After breakfast, we hit the road. The drive follows the Trishuli River, through terraced fields and tiny villages that look like they’re straight out of a postcard. The road bounces and winds, but the scenery makes you forget all that. Machha Khola is a quiet village by the river, perfect for getting ready for the trek. Lodges are simple but cozy, and I remember just sitting outside, listening to the river, thinking, “This is it—the mountains are calling.”

First day on the trail! The Budhi Gandaki River keeps you company, and there are a few suspension bridges that sway more than I like. Forests of rhododendron and oak, terraced farmlands, and tiny villages make the walk feel magical. Jagat is welcoming—locals wave, kids run alongside, and it’s like stepping into a slower world. Had dinner at a lodge and chatted with other trekkers. Big smiles all around. 

A steady climb today. Bamboo groves, rhododendrons, oak forests. Small villages with prayer flags fluttering along the trail. Suspension bridges that make your stomach flip a little. Lokpa sits on a hill with incredible views. The lodge is tiny, but the view outside more than makes up for it. 

Up we go into alpine meadows and yak pastures. Prayer flags and chortens mark the trail. Chhokangparo is a Tsum Valley gem—stone houses, monasteries, Tibetan culture all around. Spent some time exploring the village and chatting with locals before settling in for the night.

The trail is higher now. Mani walls, streams, flowers dot the valley. Nile is quiet, serene, surrounded by mountains. Sat outside the lodge in the evening, just breathing in the thin air and staring at peaks that feel impossibly close. 

Side adventure day! Mu Gompa sits above the valley, a sacred monastery with an amazing view. Saw monks performing rituals, heard the bells, and felt like I’d stepped into another world. Hiking back to Nile, I was exhausted but smiling from ear to ear. 

Heading back, but everything looks different. The mountains feel closer, the meadows brighter, the streams more peaceful. Chhokangparo again—like revisiting an old friend. 

Descending now. Forests, pastures, bamboo groves, small rivers. Villages along the trail feel alive, people smiling, kids running around. Lokpa feels cozy again.

More downhill. Terraced fields, river views, and villages that now feel familiar. Jagat is a nice stop, giving you a little time to relax before the final stretch. 

Last day on the trail. Gentle descent, through forests and farmland. Machha Khola looks peaceful, riverside, like it’s been waiting for us all along. Evening spent stretching, reflecting, and enjoying the simple lodge life.

Back on the road. Terraced fields, rivers, and villages whizz by. Kathmandu feels loud and busy after the quiet mountains, but it’s nice to return. Evening free to shop, eat, or just rest. 

Breakfast, then airport transfer. Flying out with a heart full of memories: the trails, villages, Tibetan culture, and the mountains that made every step worth it.