Tsum Valley Trekking In Nepal

To prepare for your trek in Nepal, it’s essential to consider both the specific route and the time of year. Here is a Nepal trekking packing list to help you pack wisely. Here’s our Nepal Trekking packing list.

The best time for Tsum Valley Trek is spring and autumn. Take a look at why these two seasons are the best for trekking:

Spring (March To May)

The spring season begins in March and ends in May. The weather is favorable, with clear skies and mild temperatures. Clear mountain vistas and vibrant landscapes are visible without any obstruction. The days are long, sunny, and bright. Similarly, there is a low precipitation level, and the trail is dry. The best part about trekking in spring is witnessing the blooming rhododendron forests and Himalayan wildflowers. The average temperature ranges from 0 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Autumn (September To November)

The next best time for Tsum Valley Trek is autumn, which begins in September and ends in November. It is the exact time when the monsoon leaves the country. The rainfall cleanses the dust and impurities from the atmosphere. Thus, the scenery is brilliant, and the landscapes look vibrant and lusciously green. The weather and temperature are both stable during autumn, in addition to brilliant views and scenery. Some of the biggest festivals in Nepal, i.e., Dashain and Tihar, also fall during autumn. The average temperature ranges between 5 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

The Tsum Valley lies in a restricted area close to the border of Tibet. Hence, trekkers must show the Restricted Area Permit to access the region at the checkpoint of Jagat. The only way to obtain the permit is through a registered local trekking company.

The cost of the restricted area permit can vary depending on the season, which are as follows:

• Winter, Spring, and Summer (December to August): USD 30 per person for the first week, USD 7 for each additional day.
• Autumn (September to November): USD 40 per person for the first week, USD 7 for each additional day.

Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (MCAP)

The trails to Tsum Valley go into the Manaslu Conservation Area. Hence, trekkers must take a permit to access the area. The fees aid in the preservation and development of the conservation area. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit costs are as follows:

• SAARC nationals: NPR 1000 per person
• Non-SAARC nationals: NPR 3000 per person

Note: If you take the Manaslu Circuit Trek via Tsum Valley, you will also require the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit

Foreigners, except Indian nationals, will require visas to travel and trek in Nepal. You can get the visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Those traveling by land can get the visa at the Immigration checkposts at the Nepali border.

Your passport must have a valid date of at least six months to get the visa. Similarly, you will need a passport photo. You can apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. The visa fees will vary depending on the duration of your stay. However, children under 10 are eligible for a free visa.

• 15 days: USD 30
• 30 days: USD 50
• 90 days: USD 125

Note: Nationals from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Somalia, Ghana, Cameroon, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Liberia, and Palestine are not eligible for an on-arrival visa. They must apply from the Nepal Embassy at their home or neighboring country.

The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). You can exchange the major currencies at the airport or local banks. However, there are also legitimate money exchange centers around Thamel. The exchange centers display the day’s currency rate visibiliy. For those with Indian currency, only INR 100 and 2,000 are legal in Nepal.

You can also use a traveler’s cheque, but exchanging it can be lengthy and require high bank commissions. There is also an ATM facility that is open 24/7. However, you can only withdraw NPR 35,000 using a foreign card for NPR 500. If you use local banks and facilities for money exchange, you must pay a 4% or more charge for the service.

Trekkers must have travel insurance for Tsum Valley Trekking in Nepal. Compared to other trekking destinations, Tsum Valley’s highest altitude is lower, i.e., 3700 meters at Mo Gompa. However, there is a high-altitude risk, and the region lacks proper infrastructure and medical facilities. The off-beat steep trails, unpredictable weather, and unforeseen events make the trek more challenging and riskier. In case of injuries and accidents, helicopter evacuation is the only way to provide immediate assistance, and it is very costly.

Therefore, travel insurance provides trekkers with financial backing and peace of mind. The insurance must cover high altitude (4,000 meters) and medical and helicopter rescue expenses. You must provide us with a copy of the insurance certificate before the trek. During emergencies, we will use your policy to arrange immediate rescue operations.

CoreTreks’ Tsum Valley Trek package covers transportation, accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), permits, guide fees, and porter fees. It does not include visas, travel insurance, or other charges that may occur during the trek.

Trekkers must also carry sufficient cash for the journey. They must bear the cost of extra services, such as charging electronic devices, using the internet, making phone calls, using hot water/ showers, etc. They must also pay for beverages like soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Similarly, it is the trekker’s expense to tip the crew.

Your safety is our number one priority. Hence, we offer 100% attention to safety measures and take personal care of our clients. CoreTreks has 15 years of experience in tours and trekking. In addition to local expertise, our guides have proper licenses and intensive first-aid training. They follow all safety guidelines and precautions to ensure your safety during the trek.

During the trek, our guides carry high-quality equipment and first-aid kits. As you ascend to a higher altitude, they will constantly check your oxygen level and keep watchful eyes for any symptoms of altitude sickness. In emergencies, your guide will have the authority to make decisions. They will take actions that will best ensure your safety and security.

Numerous hotels and hostels are available around Kathmandu. We can arrange any accommodation you prefer, from budget-friendly stays to high-end hotels. There are only basic accommodations available during the trek. You will mostly find teahouses, lodges, and guesthouses along the Tsum Valley Trek route.

CoreTreks will arrange your stay at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu and local lodges/ guesthouses during the Tsum Valley Trek. The accommodations will be on a twin-sharing basis. The hotel in Kathmandu will provide various services and amenities. However, the local lodges/ guesthouses will provide only basic facilities, such as clean beds, blankets, pillows, and bedsheets.

Meals

While on the Tsum Valley Trek, you will have three daily meals with tea/ coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Eating a nutritious diet on the trek is crucial as you will be hiking 5 to 6 hours daily. There will be various menu options, but they will become limited as you ascend to higher elevations.

You will find Dal Bhat, a staple Nepali dish, at any eating place along the route. It is a carb and protein-rich meal that consists of rice, lentil soup, curries, and pickles. The other meal options include oatmeal, cornflakes, bread (chapati/ Tibetan), muesli, local Tsampa porridge, eggs, curries, momo, Sherpa stew, pasta, soups, sandwiches, Thukpa, noodles, and more.

The eateries source the ingredients locally and prepare them fresh. We advise our trekkers to eat vegetarian meals during the trek and avoid meat, dairy products, excessive caffeine, and alcoholic beverages.

CoreTrek Tsum Valley Trek includes porter service. We provide one porter for two trekkers each. The luggage limit for porters is a total of 18 to 20 kg. Thus, a single porter will carry 9 to 10 kg of luggage per trekker. If you have excess baggage, we can arrange more porters for an extra charge. Trekkers must carry a small backpack to carry their valuables and documents. You can leave your other luggage that you do not need for the trek at the hotel or in our office free of charge.

Our day typically begins at 6 or 7 AM. We will have breakfast and depart around 8 AM, depending on our destination. Every day of our trek is eventful and reading. You can witness beautiful landscapes, enjoy the scenery, experience the region’s unique culture, and explore local villages. There will also be many chances to take photos and taste local cuisines.

Your guide will lead the way, and your porter will carry your luggage. Each day, you have to trek for 5 to 6 hours. En route, you will pass by charming Tibetan settlements, monasteries, rivers, gorges, valleys, and waterfalls. You will trek from subtropical forests to highland pastures.

We will usually take an hour’s lunch break around midday. After resting for a while, we will again continue our trek. Upon reaching our destination, you will have time for refreshment and exploration until dinner. You will have your dinner around 6 to 7 PM. After dinner, your trek guide will brief you on the following day’s trek. Then, you can retire for the night or play games or chat.

You can easily find electricity and water facilities at shops and accommodations along the Tsum Valley routes. However, you will have to pay extra charges for the services.

Every accommodation offers charging services. The standard plug types in Nepal are C, D, and M. Meanwhile, the standard voltage is 230 V with a 50 Hz frequency. Ensure your electric devices are compatible; bring a voltage converter and adapter.

We suggest our trekkers carry water bottles rather than buying plastic bottled water. You can get boiled or filtered water at teahouses and lodges along the trekking trails. Additionally, you can bring water purification tablets or a portable filter for safe drinking water.

After you complete your booking with us, CoreTreks provides complimentary services such as a company-branded water bottle with purification tablets and a solar panel for battery charging in high-altitude regions.

Almost all accommodations during the Tsum Valley Trek will provide WiFi/ internet services for extra charges. Hence, communication will be no problem; you can contact your loved ones. The accommodations usually charge around USD 2 for the service.

However, the connectivity is poor and not suitable for heavy data-intensive work. You can also purchase a local SIM card, which offers better connectivity. Among the various operators, Nepal Telecom (NTC) provides better signals in rural areas of Nepal. But the signal can sometimes get weaker as you move to higher elevations.