Trip Introduction
The Tsum Valley, also known as the Hidden Valley – a land of monasteries and hamlets with totally Tibetan population – lies on the northern part of Manaslu on the Nepal-Tibet border and used to be a restricted area until 2008. Although the region lies within Nepal, the Buddhism influenced region is a world of its own. Traditionally, Tsum used to be a separate area different from both Nepal and Tibet. The Tsum Valley region is still less exposed in comparison to other tourist areas, with relatively virgin and less beaten paths in comparison to the more popular regions. The Tsum people have their own way of family life, which may be quite surprising for many outsiders. All the brothers in the family are married to a single girl, what you may call a practice of polyandry. Compared with other areas, The Tsum Valley and Manaslu area is full of imminent mountains, passes, deep gorges, hamlets, gompas, chortens, and mani walls.
The trek to Tsum Valley takes you into the majestic surroundings of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal ranges. In the initial days of the trek, we explore the Budhi Gandaki Valley through a mix of dense forest, terraced fields and hill villages. As we leave the main Manaslu Trail for the Tsum valley, suddenly we get a feeling of entering truly into the hidden valley. While on the trek, we also pass through the alpine forests, glacial rivers, and enjoy the warm hospitality of ethnic people. We also visit the ancient Buddhist Gombas of the region including the Milarepa's Cave, Rachen gompa, Mu Gompa among others.
ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel - 1,300m/4,264 ft
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (TIA) you will be greeted by a representative from Everest Expeditions Nepal After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with an Everest Expeditions Nepal display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel. After checking in, you will visit Everest Expeditions Nepal office, meet your trekking leader as well as other participants and make final preparations for the trip. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Everest Expeditions Nepal at The Ship Restaurant Bar & Lounge. For dinner, you will be served excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the Nepalese food culture.
Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered as World Heritage Sites; including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (Bouddhanath) which is one of the large Stupas in the world. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Friendship World Treks briefs us regarding our trek as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure.
Day 03: Drive to Barpak (2000m/6560ft)
A 6 hours drive from Kathmandu into the western mountains takes us to Gorkha, the Capital of Medieval Nepal. We drive Kathmandu to Baluwa, and then take a local jeep to Barpak village which is situated upon the hilltop. Barpak is also home to Gaje Ghale, the 2nd World War veteran who also received Victoria Cross from the Queen of Britain.
Day 04: Barpark to Laprak (2200m/7216ft): 6-7 hrs
We trek through the mountains in an easterly direction into the main valley of the Budhi Gandaki River. A few hours of climb takes us to the pass of Gupsi Dada (3000m). The Gupsi Dada pass Laprak from Barpak, Enjoy the panoramic views of Buddhi, Shringi, Ganesh Himal and the Langtang range. From there, we descend down to Laprak, a beautiful Gurung village.
Day 05: Laprak to Khorlabeshi (875m/2870ft): 7-8 hrs
Trek further east to Manaslu main valley of the Budhi Gandaki river. We descend from Laprak and cross a suspension bridge. Then a steep climb around hillside. Pass the village of Singla while enjoying the magnifiscent views of the Manaslu Himal, and other Himalayas. Descend down to Kholrabeshi.
Day 06: Khorlabeshi to Jagat (1410m/ 4625 ft): 6 hrs
After a few more ups & downs, we reach to Tatopani. From the Hot spring we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Climb on over a ridge to Dobhan. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Dobhan Khola, the trail climbs on a rugged trail to Duman. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Trek along the Budhi Gandaki river then climb towards the village of Jagat.
Day 07: Jagat to Philim (1,590m/ 5215 ft): 3hrs
Climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Setibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long suspension bridge. Climb up to Philim, a large Gurung village.
Day 8: Philim to Chumling (2363m/7775 ft):6/7 hours
Walk past Philim to the north across a forest with the views of the narrowing valley. After Ekle Bhatti cross the gorge, and enter the pine tree forests. Descend down to trail going to the Tsum Valley. Climb through pine and rhododendron forests. Enjoy the views of Himalchuli mountains. Pass Lokpa, climbing further north through pines and rhododendrons. Climb down to Ghumlong, and climbing up to Ripchet. Crossing the Shiar Khola, finally arrive at Chumling. Visit the old Chumling gompa, and the stone streets of the village
Day 9: Chumling to Chokhangparo (3010m/9903ft): 5/6 hours
Cross the suspension bridge onto the opposite bank. Enjoy the great views of Ganesh Himal. Walk past Rainjham to Serpu Khola. Now we enter the hidden valley of Tsum. Another steep climb takes us to the village of Chhokangparo. Weather permitting, enjoy the views of Himalchuli at 7893 meters.
Day 10: Chokhangparo to Nile (3361m/11058ft), via Milarepa cave: 6/7 hours
While climbing above Chokhangparo, better to be careful of altitude problems. Walk past Lamagaon to the Rachen Gompa. Climb up to the Milarepa’s Cave. Then we cross the Shiar Khola. Continue walking through the villages of Phurbe and Pangdun. After crossing the village of Chhule, climb upstream and cross the bridge to finally arrive at Nile.
Day 11: Nile to Bhajyo (Chhekya) (4030m/13218ft): 4 hours
We are now almost close to the Tibetan border. Walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. From Mu Gompa, climb further up to Bhajyo and We are quite close to Tibet and get a good view of the Tibetan peaks as well as the Ganesh Himal range. Bhajyo is a remote area there is not any local houses. Only we can see some yak farm house. After having the lunch we will explore the area.
Day 12: Rest at Bhajyo (Cheekya)
We take rest at Bhajyo both for acclimatization and sightseeing. Discover the highland around Bhajyo. If the weather is clear, you can also enjoy the magnificent views of Ngula Dhojyang pass as well the glaciers of the Yamdro Valley.
Day 13: Bhajyo to Rachen Gompa: (3240m/10627ft): 6 hrs
From Bhajyo, we descend down to Rachen Gumba. Established in 1905 AD, the Rachen Gumba is a nunnery in the Shiar Khola Valley. The nunnery is one of largest in the region is of great importance. The interior of the Gumba is splendidly painted with Buddhist mural paintings.
Day 14: Rachen Gompa to Chumje (3230m/10,595ft): 5/6hrs
Continue south until a bridge crosses to the west bank then descend again to Chhokangparo. Drop below Chhokangparo on the previous trail for about 2hrs, until a small gompa is reached at Gho (2485m). Then taking the northern route in the lower Tsum Valley, we finally arrive at Chumje via Yaju.
Day 15: Chumje for Bihi (3130m/10,266ft): 4/5hrs
From Chumje, we continue on the northern route in the lower Tsum Valley. Pass the village of Dorjon Kharka just before reaching Rana. Crosss the large suspension bridge in the main valley of the Manaslu Budhi Gandaki River. If interested, walk further up to the village of Bihi.
Day 16: Bihi to Namrung (2540m/8331ft): 6 hrs
The initial part of today's trek is on a relatively flat terrain. Soon, the trail moves uphill through the forest path. Thus we arrive at Namrung while enjoying at the same time the magnifiscent views of Manaslu, among others.
Day 17: Trek from Namrung to Lho (3180m/10,430 ft): 4 hrs
From Namrung, we again enter the Buddhism influenced region. Climb through the forest to Lihi. Enjoy the spectacular rise of the Ganesh Himal. Descend to Sho. Another steep climb takes us to our today's campsite on a ridge.
Day 18: Trek from Lho to Samagaon (3530m/11,578 ft): 5/6 hrs
The Budi Gandaki is far down but we follow a small tributary instead. Walking in the shady fir forest is very enjoyable. A short climb to a plateau and the village Shyala. Huge mountains surround us, Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, other snow summits to the right, at the far end of the valley we have just come from stands Ganesh Himal. At the far end of the village, overlooking the valley stands the well-known monastery of Sama. Sama Gaon is a village inhabited mainly by the Tibetans and lies at the foot of Manaslu.
Day 19: Trek from Sama to Samdo (3860m/12,660 ft): 4/5 hrs
Descend to the Budi Gandaki, that has turned north, and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch we can see a large white kani, finally passing through the kani we find Samdo.
Day 20: Samdo - High Camp (Ekle Bhatti) (4460m/14,628fy): 5hrs
We continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward. Cross two streams and witness the Larkya Glacier. Go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again and come to the stone guest house (4450 m) which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larkya Phedi. We camp here today and have a rest to prepare for tomorrow's crossing of the famous and most awaited Larkya Pass. After a short climb, we reach the ablation valley on the North side of the Larkya Glaciers.
Day 21: High Camp – Bimthang (3,590m/11811ft), 7/ 8 hours walking
After an early start, we soon walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section to the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. Savor the spectacular views from the top of the pass. It is a longer day then usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in and Manaslu; it's an experience not to be missed.
Day 22: Rest day at Bimthang
We have been trekking incessantly for more than 2 weeks. Still one more week to trek in the mountains. Therefore, a rest day would prove a blessing for the tired muscles. Also discover the area surrounding Bimthang as well the cultural life of the mountain people.
Day 23: Trek Bimthang to Dharapani(1860m/6,100ft): 6-7 hrs
We will descend a great height today. Initially, from the valley of Burdin Khola, through rhododendron forests, to Karche, the highest cultivating place in the valley. Then we descend to the village of Gho. While staying on the north bank of the river, we trek into Tilje. Leave the Tilje Village, and cross the Dudh Khola. Cross a wooden bridge back to the northern side of the Dudh Khola. Continue to Dharapani.
Day 24: Dharapani - Ghermu (1100m/3608ft): 7 hrs
The remainder of our trek follows trails used on the first few days of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. We descend to the Marsyandi River and cross the suspension bridge. Climb up and away from the river and hike through a broad, flat valley to the village of Tal (1,675m), situated at the foot of a large waterfall.The trail continues on to Chyamje. From Chyamje, trekking up and down along the river, we reach Jagat. A steep trail descends from Jagat through the Marshyangdi valley. Cross Marshyangdi River at Syange and walk to Ghermu.
Day 25: Ghermu - Besisahar (800m/2625 ft): 4 hrs
The Marsyandi valley opens and on its banks terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides are the age-old work of the Nepalese farmers. We cross several interesting villages such as Bhulbhule, Khudi, etc. Then we walk on a flat part alongside the left bank of the Marsyandi. A last walk up for reaching Besi Sahar, a dusty and busy place which marks the end of our trek and the beginning of the civilization.
Day 26: Drive Besi Sahar to Kathmandu by bus: 7/8 hrs
A 7 to 8 hours' of picturesque drive on the way back to Kathmandu along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers with splendid views of green hills, mountains, farming terraces and villages on both sides of road. In Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day resting or catching up on some last minute shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner at The Ship Restaurant Bar & Lounge where we can pick our meal from their carefully crafted menu that offer a wide range of choices.
Day 27: Farewell, friends
Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. A representative from Everest Expeditions Nepal will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Important Note :
Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Everest Expeditions Nepal. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails traveling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health conditions of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan,
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