Tsum Valley Rupina La Pass Trek

Our representative welcomes you at the Kathmandu Airport on your arrival day. Then, you have to complete the visa procedure for which you need USD 50 in cash, a copy of passport and 2 pp sized photos. When you are finished with the visa procedure, you will be shifted to the hotel.

This is the day allocated for exploring the cultural, religious and historical landmarks of the Kathmandu Valley. Our tour guide takes you for Kathmandu City tour around the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Monkey Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple and Bouddhanath Stupa will be visited.

When you return to the hotel, the team leader meets you at the hotel or you will be informed to visit our office. He will describe Tsum Valley Rupina La Pass trek itinerary. We also help you in the management of the trekking gears at the most reasonable cost.

You drive along the Prithvi Highway up to the Dhading Bridge and then cross the Trishuli River. By crossing Dhadingbesi, the administrative headquarters of Dhading district, you move further along the off-road.

During the trip, you come to see snowcapped peaks of Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu region. You will also enjoy the green forests, trading centers, rivers and streams. Driving past Aarughat and Soti Khola, you finally reach Machha Khola for the night stay.

Following the snaky trail that moves along some rainy streams, forests and cultivated land, you continue the journey. Similarly, you walk past a few settlement areas like Khorlabesi, Tatopani, Duman, Yaru Kharka and Thado Bharyang.

Take a short break at Tatopani and enjoy the natural hot springs that are one of the boon of Nepal. At the end of the trek, you reach Jagat. This is a beautiful village located in the Budhi Gandaki River Valley and on the bank of the same river.

After getting your trekking permits checked at Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) Office, Jagat, you continue the trip. Then, you walk across Salleri and Sirdibas, which are important villages en route Manaslu Circuit trek.

By crossing a suspension bridge over the Ghatte Khola, you enter into Philim Village located in the river valley. Philim is a Gurung village reflecting mixture of Hindu and Buddhist culture and tradition. There is a school made by the Japanese INGOs and a police station to provide security to the local people and travelers.

From here, the trail runs through the dense forests of MCAP and after crossing the Gum Pul (bridge), you reach Lokpa Village. This is a junction between Tsum Valley trek and Rupina La Pass trek.

Walking along the uphill and downhill trail, you walk past the Luwang Khola in the beginning. Thereafter, you go across the thick pine and rhododendron forests to reach Gumling Village.

Moving ahead, you go across the Siyar Khola and end up today’s trekking at Chumling Village. Chumling is the first village of Lower Tsum Valley. Here, you can visit a local monastery and the stone paved streets of the village. You can also talk to the local people to know more about their lifestyle, culture and tradition.

Enjoying the amazing scenery of Ganesh Himal (7,422m), you move across a suspension bridge to reach Rainjam Village. From here, you follow the Serpu Khola banks to reach Gho Village.

By walking for a couple of hours, you reach Chhekamparo Village. On fine days, you will have the splendid view of Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli (7,893m).

Chhekamparo is the last village of Lower Tsum Valley, so after leaving this village, you enter into Upper Tsum Valley. Following the banks of the Siyar Khola, you reach Chule Village. Moving a little further, you reach Burgi (Burji) Village, which is famous for Piren Phu (Pigeon’s Cave).

It is said that the Chinese Saint and Scholar, Milarepa meditated here in the cave, so it is also called the Milarepa’s Cave. You can still find some Buddha statues, ancient manuscripts and footprints of Milarepa in the cave. The two monasteries built in the ridge reflect the socio-cultural aspects of Tsum Valley.

Going forward, you cross some pasturelands and cultivated lands until you reach the suspension bridge over the Siyar Khola. You walk for a few hours after crossing the bridge and end up at Nile Village.

Walking close to the Tibetan Plateau, you will reach Mu Gompa, which is one of the cultural highlights of Tsum Valley trek. Located at the Trans-Himalayan region and established in 1936, Mu Gompa is one of the largest monasteries of this region. Here, you can still observe the religious books including Kangyur; a life size statue of Avalokiteshwara as well as idols of Guru Padmasambava, Buddha and Tara. There are around 20 monks; both old and young ones are still living in this gompa.

Without visiting Mu Gompa, Tsum Valley trek remains incomplete. A row of chortens, enchanting view of snowcapped peaks and traditional houses have added to the overall attraction of this area. You can visit historical Dephyudonma Monastery, which is connected with the dawn of Buddhism in this region. Situated on the lap of rugged mountains, this is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist shrines of Tsum Valley Manaslu region.

You begin today’s trek after having breakfast. Following the traditional salt trading route  between Tsum Valley and Tibet, you move towards the Siyar Khola Valley. By leaving Chule and Phurbe villages, you reach Rachen Gompa.

Established in 1936, Rachen Nunnery is the home for around 80 monks from 7 years to 75 years old. The young ones are practising Buddhism while the old are living in this monastery for their own support. The gompa is one of the oldest monasteries; and you can see mural paintings of Buddhism and its history here.

After Tsum Valley trek, today you are going to retreat for Rupina La Pass trek, the other side of the Manaslu region. Following the same trail you used a couple of days earlier, you begin the trip back to Chumling Village.

The vistas of snowcapepd peaks, river valleys and green forests make this walk more interesting. By crossing a few beautiful villages of Upper Tsum Valley, you end up at Chumling, a village of Lower Tsum Valley.

You begin today’s trekking after having breakfast following the familiar track. The enthralling outlooks of natural waterfalls, green forests, snowy peaks of Ganesh Himal and Manaslu regions make the trip more fascinating. By crossing a few cultural villages like Samba, Tingling and Chhupyang, you wrap up the trip at Philim Village. Philim is a mountain village where people are involved in agriculture and animals husbandry occupations.

Leaving behind the terraced farmlands cultivated with seasonal crops and vegetables, you continue the walk towards Rupina La Pass. While traversing along the steep trail, you will enjoy the view of green forests, pastoral villages and snowy peaks. At the end of the day, you stop at Nyak Village, which is a perfect place for learning pure rural lifestyle, culture and tradition.

In the beginning, the trail is steep and rocky going past a few meadows with seasonal sheds for the herds and their caretakers. Then, following the Chulling Khola anks, you walk past Serang and Gomna Villages. Some trekkers also spend nights in these villages during Tsum Valley Rupina La Pass trek.

Later on, you follow the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River to reach Jhong Kharka Village. The surrounding with the splendid view of Ganesh  Himal (7,422m) encourages you to complete the distance more easily.

Witnessing the breathtaking view of Gorkha Himal, Himalchuli, Buddha Himal, Peak 29/ Ngadi Peak, you keep going. The trail leads you further through the banks of the Chulling Khola and the Rebing Khola until you cross the Jarang Glacier. At the end of the walk, you stop at Jarang Village, which is the last village of Tsum Valley region towards Rupina La Pass. Here, you find a teahouse or hotel to spend the night.

From today onwards, you won’t see any human settlement areas for a couple of days. This is the most memorable day of Tsum Valley Rupina La Pass trek as you climb across Rupina La Pass (4,720m). Have some energetic breakfast and pack some readymade food as the trail takes you away into complete wilderness.

Enjoying the mesmerizing view of Gorkha Himal, Himalchuli,  Buddha Himal, Peak 29 and many more, you gradually ascend. You should take short breaks in the middle of the trek to avoid altitude sickness. And in winter and summer, the trail may be slippery due to moisture, so walk carefully.

With gradual ascent, you reach the highest place of Tsum Valley Rupina La Pass trek. From here, you will see the snowcapped peaks of Ganesh Himal and Manaslu region, Tsum Valley and Barpak village looks incredible!

Gradually descending through the downhill trail, you get down to the bottom of the pass. Set up a tented camp here.

Don’t worry as you have already done the most challenging part of Rupina La Pass trek. After breakfast, you leisurely begin the trip towards Gai Kharka. While traversing across the dense forests, you might see some birds and animals. Tonight also, you spend at the tented camp as there is not any teahouse or lodge en route.

Today is another memorable day as you are going to visit a historical village, Barpak. Following the route across the dense forests and the Daraudi Khola banks, you get to Tumsiak Village. This is the first village you have seen on the third day. Moving along the forested lands and a few villages, you end up at Barpak Village.

You know Barpak is one of the largest villages in Nepal having more than 1,200 households. It is a model homestay site contributing a lot for promoting Nepalese tourism. Located at the northern part of Gorkha district, this village was the epicentre of the 7.9 Richter Scale Gorkha Earthquake 2015. Although the village was completely destroyed, now the reconstruction work has already finished. The village has already started to welcome the national as well as international trekkers.

Most of the villagers here are from Gurung, Ghale, Pariyar, and other ethnic communities. Most of the men of this village are involved in the British and Indian Armies. You might also meet some Brave Gurkhas who fought in different wars including the World War II. Talk with them to listen to some interesting war stories!

It is an optional day to explore Barpak village, which is both naturally and culturally beautiful. You can hike to Muche Hill to have the close up view of Ganesh Himal, Buddha Himal, Sringi Himal, Manaslu and Himalchuli.

Accordingly, you can also hike to Narad Pokhari, which is a pilgrimage site for the Hindu followers. Other places to visit here are local monastery, school, village museum, hydroelectricity plant, etc.

Tasting some typical food items of the village and conversing with the local people can be a lifetime experience, too.

There is a direct bus service from Barpak to Kathmandu or Pokhara that you can use this facility to shorten the itinerary. But, trekking from Barpak to Baluwa is also a good idea. By crossing the seasonal sheds built for the safety of herds and their masters, you continue the trip along the Daraudi Khola banks. Enjoy the close up view of Buddha Himal (6,692m), you move through the Budhi Gandaki River Valley. By leaving the fertile river valley, you end up at Baluwa. Overnight stay at a teahouse or lodge.

After having breakfast, you begin the roadway trip towards Kathmandu via Gorkha Bazar. If the itinerary supports, you can visit the historical Gorkha Palace converted it as a museum. Upallokot Durbar is also close by the museum that it takes nearly 1 hour to reach there.

Then, you will begin the journey along the Gorkha High way up to Aanbukhaireni and then through the Prithvi High way.

After arriving in Kathmandu, we shift you to the hotel. After becoming fresh, you can take a visit around Thamel Bazar for shopping purpose. The handicraft products of Nepal can be the best gifts to the people back in the home country.

In the evening, we call you for farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant around Thamel. Watch the cultural shows while having delicious Nepali food items.

To catch up with the flight, our team member takes you to the Kathmandu Airport. We wish you a happy journey ahead!