Book Your Tsum Valley Trek with Nepal Trekking Experts
Nepal Trekking Experts ensures you have a smooth and enjoyable trekking experience. Reach out to us today to plan your journey through the stunning Tsum Valley.
Booking your Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with us is simple and easy. To confirm your booking, you only need to pay a 10% deposit of the total trek cost. Once completed, you will receive a receipt in your inbox.
Send us the following documents:
- A scanned copy of your passport
- A passport-sized photo
- Your flight details (if available)
The remaining payment can be made upon your arrival in Nepal. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us.
Tips For a Successful Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that takes you through remote villages, rugged terrains, and high altitudes. The tips below will help you prepare and get the most out of the Tsum valley trekking.
- Prepare Physically: Build up your fitness by doing cardio exercises, hiking, and strength training.
- Trek with an Experienced Guide: Opt for a reputable guide who knows the trail and local conditions.
- Pace Yourself: Trek at a comfortable pace to prevent altitude sickness and fatigue.
- Acclimatize Properly: Take rest days to adjust to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
- Travel During the Best Seasons: The ideal months for trekking are from March to May and September to November.
- Pack Light and Smart: Choose quality gear, but avoid overpacking. Remember to pack warm clothing for colder nights.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially at higher altitudes.
- Respect Local Culture: Tsum Valley is a culturally rich area, so be mindful and respectful of local customs and traditions.
- Bring Necessary Medication: Carry a basic first aid kit along with any personal medication you may need.
- Hire a Porter: A porter can help ease the load and make your trek more comfortable.
Transportation Arrangements
Nepal Trekking Experts provides transportation based on the package you choose. Transportation for the Manaslu Tsum valley trek is arranged as follows:
- Kathmandu to Machhakhola: A bus departs early in the morning from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu. The ride takes approximately 9 to 10 hours.
- Dharapani to Besisahar: A local jeep is available for this 4 to 5-hour ride.
- Besisahar to Kathmandu: After reaching Besisahar, we switch to a bus or van for the 6 to 7-hour drive back to Kathmandu.
The local bus is more affordable but can be crowded, uncomfortable, and take longer due to frequent stops in villages. It offers a chance to experience authentic Nepali travel.
Alternatively, private transportation is available upon request. The cost for a private jeep is $200 to Machhakhola and $250 from Dharapani to Kathmandu. It provides more comfort, spacious seating, better legroom, and flexibility to stop at scenic spots along the way. It can be shared by up to seven trekkers for a more enjoyable journey.
Meals
During the Tsum valley trek, you will experience the authentic flavors of Nepal. The menus at the tea houses are generally similar — a mix of local and western dishes. Common local options include:
- Dal Bhat (rice, vegetable curry, lentil soup, and pickle with unlimited refills)
- Fried rice, Mo Mo (Tibetan dumplings), Thukpa (noodle soup), and various styles of potatoes (boiled or fried)
- Spring rolls, pasta, pizza, noodles, eggs, porridge, muesli, chapati, and Tibetan bread
For a unique experience, try yak cheese, a rich local delicacy, or the traditional butter tea, which helps keep you warm in the cold mountain climate. Tibetan bread and tsampa (flour porridge) are also must-tries. For drinks, you’ll have a variety of teas, but it’s recommended to avoid coffee and alcohol at high altitudes.
Accommodation
The accommodation along the Manaslu and Tsum Valley routes is basic compared to more popular trekking regions like Annapurna or Everest. The tea houses provide twin beds with thin mattresses, pillows, and blankets. It’s advisable to bring your own sleeping bag for added warmth.
Rooms typically lack heating systems, but the dining area often has a central wood or yak dung stove to keep trekkers warm.
Washroom facilities are shared, and you will usually encounter Asian squat-style toilets. Hot showers are available for an extra fee, though they may be lukewarm, especially in higher areas. Expect to pay around $0.75 for a hot shower.
Telephone, Internet, and Battery Charging
Telephone Service in the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley
Most villages along the trek now have phone service, and mobile reception is available in most areas. NCELL and Nepal Telecom are the main mobile network providers. For better reception in the Manaslu region, Nepal Telecom (NTC) is recommended. As you ascend, mobile signals become weak or unavailable. Some tea houses offer satellite phones for emergency communication, but they are costly to use.
Internet in the Manaslu Region
Internet access is available in certain villages and tea houses such as Philim, Chumling, Namrung, Lho, Samagaon, Samdo, Bhimthang, and Dharapani. However, internet may be unreliable due to weather or technical issues. Some trekkers use local SIM cards (NTC or Ncell) with data packages, but coverage is limited beyond lower elevations.
Battery Charging in the Manaslu Region
Most tea houses in the region have electricity or solar power. Charging your devices typically costs around $0.75 (in rupees) per charge. It's a good idea to carry a power bank to ensure you have backup power throughout the trek.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Difficulty
The trek involves uneven and rugged trails, especially in the first few days. However, as you progress, you will adapt to the terrain. Starting at 930 meters in Machhakhola, the trek increases in elevation gradually, helping with acclimatization. With almost two weeks of trekking, 6-7 hours per day on tough terrain, and crossing 5,060 meters, this trek can be challenging. The Tsum Valley is remote with limited infrastructure, requiring self-reliance and preparation for basic amenities.
While beginners with some trekking experience can successfully complete this trek, it's important to have a reasonable fitness level and determination. We recommend training with regular cardio, strength exercises, and practice hikes before attempting the trek.
Porter Service
Porters are not included in the standard packages but can be arranged upon request. Typically, a porter is provided for every two trekkers, carrying up to 20 kilos. Hiring a porter can significantly reduce your load and improve your trekking experience. They are well-trained for emergencies, offering additional safety and support during the trek. Although you may be physically fit, having a porter is highly recommended for the rugged, high-altitude trails.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trekking Gear Checklist
Clothing:
- Raincoat, poncho, or jacket and trousers
- Down jacket or Gore-Tex jacket
- Down vest
- Windproof trousers
- Two pairs of hiking pants
- One pair of shorts
- Four T-shirts
- Fleece jacket
- One or two base layers
- Six pairs of hiking socks, plus thicker socks
- Two pairs of gloves—one light fleece, the other waterproof/windproof
- Undergarments
Footwear:
- Ankle-supporting, water-resistant trekking boots
- Flip-flops for leisure time or sneakers
Other Equipment:
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat, woolen or fleece hat/beanie, neck gaiter
- First aid kit, Swiss army knife (optional), luggage cover
- Headlamp, trekking poles, gaiters (optional), crampons
- Water purification tablets or steripen, extra batteries, adapter, power bank
- Water bottles/camel bags/thermos, washing powder or multi-purpose soap, shampoo
- Small towel, antiseptic hand wash, toiletries, female hygiene products, wet wipes
- Whistle, mosquito spray (optional), earplugs
- Reading books, playing cards, or chess
- Sleeping bag rated for -10 to -20°C, depending on trekking season
- Backpack (50–60 liters), daypack (20–30 liters)
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is essential, especially for trekking in Nepal. Make sure your policy covers loss, theft, medical care, evacuation from high altitudes, and adventure activities. Ensure your policy includes coverage for the maximum altitude of your trek and provides direct payment to hospitals to avoid upfront costs.
Nepalese Currency and Payment:
The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). For exchange, USD, AUD, GBP, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, SGD, and Euros are preferred and easily exchangeable in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are accepted in major tourist areas in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other cities, though a 3.5% surcharge is common. ATMs are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with daily withdrawal limits ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 35,000. A transaction fee of USD 4 applies, and additional fees may come from your bank.
Can I Get an On-Arrival Visa in Nepal?
You can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu or at land-based entry points like Birgunj, Kakarbhitta, and others. The visa is also available at the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your home country before departure.
For payment at the visa fee counter, bring cash in USD, Euros, Swiss Francs, Pound Sterling, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Singapore Dollars, or Japanese Yen. Credit cards are also accepted.
As of 2025, the visa fee costs you the following amounts:
- Multiple entries for 15 days—USD 30 or equivalent
- Multiple entries for 30 days—USD 50 or equivalent
- Multiple entries for 90 days—USD 125 or equivalent
You should also have a minimum of six months of validity remaining on your passport.
Visa extensions are available from the offices of Nepal Immigration in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
For more details, please go through the Nepal Immigration website or contact us.
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