The Tsum Valley trek takes you through one of Nepal’s remote Himalayan valleys, which remained a restricted region until just a few years ago. Nestled in northern Gorkha, the Tsum Valley is a secluded and sacred Himalayan pilgrimage site. The name “Tsum” is derived from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo,’ meaning vivid. Historically, the valley was known as ‘Tsum Tso Chucksums,’ referring to thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Ganesh Himal, Churkoe Himal, and Boudha Himal mountains, the valley is rich in ancient art, culture, and religious heritage. The local inhabitants, of Tibetan origin, speak their own dialect and follow unique cultural traditions. They celebrate Tibetan festivals such as Lhosar, Dhacyhang, Saga Dawa, and Faning. Notably, polyandry is practiced here, where brothers in a family may marry a single woman.
The team leader from Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expeditions will introduce you to the local people and provide insights into these unique traditions. The villagers also claim to have seen or found evidence of the Mehti, or ‘Yeti’ (the Abominable Snowman). In line with their deep respect for life, the killing of animals for meat is strictly prohibited in the valley. Recently, the Tsumanubri Rural Municipality enacted the Tsum Shayagya Act, 2079, an anti-animal killing act, which has been implemented across the regio
Brief Itinerary:
Day 01: 22nd Oct 2024: Arrival in Kathmandu (1337m)
Day 02: 23th Oct 2024 Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337m)
Day 03: 24th Oct 2024 Kathmandu – Arughat Bazar- Soti Khola to Machha khola (869m) by bus/jeep 7-8 hours
Day 04: 25th Oct 2024 Machha Khola – Jagat (1070 m) 7-8 hours walk
Day 05: 26th Oct 2024 Jagat – Lokpa(1600m) 4-5 hours walk
Day 06:27th Oct 2024 Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m) 5-6 hours walk.
Day 07: 28th Oct 2024 Chumling – Chokhangparo (3010m) 4-5 hours walk.
Day 08: 29th October 2024 Chokhangparo – Chhule (3347m) 4-5 hours walk.
Day 09:30th Oct 2024 Chhule – Mu Gompa (3700m) – Chhule (3347m) 5-6 hours walk.
Day 10: 31st Oct 2024 Chhule – Enjoy all day Local Buddhist Festival
Day 11: 1st Nov 2024 Chhule to Chokhangparo (3010m) 4-5 hours walk.
Day 12: 2nd Nov 2024 Chokhangparo -Chumling (2,386m) 4-5 hours walk
Day 13: 3rd Nov 2024 Chumling – Philim (1570m) 5-6 hours walk
Day 14: 4th Nov 2024 Philim – Macha Khola(869m) 5-6 hours walk
Day 15: 5th Nov 2024 Drive from Machha Khola to Kathmandu 7-8 hours by private 4W private vehicle
Day 16: 6th Nov 2024 Departure from Kathmandu (1337m)
Important Information for Guests of Himalayan Vacation Treks & Expedition
The safety and security of our guests is the top priority at Himalayan Vacation Treks & Expedition (HV Treks). Please note that the trek leader has the authority to make adjustments or cancel parts of the itinerary if deemed necessary for safety reasons. Unforeseen circumstances, such as severe weather, health concerns of a group member, or natural events like landslides, may require changes to the schedule. While every effort will be made to adhere to the planned itinerary, flexibility is crucial. Our trek leaders are highly experienced and prepared to handle such situations, and we are equipped to provide a 24-hour emergency response for accidents, medical conditions, or evacuation if needed.
Insurance Requirement:
All guests participating in treks and expeditions with HV Treks are required to have a valid Travel Insurance Policy. This policy should cover emergencies, including altitude sickness, injuries, and evacuation. It is essential that you bring your insurance policy with you to Nepal, or at least a copy, as HV Treks will need to keep it on file. We also strongly recommend informing your insurance provider about your specific trekking, climbing, and hiking itinerary to ensure your policy offers adequate coverage for these activities.
Day 01: 22nd Oct 2024: Arrival in Kathmandu (1337m)
You are welcomed to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal renowned for historical monuments, Hindu Temples, and Buddhist Stupas/Monasteries. We meet our guests at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative will be waiting with a Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition placard with our guests’ names displayed. After dropping luggage at the hotel, guests are taken for a short sightseeing tour.
Day 02: 23th Oct 2024 Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337m)
A local guide will be available. According to your wishes, the guide will escort you for sightseeing. Sightseeing may include the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati, Boudhanath,
Patan Durbar Square, and the Swoyambhunath areas. Starting after breakfast, usually at 9.00am, the exploration of Kathmandu Valley can continue until 5.00pm. Lunch and dinner, you will be responsible for.
Day 03: 24th Oct 2024 Kathmandu – Arughat Bazar- Soti Khola to Machha khola (869m) by bus/jeep 7-8 hours
We set off early morning from Kathmandu through Prithvi Highway by bus. The bus goes down through the zigzag road and from a point the road splits and we turn right crossing a bridge over Trisuli River. The road to Arughat from the main road is not very good and we just drive slowly. But the view around the road is very beautiful. It goes through green jungles and villages in some places. We cross a large mountain village called Arughat. Gurung and Newar people live in a majority here. The bus service is available for up to Arughat. After Arughat we have to hire a jeep for Machhakhola via Soti Khola. The main part of the journey we follow is the Budhi Gandaki River upstream. The landscape of the valley is full of is terraced farm fields. We pass several villages and small settlements. We spend the night in a lodge beside the bank of the river in Machha Khola. Telephone and mobile phone service are available. We can witness the northeast view of Ganesh Himal from here.
Day 04: 25th Oct 2024 Machha Khola – Jagat (1070 m) 7-8 hours walk
From today walking starts. The path still goes along the Budhi Gandaki River. Today we have a long trek. We walk on the off road along the Budhi Gandaki River. We cross Khorla Besi the path is seasonal road where jeep plays during winter season only. From Khorla Besi we can have a spectacular view of Ganesh Himal. At Tatopani, there is hot water spring. In order to reach Jagat early we have to follow off road but It’s better to go through trekking trail by crossing a suspension bridge over Dobhan Khola but it is bit lengthy rout. Dobhan means a meeting point of two rivers or streams. From Dhobhan it may take four hours. We have to ascend gentle slope up to Yarubagar. Just before reaching to Yarubagar we have to cross old landslide area its distance is about half km. After Yarubagar we walk on easy trekking trail. From here crossing suspension bridge walk on off road then walking about half an hour we reached Jagat. We stay in Jagat.
Day 05: 26th Oct 2024 Jagat – Lokpa(1600m) 4-5 hours walk
The path is slightly uphill, flat and downhill since we are walking in the hilly region of Nepal. The path goes through landslide area in some section of the path where we must be careful because the pieces of rock may come down falling from the cliffs. We have a spectacular view of waterfall on the way. The path goes sometimes along the river too. Along the way, we view the Shringi Himal, a 7161-meter-high summit in the north, close to the border with Tibet. There is a check post of Tsum Valley Area Project and special permit. We have to pass through alpine forest in several places. We stay in Lokpa.
Day 06:27th Oct 2024 Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m) 5-6 hours walk.
After Lokpa we cross the gorge and walk for half an hour then on the right side we get to see the big and beautiful waterfall. Then we enter the pine tree forests. The path slowly descends down to the path going to the Tsum Valley. We climb through pine and rhododendron forests. We enjoy the views of Himalchuli Mountains at 7893m and Boudha Himal from Lokpa, and climbing jig jagged difficult path further two hours north through pines and rhododendrons forest we reach Gumlung. Crossing the Siyar Khola, finally, we arrive at Chumling, from where we can view Shringi Himal. We visit the old Chumling gompa and enjoy walking on the stone-paved streets of the village.
Day 07: 28th Oct 2024 Chumling – Chokhangparo (3010m) 4-5 hours walk.
Today we cross the suspension bridge on to the opposite bank. We enjoy the great views of Ganesh Himal. We walk past Rainjam to Serpu Khola crossing another bridge we arrive at the Gho Village. Another continuous 2 hours’ climb to Tsum takes us to the village of Chokangparo. From here we can again enjoy the views of Himalchuli (7893 meters) and Ganesh Himal (7140m). We spend the night here.
Day 08: 29th October 2024 Chokhangparo – Chhule (3347m) 4-5 hours walk.
Since we are walking in the high altitude we need to be careful of altitude sickness while climbing above Chokhangparo. We walk past Lamagaon crossing rope suspension bridge to the Rachen Gompa, which is also well known as Nunnery Gompa too. We make a small visit and then we cross the Siyar Khola. We continue walking through the well-managed villages Lar (micro hydropower), Phurbe and Pangdun. We pass old historic Stupa of Buddha on the way to the village of Chhule. Now we climb upstream and cross the bridge and finally arrive at chhule . If we wish we can make our visit to a famous monastery of Chhule which is located in the top place of the area.
Day 09:30th Oct 2024 Chhule – Mu Gompa (3700m) – Chhule (3347m) 5-6 hours walk.
We are now almost close to the Tibetan border. We walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. We slowly climb up to the Mu Gompa. Mu means sky in Tibetan. Hence Mu Gompa means the monastery that lies in the highest altitude. We look round the grand Mu Gompa and return back to Chhule and at afternoon we will participate in Local Buddhist Festival.
Day 10: 31st Oct 2024 Chhule – Enjoy all day Local Buddhist Festival
Today will enjoy all day local Buddhist festival where will have opportunity to witness distinct cultural program and religious ceremony. Local people of this region gather together to celebrate festival.
Day 11: 1st Nov 2024 Chhule to Chokhangparo (3010m) 4-5 hours walk.
Today we walk back through the Rachen Gompa We stop shortly at the Rachen Gompa a Buddhist nunnery along the trail to explore it a bit. After this crossing the suspension bridge built over the river, we pass through lamagaun and reach Chokhangparo.
Day 12: 2nd Nov 2024 Chokhangparo -Chumling (2,386m) 4-5 hours walk
Today we continue trekking watching the greenery of nature and descend down to Chhokang Paro again. From there we continuously walk down to Gho, a small village. Monastery and stupas are seen here too. Descending further, we arrive at the bridge over the Sarpu Khola. Trekking along the lower Tsum Valley takes us again to Chumling where we will spend the night again.
Day 13: 3rd Nov 2024 Chumling – Philim (1570m) 5-6 hours walk
Today our trail from Chumling descends through terraced fields and lush forests. We’ll cross the suspension bridge built over the Siyar Khola River, after this we’ll get our first glimpses of the beautiful landscapes along this route. As we continue, we’ll reach the impressive Samba water fall. From here the trek route winds through small villages, fields, and forests, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Shringi Himal. Along the way, we’ll encounter friendly locals, some grazing yaks, and other livestock.
Day 14: 4th Nov 2024 Philim – Macha Khola(869m) 5-6 hours walk
Today after walking some time we reach to the Budhi Gandaki River, after hiking along the ridge to the river and we reach to Labubesi village. After refreshment/ tea we walk further to Machchha Khola. This is our last day of the trek and our last night in a trekking lodge at Machha khola.
Day 15: 5th Nov 2024 Drive from Machha Khola to Kathmandu 7-8 hours by private 4W private vehicle
Today, you will drive back to the Kathmandu on a vehicle. The route will go through the dusty newly built road to Arughat Bazaar. From here, you will drive towards Gorkha Bazaar with the views of Ganesh Himal ranges and reach Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu. In the evening, guests are invited to a fare well Dinner.
Day 16: 6th Nov 2024 Departure from Kathmandu (1337m)
Today, we check the list of all necessary documents and goods of our guest. We confirm the flight tickets before 72 hours of departure flight. We advise our guest to put passport and tickets at their handbag for convenience. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition staff representative will take our valuable guests to the airport (3 hours prior to your flight) and bid goodbye.
Included in the Cost
Not Included in the Cost
Minimum number of participants: 2
Maximum number of participants: 12
Max Altitude: 3700 meters
Best Season: Sep – Nov, and March-May
Difficulty Level: Moderate
December, January, and February
It is called the winter season in Nepal. It is a season for snowfall in mountain region above 4300m in Nepal. So trekking is possible below 4500m during this period. This season is noted for occasional snowfall at higher elevations in the Himalayas. Though it gets colder in a night, often it offers the clear day / blue sky and relatively fewer trekkers on the trail. Sunrise and Sunset are seen very clear and beautiful in this season. So tourist who wants to pass short holidays during this period Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes to see a splendid view of nature. During this period, we arrange a family tour to experience natural beauty with short hikes and cultural tour. It is suitable for homestay tour through which different rituals and culture can be experienced during this period. The famous homestay like Sailung Timal homestay,Timal homestay, Tamang Heritage Homestay, Ghalegaon Homestay are the special places to visit. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges a tour for these places.
March, April, and May
It is spring season which is known as trekking season in Nepal. A smooth wind and gentle breeze are felt all over the country. Sunny days and clear weather are the supportive factors for trekking in this season. Presence of a cloud can be seen in the sky during this season. So a short rainfall can be felt during this period. It is the season of an expedition and climbing high peaks in Nepal. So many tourists from different parts of the world come to climb peaks above 7000m in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and journey for climbing during this period. Peak climbing period can be in length up to June so Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges attractive programmes during this period. This period offers plenty of opportunities for clear mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom, and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendrons – coat the mountainsides with its colorful beauty throughout the spring.
June, July, and August
It is rainy season in Nepal. As it is the season of heavy rainfall. it is also known as the crops harvesting season in Nepal. In this season, trekking is slightly difficult in Nepal. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. Trekking in the rain-shadow (places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains) areas north of the Himalaya like Upper Mustang and Dolpo could be an ideal trek selection. However, Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and trek during this period in dry areas. We arrange treks and tour in dry areas like Mustang, Upper Dolpa, Leh Ladakh (India) and Tibet.
September, October, and November
Moderate temperatures, clear sky with outstanding views, making it a great time to do any of our treks. Occasional short storms may dump snow at high altitudes. This is the season of feast and festivals. This is also known as the special season for flowers in Nepal. Marigold is popular and found best in this season. Temples and holy places are visited during this period. Festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath are celebrated during this season. Long national holidays are offered for this festival for civil workers. This season is known as the king of the season. No rainfall, sunny days and moderate temperature are the most favorable factors of this season for treks and tours in Nepal. Every kind of treks and tours can be done during this period. So many tourists come to see beautiful Nepal in this season. Many trekking routes are full of tourist during this season. Peaks 6000m to 7000m is the best destination for climbing in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes tourist to feel the splendid view of the nature of Nepal in this season.
This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Please understand that the items listed below will vary according to the season and the duration of the trek. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 12 kg. Your gear will be carried by your porter and you will be required to carry your own day-pack (with your valuables and things of immediate importance to you). We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary. Our list of equipment is prepared on the basis of our long experience. The Himalayan Vacation Trek & Expedition Team leader will check your gear to ensure you have all the necessary equipment at the start of the trek. If necessary, the HVTreks’ guide will request additions of necessary equipment when and where it is available.
Important documents and items
Head
Upper Body
Hands
Lower Body
Feet
Sleeping
Rucksack and Travel Bags
Medical
-Note: In the larger towns and cities of Nepal, pharmacies have available common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Western/foreign brand name products and prescription drugs are not. We suggest you bring the pharmaceuticals you use in enough quantity.
Practical Items
