Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,700 m
Mu Gompa
The highest monastery of the Tsum Valley, set on a bare ridge near the Tibetan border at the head of the valley.
Manasluचुम उपत्यका
Tsum Valley
A restricted Buddhist side valley of the Manaslu region, with monasteries, Milarepa's cave and villages near the Tibetan border.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Valley or region
- District
- Gorkha, Gandaki
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep), river crossings (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep), cold (Dec-Feb).
Why go
The Tsum Valley is a high side valley in the north of Gorkha district that branches east from the Budhi Gandaki near Lokpa and climbs towards the Tibetan border. It lies inside the Manaslu Conservation Area, bounded by the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal and Boudha Himal ranges. Within the Manaslu destination it is a separate restricted area with its own permit, usually trekked as a 6-8 day detour from the Manaslu Circuit or as a trek on its own.
The valley opened to foreign trekkers only in 2008 and remains quiet. The walk climbs through forest from Lokpa to Chumling, then into the broad, cultivated upper valley with its stone villages, long mani walls, chortens and monasteries. Key stops have their own pages: Lokpa, the turn-off village; Chhokang Paro, the main village of the lower-upper valley; Rachen Gompa, a nunnery near Chhokang Paro; Nile, the northernmost village; and Mu Gompa, the highest monastery, near the border.
There are views of Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal, and side trips lead to Milarepa's cave (Piren Phu) and to the Ganesh Himal base camp area from Chumling. Most itineraries spend at least one night at Mu Gompa before returning down the same valley.
Places in Tsum Valley
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,240 m
Rachen Gompa
A Buddhist nunnery on a terrace of the upper Tsum Valley, near Milarepa's cave and the villages of Chhokang Paro.
Trek stop · 3,031 m
Chhokang Paro
Twin farming villages on a broad terrace in the upper Tsum Valley, the base for Rachen Gompa and Milarepa's cave.
Trek stop · 2,386 m
Chumling
The first main village of lower Tsum, across the Shiar Khola from the trail from Lokpa.
Trek stop · 2,240 m
Lokpa
A small village above the Budhi Gandaki where the trail turns east into the Tsum Valley.
Trek stop · 3,361 m
Nile
The last village of the upper Tsum Valley, a cluster of stone houses facing Chhule, a short climb from Mu Gompa.
History and culture
The people of Tsum, the Tsumba, speak a Tibetan dialect and follow Tibetan Buddhism. The valley is described as a beyul, a hidden valley of spiritual refuge in Tibetan tradition, and the yogi Milarepa is believed to have meditated in caves here, which has drawn pilgrims for centuries. It long had close trade and family ties with Tibet across the passes to the north.
Daily life follows farming of barley, potatoes, buckwheat and maize and herding of yaks and sheep. Traditional practices, including polyandry in some families and communal resource sharing, still persist in places. Local tradition holds that a ban on hunting and animal slaughter has been observed in the valley since the early 20th century, and visitors are asked to respect it.
Things to do in Tsum Valley
Trek to Mu Gompa
Walk up the valley from Lokpa via Chumling, Chhokang Paro and Nile to Mu Gompa, about 4-5 days up and 2-3 days down.
Visit Milarepa's cave
Stop at Piren Phu, the cave associated with Milarepa, near Chhokang Paro and Rachen Gompa.
See the monasteries
Visit Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa and the smaller gompas of the upper valley, respecting prayer times.
Side trip to Ganesh Himal base camp
Experienced trekkers can add a demanding side trip from Chumling towards Ganesh Himal base camp.
Weather and the best time to visit Tsum Valley
Weather in Chhokang Paro
Forecast for 3,031 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and dry, the main season.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold with snow in the upper villages; some lodges close.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is mild with rhododendrons in the lower forests.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings rain, leeches and landslides on the lower trail; the upper valley is drier.
Where to stay
TeahousesHomestaysMonastery guesthouses
Simple teahouses and homestays in the villages; Mu Gompa and some gompas have basic guest rooms.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola or Machha Khola, walk up the Budhi Gandaki to Lokpa, then turn east into the Tsum Valley.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
- roadKathmandu to Soti Khola or Machha Khola, roughly 7-10 hours by bus or jeep.
- trekMachha Khola to Lokpa via Jagat and Philim in about 2 days, then 3-4 days up the Tsum Valley to Mu Gompa.
Getting to Tsum Valley, by mode
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 7-9 hLocal buses
Public buses run from Kathmandu towards Arughat and Soti Khola in a long day on a road that is largely unpaved beyond Arughat; services may stop short of Soti Khola depending on the state of the track, with Arughat the usual fallback for a night.
When to set off: buses for Arughat and Soti Khola leave Kathmandu in the morning, so be at the bus park by about 07:00
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 7-10 h
A hired jeep is the usual way in: sealed road as far as Dhading Besi or Gorkha, then an unpaved hill road through Arughat to Soti Khola, and on up the valley to Machha Khola when the track allows.
Road: Sealed to Dhading Besi or Gorkha, then a largely unpaved hill road through Arughat; a jeep or 4WD is normally needed and the upper sections are monsoon-affected.
When to set off: leave Kathmandu by about 06:00 to reach the roadhead in daylight
By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 8-11 hExperienced riders only
Riders do reach the Manaslu roadhead, but the stretch beyond Arughat is rough, dusty and exposed, with river crossings and loose surfaces, so it suits experienced off-road riders only.
Road: Highway to Dhading Besi, then an unpaved hill road with loose gravel, steep pitches and stream crossings beyond Arughat.
When to set off: start early; the unpaved section beyond Arughat is slow going
On footfrom Lokpa3-4 walking days Lokpa to Mu Gompa, gaining 300-700 m a day from about 2,240 m to about 3,700 m
The valley is entered on foot at Lokpa, about two walking days above Machha Khola.
Where people go next
Permits and fees
Restricted-area permit
Tsum is a restricted area with its own permit, separate from the Manaslu restricted area permit. Foreigners also need the Manaslu Conservation Area permit and must go through a registered agency.
- Tsum Valley restricted area permit: The Department of Immigration lists USD 40 per week (September to November) or USD 30 per week (December to August), plus USD 7 per day beyond one week, covering Chumnubri wards 3, 6 and 7 including Lokpa, Chumling, Chekampar, Nile and Chule.
- Manaslu Conservation Area permit: Required for the whole valley.
- Manaslu restricted area permit: Also needed if you continue on the Manaslu Circuit.
- Group and guide rule: Restricted area permits are issued through registered agencies; a licensed guide and minimum group size are generally required. Check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration: Trekking route and permit fee.
On the trail
On the Tsum Valley Trek, Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley.
- Previous stop:
- Lokpa
- Next stop:
- Chumling
- A typical day:
- Days of 5-7 hours on forest and valley trails, gaining 300-700 m a day from Lokpa (about 2,240 m) to Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m).
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Tsum Valley
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The approach up the Budhi Gandaki and the forested lower Tsum trail are landslide-prone in the June to September monsoon; the upper valley is drier but the way in is the problem.
River crossingshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The route crosses the Budhi Gandaki repeatedly on suspension bridges, and near Yaru a cantilever walkway carries the trail along the gorge wall. These are the most exposed sections when the river runs high in the monsoon.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The largely unpaved road beyond Arughat is prone to landslide blockages and washouts during the June to September monsoon, when most of Nepal's annual rain falls.
Coldhigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
Midwinter is very cold in the upper valley above about 3,000 m.
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
At roughly 2,240-3,700 m in the main villages, thin air affects most people. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly, build in acclimatisation days, learn the symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, breathlessness, broken sleep) and go down if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Aug
Leeches are common on the forested lower trail through the monsoon, which is one reason most trekkers avoid these months.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearDec-Mar
The upper villages hold snow through midwinter and into March, and some lodges close for the season.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- The upper valley rises to about 3,700 m; altitude sickness is possible, so ascend gradually. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Carry all the cash you need from Kathmandu; there are no ATMs.
- Mobile signal is limited and absent in places; lodges may have paid Wi-Fi.
- Respect the valley's tradition against killing animals, walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls, and ask before photographing people or monastery interiors.
Treks through Tsum Valley
The Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa combined with the climb to the sacred Gosaikunda lakes (about 4,380 m) via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa, finishing at Dhunche. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,984 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
A restricted-area teahouse trek around Manaslu (8,163 m), up the Budhi Gandaki gorge through Gurung and Nubri villages, over the Larkya La (about 5,106 m) and down to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,106 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
A restricted-area trek from Koto on the Annapurna Circuit into the high Tibetan Buddhist villages of Phu and Nar, crossing the Kang La (about 5,320 m) to Ngawal and Manang.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,320 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Questions about Tsum Valley
Do I need a special permit for the Tsum Valley?
Yes. Tsum has its own restricted area permit, arranged through a registered agency, plus the Manaslu Conservation Area permit. Check the current fee with the Department of Immigration.
How many days do I need for the Tsum Valley?
About 6-8 extra days from Lokpa as a detour from the Manaslu Circuit, or around 2 weeks as a trek from and back to the roadhead.
When is the best time to visit the Tsum Valley?
October-November and March-May. Winter is very cold and the monsoon brings leeches and landslides lower down.
Is altitude sickness a risk in the Tsum Valley?
It can be at Nile and Mu Gompa, around 3,350-3,700 m, so a gradual ascent is advisable.
More in Manaslu
All of ManasluTrek stop · 3,590 m
Bimthang
A meadow settlement below the Larkya La, the first stop after the crossing.
Trek stop · 1,860 m
Deng
A small village at the head of the lower gorge on the Manaslu Circuit.
Trek stop · 4,460 m
Dharmasala (Larke Phedi)
The seasonal stop at the foot of the Larkya La, used the night before the crossing.
Trek stop · 1,340 m
Jagat (Gorkha)
A stone-paved village in the Budhi Gandaki gorge where the Manaslu restricted area begins.
Mountain pass · 5,106 m
Larkya La
The high pass of the Manaslu Circuit, a long glacial crossing from the Budhi Gandaki to the Marsyangdi side.
Trek stop · 900 m
Machha Khola
A riverside village of lodges at the mouth of a side stream, the first night's stop for most Manaslu Circuit trekkers.
Trek stop · 2,630 m
Namrung
The first village of Nubri on the Manaslu Circuit, among barley fields and forest.
Trek stop · 1,570 m
Philim
A large Gurung village on the lower Manaslu Circuit, near the turn-off for the Tsum Valley.
Nearby
Trek stop · 2,240 m
Lokpa
A small village above the Budhi Gandaki where the trail turns east into the Tsum Valley.
Trek stop · 3,031 m
Chhokang Paro
Twin farming villages on a broad terrace in the upper Tsum Valley, the base for Rachen Gompa and Milarepa's cave.
Trek stop · 3,361 m
Nile
The last village of the upper Tsum Valley, a cluster of stone houses facing Chhule, a short climb from Mu Gompa.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,700 m
Mu Gompa
The highest monastery of the Tsum Valley, set on a bare ridge near the Tibetan border at the head of the valley.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Tsum Valley, Wikipedia, Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage, Department of Immigration: Trekking route and permit fee, Top monasteries of the Manaslu region, Himalayan Masters