Tsum Valley Trek
Explore the Spiritual Tsum Valley Trek: Remote Himalayan Adventure!!
The Tsum Valley, nestled in the Manaslu region and near the Tibetan border, is one of the most remote valleys in Nepal and provides breathtaking vistas of high mountains. The inhabitants of Tsum Valley closely follow Tibetan-style Buddhism, the culture of the Tsumba people, with their distinct Buddhist heritage and traditional lifestyle.
The Tsum Valley, one of the remotest Himalayan valleys, offers stunning views of Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal, and Boudha Himal. Treks to the valley were restricted in 2008, but the villagers are highly spiritual, with prominent monasteries like Rachen and Mu Gompas. The region is rich in biodiversity, with forests, rivers, and caves making it a worthwhile visit.
Tsum Valley Trek is unforgettable adventure for those seeking a blend of spirituality, wilderness, and cultural immersion.
Trip Overview
Trip code: MR 101 
Duration: 16 Days 
Max Altitude: Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200 m) 
Accomodation: Hotel / Loadge or Teahouse 
Start: Kathmandu
End: Kathmandu 
Meals: European Plan Outline Itinerary
Kathmandu (Arrival) – Transfer to Hotel (Private Transfer)
Kathmandu – Macha Khola (Drive – Private Transfer)
Macha Khola (930 m; 7 hrs)Macha Khola – Jagat
Jagat (1410 m; 6 hrs)Jagat – Lokpa
Lokpa (2240 m; 6 hrs)Lokpa – Chumling
Chumling (2363 m; 5 hrs)Chumling – Chhokangparo
Chhokangparo (3030 m; 6 hrs)Chhokangparo – Nile
Nile (3360 m; 4 hrs)Nile – Mu Gomp
Mu Gompa (3700 m; 4 hrs) Dhephyudonma Gompa (4060 m)Mu Gompa – Rachen Gomp
Rachen Gompa (3240 m; 4 hrs)Rachen Gompa – Gumba Lungdang
Gumba Lungdang (3200 m; 5 hrs)Gumba Lungdang – Ganesh Himal Base Camp - Gumba Lungdang
Ganesh Himal Base Camp (4200 m; 7 hrs)Gumba Lungdang – Lokpa
Lokpa (2240 m; 7 hrs)Lokpa – Jagat
Jagat (1410 m; 6 hrs)Jagat – Machha Khola
Macha Khola (930 m; 6 hrs)Machha Khola – Kathmandu (Drive – Private Transfer)
Kathmandu (1400 m; 7 hrs)Kathmandu (Departure)
Price Inclusion
- Airport transfers on a tourist vehicle
- Private tourist vehicle (Kathmandu / Macha Khola / Kathmandu)
- Entire accommodation during the trek – 2 nights at hotel in Kathmandu hotel, and 13 nights in lodges/guesthouse during trek to Tsum Valley.
- Hotel breakfast during the stay at Kathmandu
- Experienced, government licensed, English-speaking or another language trekking guide
- All necessary permits for Manaslu Conservation Area, Tsum Valley restricted area and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
- Porters during the trek for carrying luggage (1 porter for every 2 pax)
- All government taxes and administrative expenses
- Local staff insurances
Price Exclusion
- International flight tickets and Nepal Entry Visa
- Personal travel insurance
- Any meal during the trek
- Any expenses of a personnel nature, e.g., telephone calls, laundry, table drinks, etc.
- Any Tips to Guides, Drivers, and Trekking Staffs
- Any entrance fees for cameras and video cameras at the monuments
- Any other services not mentioned above
- Cost of any emergency evacuation, strikes, etc.
Detail Itinerary
Expand AllKathmandu (Arrival) – Transfer to Hotel (Private Transfer)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, our representative will be waiting at the airport for your welcome. Then board a private vehicle and be transferred to your hotel. Check into your hotel and rest after your journey. Your guide briefs about the Tsum Valley Trek.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore ancient temples and vibrant markets and experience the unique atmosphere of Nepalese urban life.
Kathmandu – Macha Khola (Drive – Private Transfer)
Your trekking guides will pick you up from the hotel early in the morning and take you to your destination. Take in a breathtaking journey along the Prithvi Highway as you pass through picturesque villages, terraced farms, and beautiful scenery. The journey to Macha Khola, with its breathtaking scenery, will take nearly 7 hours.
Macha Khola – Jagat
You will begin your trek today on a narrow trail and make your way gently up and down till you bridge the Tharo Khola and arrive in Khorlabesi. There will be more ascending and descending before you reach Tatopani, a small hot spring.
You will ascend over another mountain after crossing Tatopani, and then you will cross the Budhi Gandaki River on a suspension bridge. You will pass another suspension bridge across the Yaru Khola after a few climbs. Traveling through scenic terrain, you will arrive in Jagat, a Gurung village, where you may get a glimpse of the traditional way of life and culture of the area.
Jagat – Lokpa
After breakfast, you will start your trek over a rocky ridge to Salleri with a view of Mt. Sringi and descend to Sirdibas, where you cross the longest suspension bridge in Nepal to enter Philim. After crossing the Philim, you will trek towards Ekle Bhatti, where you will enter a large, uninhabited area of pine trees.
Climb gradually after the trail through the forest of pine and rhododendrons and cross the river to climb a zigzag step to witness the first glimpse of Tsum Valley. The trail towards Lokpa offers a beautiful view of the Manaslu range.
Lokpa – Chumling
Leaving Lokpa village behind, your treks start with descending through a beautiful forest, crossing bridges, and then having a steep climb up the stairs. On the way, you will walk through the forest of pines and rhododendrons on the steep slopes with great views of the Boudha Himal and Ganesh Himal towards Gumling village.
After reaching Gumling village, you will get to explore the three main monasteries: the Panago Gompa, Main Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gompa.
Chumling – Chhokangparo
You will walk on the trails through Tibetan chortens, whose mani walls are lined with deities and prayers. Then, you cross a suspension bridge to traverse rich farming land of maize and potatoes and enjoy views of the Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli. After reaching Rainjham, you climb towards upper Tsum and Chhokangparo, where you will get to enjoy their unique Tibetan tea.
Chhokangparo – Nile
Today, you will move towards Nile village, where you will pass Piren Phu Cave (Pigeon Cave) near a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. It is famous for a Tibetan Buddhist master, Milarepa, who was believed to have meditated, and his footprints are imprinted on the cave. After exploring the place, you will wander through the green meadows and narrow landscapes, where you will witness the two separate gumbas attached to the rocky cave.
You will explore the Gumbas, where you will find scripts written on the paper and prayer flags. Then, you will cross a suspension bridge on the Shair Khola to reach Nile Village.
Nile – Mu Gomp
After having breakfast at Nile village, you will start your trek on a trail gradually ascending to Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in this region. You will first visit Dhephyudonma Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in this region, then walk towards Mu Gompa.
After passing through several yak pastures and arid Trans-Himalayan terrain, you will descend towards the largest monastery in Tsum Valley, Mu Gompa. On this monastery, over 100 Buddhist monks live and pray. You will see the different and various kinds of religious books in this monastery.
Mu Gompa – Rachen Gomp
After breakfast, you will head towards Rachen Gompa, a nunnery located in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. You will start your trek by descending towards Chhule and Phurba. Then, you will take a route towards the bank of Siyar Khola through the plain foothills to reach Rachen Gompa, a house of Ngak-pa Sect nuns. Rachen Gompa’s interior contains many murals relating to Buddhism and its history.
Rachen Gompa – Gumba Lungdang
You will follow the same trekking trail towards Gumba Lungdang. You will start your trek to Chhokangparo on your way towards Chumling. In a few hours of the hike, you will see a gho, a small white gompa. Then, you will descend the path and cross the bridge to reach Domje, a house known as a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic.
After crossing the Domje, you will have an ascending trail through the forest of pine, juniper, and rhododendron, and then you will also see the several main walls and prayer flags. After one climbing trail through the silver pine forest, you will reach Gumba Lungdung, the home of nuns. You can witness an intense puja during the evening. From this gompa, you can enjoy the astonishing views of the Himalayan range.
Gumba Lungdang – Ganesh Himal Base Camp - Gumba Lungdang
Today, you will have a hike day towards Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Before heading to this trek, make sure you have your guide with you because the pathway is poorly marked. You will start your hike after breakfast, then follow the dusty zigzag trail with the help of your guide. You will continue your walk through the rocky, indistinct trail through the forest and then cross the wooden bridge.
After crossing the wooden bridge at Laudang Khola, you will climb through the forest of pines and rhododendrons on a ridge. On the way, you follow the path behind the lateral moraine of the Toro Gompa glacier and then continue to walk through the past seasonal yak’s huts and moraine walls with beautiful views of the cirque of the Himalayas.
After 4 hours of walking from Gumba Lungdang, you will reach Ganesh Himal Base Camp. After witnessing the beauty of Ganesh Himal, you will explore the area and then head towards Gumba Lungdang. You will reach Gumba Lungdang in the evening, so you can witness the puja.
Gumba Lungdang – Lokpa
You will follow the descending trail, cross the lauding khola from Dumje, and walk on the bank of Shiar Khola. Then, you will climb some deep gorges and a cantilever bridge to picturesque Ripchet.
After a few hours of trekking, you will walk in the valley of barley, buckwheat, and oine forests. Then, you will descend on steep stairs to reach the river banks and then climb through the forest to reach Lokpa.
Lokpa – Jagat
After breakfast, you will start your trek towards Jagat on the descending trail towards Philim and the trek along the Budi Gandaki River. After a few ascend and descend trails, you will reach Philim, then walk towards the long suspension bridges. After crossing the long suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki River, you will reach Sirdibas and follow the trail passing through the small village. After a few hours of trekking on the rocky path, you will reach Jagat.
Jagat – Machha Khola
You will follow the same trail as before, where you will have a rocky path and a suspension bridge to descend through the forest to reach Yarbagar. Then, you will trek on the rocky trail through the forest and cross several small rivers to reach Machha Khola.
Machha Khola – Kathmandu (Drive – Private Transfer)
Today, you will drive back to Kathmandu in a private vehicle on the breathtaking journey along the Prithvi Highway as you pass through picturesque villages, terraced farms, and beautiful scenery. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be escorted towards your hotel.
Kathmandu (Departure)
Depending on your flight schedule, our representative will escort you towards the airport. Before your fight schedule starts, you may have some free time in Kathmandu for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
Why you'll love this trip
- Incredible panoramic views of Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, Boudha Himal, Himalchuli,
- The wonderful secret region that Milarepa and Guru Rinpoche explored to meditate in various caves.
- The speech, dress, and customs of the Tsumbas, who inhabit the Buri Gandaki valley, are almost exclusively Tibetan because they are of Tibetan descent.
- Explore Buddhist Mani walls, ancient Buddhist monasteries and nunneries, pictureque villages with traditional houses,
- The challenging, off-beaten trail onwards to Ganesh Himal Base Camp.
When To Visit
The spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) seasons are the ideal times to start the Tsum Valley trek. These times of year are perfect for trekking because of the generally consistent weather, which includes clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Rhododendrons and other wildflowers bloom in the spring, blowing the landscape into colorful blooms, while the autumn brings clear vistas of the neighboring Himalayan peaks. Additionally, these seasons avoid the monsoon rains of summer and the harsh winter conditions, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable trekking experience in this remote and stunning region of Nepal.
Cannot see your date or not satisfied with the itinerary? We may be able to add new trip dates.
Contact UsElevation Chart
FAQs for Tsum Valley Trek
Is the Tsum Valley trek difficult?
While the Tsum Valley trek is considered moderately challenging, it does involve several steep ascents and descents, as well as high-altitude terrain. Adequate physical fitness and acclimatization are essential for a successful and enjoyable trek.
What permits are required for the Tsum Valley trek?
Trekkers need to obtain two permits: the Restricted Area Permit and the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, to trek through the Tsum Valley region. These permits can be obtained through registered trekking agencies in Kathmandu or through the Nepal Tourism Board.
What is the accommodation like during the Tsum Valley trek?
Accommodation options along the Tsum Valley trek range from basic teahouses to homestays in local villages. While facilities may be simple, they offer a unique opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of the local communities.
Are there any health concerns or risks associated with the Tsum Valley trek?
Altitude sickness is a potential risk due to the high elevations reached during the trek. It’s essential for trekkers to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and be aware of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Additionally, trekking in remote areas may pose challenges in accessing medical facilities, so carrying a basic first-aid kit is advisable.
