Tsum Valley Pilgrimage – April 2027

Join us for a rare journey into the sacred Tsum Valley, Nepal, a renowned beyul (hidden land) and stronghold of Tibetan Buddhism. Guided by Geshe Tenzin Zopa and hosted by the realized nuns of Rachen Nunnery, we will study, meditate, and make pilgrimage to holy sites that remain untouched by modernity and consumerism.

Choose between three options:

• Trek Group – 18 days, commence early with a scenic, multi-day hike into the Tsum valley from Kathmandu, and meet up with the other groups at Rachen Nunnery for our signature annual retreat.
  

• Donors Group – 17 days, round-trip heli, special opportunity for patrons to spend three nights exclusively with Geshe-la at Rachen before the main group arrives.

• Heli Group – 14 days, round-trip helicopter flight directly to the Rachen nunnery for our signature annual immersive retreat.

All groups converge as one for 9 nights at Rachen Nunnery, sharing in daily practice, teachings, and visits to sacred caves, monasteries, and power places preserved in their timeless beauty.

Tashi Delek! Welcome, pilgrims to a rare and extraordinary opportunity. In April 2026, we will launch the first of what we hope will become an annual pilgrimage and retreat in the hidden Tsum Valley of Nepal—a journey designed for those ready to step far beyond their comfort zones into the heart of authentic spiritual practice.

This is not a tour. It’s not a wellness retreat or an adventure trip. It is a serious commitment—for those called to deep practice, self-mastery, and profound inner transformation.

Together with my dear friend and teacher, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, we’ll gather in this sacred Himalayan valley, hosted by the humble yet powerful monastic community of Rachen Nunnery—an enclave of dedicated nuns and realized practitioners—where we’ll immerse ourselves in teachings, pilgrimage, and retreat amidst one of the last untouched sanctuaries of the Dharma.

The Tsum Valley isn’t a typical pilgrimage site. It’s a beyul—a hidden or secret valley prophesied by realized masters to reveal itself only to those with karmic connection and sincere intent. Nestled at 3,600 meters along the Nepal-Tibet borderlands, it has long served as a refuge for yogis and mountain hermits seeking retreat from worldly distractions.

Great adepts such as Padmasambhava and Milarepa once practiced here. Our own lineage masters—Drukpa Rinpoche, Geshe Lama Konchog, and Geshe Tenzin Zopa—have meditated in its caves for years. Their blessings permeate the valley through relics, terma (hidden treasures), and the lingering power of their spiritual accomplishments.

Tsum has remained largely untouched by modern life. No cars, no hotels, no WiFi, no tourist cafés. The valley is home to simple villages, subsistence farmers, and a handful of ancient monasteries where spiritual practice remains the lifeblood of daily life.

In this hidden sanctuary, the outer isolation mirrors the inner solitude necessary for serious practitioners to awaken.

At the heart of our pilgrimage is Rachen Nunnery, founded by the previous Drukpa Rinpoche nearly a century ago. Today, it’s guided by abbot Geshe Nyima, Geshe Tenzin Zopa and his community of devoted nuns—some lifelong retreatants, many of whom remain unassuming yet highly realized beings.

The nunnery also shelters a monumental project—the World Peace Stupa, envisioned by the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche and overseen by Geshe Zopa. When completed, it will be among the tallest, most remote stupas in the world, filled with trillions of mantras on microfilm, relics, and sacred texts, and holy objects. It will house an inner shrine of the Medicine Buddha mandala, offering our group and future generations a space for practice and healing.

Though the stupa won’t be complete during this first pilgrimage, it symbolizes the larger vision: planting seeds of wisdom and compassion that will grow across generations.

Our pilgrimage isn’t merely a visit—it’s an immersion. We’ll engage in:

• Daily teachings with Geshe Zopa, beginning a multi-year exploration of the Lam Rim and Tantra—the gradual and accelerated paths of awakening.
  

• Group pujas, merit-making activities, and seasonal or inpromtu celebrations with sangha and villagers.

• Pilgrimages to the valley’s holy caves and power sites, including the cave hermitages of Milarepa, Geshe Lama Konchog, and overnight visit to Mu Monastery (3700 meters).

• Shared meals, simple living, and time for personal practice in a monastic environment.

This isn’t just a one-off event. It’s intended as the first step of an annual, multi-year journey, each visit deepening our practice together in this remote sanctuary.

There are two ways to enter Tsum Valley—both equally meaningful, each offering its own kind of initiation.

1. The Walking option or “Trek Group” (17 Days Total)

For those called to the traditional way, this group will begin with a five-day trek through some of the most pristine and untouched landscapes in the Himalayas of Nepal.

Yes, the trek will challenge you—5 to 7 hours of walking per day over steep, rugged paths, suspension bridges, and mountain ridges. But what awaits along the way is nothing short of breathtaking:

- Towering Himalayan peaks
- Verdant forests and terraced hillsides
- Hidden waterfalls, rushing rivers, and remote mountain passes
- Quiet villages where time stands still

This route is not just about physical effort; it’s an immersion in the living spirit of the Himalayas that connects us with the main mode of travel made by pilgrims of the past as well as villagers today.

What makes this path even more special is that it will be led by Tjok Gde Kerthyasa, a Balinese alchemist and healer renowned for his deep knowledge of natural medicine and spiritual herbalism. Along the way, Tjok Gde will introduce us to local Himalayan plants and remedies, sharing his ancestral wisdom for healing and resilience. His approach transforms the landscape itself into a living apothecary, where every leaf, root, and flower becomes a potential teacher. Due to constriants on his time, Geshe Tenzin Zopa will be joining the Heli group.

The walk itself becomes a moving meditation—part pilgrimage, part initiation, part healing journey.

The Trek Group will meet up with the Heli Group on the same day at Rachen Nunnery, merging for the retreat togther, and all participants will fly back to Kathmandu via helicopter. There is no option to walk back down.

Please Note: Accommodation along the five-day trek up to Tsum is very basic home stays, modest guest houses short on comforts, double occupany, with shared communal squatter latrines, and homestyle local cooking.

Also, there are inherent dangers to this landscape, steep cliff without railings, and occasional rock slides. You will be under the supervision of an experienced and licensed mountain guide familiar with this specific route and who can manage emergencies.

Porters will be avaiable to carry your heavy bags, leaving you free to carry only your day pack. Weight restrictions will apply not only for the porters but for the heli on return.

You must obtain medical evacuation insurance at 3800 meters and sign a waiver of liability. Its worth mentioning that Dr. Miles Neale’s children, ages 11, and 8, were able to successfully complete the journey, so it is entirely possible with the right mindset and level of physical fitness.

2. The Helicopter option or “Heli Group” (13 Days Total)

For those unable to make the trek—due to physical limitations or time constraints—we offer the option to fly round trip by helicopter directly into the vall ey.

Though this route avoids the long trek, it still requires deep commitment. You’ll arrive directly at altitude and immediately enter the raw, remote conditions of Tsum.

Both groups will converge at Rachen Nunnery and continue the pilgrimage together as on cohesive unity, sharing teachings, practices, and sacred site visits before returning via helicopters directly to Kathmandu airport.

This pilgrimage is not for everyone.

The Tsum Valley will test your body, mind, and spirit. This is part of its power—but it also means that only those who are ready, willing, and prepared should consider joining.

Here’s what you must know:

Altitude: We’ll be living at elevations up to 3,700 meters. Altitude affects everyone differently—you may experience headaches, fatigue, or even nausea. It can take a day or two to acclimatize, particlalry if you are flying in via helicopter.

Basic Facilities: There are no hotel-like amenities, no heating, and very basic shared rooms with en-suite toilets. No single occupancy is available. Hot showers, are rare and limited. You wash your own cloths in a basin and airdry them on a line. This is not a resort, or even a hotel, this is a nunnery, so a contemplative, and respectful demeanor is expected. We will follow the five Buddhist precepts during our stay.

Simple Food: The Tsum Valley has been purly vegitarian and has maintained an ethos of nonviolence towards animals for over a century. Meals will be nourishing but basic—often potatoes, rice, and vegetables. Your body may feel depleted at times; we’ll do our best this year, bringing up a private cook with extra food supplies from Kathmandu to supplement the nunnery staff and offerings. There are no optional cafes or restaurants or convenience stores in the area, so you may want to bring personal snacks etc.

Physical Demands: Those walking up must be fit enough to handle 5 to 7 hours of trekking per day over steep, uneven terrain. If you disregard this you can put yourself and others in the group at risk. Even the helicopter group will face some rugged conditions and occasional excursions to sacred sites of up to 5-6 hours.

Unpredictability: In the mountains, weather can shift rapidly. Helicopter delays are common, and sometimes the tour can be interupted. On a previous tour we lost a day when our helicopter was diverted to rescue operations. In such a scenario, pilgrims would be expected to pay they're own accomidations in Kathmandu while we wait, as the tour organizer and local operator can not be responsible during force majeure. Patience and flexibility are essential, and medical evacuation and trip interruption insurances are mandatory.

For medical evaculation (max around 3,900 meters) we recommend Global Rescue

For individual travel insurance including trip interruption we recomend World Nomad

Ask yourself honestly: Are you ready for discomfort, simplicity, and effort as part of your spiritual practice?

If your priority is ease or luxury, this is not the right trip. But if you’re willing to lean into challenges for the sake of inner growth, this pilgrimage can offer rare and lasting transformation.This pilgrimage is not for everyone.

The Tsum Valley will test your body, mind, and spirit. After a week in the Tsum, Geshe-la himself once said, "my mind is in bliss, but my body is mash potatoes." This is part of its power—but it also means that only those who are ready, willing, and prepared should consider joining.

We hope this isn’t just a one-time event. Our intention is to create an annual gathering of sincere practitioners, returning together to deepen over the years.

The Tsum pilgrimage will:

• Review the Lam Rim teachings with Geshe Zopa—structured over multiple years to gradually guide us toward the study and practice of Tantra for deeper realizations.

• Establish group coherence and shared purpose.

• Prepare for future pilgrimages where the World Peace Stupa will become a hub for practice and teaching.

• Incoperate additional displines and frameworks that will support our transtion to a new world, including discussions on the interface of Dhamra with psychology, natural mediicine, regenerative farming, renewalble energy, and teachnology.

As the infrastructure grows and we learn from each year’s experience, this gathering will become a long-term container for serious practice—a kind of modern pilgrimage sangha dedicated to awakening.

We have a limited number of spaces avaiable for this pilgrimage due to the allocation of 15 rooms at Rachen Nunnery. All rooms are shared, and must house both pilgrims and staff. No single occupancy is available.

We expect this tour to sell out so we will offer priority to senior students of Geshe Tenzin Zopa and those pilgrims that have travelled repeatedly with tours organized by Dr. Miles Neale and the Gradual Path.

If you are new to Geshe Zopa or have never travelled with Gradual Path before, we ask you kindly to join one of our other tours first before registering for the annual Tsum pilgrimage.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helicopter Flight Costs & Contingencies

Helicopter flights in Nepal are priced per aircraft, not per passenger. They are subject to government regulation, operator policies, and seasonal demand. Because of these factors, costs can only be confirmed close to departure, and additional surcharges may apply. By registering, participants agree to share responsibility for such adjustments.

1. Government or Pilot Seat Requirement

On May 20, 2025 the Nepali Civil Aviation Authority released a statment requiring a second pilot to occupy a seat on each heli flight. We dont know if this policy will impact us in April 2026 when we plan to fly as a group. Please note the cost per passenger may increase by several hundred dollars (e.g., ~$300 per person for the trek group, $600 per person for the heli group).

2. Partial Helicopter Loads

If the final group size leaves an underfilled helicopter (e.g., only 2–3 passengers), the unused seats will be shared equally across all registered participants, rather than borne solely by the smaller subgroup. Depending on the size of the group this may add ~$100–$200 per person.

3. Staff Seating

Helicopter costs for staff are also shared equally across the entire group. Depending on final group size and whether government/pilot seats are enforced, this could add another few hundred dollars per person.

In total, additional helicopter costs could range from a minor adjustment to several hundred dollars per person. The exact figure will depend on final group size, load distribution, and government policy at the time of departure. We understand this creates an unwelcomed element of uncertainty, but this is entirely out of our control. We will keep you informed as soon as we know more information. If you register for this pilgrimage you are agreeing to bare any addtional costs assoctaed with the heli flights.

Wether you join the treck group or heli group you arrive in Kathmandu (KTM) and be transfered to a quality hotel for rest and welcome dinner. The following day, will be a short group excursion to local sites as well as the markets to stock up on last minute essentials for your journey.

Trek Group: Arrives April 11

Heli Group: Arrives April 15

For those intrepid pilgrims who elect and physically qualify for the trek group, you begin a four day journey on foot to the Tsum Valley. Along the way you'll take test your physical and mental fitness, enjoy incredible landscapes, cross suspension bridges, breath fresh mountain air, stay at very modest guesthouses, and eat local family-style meals. You'll be lead by an expereince mountain guide familiar with this region along with a team of porters who can carry your large packs, leaving you with just your day pack.

A special bonus for this trip is that we have invited Balinese alchemist and homepaothic physican Tjok Gde Kerthyasa to accompany the group, teaching prinicples of natural medicine and self-care practices along the way, including healing remedies indigenous to the local ecology.

Day 3: Jeep Kathmandu → Jagat

• Distance: ~140–150 km (road)

• Duration: ~8–9 hours by jeep (mountain roads, variable conditions)

Day 4: Trek Jagat → Lokpa

• Distance: ~15–16 km / 9–10 miles

• Duration: 6–7 hours trekking (moderate; gradual climb along the Budi Gandaki River)

Day 5: Trek Lokpa → Chumling

• Distance: ~11–12 km / 7–7.5 miles

• Duration: 5–6 hours trekking (moderate; mix of forest and open trail, some steep sections)

Day 6: Trek Chumling → Chhokangparo

• Distance: ~14–15 km / 8.5–9 miles

• Duration: 6–7 hours trekking (moderate to challenging; steady ascent with altitude gain)

Day 7: Trek Chhokangparo → Rachen Gompa

• Distance: ~8–9 km / 5–5.5 miles

• Duration: 3–4 hours trekking (easier day; gradual climb to the valley floor where the nunnery is located)

Both groups converge at Rachen Nunnery on April 17, 2026—Day 7 of the Trek Group itinerary and Day 3 of the Heli Group itinerary. From April 17 to 25, we will share nine nights at Rachen Nunenry in the sacred Tsum Valley, living, practicing, and making pilgrimage together under the guidance of Geshe Tenzin Zopa and the nuns of Rachen.

The days will include a mix of teachings and practices within Rachen nunnery combined with visits to holy sites and immersion in the valley’s untouched spiritual atmosphere. Note, all excursions are done by foot, and can include 5-6 hours of walking.

Some of the incredible pilgrimage sites include:

1. Milarepa's meditation cave

2. Geshe Lama Konchog's meditation cave

3. Walks through enchanted forests beyond the nunnery

4. Overnight excursion to Mu Monastery (3500 meters altitude)

On April 26, both groups will depart together for the return journey to Kathmandu.

Date & Day Breakdown

Trek Group – 17 Days

• Day 1 – Apr 11: Arrive Kathmandu

• Day 7 – Apr 17: Arrive Rachen Nunnery

• Day 15 – Apr 25: Final full day at Rachen

• Day 16 – Apr 26: Depart Rachen → Kathmandu

• Day 17 – Apr 27: International departure from Kathmandu

Heli Group – 13 Days

• Day 1 – Apr 15: Arrive Kathmandu

• Day 3 – Apr 17: Arrive Rachen Nunnery

• Day 11 – Apr 25: Final full day at Rachen

• Day 12 – Apr 26: Depart Rachen → Kathmandu

• Day 13 – Apr 27: International departure from Kathmandu

After completing a rich and transformative retreat and pilgrimage in the sacred Tsum Valley, the whole group will depart Rachen Nunnery together by helicopter, flying over the majestic Himalayan landscape back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel for a well-deserved hot shower and some rest. The afternoon offers free time to relax or enjoy final shopping and exploration around the great stupa of Boudhanath. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey.