Tsum Valley Trek

Overview

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A remote and challenging circuit, a good alternative to the Annapurna Circuit

Introduction

Home to the indigenous group known as Tsumbas, the Tsum Valley is located to the east of Manaslu, on the border with Tibet. This secluded valley was only opened to trekkers as recently as 2008. It remains relatively untouched, with ancient villages and Buddhist monasteries waiting to be explored. Each day you will walk between 5–8 hours, with the high point of the trek being 4,000m above the largest of the monasteries in the valley, Mu Gompa. You will be accommodated in lodges and traditional ‘homestays’ on this trek, rather than in tents. As the Tsum Valley is very undeveloped, this accommodation* can be somewhat rudimentary and you can expect to eat similar food to the locals (Dal Bhat, Chapatis, noodle soup). If you are not prepared to 'rough it' a little bit, then this trek is probaby not the one for you!

The trip starts with a flight to Kathamndu, where you'll spend an afternoon arranging permits and exploring the city before a six hour drive to Arughat the next day. The first four days of the trek follow the route of the Manaslu Circuit up the Budhi Gandaki Valley to Philim, from where you branch off into the Lower Tsum Valley at Lokpa (2,040m). You'll spend seven days in the Tsum, working your way from Lokpa through the village of Chumling to the upper valley, which is relatively wide and flat at Chhokangparo and Chhule-Nile. Having followed the Syar Khola to the monastery at Mu Gompa and explored the surrounding area near the border with Tibet, you will then return to Lokpa and re-join the Manaslu Circuit, trekking back down to Arughat. From Arughat you will drive back to Kathmandu for a full day of sightseeing before flying home.

Join us on the Tsum Valley Trek

• With few visitors, the Tsum Valley is relativly untouched and has its own unique culture
• Abundant wildlife, including herds of Himalayan blue sheep and wild mountain goats
• A Homestay/Tea House trek - stay with the locals (see note above about 2016 treks)
• Prices include all permits for the Manalsu region and Tsum Valley
• Jagged Globe Sherpa Guide and porters
• Porters carry your kit bag, so you only need carry a day pack

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Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Experience Required

The Tsum Valley Trek is suitable for keen walkers/trekkers who are able to walk for 5 - 6 hours in a day, with a light rucksack. It is a good introduction to trekking in Nepal.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Nepal on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airline taxes.
• Return transfers between the airport and the hotel.
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 14 nights' full board accommodation in Homestays/Tea Houses.
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• All costs for a Jagged Globe Sherpa Guide and porters.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Kathmandu Team members joining on a "land-only", please plan to arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2 no later than 1030, when your services will begin. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Drive to Arughat (606m) It is about a six hour drive to Arughat. Overnight lodge.
Day 4:	Trek to Liding (860m) Trek throught monkey-filled forests and past rivers and cascading waterfalls to Liding (6 hours). Overnight lodge.
Day 5:	Trek to Machha Khola (883m) You climb up onto a ridge above the huge rapids of the Buri Gandaki, before descending back down and continuing on a steep rocky trail to the Gurung village of Labishe (880m). Beyond you reach Machha Khola (4 - 5 hours). Overnight lodge
Day 6:	Trek to Jagat (1,415m) You continue following the course of the Buri Gandaki, climbing and descending many ridges. Eventually the river valley widens and you follow a good trail to Jagat. Overnight lodge in the village (5 - 6 hours).
Day 7:	Trek to Lokpa (2,040m) The trail crosses the river and climbs over a rocky ridge to the settlement of Salleri and then Setibas, where several mani walls indicate you are now entering a region of Tibetan influence. You pass through Philim and continue onwards to Lokpa, which is 1.5 hours of ascent above the main Manaslu valley and considered the entry point to the Tsum Valley. Overnight lodge.
Day 8:	Trek to Chumling (2,363m) In the morning you will follow undulating path through thick forest to Gadh Khola for lunch. From here you'll cross the Syar Khola via a suspension bridge, with the trail climbing up to the village of Chumling. Overnight lodge.
Day 9:	Trek to Chhokangparo (3,010m) A shorter day, as you climb above 3,000m for the first time and access the 'upper' Tsum. The route continues above the east bank of the river to reach Rainjam, before you'll cross another suspension bridge and walk to the pretty village of Gho. From here it's a further 30 minutes of walking to Chhokangparo. You'll have the afternoon to explore the village. Overnight lodge.
Day 10:	Trek to Chhule-Nile (3,361m) The valley is now much broader. You'll follow the trail on the west side of the river through Lamagao (3,302m). Just beyond here is Milrepa Cave (a 1-hour detour) from where there are stunning views across the valley. The trail continues to Phurbe and Pangdun before continuing to Chhule-Nile. The gompa above Chhule is particularly fine and worth visiting as it's also an excellent viewpoint. Overnight lodge.
Day 11:	Trek to Mu Gompa (3,700m) Mu Gompa is located in a remote position a couple of hours walking beyond Nile. Establishd in 1895 A.D. and restored in 1998, it's on the trail that local people use to go to Tibet. You will be able to visit the gompa, and walk higher above it to get some great views before returning there to sleep. Overnight lodge.
Day 12:	Trek to Bhajyo (4,030m) and descend to Rachen Gompa (3,240m) After a morning of exploraton up the valley to Kalung and Bhajyo (4,030m), you'll descend to Rachen Gompa, the biggest nunnery/monastery in the valley, with a beautifully painted interior of Buddhist murals. Overnight lodge.
Day 13:	Descend to Dumje (2,440m) Trek back down the valley to overnight at Dunje. Overnight lodge.
Day 14:	Descend to to Lokpa (2,040m) Descend into the lower valley and return to Lokpa. Overnight lodge.
Day 15:	Trek to Tatopani (990m) You re-join the main Budhi Gandaki Valley and descend to Tatopani. Overnight lodge.
Day 16:	Trek to Soti Khola (720m) From Tatopani you can enjoy your last full day of trekking to Soti Khola. Overnight lodge.
Day 17:	Trek to Arughat (606m), return to Kathmandu Your final morning of trekking before driving back to Kathmandu in the evening. Overnight hotel.
Day 18:	At Leisure in Kathmandu A chance to explore the bustling capital, with its beautiful temples and bustling markets. Overnight hotel.
Day 19:	Fly home Airport transfer. For those joining "land-only", you should book your flight home today.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, availability of porters and the health of team members can all contribute to changes. The guides and their Sherpa assistants will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

Photos & Videos

No photos or videos available for this trip.

Reports & Reviews

First Trek: November 201

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Team Member Reviews

• “Remote, isolated, beautiful, authentic Tibetan experience set in magnificent Himalayan scenery.” PT, Private Tsum Valley - Nov '14