Manaslu Trek with Serang Gompa - 18 days

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will greet you and take you to your hotel. You can check in and take a rest. No activity has been planned for today so as to give you enough time to rest and recover from the jet lag.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

You can check your packing list for your trek with your guide and purchase or hire any gear or item that you have not brought with you. Thamel has many shops selling and renting out trekking gear. You can take your guide’s help in getting the best bargains. You may also stock up on your snacks, as there will be very few shops on the trail.  

Since the Manaslu region comes under the protected zone, trekkers need a special permit to enter the region. Your trekking permits will be issued today. Complete your packing before retiring for the night, as you will be leaving early tomorrow.  

Overnight in Kathmandu. 

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will board a jeep and drive towards the trailhead. The ride takes you past a scenic countryside filled with small hamlets, green hills, and amazing views of the Himalayan range. After leaving Kathmandu Valley, the road zigzags down a steep hillside road and goes past the Tamang area of Dhading. After a long descent, the vehicle enters the Gorkha district, once the royal seat of the Shah dynasty. The Shah rulers reigned over Nepal for more than two hundred years and were the last monarchs to rule the country before monarchy was abolished. The vehicle will stop briefly at Arughat, a lively town sitting at the confluence of two rivers—Budhi Gandaki and Stol. 

You will continue your ride and head towards Machha Khola, your destination for the day. There are several river crossings and mesmerizing views of waterfalls en route. After a long and rough jeep ride, you will finally reach your destination. 

Machha Khola is a small riverside settlement situated on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. Head to a lodge and enjoy the view of the river and the surrounding hills.  

Overnight in Machha Khola. 

After a restful overnight stay, you will leave Machha Khola and head towards Jagat, a picturesque village located at the entrance of the Manaslu Conservation Area. The trail follows the newly constructed dirt jeep track located above the Budhi Gandaki River. En route you will cross the picturesque villages of Khorlabesi, Tatopani, Doban, and Yaruphant. You will be walking along a trail that is mostly flat and even with some gentle ascents and descents. Enjoy the rural scenery of terraced fields and riverside settlements as you make your way to Jagat. 

You will leave the dusty road and walk on the old hiking trail, which goes past a forest. There will be river crossings via suspension bridges and splendid views of waterfalls en route. Along the way you will stop for brief rests and refreshments at traditional Gurung villages, including Tatopani, which has a hot spring pool right on the side of the road. If you feel like having a refreshing dip, you can do so. 

Before reaching Jagat, you will have to cross some landslide-prone sections, which can be slippery during bad weather. After a long trek you will finally reach Jagat. This large settlement lies above the Budhi Gandaki River, shaded by towering rocky hills. Jagat is a popular rest stop on the Manaslu Circuit trail for trekkers, and one will always come across groups of trekkers at this charming settlement. Stay overnight at a teahouse run by a local family.  

Overnight in Jagat. 

Leaving Jagat, you will start walking towards your next destination after breakfast. Your destination for today is Deng.  Salleri, Sirdibas, Philim, Chisopani, Eklo Bhatti, and Nyak are the villages you will walk through while heading to your destination. 

After leaving Jagat, you will come across three gorgeous waterfalls flowing down into a basin. Take pictures and enjoy this marvelous sight before crossing the river via a suspension bridge. You will walk on the rough jeep track and cross another long suspension bridge that connects to the old hiking trail. The trail follows a deep canyon with the thundering Budhi Gandaki flowing below. Take a brief rest at the Gurung village of Philim, a large settlement dotted with pretty stone houses and modern buildings. The village has a police checkpoint where your permits will be checked. You can also visit the head office of the Manaslu Conservation Area Project to learn more about the unique flora and fauna found inside the conservation area. 

You will stop for lunch at Chisapani, a village famous for its natural springs. After leaving Chisapani, you will walk on the side of a deep gorge and reach an intersection where the path divides. One path leads to Chekkampar in Tsum Valley, while the other follows the Manaslu trek route. You will take the lower one and cross a suspension bridge built high above the river. After crossing the bridge, you will reach the village of Nyak Phedi. Prayer flags and a traditional gate called ‘kani’ greet you as you walk past this charming village. A short hike later past a pine forest brings you to the village of Deng. 

Deng, or Dyang, is a small Buddhist settlement sitting between steep and green hills. You will stay overnight at a teahouse.  

Overnight in Deng. 

Leaving Deng, you will make your way past a forested path and head towards Kwak village. The path goes upwards to Rana Gaun and later follows an even trail till you reach a fork on the path. The upper path with the huge water pipe leads to Bihi village, while the lower trail leads to Bihi Phedi. You will take the upward path and make a gentle ascent to a high suspension bridge built over a deep canyon. En route you cross beautiful waterfalls and rhododendron trees, which lie bedecked with rhododendron blooms during spring.

The village of Kwak lies on a gently sloping plateau surrounded by tall rocky hills. The entrance of the village is dotted with neat rows of terraced fields where villagers plant grains and vegetables. Many trekkers choose to bypass this village while taking the Manaslu circuit trail, so this village remains free from the touristic crowds. Here one can enjoy authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture and a rural vibe untouched by modernity. The villagers live in traditional stone houses, with stacks of firewood placed neatly outside their homes. On reaching the village, you will head to a beautiful homestay where you will stay with a local family.  

Overnight in Kwak Village. 

After a delightful stay at the local homestay, you will bid goodbye to the local host family, and head towards Serang Gompa. The walk today is filled with inspiring views of Shringi Himal and Ganesh Himal. After walking past farmland, you will make a steep ascent past a verdant forest. Later you will come across a suspension bridge with a view of a majestic waterfall. After crossing the bridge, you will again head uphill via a steep concrete staircase. The path lies above a deep canyon, and you can hear the river roaring below. After walking for about two hours, you will come across another high suspension bridge, built across the Shringi Khola, that flows directly from the glacier lying below Shringi Himal. This bridge, which stands at a height of 110 meters, is one of the highest suspensions bridges you will cross during your Manaslu Trek with Serang Gompa adventure. 

After crossing the bridge, you will walk past an alpine forest filled with pine and juniper trees. The trail leads you gently uphill. After hiking for about an hour and a half, you will come across the final suspension bridge of the day. As you approach the gompa, the trail becomes more picturesque with rhododendron trees lining the trail. Mani stones, chortens, and prayer flags adorn the path. After a gentle uphill hike, you will finally reach Serang Gompa. 

Referred to as a ‘beyul’ or hidden paradise blessed by Padmasambhava, Serang Gompa is a sacred place for practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. It is believed that the Tibetan saint Milarepa meditated at a cave close to this place. 

On reaching Serang, you will be greeted with a sight of little monks and school children playing joyfully, while horses and ponies graze peacefully on the wide grassy field. The ancient Serang monastery and the school building dominate the landscape of the settlemen, while the white spire of Shringi Himal looms above like a protective guardian. 

You will stay overnight at a teahouse or the guesthouse at the monastery.  

Overnight in Serang Gompa. 

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a glorious spectacle of the sun rising over the snow-covered Shingri Himal and Ganesh Himal ranges. Serang sits nestled amidst these Himalayan giants, surrounded by rhododendron forests, which turn a lovely shade of pink in peak spring. Herds of Himalayan tahr can be seen roaming freely around the settlement, while colorful birds rest on branches of trees. 

You will spend this day visiting the monastery and interacting with monks and the students at the Serang Monastery School. This is one of the biggest schools in the Nubri Valley and Kyimolung Valley and provides education to children of villagers living in these valleys. 

The original building of the Serang Gompa is a white three-story building built in the Tibetan style. It is more than five centuries old and is regarded as one of the ancient monasteries in the Manaslu Region. The monastery includes newer buildings built in the Tibetan traditional style. It is an active monastery and currently houses about 100 monks and nuns who receive education on Tibetan Buddhist studies.  

Overnight in Serang Gompa.

After a hearty breakfast, you will bid goodbye to the monks of Serang Gompa and make your way towards Ghap. You will walk close to Shringi Himal amidst a pristine forest covered with moss and lichen. You will make river crossings and climb steep hills. You also get to enjoy close-up views of Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. The trail is carved on the steep side of a mountain adorned with mani stones and chortens. The walk is filled with splendid views of narrow valleys and tiny Buddhist settlements tucked beneath the frozen snow-capped mountains. 

After an arduous hike filled with steep ascents and descents, you will finally reach your destination, Ghap. Ghap is one of the largest villages on the Manaslu Circuit. Dotted with teahouses and traditional cottages, the village lies on a flat valley with acres of fertile barley fields surrounding the village.  

Overnight in Ghap. 

Leaving Ghap, you will make your way towards Sho, another picturesque village on this route. The trail leads you past a waterfall and a river with a steel bridge built across it. Walk past a dense forest where you can spy gray langurs and other animals. Soon you will reach the settlement of Lunga Chuda, set amidst tall fir trees. From here it takes about two hours to reach Namrung, a quaint Tibetan village dotted with wooden cottages. Here you can stop for lunch. Namrung has a small bakery that sells some delectable muffins, cinnamon rolls, and apple pies. 

After a hearty meal and a good rest, you will leave Namrung and cross a small wooden bridge. Walk past the villages of Bhanjam and Lhi. Lhi is another large settlement on this route with wide agricultural fields, traditional stone houses, stone chortens, and an ancient monastery sitting above the settlement. From Lhi it takes an hour to walk to Shyo, your overnight stop. The path from Lhi to Shyo is mostly even and flat. After a river crossing you will make a gentle ascent and reach the white traditional gate of Shyo. Head to a teahouse and take a much-deserved rest.

Overnight in Shyo. 

After breakfast, you will leave Shyo and walk past mesmerizing views of terraced fields and pine forests. You will exit the village via a kani gate decorated with beautiful paintings of Lord Buddha. A long mani wall where Buddhist mantras are inscribed on stone slates leads you out of the village. After walking for an hour you will reach Lho, another beautiful village with pine wood cottages and modern concrete buildings. 

One can enjoy 360-degree views of the Himalayan mountains (Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli, Shringi Himal, etc.) while leaving Lho. Walk past a forest and cross a suspension bridge. The pine forests look amazing during the fall season when the leaves turn yellow, rust, brown, and golden. The next village on the route is Shyala, a large settlement that feels more like a town. The village, surrounded by the snowy spires of Ngadi Chuli, Manaslu Himal, Himalchuli, and Ganesh Himal, sits on a flat valley and has many lodges, shops, and teahouses opened for tourists. There’s also a school and a monastery. 

You stop for lunch at Shyala and later continue your journey to Sama Gaun. The route takes you past a picturesque trail filled with breathtaking views of Mount Manaslu and other snow-covered mountains and dense pine forests. As you approach Sama Gaun, you will spy horses and yaks grazing on the wide alpine pastures. The village of Sama Gaun lies beneath Mount Manaslu, a sacred mountain for the inhabitants living in the Nubri and Kyimolung Valleys. Pretty stone houses with bright blue and red tin roofs dot the wide village, while small streams flow past the narrow streets. Once you enter the village, you will follow your guide and head to a teahouse, where a room has been booked for you.  

Overnight in Sama Gaun. 

Today will be spent acclimatizing and hiking in Sama Gaun. The goal today is to hike to Pungyen Gompa, an ancient Buddhist monastery. The path to the monastery lies between Shyala and Sama Gaun, so you will retrace your steps and head towards Shyala. After walking for about thirty minutes, you will arrive at the trailhead leading to the monastery. The trail goes uphill. The path is steep and tiring, so make sure to climb slowly, taking rests in between. 

After an arduous climb of about two hours, you will finally reach a wide grassy meadow surrounded by the snow-covered spires of Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, and Simnang Himal. At the end of the meadow lies the Pungyen Gompa, surrounded by small huts that serve as meditation retreats for monks. Right above the monastery, the south face of Mount Manaslu rises majestically.  The gompa is more than four hundred years old and is said to have been built by the first settlers from Tibet. Locals believe the deity of the monastery (Pungyen)resides on Mount Manaslu and protects the villages and settlements that lie beneath the mountain.

Savor the 360-degree view of the mountains before heading back to Sama Gaun. The descent takes a little more than an hour. After reaching the village, you can explore the village or spend time relaxing at the teahouse. The inhabitants of Sama Gaun migrated from Tibet centuries ago and settled in this region. The locals still follow Tibetan Bon and Buddhist traditions and customs.  

Overnight in Sama Gaun. 

After spending an extra day at Sama Gaun, it’s time to bid goodbye to the village and continue your journey. Your next stop is Samdo, another Tibetan-style village. But first you will visit another major attraction of this area, a mountain lake known as Birendra Taal.

Walk out of Sama Gaun and take the path with a decorative gateway.  After a gentle ascent, you will come across an ancient monastery.  If you feel like it you can explore the monastery before continuing on your way. Set amidst a beautiful forest of pine and juniper, the path to the lake is well-maintained and in good condition. The mountains look splendid from the trail A tiring ascent later you will reach the lake.  Looking like a turquoise jewel, the tranquil Birendra Taal lies right below the glacier of Mount Manaslu. Enjoy the beautiful view and take pictures before continuing your journey towards Samdo. 

The trail takes you past open pastures and a stone staircase. After making a steep descent, you will join the main trail to Samdo. Walk alongside a river and a grazing pasture. Cross a river and take a steep ascent till you reach the village of Samdo.  

Overnight in Samdo. 

Leaving Samdo, you will walk towards Dharamsala. You are high above the tree line, and the dense growth of trees and greenery is totally absent. Except for some stubby grasses, the landscape is totally barren. 

The trail winds above patches of fields. After hiking for about 40 minutes, you will reach Larkya Bazaar. Once a busy market, the bazaar now stands deserted as trade has dried up after the Tibet border was closed. However, some villagers still put up shop by the side of the trail to sell locally crafted jewelry and handicraft items. Right above the bazaar is a foot trail that leads to Tibet. Traders used this path to transport goods to and from Tibet. 

Mount Manaslu, Naike Peak, and Ngadi Chuli rear close to the trail, while the Syucha Glacier looks dramatic as it flows down from the frozen mountains. Walk slowly and carefully, as the path can get slippery at some sections. There are some landslide-prone sections you should be careful of while navigating the narrow trail. If your pace is fast, you can reach Dharamshala in about two hours. However, since you are at a high altitude, we urge you to walk slowly, taking rests along the way, to avoid getting AMS. 

Dharamshala, also known as Larkya Phedi, lies at the base of the Larkya La pass. It is not a village but a rest stop built for trekkers and climbers walking along this route. There are only a couple of stone and metal huts built to shelter tourists. The owners provide food and basic accommodation. Each room accommodates at least four people, so if there are fewer people in your group, you may have to share a room with other trekkers.  

Overnight in Dharamshala. 

Today is going to be the toughest day of your Manaslu Trek with Serang Gompa. You will start your trek early at around 4 AM. You need to start early if you want to enjoy a clear view of the mountains. As the day progresses, clouds tend to roll in and obstruct the view. It also tends to get windier and colder in the later part of the day. 

For breakfast you will have porridge or muesli and a hot drink. Later put on a headlamp and start your trek. Most groups start really early, while it’s still dark so you will have other trekkers for company. The first section is a gentle climb with a lot of rocks strewn along the trail. At the mid-way point there’s one teahouse where you can rest for a bit. After catching your breath and warming yourself with a hot cup of tea, continue on the snowy path. After climbing for two hours, you will reach a beautiful point with four lakes. Enjoy the view and take pictures. 

After a difficult ascent past rocks and boulders, you will finally reach the top of the Larkya La Pass. Unlike other mountain passes, which tend to be narrow and small, the Larkya La pass is wide and almost flat. Celebrate your success with your guide and teammates. Savor the stunning views of snow-draped Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Annapurna II, and Gyajikung,. Later leave the pass and make a steep descent. 

The path is steep and can be slippery and icy. So. wear your crampons or microspikes while making your descent. The descent to Bimthang is much more difficult than the ascent, as the path is steep. As you enter into the Manang region, you will be greeted with glorious views of glacial lakes and glaciers flowing down from tall mountains. En route you will stop at a teahouse at the bottom of the pass to have lunch. Later take a leisurely hike to Bhimthang via Ponker Lake. By late afternoon, you will reach Bhimthang, which lies in a beautiful valley surrounded by panoramic views of the mountains. You will stay overnight at one of the pretty wooden or stone cottages dotting the valley.  

Overnight in Bhimthang. 

Leaving Bhimthang, you will cross the wide grassy pasture and make a descent to Dharapani via a dense pine and rhododendron forest. On the way you will cross charming villages of Habu and Chauli Kharka with their apple orchards. Following the Dudh Khola, you will walk past the villages of Surki, Gowa, and Tilche. These villages have plenty of teahouses and restaurants where you can stop and have your lunch. Dharapani lies about an hour’s walk from Tilche.

As Dharapani lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, you need to show your ACAP permit at the check post. The settlement sits in a narrow valley close to the Marshyangdi River. Surrounded by verdant forests, waterfalls, and picturesque mountain vistas, Dharapani is an important stop on the Annapurna Circuit trekking route.  

Overnight in Dharapani. 

It’s finally time to bid goodbye to the mountains and head towards Kathmandu. You will board a jeep from Dharapani and ride towards Kathmandu via Besisahar. Enjoy the last views of the mountains, terraced farms, and villages as you ride back to the city. Upon reaching Kathmandu, head to a hotel where a room has been booked for you and take a well-deserved rest.  

Overnight in Kathmandu. 

Bid farewell to your friends and acquaintances that you have made during your Nepal journey and head home or to your next destination. Our driver will drop you off at the international airport at least three hours before your flight departs. If you want to spend more time exploring Nepal, please let us know. Our travel consultant will assist you in planning yet another fantastic Himalayan adventure.