Tsum Valley Trek

Arrive in Kathmandu / Airport transportation / hotel accommodation.

Tsum Valley Trek begins upon your arrival in Kathmandu. Our representatives will warmly receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Enjoy a refreshment at the hotel. In the evening, we’ll treat you with a delicious welcome dinner. In the meantime, you can enjoy strolling around Thamel Town. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Enjoy an aerial tour of Kathmandu City and experience the mesmerizing sight of some of the unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Witness the mesmerizing spectacle of the bustling Kathmandu City and the popular tourist hub of Thamel.
• Enjoy delectable Nepalese cuisines for the welcome dinner with us.

Cultural tour in KTM / TSUM valley trip briefing.

The day begins with a delicious breakfast. Your trek guide will brief you about the trek in detail. He will visit the appropriate trek offices to obtain the essential permits. In the meantime, you'll embark on a scenic, cultural tour of Kathmandu City and explore some of the most popular historical and cultural sites.

An experienced tour guide takes you to some of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Boudhanath. The well-guided tour offers insight into the UNESCO sites. You can explore the heritage of Kathmandu City and trace the history of Hinduism and Buddhism. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Enjoy a scenic, cultural tour to the most-frequented UNESCO World Heritage sites around Kathmandu City.
• Explore the history of Tibetan Buddhism at Swayambhunath Stupa and Boudhanath Stupa, two of the most revered Buddhist sites in Nepal.
• Swayambhunath Stupa atop the hill offers a panoramic view of the entire city.
• Boudhanath Stupa in Boudha is the largest spherical stupa in the country. The town is also home to the largest influx of Tibetan refugees.

Private vehicle drive to Arughat to start the Tsum valley hiking

Leaving Kathmandu, you’ll embark on your starting point of the trek. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you’ll get on a private jeep and begin driving through the scenic Prithvi Highway. The road journey goes along the massive Trishuli River and later takes a detour north to Gorkha District.

The historical Gorkha district goes along the Budi Gandaki River towards the bustling Arughat Bazaar. Arughat Bazaar in Gorkha District lies 126km west of Kathmandu City. Upon completing a 7-8hr long journey, you’ll reach Arughat, where you’ll spend the evening witnessing the lifestyle and ambiance of the locals. Overnight in Arughat.

• Enjoy a scenic road journey along the massive river, deep ravine, and lush forested hills.
• Gorkha is the historical destination that carries the legacy of the Shah Kingdom, the largest and the longest-reigning kingdom of Nepal.
• Arughat Bazaar lies on the foothills of Ganesh Himal so that you can enjoy the mesmerizing sight of Ganesh Himal.

Hike to Soti Khola.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at Arughat Bazaar. After breakfast, you’ll leave Arughat and begin climbing upstream along the Budi Gandaki River. The upstream trail climbs through the dense forest and small multi-ethnic settlements. Cross a suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki and continue climbing alongside the Budi Gandaki hydropower plant. The trail goes past beautiful rice and millet fields at Shanti Bazaar and crosses Arkhet Khola to reach Soti Khola. Walk past beautiful waterfalls in Kuerepani to reach Soti Khola. Overnight in Soti Khola.

• Enjoy the journey along the scenic banks of the Budi Gandaki River and Arkhet Khola.
• Explore the multi-ethnic settlements and witness the local lifestyle and culture of Brahmin, Chhetri, Gurung, and Magar tribes.

Hiking to Maccha Kola.

Leaving Soti Khola, you’ll begin climbing upstream to reach another serene river of Machha Khola. The upstream climb of 177 meters takes you through the beautiful Sal forests. The trail climbs along the Budi Gandaki River and continues for another 4-5hr. Upon crossing the Sal forest, you’ll continue climbing through rocky ridges towards the Gurung village of Lapubesi. Enjoy a delicious lunch, and then continue trekking alongside the Budi Gandaki River to reach Machha Khola. Overnight in Machha Khola.

• Explore the terraced fields of maize and wheat along the trek.
• Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Gurung village of Lapubesi.
• Climb above the Budi Gandaki Valley to reach Machha Khola.

Hike to Doban.

Leaving Machha Khola, you’ll continue on your trail along the Budi Gandaki River. The trail is covered with lush Sal forests on one side and a massive river on the other that goes north towards Thado Khola. Cross the Thado Khola to reach Khorlabesi. The trail goes along the lush fields of coffee, buckwheat, and tobacco towards Tatopani. Leaving the forested site, you’ll enter a narrow gorge that leads directly towards Tatopani. Enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing on your trek to Dobhan village. Overnight in Dobhan.

• Witness the rich fields of coffee, buckwheat, and tobacco along the trail.
• Take a dip in the natural hot spring at Tatopani Bazaar.

Walk to Philim.

Leaving Dobhan village, you’ll begin climbing uphill along the Dobhan River and continue towards the confluence at the east of the Budhi Gandaki River. A short hike brings you to Thulo Dhunga. Cross an old suspension bridge over the Yaru River and continue trekking towards Thado Bharyang. The trail gently climbs uphill towards the village of Jagat, where you can enjoy your lunch. Leaving Jagat, you’ll begin trekking towards Philim via Sirdibas village. Overnight in Philim.

• Explore the beautiful Gurung settlements along the Budi Gandaki riverbanks.
• Make a short visit to the local Chholing Sandup Gompa.
• Enjoy the magnificent sight of Ganesh II and Ganesh VI Peaks.
• Enter Manaslu Conservation Area at Jagat and continue trekking through the serene conservation site.

Hike to Chumling.

Leaving Philim village, you’ll begin climbing the above Budi Gandaki Valley towards Chumling village. The trail rises through the narrow ridge and continues towards Chisopani village. You’ll enter the scenic Lower Tsum Valley and begin climbing uphill along the south side of the Siyar River. Continue trekking along the colorful grain, potato, and bean fields overlooking the beautiful Shringi Himal. The trail briefly descends to Gumlung village and then continues to climb upstream along the Siyar River towards Chumling.

• Enter the remote Tsum Valley that is home to almost 4,000 residents residing in 18 villages.
• Enjoy the mesmerizing scenery of Shringi Himal.

Trek to Chhokengparo.

Leaving Chumling, you'll begin climbing upstream along the Siyar Khola. Enjoy the beautiful sight of Ganesh Himal Range along the exposed ridge. The trail continues past traditional Tibetan-styled settlements towards Ripchet village (2468m). Enjoy a delicious lunch, and then continue along the trail to Rainjam village. Continue climbing upstream along the Serpu Khola to reach the village of Chhokangparo. Overnight in Chhokangparo.

• Catch the majestic sight of Ganesh Himal along the trail.
• Chhokangparo valley divides into two different settlements, namely Chhokang and Paro.

Hike to Chule / visit the MILARAPA PIREN CAVE on the way.

Leaving Chhokangparo, you’ll begin climbing through the rocky terrain towards Lama Gaon (3202m). A short uphill trek brings you to Milarepa Piren Cave. Milarepa Cave in Tsum Valley is known as Piren Phu, which translates to pigeons cave. The locals believe that the revered saint Milarepa meditated in the caves. You can choose to visit the nearby gompas, Tara and Milarepa. Leaving the caves, you’ll begin climbing upstream along Shiyar Khola and continue trekking past Pangdun (3258m) to arrive at Chule village.

• Enjoy a scenic visit to the revered site of Milarepa Piren Cave. The locals believe that the saint Milarepa meditated in the Piren caves.
• Explore the high-altitude monasteries of Tara and Milarepa. 

Trek to MU GOMPA visit MU DHEPHYDONMA GOMPAS.

Leaving Chule village, you’ll begin traversing close to the Tibetan border in the north. You’ll continue walking along the west bank of the Tsum valley and trek past Nile village to arrive at Mu Gompa. Witness the rich Tibetan landscape surrounding Mu Gompa. Few hours of the climb through rock moraines brings you to Mu Gompa, nestled on the glacier. Also, the highest point of the trek, Mu Gompa, lies close to the Tibetan border in the north. Overnight in Mu Gompa.

• Welcome to the remotest and northernmost part of the Tsum Valley that boasts the view of the beautiful Tibetan plateau.
• Mu Gompa consists of many smaller gompas, also known as Mu Dhephy Donma Gompas. Consider visiting the beautiful sites and meeting the local monks.

Exploration day.

Wake up to the beautiful view of the Mu Gompas. After enjoying a delicious local breakfast, you'll embark on a tour around Mu Gompa valley. Begin exploring the rocky moraines and glaciers surrounding Mu Gompa. Leaving the gompas behind, you'll begin climbing the local landmark, Pika Himal. The local peak measures 4,865 meters in altitude and lies just a few kilometers away from Mu Gompa. From the top, you can catch the natural sights of Mu Gompa, Shiar Khola, and scenic mountains. Overnight in Mu Gompa.

• Explore the beautiful Mu Gompa valley lying close to Tibet Border.
• Climb the local peak of Pika Himal (4865 m), which offers the majestic scenery of the surrounding.

Trek to RACHEN GOMPA visiting GONHGYE GOMPA on the way.

Leaving Mu Gompa, you’ll begin climbing downhill along the Siyar River towards Lamabagar. Upon arrival, you may find yourself standing in front of Rachen Gompa. Rachen Gompa is the only nunnery in the region. Upon visiting the beautiful site, the local nun may offer local delicacies and Tibetan tea. Leaving Rachen Gompa, you’ll begin traversing Milarepa’s many caves and head towards Gonhgye Gompa. Overnight in Rachen Monastery.

• Explore the beautiful nunnery of Rachen Gompa, where you will get to taste delicious local bread and Tibetan tea.
• Traverse along Milarepa Caves to reach Gonhgye Gompa.
• Explore the cattle herder’s settlement at Rachen Monastery.

Hike to Dumje.

Enjoy a delicious local breakfast at Rachen Monastery. From here, you’ll begin climbing downhill along the Shiar River towards Lamagaon. The rugged trail brings you back to Chhekampar village. Walk past a small monastery and cross the wooden bridge to reach Dumje village. Dumje is a small settlement consisting of no more than eight houses. After lunch, you can consider visiting the local Lungdang gompa.

• Enjoy a relaxing downhill trek along the Shiar Khola overlooking the majestic Ganesh Himal.
• Enjoy a short tour around the local monastery at Gho.
• Explore another local monastery of Lungdang at Dumje village.

Walk to Philip.

Leaving Dumje village, you’ll begin retracing your path and continue trekking downhill. The scenic trail along the Shiar Khola takes you towards Lokpa village. The trail continues through a lush forested path and heads along the Samba Falls towards Philim village. The entire journey may last anywhere from 6-7hr. The relaxing trek brings you closer to the Budi Gandaki River. Overnight in Philim.

• Walk past Samba Falls to reach Philim village, the largest Gurung village in the region.
• Stroll around Philim village and explore the local market in the evening.

Retrace to Tatopani.

Today is an easy trek day. After enjoying your breakfast, you’ll retrace your path along the Dobhan River towards Tatopani village. The scenic trail continues downstream along the Dobhan River and goes past Jagat village to reach Tatopani. After arriving early, you can consider taking a dip into the natural hot spring at Tatopani. You may find both locals and foreigners taking a dip into the water. Overnight in Tatopani.

• Relieve your body pain as you take a relaxing dip into the natural hot spring.

Hiking back to Soti Khola.

Leaving Tatopani, you’ll begin retracing your path back to Soti Khola. The trail goes past Sirdibas village, which boasts of large decorated terraced fields. Continue walking through the dense settlement and take the downhill trail along the Budi Gandaki River to reach Khorlabesi village.

You can enjoy your lunch at Khorlabesi. Upon completion, you’ll exit the forested village and continue trekking downhill through Tharo Khola to reach Macha Khola. The final leg of the trek follows the Budi Gandaki River towards Lapubesi village and takes you past two large waterfalls to reach Soti Khola. Overnight in Soti Khola.

• Trek past beautiful multi-ethnic villages of Machha Khola and Lapubesi.
• Catch the mesmerizing sights of two enormous waterfalls at Soti Khola.

Descend to Aarughat.

Leaving Soti Khola behind, you’ll embark on the last leg of the trek. The trail begins to climb down along the Khola and trek past lush villages en route to Kyoropani. The trail continues downstream along the Kali Gandaki River and reaches Arughat Bazaar. The entire trek may last a few hours. Upon arrival, you can enjoy your lunch, and spend the evening exploring the beautiful town. Overnight in Arughat.

• Enjoy a relaxing trek along the Soti Khola and Budi Gandaki River.
• Spend the rest of the day exploring Arughat Bazaar and shopping for local souvenirs

Drive back to Kathmandu / stay at hotel.

Leaving Arughat Bazaar, you'll begin driving back to Kathmandu City. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, and then get on a private jeep. Bid farewell to the beautiful Gorkha District as you start driving downhill along the Budi Gandaki River. Upon exit, you'll continue driving through the Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli River. The entire road journey may last 7-8hr. Upon arrival, you can choose to relax in the hotel or head out to explore the beautiful city. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Rest day in Kathmandu.

The day begins with a delicious breakfast. Today is the rest day in Kathmandu. You can choose to embark on a cultural tour around the neighboring cities of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. If you need a relaxing time, you can choose to visit the local massage center in Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Tsum Valley Trek ends / Airport transfer.

The Tsum Valley Trekking trip officially ends today. Bid farewell to Kathmandu City as you begin driving to the airport. We’ll drop you off two hours before your flight time.