Tsum Valley Trek
"A Restricted Valley, Without the High-Altitude Risk."
Trek Gallery
Your Journey to Mu Gompa
Follow every step of the Tsum Valley Trek — from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Click on any waypoint to see detailed information.
3,700m
Highest Point
Mu Gompa
95 km
Total Distance
Estimated trail distance
12
Key Waypoints
Villages, camps & peaks
+2,300m
Elevation Gain
From Kathmandu
💡 Tip: Click on any waypoint on the map to see detailed information about that stop
Trek Overview
The Tsum Valley Trek leads into one of the most spiritually rich and culturally preserved regions in Nepal, a hidden valley north of Manaslu that only opened to foreign trekkers in 2008. Named after the Tibetan word for "vivid," Tsum Valley is a place where Tibetan Buddhism has been practiced uninterrupted for centuries, largely untouched by both modern development and mainstream trekking tourism.
The journey follows the Budhi Gandaki River from Soti Khola before branching off at Lokpa into the sacred Tsum Valley itself, passing through villages like Chumling and Chhokangparo, each home to ancient monasteries, mani walls, and chortens. The trek's spiritual and scenic high point is Mu Gompa, the valley's oldest and most significant monastery, set at 3,700m amid dramatic Himalayan scenery near the Tibet border. For trekkers wanting to go further, an optional day hike leads toward Ganesh Himal Base Camp or the remote Dephyudonma Nunnery, reaching over 4,200m.
Unlike Nepal's high-pass treks, Tsum Valley stays below 4,000m on its standard route, offering genuine Himalayan scenery and deep cultural immersion with meaningfully lower altitude risk making it one of the most accessible restricted-area treks in the country, without sacrificing any of the remoteness or authenticity.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Attend a trek briefing with your guide.
Altitude
1400m
Distance
N/A
Meals
N/A
Accommodation
Hotel
What's Included
Included
- Airport pickups and transfers in Kathmandu
- Ground transportation: Kathmandu–Soti Khola and Soti Khola–Kathmandu
- 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights) with breakfast
- Tea house accommodation during the trek
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Experienced, government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide (mandatory for this restricted area)
- Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (TVRAP)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit
- First aid kit and oximeter
- Trekking map and trip completion certificate
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Nepal
- Nepal tourist visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (snacks, drinks, souvenirs)
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging fees (limited availability in upper Tsum)
- Bottled water and other beverages
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal trekking equipment and gear
- Extra nights in Kathmandu beyond the itinerary
- Services not mentioned in inclusion
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation
You'll spend two nights in Kathmandu in a comfortable hotel before and after the trek. On the trail, you'll stay in teahouses run by local Tsumba families throughout the valley. Lower Tsum villages like Chumling offer newly built, reasonably comfortable teahouses, while facilities become simpler the higher you go, particularly around Nile, Chhule, and Mu Gompa, where electricity and hot water are limited. Mobile network coverage largely disappears past Chumling, this is one of the more genuinely "unplugged" treks on your site.
Meals
All meals during the trek are included. Breakfast typically consists of porridge, eggs, and Tibetan bread. Lunches and dinners feature dal bhat (rice with lentil soup), thukpa, noodles, and simple soups. Vegetarian options are always available. Menu variety narrows the deeper you go into the valley, particularly around Mu Gompa, where supplies must be carried in on foot.
Difficulty & Fitness
Requirements
- Ability to walk 4–8 hours per day on steep, rugged terrain
- Comfortable with sustained daily walking over 12 days
- No serious heart, lung, or blood pressure conditions
- No previous trekking experience required, though helpful
- Good general fitness recommended for the optional Ganesh Himal Base Camp side hike
Training Tips
- Start cardio training 4–6 weeks before the trek
- Include regular hiking with a light-to-moderate backpack
- Add stair climbing to your weekly routine
- Build up to walking 10–12 km comfortably
- Take at least one weekend hike before departure
Packing List
- Moisture-wicking base layers (3–4)
- Waterproof outer shell jacket
- Warm hat and sun hat
- Warm socks (4–5 pairs)
- Insulating fleece/down jacket
- Trekking pants (2 pairs)
- Gloves (liner + insulated)
- Comfortable camp clothes
Best Time to Trek
March - May (Spring)
Pros
- Clear mountain views of Ganesh Himal and surrounding peaks
- Forest trails coming into bloom at lower elevations
- Warmer temperatures at lower elevations
- Quiet trails even during peak trekking months
Cons
- Occasional afternoon haze in the lower valley
- Cold nights at Mu Gompa
Safety & Altitude Awareness
Safety Measures
- All guides are government-licensed, as legally required for this restricted area
- Guides carry first aid kits and pulse oximeters
- Regular health checks throughout the trek
- 1:6 guide-to-trekker ratio (maximum)
Altitude Sickness
- Since the trek's standard route stays below 4,000m, altitude sickness risk is meaningfully lower than on Nepal's high-pass treks
- Mild AMS symptoms are still possible above 3,000m, particularly approaching Mu Gompa
- Symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, difficulty sleeping
- Prevention: proper hydration, steady pace, gradual ascent
Emergency Protocol
- 24/7 emergency contact support from Kathmandu office
- Helicopter evacuation can be arranged (weather permitting)
- Portable first-aid kit and oximeter carried by your guide
- Rescue coverage must be included in your insurance (mandatory for the restricted area permit)
- Nearest medical facilities: basic health post in Jagat, with full medical care only available back in Kathmandu
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Your Adventure?
Join trekkers from around the world on this life-changing journey.
$1,150
per person
12 Days
adventure
4.7
0 reviews
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