Tsum Valley Trek

Trip Overview

It is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in northern Gorkha, Nepal. ‘Tsum’ comes from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid. Traditionally, Tsum valley was a currently distinct geographical area called ‘Tsum Tso Chucksums’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory.

Against the majestic backdrop of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, Boudha Himal ranges, this serene Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture and religion. The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin & speak their own dialect. The altitude of Tsum Valley trek varies from 1905m in Lhokpa to over 5093 m at Ngula Dhojhyang pass on the Tibetan border. The hidden valley is surrounded by the Boudha Himal and Himal chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south & Sringi Himal to North.

People in Tsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have their own unique culture, tradition, & dialect. They celebrate a unique festival like Lhosar, Dhacyhang, Saka Dawa, Fanning & others. Many residents of this valley report that they have seen or found the signs of Mehti, commonly referred to as the ‘Yeti’ or ‘Abominable Snowman’.

Tsum Valley trek trails strewn with artistic chortens and lined with Mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers. The famous Kyimo Lung, a pilgrimage circuit in the central Trans-Himalaya is a well-known seat of learning and a seat of meditation. The circuit traverses across Tsum Valley, Manaslu area in Nepal and southern parts of Tibet. The Buddhist saint Milarepa is believed to have meditated in the caves of these mountains. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, this sacred valley and its people have been bypassed by mainstream development for centuries. As a result, the unique culture of this valley has also remained fairly intact. This trek begins from Arughat in Gorkha district, which is easily accessible from Kathmandu.

Trip Informations

Information about the places:
Arughat to Philim-The trip starts at Arughat in Gorkha district,a day road journey from Kathmandu.This Arughat is connected  through Gorkha Bazaar,Trisuli Bazaar,and Dhading besi.Trisuli to Arughat has no motorable road,but there are seasonal road connections from Gorkha bazaar & Dhading besi to Arughat.The trial follows  the winding Budhi Gandaki river.It takes four days to be Philim from Arughat on walking.

Trekking route gives the glimpses of diversity of flora & fauna,and people with different religion and cultures.On the way to Philim, there are many falls  on both side of the Budhi Gandaki river &  hundred spacies of  Birds in the forest.Each individual can enjoy with songs of Bird and roaring sound of river.Liding, Machhakhola, Jagat and Philim provide the unique hospitality with culture & religion.During this trekking the narrow valley shaping by Budhi Gandaki provides the magnificient vistas of Ganesh Himal,Shringi Himal and Himal Chuli.

Lokpa- It is the first village as we enter the valley.Five hour walking from Philim and four hour walking from Chumling.The old settlement lies along the old trial route.There are only two tea shop cum lodge available for the walkers.
Sardi Gorge- The gorge meets the shial Khola about 200m downstream.The alder covered banks of the river provide a peaceful noon resting place or overnight campsite under overhang cliff.

Dhoban – This is the confluence of the Shiar Khola,which flows from the east,and Sarpu Khola,which flows from the west.From Dhoban you can explore the Ganesh Himal –III(7110m).Along the Sarpu Khola, there are several campsites.The main vegetation is alder,blue pine & poplar.A suspension bridge is going to replace the temporary wooden bridge.

Lamagaun- The trial from Ngakyu-Leru (it is situated about two to three kilometers from Chokang.The beautiful village is a compact settlement with narrow alleys uniquely walled by firewoods.The mail trial passes through the heart of the village.) crosses flat & spacious fields, which stretch along the west bank of the Shiar River.There are several mani walls and kaanis(Gateway Chortens) along the wide trials.The agricultural fields are well conserved from animals by high stone walls.From this village,the trial divides into Rachen & Burji.

Burji- This village lies on the foothills of Langjuk Himal.The village contains a famous Milarepa cave,also known as Piren Phu, where Milarepa’s footprint can be seen.The Langju river runs besides this  village.Accross the river and Langju moraine lies the spectacular Chi-Phu monastry constructed on the edge of a rugged mountain.The trial to monastry is difficult & undeveloped.

Chhule- On the way to Chhule the path crosses a small hillock called Polgang with magnificient views to the south and north of the upper Tsum Valley.Ten minutes walk from there in the middle of the  trial  is a stupa with glancing eyes and a gilded pinnacle.Old women come from nearby villages from morning and evening prayers.There are flat, large and fertile fields with standing crops of wheat, buckwheat, potato, mustard and amaranth.This area suffers from massive deforestation.

Nile- This is the last village heading north of the upper Tsum Valley.It is on the western, sun side of  the Shiar Khola, about 20 minutes walk from Chhule.From a distance,Nile appears to be an island in the Shiar Khola.The valley is fertile and has large houses.

Mu Gompa- The trial gradually ascends to Mu Gompa from Nile.This is largest monastry in the area and located at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum Valley.On the way to Mu Gompa, Rikang Gompa and Dheron Gompa can be seen.Chhosyang Tal ai about two to three hours uphill walk.
Dumje- It has wide flat land , good for cultivation.Barely is the main crop.The village itself is small and settlements are scattered with eight houses & cattle sheds.
Gumba Lungdang – It is a five hour walk from Dumje.It is the oldest nuneeries in the valley, established 33 years earlier than Mu Gumba.There are about 16 houses scattered along the terraces, occupied mostly by worshipers and nuns. The main building of the nunnery houses murals of many Buddhist deities and life size statue of Guru Padmasambhav, Yara and Buddha.

Ripchet – This is the village which lies along the trial from Gumpa Laundang to Philim.The houses are completely built from stone and roofs are pine shingles.The houses are aligned in linear pattern along the trial.There are remarkable numbers of  mani walls, Chortens and gateway chortens.There is one local monastry.