Tsum Valley Trek — 16 Days

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Evening briefing covering Tsum Valley permits, culture, and trek logistics. The Tsum Valley requires a special Tsum Valley Restricted Area permit in addition to the Manaslu Conservation Area permit.

Drive northwest through Gorkha and Arughat Bazar along the Budhi Gandaki valley. Soti Khola is the trailhead for the Tsum Valley approach. First permit checkpoint here — have all restricted area permits ready for inspection.

Begin trekking through tropical forest and Gurung farming settlements along the Budhi Gandaki river. Multiple suspension bridges cross the churning river. The trail is well-marked but narrow through the gorge.

At Khorlabesi the trail diverges from the main Manaslu Circuit and heads north into the Shar Khola drainage toward Tsum. Steep climb through terraced fields and forest to Lokpa — a warm, welcoming village with a small gompa.

Cross the Shar Khola and enter the Tsum Valley. Magnificent views of Ganesh Himal (7,422 m) emerge ahead. Pass through Lamagaun village and climb through mixed forest to Chhokopokhari, where the Tibetan cultural landscape begins in earnest.

Trek through the heart of the Tsum Valley with ancient prayer walls, chortens, and fluttering prayer flags lining the route. Stone-carved mani walls some hundreds of metres long are among the longest in Nepal. Nile is a prosperous village with a beautifully maintained gompa.

Continue up the narrowing valley through dramatic cliffs and gorge sections to the high plateau of Mu Gompa. This ancient monastery dating to the 9th century is the spiritual centre of the Tsum Valley — its resident lamas conduct daily ritual ceremonies.

A full day to explore the sacred upper valley. Hike to Rachen Gompa (3,800 m) nunnery for sweeping mountain views, or ascend the ridge toward Ngala Dhojhyang (4,600 m) for a panorama of Ganesh Himal and the Tibet plateau. Receive a blessing from the resident lamas.

Begin the return trek south through the Tsum Valley. The downhill journey passes familiar landmarks with new perspectives. Stop at Chhule Gompa for a final look at upper Tsum's sacred landscape before descending.

Descend through Chhokopokhari and the lower Tsum Valley, retracing your steps to Lokpa. The return journey feels faster as you descend through the altitude gradient. Evening at Lokpa.

Descend from Lokpa back to the main Budhi Gandaki trail and continue to Jagat. Register at the Manaslu Restricted Area checkpoint. The descent from subtropical Tsum back to the hot river gorge is dramatic.

Retrace the Budhi Gandaki gorge southward through the same dramatic canyon you entered on Day 3. The river feels familiar now, but the subtropical vegetation and warmth after high-altitude Tsum is a welcome change.

Final trekking day, returning through tropical forest and Gurung villages to Soti Khola trailhead. Your jeep will be waiting for the long drive back to Kathmandu. Final permit check at the park boundary.

Long drive back to Kathmandu through Arughat and Gorkha. Arrive in Kathmandu by evening for a celebration dinner and reflection on the extraordinary cultural and natural riches of the Tsum Valley.

Full free day in Kathmandu for rest, shopping, and sightseeing. Visit Boudhanath Stupa (whose Tibetan Buddhist culture mirrors much of what you saw in Tsum) or explore Durbar Square and Pashupatinath.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. Your Tsum Valley journey — one of Nepal's most culturally intact hidden valleys — comes to a close.