Tsum Valley Trek Nepal Highlights
- An adventure in a low budget and yet enjoy the trek to Tsum Valley.
- Explore the untouched and undisturbed villages by the mass flow of trekkers.
- Adventure beyond the massif Manaslu and Ganesh Himal Mountain ranges.
- Enjoy the serene and scenic walk around the forgotten highland of Tsum valley.
- A great experience with warm traditional hospitality with scenic mountain views.
Trip info
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At Mu Gompa 3,700m / 12,174ft high
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Hotels in Kathmandu and best available local lodges on treks
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Interesting tour, scenic trek with exciting drives
Overview
Budget Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal allows trekkers to enjoy adventures en-route to the hidden country of Tsum Valley. It is available at a cheap cost. The terms and conditions, as set by the Manaslu Circuit Treks (P) Ltd. The cost of the Tsum Valley package is more reasonable than other local companies in Nepal.
For interested and eager trekkers, MCT offers special trips where one can enjoy the whole trek. At less cost, it makes the adventure enjoyable and affordable for all trekkers. The only higher costs are for the special permits and Manaslu Conservation fees. Tsum Valley falls within restricted areas in Nepal to control the mass flow of trekkers. As well as to control and protect its pristine environment.
The other reason is that the Tsum Valley is close to Nepal and Tibet, China borders. The Tsum Valley, in its early days, was a Trans Himalaya Tradition route of Nepal and Tibet. The trade and bartering of goods still exist. However, it happens in a smaller way than in the early days of the 1950s to 1960s.
Tsum Valley Budget Trekking allows trekkers to experience more of the country’s rural farm life and activities. Along with the impressive culture and heritage of the Tsumbas native, the highlanders of Tsum Valley and Mid-West Himalayas.
On this budget trek to Tsum Valley, travel on a local bus or jeep with other Nepali passengers. Make this trip unique by observing the Nepalese cultures and customs as the ride takes you through villages and towns. Stay overnights in simple and basic lodge accommodations and enjoy the local Nepali meals. As well as covering more distance for overnight stops to make the trek itinerary as short as possible.
To balance the daily budget and expenses throughout the trek to Tsum Valley. On this affordable Tsum Valley trekking package with a guide and a few porters, the cost is minimized. You also avoid carrying much weight by yourself.
Experience the trek like never before, Tsum Valley Trekking in Nepal takes you on an exploration adventure. Tsum is the Valley of Happiness, it means from an old Tibetan language known as ‘Beyul Kyimolung’.
Truly a Shangri-La, hidden behind the massif mountain range of Ganesh and Manaslu Himalayas. Located, around Far North Mid-West, on the eastern side of the Manaslu range within the district of Gorkha.
Tsum Valley is one of the remote hidden lands around the Himalayas, enclosed by towering peaks. The trek is fresh and new and takes travelers through remote and isolated settlements in the Himalayas.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Trek to Machha Khola.
Altitude: 930 m/ 350 ft. Approx. 07 hours.
Overnight at simple guesthouse / local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Driving distance Approx. 160 km/100 miles from Kathmandu to
Maccha-Khola.
Day 02: Trek to Jagat.
Altitude: 1,340 m/ 4,395 feet. Approx. 6 hour walks.
Overnight at budget standard Guesthouse / local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Day 03: Trek to Chisapani.
Altitude: 1,660 m / 5,444 ft. (Chisapani)
Approx. 05 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse / local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Day 04: Trek to Chumling.
Altitude: 2,380 m/ 7,806 feet.
Approx. 06 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 05: Trek to Chokang-Paro.
Altitude: 2,380 m/ 7,806 feet.
Approx. 05 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Nile via Milarepa meditation holy cave.
Altitude: 3,361 m / 11,058 feet.
Approx. 06 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Mu Gompa and return to Nile.
Altitude: 3,700 m/ 12,174 feet.
Approx. 07 hours both ways. Overnight at Nile Guesthouse.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Day 08: Trek to Chumling.
Altitude: 2,386 m / 7,827 feet.
Approx. 06 hours. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Philim village.
Altitude: 1,570 m / 5,103 feet.
Approx. 06 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Trek to Khorla Besi.
Altitude: 970 m / 3, 182 feet.
Approx. 5 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Day 11: Trek to Machha Khola.
Altitude: 930 m/ 350 ft. Approx. 4 hour walks.
Overnight at simple guesthouse / local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Day 12: Drive to Kathmandu.
Altitude: 1,350 m/3,182 feet.
Approx. 07 hours drives. Overnight at Tourist Standard Hotel.
Includes: Breakfast and Lunch only.
Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary
Altitude: 930 m/ 350 feet. Approx. 07 hours’ overland journey.
Overnight at Guesthouse / local lodge.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.
Driving distance: Approx. 160 km/100 miles from Kathmandu to Maccha-Khola.
Depart for wonderful adventure to Tsum Valley Budget trekking, taking a local vehicle, either in bus, or coach. Traveling the local ways, the drive from the Kathmandu bus park, heads beyond the city towards Gorkha district. Located Nepal Mid-West around Gandaki Zone, a country of low and mid-hills, heavily cultivated farm areas. The drive follows Nepal’s main busy highway for some hours and then diverts heading north to Arughat town.
Arughat town is situated on low farm areas close to the raging Buri Gandaki River. Following the river upstream to Soti-Khola, from here another short hour drive with slow uphill to Machha Khola for overnight. A moderate size farm village with a number of simple and basic lodges for an overnight stop. The name Machha Khola means a Fishing stream.
Altitude: 1,340 m/ 4,395 feet. Approx. 6 hour walk.
Overnight at Guesthouse / local lodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch and Dinner.
From Machha Khola, after a pleasant overnight stop, the second-day walks lead to cooler hills. On leaving the low sub-tropical heavily farmed areas, the route follows slow ups and downs. Walking through a patch of forest reaching Tatopani, a place with a natural hot spring, enjoy the refreshing bathing as time permits.
Walk to Khola Besi and then to Dovan, a nice farm village for a short refreshing stop and continue the climb. As the day ends reach a nice moderate size hill village at Jagat for an overnight halt.
At Jagat, with time a short walk around to observe the local cultures, a blend of Hindu and Buddhism religions.
Altitude: 1,660 m / 5,444 ft. (Chisapani) Approx. 05 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse / local lodge. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
After a pleasant time at Jagat, from here onwards starts the Restricted Area of Tsum Valley & Upper Manaslu. After Jagat all foreign visitors need to obtain a special permit to enter Tsum Valley & Upper Manaslu.
The walk leads to climbing and then crossing a bridge to Nagjet and Philim villages, a lovely farm area. As route leads past the neatly tended farm terraces reaching a cool shade of the forest on reaching Deng. From here onwards into strong Buddhism culture, as walk follows higher area, past Deng. Slowly the long day trek comes to an end on reaching at a small farm village of Chisapani for an overnight stop.
Altitude: 2,380 m/ 7,806 feet. Approx. 06 hours walks.
Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
From here onwards entering the hidden valley of Tsum, morning walk to a narrow river gorge. Leads to a short descent, and then with steep up reaching a forested path lined with rhododendron and pine trees. The walk continues past smaller farm villages. Then to a gradual uphill as walk heads east above a stream then reaching at first village of Tsum in Chumling overnight halt.
Altitude: 2,380 m/ 7,806 feet. Approx. 05 hours walks.
Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
After first overnight around Tsum region, having breakfast morning walk leads
further east. Adventure continues through cultivated farm terraces villages facing
views of Ganesh, Sringi and Manaslu Himal. Walk then heads downhill to cross a
bridge above Smatiking Khola / stream to reach at Chokang-Paro for overnight
stop. A nice moderate traditional farm village facing views of stunning landscapes with snow-capped peaks.
Enjoy the afternoon exploring the village of strong Buddhism culture and custom
adorned with prayer monuments.
Altitude: 3,361 m / 11,058 feet. Approx. 5 hours walks.
Overnight at Guesthouse / local lodge.
Meal Included: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Start the morning overlooking great scenery of dramatic landscapes, after a
pleasant overnight. From this nice village walk leads closer to our main highlight
destination around Tsum Valley towards Nile and Mu Gompa. Following on
windswept terrain, then reaching into a wide open scenic valley.
Enjoy a side trip to an interesting cave of 11th saint and guru Milarepa of Tibet, who stayed here for mediation. Milarepa a renowned Buddhist saint lived his whole life as a hermit meditating and staying in caves. From here into dry, arid landscapes similar like Tibetan terrains, where green vegetation and tall trees fades for smaller juniper bush. Walk continues along with grand views of Ganesh and Manaslu Himal. Finally, the long day walk completes reaching Nile for overnight stop in a nice simple lodge. Probably the best overnight accommodation and food provided around Tsum area.
Altitude: 3,700 m/ 12,174 feet. Approx. 07 hours both ways.
Overnight at Nile Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Enjoying a pleasant time and overnight in Nile village, morning from Nile a short
day hike to Mu Gompa. Reaching our final destination at the end of Tsum Valley
morning walk leads with gradual climb on a dry windswept terrain.
As walk continues facing dramatic scenery of surrounding beautiful landscapes
and of snow peaks. After hours of exciting trek, then finally ending the walk on
reaching Mu Gompa the highest spot of the trip. Having rest, explore the scenic
surroundings and visit the monastery interior of cultural and religious interest.
The monastery adorned with statue of Lord Buddha and idols of famous saints
and Gurus with vibrant religious paintings. Explore around Mu Gompa the highest
and remote areas of Tsum Valley. Interested people can take a short visit of
Dhephu Doma Gompa, a nunnery. Having simple lunch at Mu Gompa simple
restaurants of the monastery, then head back to Nile for overnight stop.
Altitude: 2,386 m / 7,827 feet. Approx. 05 hours.
Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
After an exciting visit of Mu Gompa, Nile and Burgi villages walk towards Chumling, return route heading south to cross a bridge on the west bank.
Walk leads through Chokang Paro, and then downhill to join the main trail at Chumling for last overnight stop around Tsum Valley area.
Altitude: 1,570 m / 5,103 feet. Approx. 06 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Morning walk to Lokpa and then downhill to Philim nice farm village, the route leads to gradual ups and down. Then reaching on the main trail of Manaslu trail as walk continues heading further down leaving Tsum valley area.
The trail follows past Deng then at Philim village for an overnight stop, where the climate is mild. A lovely spread out village with neat tended farm terraces.
Altitude: 970 m / 3, 182 feet. Approx. 5 hours walks. Overnight at Guesthouse. Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
From Philim down to Jagat village for possible lunch stop, after a refreshing break walk continues on downhill. As altitude drops along with change of vegetation and landscapes, reaching warmer low farm areas at Khorla Besi.
A small farm village for overnight stop, before ending our walk at Machha-Khola.
Altitude: 930 m/ 350 ft. Approx. 4 hour walks.
Overnight at simple guesthouse / local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner.
Enjoy the last day walk of the adventure, as route leads into a cool shade of forest
to Tatopani. A place with natural hot-spring, time permitting enjoy the hot bathe
relaxing the muscles after a long downhill walk. From Tatopani another few hours
of pleasant walk to Machha-Khola for last overnight in the comfort of a nice
simple lodge.
Altitude: 1,350 m / 4,428 feet at Kathmandu. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Drive approx. 07 hour sharing jeep or Bus. Overnight in Hotel at Kathmandu.
Driving distance: Approx. 160 km/100 miles from Maccha-Khola to Kathmandu.
Final day around the Himalayan remote farm villages of Gorkha district, leaving Machha-Khola, after breakfast. Depending upon the size of a group and types of local public vehicles. A long overland journey but interesting on winding road through farm areas of Gorkha and Dhading districts. As drive leads past Arughat towns and farm village and then joining the main Kathmandu highway.
Drive continuers with last uphill on the outskirt of Kathmandu valley, then finally reaching Kathmandu city and back to your hotel. Arriving by late afternoon or evening time. After a most mesmerizing adventure of a lifetime experience on Tsum Valley Budget Trek.
Best time to visit Tsum Valley
The best seasons for budget friendly Tsum Valley trek are in spring and autumn, spring begins from March to May. Autumn starts from September and ends in November, spring season with longer days and sunlight hours.
During spring days are mostly bright with full sunshine, for clear views and pleasant walks. But it can get cloudy in the late afternoon with chances of light rains and snowfall sometimes. The morning and late afternoon till night will be cold as the temperature drops to minus Celsius.
Springtime, when the hills are bright with wildflowers in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal.
The next best season is autumn from September last till November, days are much clearer for views and walks. But it gets dark soon due to limited hours of sunlight. One of the times is pleasant for trekking around the Himalayas and to Tsum Valley. Much colder morning and late afternoon till night time, chances of snowfall on higher elevation sometimes.
The Budget Tsum Valley trek can vary in cost depending on the trekking company you choose, the duration of your trek, and the amenities included in your package. However, to give you a starting point, Manaslu Circuit Treks (MCT) offers the trek for USD 425 per person.
It’s important to note that this price may not be all-inclusive and could exclude things like flights, visas, travel insurance, and personal expenses. Be sure to check with MCT to see exactly what’s included in their pricing for the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek.
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek typically takes around 12-24 days to complete, depending on the itinerary you choose and your trekking pace. There are two main variations:
- Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek: This 18-24 day trek combines the Manaslu Circuit trek with an exploration of the Tsum Valley. It offers a more challenging experience with higher altitudes and requires crossing the Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters).
- Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek only: This shorter version, around 19 days, focuses solely on exploring the Tsum Valley. It’s a fantastic option for those seeking a more cultural immersion and beautiful scenery without the high altitude challenges of the Manaslu Circuit.
Overall Company Rating:
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Amazing Experience This wasn't just any trek, it was my third in Nepal and absolutely incredible! You start by diving into Tibetan culture in Tsum Valley. It's like stepping back in time, seeing how life has been for the locals for ages. My favorite part? The days leading up to the Tibetan border! Crossing Larke la pass was unreal, but the absolute highlight was the acclimatization hike to Pung Gyen Gompa. This Buddhist monastery, perched at 4300 meters at the base of Manaslu, is magical. Not only do you get to explore it, but you're surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of snow-capped giants, 7000 to 8000 meters high! Mind-blowing! If you're looking to Manaslu trek, I can't recommend MCT enough. They made this mountain experience the absolute best!
Frankhamfrom United Kingdom
