TSUM VALLEY
TSUM VALLEY
Travel in a valley sheltered from the trappings of modernity, shielded from outside influences, where village life is dominated by a deep devotion to pure Tibetan Buddhism. Walk in the shadow of Ganesh Himal, where few people have ventured.
This is a unique trek in this amazing valley; a piece of Tibet in the depths of Nepal. The people of Tsum Valley have been sheltered from the outside world, leaving them practically untouched by modernity and hence have maintained their pure heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Many lamas were reincarnated here and thus the Tsum valley became a sacred place for Buddhists. Under the shadow of Ganesh Himal (7,400m), lie villages, monasteries, barley fields, and herds of horses and yaks roaming free.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Valley well preserved and now it's open for all the trekkers
- Contact with friendly people of Tibetan culture
- Views of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal
- Wild nature, horses and yaks in the mountain pastures
Itinerary

For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...
Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel.
- Accommodation: Hotel
Free day in Kathmandu. Obtain special permits for the Tsum valley and Manaslu.
- Accommodation: Hotel
We drive to Gorkha by van and reach the town in approximately 5 hours. Visit the old palace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Gorkha king and founder of Nepal.
- Duration of hike: 2hr
- Accommodation: Guest House
From Dhogteni, we hike up to the valley of Daraundi Khola (river).
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We continue walking along the banks of the same river to Ranglung. Then we start the final climb up the steep hillside up to Barpak.
- Ascent: +1000m
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We leave Barpak and embark on a long hike to our next destination, Laprak.
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We walk along the river and reach the first gorges. Then we hike through traditional villages and stop at Jagat at the foot of the Great Stupa (1,350m).
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
This region is inhabited by Gurungs and Tibetans. We embark on another long hike and climb up to reach Gnyak, gaining about a 1000m.
- Duration of hike: 8 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We descend to the Budhi Gandaki (river) that we cross before going up and entering the Tsum Valley, along the Shyar Khola (river). We now get closer and closer to Ganesh Himal. From here on, we come across villages dominated by Tibetan culture. When we arrive at Chumling, we get to see the beautiful village of Lokpa in the Tsum Valley.
- Duration of hike: 6-7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We start hiking through a lovely pine forest and come across villages in the middle of barley fields, buckwheat and potato crops, as in most Tibetan-dominated highlands. We then walk to Chhokangparo from where we can get clear views of Ganesh Himal, Buddha Himal, and Himal Chuli. Chhokangparo is home to three monasteries. We continue on to Rachen Gompa, which is the largest convent in Nepal and houses about one hundred Gelugpa nuns. In a cliff nearby (about 20 minutes walk) lies a sacred cave where the hermit saint Milarepa is once said to have meditated.
- Ascent: +850m
- Duration of hike: 6-7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We come across several villages before reaching Nile where we stop for lunch. Nile also has a Gelugpa monastery, the last monastery before the Tibetan border.
- Ascent: + 550m
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
If the weather favors us, we descend to Rachen Gompa, after an excursion to Kalung and Bhajyo, which are separated from Tibet by just a pass,
- Descent: - 500m
- Duration of hike: 4 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
This day’s trek is easy, heading down to Rentsam, near Dumje. On our left, is the valley leading to the Ganesh Himal Base Camp.
- Descent: - 800m
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We walk along the opposite bank by Ripchet, instead of Chumling. We then drive along Shiar Khola and walk to the village of Lokpa, at the confluence of the Budi Gandaki. We enjoy great views of the Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.
- Descent: - 400m
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We start a long hike but it’s an easy descent to the valley of the Budhi Gandaki River. We then cross the river after Philim to reach Jagat.
- Descent: - 700m
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Descent: - 350m
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Accommodation: Guest House
We descend further down on this last day of our trek in the mountains of moderate altitude. We cross one more river to reach Arughat where we meet the highway.
- Descent: - 350m
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We drive for 6 hours in a jeep to reach Kathmandu.
The rest of the day is free.
- Accommodation: Hotel
End of our services.
What's included
- 3 night in hotel Manaslu on BB in Kathmandu
- English speaking trekking guide for trekking
- Tsum valley special permit
- Lodge trek on full board
- Porters and assistant guides according to the size of the group
- Carriage of baggage up to 13 kg/person during the trek
- 1-day sightseeing in Kathmandu including entrance fees
- English speaking cultural guide for day visit in Kathmandu
What's not included
- Nepal visa ($50 + photo)
- flights
- Mandatory helicopter rescue insurance
- Personal expenses and gears (sleeping bag …), hot shower bath during the trek, recharging gadget, etc…