Tsum Valley Trek

• Tsum Valley is a holy ‘spirit’ or ‘Shangri-La’; it is a blend of the spirituality of Tibetan Buddhist shade anding culture and religious practices.
• The untouched area provides an opportunity to observe the unspoiled nature and scenic paths, an escape from the noisy and crowded world.
• It has monasteries such as Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa and several Buddhist temples that have been there for centuries.
• The warm welcome that trekkers receive from the Tsumba villagers can take them into their beautiful and pristine Tibetan culture
• It presents an extraordinary landscape view of Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, Boudha Himal and other nearby Himalayas.
• Milarepa’s Cave is one of the primary meditation places connected to the life and work of the great Tibetan saint and yogi Milarepa.
• This area offers environmentally friendly hiking, different species of flowers and animals, as well as exercising the privilege of being able to hike in remote areas where many tourists are not present.

Price includes

• Airport pick up and drop off by private tourist vehicle
• 2 nights accommodation in Kathmandu at 3-4 star Nepalese standard hotel.
• Private Coach to and from Arughat
• Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card
• Tsum Valley Special Trekking Permit
• Full board meal (veg. / non veg.) prepared by our expert cook.
• All accommodations in tents and suitable Guest Houses during the treks
• All necessary paper works and permits
• 1 experienced and license holder trekking guide and his daily meal, wage & accommodation
• Required porters/carrier for a group of 2 person ( carry 20-25kg) and his daily meal, wage & accommodation
• All Government Taxes  value added tax

Trip Essential Information

Tsum Valley Trek Difficulty

The Tsum Valley Trek is moderate to challenging and requires good fitness and a history of trekking. 5–7 hours of hiking daily on rough terrain with steep ascent and descent. The elevation rises above 3500 m and some of the trekkers suffer altitude sickness.

Because of the remoteness of the Tsum Valley it increases the work, as the simple lodging and the limited facilities demand proper preparation. The trail involves suspension bridges, narrow trails, and culturally rich villages both of which can be mentally and physically demanding.

Once acclimatized, rested and committed, the walk is within reach and enjoyable, providing spectacular panoramas of the Himalayas, with the Tsum Valley, a cultural landmark, available to visit.

Altitude Sickness

One of the Challenges of Tsum Valley Trek is altitude sickness, which may be at a frequent stage near Mu Gompa since the elevation tends to be more than 3700 meters.

Headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and other symptoms may result from low levels of oxygen in the body. Life-threatening cases may occur, such as HAPE or HACE.

Acclimatizing, slow walking, drinking water, eating good meals, and not drinking alcohol should be taken to avoid altitude sickness. Sometimes, drugs, including medicines, may be helpful, but they need to be taken under the doctor’s prescription.

However, taking necessary precautions, the place offers one of the most beautiful treks in the lap of the Himalayas.

Food During Tsum Valley Trek

The food during the Tsum Valley Trek is basic and tasty, giving trekkers a taste of Himalayan food. Accommodation is in simple teahouses, where very simple dishes are served with fresh products from the region.

The most common food is dal bhat (lentils with rice and vegetables), which is healthy, rich, and energizing for hiking.

Other favourite dishes are Tibetan bread and Noodles, fried rice, and momo. pancakes. Other examples of soup include garlic soup, which is said to help in acclimatization. Meals in high altitudes might reduce in variety, and the staple foods include potatoes, buckwheat and barley dishes.

Tea, coffee and herbal teas are regularly taken to warm up the body and keep the body hydrated. As much as people are encouraged to eat vegetarian meals, limited meat may be served in the lower areas.

Snacks, chocolates and energy bars are usually sold up to some extent, but it is wise to have extra stocks for the longer journeys.

The food is quite plain but healthy for the trekkers to satisfy their energy levels on this beautiful and historical trip. Stay as local as you can on this trek and enjoy the true flavours of Himalayan.

Accommodation in Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Like on many other treks in Nepal, the food and spending overnight during the Tsum Valley Trek is in teahouses and lodges along the track. These local and small businesses provide super primary amenities to the trekkers.

Accommodation consists of twin beds with a mattress, pillow, and blanket, but clients are advised to bring their sleeping bags due to the increased cleanliness and warmth at higher altitudes.

In the lower regions, teahouses can be a little improved in terms of facilities, including attached bathrooms and solar-heated hot showers.

But as you go higher, the amenities are limited, with each room sharing a bathroom and limited hot water for bathing. Recharging for electrical appliances or getting Wi-Fi may be present in some areas, but extra fees are charged.

Accommodations in Tsum Valley Trek are usually clean but do not provide luxury or luxurious services. better book in advance during the busy trekking months of spring and autumn since there are very few teahouses in this part of the world.

Staying in the teahouse gives you a chance to directly engage with the Tsumba culture, besides making your rest within the breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas.

A Typical Day On Tsum Valley Trek

Tsum Valley Trek starts by waking up early and having a hot breakfast at the local teahouse, where you will spend the night in this area.

Trekking should be done in the morning, when the sky is clear and temperatures are high. It will be a 4—to 6-hour walk a day through forests, terraced fields, and villages, enjoying the scenery of Ganesh Himal and the other Himalayas.

The trail is a combination of uphill, downhill and suspension bridges with crossing rivers and friendly Nepali people, monasteries, chortens, mani walls, etc. Take a lunch break in a tea house or some attractive viewpoint, relish the lunch, and get some rest before again moving on the trekking.

Days are generally not as long as nights, with arrival at the day’s destination, we check into the teahose. After registering in a teahouse you are free to take tea, rest or even go sightseeing around scenic views.

Meals are very plain and consist of food such as dal bhat or Tibetan bread for supper while chatting with other trekkers and locals. By evening, most spend their time early to bed to wake up early for the next day trekking in the serene and isolated Tsum Valley.

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Permits

You will need the following permits for Tsum Valley Trekking:

MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit):

This permit is necessary for trekking in the Manaslu region and enables the government to prevent the destruction of that part of the country and its resources. It will assist in the financing of local infrastructure and the protection of the local environment.

Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP):

Tsum Valley is a restricted region to trek, thus this special permit is required. It protects the cultural and natural heritage of the valley, and it can be attained only with the help of a registered trekking agency.

Restricted area permit is valid for a particular period, and therefore, when planning for the trek, make sure you get the permit within the recommended period of time.

ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit):

Needed to cross the Annapurna Conservation Area whilst trekking. It funds environmental conservation and community development. Valid for all areas under the ACAP zone.

Both permits are available in Kathmandu or Pokhara, but they need to be arranged before starting your trek. The cost of the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is higher than other permits, and the procedure involves submitting your trekking details to the authorities.

It’s also important to note that these permits are generally valid only for the specific trekking season.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is important while planning for the Tsum Valley Trek since it provides coverage in the event of an emergency in that area. Hiking especially in the steep hills and in the areas few people get problems like altitude sickness, injury, or any other difficulties.

It is clear that an appropriate insurance plan should cover several aspects such as emergency medical, which is necessary for the treatment, for example, hospitalization or other problems in high altitude.

Such coverage will provide compensation if some personal property, including equipment or bags, gets lost during the trek. Finally, there is repatriation coverage in case you get ill or injured beyond the point you can be taken back home.

One should select a policy that would cover trekking at high altitudes and all the activities that were planned for the trek, and ensure the policy meets the requirements.

Tsum Valley Trek Cost

The cost of Tsum Valley Trek differs depending on whether you are a foreigner or a Nepali, and the overall amount includes the expense of permits, accommodation facility and food, and guide and porter charges.

Adding the accommodation cost for foreign trekkers the total cost is often likely to be ______. This comprises permits, teahouse, food, guide and porter, and transport to the trekking starting point.

For the Nepali trekkers, the cost is relatively cheaper, ranging between NPR 30,000 to NPR 40,000.

Best Time For The Tsum Valley Trekking

The best times for Tsum Valley Trek are springtime (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Both of these months provide the best weather for trekking within this region.

The climate in spring is benign; this is the best time to trek since nature provides a lovely view of azaleas at this time. The climate is always favourable, with moderate temperatures and clear skies offering a good mountain view.

Autumn is the best month to trek to the Himalayas in Nepal because of the beautiful weather conditions throughout the trek. Being warm, sunny during the day and cooler at night are typical descriptions of the weather conditions during this season.

This is the best season for views and the best time to visit lesser-known destinations, such as Tsum Valley. Although it can also be done in winter (December to February) or summer (June to August), they are also difficult.

Some parts of winter can be severely cold, especially at higher altitudes. During the summer, there is a lot of rainfall, making the trails slippery and making trekking difficult. Hence, spring and autumn are the most advised seasons by the doctors when planning for a safe and enjoyable hold.

Drinking Water

Due to the scarcity of water in the Tsum Valley Trek, water availability is also scarce, and hiking requires proper hydration. Teahouses sell bottled water, but they are so expensive and pose a menace to the environment because of plastic bottles.

Better and available at a small fee is water that is boiled and served in the facilities. Water purification tablets or portable filters are recommended. A hydration bladder or reusable bottles are also recommended.

It is recommended to drink a lot in order to avoid altitude sickness on the trekking adventure.

WIFI, Electricity And Communication

There is no Wi-Fi, electricity, or communication on the trek to Tsum Valley, and they become scarce as one ascends high altitudes. For example, while Wi-Fi is available in some villages, such as Arughat and Soti Khola, it is scarce, annoyingly slow, and expensive after Philim.

Electrical power though sometimes solar, is available in the lower reaches but is limited and uneven in the highland villages such as Chhekampar and Lokpa, where indeed charging devices are often charged extra.

Mobile network coverage is reasonable in lower-altitude areas but deteriorates or is nonexistent in remote areas. Thus, satellite phones are the only means of communication, which is costly.

For communications and electricity, bring a portable charger, switch to mobile data in weak zones and use a restricted amount of WiFi or check-in points. The Manaslu Tsum Trek provides an excellent opportunity for solitude in the majestic mountain environment of the Himalayas.

Gallery