Trip Detail Information
Food and Accommodations during Tsum Valley Trek
As the area is new to tourism, do not expect to find first-class accommodations. Most lodges are either a single room where everyone sleeps, or you may be sleeping in someone’s home on the floor. Several of the residents are working to develop better accommodations for visitors. Don’t be surprised if you find no glass in the windows (the wind blows through at night). The places are generally pleasant enough, although one place we stayed at had big holes in the roof and large openings on the sides of the building.
Toilets are eastern style and often located in ways from where you sleep. Sleeping dogs get aggressive at night, and if you need to make a midnight outing, you might face to face with a curious yak. The locals drink butter tea, which is very rich and served hot. It makes for an excellent way to warm up, and the butterfat is needed to survive the poor nutrition in the mountains. They also drink Roxy, local alcohol made from millet that is distilled.
People
The people practice a form of Buddhism which strictly adheres to the practice of not killing any animal for food. The wild animals have no fear of man as they have learned that humanity is not their enemy. The people farm with yaks and use them to move goods in and out of the valley. The few stores are stocked with goods from China, and almost every village has a Gomba (Buddhist monastery). Some of the monasteries are very large, like the one at Rachen Gumba, which has room for 113 monks and nuns and covers several acres of land.
The scenery is most impressive as snow-capped peaks surround the valley. The southern peaks form the Ganesh Himal Range, a barrier between the residents and the rest of Nepal. To the north are more snow-capped mountains that form a barrier with China. The people have lived as they have for hundreds of years. The women work in the small fields and care for the homes; the men work outside and earn what money they can find. They practice a spirit of non-violence and peace, keeping with The Buddha’s teaching.
Here you can walk the trails, climb mountains, visit ancient mountain monasteries, eat Tibetan bread and drink a locally made alcoholic drink called Roxy. Don’t expect to be served meat – it just isn’t done as this is a place of pure vegetarianism. Their diets consist of wheat, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, and bread. They will consume eggs and enjoy traditional Tibetan Butter Tea, which they serve in steaming cups that will warm you against the cold winds that blow through the valley.
Religion and Culture of Tsum Valley
The Valley is 100% Tibetan Buddhist. Everywhere you will see pictures of the Dalai Lama. There are Gumbas (monasteries) in almost every village, with the largest ones at Rachen Gumba, Mu Gomba, and GumbaLangdang. The last two monasteries do have places for visitors to stay. They have an excellent view of the Ganesh Himal Mountains. The lamas are friendly and very open to discussing their faith. When passing a Chorten, always pass on the left side, moving in a clockwise fashion.
It is considered bad luck to go around a Chhorten counter-clockwise. When entering any place of worship, treat the place with sacred respect. This will honor the local people who will happily share their faith. Also, ask before entering any place of worship. It is always best to seek permission first. Usually, every home has some shrine where the family worships. You may find yourself sleeping in such a location. As always, treat that place with respect.
Mountains
The majestic mountain ranges that can be viewed from Tsum valley are Ganesh Himal Range, Siringi Himal range, and Manaslu range. Kulha Palsang Himal can also be seen on the northern side of this valley. Ganesh Himal range, located primarily in north-central Nepal, is a sub-range of the Himalayan mountain range. Yantra (Ganesh I), Ganesh NW, and Mount Ganesh are the mountains of the Ganesh Himal Range.
Sringi Himal range lies in the Central Nepal-south of Tibet border and has Shiar Khola valley in the east and the Tom / Trisuli Gandaki valley in the west. The highest peak in this range is Chamar, 7187m, about 25km east of Manaslu. Although Mt. Manaslu is not seen from Tsum valley, its southern ranges can be observed. Himal Chuli and Baudha Himal of the Manaslu range are seen from here.
High Passes in Tsum Valley Trek
Ngala Dhojhyang is a beautiful pass situated above the snowline at an altitude of 5093m. The pass is very windy and is clear and pleasant, especially in summer. Likewise, Thapa pass is located at an altitude of 5104 m and is partly covered with snow and glaciers. Then another pass called Humlung Pass is tough to reach, and it takes eight hours for outsiders to arrive at that pass. Jonah is a perfect place for camping since it has enough land for tents. After Joni, we can reach Dhursa, which is very steep and narrow, and it takes three hours to reach the pass from Dhursa.
Rivers & Lakes in Tsum Valley
Lungdang Khola, Shiar (Syar) Khola, and Sarpu Khola are the main rivers of Tsum valley, originating from the glaciers. Regarding lakes, ChhoSyong-Mu, Khungyu Lake, ChhoLungyu, and Yamdro lakes are attractive lakes for tourists.
Waterfalls
Trekkers will be delighted to see numerous waterfalls during the Tsum Valley Trek. Waterfalls like Chhuypang Chemo Chule, Samba Tingding Chhupyang, and Syoga Lungba are some major beautiful waterfalls that will come during trekking.
A typical Day in Tsum Valley
We will start our trekking with the lovely sunrise and a delectable breakfast. As we proceed through the pine forest and beautiful green terrain to our destination, we will stop for lunch at teahouses in the middle. We’ll have some Nepali delicacies or western cuisine during lunch hour. Additionally, after 5 to 6 hours of trekking and a blend of uphill and downhill terrain that includes several communities, waterfalls, and rivers, we will arrive at our destination in the evening. Similar to this, we will spend our time in a teahouse reading novels till dinner, playing cards with our guides, and making plans for the walk the next day as we sleep.
Best time for Tsum Valley Trek
Spring Season
No other time of year will compare to the spring season as the ideal time to peacefully approach the Tsum Valley. The wildlife and vegetation in this area depend on this season for their vitality. Additionally, there will be sufficient clarity to appreciate the viewpoint of the magnificent flora and animals and the ideal view of the Himalayas. The weather will be warm and moderate, with daytime temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.
Autumn Season
The blustery months of September through November are also the ideal times to climb the Tsum Valley. Significant weather variations, Rhododendron blossoms, and pine forest growth will all make a magical experience during the trek. The temperature will be fantastic, with a daytime high of 10 degrees Celsius and a nighttime low of 0 degrees Celsius, keeping everything clear and pristine. With spectacular additional aspects this season, Tsum Valley Trek will be on a different dimension.
Summer Season
From June through August, there will be a lot of rain, making trekking through the Tsum Valley adventurous. However, the slope will be slippery and steep, making the ascent quite problematic. This trekking will be exciting due to the heavy rain and bright sunlight, with daytime temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius and overnight temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius. Even while monsoon fogs prevent a clear view of the Himalayas most of the time, there are occasional instances when rainfall dramatically improves visibility.
Winter Season
The winter walk across the Tsum Valley will be a little more arduous. In contrast to the chilly nights, which cause temperatures to drop below -5 degrees Celsius, the cold wind causes daytime temperatures to range from 5 to 3 degrees Celsius. Trekking will be beneficial during this season as well, with warm clothing.
Monasteries in Tsum Valley
Throughout the Tsum Valley Trek, you may come across many monasteries. These monasteries serve as a reflection of the customs and cultures of the inhabitants of the upper Tsum Valley.
Lungdang Gumba
In the center of the jungle, across the hills, you can see the Lungdang Gumba. On either side of this Gumba are high hills. It will be stunning to see the spectacular scenery of Ganesh Himal II and Ganesh Himal III from this Gumba. Approximately 50 monks reside in this Gumba. The local arts and crafts of this Gumba reflect the people of this region’s historical culture.
Rachen Nunnery
In 1936, Drupa Rinpoche, a “monk from Bhutan,” founded this lovely monastery. Many young and old Buddhists call the historic monastery home. Rachen Nunnery embodies the peaceful culture of the individuals who live in the Tsum Valley. More intriguing to observe are the prayer flags that descend from the monastery’s roof and the stone carvings that cover the floors.
Mu Gumba
The Mu Gumba radiates positive vibes. Most young monks practice meditation and study with their masters here. This Gompa is more tranquil due to the pleasant wind that comes directly from the north. It’s lovely because of the fluttering flags in the air and the peace from hearing Mu Gumpa chimes. Following the culture of Buddhism, people perform several rites and worship here.
Tsum Valley Trek Difficulty
The Tsum Valley Trek is moderate to severe in difficulty. This expedition incorporates a few severe and treacherous obstacles that you should be aware of sometime in the middle. However, everyone can finish the Tsum Valley Trek in peace, regardless of skill level, notwithstanding the above. All you need to do to prepare for the steep climb is some decent exercise before the hike. Because we will be trekking over 3000m, there may also be an issue with altitude sickness.
In addition, the trek up from the edge of Ganesh Himal and the trek to the Mu Gompa will be a little tricky. Similarly, conducting some cardiopulmonary and muscular strengthening exercises before the trek and researching the region’s weather patterns and scenery can work better for completing the Tsum Valley Trek smoothly.
Duration
18 days
Meals
Accommodation
Activities
