The Tsum Valley opened to trekkers in 2008. Before that, the valley was entirely off-limits to outsiders, which is one reason it remains what it is today: a functioning Tibetan Buddhist community with ancient monasteries, sky burial sites, centuries-old mani walls, and a population, the Tsumba, who have maintained their language, dress, and religious practices with minimal outside influence. The valley sits north of Ganesh Himal, east of Manaslu, tucked against the Nepal-Tibet border. It is remote by design and by geography.
The 16-day trek enters the Tsum Valley from the main Budhi Gandaki corridor, branching northeast at Philim, and climbs through Chhokang Paro, Nile, and the upper valley villages to Mu Gompa at 3,700m, the valley's largest monastery and centre of Nyingma Buddhism. Rachen Gompa, a notable nunnery, is another key destination. The landscape is dramatic in a way that is entirely its own: narrow gorges widening into high alpine meadows, mani walls measuring hundreds of metres, and the constant backdrop of glaciated peaks on the Tibet border above. The return follows the same valley out.
The Tsum Valley is a restricted area requiring its own separate permit, distinct from the Manaslu circuit permits. A licensed guide is mandatory throughout. This is the right trip for trekkers seeking one of the most culturally intact Himalayan valleys accessible to outsiders, with no interest in high-altitude pass crossings. For a combined Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley itinerary, see our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek (23 days), or browse our Manaslu region trekking page.
Duration: 16 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu) | Max Altitude: ~3,700m (Mu Gompa) | Trek Grade: Moderate to Strenuous — restricted area, licensed guide mandatory | Best Season: October-November, March-May | Permits Required: Tsum Valley RAP, MCAP, TIMS Card — licensed guide required
Meet our representative at the airport who will transfer you to the Hotel. Hotel checking-in and go for sightseeing tour. Overnight in Kathmandu.
After breakfast process for the UNISCO Heritage Sightseeing tour. Visit Swyambhunath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan city, Khokana Village and after sight-seeing tour, transfer you back to hotel. Overnight Kathmandu.
Early morning drive on the Kathmandu Pokhara Highway till Malekhu. Enjoy the countryside views and the long range Himalayas along the way. We cross the Trisuli River and drive north to Dhading Besi, Golabhanjyan, and Salyantaar. Spectacular views of Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu and other villages in the hilly terrace. Thus, we reach Aarught in Budhi Gandaki Valley. Aarught Bazar is a major town of Northern Gorkha. After crossing the newly constructed bridge over Budhi Gandaki, drive till Soti Khola. Overnight in a guesthouse.
We follow the trekking trails through the banks of Budhi Gandaki River. The trail is new, built by GTZ project. Before 1996, the trail was very narrow with many ups and down. Nowadays the trail is full of horses and donkeys carrying goods for the local people. There are suspended bridges along the small streams. Trek through the nature and villages like Khursanibari and Lapubesi. Minor ups and downs to the Machhakhola. After crossing the Machha Khola(a small river)we follow the narrow trail on the left bank of Budhi Gandaki through the nature and Khorlabesi village. At the place called Tatopani, we’ll enjoy the hot spring spout Budi Gandaki Valley Overnight in a guesthouse.
We cross Budhi Gandaki and head to Dobhan. The path is rocky in the narrow ridge with full of nature on the both sides of the Budhi Gandaki River. We climb steep up to Thado Bharyang and to Yaru Fant and Syauli. The valley gets wider and we pass through the stoned paved path crossing a suspended bridge over in Budhi Gandaki once more today before reaching Jagat. Jagat doesh have MCAP check point. We continue through a beautiful village in the banks of Budi Gandaki Sirdibas, Water operated mills in Ghatte khola is very much impressive we again cross the Suspended Bridge over Budi Gandaki and steep up to Philim village on the ridge, one the right side we can see beautiful looking school building build by Japanese climbers. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Heading left to Philim we can see beautyfull waterfakll on the other side of Budi Gandaki and and cultivated zone is very much mesmerizing, we rech yeklebhatti and continiue to Chisapani via pine and rhododendron forests, the views of Himalchuli mountains at 7893m and Boudha Himal from Lokpa, are impressive Pass Lokpa, descend half an hour towards Lungwa khola and climbing ups and downs difficult trail additional two hours north through pines and rhododendrons we reach Gumlung. Then Crossing the Siyar Khola, finally reach your destination at Chumling, from where we can view Shringi Himal. Visit the old Chumling gompa, and the pebble streets of the village.
We Cross the suspended bridge onto the opposite bank. Enjoy the great views of Ganesh Himal. Walk past Rainjam to Serpu Khola crossing again bridge then arrive at the Gho Village. Continues 2 hours climb to Tsum takes us to the village of Chhekangparo. If Weather is clear, enjoy the views of Himalchuli at 7893 meters and Ganesh Himal at7140m. Overnight at Chhekhangparo.
While climbing above Chhekhangparo, better to be careful of altitude problems. Walk past Lamagaon crossing rope suspension bridge to the Rachen Gompa, which is also well known as Nunnery Gompa too. We make a small visit and then we cross the Shiar Khola. Continue walking through the well managed villages Lar (micro hydro power), Phurbe and Pangdun. Leaving old historic Stupa of Bhudda in a way crossing the village of Chhule, climb upstream and cross the bridge to finally arrive at Nile. If you consider we can make your visit to a illustrious monastery of Chhule which is located in the top of area .
The Tibetan border is not far from here. Walk to the west bank of the valley through the Tibetan landscapes. Climb up to the Mu Gompa. We also visit the monastery. Then after, we make a visit to the Dhephu Doma Gompa.
We Trek back through Chhule and Phurbe, on the east bank of the Shyar Khola. Finally we arrive at Burgi village. The Burgi village is a small beautiful village. Climb up to the Milarepa's Cave Milarepa Cave (piren phu) is known for its thrilling glimpses of Poshyop Glacier, Kipu Himal and Churke himal.
As we trek continue, the greenery of nature and descend down to Chhokang Paro again. Continue descending to Gho. Descending further, we arrive at the bridge above the Sarpu Khola. Trekking along the lower Tsum Valley takes you to again Chumling.
The trail continues to Lokpa. After lunch south on a flat trail we move ahead. Enjoy the gorgeous Samba Falls. Finally arrive at Philim after 6 or 7 hours long trekking. A trail passes through the Phillim village that leads to the Ganesh Himal Base Camp too.
We start trek to Khorlabesi via Jagat and Tatopani. move down down to Sirdibas and we finally reach to Jagat. Further descend takes us to Yaruphant. The dry Tibetan climate now gives way to subtropical green vegetation. The trek continues to Dobhan. Finally arrive at Tatopani. There is a hot spring at Tatopani. If paying attention, you may dip yourself in the hot spring and relax your tired muscles by wet through yourself in the hot spring. If not continue walking up and down from Tatopani to reach Khorlabesi, our rest place for the day.
/li>The trekking trails cross the Thado Khola flowing in a rocky gorge. Head down again to the river and traverse to Machha Khola village. We trek along the Budhi Gandaki River to reach to Gurung village of Labubesi. We Pass the two waterfalls on a vertical rocky trail on the side of a cliff. We then reach Khursane. Walk along the ridge above Budhi Gandaki and cross the Sal forests. Finally, cross the bridge to arrive at Soti Khola.
Drive back to Kathamndu via Aarught,villages on both sides of road makes you exited. In Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel, the day at leisure to rest, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping or explore any sights you missed during your first day in Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Morning, you will be free. Afternoon we will drop you to the Kathmandu International Airport for the departure flight to home.
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When was the Tsum Valley opened to trekkers?
The Tsum Valley was officially opened to trekkers in 2008. It remains a restricted area requiring a separate Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, obtainable only through a registered Nepali trekking agency.
What are the main monasteries in the Tsum Valley?
Mu Gompa (3,700m) is the valley's largest monastery and centre of Nyingma Buddhism. Rachen Gompa is a notable nunnery. Both are active religious institutions with resident monks and nuns.
What permits are needed?
Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (separate from the Manaslu RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and TIMS card. A licensed guide is mandatory. All permits are arranged in Kathmandu before departure.
Can I combine this with the full Manaslu Circuit?
Yes. Our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek (23 days) combines the full circuit crossing Larkya La Pass with the Tsum Valley detour into one continuous itinerary.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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