Tsum valley/ Ganesh Himal Basecamp trek

Tsum valley/ Ganesh Himal Basecamp trek 18 Days

Trip Code : VHA/MA-08

Duration : 18 Days

Grading : Moderate

Max Altitude : 4200 mm

Activity : Natural wonders

Starts at : sotikhola(750meters)

End at : sotikhola( 750 meters)

Best Season : March - June / September- November

Overview

The remote Tsum Valley is one of the hidden gems of Nepal. Tsum Valley is known as the BeyulKyimolung, the holy hidden valley of happiness first described by Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) in the eighth century. Milarepa meditated in the caves of PirenPhu and there are centuries old nunneries.

The Tibetan Buddhist culture is still very prevalent in Tsum and the scenery is stunning with beautiful forests and countryside overshadowed by the towering Ganesh Himal. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid and after visiting Tsum, you will understand how the valley got this name.

Many people combine the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit starting in Arughat Bazaar and ending in Besisahar. Besisahar is also the starting point for the Annapurna circuit. The trail starts low, passing through lush green countryside and small Hindu villages. You enter Tsum Valley from the main trail and will soon find yourself in beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. Heading east the valley opens up to reveal beautiful landscapes and small Tibetan-style villages. There are basic guesthouses all along the trail so you can choose if you want to camp or stay at the teahouses/guesthouses.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel.

Our airport representative will be waiting outside the airport terminal a few metres from the exit door. Please check your name at play card. He will bring you to hotel in kathmandu. Then drive from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and Trip briefing.

In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organised sightseeing tour. We visit BodhnathStupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. We also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. In the late afternoon you will be issued with your Trek Pack and departure information for the next morning.

Day 3: Kathmandu - Arughat Bazar (550 m) 7 hrs bus/jeep ; 2 hrs more by jeep to SotiKhola (700 m)

Our Trekking staff will come to your Hotel early in the morning at 7.00 am to pick you up, from there we have an 8 hour driving journey to Arughat. From Kathmandu to DhadingBensi for 3.30 hours is comfortable drive but from there to SotiKhola the road is dirt road.

Day 4: SotiKhola (700 m) - Machhakhola (930 m) 6 hrs

The trail descends slowly until you climb again to mountain ridge to Almara. Pass the forest trail to arrive at RidenGaon. The valley here cuts into another side of the river to enter BudhiGandaki. At Lambesi, the trail follows down to the sandy river bed of BudhiGandaki. Camp tonight at Machha River.

Day 5: Machhakhola (930 m) - Jagat (1340 m) 7 hrs

After crossing Machha River and Khrolabesi, there is a hot spring called "Tatopani". The trail follows forested area after this toward Dovan. Below Dovan, there is a huge rapid at BudhiGandaki. As the elevation increases, the rapids and the scenery undergoes a complete transformation. At Jagat, there is a police check-post where your trekking permit will be checked.

Day 6: Jagat (1340 m) - Lokpa (2240 m) 7 hrs

The early part of trek moves gently uphill and then follows a flat leveled path. You cross a suspension bridge over BudhiGandaki before you enter Philim. Philim is a big village mainly inhabited by the Gurungs. Form Philim you climb a gradual up hill stopping for lunch at EkleBhatti. Lokpa is the first village as you enter the Tsum valley.

Day 7: Lokpa (2240 m) - Chumling (2385 m) 5 hrs

You take an ascending route to reach Chumling stopping for lunch along the way. Chumling is located on the south face of the ShingriHimal. This day you enjoy a pleasant visit to the Gombas of Chumling. This day is challenging as it is an ascending path the entire way.

Day 8: Chumling (2385 m) - ChhokangParo (3031 m) 5-6 hrs

(Also possible to do a 9 day trek by going from Chumling to Philim (5-6 hrs) and cary on with itinerary days 15-17 below)

Day 9: Chhule (3347 m) - Mu Gompa (3700 m) 3 hrs

Today we can take excursions to the many snow covered peaks in the area for the most spectacular views on the trek.

Day 10: Mu Gompa (3700 m) - Rachen (3240 m) 5 hrs

This day presents you a long and challenging walk. And the trail ascending toward Rachen.

Day 11: : Rachen (3240 m) - Domje (2460 m) 6 hrs

This day you continue your descent by retracing the path from your ascent. This day you can enjoy the glimpses of the PunchenHimal.

Day 12: Domje (2460 m) - GumbaLungdang (3200 m) 6 hrs

On the way you can enjoy views of Manaslu and GineshHimal. GumbaLungdang is home to a beautiful and large any monestary (all female). Men are not permitted in some areas of this monestary.

Day 13: Day hike/exploration to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200m) 6-7 hrs

The ascent takes 3 -4 hours while descending takes approximately 2 hours. From Ganesh Himal Base Camp you have the best views of the entire Ganesh Himal Range.

Day 14: GumbaLungdang (3200 m) - Ripchet (2470m) 7 hrs

Day 15: Ripchet (2470m) - Philim (1570 m) 7 hrs

As you follow the descending route you will pass by fairly dense pine forest where many species of birds inhabit the forest to Philim.

Day 16: Philim (1570 m) - KhorlaBensi (970 m) 7 hrs

You leave the cultivated region around Philim as you descend along the path that follows the banks of the BudhiGandaki River. At Tatopani you can relax in the warm and rejuvenating waters of the hot spring. Stay overnight in camp in Khorlabeshi.

Day 17: Drive SotiKhola (700 m) - Kathmandu (8-9 hrs)

This is a picturesque journey. While driving, you head up to DhadingBesi and Malekhu and Malekhu, which is famous for delicious fish. En route, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city

Day 18: Final Departure from Kathmandu.

Free until airport reporting time; either walk around market or do some shopping. After that you will transfered to airport to connect your flight to home