The Tibetan Buddhist culture is still very prevalent in Tsum and the scenery is stunning with beautiful forests and countryside overshadowed by the towering Ganesh Himal. Tsum comes from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid and after visiting Tsum, you will understand how the valley got this name. Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi from Japan and Gyalzen Norbu of Nepal. Since that period till now, Manaslu has literally captured the heart of wilderness lovers, in its true sense…
Many people combine the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit starting in Arughat Bazaar and ending in Besisahar. Besisahar is also the starting point for the Annapurna circuit. The trail starts low, passing through lush green countryside and small Hindu villages. You enter Tsum Valley from the main trail and will soon find yourself in beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. Heading east the valley opens up to reveal beautiful landscapes and small Tibetan-style villages. There are basic guesthouses all along the trail so you can choose if you want to camp or stay at the teahouses/guesthouses, they are cosy and comfortable enough in these highly remote parts of Nepal…
Manaslu lies north of the historic fortress town of Gorkha, from where the last kings of Nepal ventured forth to conquer the rest of the country in the 18th Century. The Manaslu Circuit has recently become a teahouse trek, opening up the misty wood-shingled villages of the Nupri Valley. But hikers are free to explore the many other trails being forged right now. The Tsum Valley trek has beautiful views of the four 7000m peaks of the Ganesh massif, and visitors can experience the distinct Tibetan-influenced culture of the Tsumba people, who prohibit the slaughter of all living beings. No doubt, this enhances the protection afforded to such endangered species as the Snow Leopard and the Red Panda.
You can also enjoy a culturally enchanting home stay with the Tamangs, the original horse traders of Nepal. The adventurous can venture higher for a ‘walk in the clouds’ above Tiru Danda, from where gorgeous views stretch from the Annapurnas to Ganesh Himal.
With a variety to rival the Annapurna region, it’s no exaggeration to say Manaslu’s time has come. Forget the jams of the more established routes. Barring the busy teahouses, you’ll have the trails here mostly to yourself – if you don’t mind sharing it with blue sheep, langurs, yaks and the myriad butterflies weaving in and out of the thundering waterfalls.
Doing an adventure around North Mid-West Himalaya hidden country with fascinating views around high Manaslu Tsum Valley through traditional villages beneath towering Ganesh Himal with exceptional views on daily walks is an experience that simply amazes when trekking in this region. In the backdrops of these towering beautiful mountains, we encounter local folks from the Tsum tribe who make up one of the most important highlights when hiking through this area. Cultural villages amidst Pristine forest of tall rhododendron-pines-magnolia-oaks and fir trees in complete wilderness with awesome panoramas of massive Ganesh Himal and the Manaslu range of peaks to the warm subtropical mid-hills and alpine cool temperatures around in the mountainous zones turn your visit into a trailblazing journey of epic proportions…
Manaslu Tsum Valley of Happiness is a name that translates from Tibetan language which means “Beyul Kyimolung” for ‘Valley of Happiness’ where the locals earlier migrated from Tibet some 300 years ago bringing in rich culture and customs where the Tibetan origin and its ancient religious customs are still retained to this day around this high hidden land of the Tsum Valley.
When trekking the Manaslu Tsum Valley of Happiness your trail leads to the same route of the Manaslu trail for few days, and then the beaten trail diverts towards hidden valley and complete wilderness to reach the enthralling villages of Chumling, Chokhan-paro, Nele and around high Mu Gompa which also covers Rachen Gompa where trekkers are virtually spellbound with its vibrant scenery of mountains and dramatic landscapes.
Visitors to this region explore much of its rich cultural villages and old interesting monasteries, and the journey concludes with hikers heading back following the raging Buri-Gandaki River downstream to warmer areas of Arughat and Soti-Khola villages for the drive towards Kathmandu with fond memories and superb time spent in and around Manaslu Tsum Valley of Happiness.
The Tiru Danda offers breathtaking views of it. The area is highly diverse, and home to Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang, Magar, Tibetan and Gurung communities. This region also shelters endangered animals such as the snow leopard and red pandas – especially in the northern reaches as Buddhist Lamas prohibit the killing of animals. This is the special thing about the Tsum Valley which makes the fauna very trusting of humans in this area.
Nepal Base Camp Treks, with fantastic planning, introduces this fabulous and least explored area of Manaslu Tsum Valley of Happiness trekking with our expert guides who will show you the wonders of this remote and isolated hidden valley located in the laps of the great Ganesh Himal or ‘Yangri’ in the local language which is Tibetan, as Manaslu Tsum Valley was an ancient trading route of Nepal and Tibet, where the exchange and movement of people and goods still continues to this day. The Manaslu Tsum Valley is Really and truly worth a visit. Please visit our website: www.nepalbasecamptreks.com for more details on this gripping journey of a lifetime…
