Tsum Valley Trek highlights and FAQ

Table of Contents

Tsum Valley Trek Introduction

The Tsum Valley is one of the most secluded valleys in Nepal. Situated in the Manaslu region, high up near the Tibetan border, the whole area has a definite Tibetan Buddhist feel to it and is quite different from the surrounding countryside.

A restricted area until 2008, Tsum Valley is relatively un-trekked by hikers, yet the starting point is only 7 hours drive from Kathmandu.

Most of the 14 days are spent trekking at altitudes over 3,000m. With the altitude and walking days stretching from 5 to 7 hours, a fairly good level of fitness is required for this trek.

The trail passes through pine forests, along raging rivers with cascading waterfalls and incredible suspension bridges, through fascinating villages, and to several gompas, monasteries, mani walls, and stupas, not to mention Milarepa’s Cave.

On display are the mountain ranges of Himalchuli (7,893m), Ganesh Himal (7,140m), Manaslu (8,163m), Churke Himal, and the Poshyop Glacier.

For trekkers who are fascinated by Tibetan culture as well as mountains, Tsum Valley offers them the opportunity to witness Tibetan Buddhist people in their villages, monks and nuns in their respective religious orders, and the spectacular views of the Himalayas in an almost pilgrimage-like trek into this hidden valley.

The Tsum Valley Trek can be done separately or added to the Manaslu Trek for people with more time.

People and religion in Tsum Valley
The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin and speak a unique dialect. Even these days, some families practice polyandry (having more than one husband at a time). These families have been found to be well managed and wealthier than other families. A long history of Buddhism can be seen. The Buddhist saint named Milarepa is believed to have meditated in a cave in these mountains. It is believed that there is a favorable ambience for fortunate events in this region. The people in Tsum have a strong faith in Buddhism. They pray to Buddha, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), and some bodhisattvas. They install prayer flags, Khata, or Mani walls, burn butter lamps in monasteries, and believe in the reincarnation of lamas. The histories and ways of life of supernatural entities and stories about them are well known. Nevertheless, prayer flags, Khata, or Mani walls are installed, and ritual burning of juniper is performed to purify an area against such supernatural entities. The people of Tsum perform numerous rituals and festivals against devilish entities. However, the slaughtering of animals on an altar to honor deities does not occur. A few laymen and lamas practice some special rites to exorcise evil factors. Local people practice mainly two types of astrology, “black” and “white,” for the determination of auspicious days.
Festival in Tsum Valley
Numerous festivals, several mask dances, and rituals are celebrated throughout the year in the Tsum Valley, preserving the century-old practices. Loshar: LO means year and SHAR means new; the Tibetan word meant “Happy Loshar (Tibetan New Year), celebrated according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, offering large quantities of incense to appease the local spirits, deities, and protectors. Tsumbas of the lower Tsum Valley celebrate Loshar earlier than the upper Tsum people. Dhachyang (the horse festival): The second most important festival in this region is celebrated on a slightly different date than the normal December or January.Committed to the welfare of the people, it is celebrated by the active male participants holding horse races, leaving women to join in the evening for dancing and singing. Happy Saka Dawa: The full moon day of Saka Dawa commemorates Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. As cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic, virtuous actions done on this day (falling in May) are multiplied one hundred million times. Rituals are performed at local monasteries and nunneries, and the devotees fast during this time. Faning: In mid-August, with nutritious and yummy foods, this festival commemorates the attainment of internal energy from any food, including water.