Trip Highlights:
“An ever exciting adventure around Tsum, the valley of Happiness with scenic mountain scenery. Great walks around the high valley of Tsum enriched with ancient Buddhism culture and custom. Adventure from low warm areas to cooler alpine hills and towards arid and barren arctic zone. Explore high Tsum villages of great interest and visit its old monasteries of Mu and Rachen. Lovely rhododendron-magnolia, pine forest and towards beautiful arid and barren country. Stunning views of Manaslu, Lamjung and Ganesh Himal as far towards Annapurna Himalaya. Walk into lovely traditional farm villages adorned with strong Tibetan culture and custom. Adventure starting from high Gorkha district and ending on the same scenic routes”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge on walks.
Trekking Grade : Moderate and Adventurous.
Highest Altitude: At Mu Gompa above 3,730 m / 12, 309 ft high.
Activities : Sightseeing tour, exciting drive, and trekking.
People and Culture: Higher areas dominated by Tsum tribe of Tibetan origin with Buddhism religion, lower area mixed tribe with Gurung-Magar and Hindu Brahmins, Chettries of varied interesting cultures and custom of both Buddhist and Hindu religions.
Area of Trekking : Nepal North Mid-West Himalaya around high Gorkha district.
Trekking duration:14 Nights and 15 Days (From Soti Khola to Soti Khola around Gorkha district).
Total Trip : 17 Nights and 18 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Season : March to May and September to October months.
Introduction:
Tsum Valley trekking, leads you to a stunning country within hidden areas of Upper Gorkha district located Nepal North Mid-West Himalaya to amazing Tsum Valley which is known as Valley of Happiness. The areas around north of Gorkha district was closed and restricted to foreign travelers, which was opened since last two decades, where visitors can enjoy a fabulous walks and adventure on least explored and trekked areas within Tsum area and its awesome scenic valley. Tsum Valley Trekking, where walk leads you into the pristine and virgin country on least undisturbed villages and its beautiful terrain of dramatic landscapes sandwiched between massif peaks of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. On this wonderful journey where walk leads you to observe the ancient culture of Tsum villagers interwoven with Buddhism religion and strong cultural relation with across the border Tibetans which you will notice on this beautiful Tsum Valley Trekking walking around its charming lovely villages. Tsum Valley Trekking commence with an exciting drive from Kathmandu to reach low warm areas of inner Gorkha district at Arughat and Soti Khola town and villages, where walk follows raging Buri-Gandaki river for some days on the same Manaslu trekking trail. As walk progress past nice villages of Jagat and Philim where our route diverts towards east near North of Ganesh Himal areas, as walk leads into lovely forested areas with in interesting villages Lakuwa, Chumling, Chokhan-Paro heading further remote north past Nyale to reach our final destination at Mu Gompa. Our highest and main highlight of the adventure with overnights and rest days at the height of 3,700 m facing incredible panorama of mountains within this arid and barren terrain enjoying a short hike and walks with the visit of its interesting monastery. After Mu Gompa, return journey leads you on the same route back to the road-head at Soti-Khola which provides you to witness more of this fantastic country and then ending with the drive back to Kathmandu with fond and memorable moments and adventure on Tsum Valley Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Drive to Soti-Khola 780 m via Arughat town 630 m - 07 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Machha-Khola 930m - 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Jagat 1,410m - 06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Lakuwa 2,2400m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Chumling 2,386 m - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Chokhan-Paro 3,010 m - 05 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Nyale 3,361m after a tour of Milarepa cave - 07 hours.
Day 10: Trek to Mu Gompa 3,700 m - 04 hrs.
Day 11: Rest day at Mu Gompa visit local village and monastery.
Day 12: Trek to Rachen Gompa 3,240 m - 05 hrs.
Day 13: Trek back to Chumling 2,386 m - 06 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Philim 1,590 m - 07 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Tatopani (Hot Spring) - 06 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Soti-Khola 7 30 m - 06 hrs.
Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Day 18: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief you regarding Tsum Valley trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
The morning after breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which are listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome-shaped with all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha and then back to Hotel with free afternoon preparation for Tsum Valley trekking.
Day 03: Drive to Soti-Khola 780 m via Arughat town 630 m - 07 hrs.
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for an overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading north Mid-West with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues past farm villages and town then heading to reach Arughat town around Gorkha district. From here transfer to another vehicle on the four-wheel drive where journey follows Buri-Gandaki River upstream to reach at Soti-Khola village for first overnight stop around Gorkha areas on-route high Manaslu valley.
Day 04: Trek to Macha-Khola 930m - 06 hrs.
The first-day walk follows Buri-Gandaki River upstream heading into a gorge within the forest, as walks climb to cool areas and then walk for near six hours to our overnight stop at Macha-Khola. A fair size farm village, where Macha means Fish and Khola for the stream, a popular spot for fishing silver craps and other varieties of fish found in this Himalayan fresh stream.
Day 05: Trek to Jagat 1,410m - 06 hrs.
From fishing villages, morning walk follows Buri-Gandaki River upstream for some hours, as walk heads to Khorla-Besi a small farm village and then on winding trail to reach at Tatopani village with natural “Hot Spring,” as time permits enjoy the warm refreshing bathe then walk uphill to Jagat village for an overnight stop. Jagat a nice large village with shops and stores, nice simple lodges enjoy the afternoon walking around this nice village.
Day 06: Trek to Lakuwa 2,2400m - 05 hrs.
After a pleasant stop at Jagat, the journey continues a higher walking past number of farm villages and then on the downhill to cross over a bridge to reach aNuggetet and Philim, a large village with many scattered farm houses. From Philim walk leads around farm terraces of golden fields of wheat’s and barley, then a climb on rocky ridge top into bamboo forest area to Dyang village and heading further east on route Tsum with an overnight at small Lakuwa farm village.
Day 07: Trek to Chumling 2,386 m - 06 hours.
Fromr Lakuwa village where walk leads away from Burigandkai River for a week, as our walk heads towards Tsum valley into the valley of happiness, as our route enters narrow gorge then with short descend and uphill climb into rhododendron and pine tree forest walking past small farm villages then climbing above Lungwa Khola to reach at Chumling village for first overnight in Tsum Valley.
Day 08: Trek to Chokhan-Paro 3,010 m - 05 hours.
From here altitude slowly gains with the mountain views of Ganesh Himal peaks, as the villages and landscapes look similar to Tibetan windswept plateau. Morning walks with downhill to cross a bridge over Smatiking Khola, with views of Ganesh Himal also known as Yangra at 7,422 m high, walk slowly leads at Chokhan-paro village for an overnight stop.
Day 09: Trek to Nyale 3,361m after a tour of Milarepa cave - 07 hours.
After Chokan-Paro heading closer at upper Tsum area to Nele (Ne-lay) starting with a climb onto the open valley and windswept country with few small trees that survives around this arid terrain. Walk continues uphill with views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal, after a pleasant walk reaches at Nyale on route visit old cave of 11th Centaury Saint Milereppa famous and popular among Buddhist as poet, singer, tantric guru his folk-tales and songs are still remembered by Tibetans and Buddhist alike.
Day 10: Trek to Mu Gompa 3,700 m - 04 hours.
Morning walk starts on reaching the highest point at Mu Gompa and main destination of this adventure, as the walk continues to climb on high arid terrain offering views of high peaks on the way to Mu Gompa for an overnight stop.
Day 11: Rest day at Mu Gompa to explore the local village and monastery.
Rest with a free day at Mu Gompa to visit villages and interesting old Mu Gompa with ancient antique scrolls, statue and relics this is one of the most important monastery of Tsum and Manaslu area.
Day 12: Trek to Rachen Gompa 3,240 m - 05 hours.
After an interesting and wonderful time at Mu Gompa return journey visiting another impressive monastery of Rachen Gompa, walk leads on the nice path with few short climbs and downhill passing few small villages of cattle herders to reach at Rachen Gompa for an overnight stop, afternoon visit Rachen monastery.
Day 13: Trek back to Chumling 2,386 m - 06 hours.
Today our last day at Tsum valley, as the morning walk leads to a long descend to Chumling village passing farm areas and then back into tree lines, after a long downhill walk of 6 hours reaching at Chumling village for last overnight stop around Tsum.
Day 14: Trek to Philim 1,590 m - 07 hrs.
From Chumling village, morning walk downhill the following river downstream with views of waterfalls then reaching villages of Samba, Tingding Chhupyang till our walk ends at Philim village for an overnight stop. This is a nice farm village with school supported by Japanese (as Mt. Manaslu was first climbed by Japanese so this area is a favorite among Japanese).
Day 15: Trek to Tatopani 1, 240 m - 06 hours.
From here onwards on the warmer area with paddy fields, after a breakfast walk leads to Tatopani following Buri Gandaki River through several small villages of Nagjet, Sidibas Bazaar, and Jagat. Walk further descends at Yaruphant, then to the lower area with a dramatic change in vegetation, finally ending six hours walk to our overnight stop at Tatopani a small farm village with hot spring as Tatopani in Nepali means 'hot water', afternoon enjoy the hot springs and relax. The locals believe that the spring water has a natural power to cure various disease and wounds.
Day 16: Trek to Soti Khola 730 m - 06 hours.
After a nice time at Tatopani and hot spring, morning walk leads to Soti Khola walking along the Budhi Gandaki River downstream, after hours of good walk reaching at Gurung village of Labubesi, from here walk further through terraced fields and waterfalls to reach our last overnight stop at Soti-khola.
Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
After pleasant and interesting time on high hills and valley of Tsum with last overnight around high Gorkha areas with Nepal Mid-West Himalaya, morning starts with an interesting drive back to Kathmandu. As journey follows on the exciting road and then finally overland journey ends on reaching at hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, with the afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.
Day 18: International departure for homeward bound.
Last day in Nepal country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on beautiful Tsum Valley.
