Trip Facts
General trp informationsMin. 2 Pax
Hotel/Lodge/Guest House
B,L,D
Private Vehicle/Bus
Nepal Himalayan valleys are absolute Shangri-La, its environment is so fantastic and natural beauty. It remains as before rugged mountain landscapes, rushing Mountain Rivers, verdant forests and the towering snow-capped mountains. Yes, Nepal still is one of the best destinations for tourists seeking for thrilling adventure and the experience of a lifetime. Such pleasures are fulfilled via adventure treks along the shadows of the majestic peaks and the exciting spiritual adventure that the country has to offer.
Among the less known, remote and pristine one, hidden gem, visiting the Hidden Valley of Happiness, as Tsum Valley is referred to in ancient Buddhist texts as a sacred pilgrimage site and practice of Buddhism even at the time of warfare and political unrest, prophesied by Guru Padma Sambhava in 8th century. This enchanted valley is rich in ancient art, culture and religion with several unique monasteries, artistic Chorterns and Mani walls made up stone slabs inscribed with Buddhist prayers. This valley is opened to foreigners in 2008. Relatively untouched by tourism. Tsum Valley is a sacred and strong power pilgrimage site located in northern Gorkha, against the Tibetan border, to the north of Buddha Himal and Himalchuli, west of the Ganesh Himal, and east of the Sringi Himal.
The valley has its own distinctive culture, mostly influenced by Tibetan culture. The valley is considered to have religious significance primarily because Yogi Jetsun Milarapa, a legendary Buddhist sage, is said to have meditated in one of the caves of the mountains in the area. This sacred cave, known as Piren Phug (Pigeon Cave), is near a village called Lamagaun. According to one tale, the sage, who often disguised himself to beg for food in the village, once became victim to the misbehavior of one of the village women who gave him a meager half-piece of bread. Soon thereafter, this woman’s field became totally barren. Today, too, you’ll see a small plot of land in the village in which nothing grows.
In a monastery nearby, which has statues of Avalokitesvara, Buddha and Tara, you’ll also be able to see the footprint of Milerapa. Piren Phug has many religious texts as well as ancient scripts on the stones and ceiling, which makes this cave worth a visit. Other interesting monasteries are Rachen Gompa (est.1905) in the Siyar Khola valley; Mu Gompa (est.1895) which is a six-hour hike from Chekkam in the Tsum valley; Dephyu Doma Gompa (the oldest gompa of Tsum Valley) in the mountains between central Nepal and Tibet; and Lungdang Gompa (est. early 20th century) which was established through the determined efforts of a blind man..
The main route to this valley is the one leading into the Manaslu Conservation Area. The trail goes through a steep-sided gorge. As you climb, you’ll passing waterfalls and see a lot of monkeys along with birds. The houses in the area are slate-roofed and built of mud. The entry to Tsum Valley takes a couple of days to reach, passing through a narrow canyon with sheer sides full of large boulders. You’ll find Buddhist religious symbols painted on the boulders as well as the mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, in 3-foot Tibetan letters. Beyond this lies the “Hidden Valley Of Happiness.” The villages of Tsum Valley are at a height of 2,400-3,700 meters above sea level.
If you go around December-January, you’ll be able to witness a very important festival of the valley called Dhajyang (festival of the horses), during which, beautifully decorated horses participate in a race. If you are there in May, you can celebrate Saka Dawa along with the locals, during which, the birth, enlightenment, and demise of Lord Buddha is commemorated. It should be noted here that unlike in many other places, Buddha’s teachings are taken to heart here. In other words, the locals practice what is preached, and the local people prohibiting animal sacrifice in Upper Tsum. No wonder wildlife flourishes here and you are likely to see Musk deer, Himalayan Thar, Blue sheep, Snow Leopard, Asami monkeys keep your eyes well open.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: International arrival Kathmandu 1350m
Day 02: Manaslu trek preparation, issue restricted area permit, Kathmandu 1350m
Day 03: Kathmandu – Soti khola (700m/2,296ft) via Arughat (7-8 hrs)
Day 04: Sotikhola to Machhakhola (869m/2,851ft) 6-7 hrs
Day 05: Machhakhola to Jagat (1400m/4,593ft) (7-8 hrs)
Day 06: Jagat to Lokpa (2,240m/7,349ft) 5-6 hours
Day 07: Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m/7,828ft) 4-5 hours
Day 08: Chumling to Chokhang paro (3,030m/9,940ft) 4-5 hours
Day 09: Chokhangparo to Nile (3,361m/11,026ft) 5-6 hours
Day 10: Nile to Mu Gompa (3,700m/12,139ft) 3 hours
Day 11: Mu Gompa to Lama Gaun (3,302m/10,833ft) via Rachen Gumba 5 hours
Day 12: Lama Gaun – Lungdang (2,386/7,828ft) 7-8 hours
Day 13: Gumba Lungdang to Lokpa (1,570m/5,150ft) 7-8 hours
Day 14: Lokpa to Jagat (1400m/4,593ft) 6-7 hrs
Day 15: Jagat to Lapubesi (970m/3,182ft) 7-8 hours
Day 16: Lapubesi to Arughat (700m/2,296ft) 6-7 hours
Day 17: Arughat to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft) drive 7-8 hours
Day 18: Flexible day
What's included?
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, Tsum Valley Permit and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) fees or Local Govt. Entry Fee
Teahouse (sharing twin or double room) - 15 days Trek is accompanied by a well experienced English speaking guide and porters
Note: - one porter will carry a maximum weight of 25kgs, 1 porter for every 2 guests and 1 sherpa will accompany every 6 guests). Includes all meals, accommodation, allowance, insurance of guide and porter & porter equipment.
- 14 nights accommodation in local lodges sharing twin room on full board according to itinerary. (B, L, D)
- Bus or Jeep fares Kathmandu – Sotikhola - Kathmandu.
- Guide and porters bus fares or accommodation in Jeep.
- Salary, insurance, food, accommodation of Guide and Porter.
- Airport pick up/ by private vehicle.
- Loan of sleeping bag, duffel bags and trekking poles.
- 03 night’s accommodation at local 3 star hotel in Kathmandu sharing twin / double room on bed and breakfast basis.
- All government VAT.
Note: We will provide the best available Local Lodges during the adventure based on the room availability. please also expect that some of local lodges in higher elevation may not have attached bathrooms and extremely basic services. Hence, clients will have to adjust on common bathrooms as well. However, we will try our best to allocate the rooms with attached bathroom wherever available.
What's not included?
- International airfares.
- Nepal visa fee.
- Travel insurance / Medical evacuation and Helicopter Rescue in case of emergency.
- Personal trekking Equipment not mentioned.
- Tips for trekking staffs and driver.
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned in Price Inclusion section.
- Any beverages, including mineral water, alcohol drinks, soft drinks etc. unless otherwise specified.
- Any items of personal nature such as telephone bills, laundry, bar bills.
- Services like accommodation, meals & transfers etc. in Kathmandu except listed in inclusion.
- The prices do not include: undue escalation in fuel prices, new taxes levies on hotels and transportation services or any hikes in entrance fees. Any large tax hikes and new levies shall be payable extra and shall be billed accordingly with prior notice.
- Sightseeing, dinner transfers, entrance fees in Kathmandu.
- Cost of Showers during trekking.
- Any other items not mentioned in the cost inclusion.
- Fleece liner, down jacket, rain poncho etc.
- Internet & Battery Charge.
International arrival Kathmandu 1350m
30 Min. Hotel
International arrival Kathmandu 1350m
Welcome to Nepal!
Upon arrival you will be greeted by Bodhi Adventures representative by marigold garland at the Kathmandu airport and transferred to your beautiful hotel. You will meet your leader and your local professional and qualified guide at 5 pm this afternoon and have a full briefing on your Manaslu adventure.
Enjoy your dinner on your own this evening.
Tsum valley trek preparation, issue restricted area, Tsum valley area permit, Kathmandu 1350m
Hotel
Tsum valley trek preparation, issue restricted area, Tsum valley area permit, Kathmandu 1350m
World Heritage Sightseeing in Kathmandu if you choose to, and prepare your equipment for the Tsum Valley Trek.
This day will mostly be riding. The bus trip from Kathmandu to Arughat Bazar takes about 7 hours, passing though the lower Ruby Valley. The bus runs until Arughat Bazar, when a jeep will take you the rest of the way to Soti Khola where you will spend the night.
Sotikhola to Machhakhola (869m/2,851ft)
6-7 hrs Guest House
Sotikhola to Machhakhola (869m/2,851ft) 6-7 hrs
This is the first day of trekking as the trail follows along the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail rises upwards as it follows the river, with many high overlooks and glimpses of Manaslu on a clear day. You will pass by the hot springs at Tatopani. Machhakhola is a pleasant Gurung village with good guest houses and good food. Walking time is 6-7 hours.
Jagat is a pretty village on the west side of the Budhi Gandaki River. It has paving stone streets. Today will pass by Mani walls, and high overlooks above the river. The trail passes through many picturesque villages. Trekking time is 7-8 hours.
Jagat to Lokpa (2,240m/7,349ft)
6-7 Hrs
Jagat to Lokpa (2,240m/7,349ft) 6-7 hours
This day will take you finally into the entrance of Tsum Valley. The trail will cross the Budhi Gandaki River on a long suspension bridge and then up the side of the mountain to the village of Philim. From here, the villages become few and far between. The river continues to narrow until it comes to the confluence of the Syar Khola from Tsum valley, where Tsum Valley leads to the right. The village of Lokpa is the first of the Tsum Valley villages, which offers great views of Manaslu. Trekking time is 6-7 hours. The food and lodging at Lokpa is very adequate, and the store here is well stocked.
Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m/7,828ft)
4-5 hours
Lokpa may be the entrance to Tsum Valley, but the real entrance lies beyond the village in a deep narrow gorge. The trail from Lokpa drops down to the river valley and then up again to Gumlung. There are no villages between Lokpa and Gumlung. There is a small tea shop at Gumlung with is a welcome site. At Gumlung, the trail divides. Cross the Siyar khola and walk to the village of Chumling. Chumling has two places to stay, along with a gombe. Trekking time 5-6 hours.
Today’s trek will go from the lower to the upper valley. The trail follows along the Siyar Khola down to Domje and then rises over 500 meters to the largest city in Tsum Valley: Chhokang Paro. The trek takes between 6-7 hours. Of special interest is the pretty little village of Gho above Dumje. It has an unusual Gomba, and there is a store where you can buy tea and drinks. Spend the night in Chhokang Paro.
From Chhokang Paro to Nile, you will pass through a number of villages. This trail is the ‘highway’ through Tsum Valley. The valley is fertile here, although narrow, and you will be able to see the residents farming. Just past Lamagaun is Piren Phug or the Cave of St. Milarepa where his footprint is preserved in the rock. The trail continues upwards to the village of Nile. The trek 4-6 hours, with the trip to Piren Phug taking anywhere from 60-90 minutes. The cave is located on the side of the mountain, with great views of the valley from the cave monastery.
Mu Gompa is the northern most point on this trip, and is home to a large monastery. This monastery has rooms for visitors where you will spend the night with the monks. Today’s trek is shorter, only about 3-4 hours.
This day will take you from one monastery to another that is under the same Lama. Rachen Gompa is a large monastery, and the return trek will take around 3-4 hours. If you were unable to visit Piren Phug on day 7, this day will offer a second opportunity to visit this religious holy site.
Optional trail you also can walk visiting Dhephu Doma (Nunnery Gompa) takes extra 2 hours.
This trek is a long day, as you will leave the upper valley and at Domje, take the trail to Gumba Lungdang. Here is another gumba that allows visitors to spend the night. The views of the Ganesh Himal Mountains are outstanding from this point. There is no village from Domje to Gumba Lungdang. Trekking time is 7-8 hours
Another long day of trekking as you leave Lungdang to Lokpa; passes through Domje and back to Lokpa. The trail will drop back through the gorge that forms the entrance into Tsum Valley along the Siyar Khola. Spend the night again at Lokpa. Trekking time is 7-8 hours.
Lokpa to Jagat (1400m/4,593ft)
6-7 hrs
This is a day of retracing steps as you leave Tsum Valley and rejoin the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail will hug the side of the mountain high above the river. Spend the night once more in Jagat. Today’s travel time is 6-7 hours.
Jagat to Lapubesi (970m/3,182ft)
7-8 Hrs
The trail winds its way down along the river. You will cross the river a couple of times on suspension bridges before coming to the pretty little village of Lapubensi where you will spend the night. Trekking time is 7-8 hours.
It’s short 3-4 hours walk to Sotikhola where you will pick up a jeep to Arughat bazar. There you will spend a night, and actually have a warm bath and a wider menu choice at the hotels.
This day will be travelling back to city on a bus and a chance to relax after days of trekking.
International Departure
You will be taken to International airport as your flight time to fly back your home after adventure in Himalayan Shangri-La