Tsum Valley Trek

Upon arrival in the Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transfer to the hotel. After check in, you can either take rest; hang around in the city as it all depends upon your interests. In the evening, we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.
Hotel Encounter Nepal

Meals: Dinner
Max Altitude: 1300m/4264 ft

After breakfast, break the day with guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. The first visit is made in Swayambhunath Stupa- oldest stupa situated on the hillock. Enjoy the bird eyes view of Kahtmandu Valley and mountains. After then visit Kahtmandu Durbar Square – Palace of Malla and then Shah King of Nepal. Visit Kumari Ghar (living goddes), Kasthamandap (made up of single tree), Hanuman Dhoka (Gate to enter the palace) and many more temples. Finally visit in Patan Durbar Square- city of fine art and architecture. Visit Krishna Temple, Palace square, Mahabauddha, Mahabihar and many more temples and master piece monuments. Late afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Black Diamond briefs us regarding the trip as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu; Hotel Encounter Nepal.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we drive towards Arughat following the Prithvi Highway (Kathmandu – Pokhara Highway) along the Trishuli River and divert towards Arughat via Gorkha. After 4.5 hours drive, we reach Arughat and then 1 hour trek to Arkhet following beautiful river Budhi Gandaki. Overnight in camp or local lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we walk through the Budhi Gandaki valley passing several villages of the different culture. The trail is little ups and downs. Passing by gorge, some shady sal forests, and few waterfalls we reach the culturally rich Gurung village, the Labubesi village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is some ups and downs. After breakfast we down to Budhi Gandaki River, walk on the sandy bank and then climb up. We pass through several villages like Machhikhola, Khanibesi, Khorlabesi and finally reach Tatopani. Tatopani means hot water. In Tatopani, there is a natural hot water coming out from the ground. We can take a hot bath in Tatopani and get clean and fresh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we enter into the Manaslu restricted area. After breakfast, we walk through the villages and forests. Crossing Dobhan (confluence point of two rivers) we reach the Yaruphant from where we can see the open view of huge high hills and beautiful scenery. Crossing the Yaru Khola some ups and downs walk bring us to the tiny beautiful Gurung village Jagat where tax is collected on Tibetan trade. Walking along Budhi Gandaki River and climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri with views of Sringi Himal (7187m) then descend to Sirdibas (1430m) where we see the first signs of Buddhist culture. From there crossing the Nepal’s longest suspension bridge we climb continuously till the Philim village. We go entry the permits in check post in Philim.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we start ascend and around 1 hour we reach Ekle Bhatti means alone teashop and after another one hour we get to see the big and beautiful waterfall. Then passing spectacular gorge and pine forest, we reach Gum Pul. Just above Gum Pul there are two ways to Ghap and Tsum Valley. We follow the right side trail to Tsum Valley. Passing through pine and rhododendron forest, crossing rivers, exploring culturally rich villages, enjoying beautiful landscapes and view of Mt. Himalchuli (7893m) and Boudha Himal, following zigzag and steep path we enter into Tsum Valley. Passing by Gumlung village and crossing Siyar Khola, finally we reach Chumling, from where we can see Shringi Himal and explore the village visiting old Chumling Gompa, the traditional houses, orchards, clinic and beautiful stone streets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is an easy day. We trek ahead crossing the suspension bridge and through the forest. Enjoy the great view of Ganesh Himal. Again crossing a long suspension bridge, we reach Ripchet village. Passing by Gho village and crossing the Serpu Khola, continuous climb for 2 hours to upper Tsum takes us to Chhokang-Paro. If the weather is clear we can see the superb view of Himalchuli (7893m) and Ganesh Himal (7140m).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning is easy, take time to explore the village. We climb north to the retreat where Lama Kongchog died after 26 years of meditation. His reincarnation, found in the village, was amazing (can see the DVD Unmistaken Child, available in Kathmandu).passing by small villages, local school, crossing rope suspension bridge and Lamagaon we reach Rachen Gompa. This Nunnery is the female equivalent of the Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu. Crossing the Shiyar Khola, passing through the well managed villages Lar, Phurbe and Pangdun, leaving old historic stupa, we reach the larger village of Chhule. We walk upstream crossing the bridge and finally reach at Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We walk to the west bank of the valley. We climb through dry landscapes passing rows of chortons and viewing great mountains finally reach Mu Gompa. It is the largest and an ancient gompa in the region with over 100 monks. It is highest and most remote part of the Tsum Valley. We also visit the isolated 600 year-old Dhephu Doma Gompa (3900m) is 30-45mins uphill on the obvious westward track and has two resident nuns who report seeing snow leopards and musk deer. We are near to Tibetan border. On three sides now are tantalizing views of the border, with frequently used passes to the east (Ngula Dhojyang or Mailatasachin Pass, 5093m) and west (Thapla Bhanjyang, 5104m) just out of sight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we leave Mu Gompa quite earlier since we have to visit Milarepa cave. We trek back through Chhule and Phurbe, following the Shair khola and finally arrive in Burgi Village. We climb up to Milare cave (local name Piren Phu) where famous Saint Milarepa had resided and meditated. From cave we can look out over the stunning mountains spreading before us, and get tantalizing view of Churke Himal, Kipu Himal and the Poshyop Glacier.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we head downwards today the surrounding scenery becomes notably more verdant. We pass through Chhokan Paro, through Gho and pass over the Sarpu Khola River to arrive in the lower part of the Tsum Valley. Trekking along the lower Tsum Valley, generally flat trail brings us to Chumling.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 2,386/7,827ft
Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

Today is easy trail. We descend to Lokpa and take lunch. After then the trail is pleasurably flat till Philim village. On the way we pass through beautiful water fall, called Samba Falls. From Philim there is a way to Ganesh Himal Base Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 1,570m/5,103ft
Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

Today we can feel the change of climate from alpine cold to temperate hot and arid Tibetan land to subtropical green vegetation. After breakfast we descend down passing many villages -Sirdibas, Jagat, Yaruphant. We stop at Tatopani and relax the tired muscles by soaking ourselves in the hot spring. We then continue to Khorlabesi.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

After breakfast we walk through the rocky narrow valley along the Tharo Khola. We head down following the water way to Machha Khola and then following Budi Gandaki River reach Gurung village of Labubesi. Ahead we pass by the two waterfalls and reach Khursane. Walking alone the ridge above Budhi Gandaki and then descending through the sal forest, finally we arrive at Soti Khola.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 700m/2,296ft
Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

Today is a long day. We have to walk for 4 hours to reach Arughat and then we drive 7-8 hours to reach Kathmandu. We start trek quite earlier climbing up to the ridge of Kyorpani and then down to the Arkhet passing the waterfall. Crossing the Arkhet Khola, leaving the Budhi Gandaki Valley we reach at Sante Bazaar. Finally following the stone street, passing by hydroelectric plant we arrive at Arughat Bazaar where we board our transport and drive back to Kathmandu along Marshyandgi River and Trishuli River. We reach Kathmandu in the evening. Relax in hotel and in late evening we celebrate the farewell dinner together for successful completion of Tsum Valley Trek.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Max Altitude: 600m/1,968ft
Trek Duration: 4 hrs

After breakfast you are free till departure time. If you have more time you can do shopping or sightseeing around Kathmandu. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from Black Diamond drops you to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast