Tsum Valley Trek Summary
Valley Trek in the remote area of northern Gorkha is the trekking to the secluded valley of Tsum rewards travelers with its unique culture, locals, and majestic mountain view. Tsum Valley Trek; Tsum means "The Valley of Vivid". The valley occupies an area of about 1662 square kilometers. To get to the Tsum Valley it requires 4-6 days hiking from Arughat, a nearby town which is 7-8 hours drive from Kathmandu. Tsum Valley has a long history of Buddhist Saint Milarepa is believed to have meditated in this sacred valley surrounded by giant rocks and mountains. During his travels over 84 years, he had meditated in Piren Phu. Milarepa; who was born in 1052 AD. It is believed the Milarepa went to a woman's house as a beggar but the old woman from Burji Village did not know that it was a great saint and she treated him badly by giving him a gait piece of buckwheat bread later half of her field became barren. Even today, amidst the fertile land of Burji, there is a small plot that remains barren.
As the area is non-violent, people are peace-loving and religious in Tsum Valley. They give equal rights to even animals and all the sentient beings. This is one of the most unique identities of Tsum Valley. Tsum Valley's practices towards non-violence give an important message of peace in the global community for a better world. The people from Tsum Valley are called Tsumba and they never slaughter animals not even as a sacrifice to the God's customary in many parts of the world. You will witness the real and ideal Tibetan Buddhist culture is still very predominant in Tsum and the scenery is just gorgeous, with beautiful forests and countryside, with Ganesh Himal soaring high above the valley.
Tsum Valley Trekking further afield
Many people combine the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit Trek, also starting in Arughat Bazaar and ending in Besisahar, some people still combine the Annapurna circuit with this trek and the trekking itinerary will be some 27 to 35 days long depending on your time, and interest. You can already catch a jeep further north from Dharapani onwards. Others proceed back to Arugath the same way, a circuit is not possible. If you start low, walking through green countryside, and passing small Hindu villages. You enter the Tsum Valley going right from the main trail and you soon enter a beautiful forest with pines and rhododendrons, heading eastwards, the valley opens up to reveal a beautiful countryside and small Tibetan-style villages.
