Tsum Valley Trek

Tsum Valley Trek Cost

Our standard Tsum Valley Trek package costs USD 1020 per person. It covers everything you need for a comfortable, well-supported adventure, including accommodations, transportation, meals, permits, and logistical support.

The package includes two nights of 3-star accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast, plus nine nights of full-board teahouse accommodation during the trek. Additionally, it covers airport transfers and all transportation to and from the trailhead by local bus and shared jeep.

The package fee covers all necessary permits and documentation, including the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit. Moreover, it also includes a government-licensed lead guide, porters, and support staff. It covers their salaries, accommodations, meals, insurance, and emergency support.

Please note that the package cost does not include your international airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, customary tips, or personal expenses along the trail. We recommend budgeting an additional USD 20-30 per day for expenses such as snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, or battery charging.

If you're planning the Tsum Valley Trek with a group, we offer a special group discount of up to USD 100 per person, depending on your group size. If our standard package doesn't fit your comfort and travel needs, you can customize the trip with hotel upgrades, private jeep transfers, additional acclimatization days, and guided cultural tours.

Best Time for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek

Although the Manaslu Tsum Valley is accessible year-round, autumn and spring are regarded as the best times for trekking in the area. These classic trekking windows provide the most reliable weather, the clearest mountain views, and the most comfortable walking conditions.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is considered the best time for trekking in the Tsum Valley. Post-monsoon weather brings crisp air, stable conditions, clear skies, and unobstructed mountain views.

During the day, temperatures on the trail are usually ideal for long-distance walks, ranging from 10°C to 16°C at lower altitudes and from 0°C to 10°C at higher elevations. At night, temperatures can drop between 0°C and -10°C, depending on elevation.

During this season, villages in Tsum Valley come alive with post-harvest activities, as locals thresh buckwheat and barley on the flat rooftops of their homes. Even during peak trekking season, the remote trails and teahouses of Tsum Valley remain quieter and less crowded than those in the Everest and Annapurna regions.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the second-best season for the Tsum Valley Trek. As temperatures rise through March and April, the rhododendron forests along the lower Tsum Valley and Budhi Gandaki corridor burst into full bloom. The high pastures and alpine meadows of the Upper Tsum Valley are also covered in vibrant wildflowers. This is the best time of year for bloom chasers and wildlife spotters.

Most spring days start with clear skies and unobstructed mountain views. However, afternoon clouds and light rain become frequent in May, disrupting the visibility. Spring also offers longer daylight hours, allowing you to maintain a steady pace during your ascent to Mu Gompa and Ngula Dhojyang.

Spring days are a bit warmer in the lower elevations and comfortable at higher altitudes. At night, temperatures can fall to between 0°C and -5°C, depending on elevation.

Monsoon (June to August)

Due to its rain-shadow position, Tsum Valley remains one of the few trekking regions in Nepal that stays relatively accessible during the monsoon season. The monsoon turns the lower Tsum Valley into a lush, green paradise. Even though the mountains are mostly hidden behind thick clouds, waterfalls are at their absolute best during this time. The best part? You'll almost have the trail to yourself.

However, the trails at lower elevations can still be muddy and slippery due to persistent rain. Many parts of the forested trail are infested with leeches. Some sections in the lower valleys are also prone to landslides, making them more dangerous during heavy rain.

If you're planning a trek to Tsum Valley during the monsoon, early June or late August are ideal times to avoid the heaviest rain and harshest conditions. While the region can be accessed during the monsoon with the right gear and preparation, we only recommend it for experienced trekkers who can handle extreme weather.

Winter (December to February)

Winter trekking in Tsum Valley can be tough due to freezing temperatures, persistent snowfall, strong winds, and occasional snowstorms. During severe weather, the trails to Mu Gompa and Ngula Dhojyang might become impassable.

Early December and late February can still provide good trekking conditions in Tsum Valley. Outside these short periods, winter temperatures often drop below -10°C, causing many teahouses in Upper Tsum to close for the season. Therefore, if you plan to visit the upper valleys of Tsum, we strongly advise against trekking during these months, even for experienced trekkers.

Winter trekking in the Tsum Valley requires a serious commitment to endure the harsh conditions and the possibility of cold-weather camping.

Tsum Valley Trekking Permit

Tsum Valley is designated as a restricted area by the Nepal government to protect its fragile ecosystems, national borders, and unique cultures of the Tsumba people from mass tourism. Therefore, trekking in this region requires two mandatory permits — the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (MCAP).

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, we handle the entire permit process, ensuring all documents and checkpoint requirements are arranged before your trek begins.

Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

You will need the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit to enter and trek in the restricted areas of Tsum Valley. It covers the trekking regions of both lower and upper Tsum Valley, including the villages of Sirdibas, Lokpa, Chumling, Chekampar, Nile, Chhule, and Mu Gompa. This permit can only be obtained through a government-registered trekking agency and requires a minimum group of two trekkers.

Cost

Autumn (September to November): USD40 per person for the first week, plus USD7 for each additional day.

Other Seasons (December to August): USD30 per person for the first week, plus USD7 per additional day.

Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)

Since the Tsum Valley Trek passes through the northeastern regions of the Manaslu Conservation Area, you need to obtain a valid Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit. This permit was established to support the conservation and management of biodiversity, forests, and high-altitude ecosystems in the Manaslu region. A portion of the permit fees is used directly for conservation programs and community development projects within the area.

Cost: NPR 3,000 per person for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.

Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Difficulty

The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking is considered a moderate-to-challenging adventure, suitable for both experienced trekkers and well-prepared beginners. Starting at 870 meters in Machha Khola, the trail gradually climbs to Ngula Dhojyang at 5,093 meters.

Although the trek does not involve technical climbing or glacier crossings, it does include long hours of walking through remote villages, suspension bridges, uneven paths, steep ridgelines, and narrow gorges.

On average, the Tsum Valley Trek requires 6 to 8 hours of walking each day over nine consecutive days. While most of the route in the lower section is well-maintained, the upper sections involve significant elevation gains and long distances.

Additionally, the teahouses and mountain lodges in the area are quite basic and limited. Most teahouses include small rooms, shared toilets, no in-room heating, and frequent power outages.

Besides that, altitude is a significant concern on the Tsum Valley Trek. You'll spend several nights above 3,000 meters and reach up to 5,093 meters at Ngula Dhojyang. Therefore, it is essential to acclimate properly, keep a steady pace, and stay hydrated throughout the trek.

Given the remote nature of the trek, helicopter rescue and emergency evacuation can take considerably longer than on more established routes, such as the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit.

Training for Tsum Valley Trek

Tsum Valley Trek demands good physical and mental fitness to handle rugged terrain, long days, steep climbs, and high altitude. While you don't need to train like an elite athlete, proper preparation is essential for a successful and enjoyable experience.

If you're physically active, eight weeks of training is generally enough. However, if you're starting from a lower fitness level, you should aim for at least a 12-week preparation plan to build a solid foundation. The goal is to progress gradually and arrive at the trailhead feeling confident, strong, and well prepared.

Cardiovascular Endurance

Building strong cardiovascular endurance is the most crucial part of trek preparation. You can start with a 30-minute session of low-impact activities like running, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, or stair climbing.

Aim for 3 to 4 sessions per week in the beginning. Gradually increase the duration, intensity, and frequency of your cardio workouts. The goal is to train your heart and lungs to perform efficiently for longer periods. This will give you a major advantage on long, uphill days, especially on segments between Chekampar and Ngula Dhojyang.

Leg Strength and Stability

Strong legs are crucial for the Tsum Valley Trek. The route involves long climbs and steep descents, which put significant stress on your knees, ankles, and back. Focus on exercises that strengthen your legs, core, and hips to improve balance, reduce joint strain, and support carrying a heavy backpack during the trek.

Add at least 2 to 3 strength and stability workouts each week, with 3 sets of 15-20 reps. Start with light exercises like squats, lunges, calf raises, step-ups, and single-leg movements, and increase the intensity as you go.

Conditioning Hikes

There is no better way to prepare for a long-distance trek than spending time on the trail itself. Look for similar trails near your home and go on weekly or biweekly hikes while carrying a loaded daypack to simulate real trekking conditions. Start with easy, half-day hikes and gradually increase to full-day hikes of six to eight hours.

Conditioning hikes also provide a great opportunity to break in your trekking boots and test your gear in real-world conditions before the trek. If there are no trails near your home, we recommend doing regular aerobic workouts.

Stretching and Flexibility

Although often overlooked, good flexibility and joint mobility give you a clear edge on high-altitude treks. Most people experience discomfort or pain after consecutive days of long-distance walking on uneven terrain. Dedicate 15 to 20 minutes to dynamic stretches and yoga after each training session.

Your stretches should target the hip flexors, quads, hamstrings, calves, and lower back. Besides improving flexibility and balance, these exercises also boost agility, enhance blood flow, and support muscle recovery.

Mental Preparation

The upper parts of the Tsum Valley Trek can really test your mental resilience and patience. You must develop the right mindset and prepare to handle formidable situations, including high altitude, disrupted sleep, cold temperatures, basic amenities, long days, and repetitive meals.

Reading guidebooks and articles can help you understand the trek and set realistic expectations. We recommend practicing mindfulness, breathing exercises, and meditation to foster a positive mindset, stay calm, and develop effective coping strategies.

If you're feeling anxious about the trek, visualization exercises can be helpful. Imagine the challenges you may encounter on the trail and mentally rehearse how you will handle them with confidence.

Rest and Recovery

Rest and recovery are key parts of the training process. During recovery, your muscles strengthen, and your cardiovascular system adapts more than it does during the workout. Also, your body tends to break down much faster during overtraining than during undertraining.

Add at least two full rest days to your weekly training schedule. Instead of complete rest, we recommend engaging in light activities such as mindful movement, yoga, stretching, and meditation to stay focused. Additionally, prioritize quality sleep, stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet to enhance your training and recovery.

Acclimatization and Safety

The Tsum Valley Trek is a remote, high-altitude adventure that starts at 870 meters in Machha Khola and ascends to 5,093 meters at Ngula Dhojyang. Altitude-related symptoms can occur anywhere above 2,500 meters. At these elevations, most trekkers experience mild symptoms like persistent headaches, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, poor sleep, and fatigue.

Understanding how altitude affects your body, recognizing early signs of altitude sickness, and knowing how to respond if symptoms appear can significantly influence the success or failure of the trek. 

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, the safety of every trekker is our top priority. That's why our Tsum Valley Trek itinerary is thoughtfully designed with gradual ascents and acclimatization days to support safe altitude adjustment.

Things You Should Do to Acclimatize

• Maintain a steady, comfortable pace throughout the trek. On shorter days, go for a short acclimatization walk above your sleeping altitude to help your body acclimate naturally.
• Drink at least 4-5 liters of water per day, even on days when you don't feel thirsty. We recommend keeping a water bottle within reach so you can sip a small amount on each break. Add electrolyte powders or tablets to improve hydration and support energy levels during long trekking days.
• Although loss of appetite is common at high altitudes, you should eat regularly during the trek to keep your body fueled and sustain your energy. At high altitudes, carbohydrate-rich foods like dal bhat, pasta, and potatoes offer quick energy and help your body perform better in low-oxygen conditions.
• Even though sleep can be lighter at altitude, you should always prioritize it. Adequate rest plays a crucial role in recovery and acclimatization.
• Avoid or strictly limit alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives at high altitude. These substances are known to hinder acclimatization by promoting dehydration and disrupting breathing.
• Always wear a three-layer system to regulate your body temperature and protect against harsh weather. It is recommended to wear UV-protective sunglasses and cover exposed skin (head, neck, arms) to guard against cold winds and intense sun at high altitude.
• Develop a habit of regularly checking in with yourself. If you notice any early signs, such as a persistent headache, shortness of breath, or nausea, inform your senior guide immediately, no matter how mild they seem.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement when booking the Tsum Valley Trek with Nepal Gateway Trekking. You must provide proof of valid travel insurance during the booking process to ensure your safety and financial protection throughout the trek.

The Tsum Valley Trek is a remote, high-altitude adventure with limited road access and medical facilities. In cases of serious injuries, altitude sickness, or medical emergencies, helicopter evacuation is the only viable option given the region's remoteness. A helicopter evacuation in Nepal can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the location and weather conditions.

Before booking this trek, please make sure that your travel insurance policy explicitly covers all of the following requirements.

• Your travel insurance must cover high-altitude trekking up to at least 5,500 meters above sea level. Many standard policies exclude trekking activities or have altitude limits of only 3,000 meters. Make sure that your policy explicitly covers both the activity and the altitude limit.
• Your travel insurance must cover the entire cost of an emergency helicopter evacuation from remote mountain areas (up to 5,500 meters) to Kathmandu. This has to be the single most critical clause in your travel insurance to prevent financial burden, as a helicopter evacuation can cost between USD 3,000 and 10,000.
• Considering the physical demands and altitude risks, your insurance policy must cover medical expenses for accidental injuries and altitude sickness. It should include the full cost of treatment and hospitalization at private hospitals in Kathmandu, as well as medical repatriation to your home country if necessary.
• Your insurance policy should include coverage for trip cancellation caused by illness, injury, family emergencies, or other unexpected events.
• Your insurance policy should also cover loss, theft, or damage to trekking gear, personal belongings, and travel documents.

Pro Tip: Send us a digital copy of your insurance certificate at least two weeks before your arrival so our operations team can coordinate with your insurer and rescue teams in case of an emergency.

Accommodation

The standard package includes accommodation at a comfortable 3-star hotel in Kathmandu for your arrival and departure nights. The hotel provides an excellent base for both pre-trek preparation and post-trek recovery, with comfortable bedding, en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning.

On the trail, accommodation is usually a traditional teahouse or mountain lodge at each overnight stop. These family-run places typically have simple rooms with twin or triple wooden beds, foam mattresses, pillows, and mink blankets.

Most teahouses in the lower valleys offer attached bathrooms with basic squat toilets and solar-heated water. In Upper Tsum, however, facilities are more basic, with shared bathrooms and bucket showers.

These facilities usually have a communal dining hall, where trekkers mostly gather for meals and relaxation. The dining hall is usually kept warm and inviting by a traditional wood-burning stove at its center.

Note: Although all teahouses provide blankets, we highly recommend bringing a lightweight sleeping bag or liner for the nights at Chekampar, Mu Gompa, and Ngula Dhojyang. Temperatures in the upper valleys drop quickly after sunset, and the blankets provided by teahouses are not always enough for a comfortable night's sleep.

Meals

The standard package includes only breakfast during your stay in Kathmandu and all meals during the trek. Breakfast and dinner are served at the teahouse where you stay overnight, while lunch is provided at rest stops along the route.

Teahouse menus in the Tsum Valley are fairly limited. Most teahouses and mountain lodges serve a mix of traditional Nepali and Tibetan dishes. Dal Bhat (Nepal's iconic combination of steamed rice, lentil soup, and seasonal vegetables) is the main staple in the mountains and is readily available at most teahouses.

Besides Dal Bhat, teahouse menus usually include noodle soups, momo, fried rice, potato dishes, chowmein, thukpa, Sherpa stew, and pasta for lunch and dinner. Breakfast options include porridge, chapati, muesli, omelets, toast, and Tibetan bread, often served with a cup of tea or coffee.

Compared to other trekking regions in Nepal, you'll have limited access to shops selling snacks and energy bars in the Tsum Valley. We strongly recommend bringing your own snacks and energy bars to supplement meals during long trekking days.

Drinking Water

Teahouses in Tsum Valley serve boiled and filtered tap water. While most locals, guides, and porters drink tap water, we strongly advise against doing so. Untreated water can cause serious stomach illnesses and potentially spoil your trek. 

We recommend bringing a filtered water bottle to refill with boiled water at teahouses and rest stops along the trail. The teahouses often charge about USD 1-5 per liter for boiled water in the Tsum Valley. For extra safety, add purification tablets or drops to treat the water before drinking. It's also a good idea to carry a few packets of electrolyte powder to improve taste and help you stay hydrated.

Teahouses and local shops in Tsum Valley also sell bottled water. However, we strongly encourage trekkers to avoid buying bottled water to reduce plastic waste and help protect the fragile mountain environment.

Hot Shower

Almost every teahouse in the Tsum Valley provides hot showers. In the lower sections, teahouses typically offer electric or gas-powered hot showers for an additional cost of around USD 2–5.

In the upper sections, you'll likely have to settle for a bucket of water heated by a wood-fired stove at best. They'll provide a single bucket of hot water for a small fee of USD 3-6. It's best to avoid showers above 3,000 meters because of the risk of extreme cold and hypothermia. If you can't go a few days without showers, we recommend using wet wipes or damp towels to clean up at the end of the day.

Mobile Network and Internet Connectivity

Tsum Valley is one of Nepal's most remote trekking regions. Due to its remoteness, mobile network and internet access along this trail are limited and often unreliable. In the lower Tsum Valley, you'll find decent mobile coverage and 4G service from Nepal Telecom (NTC). As you ascend to Upper Tsum, the mobile network becomes increasingly unreliable, with little to no coverage.

Wi-Fi is available in most teahouses for USD 2-5 per device. While the lower valleys offer decent connections, it can often be slow and unreliable in the upper valleys due to heavy usage.

Above Mu Gompa, you're mostly disconnected from the digital world since mobile networks and internet access are almost nonexistent. We recommend informing your family and friends about the lack of connectivity before the trek.

Electricity

Despite the remoteness, electricity is available in nearly every village in the Tsum Valley. Access to electricity has improved significantly in recent years, with hydropower now reaching much of the region.

Teahouses in the Lower Tsum Valley generally provide in-room charging facilities at an accommodation rate. In the Upper Tsum Valley, however, teahouses have a communal charging station in the dining area with limited charging sockets. They typically charge around USD 1-5 per device for charging.

Regardless of the availability, it is highly advisable to carry a portable power bank, ideally 20,000 mAh or higher, to charge essential devices like phones, cameras, and headlamps. We also recommend buying a universal travel adaptor compatible with Type-C, Type-D, and Type-M plug sockets.

ATMs and Money Exchange

Although a few teahouses and shops in the Tsum Valley accept foreign currencies, most prefer Nepali Rupees (NPR). Therefore, you should carry enough cash in Nepali Rupees for personal expenses, such as snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, hot showers, and battery charging.

Kathmandu is the best place to manage your cash before the trek. If you need to exchange your foreign currencies, you can find plenty of money exchange counters in Thamel. While most exchange centers in Thamel are reliable and offer competitive rates, we recommend visiting a few to find the best deals.

Similarly, for cash withdrawals, you'll find plenty of ATMs around Thamel and other commercial areas of Kathmandu. Most ATMs now accept major international cards, including Visa and Mastercard. However, international transactions usually cost about USD 4-5 per transaction.

Guide and Porter Information

Our standard package includes an experienced team of guides, porters, and crew members tailored to your group's size to ensure a safe, successful, and hassle-free adventure. Every Nepal Gateway Trekking guide is a government-licensed professional with over a decade of field experience on various trekking routes throughout Nepal.

For the Tsum Valley Trek, we'll assign a senior guide with extensive high-altitude trekking experience and a proven track record of leading treks in the region. Beyond navigation and logistics, they also serve as the primary safety resource on the trek. They are WFR-certified professionals trained in first aid, altitude sickness management, and mountain rescue protocols.

They also make critical safety decisions on the trail, such as weather evaluations, trail assessments, pace adjustments, and routine health checks.

Similarly, we assign one porter for every two trekkers to ensure the proper porter-to-trekker ratio. These dedicated individuals carry luggage and essential supplies across the remote terrains of Tsum Valley so you can travel light. We strictly enforce a weight limit of 20-24 kg per porter to protect their health.

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, we are dedicated to treating every member of our field team fairly and ethically. Our guides and porters receive wages above industry standards, appropriate clothing and equipment for high-altitude trekking, daily allowances for food and lodging, and comprehensive insurance.

Gratitude for the Trekking Crew

Tipping is a common way to show gratitude to your guides, porters, and crew members. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a tradition in Nepal's trekking industry, where the hard work of the field staff is celebrated at the end of the trek.

There is no fixed amount for tipping. It entirely depends on the service quality of the field staff, the length of your trek, and the group size. However, a general guideline is to budget around 15% of the trek cost to the guide and around 10% to the porters and crew members.

A common practice is to tip the field members in separate envelopes during the farewell ceremony in Machha Khola, preferably in Nepali Rupees or any major currencies like USD, pounds, or euros.

Besides cash tips, porters and field staff also accept non-monetary tips. You can donate your trekking gear and accessories, including trekking boots, down jackets, sunglasses, trekking poles, and headlamps, after the trek. You can also share reviews and experiences on online platforms and personal blogs to help them find more clients in the future.