Tsum Valley – Sacred Remote Valley

Route itinerary

• Day 1-3

  Begin with a drive to Dhading, Gandaki River bed to Macha Khola by local or private jeep over a winding road with a view of terraced rice fields. The first half of the journey will be a bit busy due to the main western highway but will have less traffic. We will drive over gravel unpaved roads with puddles. The ride can be quite bumpy and rough, but fun nonetheless. A showcase of local architecture along the road and the people are great to view.

  After an overnight stay at Macha Khola- we start our trek from the lower land with a hot and humid path crossing a suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. The trek continues after the hot springs (Tatopani), usually busy with transporting goods carried by donkeys. You may also see the wild bee hives on the high rocky cliffs. Local little tea shops, stone taps (Dhunge Dhara) and stone resting places “Chautara” are all examples of the few sites you may encounter as we trek through Bramin, Chetri villages. Via Tatopani, we trek until an overnight rest in Jagat.

  Next morning, after entering the checkpoint at Jagat, Manaslu Conservation Area, we trek to Philim, a beautiful big Gurung village of the region. It has a view of Shringi Himal (7161m) and Ganesh Himal which ranges above 6000 meters.

  There are typical local houses made out of slates and stone and cattle grazing at the shades. We continue through narrow paths with views of distant scattered villages and enter the hilly side splitting trekking trail to Larkya pass and Tsum valley. We take the upper route entering the narrow, ridge route to the Pine forest. Continue until Lokpa (2240m).

• Day 4-7

  Trek through the hilly Pine and Rhododendron forest route crossing over on the side of Siar Khola, we head steep up by the ridge to a Buddhist village named Chumling (2360m). Opposite the area, you can see the Ripchet village at 2470m. A beautiful open view of Ganesh Himal range welcomes you at around 7000m and steep cliffs of Puchen Himal come into view. Explore the small and old Buddhist monastery (gompa). Trek by the side of the prayer wheel, Mani walls (Piled up Mantra carved slates and stones), stupa and prayer flags fluttering in the wind. When reaching the top, a big rock welcomes you as well as the gate of Tsum.

  Trekking through the wild jungle, following the narrow to broad ridge trails between rocky hills are quite common. Depending on the season, the field is covered with barley and potatoes around the stone houses and walls. The Chhokamparo village  (3030m) with black stone houses will be the next overnight stop.

  After visiting the monastery, continue the trek to the open valley farm land to the Nile village. Visit the nearby village Chule. Visit Tsum Shenpen Men-Tsee Khang (a Tibetan medical clinic) and trek to Mu Gompa, another monastery close to the Tibet border.

• Day 8-14

  Trek via Pangdum and visit Rachen Gompa, where we retrace back to Chokamparo village. There is a possible excursion to the meditation caves of Milarepa, an Eccentric Buddhist Yogic master. Crossing over Siar Khola, trek to Chumling then to Lokpa – leaving the remote villages to trek to Philim to reach Macha Khola. Then finally, enjoy a Jeep ride returning to the busy city life of Kathmandu.

  NOTE: All trips can be customized as per your interest, fitness level and time available.

Trek Map

Mrs. Meena Sherpa

+ 977 9851023553
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