Tsum Valley- Ganesh Himal Trek

Trekking to Manaslu and Tsum Valley is one of the most spectacular adventures in the Nepal Himalayas. This trek is rewarded with an unparalleled alpine experience. It is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. However, the trail around Manaslu passes through a less-explored area since it is in a restricted zone. Now the region is open exclusively to organized groups for trekking only. It offers a good mix of cultural diversity and amazing mountain scenery. This is an extended and strenuous trek, circling the Manaslu range and covering Tsum Valley, Nepal’s newly opened trekking destination. Being the strenuous trek, it constantly offers brilliant mountain views of the Ganesh and Manaslu Himal ranges and insights into the rich cultures of a cross-section of ethnic Nepalese tribes and peoples of Gurung, Magar, Tamang, and Bhotias (Tibetan) inhibited in this region.

This trek is easily accessible from Kathmandu by land transport. We pass through the narrow gorge between the Manaslu and Ganesh Himalayan ranges until we reach the Nupri valley, where the inhabitants look like Tibetan, their speech, and customs similar to Tibetan. The trail goes parallel to the Tibetan border, with tantalizing views of Manaslu North, Ngadi and Himal Chuli peaks. Crossing the altitude of 5250m Larke La pass, the trek offers fantastic views of Himlung Himal, the Annapurna range, and glacier lakes.

The inhabitants of the Tsum Valley celebrate their own unique festivals like Lhosar, Dhacyhang, and SakaDawa, naming many others. The trails are spotted with artistic chortens and lined with Mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers. The Buddhist Saint, popularly known as Milarepa is assumed to have meditated in the caves of Tsum Valley. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, this sacred Tsum valley and its people have been isolated by the mainstream of economic development for centuries. As a consequence, the unique culture of the valley has remained intact. The Tsum Valley is abundant in wildlife, especially the Himalayan Thar and Blue Sheep, which flock in herds. Hunting and fishing activities are strictly prohibited in the Tsum Valley. The highlight of the trek is some unique and historic monasteries, including Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa, which lie on a pretty plateau nestled on the lap of the valley and GompaLungdang, situated at the base of a conical hill against the main slope of Ganesh Himal.