Tsum Valley Trek- 15 Days

Flying into Kathmandu on a crystal clear day is itself a truly breathtaking experience. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, & begin a whole sequence of memorable experiences that stay with you for a really long time. Upon arrival, a representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Our team will assist you with the check-in process and provide an orientation about your daily activities. This will be your first overnight stay in the city of temples.

Early morning, after breakfast, the drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (870m) takes about eight/nine hours. You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day; after Malekhu, you turn towards the hill bazaar of Dhading Bensi. After Dhading, the road is still good up to Salyantar but quite narrow. After Salyantar, the road is bumpy and dusty, but the beautiful scenery and villages will make your day memorable. You will reach your destination, Machha Khola, late in the afternoon. There is a small market with a few shops, lodges, and donkeys that are kept there. Stay your first night in the mountains in Machha Khola.

You cross the Machha Khola [Fish Stream] and head upstream to the tiny village of Khorla Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley sides are steep until they are impassable, and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path, you reach the single teahouse at Doban. Above Doban, the Budi Gandaki descends on an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, you cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where you stop for another night at mountain.

The trek from Jagat to Lokpa follows the Budhi Gandaki River, small villages, terraced fields, bamboo groves, and forests, which gives a glimpse of rural Nepali life. You will also see traditional mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags, which reflect the Buddhist Culture.

On the way, you will see the beautiful views of peaceful mountains. After a few hours, you will reach Lokpa village, where we will stay overnight to rest. It is a small village with few teahouses.

After a delicious breakfast at the teahouse in Lokpa, we head to Chumling. We descend into the Lungwa River valley. After that, you climb through quiet forests of pine and rhododendron, which offer a peaceful hike. The trails follow through a quiet forest, up and down, crossing some small suspension bridges, mani walls, and chortens.

The path is remote with no villages or teahouse in between. After a few hours, you cross the Syar Khola (a river) via a suspension bridge to reach Chumling village. Chumbling is a small, spiritual village located in the Tsum Valley. You can also visit three monasteries: Panago Gumba, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gumba. We can also see Ganesh Himal on a clear day.

From Chumling, we trek to Chhokangparo. Upper Tsum valley (part of the Inner Himalaya) opens from Chhokangparo. Chhekamparo is a village situated on flat land and made up of two settlements, Chhekam and Paro.

From the valley, the Ganesh Himal range can be seen directly to the south, where it provides superb views of the Baudha and Himal Chuli peaks to the south-west. Some households in this village practice polyandry.

From Chhokangparo, we trek to Nile. This is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum Valley. Nile is on the western, sun-side of the Shiar Khola.

On the way, we pass the Piren Phu cave. Piren Phu (pigeon cave) is one of the most sacred caves in the Tsum Valley. It is located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. Milarepa, the famous Tibetan saint, was believed to have meditated here. There are two separate gumbas attached to the rocky cave. Richly painted Buddhist murals, excellent artistic scripts carved on stones, long prayer flags, and significant Buddhists paper scripts make this cave one of the most important socio-cultural assets in the valley. Fantastic views can be had of the Shiar Khola, Rachen Gumba, the mountains, and settlements amidst huge agricultural land.

From the Nile, the trail gradually ascends to Mu gumba, the largest monastery in the region. Mu Gumba is located at the highest and farthest point in the Tsum Valley. Mu Gumba was established in 1895 AD and is situated at an altitude of 3510m. The monastery houses religious books, including Kangyur, a life-sized statue of Avalokiteśvara, and images of Guru Padmasambhava and Tara.

Dephyudonma Gumba is one of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley and is situated in the rugged mountains, a 2 hr walk from the village of Nile. The history of this monastery is directly associated with the dawn of Buddhism in the valley. Lama Serap of Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sect runs the monastery. 

Enjoy a restful day exploring the spiritual heart of the Upper Tsum Valley. Visit the ancient Mu Gompa Monastery, interact with resident monks, and learn about the region’s rich Buddhist heritage. An optional hike to nearby viewpoints offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and the Tibetan borderlands. This extra day allows you to fully experience the unique culture and peaceful atmosphere of this remote mountain sanctuary.

From Mu Gumba we take the trail to Chhokangparo via Rachen Gompa, the path walks us through pine meadow and forest, offering a scenic view of Ganesh Himal and surrounding peaks. You rest at Rachen Gompa, a peaceful, remote monastery that reflects the Buddhist architecture.

After resting, the path descends into a narrow valley and passes through small traditional villages. We reach our destination, Chhokangparo village, which is a small village that provides a warm welcome and is perfect for resting. We spend our night at the teahouse in Chhonkangparo.

After a delicious breakfast at Chhhokangparo, we start our trek to Lokpa, the path descends through quiet forests of rhododendron and pine. We rest at Ripchet, a small settlement with beautiful views of Ganesh Hima.

The journey continues down remote valleys and riversides until we reach Lokpa. We stay overnight at the teahouse in Lokpa. This route is scenic, culturally rich, and quite remote, requiring proper permits and, ideally, a guide for a safe and enjoyable trek.

From Lokpa to Yaruphant:  The trail gradually gains height through pine, bamboo, and rhododendron forests, with beautiful sights of the Budhi Gandaki River valley and surrounding mountains. Along the way, you pass small villages, terraced fields, and suspension bridges, experiencing the traditional Tibetan-Buddhist culture. Yaruphant is a peaceful village with a few teahouses. We will stay overnight at the teahouse.

The trek from Yaruphant to Machha Khola follows a scenic trail with a mix of gentle descents, short climbs, and riverside paths. Passing through the small village of Khursane and several beautiful waterfalls, the route continues via Labubesi before following the Budhi Gandaki River through forests and terraced fields. The day concludes at Machha Khola, a lively village where you will spend the night in a local teahouse.

After completing the Tsum Valley Trek, we drive back to Kathmandu from Machha Khola. The journey follows scenic mountain roads alongside rivers, terraced hillsides, and traditional villages, offering one last glimpse of the beautiful landscapes of the Manaslu region. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel for some well-deserved rest.

In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner hosted by Higher Limits Trek, where you can celebrate the successful completion of your adventure, share memories with fellow trekkers, and experience authentic Nepali hospitality.

Today marks the end of your unforgettable Tsum Valley adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to explore Kathmandu, shop, or relax before your departure.

Our team will transfer you to the airport and assist with your onward journey. As we farewell, we hope the memories of the Himalayas, the warm hospitality of the local people, and the incredible landscapes will stay with you for years to come. We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure with Higher Limits Trek in the upcoming days.