Tsum Valley Trek

Drive Route: Kathmandu → Naubise → Malekhu → Dhading Besi → Jyamire → Arughat Bazaar → Soti Khola → Machha Khola
Beginning Point: Kathmandu (1400 m/4593 ft)
Ending Point: Machha Khola (869 m/2851 ft)
Lunch: Jyamire or on the way
Kathmandu to Machha Khola Distance: 160 km (100 miles)
Total Descent: 531 meters (1742 ft) from Kathmandu
Overnight: Machha Khola

Our trekking to Tsum Valley starts from Kathmandu via Prithvi Highway, along the Trishuli River. After driving for about 3-4 hours, you will reach Dhading Besi, from where we will leave Prithvi Highway and take on a gravelled road to Machha Khola.

After driving for about an hour from Dhading Besi, your bus driver will stop around Jyamire village for lunch. If you are diving in a private vehicle, you can ask the driver to stop anywhere for a short break, lunch, or to witness a beautiful view of the Trishuli River, jungles, Ganesh Himal, local villages, temples, gumbas, etc.

Once we have had our lunch, we will continue driving to Machha Khola via various local villages. On the way, you will pass villages like Arughat, Arkhet, Soti Khola, and many more.

Also, you will be able to see a beautiful jungle view and the local market situated on the bank of the Budi Gandaki River. Roads passing by local villages and jungle is going to be a different experience.

Finally, after driving for about 3-4 hours, we will reach Machha Khola, where we will stay overnight.

About Machha Khola

Machha Khola is a beautiful village on the way to Tsum Valley. The village, situated at an elevation of 930 meters (3051 ft), offers an excellent view of the Budi Gandaki River.

There are about 30-40 local houses in the villages, local temples and a small local market. There is also a police station, school, and Dharche Rural Municipality Executive Office.

Teahouses in Machha Khola

• 8-10 teahouses
• Wi-Fi, electricity, in-room charging plug, etc. are available
• Some teahouses have attached bathrooms and hot shower
• Private and shared rooms with twin beds are available
• Food from menu

Meal : Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 7-8 hours drive

Trek Route: Machha Khola → Tatopani → Dobhan → Yuru Khola → Jagat
Beginning Point: Machha Khola (869 m/2851 ft)
Ending Point: Jagat (1340 m/4396 ft)
Lunch: Dobhan
Machha Khola to Jagat Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Total Ascent: 471 meters (1545 ft) from Machha Khola
Overnight: Jagat

From day 2 only our actual trekking starts.

After having a delicious breakfast in the teahouse, we will begin trekking to Jagat at around 8 am.

At first, we need to cross a suspension bridge and then walk to Khorlabesi. After walking for about an hour, covering about 6 km, on a sloppy uphill route, we will reach Tatopani village. There is a small hot spring. If you wish to, you can take a dip and relax for a while.

Then, we will continue to walk along the Budi Gandaki River on off-road for another 1 hour (3 km) to reach Dobhan. Dobhan is our lunch station for today.

Once you arrive at Dobhan, you need to order your lunch. While your lunch is being prepared, you can visit around the village and interact with the locals.

After having lunch and spending a couple of hours, we will now head towards Jagat via Yuru Khola. We need to cross a suspension bridge again here in Yuru Khola.

Jagat is around 10 km away from Dobhan, which takes about 2.5-3 hours to cover. We will be staying overnight in Jagat.

About Dobhan

Dobhan is a small village situated at an elevation of 1070 meters. The village is located at the bank of Budi Gandaki River, offering an appealing river view and dense forest view.

There are about 3-4 basic teahouses offering Dal Bhat and other basic foods. The teahouses do not have attached rooms or Wi-Fi and have bucket showers.

About Jagat

Jagat is an important village in the Tsum Valley Trekking. The village is the entry point for various treks in the Manaslu region, including the famous Manaslu Circuit Trek. It is also a checkpoint for the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, as Jagat is the starting point of the Manaslu Conservation Area.

There are about 40 local houses around here. Additionally, you can see mani walls all along the village, local temples, and an awe-inspiring view of Shringi Himal and lush forest. There is also a waterfall nearby, where you can go and take a bath.

Teahouses in Jagat

• 5-7 teahouses
• Attached bathroom, Wi-Fi, hot shower and water, electricity, etc., are available
• Food from menu
• Neat and clean accommodation
• Charging plug in-room is available

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 6-7 hours walk

Trek Route: Jagat → Philim → Chisopani → Lokpa
Beginning Point: Jagat (1340 m/4396 ft)
Ending Point: Lokpa (2240 m/7349 ft)
Lunch: Philim
Jagat to Lokpa Distance: 10-12 km (6.2-7.4 miles)
Total Ascent: 900 meters (2953 ft) from Jagat
Overnight: Lokpa

Day 3 of this trek is quite interesting, as you can witness a jaw-dropping mountain view, with people engaged in traditional farming and other activities.

After savouring a delicious breakfast in Jagat, we will begin our trek on a gentle upslope route. You will be walking along the view of the Budi Gandaki River.

With just an hour’s hike, the first village you will see is Salleri. You can stop here for a few moments for a tea/coffee. Just before reaching Salleri, after crossing a suspension bridge, the path takes on a gentle uphill trail.

Then, with an additional 1-2 hours hike (about 3 km), we will reach Philim Village. It is going to be a lunch station for today. Philim is a popular and important village en route to the “Hidden Valley” of Tsum.

Now that you have rejuvenated, we will continue our trek to Lokpa via Chisapani.

Chisapani is a very good spot for river views. It is about 3 km away from Philim, about an hour’s hike. From Chisapani, Lokpa is just 5 km away, which takes about 2 hours to cover.

The route after Chisapani is very enjoyable and a bit challenging as you will have to hike a slightly uphill and a route on the cliff of the mountain. Though the route is on the cliff, it is wide and comfortable to walk.

Just before reaching Lokpa, there is a long suspension bridge from where you can go on Manaslu Circuit Trek.

We are going to spend the night in Lokpa for today.

About Philim

Philim is one of the lively villages on the way to Tsum Valley. The village is situated at an elevation of 1570 meters (5151 ft), offering a breathtaking view of Shringi Himal. It is also a regional headquarters for Manaslu and Tsum Valley.

There is also a checkpoint where the Tsum Restricted Permit is checked and an MCAP visitor centre. Additionally, there are banks, post offices, Chyoling Sandu Gumba, local monasteries, etc. that you can visit. The village is also known for the Gurung community and their culture.

Teahouses in Philim

• 8-10 basic teahouses
• Food from the menu (usually prepared from local products)
• Rooms with attached bathroom and hot shower
• Wi-Fi, hot water, electricity, etc. are available

About Lokpa

Lokpa (2240 m/7349 ft) is another beautiful village in the middle of the jungle, offering alluring jungle views along the Budi Gandaki River. From the village, you can see a great view of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.

There is a local temple, mani wall, stupa, etc. that you can visit. Further, you can experience Tibetan culture and communicate with Tibetan people.

Teahouses in Lokpa

• 2-3 simple teahouses
• Private and shared rooms with bathroom outside the room
• Wi-Fi, electricity, hot water, and a bucket shower are available
• Simple Nepali cuisine is available
• Centrally heated dining hall

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 5-6 hours walk

Trek Route: Lokpa → Sardi Danda → Chumling
Beginning Point: Lokpa (2240 m/7349 ft)
Ending Point: Chumling (2385 m/7825 ft)
Lunch: Chumling
Lokpa to Chumling Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Total Ascent: 145meters (476 ft) from Lokpa
Overnight: Chumling

Day 4 is one of the most exciting days of our trek. As of this day, the actual wild and remote route to Tsum Valley commences.

After having breakfast, we start our trek on a steep upward path to Sardi Danda. The section of the trek is particularly challenging for the trekkers.

After walking for nearly 4 hours, covering about 5-6 km, we will reach Sardi Danda. The path after Sardi Danda then takes a steep downward trail.

After walking down the hill for about 2 hours, covering almost 3 km, you will reach Chumling. There are no teahouses in between Lokpa and Chumling. So, you will have lunch and stay overnight in Chumling itself.

Despite the challenging path, the 4th day of trekking offers an astonishing view of the alpine forest and river and a few sheds on the way.

About Chumling

Chumling is a small village on the route to Tsum. The village, situated at an elevation of 2385 meters (7825 ft), is comprised of about 10-15 local houses.

There is a viewpoint nearby, from where you can see excellent views of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal, as well as valleys and rivers. There is other micro hydropower, local Gumba and monasteries that you can explore.

Teahouses in Chumling

• 2-3 basic teahouses (homestay)
• Neat and clean accommodation with no attached bathroom
• Bucket shower is available
• Local foods like Dal Bhat, potatoes, local seasonal vegetables, etc., are available
• No Wi-Fi

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 4 hours walk

Trek Route: Chumling → Tumje → Chhekampar
Beginning Point: Chumling (2385 m/7825 ft)
Ending Point: Chhekampar (3030 m/9941 ft)
Lunch: Chhekampar
Chumling to Chhekampar Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Total Ascent: 645 meters (2116 ft) from Chumling
Overnight: Chhekampar

After having breakfast, the trek follows a sloppy uphill route. The trek route passes by lush jungle views, mani walls, and Buddhist prayer flags along the way.

After walking for about 1.5 hours, about 3 km, you will reach Tumje (Domje). There are 2-3 teashops/homestays serving basic food items. You can spend a few moments and rest here.

The route after Tumje, after crossing the Syar River, takes on a rather challenging, totally uphill path. After Tumje, no villages or teahouses are on the way until we reach Chhekampar, today’s destination. However, you can see stupas on the cliff.

Chhekampar is going to be our lunch and overnight station for the 5th day of Tsum Trek.

About Chhekampar

Chhekampar, also known as Chhokung Paro, is a remote picturesque village during the trek to Mu Gompa.

The village is situated at an elevation of 3030 meters (9941 ft) and has around 20-30 traditional houses made of mud and stone. The people living here are of Tibetan origin and follow Buddhism. These Tibetan people are generally engaged in seasonal crop farming and animal husbandry.

You can see mani walls, Buddhist flags, and prayer flags throughout the village, giving you a taste of Tibetan culture. Additionally, you can explore local gumbas and stupas nearby.

Teahouses in Chhekampar

• 3-4 basic teahouses (like homestay)
• Private and shared rooms with bathroom outside the room
• Wi-Fi and cellular networks for communication are available
• Bucket shower is available
• Local food prepared in “Daura Chulo”

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 4-5 hours walk

Trek Route: Chhekampar → Lamagaon → Nile
Beginning Point: Chhekampar (3030 m/9941 ft)
Ending Point: Nile (3360 m/11,024 ft)
Lunch: Lamagaon
Chhekampar to Nile Distance: 7 km (4.3 miles)
Total Ascent: 330 meters (1083 ft) from Chhekampar
Overnight: Nile

Day 6 is the most significant and exhilarating day of the trek. From here onwards, the actual Tsum Valley starts.

Today’s trek is easy, as you will need to walk for just around 3.5 hours, covering about 7 km.

After a delicious breakfast, we will walk for about 2-2.5 hours, about 5 km, on a sloppy uphill route to reach Lamagaon. There, we will rest for some time, or you can have lunch if you feel hungry.

After that, we will continue our trek to the Nile, where we will stay overnight. Nile is around an hour away from Lamagaon, about 2 km.

On the day, you will be welcomed by prayer flags in every village, with around 40-60 houses in between. The houses are made in Tibetan style, with stone and Buddhist flags in every house.

About Lamagaon

Lamagaon is a small local village on the route to Tsum Valley. There is a famous gumba nearby, Rachen Gumba, that you can visit. It is a monastery school with around 300 monk students.

Additionally, there are about 2-3 basic teahouses that serve basic food items such as Dal Bhat, pasta, macaroni, Mo: Mo, pasta, etc. The teahouse also has a landline telephone service, which can be used to connect with your beloved.

About Nile

Nile (3360 m/11,024 ft) is a small, picturesque village in the region, with around 15-20 local, traditional houses. The village is particularly known for its panoramic view of several mountain peaks and the village.

You can see mountains like Ganesh Himal (7422 m/24,350 ft), Shringi Himal (7165 m/23,507 ft), Churke Himal range, Kipu Himal range, Tara Himal range, and Pashuwo Himal (6177 m/20,266 ft).

Teahouses in the Nile

• 2-3 basic homestays and 1-2 teahouses
• Neat and clean accommodation without an attached bathroom
• Wi-Fi, gas shower, electricity, etc. are available
• Centrally heated dining hall

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 3.5-4 hours walk

Trek Route: Nile → Mu Gompa
Beginning Point: Nile (3360 m/11,024 ft)
Ending Point: Mu Gompa (3705 m/12,156 ft)
Lunch: Mu Gompa
Nile to Mu Gompa Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Total Ascent: 345 meters (1032 ft) from the Nile
Overnight: Mu Gompa

Day 7 is the most significant day of our trek. Today, you will be reaching the final destination of the Tsum Valley Trek, Mu Gompa.

The trek to Mu Gompa takes about 2.5-3 hours, around 5 km. We will walk closer to the Tibetan border on a sloppy uphill path.

There is nothing in between the way. However, the trek along the river is entertaining, with a mani wall, stupas, prayer flags, and many more during the trek.

Additionally, you can see the Chinese border on the way and several mountains during the trek from the Nile to Mu Gompa. Further, you might be able to see various wildlife such as Himalayan Tahr, blue sheep, yak (chauri gai), and different bird species like Danphe (national bird of Nepal), vulture, crow, eagle, etc.

We will stay overnight in Mu Gompa, eat and sleep in the Gompa itself.

About Mu Gompa

Mu Gompa, situated at 3705 meters (12,156 ft), is the biggest gompa in the entire Tsum Valley region. It is a monastery school that teaches the preachings of Lord Buddha. There are about 30-40 monks living there.

As you stay in Gompa itself, you will be able to explore the lifestyle of Gompa and the monks living there. Further, you can observe morning and evening prayer in the Gompa.

There is a nunnery Gompa nearby, Dhephu Doma Nunnery Gompa, that you can visit. It is a 10 to 15-minute hike from Mu Gompa.

From Mu Gompa, you can see awesome views of various villages, including the Nile and Chhule. Besides the village view, you can see extraordinary, panoramic views of various mountain ranges, such as the Tara Himal range, the Kipu Himal range, the Ganesh Himal range, the Churke Himal range, and the Shringi Himal.

Teahouses in Mu Gompa

• Basic food such as Dal Bhat, porridge, muesli, Tsampa porridge (prepared from wheat and barley), etc., are available.
• Sharing rooms without attached rooms and a simple heating system is available.
• There is no Wi-Fi, but there is electricity, and a bucket shower is possible.

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 2-3 hours walk

Trek Route: Mu Gompa → Nile → Lamagaon → Chhekampar
Beginning Point: Mu Gompa (3705 m/12,156 ft)
Ending Point: Chhekampar (3030 m/9941 ft)
Lunch: Lamagaon
Mu Gompa to Chhekampar Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Total Descent: 675 meters (2215 ft) from Mu Gompa
Overnight: Chhekampar

Now, it is time to return back from one of the most iconic treks in the Manaslu region.

After having a basic breakfast in Mu Gompa, we will begin our trek back to Chhekampar.

The route when returning is easier, as the road follows the downhill path. After walking for just around 1.5-2 hours, we will reach the Nile. We can stop here for a short tea/coffee break. Then, again, continue to trek for another 3 hours to Chhekampar.

If you feel hungry, we can stop at Lamagaon for a delicious lunch. From Nile, Lamagaon is just about 45 minutes’ walk.

Finally, after lunch, we will head towards Chhekampar. Lamagaon to Chhekampar is just around 2 hours trek. We will call it a day and spend the night today at Chhekampar.

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 4-5 hours walk

Drive Route: Chhekampar → Chumling → Lokpa
Beginning Point: Chhekampar (3030 m/9941 ft)
Ending Point: Lokpa (2240 m/7349 ft)
Lunch: Chumling
Chhekampar to Lokpa Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
Total Descent: 790 meters (2592 ft) from Chhekampar
Overnight: Lokpa

As we embark on day 9 of our trek, we will follow the same route that we took before. We can reminisce about all the views of jungles, rivers, traditional villages, etc. while returning.

After a blissful breakfast in Chhekampar, we must cover about 25 km to Lokpa.

The route is easy yet entertaining. It is somewhat horizontal, slightly declining from Chhekampar to Chumling. You can see stupas and mani walls on the way if you have missed it previously.

After hiking for just 3 hours, we can reach Chumling, our lunch destination for today. Here, we can rest and savour a delicious meal, energizing ourselves for a challenging trek ahead.

The route after lunch is a little challenging. First, we must ascend a steep hill for around 1-1.5 hours (about 3 km) up to Sardi Danda. From this viewpoint, we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding terrain.

Then again, hike down the hill for another 2-2.5 hours (around 5-6 km) to Lokpa, our overnight destination for today.

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 7-9 hours walk

Trek Route: Lokpa → Philim → Jagat
Beginning Point: Lokpa (2240 m/7349 ft)
Ending Point: Jagat (1342 m/4403 ft)
Lunch: Philim
Lokpa to Jagat Distance: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Total Decent: 898 meters (2946 ft) from Lokpa
Overnight: Jagat

We will start our trek with a gradual downhill trek, offering stunning views of the Budi Gandaki River and valleys downhill.

The trek route passes through lush alpine forests, a thrilling yet comfortable path along the cliff between Lokpa and Chisapani.

After trekking for about 3 hours, covering about 8-9 km, we will reach Philim village via Chisapani. We will be having a hearty lunch here in Philim. While your lunch is being prepared, you can stroll around Philim’s markets and buy a few souvenirs.

After lunch, our journey continues to Jagat, along the Budi Gandaki River. The trail offers a perfect view of rivers rushing down between the hills. You can also see people engaged in farming and cultivation down on traditional terraced fields.

Finally, after walking for another 2-3 hours, covering about 7-8 km, we will reach Jagat. Jagat is the final destination for today; we will stay a night here.

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 4-5 hours walk

Trek Route: Jagat → Dobhan → Khorlabesi → Machha Khola
Beginning Point: Jagat (1342 m/4403 ft)
Ending Point: Machha Khola (930 m/3051 ft)
Lunch: Machha Khola
Jagat to Machha Khola Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Total Descent: 471 meters (1545 ft) from Jagat
Overnight: Machha Khola

Day 11 is the final day of our trekking in the Manaslu Tsum Valley region.

Today, we will enjoy a scenic trek from Jagat to Machha Khola. Also, it might be offset for a few trekkers, as you might encounter roads at some places.

After having breakfast, we start our trek at around 8 am. The trail takes on a gentle downhill path, offering a breathtaking view of Budi Gandaki and several charming villages like Dobhan and Tatopani on the way.

As we walk down the hill, the change in landscape is quite visible. The landscaper at higher altitudes used to be wide open with few bushes. While in lower altitudes, you can see tropical trees like chilaune, katus, and salla.

After trekking for nearly 4 hours (about 10-12 km), we reach Khorlabesi. Here, we will be having our last lunch of the trekking journey.

After refuelling ourselves, we continue to trek for another 2-3 hours to reach Machha Khola, about 8 km.

Now that we have come to the end of our trekking journey, we will drive back to Kathmandu the next day. So, you can enjoy a delicious dinner in the teahouse and share all the trekking experiences with your fellow trekkers over a cup of tea/coffee in the evening.

Finally, after dinner, we will call it a day and go to bed at around 10-11 pm.

Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation : Tea House

Walking / Driving : 4-5 hours walk

Drive Route: Machha Khola → Dhading Besi → Jyamire → Kathmandu
Beginning Point: Machha Khola (930 m/3051 ft)
Ending Point: Kathmandu (1400 m/4593 ft)
Lunch: Jyamire or on the way
Machha Khola to Kathmandu Distance: 160 km (100 miles)
Total Ascent: 470 meters (1542 ft)
Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 12 is the final day of our Tsum Valley Trek Nepal.

After having our breakfast, we hop on a public bus that will take us back to Kathmandu. You can also request to travel in a private shared vehicle at an additional charge.

It takes approximately 7-8 hours to reach Kathmandu. After driving for around 3 hours, the public bus will stop around Jyamire for lunch or anywhere in between the route.

Once you are in Kathmandu, you can rest for the remaining day or go to a relaxing spa. We recommend you take a rest for the rest of the day and go out on an evening stroll around Thamel or Kathmandu Durbar Square (a UNESCO World Heritage).

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, if you have a few more days to spend in Nepal, we suggest you visit Kathmandu city for its historical significance. You can also visit Pokhara for its natural beauty and peaceful vibe.

If you wish to go on a relaxing yet adventurous tour, visiting Chitwan National Park or Bardiya National Park could be the best choice for you.

Meal : Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation : Not Included

Walking / Driving : 7-8 hours drive