01-04 Briddhim, Thugman, Nagthali

A 15-day Trek - Tamang Heritage & Ruby Valley in Nepal

Daily Trek Diary - Days 01 to 04

The very nice "Pema GH" Owner lady family at Briddhim

Daily Trek Diaries:

Day-1 - 04 Nov 2018 - Share Jeep ride KTM to Syafrubesi

Nima my Guide-Porter and I took a taxi at 7:15 AM from Thamel to the Sumo Stand to catch our share Jeep to Syafrubesi. The Seats had been booked by Nima the previous day. We departed at 8:00AM seated in the middle row of 4 seats. We stopped for a Dal-Bhat lunch at a place called Jimbu. Reached Dhunche check-post at 3:30PM and got myself a Permit of NRs 1500/- and arrived at Syfrubesi at 4:10PM. Checked into the Sunrise GH. My room, at the back, was overlooking the river Bhote Kosi roaring down close below.

The river Bhote Kosi ... from the rear balcony of my Sunrise GH ... at Syfrubesi

Day-2 - 05 Nov 2018 - Trek Syfrubesi to Briddhim

Started the Tamang leg of the Trek at 8AM going down to the river to cross a Suspension Bridge and climbing up again to a junction where the trail to the Left going to Khanjing and Briddhim and to the Right to the Langtang Valley. After steady climbing we reached Khanjing at 11:15AM where we stopped for a Dal-bhat lunch.

Restarted trek at 12:45PM and after some climbing reached a place in the jungle where a road was being constructed above the trail. We had to climb steeply and dangerously, above the trail, to skirt the bulldozers to avoid debris falling down. A member of the construction gang came down to help me to climb the steep incline without any paths.

We reached Briddhim shortly thereafter at 2:15AM, walking along the 'katcha' road created by the bulldozers, coming from Briddhim. At Briddhim we stayed at the very nice Pema GH run by the Owner Lady with two young kids and two young sister-in-laws (who had lost their parents at Langtang during the huge earth quake that destroyed the whole village of Langtang). A nice GH with a neat front lawn and a view of Thugman across the valley.

Day-3 - 06 Nov 2018 - Trek Briddhim to Thugman

Today we plan to walk to Thugman via Lingling. I had dropped the idea of going to Timure (Rasuwagadhi) as there was lot of road construction and dust I had been told. We started after breakfast at 7:40AM . Going down towards the river and stopping at Lingling village for a Chai (at 9:30AM) just before reaching the River and bridge. We crossed the suspension bridge at 10:15AM and then started the steep climb via many switchbacks through foresty-trail. We arrived in Thugman at 1:20PM and took up a upper floor room at the Potola GH. Nice GH with a view across the valley towards Briddhim.

Day-4 - 07 Nov 2018 - Trek Thugman to Nagthali

Today we did the steep climb up to top of Nagthali. We left Thugman at 7:15AM and climbed steeply over log-stepped trail passing through several levels of intermediate tops and ridges. We arrived at Nagthnali at 11:00AM and found a very nice teahouse "Nagthali Superview GH" with a big front yard facing the distant snow peaks of Tibet. We had a Dal-bhat thali lunch at 12:30.

From the back yard of GH we could see the Ganesh Himal peaks - large and nearer than the Tibet peaks. Wonderful place this Nagthali, on a hill top, worth staying here a few relaxing days. In the evening walked around a nearby ridge strewn with many fluttering prayer-flags. Met a French old man there; who has been visiting and trekking in Nepal over many years since 70s. Nice chat with him and his Nepal treks.He had worked in the French Trade Commission, in India, in his younger days and hence his love for Nepal and India, showed up in the conversation with him.