Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in Northern Gorkha district of Nepal. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word “Tsombo” which means vivid. The trail heads up the valley of the Budi Gandaki River through wild & unexplored country inhabited mainly by members of the Gurung ethnic groups. A nice cup of the local cultivated natural coffee & a soak in Tatopani hot springs will help you to relax on this spectacular trial.
The Tsum Valley has long history of Buddhism. The Buddhist saint Milarepa is believed to be meditated in the caves of these mountains. Traditionally, the valley was a culturally distinct geographical called “Tsum Tso Chuksum”, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalayas) open from Chhokangparo, where the native local people (Tibetan group “Tsombo”) welcome you with traditional Tibetan Chiya (butter tea) & tasty local meals. The Tsum Valley is extremely rich in culture. The valley is dotted with Gompas (Buddhist monasteries), Chortens & Mani walls. The valley preserves steps of the great Buddhist Yogi Chyuchin Milarepa & story about Guru Padmasambhava circumbulation. The Tsum Valley is surrounded by the Buddha Himal & Himal Chuli to the West, Ganesh Himal to the South & Sringi Himal towards the North. Tsum Valley was a restricted area until 2007. It was opened for Trekking since 2008 by Nepal Government. The valley is uniquely rich in wildlife, especially the Himalayan Thar and Blue Sheep which congregates in herds of 50 to 200. Hunting, fishing is not permitted in the Tsum Valley. The valley also boasts some unique and historic monasteries, including Rachen Gumba and Mu Gumba, which lie on a pretty plateau nestled in the lap of the valley, and Gumba Lungdang, situated at the base of a conical hill against the main slope of Ganesh Himal.
