Introduction
Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in a trans-Himalayan region of Gorkha, Nepal. The Tsum Valley’s proximity to Tibet with its natural beauty and its pristine culture, make this trekking unique. Tsum comes from the Tibetan work ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid. Against the majestic backdrop of the Shringi Himal, Ganesh Himal and Baudha Himal ranges, this serene Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture and religion. The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin and speak a unique dialect.
Trails are strewn with artistic Chhortens and lined with mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with deities and prayers. The Tsum valley has a long history of Buddhism,the Buddhist saint Milarepa is believed to have meditated in the caves of three mountains. Traditionally TheTsum valley was a culturally distinct geographical area called ‘Tsum Tso Chuksum’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. The ancient remains of the Tsum Kingdom are still visible today. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, this sacred valley and its people have been bypassed by mainstream development for centuries. As a result the unique culture of this valley has remained intact.