Popular Monasteries and Lake of Manaslu Region

Manaslu region of Nepal is the serene off the beaten restricted zone of trekking. It is also the home of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu. In addition, the region is famous for centuries old monasteries in the remote places. While traveling inside the region, any traveler can feel spirituality and serenity mixed together. These monasteries are the religious and spiritual identity of the Manaslu region. Slowly, the Manaslu region’s trekking routes like the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Tsum Valley Trek are getting lots of visitors. Therefore, the interest in the popular monasteries and Lake of Manaslu region is also increasing.

This blog will revolve around providing brief introduction of the various popular monasteries and Lake of Manaslu region. In addition, the blog will also help you to know the trail to reach these monasteries. Please note that there are countless small monasteries, chortens, and stupas on this trekking trail besides these wonderful and famous 11 monasteries and 2 lakes listed in this blog.

Here is the list of the popular monasteries present in the Manaslu region of Nepal.

What are the Popular Monasteries and Lake of Manaslu Region?

1. Mu Gompa of Tsum Valley

During the Tsum Valley Trek, trekkers do the day hike trip to the Mu Gompa Monastery. It is the last destination of the Tsum Valley Trek and it is one of the most isolated monasteries of the region. At an altitude of 3700 m, the monastery is beautiful with the Tibetan architectural style with lots of giant murals and statues of deities. The monastery was built in 17^th century and it is located in the core of Tsum nearby the Nepal – Tibet border. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach the monastery from Nile village of the Tsum Valley Trek route.

2. Shyala Monastery (Pungyen)

This is the most famous monastery located in the trekking trail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek nearby Samagaon village. It is known as the meditation retreat center and it is also on the way to the famous Birendra Lake and Pungyen glacier. Please note that you can skip the Shyala Monastery to trek up to Birendra Lake as well. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to reach the monastery from Samagaon. Trekkers visit this monastery to take blessings for the rest of the trek. The monastery is famously known as the Pungyen Monastery as well.

3. Lungdeng Gompa

The most revered and sacred monastery of the Manaslu region is the Lungdeng Gompa or you can call it the Gumba Lungdang as well. The monastery was built seven centuries ago at an altitude of 3200 m in the Nubri Valley of the region. The monastery has many statues of deities and huge murals of Buddhists scriptures. The architecture is of Tibetan style and offers the calming nature. If you have a spare day in your Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek, make sure to visit the monastery. It is free to enter the monastery but they accept donations which is voluntary not mandatory.

4. Serang Monastery

The most famous among Buddhists followers yet less explored monastery of the region is the Serang Monastery. This is the largest monastery where you can find the elementary school for the kids of Lho and surrounding villages. The school teaches Tibetan, Sanskrit, Buddhist, English, and Nepali language according to the curriculum of Nepal government as well. If you book the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Serang Gompa package then the monastery visit is also included. You can reach the village from Bihi village. At an altitude of 3042 m from sea level, you can find the eternal peace and solace while visiting the monastery. It is at the top of the green lush forests hill yet the architecture is massive erected in the Tibetan architecture style. The monastery is also known as either Nubri Monastery or Shringi Gompa.

5. Dhiren Gompa

The Dhiren Gompa is at an altitude of 3700 m and it is just about 15 minutes to 20 minutes walking away from Mu Gompa in the Tsum Valley. There are few nuns who reside their as a residential nun performing various Buddhists chants and rituals. The monastery is also known within the Tsum Valley people as the Dhephu Doma Nunnery Gompa. If you are on the Tsum Valley Trek then allocate some time to visit this small yet beautiful nunnery gompa as well after visiting the Mu Gompa.

6. Hinang Gompa

One of the hidden treasures of the Manaslu region in terms of religious and spiritual significances is the Hinang Gompa. On the way to Lho Village from Namrung village in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route, you can do the short side trek to the monastery. It is on the way to the Himal Chuli Base Camp Trail. Allot at least a day as an extra day to explore this beautiful monastery and visit the beautiful Himalchuli Base Camp.

7. Kalchhokang Gompa

The monastery is nearby the famous Kalchhuman Lake also known as the Kal Tal. It is one of the significant monasteries of the region which is less explored and considered as the hidden gem of the Manaslu region. If you wish to experience serenity and spirituality to the fullest then visit this magnificent old Kalchhokang Gompa.

8. Ribung Gompa

On the outskirts of the Tibetan culture influenced village of Lho, the Ribung Monastery is situated. At an altitude of 3400 m from sea level, the monastery is the home of residential monks and it is one of the sacred monasteries of the region where Manaslu people celebrate their Buddhists festivals. The most famous celebration done in the monastery is the Cham Dance rituals of the monks. Hearing the Buddhists chants and prayers will help you cleanse negative thoughts and provoke positive attitude about life. It is truly blissful experience to visit the Ribung monastery.

9. Namla Gompa

On the trekking route of the Tsum Valley Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek in the village of Namrung, you can find the prolific monastery called the Namla Gompa Monastery. The monastic and huge prayer halls and intricate murals inside the monastery make this monastery the must to go monastery during the Manaslu Trek journey. You can get the blessings from Lama before embarking to the higher altitude places of the Manaslu region. It is truly serene while exploring the monastery premises.

10. Naksa Chhyoling Gompa

In the low altitude village of Manaslu region, the Philim village, you can find the small Naksa Chhyoling Gompa. It is one of the revered pilgrimages among the low altitude villages of the Manaslu region of Nepal. At an altitude of 2400 m, the Naksa Chhyoling Gompa Monastery can be used as the stop over to get the Buddhists’ spiritual guidance and blessings. Philim is the village habituated by both Gurung and Tsombos people yet both set of people pay their respect in this monastery. It highlights the great religious harmony among Nepalese people. Please visit the Naksa Chhyoling Gompa while you are doing the Manaslu Trek in Nepal. It is the must to do stopover monastery in the Philim village.

11. Rachen Gompa

The biggest nunnery monastery of the Manaslu region of Nepal is the Rachen Gompa. More than 200 to 300 nuns live permanently in the monastery practicing the Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was built in 1905 AD by the Lama Tsutrim Dorje. At an altitude of 3240 m from sea level, the monastery is located on the Tsum Valley Trek route. The monastery visit doesn’t need any entry fees but the monastery is run by the donations. Therefore, you can allocate certain sum of money as a donation. It is spiritual and religious act to do for the smooth operation of the Manaslu region’s largest nun monastery.

Famous Lakes of Manaslu Region

There are many lakes inside the Manaslu region of Nepal. Some lakes are formed by the melting of glacier and some are formed by the landscape. Alpine fresh water lakes to glacial lakes are present in the region. In this blog titled popular monasteries and Lake of Manaslu region, let’s now go deeper into finding out brief introduction of famous lakes of Manaslu.

These are two famous lakes of the Manaslu region:

1. Birendra Lake

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary consists of acclimatization rest day that includes the Manaslu Base Camp Hike. On the way to Manaslu Base Camp, trekkers can find the beautiful Birendra Lake named after the famous late king Birendra Bir Bikram Shah. The Lake is at an altitude of 3691 m and offers the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Manaslu. You can reach the lake in about 1.5 hours of walking for slow pace walkers and in just about 45 minutes for fast walkers from Samagaon.

2. Kal Tal

Kal Tal is also known as the Kalchhuman Lake. It is the hidden gem of the region that offers crystal clear water and diverse ecology. The lake is rich in bio – diversity as travelers can explore the majestic vegetation and mountain vistas. You can visit the lake from the Prok Village. There are no lodging facilities in the lake. Therefore, you have to return back to Prok Village after a day hike. At an altitude of 3600 m, the lake sits majestically offering the grandeur view of landscape and mountains.