Tsum Valley Trek
- Duration
- 16 days
- Max altitude
- 3,700 m
- Difficulty
-
Strenuous
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $1,310.00
Overview
A side valley off the Manaslu circuit that was closed to outsiders until 2008. A Buddhist enclave with its own dialect, its own monasteries and a long-standing local ban on hunting, which is why you still see blue sheep from the trail.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- Mu and Rachen gompas
- A valley closed to visitors until 2008
- Wildlife protected by local custom, not law
- Can be combined with the Manaslu circuit
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and transfer to your hotel 1,400 m Hotel
One of our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drives you to your hotel in a private vehicle. In the afternoon, the pre-trip meeting at our office with your trekking guide.
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Day 2: Drive to Machha Khola (869 m) via Soti Khola, 9 to 10 hours 869 m Teahouse B/L/D
About three hours on paved road to Dhading Besi, then five to seven hours on a bumpy, winding dirt road through Soti Khola to Machha Khola, nine to ten hours in all. We send a private 4WD with an experienced driver.
-
Day 3: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m) 1,340 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Across the Machha Khola and through Khorlabesi, past the small hot spring at Tatopani, then through forest to Dovan above the Budhi Gandaki, whose rapids and gorge change character as you climb, to the stone-paved village of Jagat.
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Day 4: Trek to Lokpa (2,240 m) 2,240 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Over a rocky ridge to Salleri, down to Sirdibas, then up the widening valley past Ghatta Khola to the Gurung village of Philim. North through forest to Chisapani, across the gorge to a waterfall, then into pine and rhododendron forest and on to Lokpa at the entrance to the Tsum Valley.
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Day 5: Trek to Chumling (2,386 m) 2,386 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A tiring day of ups and downs: down to the Lungwa Khola, up through pine forest to Gumlung, then across the Siyar Khola to Chumling in the lower Tsum Valley, known for its gompa and stone-paved lanes.
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Day 6: Trek to Chhokhang Paro (3,031 m) 3,031 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Over a suspension bridge and along the far bank with views of Ganesh Himal, through Rainjam to the Serpu Khola, across another bridge to Gho, and two more hours up into the upper Tsum Valley at Chhokhang Paro.
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Day 7: Trek to Nile (3,361 m) via Rachen Gompa 3,361 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Past Lamagaon and over a bridge to Rachen Gompa, the nunnery, then back to the trail through Lar, Phurbe and Pangdun and their monasteries, across the last bridge to Nile. The monastery at Chhule nearby is worth a visit once you have rested.
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Day 8: Trek to Mu Gompa (3,700 m) 3,700 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse or monastery guesthouse B/L/D
Up the west bank of the valley through Tibetan-looking country towards the border to Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the valley.
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Day 9: Rest and exploration day at Mu Gompa (3,700 m) 3,700 m Teahouse or monastery guesthouse B/L/D
A day to explore Mu Gompa and the high, remote country around it at the top of the valley. Strong walkers can go further up towards the base of Pika Himal and come back to sleep at Mu.
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Day 10: Trek to Burgi (3,245 m) via Milarepa's cave 3,245 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Back down through Chhule and Phurbe, then along the east bank of the Shiar Khola to the small village of Burgi and up to Milarepa's cave, with views of Kipu Himal, Churke Himal and the Poshyop glacier.
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Day 11: Trek back to Chumling (2,386 m) 2,386 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down through pine and rhododendron forest to Chhokhang Paro and on to Chumling in the lower valley.
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Day 12: Trek to Philim (1,570 m) 1,570 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down to Lokpa and out of the Tsum Valley, past the waterfalls, to Philim.
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Day 13: Trek to Khorlabesi (970 m) 970 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A long descent through Sirdibas, Jagat, Yaruphant and Dovan as the dry upper valley gives way to subtropical green, past the hot spring at Tatopani for a soak if you want one, to Khorlabesi.
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Day 14: Trek to Machha Khola (869 m) 869 m 2-3 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A short last walk of two to three hours beside the Budhi Gandaki, mostly downhill and over suspension bridges, to Machha Khola, the end of the trek, with the afternoon free.
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Day 15: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), 9 to 10 hours 1,400 m Hotel B/D
Nine to ten hours by private vehicle, on rough road as far as Dhading Besi and a mountain highway after that. In the evening, a farewell dinner with your guide and one of our office team.
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Day 16: Departure 1,400 m B
Our airport representative takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $1,570.00 | Comfortfrom $1,852.60 | Luxuryfrom $2,276.50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Two nights in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu with twin-sharing rooms and breakfast (single rooms at extra cost)
- Included: Twin-sharing or dormitory lodge accommodation on the trek for 13 nights
- Included: All standard meals on the trek, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seasonal fruit
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: Purified drinking water on the trek, by filter or purification tablets
- Included: Airport pickup and drop-off
- Included: Private 4WD from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (869 m) and back
- Included: Restricted Area Permit for the Tsum Valley
- Included: Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Included: Chumnubri Rural Municipality local permit
- Included: An experienced, government-licensed, English-speaking guide
- Included: One porter for every two travellers, carrying up to 25 kg between you
- Included: Fair wages, meals, accommodation, equipment, insurance and medical support for all staff
- Included: Medical supplies, an oximeter, water purification and altitude medicine carried by your guide, who checks everyone regularly
- Included: Warm jacket and sleeping bag on loan for the trek (3 to 4 kg)
- Included: A 70-litre duffel bag for each traveller
- Included: Tsum Valley trek map, company T-shirt and cap
- Included: Trek completion certificate
- Included: All government taxes, permits and service charges
Not included
- Not included: Meals (lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu
- Not included: International flight fare and airport departure tax
- Not included: Nepal Entry Visa (Visa can be acquired easily after your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with a fee of USD 30 for 15 days visa, USD 50 for 30 days visa and USD 125 for 90 days visa)
- Not included: Travel insurance along with high-altitude emergency evacuation coverage
- Not included: Any beverages including bottled and boiled water
- Not included: Tips to trekking staff and driver
- Not included: Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Not included: Any expenses other than the Price Include section
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
The Tsum Valley is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is mandatory and the permit is applied for through a registered agency, which we do for you. Since March 2026 the permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person to go.
The drives in and out are long, nine to ten hours each way, with the last part on a rough dirt road above Dhading Besi that can be slow after rain.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $1,570.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $1,310.00 | $260.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $1,230.00 | $340.00 |
| 7 or more | $1,155.00 | $415.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Why book with us
Every trail, one licensed team
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