Tsum Valley Trek

Tsum Valley is another world, a rather remote area that was not opened to foreigners until 2008. It is for this reason that it still retains a traditional culture very much its own, without having received much of the impact and massive influence from outside the valley, in what was formerly the small Kingdom of Tsum.

Most of its inhabitants are of Tibetan origin and have their own dialect. They are mostly engaged in agriculture and herds of yaks and naks, apart from trading with Tibet through the mountain passes, as it is almost closer to them than to the centre of Nepal.

Tsum villages are made up of stone houses with slab roofs and courtyards and enclosed threshing floors behind walls for protection, forming narrow, labyrinthine streets. Most of them are located on wide sets where there are good extensions of fields.

This is a very rich trek on a cultural level and with a strongly rooted Tibetan Buddhism, with a good presence of ancient monasteries and Gompas (temples), the characteristic square-based “chortens” (stupas) with paintings inside and long “manis” (walls with votive stones). The tradition says that the Guru Milarepa, present all over the Himalayas, meditated in some of the caves in the valley that are now the object of veneration and pilgrimage.

Here hikers contribute a small part of the economy, but it is not the main source as in other places. It is still an evolving valley in terms of accommodation and the houses are being fitted out to accommodate the small but increasing number of hikers who go into it, so they still have that air of a private home where travellers are welcomed. For this reason, this trek may vary slightly from year to year and forces us to review its conditions assiduously, so this program may vary slightly on the ground in the day to day.

The Tsum Valley is situated in the northeastern part of the Ghorka region, halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and follows the course of the Siyar Khola or Shiar Khola, forming a curve oriented first to the east to turn north at its head. It is surrounded by elevations of about 6000 meters, while to the south it has the beautiful Ganesh Himal mountains with peaks of 7000 meters.

The trek shares the first four stages with that of Manaslu, following the Budhi Gandaki (river) and naturally, once the Tsum Valley is done, one could continue with the rest of the Manaslu trek in what would be an impressive trek. It starts in the lowlands of Arughat at about 600 meters, until shortly after passing Elke Bhatti, located at 1600 meters, to leave the route of Manaslu and enter the Tsum Valley by Lokpa, at 2240 meters, following the course of the river, until you reach Mu Gompa at 3700 meters and the Ngula Bhanjyang pass at 5093m. With this variation in altitude it is clear that the trek is changing landscapes, from the subtropical forests at the beginning, where the stages can be humid and hotter, to the subalpine and alpine areas, with pastures for the herds of yaks and beautiful peaks around us. For the more daring and fast walkers on the mountain, reaching the Ngula-La pass on the border with Tibet can be the icing on the cake.

FULL TRIP according program
 

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Welcome on arrival at the airport

·       All transfers and trips by private vehicle/jeep

·       3 nights with breakfast in Kathmandu

·       Accommodation in lodges and homestay and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description

·       English speaking Mountain Guide during the trek

·       1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax

·       1 porter each 2 clients

·       TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)

·       Tsum Valley Conservation Area permit

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal

·       Entry Nepal VISA

·       Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)

·       Tips to staff

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       During the trek hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.

·       In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

·       No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

In option for late returning flights on the last day, we can keep one room during the day in order you can have a shower before long flight back home.

JUST TREK with no services out of the trek itinerary in Kathmandu or Pokhara
 

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Transfers by private vehicle/jeep to starting trek point and from ending trek point

·       Accommodation in lodges and homestay and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description

·       English speaking Mountain Guide during the trek

·       1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax

·       1 porter each 2 clients

·       TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)

·       Tsum Valley Conservation Area permit

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal

·       Entry Nepal VISA (check information)

·       Tips to staff

·       Any service out of the trek

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       Hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.

·       In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

·       No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers in full format as described in the program.
If you prefer, you can contract only the trek, from the pick-up at your accommodation to the return. Without services outside the trek.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.

The motorable track reaches Philim. However, because rain, landslide or any other unexpected reason, it may only be possible to reach Arughat or Soti Khola. For this reason, we propose our “standard” itinerary starting in Machhakhola, between Soti Khola and Philim, although we must always be open to changes in the situation that, although they do not occur often, can happen at any time.

As we have already mentioned, this trek may require flexibility concerning the conditions that can be encountered daily. It is a trek to enjoy much more than just walking.

Travellers with a high degree of vertigo should be warned that some steps may be a little exposed due to slides.

As it is a restricted area, this trek can only be done by groups of at least two people with a guide.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Programs may have to be adapted according to the schedules of your flights to Nepal. The itineraries are designed taking into account that the international flight arrives at Kathmandu in the morning or noon. If you arrive to Nepal afternoon or later it would be better to have a margin day before starting your trek, although it is not essential.

DO YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP?

Related to the trek itinerary and Kathmandu and/or Pokhara staying we plan the “minimum days recommended” to have a comfortable and safe trip and trek. But always is a good idea to add some extra day during the trek (for rest or as safety extra day) or in your days in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Like all our tours, the itinerary can be customized and adapted to the taste, needs and preferences of the traveller, especially when it comes to staying in Nepal outside the trek route.

You can opt for the full trip or just hiring the trek and travel on your own in Nepal.

EXPERIENCES TO NEPAL OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM

Whether for free days in Kathmandu or Pokhara, as if you want to add more days to your trip, we offer a number of options and extensions. With them you can add and complete activities and experiences on your trip. Some are already included in some program, but in general we prefer that you choose them on your own, if you are interested in any, depending on your tastes and way of traveling. Ask us for more information if you are interested.