Overview
The Tsum Valley Trek leads into one of Nepal’s least touched corners, a valley kept closed to outsiders until 2008 and still known to locals as a beyul, a hidden valley blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself.”
Highlights
- Closed to outsiders until 2008 — one of Nepal's least touched valleys
- Visit Mu Gompa (3,700m), the highest point of the trek and an important monastery
- See Milarepa's Cave, where the Buddhist poet is said to have meditated
- Explore Rachen Gompa, a working nunnery
- Enjoy views of Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli
- Walk through villages where killing animals has been banned for generations
- Experience one of Nepal's quietest trails, with fewer than 2,000 trekkers a year
Itinerary
The Tsum Valley Trek leads into one of Nepal's least touched corners, a valley kept closed to outsiders until 2008 and still known to locals as a beyul, a hidden valley blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself. Tucked behind the Ganesh and Sringi Himal ranges in the northern part of Gorkha district, the valley's centuries-old ban on hunting and killing animals still shapes daily life here.
The journey begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola or Soti Khola, then follows the Buri Gandaki river through Jagat, where permits are checked, before turning north into the valley itself. The trek branches off the Manaslu Circuit at Lokpa and follows the Shiar Khola upstream through Chumling, Chhokangparo, and Nile to Mu Gompa at 3,700 metres, passing Milarepa's Cave and the Rachen Gompa nunnery along the way. Stone houses, mani walls, and prayer flags appear at every turn throughout the valley.
This trek is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and no prior high-altitude experience, since the maximum altitude stays below 3,700 metres. It combines remote Tibetan Buddhist culture, dramatic mountain scenery, and one of the quietest trails in the Manaslu region, making it one of Nepal's most rewarding restricted-area treks.
Permits for this trek are issued under Nepal's Department of Immigration Trekking Permit system, alongside the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit.
If you have more time, consider combining this with our Manaslu Circuit Trek and for a similarly remote restricted-area trek, see our Upper Mustang Trek."
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where our representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you'll receive a short trek briefing and have time to prepare for the adventure.
Drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway before turning off toward Arughat and continuing to Soti Khola or Machha Khola, the small riverside village where the trek begins.
Follow the Buri Gandaki river upstream through forest and terraced farmland to Jagat, where your permits are checked before continuing further into the restricted area.
Continue along a narrow trail cut into the cliffside above the river, reaching the small village of Lokpa where the route splits off from the main Manaslu Circuit.
Turn north off the Manaslu Circuit and climb into Tsum Valley itself, reaching the village of Chumling and its small monastery.
Continue deeper into the valley through pine and rhododendron forest, passing mani walls and chortens on the way to Chhokangparo.
Walk through increasingly Tibetan-feeling villages with views of Ganesh Himal opening up, reaching the village of Nile.
Climb to Mu Gompa at 3,700 metres, the highest point of the trek and one of the valley's most important monasteries, where you spend the night.
Spend the day exploring the area around Mu Gompa, with visits to Milarepa's Cave, where the Buddhist poet is said to have meditated, and the Rachen Gompa nunnery.
Retrace your steps back down the valley, enjoying the descent through forest and past the villages visited on the way up.
Continue the descent back toward Lokpa, rejoining the main Manaslu Circuit trail.
Follow the narrow cliffside trail back down along the Buri Gandaki river to Jagat.
Trek the final stretch back to Soti Khola or Machha Khola, then drive back to Kathmandu, with the evening free to relax or explore Thamel.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Two nights' hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
- Private vehicle or tourist bus transportation between Kathmandu and Soti Khola/Machha Khola
- Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide Porter service (shared basis)
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek Full-board meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek Guide's salary, insurance, accommodation, and meals First aid medical kit
- Government taxes and service charges
The Cost Excludes
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa fees
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Personal trekking equipment
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging, and laundry
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Tips for guides and porters
- Personal expenses
- Emergency rescue or helicopter evacuation
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This trek is graded moderate. The trickiest section is the narrow, cliff-cut trail between Jagat and Lokpa, but there is nothing technical about the route, and good fitness is enough to complete it comfortably.
The highest point is Mu Gompa at 3,700 metres, which is low enough that serious altitude sickness is uncommon on this trek.
Mild symptoms such as headaches or difficulty sleeping are possible, but serious altitude sickness is rare at this height. Taking the trek at a steady pace is enough for most trekkers.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best times to go. The valley also sits partly in a rain shadow, so monsoon trekking is workable here too.
Yes, Trekkers need a Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit and a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), both of which can only be arranged through a registered trekking agency.
Yes, a guide is mandatory for this restricted area. Nepal law also requires a minimum group size of two trekkers — solo permits do not exist for Tsum Valley.
