Tsum Valley Trek — 14 Days

Today is reserved for preparing the Tsum Valley journey. We review the route, required documents and equipment, and confirm the arrangements for your licensed guide, transport and any optional porter.

Check the sleeping bag, down jacket and main luggage bag, and buy or hire any remaining personal items. Restricted-area documentation must cover the agreed itinerary and dates. Ask about lodge facilities, food, luggage allowances and communication. Sightseeing is not part of today’s scheduled programme; use any free time to rest before tomorrow’s road journey north.

We leave Kathmandu by road towards the Budhi Gandaki valley. The journey passes hill settlements and cultivated slopes before continuing via Arughat and Soti Khola to Machha Khola.

Paved roads give way to rougher sections nearer the trailhead. Travel time depends on the vehicle, traffic, ongoing repairs and changing local access. The final pickup and drop-off arrangements are checked before departure. On reaching Machha Khola, settle into the local teahouse, organise your daypack and prepare for the first walking stage towards Jagat tomorrow morning.

Our first trekking day follows the Budhi Gandaki towards Khorlabesi, Tatopani and Dovan. Bridge crossings, stone steps and repeated uphill and downhill sections lead towards Jagat, with the guide following the locally confirmed route.

This is a substantial walking day despite the low overnight altitude. Keep water accessible, and take care near river crossings or repaired sections. Jagat is an entry point to the conservation area. After the permit checks, check into your teahouse and rest.

We continue from Jagat towards Sirdibas and Philim, passing fields and forested slopes. Beyond Philim, follow the approach towards Lokpa, where the route turns away from the main Manaslu Circuit direction.

The day combines climbs, descents and river crossings rather than a continuous uphill path. Your guide handles document checks and confirms the next trail section. Lokpa has basic lodge facilities, so keep expectations simple. After settling in, rest and prepare for tomorrow’s walk into the lower Tsum Valley towards Chumling.

Leaving Lokpa, we follow the locally confirmed connecting trail into the Syar Khola valley. Forest paths, bridge crossings and steep sections require steady footing as the route approaches Chumling and the lower villages of Tsum.

The shorter distance still includes steep climbs and descents between village stops. Follow the guide on narrow or uneven sections and keep clear of pack animals. Chumling’s stone houses and Buddhist features reflect local building styles and traditions. Settle into your teahouse and rest.

We leave Chumling and climb towards the upper Tsum settlements, passing the Renjam and Gho area along the way. Woodland gradually gives way to open slopes, cultivated ground and village buildings as we approach Chhekamparo.

Today brings a gain in sleeping altitude, so keep a steady pace and report headaches, nausea or unusual tiredness. Prayer walls and chortens reflect the valley’s Buddhist traditions. After reaching Chhekamparo, settle into the lodge and keep the afternoon gentle.

Continue along the upper valley towards Nile, passing cultivated fields, Buddhist prayer walls and settlements. The forested approach is behind us, with more open walking and mountain views where cloud allows. Take time as the path gains height.

Nile is your highest planned overnight stop. We spend two nights here, using the village as a base for tomorrow’s hike to Mu Gompa. After checking into the teahouse, rest, prepare warm clothing and discuss tomorrow’s plan with your guide.

We leave Nile for Mu Gompa, the highest point of the trek. Open slopes and rocky paths lead towards the monastery, with the turnaround dependent on health and conditions.

If the monastery is open, your guide explains visiting customs before you enter. Ask before photographing people or religious interiors, and respect any ceremonies taking place. Views along the upper valley depend on cloud and visibility.

After the visit, return along the trail to Nile. Sleeping lower than the monastery keeps tonight’s stop unchanged, with time to rest before the longer return stage.

We retrace the upper valley from Nile towards Chhekamparo and continue down to Chumling. The familiar villages, cultivated fields and Buddhist features appear along the return route, with greener slopes and forests becoming more common again as we lose height.

This is a long walking day, even though tonight’s lodge is lower. Stone steps, uneven ground and descents require care. Take breaks and keep water accessible. On arrival in Chumling, settle into the teahouse, organise your belongings and rest before continuing towards Philim tomorrow.

We leave Chumling and retrace the trail towards Lokpa. Forest paths and river crossings mark the journey out of Tsum before continuing towards Philim on the Budhi Gandaki approach.

The route combines downhill sections with climbs, so allow for a full walking day. Your guide checks bridge crossings and diversions before the group proceeds. Philim is a Gurung village with cultivated fields and lodge accommodation. After reaching the teahouse, rest and prepare for tomorrow’s long stage towards Machha Khola.

Our final walking day follows the Budhi Gandaki via Jagat, Dovan, Tatopani and Khorlabesi to Machha Khola. This long stage requires an early start, regular breaks, careful footing and steady progress.

Follow the confirmed route, particularly near repaired bridges and narrow river sections. The day includes uphill walking among the descents. Keep food and water accessible, and discuss timing before leaving Philim. Once in Machha Khola, check into the lodge and confirm transport to Kathmandu. Rest after the final trekking stage.

After breakfast, we leave Machha Khola by prearranged road transport. The journey returns via Soti Khola and Arughat, then continues along the hill roads and highway towards Kathmandu.

Traffic, rough roads and repair work can extend the journey. In Kathmandu, check into your hotel and rest. Confirm tomorrow’s airport transfer time, return borrowed trekking equipment as agreed and prepare documents and luggage for the departure from Nepal.

Your fourteen-day Tsum Valley Trek ends today. After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. Depending on flight time, there may be time to rest, make purchases or take a walk before leaving your Kathmandu hotel.

Our representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure.