Tsum Valley Trek
US$1700
per personNorth of Kathmandu and nestled against the Tibetan border is a valley that no one has ver heard about. Its name is hidden and until 2008 was hidden to all foreigners. Its name is Tsum Valley, and the region is still in its pristine condition. It has the flavour of Tibet and its settlers came southward from the Tibetan plateau over 1000 years ago.
The land is Tibetan Buddhist; its language a dialect of Tibet. Many of the people here don’t even speak Nepali and for all practical purposes, this land has been isolated from the world. Its isolation was intended. Tsum Valley Trek can only be reached through high passes of the north or through the narrow Sarki George on the Syar River which begins its course in the high Himalayas. The Syar River waters the upper and lower Tsum Valley which is rich farmland in the midst of the Himalayan Mountains that form the barrier between Nepal and China.
Brief Itinerary of Tsum Valley Trek
An 18 day trip to Tsum Valley trek is recommended in order to be able to see everything and to enjoy the scenery, culture, and hospitality.
Day 01 Arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport
Day 02 Trek preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
Day 03 Kathmandu – Soti Khola (elev. 600 m)
Day 04 Soti Khola to Mchha Khola Gaon (elev. 1300 m)
Day 05 Machhakhola to Jagat- (elev. 1410 m)
Day 06 Jagat – Lokpa (elev. 2040 m)
Day 07 Lokpa to Chumling (elev. 2386 m)
Day 08 Chumling to Chhokangparo (elev. 3031 m)
Day 09 Chhokangparo to Nile (elev. 3361 m)
Day 10 Nile to Mu Gompa (elev. 3700 m)
Day 11 Mu Gompa to Rachen Gompa (elev. 3240)
Day 12 Rachen Gompa to Gumba Lungdung
Day 13 Gumba Lungdang to Lokpa (2240 m)
Day 14 Lokpa to Jagat (elev. 1340)
Day 15 Jagat to Lapubensi (elev. 900 m)
Day 16 Lapunbeshi to Arught (elev. 535 m)
Day 17 Drive back to Kathmandu
Day 18 Departure
Food and Accommodations during Tsum Valley Trek
As the area is new to tourism, do not expect to find first-class accommodations. Most of the lodges are either a single room where everyone sleeps, or you may be sleeping in someone’s home on the floor. Several of the local residents are working to develop better accommodations for visitors. Don’t be surprised, however, if you find there is no glass in the windows (and the wind blows through at night). The places are generally pleasant enough, although one place we stayed at had big holes in the roof, along with large openings in the sides of the building.
Toilets are eastern style and often located in ways from where you sleep. Sleeping dogs get aggressive at night, and if you need to make a midnight outing, you might run face to face with a curious yak. The locals drink butter tea, which is very rich and served hot. It makes for a nice way to warm up, and the butterfat is needed to survive the poor nutrition in the mountains. They also drink Roxy, local alcohol made from millet that is distilled.
People
The people practice a form of Buddhism which strictly adheres to the practice of not killing any animal for food. The wild animals have no fear of man as they have learned that humanity is not their enemy. The people farm with yaks and use them to move goods in and out of the valley. The few stores are stocked with goods from China and almost every village has a Gomba (Buddhist monastery). Some of the monasteries are very large, like the one at Rachen Gumba which has room for 113 monks and nuns and covers several acres of land.
The scenery is most impressive as the valley is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The southern peaks form the Ganesh Himal Range which acts as a barrier between the residents and the rest of Nepal. To the north are more snow-capped mountains that form a barrier with China. The people live as they have for hundreds of years. The women work in the small fields and take care of the homes; the men work outside and earn what money they can find. They practice a spirit of non-violence and peace, in keeping with the teaching of The Buddha.
Here you can walk the trails, climb mountains, visit ancient mountain monasteries, eat Tibetan bread and drink a locally made alcoholic drink called Roxy. Don’t expect to be served any meat – it just isn’t done as this is a place of pure vegetarianism. Their diets consist of wheat, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, and bread. They will consume eggs and they enjoy traditional Tibetan Butter Tea which they serve in steaming cups that will warm you against the cold winds that blow through the valley.
Religion and Culture of Tsum Valley
The Valley is 100% Tibetan Buddhist. Everywhere you will see pictures of the Dalai Lama. There are Gumbas (monasteries) in almost every village with the largest ones at Rachen Gumba, Mu Gomba, and GumbaLangdang. The last two monasteries do have places for visitors to stay. They have an excellent view of the Ganesh Himal Mountains. The lamas are friendly and very open to discussing their faith. When passing a chhorten, always pass on the left side, moving in a clockwise fashion.
It is considered bad luck to go around a chhorten in a counter-clockwise fashion. When entering any place of worship, treat the place with sacred respect. This will honor the local people who will be happy to share their faith. Also, ask before entering any place of worship. It is always best to seek permission first. Usually, every home has some kind of shrine where the family worships. You may find yourself sleeping in such a location. As always, treat that place with respect.
Mountains
The majestic mountain ranges that can be viewed from Tusm valley are Ganesh Himal Range, Siringi Himal range and Manaslu range. Kulha Palsang Himal can also be seen on the northern side of this valley. Ganesh Himal range, located mostly in north-central Nepal, is a sub-range of the Himalayan mountain range. Yangra (Ganesh I), Ganesh NW and Mount Ganesh are the mountains of Ganesh Himal Range.
Sringi Himal range, which lies in the Central Nepal-south of Tibet border and has Shiar Khola valley in the east and the Tom / Trisuli Gandaki valley in the west. The highest peak in this range is Chamar, 7187m, which is about 25km east of Manaslu. Although Mt. Manaslu is not seen from Tsum valley, its southern ranges can be observed. Himal Chuli and Baudha Himal of Manaslu range are clearly seen from here.
High Passes in Tsum Valley Trek
Ngala Dhojhyang is a very attractive pass situated above the snowline at an altitude of 5093m. The pass is very windy and is clear and pleasant especially in summer. Likewise, Thapla pass is located at an altitude of 5104 m and is partly covered with snow and glaciers. Then another pass called Humlung Pass is very difficult to reach and it takes eight hours for outsiders to arrive at that pass. Jonah is a very good place for camping since it has enough land for tents. After Jonali, we can reach Dhursa, which is very steep and narrow and it takes three hours to reach the pass from Dhursa.
Rivers & Lakes in Tsum Valley
Lungdang Khola, Shiar (Syar) Khola and Sarpu Khola are the main rivers of Tsum valley, which originates from the glaciers. Regarding lakes, ChhoSyong-Mu, Khungyu Lake, ChhoLungyu and Yamdro lakes are some attractive lakes for tourists.
Waterfalls
Trekkers will be delighted to see numerous waterfalls during the Tsum Valley Trek. Waterfalls like Chhuypang Chemo Chule, Samba Tingding Chhupyang, and Syoga Lungba are some major beautiful waterfalls, which will come during trekking.
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DepartureKathmandu
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Difficulty LevelTough
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What to BringWarm Jacket, Trouser, Big neck water bottle, trekking shoes and shocks, warm cap, Sun glasses, normal medicine, head lightr, light shoes,globes etc
ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1,300m/4,264ft)
FULL DAY KATHMANDU VALLEY SIGHTSEEING
KATHMANDU TO SOTI KHOLA (elevation 600 m)
SOTI KHOLA TO MACHHAKHOLAGAON (elev. 1300 m)
MACHHAKHOLAGAON TO JAGAT - (elev. 1410 m)
JAGAT TO LOKPA (elev. 2040 m)
LOKPA TO CHUMLING (elev. 2386 m)
CHUMLING TO CHHOKANGPARO (elev. 3031 m)
CHHOKANGPARO TO NILE (elev. 3361 m)
NILE TO MU GOMPA (elev. 3700 m)
MU GOMPA TO RACHEN GOMPA (elev. 3240)
RACHEN GOMPA TO GUMBA LUNGDANG
GUMBA LUNGDANG TO LOKPA (2240 m)
LOKPA TO JAGAT(elev. 1340)
JAGAT TO LAPUBENSI (elev. 900 m)
LAPUBENSI TO ARUGHAT BAZAR(elev. 535 m)
RETURN TO KATHMANDU
DEPARTURE
Tour Location
Cost Includes:
- Pick up and drop from International and Domestic Airport during this package with one official representative
- Private tourist vehicles will be available as per itinerary
- 3 Nights accommodation in Kathmandu at three-star hotel on twin sharing basis
- All accommodation in best available lodges/tea houses/tent during trekking
- Three times meal (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with tea/hot water/coffee) during trekking
- Welcome or Farewell dinner (one time during Nepal trip)
- An experienced and well trained English Speaking Guide and Porter (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
- Salary, Insurance, whole accommodation of trekking crew member
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- All entrance fees during trekking and sightseeing
- Achievement Certificate, T-shirt, First Aid Kit, Trekking Map and seasonal fruits
- All necessary paperwork, TIMS, Entrance fees, and applicable all permits
- Departure information, visa extension procedure and international flight reconfirmation
- Company service charge and all applicable government tax
Cost doesn’t include:
- Visa Fee, International Air Fare and all other cost incurred before arrival in Nepal
- Traveller’s Travel Insurance (Must cover Accidental, Medical and Search and Rescue)
- Lunch and Dinner except Welcome or Farewell dinner provided by company in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Alcoholic and soft drinks with all personal expenses
- Tipping for guides, porters, and drivers (tipping is not mandatory but highly expected)
- Any other unseen expenses which are not mentioned in cost includes part