- Duration
- 14 days
- Max altitude
- 3,700 m
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Group size
- Max 12
- From
- US$1,199
Region: Manaslu Region
Overview
The Tsum Valley Trek is a 14-day restricted-area trek into the sacred Tsum Valley, a hidden side valley of the Budi Gandaki river that was off-limits to foreigners until 2008. The Tsum Valley is home to ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, sacred meditation caves of the 11th-century yogi Milarepa, and traditional Tibetan villages that have changed little in centuries. The valley is known as the ‘Beyul Kyimolung’ or Hidden Valley of Happiness in Tibetan Buddhist tradition – one of several sacred hidden valleys believed to have been blessed by Padmasambhava. The trek begins with a drive to Soti Khola, then branches off the main Manaslu Circuit route to enter Tsum Valley, visiting the ancient monasteries of Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa before returning. The maximum altitude of 3,700m is moderate and accessible to most fit trekkers.
Know Before You Book – Tsum Valley Trek Information
Trip Name: Tsum Valley Trek – 14 Days
Duration: 14 days
Difficulty: Medium
Maximum Altitude: 3700m
Group Size: Max 12
Difficulty & Fitness
This trek is rated Medium. Medium treks involve 5-7 hours of walking daily with significant elevation gain. Suitable for fit trekkers with some experience. The maximum altitude is 3700m. You need a fitness level of Moderate to High – cardio training 3-4 times weekly for 8-12 weeks before departure, hill walking with a day pack, and core strength exercises.
Read our difficulty guides: Reviews Real Experience Tsum Valley Manaslu Guides, Manaslu Tsum Operator Experience Check.
Best Time to Go
Spring (March to May) brings warming weather, rhododendron blooms, and reliable mountain visibility. Autumn (September to November) offers the clearest skies, crisp air, and stable trekking conditions. Winter (December to February) is cold but possible on lower routes. Summer monsoon (June to August) brings rain and obscured views.
Read our seasonal guides: Best Season Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, Tsum Valley Trek Best Season Clear Views Trails.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation: Star Hotel, Tea House, Home Stay. Tea houses are family-run lodges with simple twin-share rooms and shared bathrooms. Luxury lodges (where available) offer heated ensuite rooms. 3-star or higher hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast. Three meals daily (BLD) included during treks with tea and coffee. Vegetarian options widely available.
Food and water guides: Manaslu Tsum Valley Tea House Camping, Tsum Valley Trek Food And Accommodation.
Transportation
Transport: Private Vehicle. Domestic flights (where applicable) are weather-dependent – build 1-2 buffer days into your schedule. Private ground transport uses comfortable AC vehicles.
Flight and transport guides: Langtang Valley Trek Transport Teahouse Confirmation Booking, Arun Valley Trek Tumlingtar Flights Trailhead Transfers.
Required Permits
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 per week September-November), Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit (NPR 3,390), TIMS Card. We arrange all permits on your behalf once we receive your passport copy and 4 passport-size photos after booking. Permit fees are included in your trip cost.
Permit guides: Manaslu Tsum Valley Permits And Guide Arrangements, Manaslu Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permits.
Altitude Safety
Maximum altitude is 3700m. Above 3,500m, altitude sickness is a real risk. Our itinerary includes acclimatization days, guides carry pulse oximeters and emergency oxygen. Walk slowly, stay hydrated (3-4 liters daily), avoid alcohol above 3,500m, report symptoms immediately. Travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation is mandatory.
Altitude safety guides: Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Altitude Sickness Risk, Manaslu Tsum Valley Emergency Support Before Deposit.
Training & Preparation
Read our training guides: Prepare Custom Manaslu Tsum Valley Group Itinerary, Manaslu Tsum Valley Tea House Conditions.
Insurance Requirement
Travel insurance is mandatory for all our treks and tours. Your insurance must cover trekking to 3700m altitude (for treks), emergency helicopter evacuation up to USD 10,000, emergency medical treatment, and trip cancellation. We recommend World Nomads, IMG Global, or Allianz Adventure plans. Bring a printed copy of your insurance certificate.
Insurance guides: What Cancellation Terms And Travel Insurance Details Matter Before Booking A Ren, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Insurance Needed.
Cultural Etiquette
Dress modestly at religious sites (cover shoulders and knees). Remove shoes before entering temple sanctums. Walk clockwise around stupas and chortens. Ask permission before photographing people. Use your right hand for eating and passing items. Say namaste (palms together) as a greeting.
Culture guides: Manaslu Vs Tsum Valley Culture Villages, Tsum Valley Trek Itineraries Monastery Culture.
Booking & Payment
To confirm your booking, a deposit is required (50% for helicopter tours). The balance is due 30 days before departure (7 days for helicopter tours). We accept bank transfer, credit card (4% surcharge), PayPal. Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure. We strongly recommend travel insurance covering trip cancellation. Contact us for current pricing and availability.
What is Not Included
International airfare to/from Kathmandu, Nepal visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days), travel and rescue insurance (mandatory), personal trekking gear and clothing, hot showers and device charging on trek, alcoholic beverages, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, tips for guide/porter/driver (recommended 10-15% of trip cost), and any costs from unforeseen events like weather delays.
Highlights
- Visit the ancient Mu Gompa (3,700m) and Rachen Gompa monasteries, over 800 years old.
- See the sacred Milarepa caves where the famous yogi meditated in the 11th century.
- Experience traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture unchanged for centuries.
- Trek through a Beyul (sacred hidden valley) blessed by Padmasambhava.
- Walk in a region that sees fewer than 500 foreign trekkers per year.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
1,400 m
Arrival and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing.
Accommodation: 3 Stars Hotel · Meals: Dinner · Overnight: Kathmandu (1400 m)
Day 2: Drive to Soti Khola
710 m
8-hour scenic jeep ride from Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Soti Khola (710 m)
Day 3: Trek to Machha Khola
870 m
Begin trekking along the Budi Gandaki river.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Machha Khola (870 m)
Day 4: Trek to Jagat
1,340 m
Continue to Jagat, the entry point to the restricted area.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Jagat (1340 m)
Day 5: Trek to Lokpa
2,240 m
Branch off the main Manaslu route and climb into the Tsum Valley to Lokpa.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Lokpa (2240 m)
Day 6: Trek to Chumling
2,386 m
Continue through forest to Chumling, the first major Tsum village.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Chumling (2386 m)
Day 7: Trek to Chhokangparo
3,010 m
Climb to Chhokangparo, a traditional Tibetan village with stone houses.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Chhokangparo (3010 m)
Day 8: Trek to Nile & Visit Milarepa Cave
3,361 m
Continue to Nile and visit the sacred Milarepa meditation cave.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Nile (3361 m)
Day 9: Trek to Mu Gompa
3,700 m
Reach Mu Gompa, the most sacred monastery in Tsum Valley, founded in 1895.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Mu Gompa (3700 m)
Day 10: Explore Mu Gompa & Rachen Gompa
3,700 m
Rest day with monastery visits, prayer sessions, and interaction with the resident monks.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Mu Gompa (3700 m)
Day 11: Trek to Chhokangparo
3,010 m
Begin the descent, retracing steps through the valley.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Chhokangparo (3010 m)
Day 12: Trek to Lokpa & Philim
1,570 m
Continue descending and rejoin the main Manaslu route at Philim.
Accommodation: Tea House · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Philim (1570 m)
Day 13: Trek to Soti Khola & Drive to Kathmandu
1,400 m
Final descent to Soti Khola, then 8-hour jeep ride back to Kathmandu.
Accommodation: 3 Stars Hotel · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Kathmandu (1400 m)
Day 14: Final Departure
Transfer to the international airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
- All airport pickups and drops in private vehicle
- Kathmandu hotel (3 nights, B&B) with welcome and farewell dinners
- Domestic flights where applicable to itinerary
- All ground transport in private vehicle
- All necessary permits (TIMS, National Park, Conservation Area, Restricted Area where applicable)
- Three meals daily (BLD) during the trek with tea/coffee
- Tea house or camping accommodation during the trek
- Experienced English-speaking trekking guide and assistant guide for groups of 6+
- Porters (1 per 2 trekkers, 15kg luggage allowance) with full insurance
- Sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel bag (refundable deposit)
- First-aid kit, pulse oximeter, and emergency oxygen
- Satellite phone for emergency communications
- All government and local taxes
- All restricted area permits
- Donations to local monasteries
Not included
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days)
- Travel and high-altitude rescue insurance (mandatory)
- Personal trekking gear and clothing
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, device charging, and alcoholic beverages
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Tips for guide, porter, and driver (recommended 10-15% of trip cost)
- Costs from unforeseen events (weather, flight delays, route changes)
Permits
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 per week September-November), Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit (NPR 3,390), TIMS Card.
Things to Carry / Packing
- Warm fleece or wool beanie hat (essential for cold mornings)
- Sun hat with wide brim for UV protection
- Neck gaiter or buff (multi-purpose for dust, wind, cold)
- Sunglasses with UV protection (Category 3 or 4)
- Ski goggles for high-altitude passes and snow
- 2x merino wool base layers (long sleeve)
- 1x mid-layer fleece jacket
- 1x soft shell jacket for wind and light rain
FAQs
How difficult is the Tsum Valley Trek and what fitness do I need?
This trek is rated Medium and requires good fitness, 5-7 hours of walking daily at moderate altitude. The maximum altitude is 3700m. You need a fitness level of Moderate to High – cardio training 3-4 times weekly for 8-12 weeks before departure, hill walking with a day pack, and core strength exercises. Consult your doctor before booking if you have medical conditions.
Read more: Prepare Custom Manaslu Tsum Valley Group Itinerary.
What permits and documents do I need?
Required permits: Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 per week September-November), Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit (NPR 3,390), TIMS Card. We arrange all permits on your behalf once we receive your passport copy and 4 passport-size photos. You also need a Nepal visa (USD 30 for 15 days, obtained on arrival at Kathmandu airport) and travel insurance covering trekking to 3700m and helicopter evacuation. Bring your original passport, visa, insurance certificate, and photos to Nepal.
Related permit guides: Manaslu Tsum Valley Permits And Guide Arrangements.
When is the best time to do the Tsum Valley Trek?
Spring (March to May) brings warming weather, rhododendron blooms, and reliable mountain visibility. Autumn (September to November) offers the clearest skies, crisp air, and stable trekking conditions. Winter (December to February) is cold but possible on lower routes. Summer monsoon (June to August) brings rain and obscured views.
Is altitude sickness a risk and how do I prevent it?
Above 3,500m, altitude sickness (AMS) affects 25-40% of trekkers. Our itinerary includes acclimatization days, guides carry pulse oximeters and emergency oxygen, and they are trained to identify early symptoms. Prevention: ascend slowly (no more than 300-500m sleeping altitude per day above 3,500m), drink 3-4 liters of water daily, avoid alcohol above 3,500m, eat light meals, and report any symptoms immediately. Travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation (USD 10,000) is mandatory.
Read our altitude safety guides: Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Altitude Sickness Risk, Manaslu Tsum Valley Emergency Support Before Deposit.
What accommodation and meals are included?
Accommodation: Star Hotel, Tea House, Home Stay. Tea houses are family-run lodges with simple twin-share rooms and shared bathrooms. 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast. Three meals daily (BLD) are included during the trek with tea and coffee. Menu includes dal bhat, momos, noodles, soups, and seasonal vegetables. Vegetarian options are widely available.
What should I pack and what equipment do you provide?
Essential gear: 4-season sleeping bag (-15C to -20C), down jacket, broken-in trekking boots, merino base layers (2 sets), mid-layer fleece, hard shell jacket, trekking pants (2), warm hat, gloves, 4-5 pairs wool socks, headlamp, 2L water bottle, sunscreen SPF 50. We provide free rental: sleeping bag (USD 30 deposit), down jacket (USD 20 deposit), duffel bag, trekking poles, first-aid kit, and emergency oxygen. See the Things to Carry tab above for the complete list.
Packing guides: Manaslu Tsum Valley Packing List.