Highlights
- Attend the morning prayers and meditation session at Serang Gompa, experiencing the peaceful rhythm of monastic life.
- Explore the less-crowded, restricted trekking trails far from commercialization, where traditional Himalayan lifestyles and Tibetan Buddhist culture remain beautifully preserved.
- Breathtaking views of giant Himalayan peaks, Shring Himal, Ganesh Himal, Buddha Himal, Hiunchuli, and Mt. Manaslu (8163 m).
- Cross one of the challenging passes, Larkya La, that offers sweeping panoramas of mountains including Manaslu and the Annapurna range.
- Follow the dramatic Budhi Gandaki River valley through deep gorges, suspension bridges, waterfalls, terraced fields, and traditional Gurung and Nubri villages.
- Experience Tibetan-influenced Buddhist culture, local hospitality, and traditional tea-house or homestay accommodation in high-altitude settlements.
- Visit Pungyen Gompa and explore the glacial landscapes around Birendra Lake or Kal Tal.
Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa Trek Overview
The Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa Trek is a high-altitude adventure through the sacred Nubri Valley, combining the classic Manaslu route with remote cultural detours to Serang Gompa, Prok, Kal Tal, Manaslu Base Camp, and Rui La Pass. It is a 19-day full tea-house trek through the timeless villages of the Nubri and Gurung communities, where Tibetan Buddhist traditions remain deeply rooted in daily life.
A major highlight is the overnight stay at Serang Gompa, a 500-year-old monastery also known as Sancen Rabten Norbuling Monastery. Located at 3,100 m beneath the Shringi Himal, it offers a rare chance to experience monastic life, observe daily rituals and teachings, and join the monks for early-morning and evening prayers.
Beyond Serang Gompa, the trail leads to sacred sites such as Pungen Gompa, Lho Monastery, Sama Gompa, and the monasteries near Bimthang. Colorful prayer flags, ancient chortens, red-walled shrines, and hand-carved mani walls line the route, while traditional stone houses rest beneath the towering Himalayan backdrop.
With acclimatization days in Sama Gaon and Samdo, the itinerary allows a safe and gradual ascent. Optional side trips to Manaslu Base Camp and the Rui La Pass near the Tibetan border add adventure, while quiet trails, pristine landscapes, and uncommercialized villages create a deeper connection with the restricted Manaslu Conservation Area. The journey culminates with the dramatic crossing of Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m, one of the most rewarding attractions, that combines the entire adventure, filled with thrill, rich cultural exploration, and wild scenery.
History of Serang Gompa
Serang Gompa, also known as Nubri Monastery or Sangchen Rabten Norbuling Monastery, is one of the most important landmarks in the Manaslu region, at an altitude of 3100 m, in the remote Kyimolung Valley, on the historic route toward Tibet. It was founded more than 500 years ago, and till date, acts as a spiritual center in the valley, and Serang Gompa gradually become the religious and cultural heart of the Nubri community. For centuries, the monastery has preserved Tibetan Buddhist teachings, cultures, rituals, and community values in one of the most isolated Himalayan regions.
Serang Gompa also maintains a spiritual connection with the monastery, reflecting the historic religious links between Nepal's northern border areas, Tibet, and the wider Himalayan Buddhist world. The Nubri people regard the Manaslu region as a sacred hidden valley, or beyl, blessed by the Guru Rinpoche, while local traditions also associate the area with the meditations of Milarepa. In present days, Serang Gompa remains an active monastery, where monks continue daily prayers and rituals, along with religious education.
It is not simply an old monument for trekkers to visit; it is a living spiritual center that has shaped the identity of the Nubri Valley for more than five centuries. For travelers on the Manaslu Circuit, an overnight stay or visit to Serang Gompa offers a rare opportunity to experience Tibetan Buddhist culture, witness monastic life, and understand the deep spiritual relationship between the local people and the Himalayan landscape.
What Makes the Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa Route Special?
The Serang Gompa Trek is special as it combines the dramatic landscapes of the Manaslu Circuit with a peaceful spiritual detour into the remote Nubri Valley. Rather than just covering a one-way route or going from village to village, you get to experience monastery life, Tibetan Buddhist culture, high-altitude lakes, and cross the most rewarding Himalayan passes.
A Spiritual Stay in Serang Gompa
Serang Gompa, also known as Nubri Gompa, sits at an altitude of 3100 m in the serene Kyimolung Valley above Bihi village. Unlike a short monastery visit, many itineraries include an overnight stay, allowing hikers to attend prayers, observe Buddhist rituals, join meditation, and experience the serene atmosphere of the monastic life. The monastery is an active center of Tibetan Buddhist practice, where monks and nuns live, study, foster knowledge, and welcome visitors. Located beneath the Shringi Himal, Buddha Himal, and Hiunchuli, it makes one of the most peaceful and cultural stops on the trip.
Tibetan Buddhist Culture in the Nubri Valley
The Nubri Valley preserves a strong Tibetan Buddhist heritage through its villages, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags, monasteries, and traditional mountain lifestyle. As you trek through settlements such as Namrung, Bihi, Lho, Prok, Samagaun, and Samdo, you will encounter remote villages; houses are made with stones, woods, just like in ancient days, and the culture is shaped by centuries of Himalayan trade, spirituality, and isolation. While exploring such high-altitude residents, the journey becomes more than just reaching a particular destination; it also offers you the chance to understand local beliefs, rituals, and their deep spiritual connection with the mountains.
Quiet Trails Beyond the Main Manaslu Circuit
The Serang Gompa detour leads away from the main standard trail, into an isolated valley, offering a rich immersion into the rhododendron forests, rugged and scheduled landscape, and expansive mountain panoramas. Unlike the regular Manaslu trek, only a few trekkers take this side trip; the area retains a calming, serene atmosphere that is increasingly rare on one of the famous trekking routes in the Himalayas. The trail takes an ascent through the forests of rhododendrons and pines, before heading to high terraced pastures and alpine glaciers and peaks.
Larkya La Pass: The Highest Point of the Journey
Standing at the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit, from the top, it rewards hikers with 360 ° views degree mountain views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Annapurna I, II, Kang Guru, with surrounding glaciers and other peaks. Besides, it gives you a thrill and an adrenaline-boosting experience, as it is challenging, with a demanding uphill walk through a long ascent, which adds pure Himalayan adventure, a feel like a mini mountaineering. The pass is non-technical and easily attainable for beginners with no prior trekking experience, as the itinerary is customized accordingly; just enjoy the wilderness pass crossing.
Manaslu Base Camp: Close to Mount Manaslu
The Manaslu Base Camp is one of the popular side trips that takes place from Samagaun, with a 5-6 hour round trip, leading you to the foothills of the world's eighth tallest peak, 8163 meters, Mt. Manaslu. The trail passes through Birendra Lake, and climb across glacier fed steep trail to the base camp area. This side trip helps you gradually adjust to the increasing altitude, helping to prepare for the pass crossing and further higher elevation trails, offering the closest and most expansive view of the Manaslu range.
Birendra Lake: A Turquoise Glacier Lake
Birendra Lake is a pristine turquoise glacial lake that sits near Samagaun, formed by the glacier fed by Mt. Manaslu, and reflects the stunning peaks, making it one of the major attractions of the entire trip. Trekkers get to visit the wetland as part of the Manaslu Base Camp hike, which looks even more attractive in the morning and afternoon.
Kal Tal: A Sacred High-Altitude Lake
Kal Tal, perched at an altitude of 3600 meters, is a sacred lake for local communities and a peaceful side trip from the Manaslu trail. On clear days, it provides striking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Himalchuli, Shringi Himal, and Ganesh Himal. The hike to Kal Tal passes through forest woodland and pastureland, making it a smooth, gentle hike, yet an equally beautiful alternative to the more demanding base camp route.
Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa Trek Cost for 2027 and 2028
Trekking to the Manaslu Circuit and Serang Gompa usually costs between USD 1050 and USD 1850 per person, depending on the number of size that the group holds. The cost may vary if the starting point, transportation access, porter (included), or trip duration changes; otherwise, the price remains the same. If you are travelling solo privately, the standard cost is USD 1850 per head; this includes all essentials: trekking guide, tea house accommodation, standard meals in Kathmandu, permit arrangements, and everything required.
For the year 2027, with early booking, we offer extra complimentary services, such as standard hotel accommodation for extra nights in Kathmandu if you are planning to extend the holiday for 2-3 nights, along with private arrival and departure services. Besides, if you are travelling with the family, then an extra 5% off will be provided as a family voucher offer too.
For the costing, here is a quick overview that varies as per the number of hikers in the group:
| No. of Hikers | Standard Price (USD) |
| 1 | 1850 per person |
| 2 | 1250 per person |
| 3-6 | 1150 per person |
| 7-12 | 1050 per person |
