The Tsum Valley has been hidden heritage of Nepal. The name Tsum derived from Tibetan word (Tsombo), which means (vivid) or known as the Beyul Kyimolung, means the holy hidden valley of Happiness. Tsum valley is located in the northern end of Nepal in Gorkha district, surrounded by the Buddha Himal / Himal Chuli to the west; Ganesh Himal to the south; and Sringi Himal to the north. The inhabited of the Tsum valley is Tsumbas, an indigenous community. So the Tibetan Buddhist culture is extremely prevalent over here. This serene valley Tsum holds a history of ancient Himalayan civilization styles culture, art, tradition, religion, customs, and thinking. Tsum Valley is abundant in ancient art, culture, and religion and this valley housed mani walls, Chortens & Kaania. Chortens is also known as Stupas or religious monuments of Buddhism.
Arrival in Kathmandu. Meet with our friendly representative at the arrival terminal of only International airport. And, then you will be transferred to your hotel. You check-in at your Hotel and then after short rest you can go to explore market area of Thamel – where you can eat your supper, change money, buy some stuffs from supermarket, or buy trekking gears – if you need to do. Later we take you to our office for the trip briefing. Overnight at your hotel. Delay of any kind will postpone the events for next day according to feasibility.
Early morning after breakfast, you start the day by long drive – yet enjoyable and adventurous – to Sotikhola, the gateway to Manaslu trekking. We drive on a highway that stretches on the central hills of Nepal and boasts spectacular views. About 8 hours long drive goes past several small towns and dotted villages where you will come across with full of rural Nepalese life. We drive alongside beautiful River Trishuli for some distance and drive across it to go towards Sotikhola via Arughat Bazar. Overnight local lodge.
This day marks your first day for the trek. You walk alongside the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail runs through the forest with diverse flora and fauna making your trek exciting. You will walk through farmlands which gives you an informative twist on your trek. You will reach Macha Khola and then to Tatopani via Khorlabesi. You will spend your night on a tented camp.
Tatopani literally means a hot water in Nepali language. In Tatopani there is a hot spring pool to take healthy bath if you want to enjoy. You start your day crossing a suspension bridge over beautiful river stretch. Once you reach Dobhan – confluence of two rivers, you cross the bridge over YaruKhola. You gradually descend down to river bed and reach Jagat. Crossing the village of Salleri and Sridibas you reach Philim and spend the night on a tented camp.
Enjoy the breakfast in the camp and then move on for the trek. You cross the checkpoint of Manasalu Conservation Area from where the Sringi Himal is visible. The day is very exciting and adventurous given the views of mountains and waterfall you witness throughout. If you are trekking in the month of April-May, you get to see blooming Rhododendron and beautiful Pine forest round the year. You then descend down to LungwaKhola and into Saarti gorge. The trail might be rocky and tough given less exposure prior to the trek. Once you reach Chumling you spend your night in a tented camp.
After breakfast you start the day towards the bridge on Samatikring Khola. You pass through Dhampa Gompa before reaching Rainjam. You then get to cross other bridge and reach Gho village. Significant increase in height will require acclimatization. Yet again you will have to cross a suspension bridge after crossing NgakyuLeru. You get to visit micro-hydro power for short informative session as per your interest. Walking past Lar village and crossing Phurba and Pangdun you reach Nile. You spend your night on the tented camp observing beautiful waterfall.
Reaching Nile resembles to closer proximity of Tibetan border. You walk past Sengum and cross the bridge to reach the ChhoSyong. At 3,700m/12139ft you reach the famous stupa of Mu Gompa where you will enjoy the lunch. Rikang Gumba and DhepuDoma Nunnery Gompa are nearby which reflects the rich cultural heritage. The trekkers with tea house accommodation arrangements will spend the night in this area but being a tented trekkers you will have to walk further to Dupchet. Views of Ganesh Himal VII, VIII and IX, YongdoHimal can be seen from here. You spend the night on a tented camp.
This day is reserved for hike and exploration surrounding in the valley. You walk from the camp to Tibetan border called Thapla Bhanjyang – from where trades of various goods take place. You could also opt for horse ride from Mu Gompa instead of a hike. Either way, you will have fun. The hike will be gradual uphill and landscape is dry in similar terrain to Tibetan Plateau. You will enjoy the magnificent view of Thaple Himal and Yangdo Himal. You then retrun back to your camp at Dupchet and spend the night in a tented camp.
You will start your day with downhill trek to reach Mu Gompa. The spiritual awakening throughout the trail gives you uttermost satisfaction. You again descend down to Chhule where you spend your night in a tented camp. You can enjoy the view of Chhure Himal and Kipu Himal.
Walking past Chhuyang Chhemo waterfall and Chhorten you trek down to the Burji village through Shiar Khola. You get to visit the cave of Milarepa (Piren Phu) where Buddhist master and saint believed to meditate in ancient time. From Burji village you trek to Lama Gaun and Gho via Chhokangparo where you spend your night on the tented camp.
From Gho you walk past Rainjam, Chumling, Sarti gorge throughout the trek to reach Lokpa. The trail might prove difficult to some given the rocky path particularly at Siyar Khola bank. We set your camp at the favorable location on Lokpa and spend the night in the tented camp.
After breakfast and short trek you will meet the trail of Manasalu circuit trekking. You then trek to Ekle Bhatti and walk alongside bank of Budhi Gandaki River. The trail runs through green fields and subtropical vegetation. You officially check out of Manasalu Conservation Area and then reach to Philim then to Sirdibas and Salleri. The trail is comparatively easy and wide. After crossing the suspension bridge you reach Yaruphant. We can camp on this location or can walk further to Dobhan and camp here. Overnight will be spent on a tented camp.
You return to Soti Khola. You cross suspension bridge and then again walk through rocky trail. You can spend some time at the natural hot spring pool – Tatopani and then trek down to Khorlabesi and Maccha Khola. The north view of Ganesh Himal is clearly visible from this area. You walk along Budhi Gandaki watching and observing intensely beautiful site of forests and fields. After walk of approximately seven hours you reach Soti Khola and spend the overnight on the tented camp.
This list outlines the required things to bring during the trekking tours. There are various selections and brands that you can choose as per your interest. All required trekking equipments can be bought or even hired easily at a reasonable price in Kathmandu.
General
Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes
Hand
Core Body
Lower Body – Legs
Feet
Medicines and First Aid Kits
(Please note our guide will also carry the first aid kit bag during the trek. However we still recommend you to bring your personal first aid kit as well)
Miscellaneous
Optional
All garments should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large puncture resistant plastic bags.