Tsum Valley Trek Guide: Route, Itinerary, and Travel Tips
We are the locals of the Manaslu region Nepal. Yes, majority of travel planners and bloggers of the Himalaya View Treks are from the region. Therefore, every information and packages of the region are authentic and updated. People love to hear about the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. In fact, it is slowly becoming one of the best commercial trails of Nepal. Despite the status of a trek under a restricted zone, the Manaslu Circuit Trek’s popularity continuously increasing. Another iconic and spiritual trek route of the region seems to be in the shadow of epic Manaslu Trek. Today’s blog is about Tsum Valley Trek guide, route, itinerary, and travel tips.
This blogger intends to bring Tsum Valley into a limelight. The place is not only a geographical location but natural museum of ancient civilization. The home of the Nubri and Tsum People, the region truly lives up to its reputation of being mystical and mythical land. So, it is our duty to write an authentic article about the Tsum Valley Trek guide, route, itinerary, and travel tips.
Where is Tsum Valley Trek? Introduction
Most of the people from across the globe don’t know this village. Moreover, it is known among keen travelers, authorities, and tourism operators of Nepal. Let’s find out about its location and overall aspects. The trail is located inside the Manaslu Conservation Area and under the Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality in the Gorkha district of Nepal. Trekkers leave the main Manaslu Circuit Trek and enters the Tsum Valley after Jagat Village.
Is Tsum Valley inside the Restricted Region of Nepal?
Yes, Tsum Valley Trek route is inside the restricted region of Nepal. Lots of sensitive areas with the Tibetan border are listed as the restricted areas of Nepal. It’s due to geo – political sensitivity and Nepal Government’s One China Policy. Furthermore, lots of Khampa rebels were present before and they were in war with Nepalese army. Even if the tension has subsided long ago, the place is still under the restricted area. You must take special restricted area permit to travel inside the valley.
Tsum Valley Trek Guide, Route, Itinerary, and Travel Tips
While writing about the Tsum Valley Trek guide, route, itinerary, and travel tips, it is important to note down the emotional aspects. For many years, the places above Lokpa Village were hidden and secluded from outside world. Interestingly, lots of people still don’t know anything about the things happening in the world. Villagers are Tsum and Nubri People who follow traditional Tibetan Buddhism and Bonpo religion. Now, let’s talk about the trek in detail from transportation to accommodation and from itinerary to major attractions of the trail.
Jeep or Bus to Machha Khola from Kathmandu: Cost and Road Distance
The trail head of the Tsum Valley Trek is similar to the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. Machha Khola is the starting point of both treks. Nowadays, people drive to Jagat directly from Kathmandu without stopping in Machha Khola. The road distance between Kathmandu and Machha Khola is about 160 kilometers. The cost of jeep from Kathmandu to Machha Khola is about 170 $ to 185 $ per jeep. Local bus is also available from Gongabu New Buspark Kathmandu. Bus ticket price is about NRs. 1500 to NRs. 2000.
Day to Day Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary and Route
Jagat is the first village on this trekking route where your permits will be checked and you will officially enter the Manaslu Conservation Area. Notable villages on this route are Lokpa, Chum, Chhekamparo, and Nile. Trekkers have to spend overnight in these villages before retracing the same trail back to Machha Khola. Another way to extend the trek is by adding the itinerary of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. If so, trekkers follow the route of Namrung, Shyala, Samagaon, Samdo, Larke La Pass, and Bimthang before heading back to Kathmandu via Besisahar.
Average walking hours is about 6 to 7 hours a day. Some sections are hard due to steep uphill – downhill. Typical trek starts with breakfast, lunch on the way, and dinner in the overnight tea house.
Permits Cost and information for Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal
Note down from our blog, the Tsum Valley Trek Guide, Route, Itinerary, and Travel Tips that you don’t require the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit if you are doing Tsum Trek only. So, you don’t need to apply for this permit. Besides ACAP, you must acquire the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit (NRs. 3000 to foreigners & NRs. 1500 to SAARC nationals). Similarly, you must also obtain the Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality entry permit (NRs. 2000). Finally, you must obtain the special restricted area permit that costs 75 $ for spring, monsoon, and winter season and 100 $ for autumn season. Additional days beyond 7 days require 10 $ and 15 $ respectively per day.
Trekking Guide and Porter Salary for Manaslu Trek in Nepal
You can’t trek in the Manaslu region of Nepal without a licensed trekking guide. So, you must hire a trekking guide. Your trekking guide may charge you around 30 $ to 55 $ per day. Porter charges around 20 $ to 30 $ per day. Moreover, this blogger highly recommends the local trekking guide and local porter to assist you on this journey. Citizens of the Tsum valley are shy and they may not share cultural information to you. Trekking guide can help you to communicate properly with the locals. Enhance the overall trekking experiences in Manaslu region’s hidden gem destination by hiring a trekking guide.
Major Monasteries of Manaslu’s Tsum Valley Trek Route
The region is rich in cultural heritages. The presence of countless chortens and iconic ancient monasteries make this place spiritual. Rachen Gompa (nunnery) which is located on the way to Nile Village from Chhekamparo is the second largest monastery of the region. The biggest monastery in the region is Mu Gompa Monastery.
Travelers have to hike from Nile village to this ancient monastery. It is believed that the monastery was built by Guru Padmasambha himself. The monastery is also a Buddhist school and it is in the most secluded area. You will feel the cultural and spiritual surge while visiting the monastery. Panago, Gurwa, Dephudyonma, Mani Dhungyur, etc. are other notable monasteries present in the Tsum Valley Trek route. Coincide your trek during the local festivals to understand more about these people.
Milarepa caves are also considered as natural monasteries of the region. According to ancient legends and myth, these caves were the place where 8th eons once meditated to gain enlightenment. Therefore, the religious significance of the region is high. Furthermore, it is believed that the hills of the region are the sacred site to these people. Locals believe that the hills are buried with lots of treasures from traditional Buddhism.
Side Trips from Tsum Valley
As mentioned above, the famous side trip from Tsum Valley is the Mu Gompa Monastery Hike from Nile village. Besides this, trekkers can add the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Hike. If time permits, you can add this amazing and adventurous off the beaten trekking trip to the foothill of sacred Mount Ganesh. Similarly, you can also add the Manaslu Circuit Trek in the itinerary. Remember that the addition of the Manaslu Circuit Trek may require another 6 to 7 days and ACAP permit.
Accommodation and Meals in Remote Tsum Valley Trail
Few years before especially before 2015, there were few tea houses and establishments catered to trekkers and trekking was not commercial. Nowadays, you can find basic tea houses and eateries in the Tsum Valley Trek route. Lower elevation places until Lokpa village have better options of accommodation and meals. Allocate around 5 $ to 15 $ for lodging and around 35 $ to 50 $ for meals during the trek. Don’t expect elaborated food menu during the trek.
Continuing the Manaslu Circuit Trek can give you better options of meals and lodging. The condition of the eateries and tea houses in the major Manaslu Circuit Trek is far better than the Tsum Valley Trek route. The number of trekkers in Tsum Valley Trek is lesser than the main Manaslu Trek. Therefore, if you are looking for tranquil and remote as well as raw trekking experiences, then choose the Tsum Valley Trek.
Solo Trekker is permitted to trek in Manaslu since 2026
Good news to all travelers from across the globe. Since 2026, solo trekker is also allowed to do trekking in the Manaslu region of Nepal. However, Nepal government had banned solo trekking. It is open to trek but with condition. Solo trekker must hire a trekking guide and he or she must obtain the restricted area permit with the help of registered trekking company.
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