Side by side
| Tsum Valley Trek | Makalu Base Camp Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 14 | 18 |
| Highest point | 3,700 m | 4,870 m |
| Difficulty | Strenuous | |
| Total distance | 100 km | 145 km |
| Best months | March to May and September to November | March to May and October to November |
| Typical cost | $1,000 to $2,000 | $1,450 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Soti Khola or Machha Khola | Num (via Tumlingtar flight and jeep) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Tsum Valley Trek if
The Tsum Valley Trek is a cultural journey into a hidden Himalayan valley near the Tibetan border. Known for its ancient Buddhist monasteries, traditional stone villages, and sweeping views of the Ganesh Himal, this restricted area offers a tranquil, deeply spiritual alternative to the busier Manaslu Circuit nearby.
Requires a good level of physical fitness.
Choose the Makalu Base Camp Trek if
The Makalu Base Camp trek is an 18 day wilderness route in eastern Nepal leading into Makalu Barun National Park to the base of Mount Makalu at 4,870 m. Trekkers journey from subtropical cloud forests over rugged Shipton La pass into the dramatic sheer granite amphitheatre of Barun Valley.
Demanding high-altitude crossing of Shipton La at 4,210 m with steep climbs and descents. The upper Barun valley is remote with simple teahouses and unpredictable mountain weather.
