Tsum Valley Trek - 16 Days
Tsum Valley Trek is a remote cultural trek in northern Gorkha, inside the Manaslu Conservation Area near the Tibetan border. The route is known for traditional Tibetan Buddhist villages, monasteries such as Mu Gompa, and quieter trails than Nepal's busier trekking regions.
Country
Nepal
Duration
16 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Activity
Trek
Max. altitude
3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Best season
Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Accommodation
Lodge / Tea House
Meals
Available in local lodges
Start/End Point
Kathmandu
Permit rule
Restricted area
Signature Moments
Tsum Valley Trek Highlights
- Trek through Chumling, Chhokang Paro, Nile, and Mu Gompa on one of Nepal's quieter Himalayan cultural routes.
- Travel in the Tsum area of Tsumnubri Rural Municipality, inside the 1,663 sq. km. Manaslu Conservation Area.
- See living Tibetan Buddhist culture through mani walls, chortens, monasteries, and traditional stone villages.
- Visit upper-valley monasteries such as Mu Gompa and walk with views of Ganesh Himal and surrounding high valleys.
- Trek in the best-known seasons of March to May and September to November, when weather is usually clearer.
Trek Brief
Tsum Valley Trek Overview
A restricted-area trek that combines Himalayan village life, Buddhist heritage, and quieter trails in northern Gorkha.
Tsum Valley Trek takes you into the Tsum area of northern Gorkha District, close to the Tibetan border and inside the Manaslu Conservation Area. According to the National Trust for Nature Conservation, the Tsum area includes Chumchet and Chhekampar wards of Tsumnubri Rural Municipality, and the wider conservation area covers 1,663 square kilometers.
A common trek itinerary is around 16 days, beginning from Kathmandu, driving toward the lower Budhi Gandaki valley, and then branching from the main Manaslu trail toward Lokpa and Tsum. On the upper route, many trekkers overnight at Chumling (2,386 m), Chhokang Paro (3,031 m), and Nile (3,361 m), with Mu Gompa (3,700 m) as one of the best-known high points.
Nepal's Department of Immigration classifies Tsum Valley as a restricted trekking area. That means trekkers must go through an authorized trekking agency, must be accompanied by a licensed guide, and cannot obtain the restricted-area permit as a solo FIT trekker. Immigration also requires a minimum of two trekkers for the restricted permit.
Nepal Tourism Board lists the best season for the Manaslu Conservation Area as March to May and September to November, with both lodges and camping used in the region. If you want a trek centered on culture, monasteries, and a more peaceful pace than Everest or Annapurna, Tsum Valley stands out for exactly that reason.
Permit and Logistics Notes
Official Restricted-Area Permit
- Department of Immigration rate for the Tsum Valley restricted area is USD 40 per person per week from September to November.
- From December to August, the restricted-area permit is USD 30 per person per week.
- After the first week, the official additional charge is USD 7 per person per day.
Other Required Entry Documents
- Manaslu Conservation Area entry fee is listed by Nepal Tourism Board as NPR 2,000 for foreigners and NPR 200 for SAARC nationals.
- Nepal Tourism Board includes Tsum Valley among trekking routes that require a guide and a TIMS card.
- NTB currently lists TIMS at NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC trekkers and NPR 1,000 for SAARC trekkers.
Route Profile
- A common standalone itinerary runs for about 16 days, including the overland approach from Kathmandu.
- The most commonly cited overnight stops on the upper route are Chumling, Chhokang Paro, Nile, and Mu Gompa.
- The highest common overnight or excursion point on a standard Tsum Valley route is around 3,700 meters at Mu Gompa.
Trail Conditions and Season
- This is generally considered a moderate trek, but daily walking includes repeated ascents and descents on mountain trails.
- Spring and autumn are the preferred seasons because of clearer mountain views and more stable trail conditions.
- Accommodation is usually in simple lodges or teahouses, with camping still used in some itineraries or special departures.
Important Extra Costs
- Nepal entry visa fees, international flights, and travel insurance are separate from official trekking permit fees.
- Private guide, porter, transport, and hotel costs vary by trekking agency and group size, so they should be quoted separately.
- Charging, hot showers, drinks, snacks, and personal gear costs depend on the lodge and the season.
- Because there is no single official retail trek price, package pricing should be confirmed directly with the operator.
We meet you at the airport, transfer you to the hotel, and help you settle in after the journey.
We leave Kathmandu early and drive into the lower Manaslu region, reaching the trail area by evening.
The trek begins with river crossings, small villages, and a steady walk deeper into the valley.
We continue along the Budhi Gandaki route and then branch toward the quieter Tsum Valley side.
From Lokpa, the trail enters the Tsum side valley and reaches Chumling, one of the first major villages on the standard route.
The route climbs higher through broader valley scenery, with more open views and stronger signs of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The upper valley feels more remote as the trail continues toward Nile, one of the highest regular overnight stops on the trek.
Today is the classic excursion to Mu Gompa, one of Tsum Valley's best-known monasteries, before descending back to sleep at Nile.
We retrace the route back down, with more time to enjoy the valley from a different angle.
Today we take a side route toward another important monastery in a quieter and more tucked-away setting.
After some time around the monastery, we descend and rejoin the lower valley route.
The trail leads back through familiar hillsides and village sections as we leave the upper valley behind.
We continue downward through the lower gorge section with river views and warmer air returning.
The final walking stage follows the lower trail back toward the road head.
We return to Kathmandu by road and check back into the hotel for a well-earned rest.
We transfer you to the airport for your onward flight and say goodbye.
Before You Book
Tsum Valley suits trekkers who want culture, monasteries, traditional villages, and quieter trails than the busier Everest and Annapurna routes.
It is generally rated moderate. The altitude is not as high as some major Himalayan passes, but the route still includes long days, repeated climbs, and remote mountain trail conditions.
Previous trekking experience helps, but fit walkers with good preparation can usually complete this route with a sensible pace and proper support.
Nepal Tourism Board lists March to May and September to November as the best trekking seasons for the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Yes. The Department of Immigration lists Tsum Valley as a restricted trekking area, so trekkers need the restricted-area permit in addition to Manaslu Conservation Area entry requirements.
On The Mountain
No. Nepal Immigration does not issue the restricted-area trekking permit to solo FIT trekkers for Tsum Valley, and the permit requires an authorized agency, a licensed guide, and a minimum of two trekkers.
Accommodation is usually in simple local lodges or teahouses. Nepal Tourism Board lists both lodges and camping for the wider Manaslu Conservation Area.
You should carry travel insurance that covers trekking in Nepal and emergency evacuation, because this is a remote mountain route with limited road access.
Mu Gompa, at about 3,700 meters, is one of the major monastery destinations on the trek and a key reason the route is valued for its spiritual and cultural character.
Tsum Valley is less about crossing a major pass and more about entering a remote Himalayan cultural landscape shaped by Tibetan Buddhist tradition, village life, monasteries, and a quieter trail atmosphere.