It’s been almost a week since you started and you finally reached Samagaun, the heart of Manaslu. Some secluded adventure takes place, and the rest marks history. It is an era of a kind, where you choose your journey—the short and surreal hike to the Tibetan Gompa in the middle of nowhere—as an alternative to Manaslu base camp.
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A hike from Samagaun to Pungyen Gompa is usually on the 7th day of the trek. The day plan is to trek for at least 4 hours after a refreshing stay at the Samagaun Hotel. If you ask the locals, they suggest you take a hike to Pungyen Gompa for more clear scenery than the steep climb to Manaslu Base Camp. But when you can extend a day and have both experiences, why not?
You can also add a side trip to Birendra Lake, which is around a 45-minute walk from Samagaun, as an extended side trip for the day. Let’s explore what the day ahead looks like.
Trekking Details from Samagaun to Pungyen Gompa
After breakfast, we head towards the Pungyen Gompa. The trek from Samagaun to Pungyen Gompa is approximately 9.16 miles (about 14.74 kilometers) long. The short hike can last up to 5 hours in the grazing yak field, diverse flora, and challenging rocky climb. “The views are worth it,” if you ask.
1. Altitude and Distance of Pungyen Gompa
Pungyen Gompa is at an altitude of 4,700 meters (15,420 feet) and is a full-day trek that is best undertaken during the spring or autumn months in the Manaslu region. above sea level. If you start with Samagaun to Pungyen Gompa, you cover an approximate distance of 14.5 km, and it’s worth demanding.
Samagaun is one of the popular acclimatization stops in the Gorkha district of Nepal. This Haven of Manaslu lies at an elevation of 3530 meters above sea level. Pungyen Gompa starts with a diversion route if you reach Shree Gaurishankar Basic School on the way back to Shyala.
The route branches off toward the Pungyen Monastery on these zigzag stone-paved trails. As you ascend, the trees gradually recede, and the terrain becomes steeper and more exposed.
After about an hour from the lower monastery gate, you’ll arrive at the historic Pungyen Gompa, where sparse vegetation and a narrow path are evident.
2. Historic Importance of Pungyen Gompa
Pungyen Gompa, also known as Pung Gyen Gompa, holds significant historic importance in the Manaslu region of Nepal. The Tibetan Buddhist masters had more religious teachings and chose this gompa for their religious practices.
The Nubri community and Tsum Valley people around 400 years ago constructed Pungyen Gompa to honor Lord Pungyen. He is a deity believed to protect the region surrounding Mount Manaslu and support their exile from Tibet.
The deity, Lord Pungyen, was considered the protector of the area around Mount Manaslu. The spiritual sanctuary of Pungyen Gompa seeks enlightenment; the ornate decorations and artistic heritage are something to look for.
3. Return Journey from Pungyen Gompa to Samagaun
The return journey from Pungyen Gompa to Samagaun involves a steep, downhill trail. It’s a spiritual experience of a kind that one can enjoy. The places en route to Pungyen and way back are considered sacred places for deities and protectors of the region.
Scenic Transition from Samagaun to Pungyen Gompa
Starting from the village of Samagaun, you return on the previous Lho-Shyala trail that branches off toward a rocky uphill path. On your way, you can team up with fellow trekkers headed to Pungyen Gompa, which is compatible with your adventurous spirit, and form a compatible circle. During your stay in Samagaun, you plan your trip to Pungyen Gompa.
There is a junction of two routes, where you return and choose a rocky section for an uphill climb to Pungyen Gompa. The route gets narrower and greenery transitions into alpine grassland and tiny bushes.
The snow-capped Manaslu views from the location of Pungyen Gompa harmoniously blend over the 4000-m high altitude sparse vegetation and sunrise. The Plethora of high-altitude base camps and the serene location of Pungyen Gompa are commendable.
Activities to do in the Pungyen Gompa trek from Samagaun
Pungyen Gompa is remotely located at the immediate backdrop of Manaslu Mountain, with the sight of glaciers and icefall. Our journey from the traditional village of Samagaun to the vastness of Himalayan landscapes, with fresh water streams, is a truly refreshing hike.
Rest a while on a sunny day in the Himalayas, and add a dramatic touch to the steep slopes. The vast grassland stretches out under a clear blue sky, with clusters of trees and grasslands dotting the landscape like islands in a desert. With the shimmer in the wind.
- Scenic Hiking to the Pungyen Gompa trek
- Local village excursion and interaction with Nubri people
- Visit nearby Shree Gaurishankar Basic School to learn about the local education system
- Explore Pungyen Gompa and click photos of the dramatic landscapes
- Spend time for prayers in the monastery and cleanse your aura
- Learn the unique rituals, relics, and ceremonies at the high-altitude Pungyen monastery
What are some of the challenges of the Pungyen Gompa Trek?
From the stories of legends and our personal experiences in the Manaslu Circuity area, we present real-time experiences in Pungyen Gompa.
The weather can drop to freezing with high winds and the possibility of snowstorms in the winter. The best time to trek Pungyen Gompa and Manaslu, in fact, is in the colorful spring and the festivity of autumn. You get to taste the best-tasting food, Khapse, as prasad (snacks after the religious ceremony).
- The reduced oxygen levels increase physical exertion, with a potential risk of altitude sickness.
- Pungyen Gompa is remote, with limited access to supplies and emergency medical care.
- The treacherous mountain crossing with steep slopes, crevasses, and risk of avalanches make it risky.
Shoreline on the hike from Samagaun to Pungyen Gompa
A wide valley stretches out in the foreground on your way to Pungyen Gompa. It is partially covered in what appears to be glacier or rocky terrain. The shoreline at the base of the Manaslu is covered with rocky moraines, preparing you beforehand for the next day at the Larkye La Pass crossing.
The scenery here has glacial deposits, which justify the dramatic landscape. The sparse vegetation, mostly barren but with patches of alpine vegetation, paves your path to the Manaslu Circuit Trek’s major serenity, Pungyen Monastery.
The monastery has a rich history, dating back approximately 400 years, and serves as an important spiritual center for the Nubri people, a Tibetan ethnic group residing in the area.
Trekkers can find a solitary Kani, a stone monument engraved with Buddhist scriptures. It’s an important landmark on your way to the exceptional Manaslu meadows.
You will be surprised to see the views of Birendra Lake on the way back to Samagaun. The overall impression of Pungyen Gompa leaves you in awe and tranquility. There is this insanely beautiful photographic location where you can capture the trek on the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Festivals in Pungyen Gompa
Apart from Lhosar, Pungyen Gompa also hosts other Tibetan Buddhist festivals and ceremonies throughout the year. These events are characterized by a blend of religious rituals, cultural traditions, and artistic displays in the Manaslu Samagaun region.
These performances often include the Tungna dance, sacred masked dances, and community celebrations based on the lunar calendar. Families come together to celebrate with traditional foods, including khapse, a deep-fried pastry, and various meat and vegetable dishes. Feasting is a significant aspect of the Lhosar celebration.
The decorations at Pungyen Gompa are not just limited to colorful prayer flags. They’re also decorated with Buddhist murals, mantras, prayers, and auspicious symbols to enhance blessings for the locals and prevent any bad omens.
Pungyen Gompa architectural style
The Pungyen gompa appears to be a traditional Tibetan-style Buddhist structure. It has a distinctive multi-tiered roof adorned with decorative finials. The main prayer hall is likely a single-story building with a central entrance.
The gompa is rather remotely simulated and is more popular for its dramatic Himalayan landscapes. The main attraction is its high altitude location, with an elegant Buddhist monastery in harmony with the rugged natural terrain.
Its yellow-painted pinnacle is simply built, with stone walls, like a mini entrance, but it is small enough that there are no such extraordinary interiors or extra places to meditate here. However, this stone-paved sacred site has the best location.
Pungyen Gompa has a diminutive portal that frames the sacred site, offering a solitary vantage point to absorb the ethereal ambiance of the Buddhist holy ground.
Where magic happens, you reach there and feel like never before. The purity of belief and the Himalayas’ serenity touch you with a unique ensemble. The warm glow of the setting sun in contrast to the expansive plain—everything is exceptional here. Book your journey for the Pungyen Gompa Trek, as it’s not just a hike of a kind.
Conclusion
En route to Pungyen Monastery, you understand the culture, values, and lifestyle of the Nubri people. The weather is stable in spring and autumn, and chances of strong wind blowing out of nowhere are possible in spring, so prepare your wind gear accordingly.
You can have a colorful experience on the short hike to Pungyen Monastery. The opportunity to do principal photography in this serene location is more beautiful than it ought to be. So, why wait? Book your Manaslu Circuit adventure today with the Himalayan guide team.
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