Trekking · Gorkha
Tsum Valley Trek
A sacred hidden Buddhist valley in northern Gorkha, with gompas, mani walls and Tibetan-influenced villages.
The Tsum Valley trek leads into one of Nepal's most atmospheric hidden corners — a sacred Buddhist valley in the far north of Gorkha district, sealed off behind the Ganesh and Sringi Himal and opened to outsiders only in 2008. Known in Tibetan tradition as a beyul, or hidden sacred valley, Tsum is a place of gompas, fluttering prayer flags, mile-long mani walls and a deeply rooted culture of non-violence toward living creatures.
The route
The trek shares its lower approach with the Manaslu Circuit, driving from Kathmandu through Gorkha to Soti Khola or Machha Khola and walking up the Budhi Gandaki. At Lokpa, the trail branches northeast up the Shiar Khola into Tsum proper, climbing through forest to the lower Tsum villages of Chumling and Chhokangparo, then on to Nile and Chhule in the upper valley near the Tibetan frontier.
Monasteries and culture
Tsum's spiritual heart lies in its monasteries. Mu Gompa, the highest and largest, sits in stark high pasture near the border, while Rachen Gompa is an active nunnery on the valley floor. The Milarepa cave (Piren Phu) above Chhokangparo is tied to the wandering Tibetan saint who is said to have meditated here. Villages keep the shyagya vow against killing animals, lending the valley a gentle, lived-in holiness rarely felt elsewhere. The people are ethnically Tibetan, and their dialect, dress and Buddhism feel closer to Tibet than to the Nepali hills below.
Permits and planning
Like the rest of the region, Tsum is a restricted area: you need a Restricted Area Permit plus the Manaslu Conservation Area permit, arranged through a registered agency with a guide and a minimum group size. Our Manaslu and restricted-area treks guide explains the rules, and most trekkers combine Tsum with the main Manaslu Circuit from Gorkha into a single three-week journey.
When to go and how it compares
Spring and autumn are best, with clear skies and open lodges; the valley is high enough that winter brings snow and cold. Altitudes stay mostly below 3,700 m in the inhabited valley, so it is gentler than the Larkya La crossing, but read our altitude sickness notes all the same. If you love quiet, culturally rich trails, pair Tsum in your planning with the lower Ruby Valley trek and browse more ideas in our off-the-beaten-path treks. For the district's full trekking picture, start with the Gorkha trekking and Manaslu gateway overview.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Tsum Valley?+
Tsum is a remote valley in the far north of Gorkha district, tucked against the Tibetan border behind the Ganesh and Sringi Himal ranges. It branches north off the Manaslu Circuit trail near Lokpa, up the Shiar Khola, and was opened to trekkers only in 2008.
Why is Tsum Valley considered sacred?+
Tsum is a beyul, a hidden sacred valley in Tibetan Buddhism, long associated with the saint Milarepa. Many villages observe a tradition of non-violence toward animals, and the valley is dotted with gompas, chortens and long mani walls, including the monasteries of Mu and Rachen.
Do you need a permit for the Tsum Valley?+
Yes. Tsum is a restricted area requiring a Restricted Area Permit alongside the Manaslu Conservation Area permit. As with Manaslu, you must trek through a registered agency with a licensed guide and a minimum group, and there is no legal solo trekking.
How long is the Tsum Valley trek?+
On its own, allow roughly 10 to 14 days including the drive in and out. Many trekkers combine Tsum with the Manaslu Circuit as a single longer journey of around three weeks, branching into Tsum before continuing over the Larkya La.
