Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,700 m
Mu Gompa
The highest monastery of the Tsum Valley, set on a bare ridge near the Tibetan border at the head of the valley.
Tsum Valleyराचेन गुम्बा
Rachen Gompa
A Buddhist nunnery on a terrace of the upper Tsum Valley, near Milarepa's cave and the villages of Chhokang Paro.
- Altitude
- 3,240 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Gorkha, Gandaki
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep), cold (Dec-Feb).
Why go
Rachen Gompa is a Buddhist nunnery in the upper Tsum Valley, set on a terrace at about 3,240 m above the river, a short walk up the valley from the villages of Chhokang Paro and near the hamlet of Lamagaun. It is one of the most important religious communities in Tsum and a regular stop for trekkers walking between Chhokang Paro and Nile.
The complex is a group of whitewashed buildings around an assembly hall, with the nuns' quarters close by. Inside the hall are statues, murals and thangkas; outside are prayer wheels and views across the valley to snow peaks. Milarepa's cave (Piren Phu), one of the main pilgrimage sites of Tsum, is a short distance away near Lamagaun, so the two are usually visited together.
Within the Tsum Valley, Rachen Gompa gives a sense of the living religious life of the valley: visitors who arrive at the right time may hear prayers or see nuns at study. Keep visits quiet and short, and follow any guidance from the nuns.
History and culture
The nunnery is commonly said to have been founded in 1905, with the present community of nuns established in 1936 under a lama known as Drupa Rinpoche. It has served for generations as a place of study and practice for women from Tsum and neighbouring areas, and it is associated with the preservation of local rituals. Like Mu Gompa further north, it follows Tibetan Buddhist practice and its ceremonies follow the Tibetan calendar.
The Tsum Valley as a whole is regarded as a beyul, a sacred hidden valley, and the presence of Milarepa's cave nearby adds to the religious importance of this part of the valley.
Things to do in Rachen Gompa
Visit the assembly hall
Ask a nun or your guide before entering; a donation is customary.
Walk to Milarepa's cave
Combine the visit with Piren Phu near Lamagaun, a short walk away across the valley floor.
Weather and the best time to visit Rachen Gompa
Weather in Rachen Gompa
Forecast for 3,240 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and settled.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold with snow; access is harder and lodges may close.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is mild with clear mornings.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is cloudier; the lower trail to Tsum can be affected by landslides.
Where to stay
TeahousesHomestays
Stay in Chhokang Paro, Lamagaun or Nile; the nunnery is not set up as a guesthouse.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Walk up the valley from Chhokang Paro in roughly 1.5-2 hours, or visit on the way between Chhokang Paro and Nile.
Nearest hub: Chhokang Paro (Tsum Valley)
- trekChhokang Paro to Rachen Gompa, roughly 1.5-2 hours along the valley.
- trekRachen Gompa to Nile, roughly 3-4 hours further up the valley via Lamagaun.
Getting to Rachen Gompa, by mode
Nearest hub: Chhokang Paro. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
On footfrom Chhokang Paroabout 1.5-2 h1.5-2 h from Chhokang Paro along the valley floor; usually visited on the 5-7 h walk up to Nile
On foot only, after 2-3 days up the Tsum Valley from Lokpa.
Where people go next
- Nileon foot, about 3-4 hFurther up the valley via Lamagaun.
- Chhokang Paroon foot, about 1.5-2 hBack down to the main village of the upper valley.
- Mu Gompaon footA day and a half up the valley via Nile.
Permits and fees
Restricted-area permit
Rachen Gompa 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.
- Tsum Valley restricted area permit: See the Tsum Valley page for the fee listed by the Department of Immigration.
- Manaslu Conservation Area permit: Required for the valley.
- Donation: A donation to the nunnery is customary.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration: Trekking route and permit fee.
On the trail
On the Tsum Valley Trek, Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley.
- Previous stop:
- Chhokang Paro
- Next stop:
- Nile
- A typical day:
- Usually visited during the 5-7 hour walk from Chhokang Paro to Nile, a gentle ascent of about 300-400 m along the valley floor.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Rachen Gompa
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
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.
Coldhigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
Very cold in midwinter at this height.
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
At roughly 3,240 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.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearDec-Mar
Snow in the upper valley makes the approach harder in midwinter and nearby lodges may close.
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.
Practical tips
- At about 3,240 m, mild altitude symptoms are possible. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Dress modestly, remove shoes and hats inside, and keep voices low.
- Ask before photographing nuns or the interior.
- Carry small notes for donations; there are no ATMs in Tsum.
Questions about Rachen Gompa
Where is Rachen Gompa?
In the upper Tsum Valley in Gorkha district, a short walk up the valley from Chhokang Paro, near Lamagaun and Milarepa's cave.
Can visitors enter Rachen Gompa?
Usually yes, with permission from the nuns; dress modestly and leave a donation.
When was Rachen Gompa founded?
It is commonly dated to 1905, with the present community of nuns established in 1936, though dates vary between sources.
More in Tsum Valley
All of Tsum Valley
Trek stop · 3,031 m
Chhokang Paro
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
Chumling
The first main village of lower Tsum, across the Shiar Khola from the trail from Lokpa.
Trek stop · 2,240 m
Lokpa
A small village above the Budhi Gandaki where the trail turns east into the Tsum Valley.
Trek stop · 3,361 m
Nile
The last village of the upper Tsum Valley, a cluster of stone houses facing Chhule, a short climb from Mu Gompa.
Nearby
Valley or region
Tsum Valley
A restricted Buddhist side valley of the Manaslu region, with monasteries, Milarepa's cave and villages near the Tibetan border.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Top monasteries of the Manaslu region, Himalayan Masters, Rachen Gompa guide, The Everest Holiday, OpenStreetMap: Rachen gompa, Chum Nubri, Department of Immigration: Trekking route and permit fee