Tsum Valley Trek

Stone houses perch among stepped farmland carved into a steep mountainside along the route to Machha Khola.

A trekker navigates a rocky mountain path as the Budi Gandaki River surges through the gorge far below.

Dawn sunlight spills across towering green ridges and deep valleys at the trek's outset.

Mountain water cascades down a broad rock face and merges with the rushing river below.

Villagers gather around a blazing fire outside a blue-roofed house as dusk settles over Jagat.

Laden mules thread through a narrow stone village on the trail toward Philim.

Tall pines march up a steep grassy slope under a vivid blue sky between Jagat and Philim.

Jagged, snow-laden summits emerge through a frame of lush forest canopy along the ascending trail.

Trekkers stand beneath a colorful entrance gate crowned with a golden roof, marking the passage into the sacred Tsum Valley.

A massive grey rock face soars above green forest and terraced fields near Nyak village.

Trekkers pause for a break beside colorful prayer flags strung across the hillside above Chumling.

A narrow dirt path traces a steep green slope beneath a bright, cloudless sky on the approach to Chumling.

Compact stone houses nestle at the base of towering, snow-draped mountains near Chumling.

Villagers labor together under bright sun, gathering crops beside their traditional stone dwellings near Chhokang Paro.

A small mountain settlement with colorful rooftops nestles quietly among tall pine trees in the Tsum Valley.

Snow-clad summits rise sharply above the deep valley floor near Chhokang Paro.

The trekking path cuts through golden barley fields under a crystalline sky en route to Chhokang Paro.

Farmers guide draft animals through the soil, preparing terraced fields for the next planting season.

A simple wooden bridge spans a turquoise mountain stream in the heart of Tsum Valley.

The path traverses broad farmland where villagers tend crops beneath an expansive sky above Chhokang Paro.

A river threads through cultivated fields hemmed in by towering rock walls in the upper Tsum Valley.

Trekkers walk between ancient stone walls converging on a small mountain settlement near Rachen Gompa.

The turquoise Shiar Khola carves through a deep valley with distant peaks on the horizon.

A column of loaded yaks plods along the trail beside a thundering waterfall near Milarepa Cave.

A young black yak stands near a pile of hay on the wide valley floor below Milarepa Cave.

The stone-walled settlement of Nile spreads across green fields in the upper Tsum Valley at 3,361 meters.

Trekkers pause near weathered stone chortens with a sweeping mountain panorama stretching beyond Nile.

Monkeys rest on the grassy hillside near the stone houses of Nile village.

Chhule village spreads along the riverbank, its stone houses flanked by green farmland on the way to Mu Gompa.

Local residents gather in vibrant traditional clothing and distinctive hats in the upper Tsum Valley.

Sunlight blazes across the snow-capped summits near the Tibetan border above Mu Gompa.

The ancient Mu Gompa monastery rests serenely against a backdrop of immense rocky mountains at 3,700 meters.

A metal bridge spans a swift river alongside green terraced farmland on the approach to Mu Gompa.

Trekkers settle on a hillside near Mu Gompa, absorbing panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

A crystalline blue lake mirrors the high, white mountains during an acclimatization walk above Mu Gompa.

A lone trekker ascends a steep mountain path high above the Tsum Valley during an exploration hike.

The group follows a narrow ridge with massive snow-capped peaks rising dramatically in the background.

A wide valley carpeted in pine forest stretches toward distant snow-capped peaks on the descent from Mu Gompa.

A small stone shelter perches on a green hill with the white ramparts of Ganesh Himal beyond.

A traditional stone dwelling stands against a wall of snow-covered Himalayan peaks near Burgi Village.

Cattle graze in a quiet field beside a cascading waterfall and steep, rocky slopes on the return through Tsum.

Broad terraced fields blanket the valley floor as snow-capped mountains soar above the forest line.

A brightly painted stone house perches on a grassy hillside beneath tall mountains and a vivid sky.

A narrow path winds through green hills with snow-capped peaks punctuating the horizon.

The Budi Gandaki River thunders through deep rock walls along the Manaslu region trail.

Lush green valleys sweep toward towering white mountains under a clear sky on the descent to Philim.

A traditional stone house stands in Philim village with distant snow-capped peaks on the skyline.

A small lizard sunbathes on a grey stone beside yellow wildflowers along the trail near Philim.

A trekker traverses a metal walkway bolted into a sheer rock cliff face above the river gorge.

A brilliant white peak gleams under a clear sky above the deep river gorge near Khorlabesi.

The trail descends through verdant green hills toward a village and towering snow-capped mountains.

Trekkers cross a long suspension bridge spanning the river, snow-capped mountains framing the distance.

Pack mules and trekkers rest on the rocky riverbank during the final day's walk to Machha Khola.

The trekking path hugs steep cliffs high above the fast-moving river on the approach to Machha Khola.

A long metal suspension bridge spans the rushing river between steep green hillsides and rocky cliffs.