Journey to Hidden Nepal: The Tsum Valley Trek

Trek to a secret hideaway in the Himalayas with Trip Leader extraordinaire Hashmat Singh and journey back in time to a rich storehouse of ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture and art. The Tsum Valley of north-central Nepal is one of the truly off-the-beaten-path gems of the Himalaya, sheltered in the folds of the Ganesh, Sringi, and Bauddha Himal. Opened to trekkers only since 2008, the region has for centuries been a destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims, who come to its sacred caves where the Buddhist saint Milarepa meditated centuries ago. Our route brings us up into a secluded Himalayan world of hand-carved mani stones (Buddhist prayer stones), stone-built villages, rock chortens atop high ridges, and waterfalls cascading through dense forests. One of the highlights of the trek is our visit to remote Mu Gompa (12,167'), cradled among the spectacular snow-capped giants along the Nepal-Tibet border. Join us to experience the undiscovered Himalaya!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Kathmandu

We explore Kathmandu’s famed bazaars and golden temples.

Days 3-5
Arkhet Bazaar / Jagat

A fascinating drive brings us to Arkhet Bazaar, starting point of our trek. The next few days of hiking follow the gorge of the Buri Gandaki River through lovely Gurung villages. On Day 5 we arrive in charming Jagat (4,624'), with its cobbled lanes and gardens, just below the Tsum Valley.

Days 6-10
Tsum Valley / Rachen Gompa / Mu Gompa

From here on, all the villages around us are Tibetan Buddhist and the panoramas of the snowy summits of the Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal are stunning. Magnificent Himalchuli (25,757') dominates the view as we hike to Rachen Gompa (10,627'), a retreat and school for 120 Tibetan Buddhist nuns. At Phiren Phu, we visit Milarepa’s sacred cave, then continue through a high, arid, and spectacular Tibetan landscape to mystical and seldom-visited Mu Gompa (12,136') below the snow-capped peaks on the Nepa-Tibet border. We enjoy an Exploration Day at Mu Gompa.

Day 11-13
Lungdan Gompa / Ripchet

Descending through rhododendron and pine forests with superb views of Himalchuli and the Ganesh Himal, we visit Lungdan Gompa (10,496'), then continue to the picturesque settlement of Ripchet, set high in a high fertile valley of barley and buckwheat dotted by chortens.

Days 14-17
Macha Khola / Arkhet

Once again among beautiful Gurung villages, we criss-cross rivers over suspension bridges as we make our way back to Arkhet Bazaar.

Days 18-19
Kathmandu

We drive back to Kathmandu, with a day to explore this exotic capital before departing on Day 19 (or join one of our post-trip extensions).

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 5+, Strenuous. We have 13 hiking days, with hikes of 5-7 hours a day on moderate to steep trails. Most of the hiking is between 5,000 and 12,000 feet. Our highest camp is at about 12,000 feet. On trek, there are steep ascents and descents (often 2,000 feet in elevation gain or loss per day). The trails are well made and used regularly by mules, yaks, and the local people in this roadless area. For the most part, you can go at your own speed. The group spreads out along the trail during the day, with our guides hiking along with us to make sure that everyone finds the way.

Even though trip members carry only a daypack (with camera, jacket, rain gear, water bottle, and other small necessities you may need while on trek), we recommend that you make a special effort to get in top physical shape for the trip. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.

Please note that the Tsum Valley is a very remote area, and that no medical care of any kind is available. Evacuation in case of illness or injury will be prolonged and difficult. There are also dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote wilderness regions, especially when they involve travel to high altitude. These dangers include everything from rock falls to the possibility of a serious fall, accident or sickness without access to the means of rapid evacuation. The availability of medical supplies or the adequacy of medical attention, once provided, cannot be guaranteed and cannot be expected to measure up to western standards. Each trek is an expedition. Although we are accompanied by a support crew staffed by experienced veterans of the Nepal Himalaya, it takes cooperation and flexibility from each participant to ensure a successful trek.

Explanation of Trip Levels