The Tsum Valley was opened to tourists in 2002 AD and becoming a popular side trip to the Manasalu Circuit Trek.The valley can be divided into three distinct zones. Lower part, entry region is wild, forested and steep-sided, as one would expect of a lost world. Upper Tsum valley is generally gentle upward slop going north. The valley here is quite wide but is hemmed in by amazingly sheer-sided cliffs. The main populated zone of Upper Tsum Valley is found in this fertile zone where potatoes, buckwheat, winter wheat and barley are grown along with mustard. The fields are separated by dry stone walls for protection against the wind. Walnut and Apple trees prosper in the climate of the valley. Higher up beyond Nile and Chhule is the Tibetan region, where the landscape is dry, arid and reminiscent of the Tibetan plateau, with barren hillsides and soaring strangely eroded mountainsides. The Valley now swings north and the trail climbs a rough trail through jungle and then on to grassy hillside with stone slabs. Tsum Valley also a Buddhist zone of Nepal, The inhabitants participate in all the regular Buddhist festivals; Buddha’s Birthday, Losar, Guru Rimpoche’s Birthday and various Cham dances. All the main monasteries have a festival in the early monsoon called Gumba Dhupa Chhe Ji. The riotous Dharchyang horse races are held in Upper Tsum Valley in late September into October. Thus when it opened to tourist in 2002, The Tsum Valley region has been one of the Nepal’s premier trekking destinations.
The Manasalu region is one of Nepal’s last Himalaya jewels to behold; a glittering array of panoramas, peaks and peaceful valleys awaits the adventurous explorer. If you would like to sample both extremes of the trekking experience in Nepal, and really get to see what all the fuss is about in terms of the most breath-taking mountain scenery on earth, then look no further than the circuit of Manaslu via the Larkya La (5,106m). The Tibetan enclave of Nupri, north of Manaslu at the head of the Budi Gandaki, was closed to foreigners for years on account of its proximity to Tibet. The area was surreptitiously opened in 1991. The trail circumvent interesting Manaslu peak (8163m), crossing Larkya Pass at 5106 meter and finally emerges onto the Marsyangdi river valley along the main trail of Annapurna circuit.
Fact of the trekking,
Destination: Larkya La Pass 5106m/16,751ft.
Group Size: Min-2
Minimum altitude: 620m/2,034ft. (Arughat Bazar)
Maximum altitude: 5106m/16,751ft. (Larkya Pass)
Grade: Moderate and Strenuous
Season: Spring and Autumn
Accommodation: Mountain lodge and tea house.
Duration: 23Days with Kathmandu.
Entry: Arughat/Soti Khola
Exit: Beshisahar.
Our Company representative will be standing in front of arrival gate to meets you at Tribhuban International Airport, Kathmandu holding a board of our company SNOWPAL TREK AND EXPEDITION Pvt. Ltd. along with your Name and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in a Boutique Hotel on BB Basis
After Breakfast first we check all the trekking equipments and if missing some of trekking gear, we can buy during the sightseeing. Full day sightseeing proceeds to the prominent UNESCO world heritage site to Syambhunath Stupa the Buddhist sanctuary said to be nearly 2000 years old. The hill itself is pleasant place overlooking the entire valley of Kathmandu. The all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha painted in prominent blue atop the dome are visible from long distance from around the Kathmandu city. Then proceed to patan durbar squar also call Lalitpur the city full of fine arts. It cover the dozen of temples like Krishna Mandir, Kumbeswor temple, Golden temle. Next site proceed to Pashupatinath Temple the holiest Hindu Temple situated on the bank of sacred holy river Bagmati. Sightseeing continues to the Boudhanath Stupa the biggest Stupa around inhabited by Tibetan Refugee since 1959AD. The day ends at Kathmandu Durbar Squar where can visti the Living Goddes Kumari who appear on the balcony of her temple to greet her devotees, Kastamandap temple (Though now it is under reconstruction process after collapsed in earthquake in 25 April 2014), the temple made out of single tree and named Kathmandu as it was known as Kantipur in earlier times. Kathmandu Durbar Squar cover dozen of temple concluding Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka, Maizu dewal, Taleju temple, Nautale Durbar, Kaal Bhairav, freak street and many more.
Overnight in a Boutique Hotel on BB Basis
60km drive along the Kathmandu–Pokhara Highway to lead to Malekhu and 19km secondary tarred road heads to north by the bank of Thopal Khola to Dhading Besi. 35km dirt road drives northwest through Gola Bhanjyang where you can have panoramic views of Ganesh himal, Manasalu and Buddha himal to reach our destination to Soti Khola in approximately 9 hours from Kathmandu for 129km in total. As soon arrived Arighat Bazar (620m/2,034ft) the nest settlement and a second main bazaar of the region in route, we head north, following the Budhi Gandaki. In the low region rice paddies and picturesque hamlets surround us. The river Soti Khola (730m/ 2,395ft) the tributary of Dundare Khola.
Overnight in Soti Khola (730m/2,395ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The country changes, the broad valley narrows and at times the trail is cut into the steep valley side, which is densely forested. We pass a number of small villages, tucked into the hillside, until we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large tributary stream enters the Budhi Gandaki. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of Lapbesi. We descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to Machha Khola. We camp outside the village, which has a number of teashops.
Overnight in Machha Khola (930m/3051ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It will be quite a longer day considerable exposure. From Machha Khola- Fish Stream to the tiny village of Kholra Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley sides are steeping until they are impassable and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where we camp.
Overnight in Jagat (1,410m/4,626ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Gentle walk through the side of Budhi Gandaki River.The trail for Lokuwa branches away from the main Manasalu circuit route just before the Budhi Gandaki suspension bridge the longest suspension bridge of this trek and then take on a steep trail to ascend to Philim. The path climb steadily up through blue pine with a few narrow sections to excite the mood. The forest is still dense ahead and Monkeys may watch your progress here. The main settlement of Lokuwa is higher uphill and eastwards the dense forest is watched over by sheer cliffs and the narrow ravine of the Siyar Khola. The river might really be called the Shar Khola that it comes from the east. The limited agriculture land planted with potatoes, maize, beans, buckwheat and wheat. Here is not the most spacious residence nonetheless grateful to stay in Lakuwa.
Overnight in Lokuwa (2240m/7,349ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today entering into the Tsum valley and this is harder than expected rough rocky trail high above the river frequently goes steeply up and down. At the beginning of the day, the trail descends dense dark forest for a while to a bridge. Traverse along the trail that twists and turns before passing through rock fall area and a trail junction near Chhumling/Gumling. Branch off the trail and cross Siyar river on a suspension bridge to ascend to Chhumling.
Overnight in Chhumling (Tsum Valley) (2386m/7,828ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Upper part of Tsum Valley passes through Chortens and Gompas as well as hamlets of Tanju and Kowo before crossing over suspension bridge to the opposite side. Today there should be tantalizing views of Ganesh Himal I, Ganesh Himal II (7118m), Ganesh Himal IV (7140m) are some of the spectacular in the whole Ganesh Himal range of summits, which number at least seven separate peaks. The trail junction we shall have a steep climb to Chhokang Parop past the village of Gho and a micro hydropower plant. We shall go in and out of the national park as well.
Overnight in Chhokang Paro/ Chhekampar (3030m/9,940ft
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
We are already above the (3000m/9,842ft) and need to be caution about altitude sickness. At the beginning of the day is going much easier walk all the way to Chhule and Nile with so many settlements, Chortens, Mani walls and Gompas. Long Mani walls, often with carving of Milarepa on the stones and not as usual Om Mani Padme Hum, run in tandem with the trails. Cross another suspension bridge and hike pas micro hydropower plant, Mani walls and walk the ridge to reach to the western side of the river across another bridge. Past Chho Syong you shall now climb up to Mu Gompa. Mu is one of the larger complexes of Tsum and was established in 1895. Lama Sherap Dorje Rinpoche (a respected saint of higher order) from Tibet heads the establishment then it has been a place of spreading Buddhist teachings and meditations. The monks of Mu perform regular meditation, annual rituals and alternate fasting.
Overnight in Mu Gompa (3700m/12,139ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today is a pleasant amble down the main valley from Mu to Ranchen Gompa. Almost one and half hour to return to Nile and our descent from this monastery shall follow the same route till the small settlement of Phurbe. Ahead of this, we shall trek straight on the trail, instead of crossing over the bridge to descend to Ranchen nunnery. Ranchen also established at the same time of the Mu Gompa. Ranchen Gompa (Nurnnery) is set in a vast area enclosed by wall that from the outer residential rooms for the nuns. The trek continues downhill till the Ngakyu Leru where the other trail joins. Our trail continue ahead to Chekampar.
Overnight in Chhokang Paro (3030m/9,940ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Exit from Tsum Valley with a descent to a tiny Gompa approximately two and half hour. Passing plenty of Chortens, Gompas, hamlet and settlement along with several suspension bridges the retrace trail meet Lokuwa.
Overnight in Lakuwa (2240m/7,349ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive. We cross to the village of Lana and start to see mani stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks), a sure sign that we are entering a the high country Buddhist regions. After only about four hours we reach our camping place at the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. We have entered the Tibetan areas and the cultural change is obvious and the climate is also obvious the trekking is pleasantly cool now, as we start to gain the altitude.
Overnight in Ghap (2160m/7086ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
We gain altitude to take us into alpine territory and increasing mountain views. There are more Mani wall and 3 more crossing of the Budhi Gandaki on our route to Namrung, where our special permit is checked. Above this village the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Climbing gently now and cross a large stream flowing down from the Lindanda Glaciers and reach the Tibetan village of Sho 3000m. We get our first incredible views of the Manalu North and then of Manaslu main ahead from Sho. As we continue we come to Lho, a large village at 3150 meters where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and Manis. Looking back Ganesh I is visible.
Overnight in Lhogau (village) (3180m/10.433ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Leaving the village, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue on the main trail, we soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon, 3530m. It is not usual to encounter yak encounter trains here carrying timber, some of which to end up in Tibet.
Overnight in Samagoun (3,530m/11,581ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After Continue two weeks Adventure in Mountain, Today we have designed the day for cleaning as well as an acclimatization day to cross Larkya-La (5,213m/17,099ft)without any altitude sickness. We have gained a massive and high altitude in Mu Gompa (3700m/12,139ft)already. We designed one day rest at Samagoun to make our journey continues more comfortable, refresh, washing, cleaning and dry all the stuff for further adventure. Stay like local people above 3500m/11,483ft) and our body will acclimatize itself with high alpineclimate. This wonderful placeSurrounded by the mountains in a peaceful forest, Sama is the regional centre of Nupri. Explore the village architecture and customs. The manufacture of hooked rugs are important occupations for trade with Tibet. Yak and dzopkyo herds and houses are kept and traded. Also can explore the Birendra Tal, Pungyen Gompa, Manaslu Base Camp or take a rest day acclimatizing and relaxing. It is a good time to catch up on the book or wash clothes.
Overnight in Samagoun (3,530m/11,581ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Descend towards the Budhi Gandaki, the large river now merely a stream and pass the lake and Case camp trail as well as the valley begins to widen. This is an easy trail along a shelf avove the river past juniper and birch forest that surround Kermo Kharka. The Superb views with Samdo Peak (6,330m) and also it is a dramatic glacial basin to the east. Samdo it the last village before Gho in the, only informal Kharkas lodge lie between these village.
Overnight in Samdo (3690m/12,106ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We cross the Budhi Gandaki descending the northern village fields. Follow the trail with scrub juniper, rhododendron and lichen covered granite above the Syacha Khola valley. There are views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II.
Overnight in Dharamsala/Larkya Phidi (4470m/14,665ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
If snow free, we need 3-5hrs ascend to the mummit and 3-4hrs descend to Bimthant. It will be quite windy and very cold. Required more care because the condition of snow and Ice. The Larkey Glacier is not to steep and difficult but is long and continuously rocky underfoot.
Overnight in Bimthang (3720m/12,204ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
The trail descend along the west bank through Hampuk (3430m), Puktu Kharka (2940m), Karche (2700m) the highest cultivated land. More terraced field and a steep ridge climb before reach to the Gufung village Gho.
Overnight in Gho (2,560m/8,418ft)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Before rapidly descending towards the Marsyangdi vally, we cross through farmlands the old village Tilje. We will have perfect lunch a Dharapani and end the walking time. Rest day enjoy the cleaning and wonder around this Tibetan village.
Overnight in Dharapani (1860m/6,102f)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today we conclude the trip with a surface drive journey back to Kathmandu. The Bumpy and off road up to beshi Sahar by Jeep then change the transport to Kathmandu and the road from Beshi Sahar to Kathmandu is black topped drive with different view of middle hill landscape and settlement.
Overnight in Kathmandu (1350m/4429ft) in a boutique hotel on BB basis
Meal: Breakfast in Mountain Lodge, Lunch on the way (include), Dinner in your choice any restaurant in Kathmandu on your own.
Shopping and sightseeing. If any one of this group have individual requirements, just let to know the group leader/guide or our office manager, we perfectly arrange the program on your choice.
Overnight in Kathmandu (1350m/4429ft) in a boutique hotel on BB basis
Meal: Dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with Nepali ethnic group culture dance/shows. Lunch in your own choice where ever around the Kathmandu city.
Transfer from hotel to international airport to board onward journey flight. Or extend the day for Kathmandu city tour, or you may combine the day Rafting trip, or bunji Jump, Paragliding, Jungle safari tour, as you required. The cost would be extra for any additional activities.
Breakfast include with Room.All trips can be customized and extended as per requirements.
Cost will be provided on request.