Surrounded by the Buddha Himal to the west with Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal to the south and Sringi Himal to the north , Tsum Valley is one of the eight sacred valleys (called Beyuals) in th inner himalayas which is situated in the northern Gorkha District of Nepal Valley. This valley is believed to be built by a Buddhist Saint Padmasambhava. It is believed that the Buddhist Monk in some 8 century built the Beyuals as a refuge for those people who were fleeing to escape the negative impacts of war, feminine and religious insurgencies of the time. Thus till this time, one can find the strong impacts of Buddhism in this area. This valley has uniquely preserved and is practicing the religious values and customes of the Buddhism. This valley is under the inhabitation of Tsumbas, a native group who follow their own distinct Himalayan civilization, life style, culture, art and tradition, thinking and customs. These people never slaughter animals, not even in religious and cultural activities.
Etymologically the word "Tsum" has come from the Tibetan word "Tsombo" which means "Vivid" and "clear".
This valley is beautiful, peaceful and lovely. It is decorated with the distinct rural traditional ways. Mani walls, small and very decorated stony settlements, Chortens and Kaanis, snowy peaks which generally ranges more than 6000 meter height, massive fields and cultivated fields and pure natural environment have made it really beautiful. Tsumbas eract different small stupas monuments like mani walls and Chortens and Kaanis to strengthen their religious believes, to mark some historical moments of the community and area. Mani walls are long walls made with mantras carved stones to ask Gods for the well being of the visitors of the area.
At some higher altitudes by the Tsum Valley close to the snowy peaks there are two famous trekking routes. A high altitude hike around the Mu Gompa is one route and another goes around the Ganesh Himal. The hike around the Mu Gompa begins from Dephyudonma Gumba which generally takes 6/7 days for one to complete. As this is the route for the villagers to trade with Tibet, one if lucky one may encounter with the caravans of the yaks. This caravans generally appear in each two months. The second circuit is the one to base camp of Ganesh Himal (3888 m). now people seldom use this route as monks and nuns used to use it in past. One can enjoy the beauty of Kangthang lake, a glacier lake.
The people by the village are generous and benevolent. They always respect and help their visitors. Generally one should not pay for lodge in this area. And it is difficult to get any lodge hotels by the area as Tsumbas themselves serves and helps the visitors of the area but for this in return the visitors must be humble and well mannered. One will have to pay only for fooding.
Piren Phuy is the site one must not have to miss while going through the area. It is also called the pigeon cave located in the village of Burji, a sacred cave of the Tsum Valley. it is also believed to be the largest and popular cave of the Gorkha Distirct. This valley can be the fine destination even for those who are unfamiliar to the high altitudes of Nepal. To visit this area and go through the above mentioned routes one have to get two permits from the Nepal Government which can be prepared at Kathmandu easily and Tsum Wellfare Committee may be helpful for you as this committee is organized to promote and develop this valley as a good destination point for one to visit.
