12-Day Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal with Mu Gompa and Tibetan Culture

• Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola by bus or jeep.
• Travel via Arughat and Dhading Bensi while enjoying views of terraced rice fields and rural landscapes.
• Follow the Budhi Gandaki River basin along the route.
• Arrive at Machha Khola and check in at a guesthouse.
• Enjoy meals and relax after the long journey.

Approximate time: 7 to 8 hours by bus or 5 hours by jeep.

Distance: 153 km via Dhading Bensi.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Altitude: 930 metres.

• Start the day with breakfast before beginning the trek along the historic salt trade route.

• Walk through varied terrain with ascents and descents towards Tatopani hot springs.

• Climb over a ridge and cross the Budhi Gandaki River.

• Ascend stone steps to reach Dobhan and cross a suspension bridge over Dobhan Khola.

• Continue climbing through Duman and follow the trail towards Yaru Khola.

• Cross the bridge at Yaru Khola and pass Tharo Bharyang.

• Traverse the western side of the Budhi Gandaki to reach Jagat village.

• Arrive at Jagat, the entry point for the Manaslu restricted area.

• Check in at a guesthouse and relax.

Approximate time: 7 hours (20 km).

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Altitude: 1,340 metres.

• Begin the trek after checking your restricted area permit at Jagat.
• Climb along a rocky and narrow trail towards Salleri.
• Descend to Sirdibas and continue towards Ghatta Khola.
• Cross a suspension bridge and ascend to reach Philim village.
• Walk through forest trails north of Philim with views of a narrow valley.
• Trek for about an hour to reach Ekle Bhatti.
• Continue through pine forests and pass a scenic gorge.
• Take the right trail leading into Tsum Valley.
• Arrive at Lokpa and check in at a guesthouse.

Approximate time: 5 to 6 hours (12 km).

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Altitude: 2,240 metres.

• Begin the trek from Lokpa towards Chumling, marking the start of the Tsum Valley journey.

• Descend towards the Lungwa River and walk through dense forests of rhododendron, pine, and juniper.

• Continue along scenic trails passing Siyar Khola.

• Ascend on a steep uphill path towards Chumling village.

• Enjoy views of Ganesh Himal and Buddha Himal along the route.

• Explore Chumling Gompa and the traditional stone village for views of Shringi Himal.

• Arrive and check in at a guesthouse.

Trek route: Lokpa to Sardi Danda to Chumling.

Distance: 8 km (approximately 5 hours).

Starting altitude: 2,240 metres.

Ending altitude: 2,385 metres.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

• Start the day with breakfast before continuing along an easy and scenic trail.

• Walk through wide valleys with beautiful mountain views.

• Visit Dhampa Gompa and experience its peaceful surroundings.

• Continue trekking to Domje village.

• Cross a bridge and begin a steep ascent towards Chhekampar.

• Arrive at Chhekampar, the largest village in the Tsum Valley.

• Check in at a guesthouse and relax.

• Trek route: Chumling to Dhampa Gompa to Domje to Chhekampar.

Distance: 9 km (approximately 4.5 hours).

Starting altitude: 2,385 metres.

Ending altitude: 3,030 metres.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

• Begin the trek from Chhekampar towards the remote villages of Nile and Chhule.

• Follow scenic trails along the river with views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape.

• Visit Phu Cave (Pigeon Cave), a sacred site associated with Guru Milarepa.

• Pass Buddhist monasteries with mural paintings and fertile terrace fields.

• Stop for lunch at Lamagaon or Nile village.

• Continue trekking for approximately 2 hours towards Mu Gompa.

• Experience a peaceful overnight stay near the monastery.

Starting altitude: 3,030 metres.

Ending altitude: 3,360 metres.

Distance: 7 km (approximately 5 hours).

Accommodation: Guesthouse/monastery stay.

• Begin the morning with visits to Dhephu Doma Nunnery Gompa and Rikang Gompa.

• Enjoy scenic trails with mostly downhill sections and beautiful mountain views.

• Pass through small settlements including Wind Power Mill, Pangdun, Phurbe, and Lar.

• Continue trekking towards Rachen Gompa while experiencing the peaceful surroundings.

• Arrive and check in at a guesthouse or monastery.

Trek route: Nile to Mu Gompa.

Distance: 5 km (approximately 4 hours).

Starting altitude: 3,360 metres.

Ending altitude: 3,705 metres.

Lunch: Mu Gompa.

Accommodation: Guesthouse/monastery stay.

• Begin the day trekking from Mu Gompa towards Gumba Lungdang.

• Walk for several hours to reach Siya Khola.

• Cross a bridge and continue towards Domje village, known for its Tibetan herbal medicine clinic and school.

• Follow the eastern trail through lush rhododendron forests.

• Pass mani walls and colourful Tibetan prayer flags along the route.

• Continue towards Gumba Lungdang with views of Ganesh Himal.

• Arrive and check in at a guesthouse.

Trek route: Mu Gompa to Nile to Rachen Gompa to Lamagaon to Chhekampar.

Distance: 12 km (approximately 6 hours).

Starting altitude: 3,705 metres.

Ending altitude: 3,030 metres.

Lunch: Lamagaon or Rachen Gompa.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

• Begin the trek from Chhekampar and descend towards Chumling.

• Follow scenic mountain trails with views of valleys and forests.

• Stop for lunch at Chumling village.

• Continue trekking through forested paths towards Lokpa.

• Arrive at Lokpa and check in at a guesthouse for an overnight stay.

• Optional activity: Day hike from Gumba Lungdang to Ganesh Himal Base Camp (additional day and cost apply).

Trek route: Chhekampar to Chumling to Lokpa.

Distance: 25 km (approximately 8 hours).

Starting altitude: 3,030 metres.

Ending altitude: 2,240 metres.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

• Begin the return trek from Lokpa towards Jagat.

• Pass through Domje and walk along scenic forest trails.

• Cross suspension bridges and continue towards Rupche.

• Descend through Sarti while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape.

• Rejoin the main trail and continue towards Jagat.

• Stop for lunch at Philim village.

• Arrive at Jagat and check in at a guesthouse for an overnight stay.

Distance: 17 km (approximately 7 hours).

Starting altitude: 2,240 metres.

Ending altitude: 1,342 metres.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

• Begin the trek from Jagat and check out from the Tsum Valley restricted area.

• Descend through Sirdibas and continue towards Yaruphant.

• Walk through changing landscapes from dry terrain to lush subtropical vegetation.

• Continue trekking via Dobhan and reach Tatopani.

• Optional stop to relax at the natural hot springs at Tatopani.

• Proceed towards Khorlabesi, crossing Tharo Khola along a rocky gorge.

• Follow the Budhi Gandaki River through villages like Labubesi and Khursane.

• Pass waterfalls and forested trails before crossing a bridge to Machha Khola.

• Arrive and check in at a guesthouse.

Trek route: Jagat to Dobhan to Khorlabesi to Machha Khola.

Distance: 20 km (approximately 8 hours).

Starting altitude: 1,342 metres.

Ending altitude: 930 metres.

Lunch: Dobhan or Khorlabesi.

Accommodation: Guesthouse.

• After your final mountain breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive back to Kathmandu by bus.
• Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. The hotel arrangement is your own responsibility.