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Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary

A hidden Tibetan-style valley of monasteries, mani walls and quiet villages. A 14-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

14 days

11 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

3,700 m

Mu Gompa

Difficulty

Challenging

Manaslu (Tsum, restricted area)

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Restricted area. You need a permit arranged through a registered trekking agency and a licensed guide. You cannot trek here independently.
Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startDay 1: Machha Khola, about 870 mDay 2: Jagat, about 1,340 mDay 3: Lokpa, about 2,240 mDay 4: Chumling, about 2,390 mDay 5: Chhokangparo, about 3,030 mDay 6: Nile, about 3,361 mDay 7: Mu Gompa, about 3,700 mDay 8: Mu Gompa, about 3,700 mDay 9: Burgi, about 3,245 mDay 10: Chumling, about 2,390 mDay 11: Philim, about 1,570 mDay 12: Khorlabesi, about 970 mDay 13: Machha Khola, about 870 mDay 14: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567891011121314Day

2 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Machha Khola

    Sleep: Machha Khola · about 870 m (sources: 869 to 900 m)9 to 10 h by road via Arughat and Soti Khola

    A very long drive on a rough road. Permits are checked on the way.

  2. Day 2

    Machha Khola to Jagat

    Sleep: Jagat · about 1,340 m (sources: 1,340 to 1,410 m)Walking 6 to 7 h

    Follow the Budhi Gandaki past Tatopani hot springs. The restricted-area checkpoint is at Jagat.

  3. Day 3

    Jagat to Lokpa

    Sleep: Lokpa · about 2,240 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    Through Philim and the bamboo forest to Lokpa, where the Tsum Valley trail leaves the Manaslu route.

  4. Day 4

    Lokpa to Chumling

    Sleep: Chumling · about 2,390 m (sources: 2,386 to 2,600 m)Walking 5 to 7 h

    A tough day with steep sections beside the Siyar Khola into lower Tsum. Sources give Chumling between 2,386 and 2,600 m.

  5. Day 5

    Chumling to Chhokangparo

    Sleep: Chhokangparo · about 3,030 m (sources: 3,010 to 3,031 m)Walking 4 to 5 hSleeping altitude +640 m

    The valley opens up, with views of Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 640 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  6. Day 6

    Chhokangparo to Nile

    Sleep: Nile · about 3,361 mWalking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +330 m

    Pass Milarepa's cave (Piren Phu) and the villages of upper Tsum on the way to Nile.

  7. Day 7

    Nile to Mu Gompa

    Sleep: Mu Gompa · about 3,700 m (sources: 3,700 to 3,910 m)Walking 3 to 6 hSleeping altitude +340 m

    The highest settlement of the trek, near the Tibetan border. Sources give between 3,700 and 3,910 m and walking times between 3 and 6 hours.

    You have climbed about 1310 m since your last rest day. Rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.

  8. Day 8 · rest day

    Rest day at Mu Gompa

    Sleep: Mu Gompa · about 3,700 m (sources: 3,700 to 3,910 m)

    Visit the monastery. An optional side trip goes to Dhephyudonma Gompa, whose altitude differs between sources (roughly 4,060 to 4,600 m).

  9. Day 9

    Mu Gompa to Burgi (Rachen Gompa)

    Sleep: Burgi · about 3,245 m (sources: 3,240 to 3,245 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    Descend past Rachen Gompa, a nunnery in the Shiar Khola valley.

  10. Day 10

    Burgi to Chumling

    Sleep: Chumling · about 2,390 m (sources: 2,386 to 2,600 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    A long descent along the valley.

  11. Day 11

    Chumling to Philim

    Sleep: Philim · about 1,570 mWalking 6 to 7 h

    Back to the Budhi Gandaki valley.

  12. Day 12

    Philim to Khorlabesi

    Sleep: Khorlabesi · about 970 mWalking 6 to 7 h

    Down the gorge on the Manaslu trail, passing Jagat.

  13. Day 13

    Khorlabesi to Machha Khola

    Sleep: Machha Khola · about 870 m (sources: 869 to 900 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    The last day of walking.

  14. Day 14

    Machha Khola to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m9 to 10 h by road

    A long drive back to Kathmandu.

Permits

  • Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, arranged only through a registered trekking agency
  • Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
  • A licensed guide is required. Some operators also list a TIMS card, so confirm the full permit list with the agency
  • The permit period is counted from the checkpoint at Jagat, according to one source

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

The Tsum Valley (Tsum means vertical, for its steep terrain) is a remote valley west of Ganesh Himal, with Tibetan Buddhist culture, monasteries and nunneries. The route follows the Budhi Gandaki on the Manaslu trail as far as Lokpa, then turns north into the valley to Chumling, Chhokangparo, Nile and Mu Gompa at about 3,700 m.

Tsum is a restricted area. You must have a permit arranged by a registered agency and be accompanied by a licensed guide. Lodges are simple, and the days are long, with several above 5 to 7 hours.

Day-by-day itinerary (14 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Machha Khola. Sleep at Machha Khola (about 870 m). 9 to 10 h by road via Arughat and Soti Khola.
  2. Day 2: Machha Khola to Jagat. Sleep at Jagat (about 1,340 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  3. Day 3: Jagat to Lokpa. Sleep at Lokpa (about 2,240 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  4. Day 4: Lokpa to Chumling. Sleep at Chumling (about 2,390 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  5. Day 5: Chumling to Chhokangparo. Sleep at Chhokangparo (about 3,030 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  6. Day 6: Chhokangparo to Nile. Sleep at Nile (about 3,361 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  7. Day 7: Nile to Mu Gompa. Sleep at Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m). Walking about 3 to 6 h.
  8. Day 8: Rest day at Mu Gompa. Sleep at Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m).
  9. Day 9: Mu Gompa to Burgi (Rachen Gompa). Sleep at Burgi (about 3,245 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  10. Day 10: Burgi to Chumling. Sleep at Chumling (about 2,390 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  11. Day 11: Chumling to Philim. Sleep at Philim (about 1,570 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  12. Day 12: Philim to Khorlabesi. Sleep at Khorlabesi (about 970 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  13. Day 13: Khorlabesi to Machha Khola. Sleep at Machha Khola (about 870 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  14. Day 14: Machha Khola to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 9 to 10 h by road.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, arranged only through a registered trekking agency
  • Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
  • A licensed guide is required. Some operators also list a TIMS card, so confirm the full permit list with the agency
  • The permit period is counted from the checkpoint at Jagat, according to one source

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Tsum Valley Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 14 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 11 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Tsum Valley Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Mu Gompa, at about 3,700 m.

What is the best time for the Tsum Valley Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Tsum Valley Trek?

Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, arranged only through a registered trekking agency. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP). A licensed guide is required. Some operators also list a TIMS card, so confirm the full permit list with the agency. The permit period is counted from the checkpoint at Jagat, according to one source. A licensed guide is required in this restricted area. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

Do I need a guide for the Tsum Valley?

Yes. Tsum Valley is a restricted area, and sources agree that a licensed guide and a permit arranged through a registered trekking agency are required. Solo trekking is not allowed.

How long is the Tsum Valley trek?

This plan takes 14 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with two long drives of 9 to 10 hours. Longer versions add Ganesh Himal Base Camp or continue to the Manaslu Circuit.