Nepal Tsum Valley Cultural Trek

Gorkha District, Nepal · Nepal

Challenging16 daysAsia~£2,000 est.

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Overview

Tsum Valley was closed to outsiders until 2008, and it shows in the best way: this Tibetan Buddhist side-valley off the Manaslu circuit still lives by the shagya code, a centuries-old vow that forbids killing any animal within the valley — wildlife barely bothers to move off the trail. From Lokpa the route climbs through gorge forest into an opening upper valley of barley terraces and chortens: Chhokangparo, Milarepa's meditation cave at Piren Phu, the ancient nunnery at Rachen, and finally Mu Gompa at 3,700 m, a monastery facing the walls that seal the valley from Tibet. Nights are homestays and simple teahouses; bring cash for everything and accept the butter tea — hospitality here is liturgy. Paperwork is the entry fee: Tsum restricted-area and Manaslu conservation permits, a registered guide, and a minimum group of two. March-May and October-November. Around £2,000 for 16 days from Kathmandu including the long jeep approach to Machha Khola. Come for the culture and let the mountains be the backdrop — that is the right way round here.