Tsum Valleyनिले
The last village of the upper Tsum Valley, a cluster of stone houses facing Chhule, a short climb from Mu Gompa.
This is Nile (Nyile), the northernmost village of the upper Tsum Valley in Gorkha district, facing Chhule across the river below Mu Gompa; it is not the African river, nor any place in Mustang.
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), landslides (Jun-Sep), snow (Nov-Mar), cold (Nov-Feb).
Nile, also spelled Nyile, is the northernmost permanent village of the Tsum Valley, at about 3,360 m on the west bank of the river, opposite the village of Chhule. Beyond it the valley narrows towards the Tibetan border and the only major site further north is Mu Gompa, about 2-3 hours' walk away. Within the Tsum Valley it is the usual last overnight stop before Mu Gompa, or the place to stay for those who walk up to the monastery as a day trip.
The setting is high and open: stone houses with flat roofs and stacked firewood, barley and potato fields, yak pastures and bare slopes rising to snow peaks. A large mani dungyur (prayer-wheel house) stands at the edge of the village, and chortens and mani walls line the trail between Nile and Chhule. Life here is busiest in summer and autumn, when herders move animals to higher pastures and fields are harvested.
Like the rest of Tsum, Nile is home to Tsumba people who speak a Tibetan dialect and follow Tibetan Buddhism. Its position near the border made it a stop on old trade and pilgrimage routes to Tibet. The Department of Immigration names Nile and Chule among the villages covered by the Tsum Valley restricted area permit.
Walk to Mu Gompa
Climb about 2-3 hours north to the highest monastery in Tsum, as an overnight stay or a day trip.
Visit Chhule
Cross to Chhule on the opposite bank to see its chortens and small gompa.
Forecast for 3,361 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Apr-May, Oct-Nov
A few basic lodges and homestays, some closed in winter.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Walk up the Tsum Valley from Lokpa via Chumling and Chhokang Paro, about 3-4 days.
Nearest hub: Lokpa (Tsum Valley turn-off)
Nearest hub: Lokpa. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
On footfrom Chhokang Paroabout 5-7 h5-7 h from Chhokang Paro via Rachen Gompa, Lamagaun and Milarepa's cave, about 300-400 m of gentle ascent
On foot only, about 3-4 days up the Tsum Valley from Lokpa.
Restricted-area permit
Nile is in the Tsum Valley restricted area: foreigners need the Tsum Valley restricted area permit and the Manaslu Conservation Area permit, arranged through a registered agency.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration: Trekking route and permit fee.
On the Tsum Valley Trek, Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley.
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
At roughly 3,361 m, 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.
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.
Snowhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Snow is common in the upper Tsum valley from late autumn to spring; many lodges close and some residents move down the valley.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Feb
Severe cold in midwinter at this height, with limited heated space.
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.
A restricted-area trek from the Budhi Gandaki into the Buddhist Tsum Valley in northern Gorkha, through Chumling, Chhokang Paro and Nile to Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m) near the Tibetan border. Often combined with the Manaslu Circuit.
Nile (Nyile) is the northernmost village of the Tsum Valley in Gorkha district, Nepal, opposite Chhule and below Mu Gompa.
About 2-3 hours' walk north, climbing to roughly 3,700 m.
About 3,360 m. Some people feel the altitude here, so a gradual ascent helps.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,700 m
The highest monastery of the Tsum Valley, set on a bare ridge near the Tibetan border at the head of the valley.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,240 m
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
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
The first main village of lower Tsum, across the Shiar Khola from the trail from Lokpa.
Trek stop · 2,240 m
A small village above the Budhi Gandaki where the trail turns east into the Tsum Valley.
Valley or region
A restricted Buddhist side valley of the Manaslu region, with monasteries, Milarepa's cave and villages near the Tibetan border.
