The Tsum Valley trek route map provides information on trails, landmarks, and elevation profiles, making it a valuable navigation tool for trekkers. The Legend and itinerary highlights on the left side are essential features of the Tsum Valley trek route map.
The Legend is vital for understanding the symbols marked on the map. As the map uses various symbols with different colors and shapes, the Legend helps trekkers easily understand them.
The Legend shows the symbols, including the primary and secondary hiking routes, the driving route, the viewpoint, the mountain, the lake, and the suspension bridge. Furthermore, the Legend defines the symbols for the glacier, pass, checkpost, and monastery. The best trekking season is also mentioned at the bottom of the Legend.
Just below the Legend, the map contains Itinerary highlights. The itinerary highlight is another notable feature of the map that helps trekkers know their day-to-day Itinerary and destination.
Brief Itinerary of the Tsum Valley trek route map
As per the Itinerary shown on the itinerary highlight of the route map of Tsum Valley, day 1 is your arrival in Kathmandu, and day 2 is your preparation day. Thus, your Tsum Valley trek begins on day 3. However, you'll need to drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola on the third day.
As shown in the itinerary highlight, your trek begins on the fourth day. On the fourth day, you'll trek from Soti Khola to MacchaKhola. The fifth day takes you to Jagat, passing through Khorlbesi.
After crossing a suspension bridge and passing through Philim village in the stunning landscape of the Manaslu region, trekkers reach Lokpa on the sixth day. From Lokpa, there are two routes: the main hiking route that leads to your destination, and the secondary route (dotted line) that connects to the Manaslu Circuit. Yet you'll continue your journey by taking the main hiking trail and reaching Chumling on the seventh day.
It takes eight days to reach one of the most prominent areas of the Tsum Valley, Rachen Gompa, home to the region's most significant Buddhist monastery. The ninth day takes you to your final destination, Mu Gumpa. Day 10 is your acclimatization and exploration day around Mu Gompa. As shown on the route map, a dotted line above Mu Gompa indicates the way to Tibet.
As per the itinerary highlights, from the eleventh day onward, you'll begin descending and stay overnight at Rachen Gompa for the second time. On the twelfth day, you'll get to Gumba Lungdhen. You'll continue your descending journey and stay at Ripchet on the thirteenth day, Philim on the fourteenth day, Khorlabesi on the fifteenth day 15, and on the sixteenth day at Soti Khola. The seventh day takes you back to Kathmandu by car.
Views in the Tsum Valley trek route map.
Throughout the journey to Tsum Valley, trekkers are surrounded by stunning views of snow-capped peaks, ancient monasteries, and unique landscapes. Trekkers get to see views of mountains, including Mount Manaslu (8163m), Manaslu North (7157m), Ngadi Chuli (7893m), Himal Chuli (7193m), and a closer view of Shringi Himal (7187m).
Furthermore, the views of ancient monasteries, significant to the region's Buddhist communities, offer a peaceful backdrop during the trek. Among the various Gompas trekkers pass through during their Tsum Valley trek, Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa, and Gumba Lungdhen are prominent.
Restricted area: Tsum Valley trek route.
As the Tsum Valley trek lies within a restricted area, trekking in the region requires a special Restricted Area Permit (RAP). On the Tsum Valley trek, the restricted area begins in the village of Jagat, and trekkers traverse it throughout the journey. Furthermore, the ending point of the restricted area is the same as its starting point, Jagat.