Manaslu Trek Nepal: Including the Essential Stop: Samagaun Village

10 Mar 2024 Chandra Gurung

Samagaun is a small village located at an altitude of 3,530 meters (11,581 ft) in the Gandaki province of Nepal. The Tibetan ethnic people reside as Nubrian inhabitants in Samagaun Manaslu Nepal.

Samagaun is an essential acclimatization stop before you conquer the towering peak in the Manaslu region. Following Samagaon, you reach another essential stop, Samdo Village, at an altitude of  3690 meters above sea level. 

The Buddhist community resides in Samagaun village,  within the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Starting with Soti Khola, Samagaun and Samdo villages come as the last stop for trekkers before Birendra Lake and Manaslu Base Camp in northern-central Nepal. 

Why Nubri Valley villages? 

The ancient Gorkha villages like Bihi, Pork, Samagaun, Samdo, and Lho are worth visiting. Also, it is the place of Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, the Nepalese mountaineer and rescue climber. He has set the historical record for the youngest person to climb all 14 eight-thousandths in 2019. 

Samagaun is home to the Nubri people, with a Tibetan ethnic background, whose traditional way of life attracts visitors from around the world. Nubri Valley villages offer stunning mountain scenery. A clear sky early in the morning when the sun just touches the ground, and the sky chasing Himalayan peaks that glitter more. 

Home to several Manaslu glaciers, lakes in the lap of the Himalayas, and the ever-flowing Budhi Gandaki river, from the snow melt of the mountains, it’s just that. The Nubri Valley trekking., Larke La Pass crossing, and reaching the Manang Valley—everyone has a purpose when one goes to the Manaslu Samagaun Nepal.

Nubri Valley villages range in elevation from 2,130 meters at Bihi village to 4,460 meters at Samdo village. There are four main villages in Nubri, Samagaun, Samdo, Lho, and Bihi. Also, the eight-lesser-known villages in this Nubri valley are Shyala, Ghapsya, Prok, Dang, Shrip, Kermo Kharka, Sama, and Kemanlung. These are remotely located villages in the upper Gorkha. 

Tourism and Hospitality in Manaslu Samagaun Nepal

Samagaun village is rich in hospitality and one of the finest and longest villages of the Nubri Valley, just beneath the range of Manaslu and surrounding Himalayan giants. From the entry of Mani walls to the Tibetan Burmese civilization and the glittering beauty of Manaslu, which often opens up once the cloud passes by, all that makes your day worth tripping. 

1990 marks the year when tourism and trekking started in Manaslu, Samagaun. Humble locals, representatives of Kaduri Sanstha (one responsible for infrastructure development, transmission line expansion, and electricity distribution in the Manaslu region), and the teahouse and lodge operators all welcome you with a gentle smile. 

Before you enter Samagaun, the mani walls, with narrow alleyways towards the entrance, prepared for the welcoming respite along with the glimpse of ancient culture and archaeological glance, are something beyond comments. 

Find Samagaun village, located in the serene sanctuary of Manaslu and the surrounding Gorkha massifs. The glittering views of Manaslu can be observed on your west side (to the left) when you ascend towards the base camp, chasing the on-and-off views of snow-covered Manaslu. 

Where is Manaslu Samagaun Nepal? 

Samagaun is a quaint village when approaching Mount Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Your journey through Samagaon begins with passing by Mani walls, structures laden with intricately carved stones inscribed with mantras. These walls hold deep religious significance for the local people and add a touch of spiritual serenity to the landscape.

Northern Central Nepal is home to Tibetan people now living in the Nubri Valley. More than 2000 native immigrants have been residing there, promoting teahouses and sustainable tourism in the upper Gorkha District of Nepal.

Lela Kharka and Khermo Kharka are some of the villages you encounter on your way to Samagaun village. You get to cross many wooden bridges along the Budhigandaki River on your trekking route. The traditional stone houses, mani walls, and prayer flags swirl a new spirit in the hearts of the villagers. 

Popular Activities in Manaslu Samagaun Nepal

Enjoy the ambiance of the glistening lake of Birendra (3500–3600 m)  at the root of Manaslu.  The occasional clouding of the Manaslu, lush green valleys, traditional villages, and friendly people are the beauty of the Nubri Valley civilization. Expect Bhimthang on the back of Manaslu Samagaun Nepal. 

The hike from Samagaun takes it to the School of Samagaun; a few steps of hiking lead you to Pungyen Monastery. Witness a unique glimpse of the Manaslu region, where Manga Tilse can be your next destination. 

• Visit Pungyen Monastery, a significant religious site located beneath the shoulder of Mt. Manaslu.
• Hike to Birendra Lake, a small freshwater lake located on the Manaslu glacier near Samagaun village at an altitude of around 3,691 m.
• Trek to Manaslu Base Camp, an ultimate adventure for experienced trekkers.
• Prepare to trek Larke La Pass after exploring the surrounding villages, Samdo and Shyala.
• Serang Himal, Manaslu Himal, Ngadi Chuli Peak, and others in the Gorkha massif. 
• If you cross Larke La Pass from Samagaun, you can explore the Manang Valley. 
• One searching for Yarsha gumba set up camp in the high-altitude regions of Samagaun. Samdo, and beyond that. 
• Crossing a wooden suspension bridge, following the Budhi Gandaki River, and encountering diverse flora and fauna. 
• Access 3 entry points on the Tibetan border and learn about the cross-cultural exchange in Manaslu Samagaun Nepal.

Do you know? You also get to see Marmot (jungle Musa), up to 5 kg and more weight, even at Samdo, Dharamshala region route in Manaslu. They have a secret hideaway on the route and have been there since the trekking started in Manaslu, even before that. 

How do I reach Manaslu, Samagaun, Nepal? 

Samagaun Village is not the official starting point of the Manaslu trekking region. The first village on the Manaslu Trek map route is Soti Khola, at an elevation of 700 meters (2,300 ft) on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. It takes you around 7 days, including the scenic drive from Kathmandu to MachhaKhola, which takes around 6 hours of driving. 

Private transfer options are provided on both Soti Khola and Macchakhola. The trekking distance from Soti Khola to Macchakhola is around 14 km. It’s up to you, to decide whether to drive approximately 126 km to reach Soti Khola or make Machhakhola your starting point of the Manaslu Circuit trekking. 

The first village of the Nubri valley from Kathmandu is Bihi; then come Prok, Kho, and Sama villages as you trek in the northern part of Gorkha. It still has the reminiscences of ancient Gorkha history. 

Budhi Gandaki is between the Himalayan peaks of Manaslu and Serang Himal. On its bank is the Nubri Valley, an ethnically Tibetan valley in Nepal’s Gorkha District. It runs parallel to the Tibetan border in the deep valley of the Budhi Gandaki River between the Himalayan peaks of Manaslu and Serang Himal. 

How do I get to Larke La Pass from Samagaun village? 

The exiled community of Tibetan refugees dwells in the Nubri Valley, also in the longest village of Manaslu Samagaun Nepal. Starting from Samagaun, you proceed to have a side trip to Birendra Lake, walking for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your pace. The route is well-built, as it also leads to a monastery. From there, you take uphill to visit the major attractions of the Samagaun villages. 

It takes you around 5 to 6 hours to reach Larke Bazaar from Samagaun. As you take stone-paved stairs, you get one step closer to crossing the longest trekking pass, Larke La Pass, whose opposite leads you to Manang village. 

The glacial saddle, Larke La Pass ( 5,106 m), located north of Mount Manaslu, is worth the adventure. The Samagaun is just the beginning, while your next purpose is to conquer the Manaslu Himal, also known as Death Mountain (Killer Mountain) of Nepal. 

Accommodation and Food in Manaslu Region 

For your Manaslu circuit trek or Manaslu base camp trek, make sure you pre-book in advance for the teahouses and hotels at Samagaun and surrounding villages. Hotels at Dharmasala, however, at 5100 m, operate during the season only and are open at special request if trekkers arrive with prior information. 

You are covered for basic amenities, dairy products from yak, meat, and some vegetables. Even paddy does not grow in the villages, so everything is imported from the low-altitude villages. Nubri people raise horses to carry loads and passengers. These Tibetan horses, their sheds, and above there are the teahouses, all together, with nice grazing fields. It appeals to the traditional way of life of the Nubri people. Moreover, the famous foods of the Manaslu region are: 

• Thenthuk 
• Thukpa 
• Momo 
• Dal Bhat 
• Chauri ko Chhurpi 
• Dry apples and wine 

Internet connectivity and networks in Samagaun Manaslu 

Several hotels in Manaslu villages, like Sama, Lho, and other alleyways, are open year-round and have around 40 occupancies. On your way to Samdo, you find Helipad for emergency rescue. The services are expanding, and you have 4G network connections; sometimes 5G becomes accessible at high altitudes thanks to Nepal Telecom. 

STD/ISTD services are well-delivered. Cable lines and transmission lines are expanding; the trekking avenue is more connected. When snow is deposited in the black glacier area, it is a tricky and slippery path, so cautiously trek in such a region. 

Conclusion

Samagaun, at an altitude of 3,530 meters (11,582 feet), the popular stopover for acclimatization in Manaslu trekking, has its wonders. The haven of civilization of the Nubri people leads you to an unforgettable adventure, immersing you in the unfiltered beauty of Manaslu. 

Discover the rich hospitality of Tibetan-Burman people, ancient monasteries, and the historic tale of Gurkhas. The Manaslu Samagaun Nepal Trek leads you to witness traditional architecture that connects you with the remote setting.

The Manaslu guide beckons you to worthwhile trekking in Manaslu, with sound knowledge of the Manaslu conservation area. In addition, we had you covered on the Manaslu trek map route and exceptional navigation services. Join us for a fruitful Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure.