The remote Tsum Valley is one of the hidden gems of Nepal. Tsum Valley is known as the Beyul Kyimolung, the holy hidden valley of happiness, first described by Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) in the eighth century. Milarepa meditated in the caves of Piren Phu and there are centuries old nunneries.
The Tibetan Buddhist culture is still very prevalent in Tsum and the scenery is just stunning, with beautiful forests and countryside, with Ganesh Himal towering above the valley. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid and after visiting Tsum, you can only agree.
Many people combine the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit, starting in Arughat Bazaar and ending in Besisahar, which is also the starting point for the Annapurna circuit. You can already catch a jeep further north from Dharapani onwards. Others proceed back to Arugath the same way, a circuit is not possible.
You start low, walking through green countryside, and passing small Hindu villages. You enter the Tsum Valley going right from the main trail and you soon enter a beautiful forest with pines and rhododendrons. Heading eastwards, the valley opens up to reveal a beautiful countryside and small Tibetan-style villages.
Itinerary of Tsum Valley Trek
Day 1 Kathmandu-Arugath (550 m) 7 hrs bus/jeep ; 1 ½ more by jeep to Soti Khola (597 m)
Day 2 Soti Khola (597 m)- Machhakhola (825 m) 6 hrs
Day 3 Machhakhola (825 m)- Jagat (1330 m) 7-8 hrs
Day 4 Jagat (1330 m)- Lokpa (2240 m) 6 hrs
Day 5 Lokpa (2240 m)-Chhokang Paro (3030 m) 6 hrs
Day 6 Chhokang Paro (3030 m)-Chhule (3350 m) 6 hrs
Day 7 Chhule (3350 m)-Mu Gompa (3700 m) 3 hrs
Day 8 Mu Gompa (3700 m)-Chumling (2385 m) 8 hrs
Day 9 Chumling (2385 m)-Philim (1570 m) 5-6 hrs
Day 10 Philim (1570 m)-Khorlabesi (970 m) 7 hrs
Day 11 Khorlabesi (970 m)-Soti Khola (700m) 7 hrs
Day 12 Soti Khola-Kathmandu by jeep/bus
Anil Blon 