GHT Trek

Tsum Valley and Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek

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 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. It’s possible to do this trek in 9 days by shortening the trek at day 6 in the itinerary.

Plan Your Trek

plan your trek

Trek Facts

  • Duration

    17 Days

  • Altitude

    3700m

  • Seasons

    March, April, May, August, September, October

  • Accommodation

    Camping, Teahouse/Lodge, Homestay

  • Starting Point

    Soti Khola

  • Ending Point

    Soti Khola

  • Level of Difficulty

       

    Medium

  • Permit Needed

    Restricted Area Trekking Permit to Tsum Valley issued by Immigration office Kathmandu(www.immi.gov.np),Manaslu Conservation Area project(MCAP) Permit.

View Itinerary

  • Day 1 Drive Kathmandu to Soti Khola (700m) 9 hrs.
  • Day 2 Soti Khola - Machha Khola (930m) 6 hrs.
  • Day 3 Machha Khola – Jagat (1340m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 4 Jagat – Lokpa (2240m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 5 Lokpa – Chumling (2385m), 5 hrs.
  • Day 6 Chumling - Chhokang Paro (3031m), 6 hrs.
  • Day 7 Chhokang Paro – Chhule (3347m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 8 Chhule - Mu Gompa (3700m), 3 hrs.
  • Day 9 Mu Gompa – Rachen (3240m), 5 hrs.
  • Day 10 Rachen – Domje (2460m), 6 hrs.
  • Day 11 Domje - Gumba Lungdang (3200m), 6 hrs.
  • Day 12 Day hike/exploration to Ganesh Himal Base Camp, 6 to 7 hrs
  • Day 13 Gumba Lungdang – Ripchet (2470m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 14 Ripchet – Philim (1570m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 15 Philim - Khorla Bensi (970m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 16 Khorla Bensi - Soti Khola (700m), 7 hrs.
  • Day 17 Drive Soti Khola – Kathmandu, 9 hrs.