Tsum Valley Trek

On arrival, meet our TH staff for a courtesy transfer to your respective hotels in the heart of Kathmandu, in the Thamel area, an interesting place for shopping and dining at many world-class restaurants, pubs, and bakeries. 
Our guide will provide details about the trek to Tsum, the Hidden Valley of Happiness.

The morning after breakfast at a given time our city and cultural guide will guide you in and around Kathmandu at places of interest and importance, as Kathmandu Valley is full of World Heritage Sites the holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, ancient Kings Palaces and courtyard in Kathmandu; after an interesting sightseeing back to the hotel, preparation for the trip Tsum the Hidden Valley of Happiness. 

An early morning great interesting journey with a scenic drive away from Kathmandu valley on the main busy road for a while, the drive follows the Prithvi Highway till it reaches Malekhu a small town near the river Trisuli, from here drive towards north to Dhading Besi, a mid-hill town, from here on the dirt track to reach our first overnight stop at Arughat bazaar, a busy village with shops and stores where the mountain and hill people come here to buy their local commodities.

From Arughat, our first-day walk begins by following the Buri Gandaki River upstream, passing several scattered farmhouses and through a sal tree (more robusta) forest, with fabulous views of Ganesh II at 7,118 m and Ganesh IV at 7,104 m. Walking on the gradual path with short ups and downs by the Buri Gandaki river, then reaching a moderate-sized village of Arkhet Bazaar, from here the last leg of the journey leads to a steep hill climb to our overnight stop at Soti Khola, this is a small farm village with a small stream nearby known as Soti Khola.

The morning walk leads to a slow descent, and towards the river banks with several small tea shops, coming across mule trains on their way to Machhakhola and beyond, our journey carries on using the Nepalese traditional stone paved staircase, then crossing over Nauli Khola (stream) with a view of cascading waterfalls and reaching Khanigaon. From this small farm village, with a few hours of walking, leads to a bridge over the Machha Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge, a short ascent to reach our overnight stop at Machha Khola village, a small settlement with a stream for fishing smaller fish, as this village is named after macha, meaning fish river or stream.

From Macha Khola our morning journey leads along the Buri Gandaki river upstream reaching another small village at Khorla Beshi and then walking on the gradual winding path reaching a place called Tato pani with natural hot spring water near the forested area, after a break here walk leads past Dovan and Yaruphant villages, following the Buri Gandaki River and then crossing a short suspension bridge to Jagat village for overnight stop, a reasonable size village with shops and small guest house and lodge.

Morning walk after breakfast follows the Buri Gandaki River upstream passing several small villages to reach Sidibas Bazaar, then crossing a small suspension bridge at Nagjet and reaching Philim village, after a break walks carry on through a nice golden farm terrace of wheat, barley, and millets and then with a climb on a rocky ridge top all the way reaching our overnight stop at Ekle Bhatti a small village with few houses and teahouse with some lodge.
 

After breakfast, our journey today leaves behind the Manaslu route and the Buri Gandkai River for a week, from here heading towards the mystical Tsum Valley the morning walk passes through a narrow gorge and leads to the right side then on the downhill walk towards Tsum Valley, as the journey progress the trail further climbs through forest of pines and rhododendron trees and reaching a nice and small Lokpa village, from here crossing a suspension bridge over Lungwa Khola and following the path towards our overnight stop at Chumling village, the first day within Tsum Valley area.
 

After this village, our morning walk leads to a gentle descent, crossing the suspension bridge, then towards the opposite bank of Smatiking Khola. This area offers fabulous views of Ganesh Himal as the walk leads to Chokhangparo for an overnight stop after a six-hour walk. 

From this traditional Tibetan-like village, Chokhangparo, our morning starts following the path with a gradual climb to a small ridge and a pass, then reaching Lama-gaon, from here an optional hike to visit Milarepa cave ( Milarepa 11th-century Tibetan saint, poet, and guru born near Lantang region at Kyarung on the border of Nepal and Tibet), where we visit the Chi Pu Gompa. After an interesting time visiting the ancient sites, the walk continues, crossing a suspension bridge to reach our overnight stop on the Nile, the last town-village of Upper Tsum Valley.

After continuing a trek for a week, today is an easy walk to our overnight stop at Mu Gompa, the morning starts along the side of the Syar River leading up the valley through the Tibetan-like landscapes with barren and arid country, the walk leads to a short uphill to our overnight stop at Mu Gompa, afternoon after lunch free for local excursion visiting the monastery or just marvel the surrounding beautiful views. This upper area of Tsum is close to the Tibet border. 

A rest day at Mu Gompa after a week of trekking, and this is the highest point of this wonderful adventure. Morning after breakfast, an optional hike to explore the vicinity of Mu Gompa, which is the largest monastery in the region. 
This monastery, or Gompa, is located at the highest elevation in the far northern corner of Tsum Valley, in the Gurkha district, and its villages are rich in incredible Tibetan culture and traditions.  

After a wonderful and memorable time in this scenic area of Upper Tsum Valley, the morning walk retraces its steps through Chhule and Phurbe, heading towards the east bank of the Shiar Khola. Then the nice pleasant walk of about five hours leads to Rachen Gompa for the overnight stop, this monastery, which is a nunnery and another of the largest Gompa in this region. 

The morning walk leads to the same walking trail on leaving Rachen Gompa, then retracing the route via the same path and then with a long descent to Chhokang Paro again, after a break our walk leads on the path with continued descent and reaching a bridge over the Sarpu Khola, after crossing the suspension bridge and then continue with downhill walk losing altitude to reach at Chumling village for overnight stop, Chumling a small and nice village with superb views of green hills, valleys and of high staggering snow-capped mountains.

After this nice village, end the trip in mystical Tsum Valley. As the walk continues, losing altitude towards a warmer area, it follows the river to Lokpa village. After a nice break here, the walk continues on a gradual downhill, overlooking the most beautiful waterfalls and the villages of Samba, Tingding Chhupyang, until our overnight stop at Philim village. This farm village with a primary school supported by the people of Japan (as the Japanese were the first to climb Manaslu, this area is very much liked by the Japanese)

From here onwards, toward the warmer areas with paddy fields and terraces, after breakfast, our journey heads to Tatopani following the Buri Gandaki River. The morning walk leads through several small villages of Nagjet, Sidibas Bazaar, and Jagat. The walk further descends to Yaruphant. As you walk into a lower area, notice the dramatic change in vegetation. The day completes after a good walk of nearly six hours to our overnight stop in a wonderful spot at Tatopani a small farm village with hot spring as Tatopani in Nepali means 'hot water', afternoon time an opportunity to bathe in this natural hot springs and get relaxed. The locals believe that the spring water has a natural power to cure various diseases and wounds.

After a nice time at Tatopani with the hot spring, a morning walk leading on the same path to Soti Khola, walking along the Budhi Gandaki River downstream this time on the way back, after hours of good walking, reaching Gurung village of Labubesi, from here walking further through terraced fields and waterfalls, then reaching our overnight stop at Soti Khola. 
 

Our last day of trekking, so enjoy the walk to Arughat after breakfast, leading downhill along the riverbank of the Budi Gandaki, downstream through a dense forest of Sal trees (Shorea robusta). Continue walking along the riverbank, passing Arkhet Bazaar. On this walk, enjoy awesome views of Ganesh II (7,118 m) and Ganesh IV (7,104 m). After a pleasant day's walk, we reached our last overnight stop in the rural area at Arughat bazaar, where this memorable and magnificent trek ends. 

Leaving Arughat after breakfast with a drive to Kathmandu, enjoying the great panorama of the Himalayan tall peaks above the rolling green hills. The drive leads through interesting scenery of the surrounding countryside, farms, villages, and busy towns, ending in Kathmandu, with an afternoon free for individual activities.

We have reserved this day to relax and enjoy your last day in Kathmandu with another sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu at places of interest and importance, as Kathmandu Valley is full of World Heritage Sites the holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, ancient Kings Palaces and courtyard in Kathmandu; after an interesting sightseeing back to hotel. 

My last day in Nepal was a wonderful, memorable time in the Himalaya trekking to Tsum, the Hidden Valley of Happiness, with Team Himalaya, and to the airport for the flight back home or to the respective destination.