Tsum Valley Trek - 13 Days

“The best way to experience nature is on foot.” – Muir

Tsum Valley Trek is one of the famous off-the-beaten-path trek located in the Manaslu Region which is on the border of Nepal and Tibet. This is a beautiful valley with the backdrop of mountains including Shringi Himal, Langju Himala and Ganesh Himal range in Tibetan and Nepali cultural regions.

This trek is good for those who would prefer to avoid altitude sickness since this trek takes you to the highest point which is at Mu Gumba the altitude is 3700m.

The Tsum Valley is divided into two distinct sections: Lower Tsum Valley covers the areas between Lokpa and Chumling while the Upper part covers Chhekampar to Nile and Chule. This hidden paradise is famous for its relatively quiet area and is often called ‘The Last Tibetan Village of Gorkha.

Previously, the Tsum Valley was closed to foreigners until the year 2008. However, what has blown the minds of many trekkers is its natural beauty which has made it to become so popular recently.

Tsum valley trekking begins from the capital city Kathmandu by using the means of the transportation up to Seti Khola or Machha Khola which is known to be the initial point of this trek.

Trekkers can either hire a private jeep or ride the local bus from the Gongabu bus station to reach Machha Khola. Lack of any airport in this specific area makes it impossible to travel via airlines, so the only mode of transport is by ground transport.

After arriving at Soti Khola or Machha Khola, you will be following the well-maintained dirt paths to rocky and uneven terrain of Budhi Gandaki river for several days with beautiful villages like Khorlabesi, Tatopani, Dovan, Yaru Bagar, Philim, Tekle Bhatti, Chisapani and Lokpa.

At Lokpa, the trail diverges: the lower trail offers one of the world’s popular treks- Manaslu Circuit Trek while the upper trail takes you to the isolated Tsum Valley. Along this fabulous trail, you get to cross through the dense forests, use several suspension bridges and a rock-suspended cantilever bridge before reaching Lokpa, Chumling and finally to Chhokampar.

Chhekampar is the doorway of the Upper Tsum valley which comprises Leru, Lama Gaon, Burji, Phurbe, Chule and Nile that deserve cultural tourism due to the cultural practices as well as the scenic view of the Himalayan mountains.

Next, we have to move to Chhekampar and then from Chhekampar we have to move towards the Nile and spend the night there and then the next day we have to move to the Mu Gompa which is the main attraction of this trek. After that, following the Mu Gompa visits, we will begin heading back to Machha Khola. Then we will take a bus or jeep and get back to Kathmandu. On this 13-days Tsum Valley trekking itinerary, you will spend the night in the traditional tea house of Tsum Valley which is owned by the local people of this region.

You will be greeted with the warm hospitality of the local people, get acquainted with Buddhism and Tibetan traditions, as well as enjoy the incredible nature. This trek is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks in Nepal and is highly recommended to everyone at least once in their lifetime.

Tsum Valley Trek – Is This Trip Right for You?

Tsum valley trek takes you to the remote part of the Ghokha district of Nepal. This trek takes you to the beautiful serene landscape and in the Tsum Valley route trekkers can find Tibetan-style villages, tea houses, and different monasteries.

Trekkers need to spend more than a week in the remote part of the Tsum valley with the basic facilities of lodging and food. Also During the trek everyday you need to walk for around 4-6 hours daily in the uphill and downhill in remote trail paths.

Whether you are trekking for the first time in the mountain region of Nepal or have previous trekking experience, this trek is for those who have a moderate level of physical fitness.

This palace is best for the trekkers who seek the peaceful trail path and the pure natural beauty of the Tsum region. If you’re planning to have a break from modernization, longing to find inner peace, and yearning to spend time in nature, then this trek will be perfect for you.

Understanding How Challenging is Tsum Valley Trek

Even though this trek is not tough compared to other popular treks in Nepal, it still might be challenging for some people due to geographical location and some other reason. Here we have listed some of the main challenge that trekkers need to face during the Tsum Valley Trek:

1. Altitude:

   Tsum Valley takes you to the highest altitude of Mu Gompa monastery, situated around 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) above sea level. While this altitude is not extremely high, altitude sickness can still trouble trekkers.

2. Terrain:

   Due to the diverse landscape in Tsum Valley, the trail path is moderate to challenging. Trekkers need to walk through the ascend and descending uphill and in some it might be challenging to walk. So while walking in some sections walk carefully and we suggest our trekkers to have the trekking poles with them

3. Duration and Remote Location:

   The Tsum Valley trek duration can be from 10 days to 18 days depending upon the itinerary you choose from the trekking agency. Spending a long duration in a remote area which is not affected by modernization might be a tough job for some people.

4. Weather:

   During the peak season like spring and autumn season, the weather conditions are mostly predictable but during the season it’s almost next to predict the weather. Heavy rainfall affects the trekking routes and adds trouble to trek which can lead to injury.

5. Remoteness:

   Tsum Valley trek is completely located in the remote part and due to lack of transportation trekkers can get the modern facilities here. Trekkers need to learn to live with basic facilities of accommodation and food.

How to Prepare Yourself for the Tsum Valley Trek?

Trekkers need to prepare in advance for the successful journey of the Tsum Valley trek. So for the good preparation below we have listed the main key points that you can follow

Research about Tsum Valley:

The very first thing trekkers need to do before embarking on the Tsum valley trek is research about the trekking place. It will help you to know what are the difficulties that you need to face during the trek so that you can prepare in advance accordingly.

Get a Tourist Visa to Nepal:

Trekkers need to have a travel visa to enter Nepal for the Tsum Valley Trek. You can easily get the on-arrival visa after you land at Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA). Except for some countries, almost all countries can get the arrival visa after paying a fee in the immigration center. Your passport should have at least 6 months of validity from the date you enter in Nepal. Let’s see the cost of the visa that you need to pay after you land here in the airport.

Find the complete Visa Guide to Travel to Nepal.

Purchase Travel insurance:

Another important thing that trekkers must have before heading for the Tsum Valley trek is proof of travel insurance. Only after having proof of travel insurance will your trekking agency allow you to trek in the mountain region of Nepal. Travel insurance will help to protect trekkers financially when the unseen circumstance occurs during the trek. Also, it will help the trekkers to have peace of mind knowing that if anything occurs during the trek travel insurance will cover and it will boost the confidence which results in making the trek successful.

Here are the list of things that your travel insurance must cover while heading for the Tsum Valley Trek:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption
• Medical Expenses and Evacuation
• Emergency helicopter evacuation
• Emergency Medical Repatriation
• Compensation for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Personal Liability
• Adventure Activities Coverage
• 24-Hour Emergency Assistance
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Note: Trekkers cannot purchase travel insurance inside Nepal. Therefore, we suggest obtaining travel insurance from a reputable insurance company in your home country.

Secure the Tsum Valley trek Permit:

To trek in the restricted area of Tsum Valley, Trekkers need to have a special permit. In total you need to have two permits: Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (MCAP).

Trekkers cannot obtain this permit on their own so they need to go through the registered trekking agencies in Nepal. Your trekking agency will assist you in obtaining the necessary permits. Trekking without a permit may result in hefty fines and legal penalties.

Learn to deal with altitude sickness:

Compared to the other trekking destinations while trekking in the Tsum Valley there is less chance of altitude sickness. Although there is less probability trekkers still need to learn to deal with altitude sickness. Understand the symptoms of altitude sickness and its preventive measures.

Altitude sickness is also known as acute mountain sickness(AMS) where trekkers can get symptoms like Headache, Nausea and vomiting, Fatigue, Dizziness or lightheadedness, Loss of appetite, Shortness of breath, or Insomnia. These initial symptoms can be cured easily when we ascend to a lower altitude.

If AMS worsens, it can progress to HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema), which are severe forms of altitude sickness. If not treated HAPE and HACE in time then it can lead to serious health complications, and in severe cases, they can be life-threatening.

Let’s see some of the preventive measures of AMS

• Be aware of early symptoms of AMS can inform your trekking Guide immediately
• Keep yourself hydrated all the time
• Taking medications like acetazolamide (Diamox) before starting the trek can help prevent AMS.
• Ascend gradually to higher altitudes.
• Sleep at a lower altitude
• Avoid Overexertion
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Avoid alcohol and smoking during the trek

Maintain Physical fitness:

One of the important things while preparing for the Tsum Valley Trek that trekkers need to consider is to maintain physical fitness. Physical fitness plays a key role for the successful trek of the Tsum Valley and this trek’s demand also demands a good level of physical fitness.

There are different things that trekkers can do to maintain physical fitness. Here are some important practices to start before embarking on the trek.

Cardiovascular exercise: Trekkers can start doing cardiovascular exercises such as hiking, jogging, cycling, rowing, running, swimming, and brisk walking, etc., at least 2-3 months before beginning the trek.

Strength Training: Physical strength, especially in the legs and back, is crucial for trekkers, as it helps them carry their backpacks comfortably during the trekking journey. This strength makes it easier to walk for 4-6 hours daily. Trekkers can also join the Gym to increase their body strength.

Flexibility: Flexibility helps trekkers to reduce injuries while doing the training so better to join the yoga to have good flexibility.

Nutrition: Great physical shape and fitness are not achievable without maintaining a balanced diet. Therefore, trekkers should start consuming healthy and nutritious foods, and avoiding junk food. Also hydrating your body helps to provide energy and reduce altitude sickness.

Rest: To have proper rest is also necessary. It helps to recover and relax the muscles. Also, sleep enough at night and maintain a consistent schedule.

Mental Fitness: If you ask experienced trekkers, you will understand how significant a role mental fitness plays in making a trek successful. Trekkers need to maintain a positive mindset and strong determination for adventure.

Pack Essential Clothing and Gear Items:

Before packing, trekkers preparing for the Tsum Valley trek must choose the appropriate season, as each season has its own weather conditions. For experienced trekkers, packing essential clothing and gear items may not be challenging, but beginners may find it difficult.

Also, while packing, make sure to prepare for unforeseen weather changes. Preparing in advance helps the trekkers to cope with the challenges they may encounter during the trek. Weather plays a crucial role in the success of the trek, so make a wise decision when choosing the time to visit Tsum Valley. Find the recommended Equipment packing list below.

For those who want to combine Tsum Valley Trek with Manaslu Circuit we have perfect package for you:

Manaslu Circuit Trek With Tsum Valley Package

Why I Advocate for the Trek to Tsum Valley Trek: Insights from the Founder

Me, Rajan began my career in tourism in 2009 as a porter. I was promoted to trekking leader after having training and a license in a few years. Then, I served as a trekking leader for 12 years leading groups in various regions of Nepal like Annapurna, Langtang, Mustang, Manaslu, and Everest. Among them, I always preferred taking the groups in the Manaslu region as it is from my hometown.

Namaste Nepal Supports the Tsum Valley Trek for a number of good reasons: it is beautiful, cultural, and responsible tourism. Therefore, as the founder of the company, I strongly feel that Tsum Valley is a unique tour guide for both trekkers and anthropology lovers.

For this, the tourists get to experience unspoiled nature as this place is not as crowded as other regularly visited trekking places so you get to fully immerse with the peaceful environment and the wildlife all around you.

Apart from its scenic beauty, Tsum Valley is blessed with a rich cultural site with monasteries and Buddhist festivals such as Losar and Nara. In many cases, these activities enrich travelers’ experiences while at the same time contributing to the improved well-being of locals.

Thus, by promoting the particular Tsum Valley trek, it is the main idea to attract tourists, who will follow principles of respecting the local traditions as well as natural surroundings, so that many generations can come and enjoy the views of Tsum Valley and its historical significance.

What I Like About the Tsum Valley Trek

There are a lot of reasons that make the Tsum Valley Trek unique and appealing. This offbeat trek is completely different than most of the treks found in Nepal. Let’s see some of them below.

Scenic Beauty:

From the Tsum Valley trekkers can enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks like Manaslu (8,153m), Shringi Himal (7,187m), Ngadi Chuli (7,871m), Buddha Himal, Cheo Himal, Himal Chuli (7,893m), Himlung Himal, Larke peak and many more. Also the beautiful landscape, lush hill, forest, farms, village, rivers are equally stunning to watch.

Cultural Richness:

In the higher altitudes, the pure Tsum tribe resides, offering trekkers the opportunity to experience the rich cultural influences of Buddhism and Bon religion firsthand.

Remote and Serene:

Being situated in a remote area, this place is popularly known as the Hidden Valley. Therefore, only a limited number of trekkers can be seen in this region. Despite this, trekkers can still experience the pure natural beauty of the area, making it one of the most peaceful trails in the mountainous region.

Unique Wildlife:

Tsum Valley is the home of the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Thar, musk deer and blue sheep. Also it is believed that the large ape-like creatures popular by its name Yeti and its footprint is encounter by the local people

Community and Hospitality:

The Tsum Valley community is so peaceful that even this place is declared as a non-violent area. Local people prohibit the sacrifice of animals and causing harm to the animals and nature. People in Tsum Valley are very friendly and welcoming to visitors. They treat guests with kindness and generosity.

Different Festivals and Puja:

People in Tsum Valley celebrate various festivals such as Losar, Nara, Dhachyang, Shyakya, Mani Tyungyur, Lahkhang, Yaarney, and Dukpa Chhesi. Depending upon the trekking time and festival date you can enjoy this culture with the local people here.

Photographic Opportunities:

There are unlimited palaces to take beautiful photographs in Tsum Valley like Snow Peak mountains, monasteries, wildlife, local people, etc.

Why come on an Adventure with Team Namaste Nepal for your Tsum Valley Trek

The first thing trekkers need to know about Namaste Nepal is that we have been actively involved in the trekking field for a long time. Alongside trekkers, we have successfully completed numerous treks delivering exceptional experiences and ensuring safety throughout each journey. Let’s see what you can expect from us when you join the Tsum Valley trek with us.

Proficiency and Extensive Experience:

Our team is known for its proficiency and extensive experience in the tourism industry. Our experienced team has a good record of successful Tsum Valley trek. With a commitment to professionalism we ensure that every trekker’s journey will be safe, enjoyable, and memorable.

Professional Guides:

Namaste Nepal will provide you with experienced local guides who have extensive knowledge of Tsum Valley and its local communities. They will lead you to the Tsum Valley and also help you to interact with the local people so you can gain the knowledge of Tsum Valley’s history, culture, and traditions.

Porter Services:

Namaste Nepal is providing free porter services to our trekkers so they can enjoy the trek without the burden of carrying heavy luggage.

Customizable itinerary and personalized service:

As per the demands of the client, we help to make the customizable Tsum Valley trek itinerary that suits their preferences. Also if any trekkers have their own specific requirements and services they want it is also possible with us.

Permits and Logistics:

Namaste Nepal will arrange all the required permits for the Tsum Valley trek including logistics. Also, all the permit costs and the logistic service costs will be included in the Tsum Valley trek package.

Responsible Tourism:

Namaste Nepal will conduct the trek in such a way that there will be minimum impact on the Tsum valley environment. Also we suggest our trekkers follow the “leave no trace” policy for the conservation and beauty of the Tsum Valley.

Cultural Immersion:

The best part of the Tsum valley trek is to immerse in the unique culture of the Tsum valley people. Their unique way of living, culture, dress, language and religion can be experienced by our trekkers.

Memorable Experiences:

Namaste Nepal conducts the Tsum Valley trek in a safe manner, with robust emergency protocols and support. Trekkers can enjoy the trek to the fullest when they trek with us.

Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime at the Lap of Tsum Valley Trek

During Tsum Valley Trek you will discover the stunning landscapes and ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture. This trek is a unique mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Imagine trekking through lush forests, crossing suspension bridges over rushing rivers, and conquering challenging mountain passes for breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and peaceful valleys. This trek is beyond the imagination and will remain in your memories forever.

Apart from the physical adventure, Tsum Valley holds deep spiritual significance with its monasteries, Buddhist shrines (chortens), and fluttering prayer flags which gives trekkers a unique taste of culture and religion.

Also learning, exploring, and enjoying the authentic Tsum Valley hospitality throughout your journey will give you an unforgettable experience.

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Cost For 2025 & 2026

The cost of the Tsum Valley will depend upon several factors such as group size, trekking season, transportation you use and level of services (lodging or meals). The starting price of the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek is from US$ 830. If you are a solo person the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Cost will be around 1420$. Remember that the more you are in a group the more discounts you will get in Tsum Valley Trek Package.

Here is the cost that you need to pay when you book Tsum Valley Trek with Namaste Nepal