Tsum Valley Trek

After the early morning breakfast, we will drive towards Machha Khola via Gorkha Arughat. Machha Khola is the beginning point of our trek. Since the tourist buses leaving from Kathmandu to Gorkha or Dhading are inaccessible, we will either take local transport or a private jeep. The trip will take 7 to 8 hours by private vehicle, while it will take 8 to 9 hours by public bus.

We will pass through the bank of the Budi Gandaki River, via Lapubeshi, up to Machha Khola. We will drive along the roadway near the riverbank. The road is flat, and the drive is easy; however, the temperature is hot. Passing right through the fertile territory, we will reach Lapubeshi. From there, we will proceed to the villages of Nauli Khola, Khani Besi, and ultimately to Machha Khola. We will spend our first night in Machha Khola, where the majority of the inhabitants are Gurung and Ghale.

Early in the morning, we will head towards Jagat from Machha Khola, a 6-7 hour walk away. The route is mixed, as some sections are flat, while others are uphill or downhill. Firstly, we will walk for one and a half hours and reach Khorlabesi. Likewise, from Khorlabesi we will reach Tatopani within 1 hour of walking. Tatopani is famous for hot spring water. We will take a short, hot shower and head towards Dovan, which is approximately a one-and-a-half-hour walk. Walking, again for 45 minutes, we will reach Yaruaphat and Jagat from there, walking for one and a half hours. Before Jagat and after Yaruphat, we will cross the Cantilever bridge.

Jagat is a vast, valley-like territory located next to the Budi Gandaki. Local people accompany it with a small school in the middle. The following day, we will head directly towards the restricted area after being checked at the Jagat check post. Jagat is divided into two sections, i.e., upper and lower. The one immediately after crossing the bridge is Lower Jagat, from which we will hike up a little to reach Upper Jagat. Upper Jagat is larger and more congested, featuring a narrow lane running through the village and houses on either side of the trail.

Today, we will trek the uphill trail to the rock towards Salleri, then head downhill to Sirdibas. We then move to Ghatta Khola, from where we pass the upstream and the hanging bridge. From there we go towards Philim. Philim is another excellent village inhabited by the Gurung community, featuring a Japanese-donated school with a distinctive round rooftop. Passing the Philim village through the forest, walk north from Gum Pul and arrive at Lokpa. Stay overnight at Lokpa.

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will head to Chumling from Lokpa. It is 4-5 hours of walk. From Lokpa, the trail descends and then leads to the Lungwa Khola. Similarly, we reach Gumlung via a steep, crisscross path that passes through pine and rhododendron forests. Then we cross the Siyar Khola and reach Chumling, where we stay overnight.

Chhekampar is somewhat similar to Chumling, but the people appear neater and cleaner, and the accommodations are remarkably better. Regarding the trail, it offers a gentle start from Gho Village, from where we will climb steeply through a rocky path toward Chhekampar. The view of Ganesh Himal looks fascinating and attractive. Although it is a relatively short walk of around four to five hours, it can be a bit challenging due to the steep uphill section in the last part of the trek.

We will pierce through Lama Gompa, Burzi, and Rachen Gompa on the next ridge searching for Nile Village. Nile and Chhule are twin villages separated by the river in the middle; otherwise, each looks the same in both communities, with similar housing, culture, and people. The Nile Chhule area is famous for an old Kani in the middle of the trail that dates back centuries. Depending on the time, we might explore the renowned monastery in Chhule Village at the top.

Mu Gompa is not so far from the village of Nile, as after a short walk we can see the isolated monastery, which produces monks and Lamas, and is accompanied by male Lama students. Another attraction of Mu Gompa is Dhephu Doma Gompa, which is inhabited by two elderly nuns. Overnight in the monastery with other Lamas, do not forget to join prayers in the early evening.

Passing through the lush green valley of Chumling, we will descend to Chhekampar, then proceed further toward Gho Village, and finally return to Chumling, where we will re-enter the Tsum Valley again. One more night in Chumling before leaving Tsum and heading down toward Philim.

From Chumling, we will descend slightly, cross a river, and then hike up again to Lokpa, from where we will again descend and trek a relatively flat route before reaching Philim. It takes approximately six to seven hours in total to travel from Chumling to Philim.

Passing through Jagat, Tatopani, Dovan, and Yaruphant, we will retrace our steps back to Machha Khola. It is also quite long, but that doesn’t matter, as it is not steep up and down; the entire way is a flat and gentle downhill trail.

Today is the last day of our trek. We will bid farewell to the beautiful Machha Khola and drive back to Kathmandu, a journey that will take 7 to 8 hours by private jeep. If you wish to return to Pokhara, your guide will assist you with the transfer from Malekhu to Pokhara.