The Manaslu Circuit Trek can be extended as a side trip for up to three weeks, with a minimum duration of 13 days. For trekkers who are curious to investigate or study the geography, diversity, and culture of Manaslu in a short period, there are several hidden treasures in the area that only a few trekkers have visited yet, except if you visit this time. Some people are worried about the road construction at the beginning of the Manaslu Circuit Trail, but there are several wonderful places where you can do side trips to the region. Among them, Serang Gumba is the most important, hidden, and unknown thing about Buddhism in Nepal. Guru Padmasambhava, who was a crew member in taking Buddhism into Tibet in the 8th century, prophesies there will be seven hidden valleys in the latter century where mediators from Tibet and Nepal go and meditate. Out of the seven, five are in Nepal, and two are in India. The words Beyul mean sacred land/hidden land, and Kimolong means happy valley or valley of peace. This sacred land bordered Tibet in the north of the Himalayas and beyond the sources of the Bhudhigandaki River("Yashodhara Nadi," an ancient name) in the Gorkha Districts of Nepal.
This valley is located in Shringi Himal Base Camp. Rest in between the Ganesh Himal torch in the east and the Manaslu Himal torch in the west. This sacred place is home to Serang Gumba, one of the most famous and important monasteries in the region. Along with several caves, the Serang Monastery accommodates 60 meditating monks, and more than 300 young monks are studying Buddhism. And there are other Buddhas; practicing monks meditate around this place. It is believed that in the 11th century,Mahasiddha Milarepa visited this place. There are two important caves in Milarepa in this area where pilgrims go to meditate even today. Tetol Gaudem Chen brought this place back to life. There are four easily accessible routes to the hidden land from four directions to reach the main entry point. East from Tsum Valley to Kimolong Powerpoint (pith/power spot), west from Nubra Valley to Kimolong Power Place, south from Bihi Village to Kimolong Power Place, and north from Tibet into Komolomg Power Place. Darbang Joong Ki Wanchu, also known as Ngari Terton, and Ngari called Nubri, which is called Adharasaya Khola in Nepali, opened the Tibetan route in the 17th century. This holy place draws tourists from Tibet and China. There is a beautiful village at an elevation of 2397 meters just opposite Ghap, which is called Prok Village. It is worth spending two nights at Prok to explore Kalchhuman Tal (Kal Tal) and Kalchhuman Gumba. But it is mandatory to hire a local guide from the village; your day trip effort will be a way to generate local income.
Likewise, Sho village is another good place to spend more than one night on a day hike to Hining Gumba and up to Himalchuli Base Camp (4020 m). As there are not any human settlements, during the day hike to Himalchuli Base Camp, you need to bring a packed lunch, energy bars, sufficient drinking water, and warm clothes. Nowadays, Hining Gumba provides accommodation for small groups of trekkers who can have food with monks. The monastery is situated on peaceful land beneath the huge rock view of Mout Manaslu. More than twenty kinds of monks are studying Buddhism, taken care of by the Buddhist master, Lama. Nepal Mother House would like to give you a unique opportunity compared to other trekkers; we always try to find you less frequented off the beaten trail. The mountain scenery is astonishing during side trips to Himalchuli Base Camp (4220 m) and Hinang Gompa (3,100 m) from Lihi.
Similarly, to make your trips different from others, it is ideal to visit Pungyen Gumba from Shyala. It is situated at about 3,870 meters of elevation, just a lap of the beautiful Himalayas. It was the base camp of Mount Manaslu at the beginning of the expedition; none of the expedition had concurred on the top of Manaslu due to spiritual power in the region. According to local people, the Mase came shift near Birendra Lake, and now many mountaineers have been climbing successfully on the top of Manaslu. During the walk to Pungyen Gumba, the trail goes through huge pasture land and mountain scenery. Often, you have sight of marmots hiding and seeking in the whole pasture land. You have an unforgettable experience with the sound of yaks and Himalayan goats making their way. It takes about 4 to 5 hours for a round trip from Shyala. Most of the trekkers make camp at Samagoun or Lho, so it is best to spend the night at Shyala itself to avoid the crowds.
Normally, most trekkers stay two nights at Sama Gaun for the acclimatization proposal before heading to Larke La Pass, but there are several side treks at Samagaun, and it is worth spending even three nights at Sama. Nowadays, Sama Gaun (Nubri Valley) is well-recognized as the birthplace of "Mingyur Rinpoche," who published the book The "Joy of Living.". The book simply elaborates that Joy of Living is a personal, readable, wonderfully warm, and clear guide to changing the way we see ourselves and the world.
On a day hike to Mt. Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 m) for the icefall view and Glacier, you will visit Nubri Pema Decho Ling Monastery on the way, where Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is staying during a visit to his birthplace at Samagaun. There are even two significant spiritual caves near Samagaun, just above Birandra Lake, where the great saint Milarepa (1052–1135) used to meditate. The cave is known as Ninggor Phu Cave. Finding those caves is extremely difficult; only an expert guide with good weather can visit. While visiting the MBC, you will explore Birendra Lake. Its tranquility makes your soul peaceful and adds more energy. There are several expedition groups from September to October; this is the perfect time to climb Mt. Manaslu. Hence, most of the other mountain expeditions operate during the spring. Looking around the village at Samagaun won’t be enough for even one full day. The people's lifestyle here is similar to ancient Tibet, which still exists here. Monetary, Manewall, and Chhorten (according to the Tibetan language; Chhor+Ten, Chhor=pray, and Ten=base/residence from “Chhorpai Ten” words become Chhorten) are curious.
There are other side trips from Samdo during your Manaslu Circuit Trek. It takes 4 to 5 hours for a round trip to Rui La/Lajyang Bhanjyang (4,998 m). Rui La is the last point on Nepal’s land. As there is no settlement beyond the Samdo village, you need to pack lunch, enough drinking water, and warm clothes for these side trips. When heading farther and higher, the valley becomes wider and more beautiful. This is one of the best side trips at Manaslu, where there is natural tranquility with the sound of Himalayan birds, a playful Marmot gang, grazing Yaks on huge pastureland, and a herd of Himalayan goats. For many days, you wish only for mountain scenery and a high Himalayan atmosphere as you leave the road connectivity from Arughat and Soto, but when you arrive in Rui La, you might be surprised to see the road from Tibet built to Pass. There are several road signs for a Tibetan village. Rui La is one of the ancient commercial borders between Nepal and Tibet. The scenery from here is incredible; even you have sight of some Tibetan villages from here. The atmosphere here seems to be another planet. But sometimes Chinese shoulder portals around the border, so you cannot visit the border. Around Rui La, you can see countless fossils in different images. The Hindus believe that fossils are a real image of Lord Vishnu. The fossils (Shaligram) represent Tyattis Koti (thirty-three cores, or 330 million) different deities of Hindus. Hence, one core equals 10 million. Anyway, your side trips to Rui La could be a lifetime memory.
Manaslu Side Trek is similar to Larke Pass but adds more side trips in the Himalayas. Most of the tea houses have internet service (Wi-Fi), which you can connect to your device after paying some basic hourly. We at Nepal Mother House are glad to organize your trips in Manaslu in different ways than others by expert local guides and porters. The best time to travel to Manaslu is mid-September to mid-November in autumn and mid-March to mid-May in spring, but we are glad to organize your trips according to your schedule and holiday.
Here is a complete guide to the Manaslu Circuit with the Tsum Valley Trek.
