Hinang gompa in Deng: With a backdrop of the huge Hiu Chuli

23 Dec 2024 Chandra Gurung

By now, we know how famous Manaslu is for its monasteries as it is for its impeccable natural beauty and mountains. One such gem of the Manaslu Trek is the Himalchuli Base Camp which lies in the way of Lihi village and en route is situated the holy Hinang Gompa at a height of 3,100 meters.

Your side trip from Lihi to Deng will lead you to the majestic Hinang glacier. Just ahead of that, lies the gompa which gives a strong spiritual feeling and a great view of the Hiu Chuli in the background. The overall view is unbelievable. 

Compared to other treks in the Manaslu, the Hinang Gompa trek is relatively easier and takes you through some divine landscapes and yellow pine forests. You can explore more of the local Buddhist culture while staying on the main trail. The Hinang glacier, Hinang gompa, and the Buddhist culture are the main highlights of the side trip of the Manaslu trek. 

How can I get to Hinang Gompa?

Those who are doing the side Manaslu Trek might choose to visit the Himalchuli Base Camp. This base camp is often less-travelled but those who have visited here are likely to get starstruck by its serenity and beauty. The journey to the Gompa is as beautiful as the destination. 

Your trip to Hinang Gompa starts from Lihi village. On the way, you can enjoy the splendid views of the Himalchuli range, Simnang Himal, Nadi Chuli, Mt. Manaslu, and Langjam Glacier. Many know this tiny village as the starting point for treks to Hiu Chuli Base Camp. 

To get there, you will pass the villages of Bihi, and Ghap and then climb steadily up through the beautiful, olf forest to the hilltop of Namrung. You then spill out into farmed fields and again take a steep climb before reaching Lihi.

 As you leave the village behind, the trail takes you through the Lihi Khola with views you can not stop admiring. After some ups and downs, the trail for an hour will take you to Deng village where Hinang Gompa lies.

The spiritual and ecological mixture of this Buddhist monastery in the wilderness of Tsum Valley is an example of peace, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a passionate trekker, a deeply spiritual soul, or just a casual traveller who loves exploring hidden gems, Hinang Gompa in the lap of Himal Chuli will sweep you off your feet.

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Inside Hinang Gompa

On you enter the monastery, a gush of peace and calmness sweeps you away. The smell of the incense burning and the chanting of monks will immediately take away the stress and burden you are carrying. Just like the exterior, even the interiors are inspired by the Tibetan Buddhist culture.

The principal deity is Gautam Buddha, the one who propagated Buddhism. While the statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) rests right next to the idol, that of the left is Guru Karmapa. 

The monastery also believes in giving back to society and serves as a Lama school where young kids come to study basic subjects and Buddhism. Students of the monastery go to Namobuddha Gumba in Kathmandu during winter. 

The monastery is not as old as other monasteries in this region. It was built over 10 years and the head Lama here is Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. If you prefer, you can also spend the night there where the monks will take care of your food and accommodation.

What to expect from Hinang Gompa?

No matter how big you expect from your trek to Hinang Gompa, the reality will exceed everything. You can rarely get a blend of spiritual serenity and inspiring natural beauty with a mountain so gigantic blessing you from above. These are some of the things you can make yourself ready to expect from this journey:

1. Tranquil atmosphere

City people have almost forgotten what a tranquil and calm atmosphere feels like with no one around to bother you. Yes, the first thing you should expect from Hinang Gompa is a serene ambiance that will fill your mind and heart with soothing peace. 

The only sounds that are going to fill your ears are the monastery bell, birds chirping, and the winds floating through your ears. 

Enjoy the moment because, in a couple of days, you’ll be back to the city life. Then, the only thing you can do that time is reminiscence the quiet and some beautifully lonely time you spent at the gompa. 

2. Spectacular scenery

The first feeling that kicks in when you stand in front of the gompa is the scenery that it is located in. The mixture of lush green and deep brown landscapes around the valley and surrounded by mountains on all sides is nothing less than a painting created by nature. 

Seeing mountains far away can be fun but seeing their grandeur from so close is luck. Right behind the monastery, the great Hiu Chuli stands still. It seems as if the mountain is protecting the gompa from behind. 

3. Cultural immersion

You’ll have a great time interacting with the monks in the gompa and talking to them about the monastery’s rich history and culture. Even more wonderful, you can stay there and witness their daily rituals, pray, and meditate with them.

If that fascinates you, you can also visit the nearby villages and learn about the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture that the locals inherited from their ancestors thousands of years ago. Talking and spending some time with people is a great way of understanding their culture and heritage.

4. Architectural marvel

Hinang gompa is partially newly rebuilt but the old gompa is very near and you can walk for a few minutes to see it as it stands proudly at the foot of the Hiu Chuli. The traditional architecture of the monastery is inspired by the ancient Tibetan Buddhism which existed thousands of years ago. 

As you go closer, you will notice the deep meaning of the intricate carvings on the walls of the monastery and the deep meanings the colourful murals and flags carry. Everything symbolizes architectural perfection. 

5. Photo opportunities

You can not carry the mountains and the gompas back home. So, what you can do is take pictures of the monastery, surrounding landscapes, and the locals so that you’ll have something to reminisce on. Even after months and years, you can look at the photos and tell stories about your travelling experiences to your loved ones. Photographs are immensely powerful. So, take as many photographs as you can and take wonderful memories with you.

6. Simple accommodations

You can only expect natural luxuries from Hinang Gompa and not materialistic ones. Far away from modernity, you can not expect city-like facilities in the middle of the mountains. What you can expect is fresh air and food, clean water and basic but comfortable accommodation facilities to give you a happy stay.

How many monks are there at Hinang Gompa?

Despite its remote location, Hinang Gompa remains vibrant and active throughout the year. It is home to about 30 young monks who live and study there. The monks here are very disciplined and kind. They treat any visitors with respect and if interested, visitors can get a deep dive into the local Buddhist culture.

They often share stories about Buddhism, the monastery’s history, and their daily life at the monastery. They dress up simply like any other monks in a monastery. They wear distinct maroon robes, shaven heads, and simple footwear. 

The spiritual people are taught to live a simple life with no worldly desires. They love minimalism and try detaching themselves from material possessions which helps them focus better on their spiritual journey.

Know about Hinang Glacier 

When you’re done visiting the Hinang monastery, you can spare some time to see the beautiful Hinang glacier which is near the Gompa. This is a wonderful sight of a glacier, but that also makes a tremendous impact on the ecological system of the region. 

It is part of the larger Himalayan glacier system and contributes significantly in terms of water resources for the region.

While Hinang glacier is not that famous globally, Manaslu trekkers often visit this quiet pale white and blue glacier that sits perfectly in a stunning natural setting. And, the views of the surrounding mountains, especially Himal Chuli, and the yellow pine trees are what add an extra touch of beauty. 

Dos and Don’ts while visiting Hinang Glacier 

Manaslu Two Passes Trek (Thorong la Pass & Larkya la Pass)

Facts about Himalchuli Base Camp

Himalchuli base camp is a trek in the Manaslu region of Nepal. All the peaks in this world Himalchuli is considered the 8th highest with a height of 7893 meters (25,896 feet) from sea level. 

The base camp has perfect views all over the Himalayas and serves as a good initial point for potential climbers set on summiting Himalchuli. Here let us uncover some interesting facts about it:

1. Location

Himalchuli Base Camp falls in Gorkha district in Nepal under the Manaslu region. It is untouched and unspoiled. This is a place where you can find a more pristine version of things than the very congested Annapurna and Everest regions.

2. Trekking Route:

The trek to Himalchuli Base Camp begins at Soti Khola village. It uncovers a very lovely scenery of natural forests, terraced fields, river valleys, and glimpses of high mount passes, a trip visiting the high altitudes revealing some mountainous places across it includes entering some villages, like Machha Khola, Jagat, Deng, and Namrung.

4. Accommodation

Along the trekking routes, you will find several teahouses and lodges that can provide basic shelter and food for trekkers. These teahouses provide simple and comfortable rooms along with common bathrooms and dining areas. A sleeping bag is recommended as teahouses do not very provide blankets during colder months.

5. Climate and Ideal Time to Visit

The Manaslu area has four different seasons. For example, in the spring months of March to May, the weather is mild; the rhododendron flowers bloom; and the mountains can be seen most clearly. 

The other preferred time to visit the place is autumn (from September to November) when the weather is fairly stable, the skies have cleared, and visibility is fabulous. 

Winter (December to February) means very cold temperatures, especially at high altitudes, and perhaps snow. Monsoon brings very heavy rainfall from June to August and makes all trails slippery and very unfriendly for trekking.

6. Difficulty of Trekking

Moderate difficulty can be ascribed to the trekking route towards the Himalchuli Base Camp. The trail concerns both rises and descends, and among the most difficult high-altitude passes will have to be covered. 

For such high altitude terrain encountered during this trek, a very good level of physical fitness is required, besides fine previous trekking experience. To help your body with the increasing altitude, acclimatization days are there at the itinerary. 

Conclusion

The Hinang Gompa, on the foot of Mt. Himchuli, offers natural, cultural, and religious gifts to the visitors. The serene environment lets visitors enjoy the ancient Buddhist culture, which has survived centuries. It will be one of those opportunities to learn from the monks and locals about Buddhism through their teachings. It is hard to find so many interesting things in one place. Also, you can contact Manaslu Guide for further information regarding the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

FAQs

1. What are the highlights of the Himalchuli Base Camp?

Ans: The trek to Himalchuli Base Camp is not lacking in some very fine highlights. Get rich panoramic views from here of majestic peaks like Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal, Ngadi Chuli, and other surrounding mountains. Rich in biological diversity, the region will reveal, on the diversity of flora and fauna, various possible species. 

Trekking in such a region also offers an opportunity to visit the typical traditional Nepalese villages, mingle with local communities, visit Buddhist monasteries, and observe their unique culture and lifestyles, all of which exist in this remote Himalayan region.

2. Can we see Hiu Chuli from Hinang Gompa?

Ans: You’ll get the closest view of Hiu Chuli since Hinang Gompa is located at the foot of the glorious mountain.