Manaslu and Tsum Valley

A great alternative off the beaten track trek.

Which Nepal Trek is Best?

And other advice; When to go, what to pack, solo or with porter or group, books to read. Everybody is different and this may be a once in a lifetime trip so choosing wisely is important. Some trekkers have their hearts set on walking to Everest Base Camp in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary …

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How A Nepal Trek Is Different From The Camino de Santiago:

1. Nepal vs. Spain. Spain is in Europe and Nepal is in South Central Asia. Spain has a long coastline on the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Nepal is landlocked in the Himalayas Region. Nepal is one of the poorer countries in the world with a per capita annual income of $1,084. Nepal is mostly a rural …

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Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek: Days 16-18. The end of a wonderful Trek

Day 16 Bimthang to Dharapani Departed Super View Hotel at 7:30 feeling fortunate as there was cloud cover which would lessen the experience for my friends crossing the path today. It was very quiet on the trail following the Dudh Khola River. As we descended the stark wintery terrain gave way to forest and red …

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Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek: Day 15 Larkya La Pass

Day 15 Dharamsala to Bimthang: Sleeping this high, 4,175 meters, is always difficult though thankfully I only had a slight headache. Though a few times waking, gasping for air. At 2:45AM observing the cloud of my breath the alarm with Puccini’s O Mio Babbino woke me. I had no appetite but struggled to eat a …

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Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek: Day 14

Day 14 Samdo to Dharamsala: Woke at 6 and went outside but restaurant and kitchen were locked. The guy came at 6:30. Had porridge and apple and then left about 8. Nice uphill but not too steep walk to Dharamsala(4460 meters) arriving at 11. Beautiful views of the valley as we approached the camp before …

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Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek-Days 10-11

Days 10-11 Bihi Phedi to Namrung to Lho. Left the spartan Hotel Singla just before 8. Nice walk but I struggled a bit today. Funny how some days you just feel better and stronger than other days. The scenery is beautiful while the temperatures decrease as we continue up the Manaslu Valley. Had some tea …

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Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek-Day 5 Shangri La

Day 5; Chumling to Lamagedon; My trekking buddy, Lance, has knee issues so will remain in Chumlein while Krishna and I continue up the Tsum Valley crossing paths several times with my 4 Tibetan friends sharing smiles and snacks at a break. There is one difficult stretch along a steep gravelly cliffside with a 500 …

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MANASLU AND TSUM VALLEY TREK; Day 2 Birthday Blast

Manaslu Day 2: Birthday Blast Interesting day with much of the walking being beneath road work in the mountains where they were blasting rock away causing landslides. At one point, Krishna, our guide and I were in the lead and Lance Collins, my trekking buddy, was 10 meters back. All of a sudden rocks started …

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MANASLU AND TSUM VALLEY TREK: Day 1-Three Friends; A Hindu, A Christian, A Buddhist

3 FRIENDS; A HINDU, A CHRISTIAN, AND A BUDDHIST: On the first day of walking on the Manaslu Trek in Central Nepal I somehow found myself helping 3 teenage girls transporting 2 chickens to their hometown of Macha Khola. We took turns and stopped for a rest and drinks and talked a bit though with …

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MANASLU AND TSUM VALLEY TREK: Days 3-4 Shangri-La

SHANGRI-LA:(Day 3-4): The scenery keeps getting better. Wonderful, fun stop in Philim where they are celebrating Women’s Rights today. Had a great chat with the local guys observing the festivities. They spoke no English but we somehow seemed to communicate with our eyes, hands, expressions, and laughter. Then a quiet night in Elke as it …

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