Tsum Valley is a remote Buddhist valley in northern Gorkha that branches east off the Manaslu trail above Philim. It is a restricted area that opened to foreign trekkers in 2008. Most people visit it as a side trip on the Manaslu Circuit.
The valley climbs from about 1,900m to over 4,000m, close to the Tibetan border. It is quieter than the main circuit, with old monasteries and a strong Tibetan culture. Below is what to expect, what permits you need and how it fits with Manaslu.
What’s Inside This Guide
- What makes Tsum Valley different
- How the route works
- Main sights
- Tsum Valley permits
- How hard is it?
- Tsum or the circuit alone?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
What Makes Tsum Valley Different
Tsum stayed closed to outsiders for a long time, and that shows. You see fewer trekkers, fewer lodges and more daily village life than on the main trail.
The people of Tsum follow Tibetan Buddhism and have their own dialect and customs. Monasteries, chortens and long mani walls line the valley floor. The valley also has a tradition of polyandry, where one woman marries two or more brothers.
How the Route Works
Tsum is an out-and-back side valley. You leave the Manaslu trail above Philim and climb east to Lokpa, the first village. Our route then goes up through Chumling, Chhokangparo and Nile, with nights at Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa. You walk back down past Lokpa and rejoin the main trail on the way to Deng.
From Deng, you follow the normal circuit to Samagaon and over Larkya La. Adding Tsum takes seven extra days, so our combined trek runs 20 days, against 13 for the circuit alone. If you want Tsum without the pass, a Tsum-only trek in and out via Jagat takes about 13 days.
The extra days also help with acclimatisation. You sleep at 3,361m in Nile and 3,700m at Mu Gompa before heading for the pass. That helps, but it does not replace the rest day at Samagaon.
Main Sights in Tsum Valley
- Mu Gompa (about 3,700m): the monastery at the head of the valley, and the usual turnaround point
- Rachen Gompa: a nunnery in the upper valley
- Milarepa’s Cave: linked by tradition to the Tibetan poet-saint Milarepa
- Village life: farming villages with stone houses and few lodges
Tsum Valley Permits
Tsum needs its own restricted area permit, separate from the Manaslu one. You also need the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. If you continue over Larkya La, add the Manaslu restricted area permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
| Permit | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tsum restricted area permit (Sep–Nov) | USD 40 for 7 days | USD 7 per extra day |
| Tsum restricted area permit (Dec–Aug) | USD 30 for 7 days | USD 7 per extra day |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals |
As with Manaslu, you must trek with a licensed guide, and a registered agency applies for the permit. Since 22 March 2026, solo trekkers can get restricted area permits, so you no longer need a partner. Our Manaslu permits guide explains the full set for the combined trek.
How Hard Is Tsum Valley?
Tsum itself has no high pass. The walking is steady, with long climbs and some exposed trail cut into the hillside. It suits fit trekkers who can walk six hours a day for many days in a row.
The harder part is the length of the full trip. If you add Larkya La, you take on the pass at 5,106m as well. Our difficulty guide covers that day in detail.
Lodges in Tsum are simpler and fewer than on the main circuit. Expect basic rooms, simple meals and limited charging.
Tsum Valley or the Manaslu Circuit Alone?
| Manaslu Circuit only | With Tsum Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 13 days | 20 days |
| Crowds | Quiet | Quieter still in Tsum |
| Culture | Tibetan villages above Namrung | More monasteries and village life |
| Permits | Manaslu RAP, MCAP, ACAP | Add the Tsum RAP |
| Best for | A first restricted-area trek | Trekkers with extra time |
With two weeks, do the circuit alone, or the 13-day Tsum-only trek if you would rather skip the pass. With three weeks, the combined trek gives you both. Tsum is worth it if you care more about culture than mountain views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek takes 20 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu, including Larkya La Pass. A Tsum-only trek, in and out via Jagat with no high pass, takes about 13 days.
Yes. Tsum has its own restricted area permit, on top of the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. If you also cross Larkya La, you need the Manaslu restricted area permit and ACAP as well.
No. Tsum is a restricted area, so you must trek with a licensed guide and a registered agency must apply for your permit.
Tsum Valley opened to foreign trekkers in 2008. Before that, outsiders could not visit it, which is one reason it still sees few visitors.
Most treks turn around at Mu Gompa, at about 3,700m. The valley itself reaches above 4,000m toward the Tibetan border.
Yes, and most people do. You visit Tsum first, return to the main trail, then continue to Samagaon and over Larkya La Pass.
Related Planning Guides
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits — every permit and fee
- The 13-Day Manaslu Itinerary — the main circuit day by day
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — where Tsum branches off
- How Hard Is the Manaslu Circuit? — the pass and long days
- Teahouses on the Manaslu Circuit — what lodges are like
- Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit — seasons and weather
Trek Tsum Valley With Us
Our 20-day Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek costs $1,199 to $1,899 per person, depending on group size. We arrange both restricted area permits and a licensed guide for the whole route. See the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek package → Or message us on WhatsApp.
[…] Tsum Valley Trek Guide — the side valley and its own permit […]
[…] into the valley. If you add Tsum, you walk in and out the same way, then rejoin the circuit. Our Tsum Valley trek guide covers the side valley in […]