INTRODUTION
The lower Gyalsomdo valley is situated between Tal and Bagarchhap. This are falls within the famous Round Annapurna Trek and part of the Manaslu Eco Circuit Trek. Located on the main trail of this valley within this valley there are three important tourist destination sites on the main trekking area, namely Dharapani, Thoanche and Bagarchhap.
Dharapani is situated at an altitude of 1900 m. with the Marshyandi River flowing beside the villages. The area has a settlement of 32 houses in both lower and upper Dharapani, situated within a deep gorge, surrounded by high steep cliffs. The inhabitants of these villages are primarily Gurung, Lama, Ghale, Bista, Punel, Thakuri with a minority of other casts and some immigrants from neighboring places. Due to limited productive land most of the locals are indulged in other livelihood opportunities like tourism enterprise, government services and foreign jobs.

ACCESS
•  Dharapani is reached within 3 to 4 days of walking from Besishahar while it takes 5 to 6 days from Jomsom.
•  Dharapani can also be reached within 2 days of walking from Humde airstrip while flying from Pokhara or Kathmandu . There are regular air services from Pokhara and Kahtmandu through out the year expect during monsoon and winter season.

ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER SERVICES
There are around 56 hotels and restaurants in and around the Lower Gyalsomdo Valley . These include 17 in Tal, 6 in Khotro, 16 in Dharapani, 3 in Bagarchhap, 11 in Danaque, 2 in Thoanche and 1 in Tilche. Some hotels and lodges have solar heated hot showers. Other services include:
Electricity: Supplied in every villages along the main trekking trail from 5-9 a.m. & 5-9 p.m.
Health postes: 3 Healthpostes in Tal, Thonanche and Bagarchhap each.
Postal service: Available in Tal, Thoanche and Bagarchhap.
Safe Drinking Water Station: Community owned safe drinking water (ozone treated water) stations run in Tal and Bagarchap.
Guides/posters/ponies: Available in Tal, Thonche, Bagchhap and Dharapani. Tourist/Police/Check posts: Available in Tal and Dharapani.
STD and ISTD: Available in Dharapani, Thoanche and Bagarchhap.

BUDGET AND EXPENSES
Lodging and food: Approximately Nrs. 400-800/person/day
Guide/porters: Approximately Nrs. 500-700/day
Pony: Approximately Nrs. 600-1000/day

PLACES ALONG THE MAIN TREKING TRAILS
Tal
Literally the meaning of Tal is lake which according to local saying was formed before 200 years when a landslide from Akhekutung Ridge blocked-up the river and made this big lake. Situated st an altitude of 1600 m, Tal village is located in the a\entry point of Manang district. Stretched on the banks of Marshyangdi River , the village of Tal welcomes and mesmerizes visitors of different interests and fitness. There are all together 46 households. A beautiful birds eye view of the village of Tal can be seen from a hill top, 30 minutes of walk from the village.
Thoanche
Situated at the confluence of Marshyandi and Dudh Knola, Thoanche has a historical importance from time immemorial. It is situated at an altitude of 2000 m. Thoanche is the exit point while crossing Larke pass when coming from Manaslu Conservation Area. Until recently Thoanche was a main salt trade center of Tibet . The village is a perfect place to have witnessed Gorals (wildlife) which are normally sighted during their mating period.
Tilche
Situated on the bank of the Dudh Khola, Tilche is the main point for those who visit Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) and half-hour away from Dharapani. There are few hotels and restaurants, the village surroundings offer views of most beautiful faunal species like Black Bear, Langur, Ghoral, Thar and Dhanphe.
Bhimthang
Bhimthang falls en-route to Larke pass. It is situated at an altitude of 3800 m. It was a juction point for Nepal-Tibet salt trade few years back Dharapani through the colorful rhododendron forests along during tourist season. Bhimthang forms superb place to view majestic Manaslu, Himlung Himal and Ponker Himal. This place is also a famous habitat for common leopard, snow leopard, impeyan pheasant, red panda, musk deer and barking deer.
Danaque
Danaque is a new settlement of the people who have migrated from Bagarchhap after the destructive landslide of 1995 in Bagarchhap after the destruction landslide of 1995 in Bagarchhap. It is only 20 minutes of walk from Bagarchhap of walk from Bagarchhap. There are all together 25 houses at present.

SURROUNDING OUTSKIRTS (Village Tours)
Nache Village
Nache can be reached after walking up for almost 2 hour from Tal. It is situated at an altitude of 2500 m. There are all together 37 households in the village. The village forms a perfect setting for viewing beautiful Manaslu Himal. There are no modern hotels as those that are found along the main trekking route, however the hospitable people of Nache always make on feel at home.
Odar village
Odar literally means cave. It is situated at an altitude of 2450 m. and is about 45 minutes of walk from Dharapani. The village got its name from the several caves present in the areas. This is a nice spot for viewing Manaslu and its surrounding and to experience the village in the real life situation. A small hillock, situated 10 minutes away from Bagarchap provides an excellent view point to see Tache, Bagarchhap, Nache village, Mnaslu and Lamjung Himal.
Tache village
Tache village is located at an altitude of 2400 m. just opposite of Bagarchhap, across the Marshyangdi River . The village is 1 hour walk from Bagarchap and is isolated from the main trekking route. One can get the typical homestay facility here and experience true Nepali lifestyle in a most tranquil environment.

Lakes
Dona
Dona lake also known as Manaslu lake at an altitude of 4700 m. Apart from Tilicho, Dona lake is one of the highest Lake in Manang. Due to its Beauty the lake is gaining popularity amongst visitors day by day. It takes 2 days to reach Dona Lake . The journey to this passes through the dense forest of blue pine and very colorful Rhodondron.
Besides Dona there are similar other beautiful lakes like Ngyamcho, Ponker and Himlung. Ngyamcho is a seasonal pond and despite being situated near the forests, no signs of leaves can be seen surrounding, it as the birds are seen picking up the foating leaves form it. These lakes provide excellent habitat for much of the wildlife like deer, musk deer, bear, different pheasants, red panda and grazing herds.
Note: The trail passing to these lakes goes through wilderness area and has no tourist facility. Vistors are suggested to hire experienced local guide and be self supportive. July/ August and April/May are the appropriate months to visit Dina Lake .

WATER FALL
Kaukhola
Kaukhola waterfall is of the major attraction for trekkers in Tal. Kau means an edible frog found in the river, and that's where it gets popular name from. The waterfall and the surrounding area sets the perfect ambience for those who is fond photography.

CAVE
Pakyane
The Pakyane cave is an interesting tourist attraction site. The cave is reached walking 30 minutes west from Tilche village. The cave has religious significance as it has seven self originated virgin goddesses. Local has deep faith in these shrines and as a protector of the village. Major religious and culture events are observed during Dashain and full moon day of Baisakh.

Religious Sites
Gompa
Gompa are the symbols of the religious faith, identify and the way of living of the people of Lower Gyalsomdo Valley, They are the way of living of the places and are the center of attractions during various religious festivals and cultural activities. The villagers gather up and pay homage to the Gompas to perform ceremonies. The gompas like Tamrang Gompa and Tamu Jhama Chhoyeli Gompa hold such significance in the lives of the people of this valley. Tamrang Gompa is 1 hour walk from Thoanche and is situated at an altitude of 2400 m. Statues of Bhuddha and of various other deities are positioned here. Besides these, the gompa also contains religious scriptures, several other holy books and beautiful wall paintings. Trekkers and specially local people go there for worshiping and to get their future told.
Tmu JKhama Chhoyeli Gompa at present is under construction.

FESTIVALS
Festivals is Lower Gyalsomdo Valley holds religious, cultural and ethnic significance. The people of this valley celebrate various festivals like Loshar, Metha, Mriga Naach and Dashain to name but few. Lhosar is a new year celebration for people belonging to Lama, Bista, Punel and Gurung cast during which people eat delicious food, drink deverages and take blessings from their elders. Exchanging gratification with eachother, merry making, wearing new and beautiful dresses and ornaments, makes this festival very grand and worth observing. It also creates an opportunity to built friendship amongst the villagers.
Metha or archery contest falls on April/May for 5-6 days. On this occasion entir villagers appear in their traditional attire holding a pair of bow and arrows. The contest involves hitting a target point. An extra excitement is added to the contest by plating nonstop traditional drum celled Tandu with complimenting songs and dances around the wooden beams ‘Thah'. All the unmarried youths need to compulsory attend the ceremony. The youth girls watching the contests from the rooftop throw the juniper twigs to the crowd. The contestants catch and hang these twigs on their ear and hat. This festival is celebrated to wipe out the evil sprits and demons, to protect the valley from difficulty and to seek for prosperity, good health and happiness in the coming years.
Mriga Nach
Mirga Nach literally means dancing of the barking deer celebrated to please Toan Devi the goddess of prosperity and protector of bad omen. A very tragic yet interesting story is linked behind the celebration of this festival. Historically, Ngawal village of Manang used to be ruled the Ghale king who after being defeated during the unification of Nepal fled to Gorkha along with his Queen (Toan Devi) and his daughter (Kumal shyo). While on his way, his way, his daughter died being sick. Unable to bear the tragic incident the royal couple decided to return back Ngawal. On their way back nearby Shyarku just below Thanchok they met the villagers from Tache. Seeing the distressed King and Queen, the village. Toan Devi first refused. Later the villagers persuaded her and said they would offer her anything she desires in return of this. At the mean time they saw two deer dancing at Kroyecho ride close to Tache Village . Toan Devi agreed to come and stay at the village on condition that they offer her a deer annually. Since then the tradition of offering Mriga and the celebration of Mriga Nach was observed.

Mriga Nach falls on the third or fourth week of April (according to Tibetan Calendra). Villagers must catch a deer by chasing and trapping it in a net. They should catch the der alive. The Ghyapree (Prophet) then recite mantras and dance carrying the deer on his shoulder and later the god is offered the deer's heart. It is believed that Toan Devi was a fun loving person and thus the villagers does funny dancing and singing to make her happy, with the belief that will please her and bless the villages with happiness, peace and prosperity forever.
Note: The fort that once reigned by Ghale King can still be seen in Ngawal.