TSUM VALLEY TREK

Trip Introduction

Tsum valley lies in Gorkha district and comprises two remote villages called Chumchet and Chhekampar. The name ‘Tsum’ came from the Tibetan word called ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid. Traditionally Tsum valley was a very distinct place geographically and culturally therefore was called ‘Tsum Tso Chuksums’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. This land is so unexplored that many religious and archeological relics are still intact at many places in Tsum. People in Tsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have unique culture, tradition and a dialect of their own.

The valley occupies an area of about 1663 km2. The lowest point of Tsum Valley trek is Lokpa (1905 m) and the highest is Ngula Dhojhyang Pass (over 5093 m) on the Tibetan border. The Hidden Valley is surrounded by the Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the North.

Trip Facts:

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Flight from Switzerland

   

• Day 2

  Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel

  Our representative (Shree Adventure club) will meet you in airport and then Transfer hotel in Kathmandu. And welcome dinner.

  Accommodation: Hotel (SAMSARA HOTEL RESORT, Thamel)

• Day 3

  KATMANDU - BARPAK (1950m)

  We reach Gorkha by minibus by a road along the Trisuli River with beautiful views of the Himalayan range. Then we continue by local transport in the valley of the Dhorandi Khola to Baluwa (8 h drive in all by private jeep). This is the start of our trek around the Manaslu; we walk along the Trisuli to Ranglung where we start a fairly steep climb to Barpak, the largest traditional Gurung village in the Gorkha region. This is the region of the epicenter of the earthquake in Nepal.

  • Accommodation: In Lodge
• Day 4

  BARPAK - LAPRAK (2200m)

  After breakfast, climb for 3 hours to GUPSI DADA (3000m) with the Himal Buddha still in the background. GUPSI DADA separates BARPAK and LAPRAK and offers views of pastures with flocks of sheep. Buddha Himal, Shringi Himal, the Annapurna Range, Ganesh Himal and the Langtang stretch all around, a breathtaking view. In spring nearly 28 species of rhododendrons bloom profusely in shades of pink and red. 2 hours of steep descent and here you are in LAPRAK, a large village with more than 500 houses and 2,400 inhabitants. You are at the heart of the unique art of living of the Gurung of this region. They are mainly farmers and their standard of living is low and harsh. The barter system is still practiced (rice, oil, clothes, skins…).

  • Elevation plus: 750 meters
  • Elevation less: 400 meters
  • Number of walking hours: 6
  • Accommodation: In Lodge
• DAY 5

  LAPRAK - KHORLA BENSI (970 m)

  We start from LAPRAK by a labyrinth of paths and then cross the Chyabru Khola by a suspension bridge. We climb slowly to the village SINGHA passing next to many crops of pink sorghum with always LAPRAK and GUMDA in sight. From here the trail is easy and we can admire the peaks of Kutang Himal and Shringi Himal. We cross other terraced crops and papaya fields before arriving at the Gurung village of KHORLA BESHI where women weave doormats.

  • Elevation plus: 150 meters
  • Elevation less: 1100 meters
  • Number of walking hours: 6
  • Accommodation: In Lodge
• Day 6

  KHORLA BENSI - JAGAT (1370 m)

  Climb along the course of the Bhudi Gandaki. After an hour of walking, arrival at Tatopani (hot springs). A suspension bridge allows you to change banks. Passage to Dobhan then, following a nice plateau, to Shiauli Bhoti. Steep climb to Yarupant and crossing the Yaru Khola. The trail continues and joins Jagat, a real entry point into the Manaslu Conservation Area.

  • Elevation plus: 400 meters
  • Number of walking hours: 6
  • Accommodation: In Lodge
• Day 7

  JAGAT - LOKPA (2040m), 6h

  It is arrived along the descent and arrives the small village  and the other small village of Deng where the Tibetan influence is already felt, as much by the architecture as by the faces of the villagers. We finally begin our walk in the valley of Tsum. We gradually climb to the small village then hike to the small village of Lokpa. View of the Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.

  • Elevation + 350m – 50m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 8

  Lokpa - Chumling (2316m), 6h

  From Lokpa, we descend into a beautiful forest. The path joins the river at the bottom of the impressive gorges of the Syar. In the distance appears the glacial summit of Chamar, at more than 7000m. We pass the valley lock before the trail climbs up the mountainside in a forest that is still very beautiful. Further down the path, we cross the river again on a rudimentary bridge and pass the right bank to go up in laces to the entrance of a valley where the sun falls on us. Then climb up a grassy slope to reach Chumling

  • Elevation + 250m – 50m

  Tent/Lodge

• Day 9

  Chumling - Chhokangparo (3010m), 5 h

  We always follow the right bank of the river with climbs and descents. At the confluence of the Syar and the Sarpu we observe a beautiful traditional chorten (mini stupa) and cross a suspension bridge. We then cross the beautiful village of Gho and continue to climb to Chhokungparo.

  • Elevation + 500m – 150m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 10

  Chhokangparo - Chule – Nile (3361m). 6h

  Now we are passing through several Tibetan villages. On the way, we visit the Rachen Gompa monastery (3240 m). On a cliff above the village there is the hermitage of Piren Phu where, it is said; Milarepa (a respected Buddhist master) meditated, attested to the imprint of his foot in the cave. Then we continue to Nile.

  • Elevation + 300m – 50m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 11

  Nile - Mu Gompa (3700m), 5h 30 m

  Ascent to the monastery of Mu Gompa, this one is the last dwelling before the border of Tibet. It is a very famous ancient monastery built between 1895 and 1936 by a grand lama of Bhutan which was restored in 1998. It is a quite famous meditation center which depends on the Gelugpa monastery of Kopan near Kathmandu. The main room is dedicated to Chenrezig the Buddha of Compassion. We then visit the Choyong Gompa nunnery 45 minutes away by a balcony path. Magnificent views of the mountains and the caravan route to Tibet.

  • Elevation + 400m – 50m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 12

  Mu Gompa - Rachen Gompa (3020m) 6h

  Rachen Gompa is one of the largest monasteries in the Tsum Valley, with 80 student monks. Rachen Gompa was founded in 1936 by Drukpa in the sect of Ngak-pa, which does not allow the sacrifice of animals

  • Elevation + 100m – 550m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 13

  Rachen Gompa - Ripchet (2468m)

  A quiet descent followed by a steeper slope leads us to Dumje.

  We followed a hilly path shaded by conifers, oaks and rhododendrons to the pretty and rustic village of Ripchet. We enjoy the great views of the mountains

  • Elevation + 150m – 400m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 14

  Ripchet - Dobhan (1070m)

  Quiet descent for the first hour before a more strenuous descent to Dobhan

  • Elevation + 170m – 600m
  • Tent/Lodge
• Day 15

  Dobhan - Soti Khola (720m)

  Many climbs and descents await us. Rather trying day in full sun before arriving in Soti Khola.

  • Elevation + 170m – 600m
  • Walking time: 5/6 hours
  • Lodge/Tent
• Day 16

  Soti Khola - Arughat - Kathmandu (1350m)

  Transfer by local bus to Kathmandu throughout the journey you will pass beautiful landscapes of rice fields and traditional Nepalese villages, lunch along the way.

  • Travel time: approximately 7/8 hours
  • Accommodation: Hotel (Breakfast included)
• Day 17

  Free day

• Day 18

  Departure

Cost Includes & Excludes

Glimpse of TSUM VALLEY TREK

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