Tsum Valley Trek

Detail Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel.

  When you arrive to Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Crystal Himalaya will see you at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the evening, we brief you on the upcoming trek. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu valley.

  After breakfast, we brief you on our upcoming adventure and welcome you to a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu, including its famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Spend the rest of the day preparing for your upcoming trek and exploring the capital city. Overnight in hotel.

• Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat.

  After breakfast in Kathmandu, we start our journey through Nepal’s lovely countryside. We reach Arughat, a sizeable village at the foot of Manaslu. The village lies on both side of the Buri Gandaki River, connected by a suspension bridge. The village is the entrance to many mountain trails higher up, including the Tsum Valley. Spend the rest of the day and evening wandering the streets of the Arughat, and even taking a swim if you’d like. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 04: Trek from Arughat to Soti Khola (730m), 3-4 hours.

  It’s a very easy day today as we hike along the relatively level trail to Soti Khola. There are some ups and downs in between but overall the trial is rather flat. Pass by streams, small settlements, and cultivated fields to reach Soti Khola. The trek is short, so spend some time exploring the scenic village. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 05: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola (900m), 5-6 hours.

  Have breakfast and head to the trail. Cross and bridge and then trek through beautiful Sal forests before climbing onto a small ridge. Down below, we see the flowing rapids of the Buri Gandaki River. Reach a village called Khurasane, ascend and descend past two waterfalls on a trail that hugs the side of a cliff. Head back down to Lyabrubesi and trek further to a point where the valley opens. Drop to a sandy riverbed and walk on the stones before climbing over another ridge. Cross a suspensive bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 06: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1370m), 5-6 hours.

  Begin the trek after breakfast. The path has a view ascents and descents before crossing the Tharo Khola and reaching Khorlabesi. Several more ups and downs brings us to Tatopani, a natural hot spring. From here, we hike up to another ridge and cross the Buri Gandaki via suspension bridge. Climb on a stone straircase to Doban and further to Thulo Dunga, and Yara Bagar. Soon after, we reach the entry point for Manaslu Conservation Area. Then, reach Jagat, today’s destination. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 07: Trek from Jagat to Lokpa (2240m), 6 hours.

  Leaving Jagat, climb above the village to Salleri and Sirdibas to Philim. We can stop in Philim for lunch and keep on trekking. Just past Ekle Bhatti, the trail reaches a junction. One trail leads to Tsum Valley, while the other stays on the route of the Manalsu Circuit. We take the former and keep ascending toward Lokpa, which isn’t much further. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 08: Trek from Lokpa to Chumling (2386m), 6 hours.

  Between Lokpa and Chumling, there are no places to stop for a meal, so we pack extra food. The trail follows through serene, sub-tropical forests. Walk on the small suspension over a river and arrive in Chumling in the early after. We can drop off our packs and head to upper Chumling, where there is a monastery with an awesome view of Ganesh Himal. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 09: Trek from Chumling to Chhokang Paro (3030m), 7 hours.

  Hit the trail after breakfast. Cross a suspension bridge onto the opposite side of the river. Admire the precious views of Ganesh Himal while hiking past Rainjham to Serpu Khola. At this point, we enter the hidden valley of Tsum. Another steep climb takes us to the village of Chhokang Paro. Check out the amazing view of Huinchuli (7893m). Overnight in guest house.

• Day 10: Trek from Chhokang Paro to Nile (3347m) via Milarepa Cave, 5-6 hours.

  Admire the lovely signs of Tibetan Buddhism (mani walls, gompas, and chhortens) scattered throughout the trail as we trek deeper into the Tsum Valley. Stop for tea and have a chat with the kind nuns and Rachen Gompa before heading further. Stop for lunch in either Chhile or Nile, and stay at Nile for the night. Before that, stop and stare at the two dramatic waterfalls near Chhule. Arriving at Nile, we get awesome views of Churke and Kipu Himal. Spend the rest of the day wandering around the valley. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 11: Excursion to Mu Gompa and Dhephyudonma Gompa.

  Take breakfast and slowly ascend to Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the region and farthest point in the Tsum Valley, very near to the Tibetan Border. We can take a tour of the monastery, before going higher in elevation. An hour or two uphill lies DhephyudonmaGompa, one of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley, with a powerful spiritual feel to it. The monastery is nested high in the mountains, a most scenic location.It is run by Lama Serap of Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sect. After some exploration and enjoyment, head back down to Nile for the night. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 12: Trek from Nile to Chhokang Paro.

  From Nile, we trek along the same trail all the way back to Chhokang Paro. Enjoy the splendid landscape for a second time! Overnight in guest house.

• Day 13: Trek from Chhokang Paro to Gompa Lungdang (3200m), 5 hours.

  In the morning, we descend for a couple of hours on a forested trail to Gho. Continue to Domje, where we can stop for fuel – a nice plate of dal bhat – before making the 3-4 hour climb to Gompa Lungdang. The trail is an exciting zigzag that leads high above the Lungdang Khola. Visiting the gompa is a most memorable experience. The nuns and teachers are exceptionally welcoming and the place has spectacular mountain views, including an upclose view of Ganesh Himal. Overnight at the gompa.

• Day 14: Excursion to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200m), 6-7 hours.

  Today we move even higher into the glorious alpine region. Trek up through the pine and rhododendron trees, which become sparser as we move further up. Follow the Lundang Khola towards the Torogumba Glacier, which eventually leads to Ganesh Himal Base Camp. About halfway up, there is a small shack in a grazing meadow. The views from here are astounding. Take some photos and enjoy the mountain presence before heading back down to the gompa for the evening puja. Overnight at the gompa.

• Day 15: Trek from Gompa Lungdang to Lokpa (2240m), 6-7 hours.

  It’s a somewhat challenging day of ascending. Though, it is only challenging because it can be hard on the knees. Go back down to Domje, and cross the Lungdang Khola. Stay on the south bank of the Shyar Khola and then climb over deep gorges and questionable (but safe) bridges to the scenic village of Ripche. Chhortens and pleasant villages add a lot of character to the trail. Keep going through the refreshing forests to Lokpa. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 16: Trek from Lokpa to Jagat (1410m), 7-8 hours.

  Today’s trail again retraces that of the first days of the trek. Oh, how much we have seen since then! From Lokpa, it’s a full descend to Jagat. We meet up with the trail coming from the Manaslu Circuit. Keep walking to Philim, where we can stop for a lunch or snack and check out of the MCAP office. The trail hugs the Buri Gandaki River, and zigzags to then cross the river. Just past Sirdibas, clib a little bit on the rocky, narrow canyon trail as it descends to the sandy trail near Jagat. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 17: Trek from Jagat to Lapubesi (750m), 7-8 hours.

  Keep descending through the lush Buri Gandaki Valley. Pass the villages of Yara Bagar, Thulo Dunga, and Doban to the raging river village of Machha Khola. Carry on, passing charming settlements and their terraced fields for growing crops. The full day of descending takes us back to Lapubesi, a friendly village near to the river. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 18: Trek from Lapubesi to Arughat (775m), 6 hours.

  From Lapubesi, we descend to Soti Khola, a decently sized village with guest houses and shops. We can stop here for some tea or otherwise keep going down to Kyoropani, and then through Arket, Simre, and Mordar. Each village has its own unique character. Continue through rural farms and villages along the Buri Gandaki River. After about 6 lovely hours on the trail, we reach Arughat. Take some time to explore the village. Overnight in guest house.

• Day 19: Drive from Arughat to Kathmandu.

  Have breakfast at the guest house and say a sad farewell to the mountains. Cruise along the bank of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli Rivers back to Kathmandu, eating lunch along the way. The scenic terraced hillsides and villages entertain us during the drive. In Kathmandu, spend the evening as you please. It’s your last night in Nepal, so make it special! Overnight in hotel.

• Day 20: Departure from Nepal.

  Before your flight, we take you to Tribhuvan Airport.Thank you for choosing Crystal Himalaya Treks and Expedition as your guide! It is a pleasure welcoming you to our beautiful country.Hope to see you soon.