Tsum Valley-16 Days

Your journey begins with an early breakfast in Kathmandu, followed by a scenic drive toward Arughat and Soti Khola. The first stretch of the drive follows the Prithivi Highway, heading west out of the city alongside the Trishuli River. After a few hours on the road, you’ll arrive at Dhading Bensi, the district headquarters of Dhading. From Dhading Bensi, the drive continues along the Budhi Gandaki River toward Arughat Bazaar. This is where you’ll catch your first views of the mighty Himalayas, with Mt. Manaslu and Ganesh Himal rising high above the horizon. Arughat itself is a bustling little market town that spreads across both banks of the Budhi Gandaki, connected by a long suspension bridge. It’s a lively stop where traders, locals, and trekkers often cross paths.

Leaving Arughat, the final leg of the drive takes about two hours. The road here is a mix of paved sections and rough tracks, passing through forested hillsides, cascading waterfalls, and scattered villages along the way. Eventually, you’ll reach Soti Khola, a peaceful riverside village that marks the official starting point of your trek into the Manaslu and Tsum Valley region.

After breakfast, we begin the first day of trekking by heading north along the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail follows a narrow valley, winding through lush forest, terraced fields, and small hillside villages. Along the way, we cross streams and pass waterfalls, with occasional glimpses of Himalayan peaks in the distance. A highlight of the day is reaching Lapubesi (880m), a peaceful village surrounded by green hills and lovely scenery. This stretch of the trail is also home to monkeys, birds, and other forest wildlife, adding to the natural charm. From Lapubesi, the path descends gradually along a curving trail by the river until we reach Machha Khola, a riverside village where we rest for the night.

You will hike upstream from Tharo Khola to Kholabeni, seeing beautiful rock formations and waterfalls along the way. The trail takes you through landslide-affected areas and across a bridge to reach Kholabesi. Ahead, you’ll find the hot springs of Tatopani, where you can take a short break.  After leaving, you'll continue on a mix of stone stairways, rocky footpaths, and forested sections, gradually ascending through villages like Dhovan, where you’ll stop for rest or lunch. At Jagat, the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area, we will register our permits at a local police checkpoint. 

Before entering Tsum Valley, we stop at Jagat to register our permits for both the Manaslu and Tsum Valley regions. From here, the trail climbs steadily over a rocky ridge to Salleri, where we pause to take in the impressive views of Mount Sringi rising above the surrounding hills. After enjoying the scenery, the path descends gently to the village of Sirdibas, a traditional settlement with stone houses and terraced fields.

At Sirdibas, we cross one of the highlights of the trek—the longest suspension bridge in Nepal. The crossing itself is an adventure, offering sweeping views of the Budhi Gandaki below. On the other side lies Philim, a lively Gurung village known for its farming lifestyle and friendly people. Continuing onward, the trail passes through Ekle Bhatti before reaching Lokpa, the first village of the Tsum Valley. The village feels quiet and remote, with its own unique charm. Locals believe the valley was blessed by the great Buddhist saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) centuries ago.

After breakfast in Lokpa, we begin the trek toward Chumling, following a quiet and remote trail into Tsum Valley. On a clear day, you’ll be treated to amazing views of Baudha Himal (6,672m) and Ganesh Himal VI, which appear above the forested hills along the trail.

First, the path descends to the Lungwa River Valley, then climbs steadily through a lush forest filled with rhododendron and pine trees. This part of the trail feels peaceful and untouched, as there are no villages between Lokpa and Chumling. So, you will need to carry the lunch package during the trek. We cross a bridge over the Syar Khola River and soon arrive at Chumling, a small but important village with a health post and three traditional Buddhist monasteries: Panago Gumba, Mani Dhungyur, and Gurwa Gumba.

Today, the trek takes us deeper into the upper Tsum Valley, entering a more remote and peaceful part of the inner Himalayas. The trail follows the Syar River, passing through beautiful forested areas and small farmlands. We eventually reach Domje, the largest settlement in Tsum Valley. From Domje, the path climbs steadily uphill until we reach Chhokangparo. On clear days, you’ll get breathtaking views of Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal. In Chhokangparo, you’ll experience the warm hospitality of the Tsombo people, a local Tibetan-influenced community.

After breakfast, we continue trekking through the upper part of Tsum Valley, passing through small farming villages and open fields. As you walk through Ngakyu Leru, you’ll see local people working in their fields. After passing Lamagaon, from there we take a short hike to visit the famous Milarepa’s Piren Phu Cave, where his footprint is said to be preserved in rock. The cave, also called Piren Phu (Pigeon Cave), is one of the holiest places in the valley. There are two small Buddhist monasteries built into the cliff, with beautiful wall paintings, prayer flags, and ancient scriptures, making this spot spiritually and culturally significant.  After the visit, we will cross a suspension bridge over the Shiar River and continue walking through a few more quiet villages before reaching Nile.

After an early breakfast in Nile Village, the day begins with a gradual uphill walk toward the higher end of the Tsum Valley. The trail is steady and peaceful, winding through open landscapes where the valley starts to feel more remote and isolated. After trekking for about two hours, you reach Dephyudonma Gompa (4,060m / 13,320 ft)—one of the oldest monasteries in the valley. From here, the trail continues upward, leading through wide yak pastures and into the dry, rugged terrain of the Trans-Himalayan region. The day’s highlight is reaching Mu Gompa (3,700m/11,026ft), the largest and most important monastery in Tsum Valley. Established in 1895, Mu Gompa is home to ancient scriptures, including the sacred Kangyur, a life-size statue of Avalokiteshwara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), and images of Buddhist masters such as Padmasambhava and Tara. Sitting at the highest and farthest point of the valley, the monastery is surrounded by sweeping views of the mountains and valleys below.

After an early breakfast at Mu Gompa, we begin our return journey, leaving the farthest and highest point of the valley behind. First, the trail retraces its way down through Chhule and then continues southward past the small village of Phurba, where the valley widens and the landscapes become more open. From here, we follow the east bank of the Siyar Khola, crossing stretches of flat, boulder-covered plains with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The day’s destination is Rachen Gompa, a large and important nunnery founded in 1905. Nestled in the serene Shiar Khola Valley, close to the border of Tibet, Rachen Gompa belongs to the Ngak-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is home to many nuns who dedicate their lives to meditation and spiritual practice. Inside, the monastery is decorated with colorful murals depicting Buddhist deities, legends, and the history of the religion in this region. After you reach Rachen Gompa, you will feel like stepping into a place of deep peace and devotion.

The day begins with a gentle southward trek from Rachen Gompa, passing the quiet village of Chhokangparo on the way to Chumling. After a couple of hours, you will reach the small white monastery at Gho (2,485m), a peaceful spot perfect for taking a break and enjoying the surrounding scenery. From here, the trail descends toward a wooden bridge over the Siyar Khola, where the sound of rushing water creates a calming atmosphere as you cross.

Continuing east from Domje, the path gradually climbs through forests of pine, juniper, and rhododendron. Along the way, you’ll notice many walls and colorful prayer flags, which enhance the spiritual feeling of the valley. The final section leads through dense silver pine forests before reaching Gumba Lungdang, a tranquil monastery tucked away in a remote part of the valley. The peaceful surroundings and stunning mountain views make this an unforgettable stop on your trek.

Today is one of the most exciting days of the trek, as we make a journey to Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Starting from Gumba Lungdang, the trail gradually climbs through narrow valleys and ridges, offering sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. Along the route, you will enjoy striking views of the Ganesh Himal range, with its sharp peaks glistening in the sunlight. The panorama also includes parts of the Manaslu range and other surrounding snow-capped mountains, giving a full sense of the region’s grandeur. After about four hours of steady ascent, you will reach Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Here, you can take in the breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, deep valleys, and the vast Himalayan landscape stretching as far as the eye can see. The trek returns the same way to Gumba Lungdang, descending through the same serene valleys.

 Today, we begin the trek back toward Lokpa, retracing some of the valley’s most scenic landscapes. Starting from Gumba Lungdang (3,200m), the trail gently descends toward Domje, taking the upper route and crossing the Laudang Khola along the way. The sound of the river below accompanies the walk as you pass through forests of pine, juniper, and rhododendron, offering occasional glimpses of distant snow-capped peaks. From Domje, the path heads south, crossing a series of charming suspension bridges that span smaller streams and rivers. You will reach Ripche, a small settlement nestled in the hills, before continuing the descent to Batti Ghumlong. From here, the trail ascends slightly, winding through the forested slopes, until finally arriving at Lokpa, the gateway village to the Tsum Valley. From there, ascend to reach Lokpo.

Today, we begin our descent from Lokpa toward Jagat, retracing part of the trail that follows the Budhi Gandaki River. The path winds through a mix of lush forests and terraced fields and small villages, offering occasional views of distant Himalayan peaks along the way. Along the route, you will cross several charming suspension bridges over streams and rivers, each providing a perfect spot to pause and enjoy the natural

surroundings. Midway, you will pass through Sirdibas village, a traditional settlement with stone houses and terraced farmland, giving a glimpse of local life in the hills. As you continue, we will reach Jagat. 

After an early breakfast in Jagat, the final day of trekking begins with a gradual descent toward Lapu Bensi (900m). Most of the trail today is downhill, making the walk pleasant and easy on your legs, while a few suspension bridges add a touch of excitement along the way.
The path first leads to Machha Khola, a small riverside settlement, before crossing another suspension bridge over Nauli Khola. From there, the trail follows the sandy riverbed of the Budhi Gandaki River, winding through forests and farmland, before reaching Lapu Bensi, a charming Gurung village surrounded by green hills. The village is peaceful, with traditional stone houses and terraced fields, providing a perfect end to your journey through the Tsum Valley.

Today, the drive back to Arughat Bazaar is quick and easy. The walk winds through forests, little villages, and beautiful views of the Budhi Gandaki River for a few hours. The last stop is Soti Khola. From there, you can take a jeep ride back to Arughat Bazaar along twisting roads. It takes a few hours.
When you get to Arughat, you can walk around the town and check out the stores, cafés, and market stalls. This is a terrific way to relax, have a drink, and learn about the culture of the area before your hike concludes.

After an early breakfast, we begin the drive back to Kathmandu. The journey is scenic, following the Trishuli River and passing through lush green hills and small villages. As the bus continues east along the Prithivi Highway, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and take in the sights of rural Nepal along the way.

The drive concludes in Kathmandu, marking the end of your Tsum Valley trek package. Once back in the city, you are free to explore, relax, or continue your adventure in the capital at your pace.