The highest point of the trek: a quiet monastery at the head of the valley, close to the Tibetan border.
Nunneries and monasteries built into the hillside, with a living tradition of prayer.
Known to Tibetans as a beyul, a refuge for meditation. Pilgrims still walk the valley.
A cave linked with the Tibetan saint Milarepa, reached near the upper villages.
Villages with long mani walls, chortens and prayer wheels, and a calm, non-violent way of life; lodge meals are mostly vegetarian.
Snow peaks rise above the terraces and barley fields along the trail.
The first part of the walk follows the same dramatic river canyon as the Manaslu route.
Staying mostly below 3,800 m gives a gentler profile than higher treks, but the valley is still far from roads.
The Tsum Valley sits behind the Budhi Gandaki gorge, north of the Manaslu region, and was closed to visitors until the 2000s. Its people, the Tsumba, keep much of Tibetan culture, from stone houses to monasteries and festivals.
The trek starts with the road to Machha Khola and a few days of climbing beside the river. After Lokpa you enter the valley itself, where the trail passes through Chumling, Chhokangparo and Nile on its way to Mu Gompa. A rest day at the top gives time to visit monasteries or take a short hike.
The return follows a slightly different route through Rachen Gompa and Domje, then down to Philim and the road. Altitudes stay lower than on many Himalayan treks, but the trails are steep and rough, so a good level of fitness is needed.
| Duration | 16 days including arrival and departure days in Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Kathmandu, by road to Machha Khola; same road back at the end |
| Highest point | Mu Gompa, about 3,700 m |
| Distance | Roughly 100 to 150 km on foot |
| Walking per day | About 4 to 7 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate; steep, rough trails and some long days, but no technical sections |
| Best seasons | March to May and September to November |
| Accommodation | Simple teahouse lodges with shared bathrooms |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups |
| Permits | Usually a Tsum Valley restricted-area permit and a Manaslu Conservation Area permit; a licensed guide and normally a minimum of 2 travellers are required. We arrange them. |
Meet our team at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest and meet your guide.
Meals: depend on your hotel planGear check, permit paperwork and a short briefing before the trek. Time for a little sightseeing.
Meals: depend on your hotel planA long drive on winding roads through Arughat and Soti Khola to the trailhead beside the Budhi Gandaki.
Drive: about 7 to 9 hoursWalk up the gorge with bridges, waterfalls and the hot springs at Tatopani. Permits are checked at Jagat.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursClimb past Philim, then leave the main Manaslu trail and head up the Siyar valley, with the first Tsum scenery.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursCross suspension bridges and pass mani walls to Chumling, the first village in the valley.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursClimb through forest and wide terraced fields with views of the Ganesh Himal range.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursVisit the monastery area and follow the valley to Nile, the last permanent settlement in the upper valley.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursA short, rewarding day to the monastery, with prayer wheels and a view toward the border.
Walking: 4 to 5 hoursExplore the monastery, meet the monks or take an optional hike higher up the valley before descending tomorrow.
Walking: 0 to 4 hours, optionalDescend through Nile and Chhule to the nunnery at Rachen, one of the best-known religious sites of the valley.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursWalk down through villages and past Dhephyudonma monastery to the lower valley.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursContinue the descent to the Budhi Gandaki and rejoin the main trail at Philim.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursFollow the river back down through Tatopani and Khorlabesi to the roadhead.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursLong drive back to the capital. Hot shower, farewell dinner and a comfortable bed.
Drive: about 7 to 9 hoursTransfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: breakfast, depending on hotel planAltitudes and walking times vary between sources and with trail conditions. Landslides can delay the drive, so please keep a spare day or two before your international flight. Your guide may adjust stops depending on weather and your pace.
It is moderate. The altitude stays under about 3,800 m, but the trail is steep and rough in places, with days of up to seven hours. Reasonable fitness and some hill training are enough.
Yes. Tsum Valley is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is required and a minimum of two travellers is usually needed. You also need a conservation area permit. We arrange the paperwork.
Autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are the best seasons. Winter is cold and some lodges close, and the monsoon brings mud and landslides.
The risk is lower than on higher routes, but it is still possible above 3,000 m. The schedule rises gradually and includes a rest day at Mu Gompa. Tell your guide about any symptoms.
Dal bhat, noodles, soups, Tibetan bread and potatoes. Many valley lodges serve vegetarian meals because of local Buddhist beliefs.
Basic rooms with beds and blankets, shared toilets and a warm dining room. Charging and hot showers may cost extra, and electricity can be limited.
Yes. Your policy should cover trekking to at least 4,000 m, medical costs and emergency evacuation. Send us the details before you travel.
Dress modestly, walk clockwise around mani walls and chortens, ask before taking photos and speak quietly. Your guide will explain local customs.
Yes. We run private departures and small groups, so you can choose your dates and pace within the permit rules.
There are no ATMs in the valley. Bring Nepali rupees for drinks, snacks, showers, charging, donations and tips.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details, and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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Fill in your details, and we will confirm availability. A 20% deposit secures your booking. Prices are per person and the final price is confirmed by us.
