You can extend the Manaslu Circuit Trek 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 meditators from Tibet and Nepal go and meditate. Out of the seven, five are in Nepal, and two are in India. The word Beyul means sacred land/hidden land, and Kimolong means joyful 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. Practicing monks meditate around these Buddhas. 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. In the 17th century, Darbang Joong Ki Wanchu, also referred to as Ngari Terton, and Nubri, also known as Adharasaya Khola in Nepali, initiated the Tibetan route. This holy place draws tourists from Tibet and China. Prok Village, located just opposite Ghap at an elevation of 2397 meters, is a beautiful 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 excellent 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 sits peacefully on the land beneath the majestic view of Mount Manaslu's massive rocks. The Buddhist master, Lama, is responsible for overseeing more than twenty different types of monks studying Buddhism. Nepal Mother House aims to provide you with a unique experience that sets you apart from other trekkers; we consistently search for less-frequented, off-the-beaten trails. 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. At the beginning of the expedition, it served as the base camp for Mount Manaslu; however, due to the strong spiritual power in the region, none of the expeditions managed to reach the summit of Manaslu. According to local people, the Mase came to shift near Birendra Lake, and now many mountaineers have been climbing successfully to the top of Manaslu. During the walk to Pungyen Gumba, the trail goes through huge pastureland and mountain scenery. Often, you can spot marmots hiding and seeking throughout the vast pastureland. 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 renowned 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 favorable 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, where Chhor means pray” and Ten means base/residence, from the words “Chhorpai Ten,” which 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; you can even see some Tibetan villages from here. The atmosphere here feels otherworldly. But sometimes the Chinese shoulder portals around the border, so you cannot visit it. 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's (thirty-three cores, or 330 million) different deities among 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 fee. 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.
