The short version
Trek Nepal's sacred hidden Tsum Valley off the Manaslu route: living Tibetan Buddhist culture, the 2026 restricted-area permits, best time and route.
Tucked into a side valley off the main Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley is one of the last places in Nepal where a living Tibetan Buddhist culture has carried on almost untouched for a thousand years. We have been guiding clients into this sacred "hidden valley" — Beyul Kyimolung in the old texts — since the restricted area opened to foreigners in 2008, and it remains our quiet favourite: no Wi-Fi towers, hand-built mani walls a kilometre long, and monasteries where the chanting has never stopped.
- What: A restricted-area side valley off the Manaslu Circuit, home to the Tsumba people and their Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- How long: 10–14 days as a standalone trek; 18–19 days combined with the full Manaslu Circuit (our recommendation).
- Permit: Three permits required (Tsum RAP + MCAP + ACAP). No solo trekking — a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers are mandatory.
- Best time: Autumn (Sep–Nov) for clearest Ganesh Himal views; spring (Mar–May) for rhododendron blooms.
Why Tsum Valley is different
Most trekkers who reach the Manaslu region head straight up the circuit towards the Larkya La pass. Tsum Valley branches north-east at Lokpa, and that single turning makes all the difference. While the main circuit has grown busier each season, Tsum sees a fraction of the footfall. The valley was a designated beyul — a sacred sanctuary blessed by Guru Rinpoche where hunting and the killing of animals are forbidden by long-standing local vow. That prohibition is why you will still see Himalayan tahr and blue sheep grazing close to the trail, and why the whole place feels held in a different, gentler register.
The people here are the Tsumba, ethnically and culturally Tibetan, speaking their own dialect and following Tibetan Buddhism in its oldest mountain form. For centuries, monks and yogis — including the great 11th-century saint Milarepa — meditated in caves scattered across these slopes. You are not visiting a museum; you are walking through a community still living the tradition.
The route, day by day
The trek shares its lower approach with the Manaslu Circuit: a road-head start near Soti Khola or Machha Khola, then a steady climb through the Budhi Gandaki gorge to Jagat, where your restricted-area permits are first checked. At Lokpa (about 2,040 m) the trail forks and you climb into Tsum proper.
Lower Tsum's stone villages, your first long mani walls and chortens, with Ganesh Himal and Baudha Himal filling the skyline. A gentle altitude gain through buckwheat fields.
A half-day detour near Chhule to the sacred cave where Milarepa is said to have meditated — fluttering prayer flags, ancient murals and one of the holiest sites in the valley.
A large nunnery in the broad upper valley, home to dozens of anis (nuns). One of the most atmospheric stops, especially at evening prayer.
The valley's highest and most sacred monastery, near the Tibetan border, with over 100 monks and sweeping views. Plan two nights here for acclimatisation and exploration.
From Mu Gompa most groups retrace the upper valley and either exit the way they came or — far better — rejoin the Manaslu Circuit at Lokpa and continue over the Larkya La. That combination is the trek we run most often and the one we genuinely recommend; see our 19-day Manaslu Circuit + Tsum Valley trek.
Permits and the no-solo rule
Tsum is a restricted area, which means you cannot trek it alone or arrange permits yourself. You need a licensed trekking agency, a government-licensed guide, and a minimum of two trekkers on the permit. Three separate permits apply:
| Permit | Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Rest of year |
|---|---|---|
| Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | USD 40 / first 7 days, then ~USD 7/day | USD 30 / first 7 days, then ~USD 7/day |
| Manaslu RAP (if combining the circuit) | USD 100 / first 7 days, then USD 15/day | USD 75 / first 7 days, then USD 15/day |
| MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 (~USD 22) | NPR 3,000 (~USD 22) |
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 (~USD 22) | NPR 3,000 (~USD 22) |
No TIMS card is required on this route — the restricted-area permits replace it. We handle all of this for you as part of the trip; you just bring your passport, a Nepal visa and a few passport photos. For the wider picture on Nepal's restricted zones, read our Manaslu region guide and the official permits hub.
Permit fees on restricted routes are reviewed periodically by the Department of Immigration. Treat the figures above as 2026 ranges and confirm the exact current cost with us before you book. See the Department of Immigration trekking permit page for the official schedule.
Best time to trek Tsum Valley
Two windows stand out. Autumn (late September to November) brings the most stable skies and the sharpest views of Ganesh Himal and Baudha Himal — our pick for first-timers. Spring (March to May) is warmer, with rhododendron forests in bloom on the lower approach and active wildlife. Winter is cold and the higher gompas may be partly emptied as monks move down; the summer monsoon (June–August) brings leeches, cloud and the risk of landslides in the Budhi Gandaki gorge. Either way, aim to time your visit around a festival if you can — the local Lhosar and Saka Dawa observances are unforgettable.
The first three days share the Manaslu gorge trail, which gains altitude gradually. Use them. We build a rest day at Mu Gompa specifically for acclimatisation — if you have never been above 3,000 m, skim our altitude sickness prevention guide before you arrive.
How fit do I need to be?
Tsum is graded moderate. The top of the valley sits around 3,700 m — high, but well below the circuit's 5,106 m Larkya La — so altitude is less of a hurdle if you trek Tsum on its own. What it demands is endurance: long days through the steep Budhi Gandaki gorge, basic teahouse lodging, and a remoteness that means everything is carried in. If you can manage five to six hours of walking on consecutive days, you can do this trek. Combining it with the full circuit raises the bar considerably — that version is a proper high-pass trek.
Combine it with the Manaslu Circuit
Here is our honest recommendation: if you have the time, do not trek Tsum in isolation. Because the approach is shared, adding the full Manaslu Circuit over the Larkya La only costs you a handful of extra days but roughly doubles the trek — and gives you both the sacred culture of Tsum and the high-mountain drama of the pass. The pairing is the single best long trek in the Manaslu region. Our 19-day combined itinerary is built exactly around this logic; the 14-day circuit is the option without Tsum if you are tight on days.
Can I trek Tsum Valley solo or without a guide?
No. Tsum is a restricted area. Nepal law requires a licensed guide, a registered trekking agency, and a minimum of two trekkers on the permit. Solo and guide-free trekking are not permitted here.
How many permits do I need for Tsum Valley?
At least three: the Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). If you continue onto the full Manaslu Circuit you also need the separate Manaslu RAP. No TIMS card is required.
How high does the Tsum Valley trek go?
The highest point on a standalone Tsum trek is Mu Gompa at roughly 3,700 m. If you combine it with the Manaslu Circuit, you cross the Larkya La at 5,106 m, which is significantly more demanding.
Is Tsum Valley harder than the Annapurna or Everest Base Camp treks?
On its own, Tsum is more remote but lower than EBC, so altitude is less of an issue — it is graded moderate. The combined Manaslu-plus-Tsum trek, however, is a serious high-pass undertaking comparable to a tougher circuit.
When is the best time to trek Tsum Valley?
Autumn (late September to November) for the clearest mountain views and stable weather, or spring (March to May) for rhododendron blooms and warmer days. Avoid the summer monsoon and the coldest winter weeks.
How long is the Tsum Valley trek?
About 10–14 days as a standalone trek, or 18–19 days when combined with the full Manaslu Circuit — which is what we usually recommend, since the approach is shared.
Our 19-day Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trek pairs the living Buddhist culture of Tsum with the high drama of the Larkya La. NMA-certified guides, all permits arranged, small groups.
View the Tsum Valley trek →Prefer something gentler first, or short on time? Browse our full range of treks or read up on the wider region in our Manaslu guide. Whichever you choose, Tsum Valley rewards the traveller who comes slowly and listens.
Featured image: Nabin K. Sapkota via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Written by
Travel Himalaya Nepal
Pokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. Meet the team →
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