Explore Daraundi in Gorkha and Hike to Scenic Sirdibas on a Short Manaslu Trek

4 Nov 2024 Chandra Gurung

Daraundi on the left and Sirdibas on the right, have you ever been to these places of Gorkha? You encounter Sirdibas as a connecting point between Tsum Valley and Circuit Trek; things bifurcate at the end of this village located in Chhum Nubri Gaunpalika-3. Today we will talk about these lesser-known attractions in Gorkha during the short Manaslu trek. 

Gorkha Sridibas: A junction between Tsum and Circuit Trek 

Sirdibas is one of the 7 VDCs is Tsum Nubri Municipality of Nepal. Every tourist goes unnoticed until it’s time to say goodbye. If you have a bad time saying a good time, that means you lived it well. It’s such a place, with nothing much to engage in but the simplicity of life there and ongoing developmental projects all that hook up your attention.

The most beautiful place is Gorkha Sirdibas, the banks of the river and Manaslu foothills, with music and the passing of oak trees. The road off-road cantilever bridge on the way ahead to Manaslu is more of an exciting wait. 

Where is Sridibas located? 

Sridibas is a VDC widely located in the Gorkha district of Nepal. It’s Sridiwas Bazaar that we come across in the Manaslu trek, the place from where the Tsum Valley trek starts. North Sridibas in Gorkha has sheep fields, and these are amazingly beautiful. 

We can find Sridibas Gompa a few kilometers from the Bazaar, and there is also a Budhha Secondary School in Sirdibas, Chumnubri Rural municipality -3, where the villagers send their kids for knowledge, which is funded with hostel facilities for those in need of scholarships. 

We will start our trek to Sirdibas, following the trail alongside the Shyar Khola, and it takes 6 hours of trek to finally reach the views of Shringi Himal. The valley widens up, and the course leads to Ghatte Khola and the severe Gurung settlement area. 

How far is Sridibas Bazar?

Sirdibas (1,420 m/4,660 ft) is primarily inhabited by the Gurung community and also has a risky landslide area. Sridibas Bazaar acts as a junction where trekkers can choose to head towards either the Tsum Valley or continue on the Manaslu Circuit, making it a strategic point for those exploring this remote area of Nepal.

Sirdibas is typically reached after trekking from Salleri and serves as a waypoint on the journey toward higher altitudes in the Manaslu region. The trek from Salleri to Sirdibas is approximately 2km, which involves crossing a bridge and navigating through lush forests and rocky terrain.

Hike to Sridiwas From Daraundi River Link Road

The hike from Daraundi Khola to Sridiwas typically takes around 4 to 6 hours, during which we gain around 600 meters in elevation, passing through steep ascents and descents of the route. There are the chances of slips and falls, but with the help of a local tourist guide, we navigate the trail safely. 

The Daraudi River (or Daraundi Khola) is a river that flows in most parts of Gorkha. The Marshyangdi left tributary is best known for its scenic views from Daraundi Bridge Gorkha (Chanaute). 

Daraundi Sadak, a quick highway can take you to the foothills of Mt. Manaslu.

Daraundi Bridge Gorkha (Chanaute) 

The Gorkha Bridge is a 195-meter-long (640-foot) cantilever footbridge connecting Sirdibas and Kerauja. It facilitates movement for schoolchildren, mules, and trekkers.

The bridge spans over Daraundi Khola in Gorkha, facilitating transportation throughout Gorkha districts. Those people living in rural areas rely on this route for regular commuting and transportation of goods. 

It has vital connectivity to trekking areas and facilitates economic and tourism activities in Gorkha. Sridibas is where the Manaslu Circuit trek begins, and we can reach there following the Daraundi River from Gorkha.  

There are annual floods reported in this area, but with ongoing maintenance and careful management, significant challenges are addressed. This bridge also provides essential access to different hydropower project sites, with the movement of materials and personnel and facilitating access to energy resources. 

Daraundi Kalika Hydro

The Daraundi Kalika Hydro project, also known as the Daraudi A Hydropower Plant, is a significant run-of-river hydroelectric power facility located on the Daraundi River in the Gorkha District of Nepal. This hydropower has a potential capacity of 6.4 MW.

Manakamana Daraundi Hydropower Company Limited, since its establishment in 2007 AD, has been aiming to meet the energy demands of the place. Its primary intake site is near Muchoktar village, with the powerhouse situated near Chanaute village, at the upper stream of Syagdi Khola. 

On top of that, there is an upcoming 9.84 MW hydropower project on the Daraundi River, which is good news for Gorkha. However, there is concern as the number of fish populations is decreasing and the potential impact on irrigation and local livelihoods is seen. The road improvements for the next 27 km need to be made. 

Daraundi Lifting Drinking Water Project | Gorkha 

Daraundi Lifting Drinking Water Project in Gorkha Municipality is a great project that aims to provide clean drinking water for locals and deal with water scarcity issues in Gorkha trail. Around 4000 households benefited from the project. Also, trekkers on the route get a chance to access clean drinking water. 

Bhusunde Khola: A tributary of the Daraundi River

Bhusunde Khola is located in the Gorkha District of Nepal, specifically within the Manaslu Conservation Area. It is one of the tributaries of Daraundi Khola that mixes into the Trishuli River. 

Nearest and Main Attractions in Gorkha 

The nearest town to the Daraundi River is Gorkha, which is known for its historic palace complex, Gorkha Durbar. On a short distance from Gorkha is the main Hindu temple of Manakamana and also her sister EkkchaKamana; both of them are Hindu goddesses of Wishes. 

Gorkha is very well-known for its museum, which showcases art pieces and pays tribute to Nepal’s military history. This Gorkha Bazaar also serves as a starting point for various trekking routes which can be connected to the Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit regions. 

Jagat to Sirdibas bazaar hike: 2 days Itinerary

Jagat, where the water pours from different sources and over the bridge, we breathe the serene peace From the jungle to the pinewoods (Jagat to Lokpa). We never looked at Jagat as an immediate stop but rushed to see other wonders. That’s where we make a mistake. In the confusion of where to go or headed straight to the destination, 

The hike from Jagat to Sridiwas covers approximately 20 kilometers (about 12.4 miles). The route passes through local villages where trekkers can interact with the Gurung and other ethnic communities. The hike from Jagat to Sridiwas presents a moderate level of challenge for trekkers but also requires careful footing.

How is the route from Lokpa to Sridibas Bazaar?

When you step forward from Lokpa, the trail gets more narrow. There are sections where there are more landslides and rockfalls, which make the route slightly challenging for beginners. The route to Sridibas Bazaar is often riddled with boulders, pebbles, and loose ground, making it easy to skid or trip.

Not only that, there are streams and waterfalls along the trail that may need to be crossed. Some crossings involve stepping on precariously placed rocks, which can be tricky, especially if the water levels are high in the nearby Budhi Gandaki River. 

Khwoibo: Remembrance of Gurung community  

The ancient priests of Gurung are Payju, then Slaebri, and then Lama. The Gurung community people have faith in all three Bon, Hindu, and Buddhist teachings and accordingly practice them. 

The tradition of Gurung people residing here is still the same, with some refinements. They are still attached to Nubri Manaslu Tibetan Sanskriti and have their linguistics and literature. But do you know? They make the statue of the bygone priests and then preserve it in Khwoibo, with the one who plays drum (Dangre), and offer praying there. 

There is more we can learn about the culture of the Gurung community residing in Gorkha from their favorite foods, Gundruk, Dhindo, and Mohi. They also eat and source this Tibetan bread and Tibetan tea pack (which is highly beneficial for altitude levels with less oxygen). 

Conclusion 

There are places in Gorkha, Manaslu foot trails, and Conservation Area that are definitely worth exploring. If you have spare time, take a moment to spend quality time in Sirdibas and other top attractions in Gorkha. Contact Manaslu Guide; we plan your adventure your way. We also have bookings open for regular Circuit Trek packages.