn Jacket and duffle bag (should be returned upon completing the trek)
- First aid medical kit, oximeter to check pulse, heart rate and oxygen saturation at higher altitude
- Normal lodge/guesthouse base accommodation during trek in the mountain
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at typical Nepalese restaurant with live cultural dance
What's not included?
- Lunch and dinner at Kathmandu
- Travel and medical insurance
- Porter to carry bag pack
- Personal expenses battery charge, hot shower, phone calls, Internet, laundry etc.
- Gratitude (Tips) to guide and porters (recommended but not compulsory)
Fixed Departures
Essential Information
Tsum valley trek starting and exit Point
Our guided Tsum valley trek program begins with a drive to Soti Khola then next following days trailhead stepped rice field, alongside Buri Gandaki river with mesmerizing waterfall sights on huge boulder valley. Also walking throughout bamboo shrubs, colorful rhododendron forest and cluster villages of different ethnic groups. Onward Lokpa Tsum valley trek passing Buddhist enhance trail and villages also pass traditional Buddhist monasteries Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, Dephyudonma Gompa, Gompa Longdang and Pire Phu Cave. After exploring Tsum valley walked back to Lapu Besi or Soti Khola then catch a public bus or private four-wheel jeep to Kathmandu.
Culture and Festival of Tsum Valley Trek
Tsumbo, a people of Tsum valley practiced unique ethnic culture and more or less influenced by Tibetan culture. The Tsum valley trek route passing through villages where you will experience charming local culture and seasonal festivals. Tsumbo indigenous groups are from Tibetan origin thus still following Lunisolar calendar and the celebration date are based on it. Along the trek rejoice yourself with watching different colorful festival across the year Losar (January or February), Saga Dawa (May or June), Nara (January/June/October/December), Fanning (August), Dhachyang/Horse racing (November or December). The actual date of the festival fixed a few months before the celebration day.