Manaslu & Tsum: Update

Val was back in the UK as usual over Christmas and the New Year, which provided a perfect opportunity to flesh out some of the detail of this year’s big trek.

The main development is that we’re going to spend a week in the Tsum Valley before backtracking a little to rejoin the Manaslu Circuit at Gampul.  I’ve changed my working pattern this year, so I can squeeze in a four week trip, and the other people Val’s been talking to about coming on the trek are keen to combine the two.

I loved the Tsum Valley Trek that Hazel and I did with Anthony, Val, Chhiring and crew, just a few weeks before the devastating April 2015 earthquake. I don’t doubt that at times it will feel uncomfortable being back there.

From Chhiring’s updates, the road may now reach as far as Laububensi / Lapubesi (लापुबेसी), so hopefully there will be a fewer days of hot slog up the Buri Gandaki Khola (aka Budhi Gandaki Khola) at the start. There’s also flexibility to allow for high side trips and LED solar light distribution, and no doubt some medical assistance from Steffi.

Here’s the rest of the outline itinerary we’ve had from Val, plus approximate altitudes from the Himalayan Map House Ruby Valley / Ganesh Himal Map, Wikipedia and Manaslu Circuit Trek:

Day 01: Arrive KTM
Day 02: Kathmandu (काठमाडौं) (1400 m) to Sotikhola (सोती खोला) (597 m) or Laupubensi / Lapubesi (लापुबेसी) (880 m)
Day 03: Trek Dobhan (दोभान) (1050 m)
Day 04: Trek Lokpa / Lhokpa (लोक्पा) (2240 m)/(1905 m) or might stay in Philim (1570 m) or Chisapani (1620 m)
Day 05: Trek to Chumling (चुम्लिंग) (2385 m)
Day 06: Trek above the valley Chumchet area (चुमचेत) (3200 m)
Day 07: Trek to Gumba Lungdung / Gompa Lungdang (3200 m)
Day 08: Trek to Chule (छुले) (3350 m)
Day 09: Trek to Mu Gompa (3700 m)
Day 10: Descend to Chule (छुले) (3350 m)
Day 11: Trek to Chumling (चुम्लिंग) (2385 m) or Chekampar / Chhekampar / Chhaikampar (छैकम्पार) / Chhokang Paro (3030 m), if possible via Ripchet (2470 m)
Day 12: Trek via Deng (2600 m)
Day 13: Trek to Prok (प्रोक) (2397 m)
Day 14: Trek to Lhi and deliver solar lights for Chak and extra replacements for Tsak
Day 15: Trek to Hinang
Day 16: Above Hinang
Day 17: Trek to Sama Gaon / Samagaun (सामागाउँ) (3500 m) via Lho (ल्हो) (3180 m)
Day 18: Above Sama Gaon / Samagaun (सामागाउँ) (3500 m) to visit the Phuyang / Pung Gyen Gompa (3870 m) below Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29) (7871 m), Himalchuli (7893 m) and Manaslu ( मनास्लु) (8163 m)
Day 19: Trek to Samdo and visit school (3860 m)
Day 20: Trek to Yak Kharka above Samdo
Day 21: Day trip above the Kharka
Day 21: Trek to Dharmasala (Larkya Phedi) (4460 m)
Day 22: Cross Larkya La pass (5135 m), descend to Bhimtang / Bimthang (3720 m)
Day 23: Trek to Tilje / Tiliche (2300 m)
Day 24: Trek to Chamje / Chyamche (1430 m)
Day 25: Drive to Pokhara (पोखरा) (830 m)
Day 26: Pokhara spare day
Day 27: Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 28: Depart KTM

A flurry of flight booking excitement after Val confirmed dates; Steffi and I now have tickets on Air India via Delhi. Charles is going to DIY.

Roll on November!