Tsum Valley Trek
Nepal · 18 Days · Moderate
Restricted Area Trek From US $1,770 Mantra Adventure
Trip at a Glance
Destination
Nepal
Duration
18 Days / 17 Nights
Difficulty
Moderate
Activity
Trekking
Transport
Drive + Car
Group Size
Max 16 People
Accommodation
Tea House / Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Max Altitude
3,900m / Mu Gompa
Overview
Hidden Himalayan valley of Tsum — a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage corridor with unchanged medieval culture.
Trip Highlights
- Maximum altitude: 3,900m / Mu Gompa
- Duration: 18 days / 17 nights
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Expert English-speaking certified guide
- All meals during the trekking
- All permits and TIMS card arranged
- Airport transfers included
- Mantra Adventure duffel bag provided
Package Pricing (Per Person)
| Package | Includes | Price / Person |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Quality accommodation & core services | US $1,500 |
| Comfort Recommended | Boutique hotels, private guides | US $1,770 |
| Luxury | Ultra-luxury, full butler service | US $2,180 |
Group Discount Pricing
| Group Size | Standard | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pax | US $1,500 | US $1,770 | US $2,180 |
| 2 - 3 Pax | US $1,350 | US $1,590 | US $1,960 |
| 4 - 7 Pax | US $1,240 | US $1,470 | US $1,810 |
| 8 - 13 Pax | US $1,140 | US $1,350 | US $1,660 |
| 14+ Pax | US $1,050 | US $1,240 | US $1,530 |
All prices are per person. Larger groups receive progressive discounts.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
📍 Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and meet your Mantra Adventure guide. The Tsum Valley is one of Nepal's most recently opened trekking areas — a hidden Himalayan valley bordering Tibet that remained completely closed to outsiders until 2008. Its people are deeply devout Tibetan Buddhists; its monasteries among the most intact in the Himalayan world. Welcome dinner included. Meals: Dinner.
Day 2
Day 2: Drive Kathmandu to Machha Khola (869m)
📍 Machha Khola
Drive 8–9 hours through the mid-hills of Nepal — a landscape of terraced rice fields, rushing rivers and small market towns — to Machha Khola, the trailhead for the Tsum Valley. The Budhi Gandaki river gorge, which you will follow for several days, begins to assert its dramatic character. Overnight: Machha Khola teahouse. Meals: All included.
Day 3
Day 3: Machha Khola to Doban (1,070m)
📍 Doban
Trek along the Budhi Gandaki River through deep subtropical gorge, crossing suspension bridges and navigating narrow cliff-edge paths. The river is powerful and turquoise. Sub-tropical forest clings to the steep walls above the water. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 4
Day 4: Doban to Jagat (1,410m)
📍 Jagat
Continue up the Budhi Gandaki gorge through increasingly dramatic terrain — the valley walls steepen and the river narrows between enormous boulders. Jagat is the last permanent settlement before the gorge deepens further. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 5
Day 5: Jagat to Philim (1,570m)
📍 Philim
The trail climbs out of the deepest section of the gorge to the wide valley floor at Philim — a Gurung village with a spectacular mountain backdrop and the smell of dry upland air. Here the Tsum Valley branch departs from the main Manaslu Circuit trail. Walking time: 4–5 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 6
Day 6: Philim to Chumling (2,386m)
📍 Chumling
Begin the ascent into the Tsum Valley proper. The trail crosses into a different cultural world — Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags, mani walls and chortens replace the Hindu influences of the lower valley. Chumling is one of the first Tsumba (Tsum people) villages, with extraordinary mountain views and a warm teahouse welcome. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 7
Day 7: Chumling to Chhokangparo (3,031m)
📍 Chhokangparo
Ascend through increasingly alpine terrain into the heart of the Tsum Valley. The flat valley floor — unusual in Nepal — is cultivated with barley and potatoes. Chortens and ancient stupas dot the landscape. Chhokangparo is the valley's main village, with a central monastery and a collection of traditional flat-roofed stone houses. Walking time: 4–5 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 8
Day 8: Chhokangparo to Nile (3,361m) and Mu Gompa (3,700m)
📍 Nile / Mu Gompa
Ascend to the upper valley and visit Mu Gompa — the most important monastery in Tsum Valley and one of the most sacred in Nepal. Founded in the 8th century, the monastery complex contains the country's oldest surviving murals and a collection of Buddhist relics of immeasurable value. The monks here maintain practices unchanged for over a millennium. Walking time: 4–5 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 9
Day 9: Mu Gompa to Chhule (3,800m) — Tibetan Border View
📍 Chhule
Trek to the upper reaches of the Tsum Valley near the Tibetan border. The landscape becomes remote and primordial — glaciers visible in all directions, the sound of wind carrying prayer flags, and the vast silence of high altitude. Walking time: 4–5 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 10
Day 10: Chhule to Rachen Gompa (3,800m)
📍 Rachen Gompa
Visit Rachen Gompa — a nunnery of approximately 100 nuns, the largest in the Tsum Valley. The nuns maintain a strict schedule of prayers and study. Their gompa, perched dramatically above the valley, contains important religious manuscripts and thangkas. Walking time: 3–4 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 11
Day 11: Rachen Gompa to Chhokangparo (3,031m)
📍 Chhokangparo
Begin the return descent through the Tsum Valley, taking time to revisit the remarkable cultural landscape — the chortens, mani walls and village monasteries that give this valley its unique character. Walking time: 4–5 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 12
Day 12: Chhokangparo to Chumling (2,386m)
📍 Chumling
Continue the descent south through the lower Tsum Valley, passing below the point where the valley narrows. The contrast between the open upper valley and the steep lower gorge is dramatic. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 13
Day 13: Chumling to Philim (1,570m)
📍 Philim
Rejoin the main Budhi Gandaki trail at Philim. The subtropical warmth of the lower altitude is welcome after days at 3,000+ metres. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 14
Day 14: Philim to Jagat (1,410m)
📍 Jagat
Retrace through the Budhi Gandaki gorge, crossing the river multiple times on suspension bridges. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 15
Day 15: Jagat to Doban (1,070m)
📍 Doban
Continue down the gorge through tropical forest and beside the powerful river. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 16
Day 16: Doban to Machha Khola (869m)
📍 Machha Khola
Final day of trekking — return to the trailhead at Machha Khola. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 17
Day 17: Drive Machha Khola to Kathmandu
📍 Kathmandu
Long drive back to Kathmandu — 8–9 hours on mountain roads through the mid-hills. Arrive in time for a farewell dinner. Overnight: Kathmandu hotel. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 18
Day 18: Final Departure
📍 Kathmandu
Airport transfer for your international departure. The Tsum Valley is one of the last places on earth where ancient Himalayan Buddhist civilisation survives in its complete, living form. You have seen what very few ever will. Meals: Breakfast.
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Domestic transport per itinerary
- All accommodation during the trip
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Experienced English-speaking certified guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers, max 15kg)
- All trekking permits and national park fees
- TIMS card
- Mantra Adventure duffel bag
- First aid kit
✗ Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa (USD 30-100 on arrival)
- Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
- Meals in Kathmandu/Pokhara
- Accommodation in Kathmandu (available on request)
- Alcoholic beverages, hot showers, personal items
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guide and porters
Travel Tips & Useful Information
➤ What is the best season for this trip?
The best seasons are Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November). Spring brings rhododendron blooms and stable weather; Autumn offers crystal-clear post-monsoon visibility. Nepal trips in these windows deliver optimal mountain views.
➤ How difficult is the Tsum Valley Trek?
This trip is rated Moderate. Suitable for beginners with basic fitness — walking 3-4 times per week for 4-6 weeks is adequate. No technical experience needed.
➤ Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities get Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport for USD 30 (30 days). Indian nationals do not require a visa.
➤ What permits are required?
Restricted Area Permit (USD 500–3,000) + relevant national park fees. Mantra Adventure handles everything. No extra hassle for you.
➤ What is included in the price?
Included: Airport transfers; domestic flights/transport per itinerary; all trek accommodation; all meals during trek; English-speaking guide; porters (1 per 2 trekkers); all trekking permits; Mantra Adventure duffel bag. Not included: International flights; Nepal visa; personal travel insurance (mandatory); personal gear; tips.
➤ What fitness level is required?
For Tsum Valley Trek (Moderate): Regular walking or swimming 3×/week for 6 weeks is sufficient. You should be comfortable walking 5-6 hours on uneven terrain.
➤ Is altitude sickness a concern?
Maximum altitude is 3,900m / Mu Gompa. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,500m. Our itinerary includes acclimatisation days and our guides carry supplemental oxygen. Diamox can be taken as prophylaxis — consult your doctor. Emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory.