Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary: Day-by-day Route Guide

Plan Your Walk Into Nepal's Hidden Valley

Tsum Valley sits in a quiet corner of the Manaslu region, tucked against the Tibetan border and closed to outsiders until 2008. It's a land of chortens, long mani walls, centuries-old monasteries and Buddhist villages where daily life still follows the old rhythms. This guide walks you through our 13-day Tsum Valley trek itinerary day by day: where you sleep, how far you walk, how high you climb, and what you'll see along the way.

Use it to understand the route, prepare your body, and decide whether the trip suits you. For prices, dates and booking, see our Tsum Valley Trek page.

Trip at a Glance

Detail	Information
Duration	13 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Trekking days	8 (Days 4–11)
Trek start and end	Machha Khola (start), Tatopani/Jagat (end)
Highest point	Mu Gompa, about 3,700 m
Total walking distance	About 120–130 km
Daily walking	4–7 hours
Difficulty	Moderate
Accommodation	Hotel in Kathmandu; teahouses, homestays and a monastery guesthouse on the trek
Permits	Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit and Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
Guide rules	Licensed guide and minimum two trekkers required
Best seasons	March–May and September–November

Itinerary Summary

Day	Route	Overnight altitude	Distance	Time
1	Arrive in Kathmandu	1,400 m	—	—
2	Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation	1,400 m	—	—
3	Drive Kathmandu → Machha Khola	930 m	~160 km	8–9 hrs drive
4	Machha Khola → Jagat	1,340 m	22 km	6–7 hrs
5	Jagat → Lokpa	2,240 m	17 km	6–7 hrs
6	Lokpa → Chumling	2,386 m	9 km	4–5 hrs
7	Chumling → Chhokang Paro	3,031 m	11 km	5–6 hrs
8	Chhokang Paro → Mu Gompa	~3,700 m	13 km	5–6 hrs
9	Mu Gompa → Chhokang Paro via Rachen Gompa	3,031 m	13 km	5–6 hrs
10	Chhokang Paro → Lokpa	2,240 m	20 km	6–7 hrs
11	Lokpa → Jagat	1,340 m	17 km	6–7 hrs
12	Drive Tatopani → Kathmandu	1,400 m	~170 km	8–9 hrs drive
13	Final departure	—	—	—

Day-by-Day Tsum Valley Trek Route

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drives you to your hotel, a 30–45 minute ride. In the evening you meet your guide over a welcome dinner and get a first look at the plan for the days ahead.

Overnight: hotel, Kathmandu · Meals: welcome dinner

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

Spend the morning at four of Kathmandu's UNESCO-listed sites: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the afternoon your guide holds a trek briefing, checks your gear and finalises the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit and Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. Use the free time in Thamel to buy or rent anything you're missing.

Overnight: hotel, Kathmandu · Meals: breakfast

Day 3: Drive Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930 m)

Distance: about 160 km · Time: 8–9 hours

The drive follows the Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli River, then turns north through Dhading Besi and Arughat. Beyond Arughat the road becomes a rough track beside the Budhi Gandaki River, passing Soti Khola, terraced fields, waterfalls and Gurung villages before reaching Machha Khola ("Fish River").

Tip: take motion-sickness tablets if you need them, and keep snacks and water handy; it's a long, bumpy day.

Overnight: teahouse · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340 m)

Distance: 22 km · Time: 6–7 hours · Gain: +410 m

Your first trekking day follows a narrow trail along the Budhi Gandaki gorge. You cross the Tharo Khola, pass Khorlabesi, and reach Tatopani, where natural hot springs make a good rest stop. A suspension bridge leads to Doban, then stone steps climb through forest to Jagat, a paved village where your Manaslu Conservation Area permit is checked.

Overnight: teahouse · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Jagat to Lokpa (2,240 m)

Distance: 17 km · Time: 6–7 hours · Gain: +900 m

This is the biggest climb of the trek. The trail rises through Salleri and Sirdibas, crosses a long suspension bridge to Philim, a large Gurung village, and continues to Ekle Bhatti. Here you leave the Manaslu Circuit and turn north into the Tsum Valley, climbing through pine forest to Lokpa, the valley's gateway.

Tip: set a slow, steady pace from the start; the climb after Ekle Bhatti is long.

Overnight: teahouse · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Lokpa to Chumling (2,386 m)

Distance: 9 km · Time: 4–5 hours

The shortest day of the trek. You drop to the Lungwa Khola, then climb steeply through pine and rhododendron forest above the Shiar Khola gorge, passing Gumlung before reaching Chumling. This village of stone houses looks out to Sringi Himal. In the afternoon, visit the old Chumling Gompa.

Overnight: teahouse or homestay · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Chumling to Chhokang Paro (3,031 m)

Distance: 11 km · Time: 5–6 hours · Gain: +645 m

Cross a suspension bridge and follow the trail past Rainjam and the Serpu Khola, with Ganesh Himal in view. As you enter Upper Tsum, the landscape changes: Tibetan-style villages, long mani walls, chortens and barley fields. Climb past Gho to Chhokang Paro, set on a wide plateau with views of Himalchuli.

Tip: you're now above 3,000 m. Walk slowly, drink well, and tell your guide about any headache.

Overnight: teahouse or homestay · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Chhokang Paro to Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m)

Distance: 13 km · Time: 5–6 hours · Gain: +669 m

The cultural heart of the trek. Pass Lamagaon and visit Milarepa's Cave (Piren Phu), where the 11th-century Tibetan saint is said to have meditated. Continue through Burji, Phurbe and Pangdun, then Chhule and Nile, the last villages before the Tibetan border. A final climb brings you to Mu Gompa, the largest and highest monastery in the valley.

Overnight: monastery guesthouse or teahouse · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Mu Gompa to Chhokang Paro via Rachen Gompa (3,031 m)

Distance: 13 km · Time: 5–6 hours

Wake for sunrise over the high valley and, if timing allows, join the morning prayers at Mu Gompa. Then descend and cross to Rachen Gompa, a peaceful Buddhist nunnery, before returning to Chhokang Paro.

Tip: ask before photographing monks, nuns or ceremonies, and walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls.

Overnight: teahouse or homestay · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Chhokang Paro to Lokpa (2,240 m)

Distance: 20 km · Time: 6–7 hours · Loss: −791 m

Retrace your steps through Gho, Rainjam and Chumling, then descend through forest along the Shiar Khola gorge, past waterfalls and small hamlets, back to Lokpa. It's a long day with plenty of downhill, so trekking poles help.

Overnight: teahouse · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Lokpa to Jagat (1,340 m)

Distance: 17 km · Time: 6–7 hours

Descend to Ekle Bhatti, rejoin the main Budhi Gandaki trail, and walk back through Philim, Sirdibas and Salleri. The air warms and terraced farmland returns. In Jagat, celebrate the end of the trek with your guide and porters.

Overnight: teahouse · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: Drive Tatopani to Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Distance: about 170 km · Time: 8–9 hours

Walk or drive down to Tatopani and board a jeep back via Soti Khola and Arughat. Arrive in Kathmandu in the evening for a farewell dinner with cultural performances.

Overnight: hotel, Kathmandu · Meals: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner

Day 13: Final Departure

Enjoy free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Our team transfers you to the airport about three hours before your flight.

Meals: breakfast

Ways to Customise the Itinerary

Option	Extra time	Why choose it
Acclimatization night at Chhokang Paro	+1 day	Splits the two big climbs above 3,000 m; recommended for older trekkers or anyone with past altitude problems
Ganesh Himal Base Camp side trip	+2–3 days	Glacier views at about 4,200 m via the Gumba Lungdang nunnery
Continue onto the Manaslu Circuit	20+ days in total	Cross the Larkya La (5,106 m) after Tsum; see our Manaslu Circuit Trek
Buffer day in Kathmandu	+1 day	Cover road delays on the long drives
Private trek	Same length	Set your own pace and dates

Permits You Need

Tsum Valley is a restricted area. You need a licensed guide, at least two trekkers, and both permits arranged through a registered agency:

• Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit: about US$40 for the first 7 days (September–November) or US$30 (December–August), plus a daily fee after that
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): about NPR 3,000

Fees are taken from our trip page and can change; both are arranged for you in the Tsum Valley Trek package. Permits are checked at Jagat and at checkpoints along the route.

Best Time to Follow This Itinerary

Season	Months	Trail conditions
Autumn	September–November	Best: dry trails, clear views, stable weather
Spring	March–May	Very good: warmer, rhododendrons in bloom, some haze
Monsoon	June–August	Difficult: landslides, road blocks, leeches
Winter	December–February	Cold, snow possible at Mu Gompa, some lodges closed

Accommodation and Food on the Trail

On the trek you'll stay in simple teahouses, family homestays in Upper Tsum, and a monastery guesthouse at Mu Gompa. Rooms are basic, usually twin beds with shared toilets, and get cold above Chhokang Paro, so bring a warm sleeping bag. Meals are hearty and simple: dal bhat, Tibetan bread, potatoes, noodles, soup and butter tea. Hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi are limited and cost extra; carry cash in Nepalese rupees, as there are no ATMs past Arughat.

What to Pack

• Broken-in trekking boots and camp shoes
• Layers: thermal base, fleece, down jacket and waterproof shell
• Warm sleeping bag rated to about -10°C
• Trekking poles for the long descents
• Headlamp, power bank and water purification tablets
• Sun hat, warm hat, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Personal first-aid kit and any prescription medicine
• Cash in small notes, passport copies and permit photos
• Motion-sickness tablets for the drives

Trek This Itinerary with Nepal Trip Services

Our 13-day Tsum Valley Trek takes care of the logistics so you can focus on the trail:

• Licensed local guide and one porter for every two trekkers
• Both permits arranged, plus the restricted-area paperwork
• Private jeep or vehicle transfers to Machha Khola and back from Tatopani
• Kathmandu sightseeing with a guide on Day 2
• Group departures for solo travellers, so you meet the two-person rule
• Tailor-made options: extra acclimatization night, Ganesh Himal Base Camp, or the Manaslu Circuit

Questions about dates or pace? Chat with us on WhatsApp; we usually reply within two hours.

Top 15 FAQs: Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary

1. How many days do you need for the Tsum Valley trek?

Our standard itinerary takes 13 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, including 8 trekking days, 2 long drive days and 2 days in Kathmandu. Add 1 day for an acclimatization night, 2–3 days for Ganesh Himal Base Camp, or about a week more to continue onto the Manaslu Circuit.

2. Where does the Tsum Valley trek start and end?

The trek starts at Machha Khola (930 m), reached by an 8–9 hour drive from Kathmandu via Arughat and Soti Khola. It ends at Jagat, and you take a jeep back to Kathmandu from Tatopani, just below Jagat.

3. What is the highest point on the itinerary?

Mu Gompa, at about 3,700 m, reached on Day 8. It's the largest and highest monastery in the valley, close to the Tibetan border.

4. How far do you walk each day?

Between 9 km and 22 km, usually 4–7 hours. The shortest day is Lokpa to Chumling (9 km), and the longest is Machha Khola to Jagat (22 km). The total trekking distance is about 120–130 km.

5. Which is the hardest day of the itinerary?

Day 5, Jagat to Lokpa, climbs about 900 m over 17 km and is the toughest for most people. Days 7 and 8 are harder for altitude, as each gains more than 600 m above 2,400 m.

6. Are there acclimatization days on the Tsum Valley trek?

The standard 13-day itinerary has no dedicated rest day, as the route stays below about 3,700 m and descends right after Mu Gompa. We can add an acclimatization night at Chhokang Paro if you'd like extra safety.

7. What are the main highlights along the route?

Milarepa's Cave (Piren Phu), Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa nunnery, Chumling Gompa, the Tibetan-style villages of Upper Tsum such as Chhule and Nile, long mani walls and chortens, the Budhi Gandaki gorge, the Tatopani hot springs, and views of Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli and Sringi Himal.

8. Can I add Ganesh Himal Base Camp to the itinerary?

Yes. It's an optional side trip that adds about 2–3 days and reaches about 4,200 m via the Gumba Lungdang nunnery. Read our Ganesh Himal Base Camp guide for details.

9. Can I combine Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit?

Yes. After Tsum, you return to the main trail and continue around Manaslu over the Larkya La (5,106 m). The combined trip takes 20 days or more. It requires the Manaslu restricted permit as well as the Tsum permits.

10. Do I need a guide for this itinerary?

Yes. Tsum Valley is a restricted area, so you must trek with a government-licensed guide, in a group of at least two trekkers, with permits arranged by a registered agency. Solo travellers can join a group departure.

11. Where do you stay each night?

Two nights in a Kathmandu hotel at the start and one at the end; on the trek, teahouses in Machha Khola, Jagat and Lokpa, teahouses or homestays in Chumling and Chhokang Paro, and a monastery guesthouse or teahouse at Mu Gompa.

12. What is the road like from Kathmandu to Machha Khola?

The first part follows the paved Prithvi Highway. After Arughat the road becomes a rough, unpaved track along the Budhi Gandaki, and in the monsoon it can be blocked by landslides. Expect 8–9 hours and a bumpy ride.

13. When is the best time to follow this itinerary?

Autumn (September–November) and spring (March–May). Trails are dry and views are clearest. In the monsoon, landslides can block the road and trail; in winter, snow and closed lodges in Upper Tsum can force changes.

14. Is there phone signal and Wi-Fi on the route?

Signal and Wi-Fi are available in lower villages like Machha Khola and Jagat, but become patchy or absent in Upper Tsum. Some lodges offer paid Wi-Fi. Let family know you may be offline for a few days.

15. Can the itinerary be shortened or changed?

The 13 days are already fairly tight. You can skip the Day 2 sightseeing if you've already seen Kathmandu, but we don't recommend cutting trekking days, as it means steeper altitude gains. Private treks can be adjusted to your pace; ask us when you book.

Final Thoughts

The Tsum Valley trek itinerary packs a lot into 13 days: the wild Budhi Gandaki gorge, the climb into a hidden Buddhist valley, Milarepa's Cave, Mu Gompa near the Tibetan border, and nights in village homestays few trekkers ever see. The route stays below about 3,700 m, the daily walking is steady rather than extreme, and the reward is a side of Nepal that still feels untouched. Go in spring or autumn, take the climbs slowly, and consider an extra night at Chhokang Paro if you want more margin. When you're ready, check dates and book the Tsum Valley Trek with Nepal Trip Services.