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Tsum Valley Trek

5 reviews in Tripadvisor

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Trip Duration

18 Days
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Trip Difficulty

Difficult
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Group Size

1-16
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Max. Altitude

4,050m. /13,287 ft.
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Accommodation

Hotel/ Lodge /Tea House
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Best Seasons

Mar-May/Sept-Nov
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Activity per day

Trekking
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Start/End

Kathmandu

Trip Overview

Are you tired of the usual trademark tourist experiences in Nepal and are looking for something more unique? Then, join us on our extraordinary Tsum Valley trek- a journey to the hidden land to discover the undiscovered monasteries and listen to the untold stories.

The Manaslu Tsum Valley trek is genuinely a one-of-a-kind journey that will lead you to the upper reaches of Tibet. Limited until 2008, the Tsum Valley trek is still controlled, monitored, and restricted, thus sustaining the originality and beauty of the region.

Our Tsum Valley trek 18 days journey will guide you to the northern reaches of Nepal toward the Gorkha District. Once you are in the Tsum Valley, we promise you will truly realize why it is known as the Valley of Happiness.

You will get to unravel the secrets of its numerous age old important monasteries such as Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, Dhephyu Doma Gompa where you will be able to learn about the authentic Tibetan culture, religion, art, lifestyle, customs and traditions.

Additionally, the Tusm Valley trek will also plunge you into the eternal snowy realm of Gorkha Himal (6092 m), Himlung (7126 m), Annapurna Himal (8091 m), Shringi Himal (7187 m), Naike (6211 m), Manaslu (8163 m), Ganesh Himal (7422 m), Larke Peak (6249 m), Himalchuli (7893 m), Kanguru (6367 m), Cheo Himal (6820 m), Pang Chuli (5663 m), and Ngadi Chuli (7871 m).

You will also encounter the fascinating Tsumbas who remain largely indifferent to outsiders and stay content in their own unique way of life.

Following the traditional ancient Tibetan Buddhism, they celebrate Lhosar, Saka Dawa and Dhacyhang festivals. They also had polyandry marriage which is now fading away among the younger generation.

Our 18 days Manaslu Tsum Valley trek itinerary will at first take you on a long beautiful drive to Sotikhola. The trail will then follow the Manaslu trek route till Jagat after which it will transport you to the villages of Tsum Valley.

From Chumling onward, you will be fascinated by the fantastic sights of the Tsum Valley. Traversing the amazing beauties of Chhokang Paro and Nile, you will then make it to the spiritual premises of Mu Gompa (3700 m) established by the revered order of Bhutanese Lama Drupa Rinpoche, and Rachen Gompa (3240 m)– an all-female monastery of the region.

Our Tsum Valley trek 18 days journey will then be complete as you circle back to Kathmandu through Gumba Lungda.

A moderate nature, heart stealing sceneries, and easy to travel terrain makes the Tsum Valley trek an enticing option for both the new, and curious travelers to experienced trekkers.

Have Questions?

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Mr. Ashok KC

+977-9851046026

Highlights of Tsum Valley Trek

  • Begin the journey with the picturesque drive to Soti Khola
  • Witness the stark yet very beautiful landscape characteristic of Tibet
  • Explore several Buddhist Monasteries, and waterfalls and see the many Himalayan titans en route
  • Explore the very significant religious landmarks of Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, and Dhephyu Doma Gompa
  • Meet the honest and brave-hearted Tsumbas and plunge yourself into their distinct Tibetan custom and culture
  • Travel through the conservation area of Manaslu that shelters unique and endangered wildlife
  • See Kathmandu with different eyes and different perspective
  • A comfortable moderate journey devoid of any domestic air travel

Itinerary of Tsum Valley Trek

Hello everyone! One of the friendly representative of Adventure Tansen Treks will offer you a cordial reception at TIA after which you will be driven in a private transport to your chosen accommodation.

Please recover from your long international flight in your hotel room. After all the other guests of our Tsum Valley trek are in the hotel, our guide will gather everyone and provide the travel details about the journey.

Later, you can introduce yourself to your first Nepali momo or dal vat and a fresh Nepali beer.

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Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)

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Meal: Dinner

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Accommodation: Hotel

Includes/Excludes

What is included?

  • All arrival, departure transfers as per the itineary by car, van or coach.
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking guide, transport and entry fees.
  • Domestic airfares and road transportation according to your choice.
  • All hotel accommodation with breakfast.
  • All meals (3 meals each day) during camping or tea-house trek.
  • Full service from our guides, cooks, and porters.
  • All camping and kitchen equipments and camp site fees.
  • Staff salary, transport and insurance.
  • Restricted Area trek permit fee from Department of Immigration.
  • Manaslu Conservation Area entry fee.
  • Necessery government taxes.
  • Company ground handling charges..

What is not included?

  • International flights to Nepal.
  • Meals not mentioned above or in the itinerary.
  • Travel and medical insurance including evacuation.
  • Nepal entry Visa fee.
  • Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc and tips for staff.
  • Any additional activities not in the itinerary.

Route Map & Altitude Chart

Download PDF
Tsum Valley Trek 18 Days Map

Trip Information

What makes Tsum Valley a Restricted Area?

Tsum Valley has endured a lot of political unrest since 1975 because of the Khampa movement which advocated for the Tibet independence. After the peace is reestablished, the Tsum Valley was opened for the tourists access only in 2008.

Still, it remains a restricted area and is under the monitoring of the Nepal government. To have total access to the valley, a unique permit is needed that can be processed only by government approved trek and tour agency like Adventure Tansen Treks.

This measure has thus prevented the overflow of tourists in the area which has been helping the ancient culture and its customs to thrive without much outside impact.

The rich forests in the valley are also protecting the threatened wildlife endemic to the region such as Himalayan Thar, Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Musk Deer etc.

However, the region’s purity has been under threat due to the ongoing road expansion from Tibet and Arughat. So it’s better to hurry to engage in the Tsum Valley trek which still has its authenticity that can disappear in the coming years like in Annapurna and Everest.

However, by stating the area as a restricted region, the government is preserving its pure elements as long as possible.

Tsum Valley Trek: Best Season

If you desire a complete immersive experience in the Tsum Valley, then you should consider joining our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek during the Fall/autumn and spring months.

These seasons are known for dramatically enhancing the Valley’s landscape with their unique charm. The Autumn/Fall beginning from mid-September and lasting till the last days of November bathes the region in warm yellowy tone.

The snow also begins to beautify the high Himalayas while the sky still remaining completely azure with the brightest views ever. Days tend to grow shorter but the temperature wander around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius.

The spring (March-May) blankets the Tsum Valley in a bright pinkish tone with flourishing rhododendrons and bright green hills. The rain may sometimes occur cooling down the rising heat.

The Summer/Monsoon (June-August) also captivates the visitors with Tsum’s beauty however the Machha Khola, Jagat and other low lying regions face heavy rains.

Winter (Mid-December to February) engulfs the entire Tsum Valley in snow often obscuring the path and freezing the terrain.

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek: Difficulty level

Our Manaslu Tsum Valley trek is a class B level moderately demanding journey that reaches the maximum elevation at 3700 m height of Mu Gompa.

The walking trails toward the Tsum Valley are generally easy without such very steep inclinations, slopes, climbing and descents but you will experience the diverse terrain along with the varied climatic zone.

Once you are at the lower part of the Tsum Valley, you will have to walk through the river gorges tackling the considerable elevation shifts. As you progress, the trails often stick to the cliffs made manageable by the locals.

The challenge comes from the everyday moderate duration of walking that can lengthen up to 7 hours sometimes. The altitude is not too high as typical of other mountain trails of Nepal but still, you may experience the impact of Tibetan-like weather.

The simplicity of the villages can also add to the layer of difficulty in the Tsum Valley trek.

Who can be the eligible trekkers of our Tsum Valley Trek 18 Days Adventure?

Our Tsum Valley trek 18 days journey invites adventurers of all levels, from experienced trekkers to even newbies. The main and the only requirement is the prime health and a few sacrifice of comfort in the journey.

The healthy and active trekkers will find this medium altitude hiking adventure very manageable. The trails are also well-built by the locals and very easy to follow.

There are also clear signage preventing you from wandering off the trail. The technical complexity is also absent and very beautiful in fact. However, the constantly changing elevation of the terrain may challenge you sometimes.

Due to the remoteness of the region, we suggest that people with heart, kidney, muscle, skeletal, and lung issues get medical advice before the journey.

AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and Acclimatization Plan on our 18 Days Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary

The occurrence of AMS or the altitude sickness is not rare but minimal in our Tsum Valley trek. Although the maximum point will be just 3700 m at Mu Gompa, the landscape and the air in the Tsum Valley is just like of Tibet with low pressure and oxygen in the air.

This is the main reason that some of our trekkers go through the mild signs of AMS when they are not properly adjusted to the new height and air.

They may show the signs of appetite loss, tiredness, sleep disturbances, vertigo and slight breathing difficulties which can occur around 8 to 24 hours later reaching the higher grounds.

There’s nothing to fret about these signs can quickly go away if you opt to take the adequate rest, enough sleep and progress very gradually. Our our 18 days Manaslu Tsum Valley trek itinerary has been planned with daily elevation gain of up to 500 m except on day 9 when you will travel to Nile from Chhokangparo with over 1000 m elevation increase.

We have also added a leisure day in Kathmandu before beginning the trip so you can get adjusted to the Nepal air. Please be aware of the symptoms of AMS and communicate with our guide at once.

If even after optimal rest, you struggle to walk or feel breathless, our guide may take you to lower grounds and halt your  trip for a day or so. Please ensure you take plenty of water and fluids and if you have n contraindications, take Diamox starting from Kathmandu.

Needed Training and Preparation for the Tsum Valley Trek

We want your Tsum Valley trek to be exceptionally enjoyable and comfortable. That’s why we suggest all our participating guests to thoroughly prepare themselves physically and mentally before the trip.

Do your complete health check up and aim to get the quality sleep. Then begin to be ready physically with the aerobic exercises. Add walking, squats, pull ups, running, push ups, cycling, planks, and swimming to your every day routine.

This will add strength to your legs, hips, and shoulders needed for the steep upward walks. Also focus on improving your lung capacity by practicing breaststroke when swimming. Later on, you can progress to hill sprints for increasing the overall stamina of your body.

As for the mental readiness, research more about the terrain, climate, and lifestyle of the Tsum Valley. Increase your mental endurance with meditation or yoga and lastly pack the essentials such as your personal firs aid, and medication.

Possible Route Extension for the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

You can get a more unique experience and unfiltered nature if you consider merging the Nar Phu and Kangla Pass trek with our Tsum Valley trek.

This extraordinary route is a much less known trail among tourists which will direct you to the base camp of beautiful Ganesh Peak where you may even see the Yeti roaming around.

From Gumba Lundang, you can hike upward to the Ganesh Base Camp and then take on the Manaslu circuit route. And, why not combine the Manaslu circuit itself with the Tsum Valley which will give you the incredible chance to be at the base camp of the eighth tallest snowy peak and at Birendra Tal.

Sleeping and Eating

As per our carefully planned arrangements for you in our Tsum Valley trek 18 days journey, we offer you double room accommodation in a lovely three star hotel of the capital. Here, you will enjoy the services of private bathroom, 24 hour hot water and easy WiFi access.

For the trek, we offer you warm housing accommodation in the mountain tea houses where you will get two single beds, mattresses, pillows, and blankets. The latrine facility may be communal and you may have to an extra for the hot water bath.

Regarding the dining arrangements, we offer you breakfast each morning with the option of exploring your own food choices for lunches and dinners.

For the trek, we will serve three times meals a day (breakfasts, dinners, and lunches) at these tea houses where you can explore the local Tsum dishes along with typical Momos, Dal Vat, pasta, and thukpa.

Transportation

For our Tsum Valley trek, we have included only private transport for all the ground journey in the trip. The service comprise the international airport transfers (In and Out), personalized Kathmandu tour and a transfer between Kathmandu and Soti Khola.

Travel Insurance

Unforeseen risks always lurk when you go out on any high mountain trekking trail such as a slip, AMS, an injury, sudden onset of illness, weather change, getting lost etc. There is only one component that can protect you against these risks which is the travel insurance.

Kindly understand that the right travel insurance is a requirement for securing the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP). a right travel insurance means it should safeguard you before your trip begins extending a month beyond your travel dates.

Make sure your insurer supports you in need of sudden medical transport, air search, rescue, and transfer by helicopter to 4000 m, along with the medical expenses.

You can also add the miscellaneous protection against the flight delays, trip postponement, extended stays, luggage loss, theft etc.

Essential Permits for the Tsum Valley Trek 18 Days Journey

Kindly note that the RAP for the Tsum Valley trek can only be processed through the licensed travel and trek company like Adventure Tansen Treks. It requires a minimum of two guests and a local guide as part of our organized group tours.

For this permit, we need to pay US Dollars 40 for each trekker for the autumn trek, which will remain valid for a week. If you stay longer, there will be a daily fee of US Dollars 7.

For spring, summer and winter, we need to pay US Dollars 30 for a week with US Dollars 5 extra for each added days.

We will also be needing the Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (MCAP) for which we need to pay US Dollars 30 for each trekker at tourism office in Kathmandu.

The cost and permit application procedure will be our responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tsum Valley trek gives it visitors an exclusive and untouched vibe and beauty of the nature. The less-traveled path, the controlled number of tourists, the flawless nature, the daily variation in the landscape on each day walk, the age old still original Tibetan Buddhist heritage of the Tsumbas, their enchanting and mysterious Gompas along with the grand Himalayan vistas make this trek simply a valued experience.

We have included acclimatization days in the journey so each trekker can travel at slow pace thus minimizing the occurrence of AMS. We want every individual to reach and explore Tsum Valley in ease, so we have made our travel program 18 days long.

Yes, the NTC and Ncell provide good coverage in the Tsum Valley with their 4G connections. Some tea houses may facilitate you with WiFi for a small fee.

Yes, thanks to the government-supplied electricity and the solar panels, you can power up any of your electric gear at a small cost at tea houses.

When you will be sleeping at 3700 m altitude at Mu Gompa.

We will for about a week in the Tsum Valley.

In terms of altitude, the Tsum Valley trek is easier but in terms of comfort and luxury, Annapurna and Everest treks are the better options. All three are the beginner’s favorite hiking trails that have their own elegance. Annapurna and Everest will immerse you in the majestic Himalayas realm while Tsum is in the majestically pure nature and culture.

Around 120 km in 18 days journey.

 

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Mr. Ashok KC

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