Best Time for Tsum Valley Trekking
Tsum Valley trekking can be done throughout the year. However, the favorable seasons include spring, March to May, and autumn, September to November. It is because the weather is mainly stable with clear skies and a temperature range that suits trekking.
Spring season rewards trekkers with the blooming of rhododendrons and other wildflowers, making this already beautiful trail more extravagant. Meanwhile, Autumn offers crystal-clear air and arresting mountain views as monsoon rain will have washed all dust from the atmosphere by then.
Monsoon season is doable but challenging as heavy snowing blocks higher passes, making crossing impossible sometimes. The winter period (December to February) brings extreme cold weather, especially at night time, which may block your trails completely, so you must negotiate with hiking in freezing temperatures. Summer(June-August) presents critical due to heavy rainfall causing landslides on the way.
So, if you are planning for a safe and best experience hiking adventure in Tsum Valley, consider visiting in either spring or Autumn.
Accommodations During the Trek
Accommodation during Tsum Valley Trek is simple yet cozy and comfortable. Most of the teahouses and lodges are available on the trail, providing you with an authentic experience. The teahouse basic facilities such as beds, blankets and toilets will be provided at every teahouse. We need to be aware that this is a remote area; therefore, we cannot find luxury hotels and services there, but it doesn’t mean that the places to stay in aren’t clean or good.
Most of the lodges will serve you traditional Nepali meals; at the same time, continental food is also common these days. Tea houses would prefer prior bookings during peak seasons, in which you will be guaranteed accommodation. The locals are quite friendly, and many times local culture and stories are shared among the passing guests.
Basic amenities within the lodges will allow you to get the full flavor of the region, the people, and the spectacular sceneries. You can expect shared facilities, including shared bathrooms. Sleeping bag rental can be arranged if you are traveling during the cold season.
Meals Facility
Meals on the Tsum Valley Trek are included in the trip cost but will be taken in teahouses and lodges along the trail. The menu is varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice) and momos (steamed dumplings) are some of the items you can find at most of these places. In addition to these, a variety of Western continental meals like pasta, pizza, etc., can also be found in many teahouses. Breakfast will consist of cereal or porridge, bread and eggs or Tibetan toast wherever possible. Lunch will be taken along the way at teashops we come across. For dinner, expect another hearty meal at one of the local hotels, where we rest overnight. Do keep note that as we go up higher altitude the regions (slightly more remote areas), the availability of ingredients may vary a bit, so open-mindedness is necessary in selecting meals as per choice. The food is generally safe and nutritious. However, it is always good to practice precaution when it comes to consuming raw or undercooked food items. Drinking water, boiled or bottled, should keep you away from any tummy upsets.
Tsum Valley Short Trekking Difficulties
Tsum Valley Trek is a moderately difficult trek. It is an ideal choice for those who wish to do a cultural trek in combination with some marvelous views of the Himalayas. Tsum Valley Trek includes 6-7 hours of continuous walks per day at altitudes up to 5093m at Mu Gompa (peak point). You will be walking through steep climbs and descents; rocky paths, as well as the narrow trails on the cliff sides.
The journey starts with a drive to the Gorkha district, followed by a trek from Machha Khola, and the first few days will be walking through forests and terraced fields. We walk on average 6 to 7 hours a day. The trail gets physically demanding in the later stages as there are steep ascents and descents, rocky trails and narrow sections along the cliffs; therefore, during these sections, Trekking poles come very handy, relieving some pressure off your knees. But to get rewarded, one must face challenges since the Tsum Valley hiking is in a remote region. So due to that Fact, the tea houses on this route are limited and quite basic; hence, one should be self-sufficient by carrying necessary things.
Typical Day on Tsum Valley Trekking - 10 Days
The Typical day on the tsum Valley Trekkinng starts around 6:00 AM with a wake-up call from your guide. By 6:30 AM, breakfast is served at the teahouse to fuel up trekkers for the day of hiking ahead. Your breakfast could consist of porridge, eggs, bread and tea or coffee.
At 7:00 AM, we hit the trail. We often hike alongside and cross over the Budhi Gandaki River on suspension footbridges. After a mid-morning break to rest and eat snacks (about an hour), we’ll generally stop in a village for lunch around noon-time, where meals are ordered at teahouses along the route. The food will nourish you for your afternoon hike.
The trek resumes at around 1:00 PM, and you walk through different landscapes that may include rhododendrons and pine forests with dramatic views of snow-capped mountains. At around 4:00 PM, you arrive at the village where you will be staying in a teahouse. After some rest and freshening up, at around 5:00 PM, there is time to visit the village, meet some locals or see monasteries and explore the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture of these people.
Around 6:30 PM, Dinner is served in a Dining room where all have their meals together. By 7:30 PM, the day is winding down, and trekkers are huddled into warm beds, getting as much rest as possible in order to be prepared for another big day while enjoying the solitude of early nights in the mountains.
Packing List Recommended For Short Manaslu Tsum Valley Hike
Travel Documents
Bring your valid passport, visa if required, and photocopies of these documents. Don’t forget the passport-size photographs needed for permits and other formalities.
Clothing
Pack lightweight, moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers and a waterproof, windproof outer jacket. Don’t forget your warm hat and gloves along with a sun hat too to stay protected in all types of weather.
Footwear
Bring a good, comfortable pair of trekking boots suitable for the type of terrain we are traversing. In addition, it is convenient to bring along a pair of lightweight sandals (flip-flops) or shoes for wearing in campgrounds and lodges.
Backpacks and Bags
Bring one sturdy, comfortable backpack, preferably with a rain cover for carrying all your day requisites. You will need one duffel bag for your gears to be carried by the porters.
Sleeping Gear
You will need a top-of-the-line sleeping bag for cold-weather sleeping. In it, you can insert a liner to add to the warmth and for hygiene.
Trekking Poles
Get yourself a trekking pole to make sure you have the balance especially on the tricky and rough trail. Headlamp + batteries are essential.
Personal Care Items
Pack sunscreen (the higher the SPF, the better), lip balm, and a small first aid kit. You’ll also want to bring personal hygiene products like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and wet wipes.
Water and Food
Pack reusable water bottles, and bring water purification tablets or filters to ensure potable water. Carry with you high-energy snacks like nuts or energy bars for quick pick-me-up snacks.
Miscellaneous Essentials
Keep a Swiss knife, portable charger and camera with you. Plastic bags for waste and a small kit for repair can be useful.
Communication Facilities During the Trek
Communication facilities in Tsum Valley Trek are available easily, although there are some limitations. At the lower altitude, trekkers can find Wi-Fi services in many of the lodges due to which it is possible to access the internet for communication with family and friends. But as you ascend higher, the availability of Wi-Fi and its strength may decrease remarkably. In case you need more reliable connectivity then one can buy a local SIM card that will provide much better communication but still not perfect.
Mostly, all the lodges offer Wi-Fi by charging an extra amount, so be ready to spend that. Nevertheless, there might be issues concerning consistency, especially when you move further into remote areas. Therefore, make sure your well-wishers know that beforehand. In case of emergencies, the local SIM card can be used to call rescue or reach local authorities. Although communication will be available, one should not expect too much and should be prepared for no network, especially in the higher region of tsum.
Electricity and Water Facilities During the Trekking and Hiking
Electricity and water facilities during the Tsum Valley Trek are necessary for a comfortable and hydrated trek. Most of the lodges in the region will have electricity available to charge your electronic devices like cameras, smartphones etc., by paying an extra cost. Still, we recommend you carry a power bank with you, especially if you’re trekking for a long duration where there is limited access to electricity.
Bottled mineral water can be purchased at local lodges or shops throughout the trail. Trekkers have an option, though, to drink boiled water by filling up their bottles after paying a certain amount of money. If not, we, Ammonite Adventure, provide water purification tablets if you want to use them. We also recommend drinking boiled or treated water rather than direct from taps, rivers or wells, which may directly raise health problems.
Is Travel Insurance Required for Manaslu Tsum Valley Region Trek?
Travel insurance is mandatory not only to trek in the Tsum Valley region but anywhere in Nepal. The risks associated with high-altitude trekking, especially in remote areas such as Tsum Valley, are too high, and you never know what can happen. During the trek, you will be walking above 4000 meters for a long time, and there is always a risk of altitude sickness. Trekkers can also meet with an accident while trekking or may get troubled by unfavorable weather conditions.
Hence, it is highly recommended that you make sure that you have travel insurance that covers treks at high altitudes (as some general policies do not cover treks beyond 4000 meters). If possible, choose local insurance companies that provide good coverage in specific areas related to mountaineering/trekking activity so it would be easier for processors to claim if needed. So both trekkers and company should have the necessary medical and evacuation emergency plans with the comprehensive travel insurance as this could mean life and death in case of an emergency.
Altitude Sickness Considerations
Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a real concern for trekkers in the Tsum Valley since you’ll be trekking at elevations above 3,700 meters (12,139 feet). Symptoms of altitude sickness can range from mild headaches and nausea to life-threatening organ complications that necessitate immediate descent. To mitigate the risks, it's first important to get an idea of the itinerary. On Day 1 you start low at Machha Khola (970m), but hike into higher altitudes for several days in an overall increase of elevation until you reach Lar/Lama Gaun (3,035m) on Day 5 or Mu Gompa (3,700m) on Day 6. This gradual gain allows hikers plenty of time to acclimatize to the diminishing oxygen while still being in tune with their body at these elevations.
What should be done to prevent it?
- To avoid altitude sickness, trekkers should drink plenty of water, eat high-nutritious meals and ascend slowly.
- Also, if you do begin to feel unwell it’s best to take rest days or descend.
- It goes without saying that before any high-altitude trek, you should seek advice from a medical professional and discuss your health and preparation specifically.
Trekking group/single
You can trek the Short Tsum Valley on your own with your group or in an organized group with a company. Trekking with your group provides better discounts on your trekking, as going on a company-organized group will not provide discounts.
All group sizes are accommodated. For example, we have an assistant guide for every large trekkers group, we have porters who will carry 9 kg each, and every 2 trekkers will have one porter. We are able to assist with coordination, communication and timeliness to ensure that your trek supports your plan.
Extra personal expenses while trekking
Most trekking expenses incurred while hiking the Short Tsum Valley trek are included in the trek or trek fee, less food or accommodation in Kathmandu for cafe meals.
You will need some money for hotels, visa fees, travel insurance, snacks, drinks, tips, souvenirs etc. Bring some major currencies with you to support exchange for the local Nepali Rupees, as no foreign currency will be accepted in the areas on the trek.
Ammonite Adventure Trekking Crew
An experienced licensed guide, Sherpas, as well as porters will accompany you on this 10-day trek. The porters are luggage transporters and carry your luggage up to 18 kg per trekker. Porters typically come 2, and sometimes a trekker prefers only 1 porter per trekker.
All our staff are locally organized and found in the high Himalaya region and usually acclimatized to high-altitude trekking. We believe in paying fair wages, travel insurance, appropriate clothing, food, lodging, and medical assistance.
Our guides/trek leaders have:
- Advanced wilderness first aid certification.
- A government of Nepal trekking guide certification.
- Fluency in multiple major languages — including good English.
- A great ability to lead local stories and the historical and cultural perspective.
- Experience with decision-making in a systematic way when faced with improvisation.
- Scheduling and logistics management skills.
- Care about others and sensitivity towards the needs of trekkers.
- A concern for sustainable, responsible vacationing.
Last Minute Booking
We at Ammonite Adventure also accept last-minute bookings for the Short Tsum Valley trek. We require 100% payment for the trekking adventure 24 hours ahead of the trip start date.
We will begin treks at any time, however any last-minute bookings may be affected due to flight, weather or other problems that are outside of our control.
Trip Extension
If you want to extend your time in Nepal with some activities after your trek, we can plan for you. There are many wonderful things to do in Kathmandu, and you can even choose a jungle safari, paragliding course, rafting or canoeing.
Feedback
When you complete the Short Tsum Valley trek, Ammonite Adventure will organize a farewell dinner for you in Kathmandu. We will present you with a printed trek certificate and enable you to provide feedback.
