Bimthang Trekking

Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, known as the monkey temple; the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and the world’s largest stupa, Bouddhanath,

A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)

The westward journey to Dumre (400m, 4½hrs) winds over the forested Middle Hills that separate the High Himalaya from the Nepali and Indian lowlands. The road links Hindu villages and terraced farming communities, crossing several important rivers that flow from the ice fields to the north. At Dumre we turn north into the Marsyangdi Nadi Valley. A secondary road leads to the commercial centre of Besi Sahar (760m, 2hrs). A minor road then heads into the hills (2-3hrs), passing a new major hydro electric scheme, before climbing to Syange (1 080m).

The road then enters a canyon and climbs above the river to a ridge: and Jagat (1 330m, a former salt-route toll depot to Tibet). Continue, through Chamje (1 410m) to a ‘bus stop’ at a pedestrian suspension bridge to the east bank and a short walk to Tal. This attractive village is set in a flat valley behind which is an impressive waterfall (and palm trees). The Marsyangdi flows placidly between gabions. Overnight in Tal.

The old trail hugs the east bank of the Marsyangdi Nadi which has its source on the North Annapurna Glacier. Pass barley, wheat and potato fields before a long steady climb, through pines. Cross to the dusty road on the west bank near Karte (1 850m) and walk up to Dharapani (1 960m): a bustling Tibetan town, at the confluence with the Dudh (Milk) Khola.

In the linked village of Thonje, turn northeast (away from the crowds), cross the Marsyangdi Nadi and head up the narrower Dudh (Milk) Khola Valley to a suspension bridge; and the eastern bank. Later, re-cross to the attractive, stone paved Gurung cluster-village of Tilje (2 300m) for lunch.

Continue up the valley through fields and stands of oak and rhododendron to Goa; with lovely views of the river. To the east, Manaslu, Nadi Chuli and Himal Chuli come into view; Annapurna II rises to the south. Beyond, the oak and rhododendron forest becomes denser and shady. The trail later climbs to flags on a ridge below which the river has cut an S bend. Drop down from the ridge pass the hamlet of Karche and cross a landslide to reach attractive Suti Khola. Overnight in Suti Khola.

The river rises from the Suti Glacier NW of the hotel and is but one of the numerous glaciers that flow south from the huge curve of ice giants along the Tibetan border that tower over the the Ponkar Lake region. Today’s trail zig zags up the Dudh Valley through magnificent mixed forest. The walking is easy with some steep sections; including the final rise to Sangura Kharka (a yak pasture, 3 020m) for lunch at their new lodge.

Continue up the forest trail to Hompuk (3 430m), a rock shelter and goth (herder’s hut). Ahead is the lower end of the Bimthang Glacier. Exit the forest onto its moraine and drop on loose gravels to cross the glacier. The ascent on the far side is easier: the trail then follows the eastern bank as it rises gently to Bimthang (Plain of Sand). Ice walled views behind are framed by forest and ahead barren rock and ice peaks rise tantalisingly above the brown wall of the glacier. Overnight in Bimthang.  

Enjoy a fairly early breakfast; then set out to explore the stupendous rock and ice world behind the glacier wall. Cloud often forms from late morning and may obscure the views. Follow the gentle trail north of the dwellings to a ‘T’ junction.  To the right is the 3km trail to Dangboche Kharka at the foot of the Larkya La (Victory Peak) and Manaslu region. Ahead is a tough slippery track over loose dust and gravels that climbs the steep side of the moraine, then leads to the confluence of three glaciers: clockwise the Kechakyu, Ponkar and Salpudanda. (The Suti glacier is hidden behind the western Tibikle Panlemu Danda.)  The medial Nayamlo Tal is trapped between the first two moraines and the track works its way to and around the larger Ponkar Tal between the central and third moraine. Thrill to the majesty, silence, and glacial power.

Peaks (clockwise from the west) include Kang Garu (6 981m), the Chombi cone (6 704m), the Kechakyu pinnacle (6 358m), Gyalji Kang to the north (7 074m) and Nemjung (7 140m).  Then from the SE, Larke (6 249m), the northwest faces of Manaslu (8 163m), and Phungi Himal (6 538m) in the south.  Return to Bimthang for the night

The return journey to Goa is almost all downhill, dropping 1 150m for a lower and warmer night. Take time to enjoy the richness of the forest and its fauna.

Beyond Goa, the last views of Manaslu, Nadi Chuli and Himal Chuli will be seen; Annapurna II and its satellite peaks will continue to be visible to the south. Trek back to Thonje and Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit. Follow the road down to Karte (1 850m) then cross the suspension bridge to the dust free old trail back to Tal. Continue down to Chamje for the night.

After an early breakfast, take a jeep down to Besi Sahar (for lunch), then transfer to a bus or car for the tarred road return journey to Kathmandu – and your hotel. Rest of day free.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination