Manaslu Trek with Lho Village: Unforgettable Adventure on a Less-Traveled Path
17 Apr 2024 Chandra Gurung
Manaslu Lho village is a warm and beautiful village, just before you reach the amazing stop in Samagaun, Nepal. Located in the Nubri valley of the Gandaki province of Nepal on the north-west side, Lho is a remote village situated in the Manaslu trekking trail, with the native Sherpa, who typically celebrates the Dumje festival with great fun and joy.
If you want to know more about the untamed beauty of Manaslu Circuit, stay tuned to the blogs as we explore more of the cultural highlights and trekking facts of Manaslu Lho village.
Travel Facts of Lho village
Lho village is a small and unique Manaslu village preserved in the mountainous terrain in the Gorkha district of Nepal. It is situated at around 3,180 meters (10,433 feet), where the deep valleys act as a reflection of the prominent beauty of Mount Manaslu
Lho village is home to predominantly Nubri people of Tibetan origin who live their traditional lives within the 20 km periphery of the Gorkha Bazaar, along the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Here, the natives practice traditional cultural practices in these religiously scattered Lho villages.
The Tibetan-style architecture of the village is built with local materials, stone, mud, and wood. And what protects the village are the chortens and prayer walls (mani walls) from the bad spirits. It lies on the border of the Manang district, and the north face of Manaslu drops shadows on the Lho village on the final days of walking to reach the Manaslu base camp.
Manaslu Circuit trek in the Lho villages
Lho villages are connected to other villages in Nubri Valley with rough, off-beaten roads and some narrow alleyways, including suspension bridges. The local production of the Lho villages is barley, wheat, buckwheat, and potatoes.
The most notable highlights of Lho village are several monasteries and chortens (stupas). The Ribung gompa, on the hilltop of Lho village, is the place of worship of the people swelling in this region, enhanced with religious teachings, gatherings, and notions.
Lho village is a getaway if you want to visit other nearby attractions called Pungyen Gompa and the Birendra Tal (lake). You get to have astonishing views of Manaslu (8th highest) and other surrounding mountain peaks like Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli, and Baudha.
The north of Manaslu provides Larka La crossing, the highest glacier saddle in the Manaslu region, at 5,106 meters (16,752 feet). Before you prepare for the crossing, explore the cultural richness of Lho village, noticing its surrounding wonders and the age-old traditions of the Nubri people.
Dumje festival of Lho village- on the Manaslu trekking route
Dumje Festival falls exactly 2 months after coincides with the Tibetan New Year celebrated widely across upper Nepal, where Sherpas share a border with Tibet. It is celebrated around April and May in the English calendar, around Buddha Purnima (the birth, death, and lifecycle of Gautam Buddha).
The 3rd dark moon day of the Tibetan lunar calendar indicates the beginning of this Dumje festival. This typical sherpa festivity celebrates the birth of Guru Rinpoche on a lotus flower, just marking the end of the spring season. This four-day-long festivity in the Sherpa clan is widely enjoyed, with masked lamas performing prayers, rituals, and culturally significant dances.
Lho Village celebrates other prominent religious festivals throughout the year, including Losar (Tibetan New Year), Saga Dawa, and colorful ceremonies paying homage to the cultural heritage of the Nubri people.
Trekking to Lho Village
Lho village, the Himalayan villages on your Manaslu circuit adventure can give you an amazing experience, to stay and understand the settlement of Tibetan-Buddhist origin. It takes you about a week-long trek to reach Lho village, and other Manaslu villages en route Manaslu circuit trek, at an elevation between 3100 m altitude in the North Gorkha.
Manaslu Circuit Trek typically starts in Arughat Bazaar, about an eight to 10-hour drive from Kathmandu. It all begins on the shores of the Budhi Gandaki River, a tributary of the Gandaki River in Nepal, originates in the Manaslu Himal and nourishes the valley. As you upscale with an hour of walking from River George and lush farmland, you lead yourself to the unique culture of Lho village.
One of the interesting things to do in Lho village is to navigate the untold stories of Manaslu, in their raw form, from the mouth of a local. The journey that the Manaslu mountain has transcended throughout time can be best told by an old wise man. You can see the shadow part of why the Manaslu trekking route is amazing and how fellow tourists and trekkers have been enjoying the Lho village journey unlike before.
It is an opportunity to step into the remote village of Manaslu to see how ancient traditions and modern-day life have intertwined in efforts to protect nature. Here, the Sherpa people greet the visitors with warm smiles, and this makes you wonder how time stands still, witnessing beyond ordinary views from the north angle of the Lho village.
What is the best time of year to visit Lho Village?
The optimal weather conditions in Lho village are best during autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). These seasonal months can give you more clear skies and temperate temperatures that your body finds comfort in to have fun and explore at the same time.
Clouds shade the views of Manaslu mountain once and again, giving a glimpse of the towering snow-covered Manaslu peak during the day. So, having an early morning view when the orange sun rays just hit the mountain’s north face will satisfy and soothe your eyes.
What are some accommodations available in the Lho village?
There are budget-friendly accommodations in Lho villages, starting as low as USD 3, with facilities for hot showers. With gas and solar heating methods, this village provides you with hot water to function in extremely cold temperatures with a nominal feed.
They provide cozy night rest and relaxing hot-serving Nepali traditional dishes, like Dal Bhat, momos, and Thukpas, to keep you going on your Manaslu Circuit trek. You can have a campfire night with barbeque items of your choice and even have a hot pot, with dining and interacting opportunities with the locals of Lho village.
Your room is decorated with a rustic setting but with modern-day aesthetics to make guests feel at home. They provide single beds, twin beds, clean bedsheets, and even laundry services, which are rare to find on your Himalayan journey. But as a whole, these locally operated teahouses and lodges serve as popular accommodation stops operated by local residents to ensure a comfortable stay.
Conclusion
Don’t let the trekking be strenuous ( with the planning and demanding mental fortitude). Book your Manaslu adventure with experienced travel agents, under Himalaya Guide, one stop for all your exciting trekking activities, sightseeing, and adventure in Nepal. The challenging, less visited Manaslu, through the Lho village route, is now a fun activity to participate in with continuous monitoring and navigation support from the Manaslu guide team.