Tsum Valley Trekking

Chumchet and Chhekampar are one of the most remote village development committees (VCDs) in Gorkha district. despite having tremendous potential for tourism development, tsum Valley-as the area is called, was yet to reap benefits from its immense tourism prospects. The area was opened for group trekking on October 17, 2007, but because of lack of information and promotion, the Valley was yet to reap and benefits from its tourism prospects. Realising this fact, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) in association with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Nepal Trust for National Conservation (NTNC) and Tsum Welfare Committee (TWC) organised 'Tsum Valley Exploration' campaign in May, 2008.'Tsum' is derived from tibetan word 'Tsombo', which means vivid. Tradionally Tsum valley was a curturally distinct geographical area called 'Tsum Tso Chucksums', which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. The altitude in Tsum Valley trek varies from 1905 in Lhokpa to over 5093m at Ngula Dhojhyang Pass on the Tibetian border. The valley occupies an area of about 1663 sq.km. The Hidden Valley is surrounded by the Buddha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the North. The valley includes two remote VDCs Chhekampar (Upper Tsum) and Chumchet (Lower Tsum). Due to its remoteness, the ancient relics are still seen.People inTsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have unique culture, tradition and their own dialect. They celebrate unique festivals like Lhosar, Dhacyhang, Saka Dawa, Faning and others. Many Tsumbas (resident of Tsum Valley) report that they have seen or found the sighns of Mehti, commonly referred as the 'Yeti' or 'Abominable Snowman'Kathmandu. The exploration team has recommended three different itineraries in Tsum Valley.