Serang Gumba Manaslu Circuit Trek

Serang Gumba sits in the upper Gorkha region of Nepal, inside the Manaslu Conservation Area. The monastery is at roughly 3,050 to 3,100 meters, near the village of Bihi, about 6 to 8 kilometers off the main Manaslu Circuit trail.

This package runs 17 days from your arrival in Kathmandu to your departure. Some other itineraries that include this monastery detour run for fewer days, too. Radiant Treks' itinerary is a bit longer because we include a proper preparation day in Kathmandu and provide a more comfortable pace for acclimatization during the trek.

The full route covers around 180 kilometers, including the extra distance for the Serang Gumba side trip.

That would be the Larkya La Pass (5,106 m). To reach this point, you need to do a demanding climb, especially because of the thin air. However, reaching the top feels like a real achievement.

Serang Gumba is a Buddhist monastery believed to be around 500 years old. Its official name is Sancen Rabten Norbuling Monastery, though it is also widely known as Nubri Monastery, too. It sits within Kyimolung, one of Nepal's sacred Beyuls, or hidden valleys, which Guru Padmasambhava prophesied back in the 8th century.

You will also see it spelled 'Serang Gompa' or 'Sereng Gompa'. 'Gumba' and 'Gompa' both simply mean monastery, so the two spellings are used interchangeably with no difference in meaning.

Most people walking the Manaslu Circuit never actually see the Serang Gumba, simply because it is off the main trail and requires a separate side trip to reach. Those who do make the effort usually enjoy a quiet, genuine monastery stay, away from the busier stretches of the route.

You can, and this itinerary includes that overnight stay. Serang Gumba runs its own guesthouse, which is simpler than a typical teahouse, but that simplicity is really part of what makes the visit feel real rather than staged for visitors.

It's the central monastery among 12 smaller gompas in the Kyimolung Valley, and it still functions as an active Shedra, or scripture college. And this monastery is home to more than 100 monks and nuns today. There's also a nearby cave connected to Jetsun Milarepa, the 11th-century Buddhist master said to have meditated there.

Yes, you'll need three:

• The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
• The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
• The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), since the route wraps up near Larkya La on the Annapurna side

Don't worry about sorting these out yourself — Radiant Treks handles all three as part of your booking.

No, you can't. The Manaslu region is a restricted area, so trekking with a licensed guide isn't optional. This is a requirement set by the Nepal government. Nepal's government requires every trekker here to be accompanied by a licensed guide.

Not anymore. There used to be a rule requiring a minimum of two trekkers, but that's no longer the case. You are free to trek solo with just a guide. If you'd still rather have company, we can happily place you with an existing group.

It's a strenuous one. Expect five to eight hours of walking on most days, often over steep, uneven ground, plus one genuinely tough day crossing Larkya La at 5,106 meters. You won't need technical climbing skills, but decent fitness makes a real difference here.

It's not the easiest first trek you could pick, but a reasonably fit beginner with some hiking experience can manage it. What matters more than skill is stamina and being mentally ready for those long walking days.

Plenty do, year after year — fitness tends to matter more than age on this route. If you are managing any health conditions, it's worth checking with a doctor who understands high-altitude travel before you commit.

We build in two full acclimatization days, one in Samagaun and one in Samdo, before pushing on toward the pass. Your guide also checks in on everyone daily and carries an oximeter and first aid kit the whole way.

Headache, nausea, dizziness, and losing your appetite are the usual first signs of altitude sickness. If you notice any of these, tell your guide right away — catching it early is really what keeps it from turning into something more serious.

Autumn, from late September through November, and spring, from March through May, are your best bets. Both tend to bring stable weather, clearer views, and safer conditions for getting over Larkya La.

Winter works at lower elevations, but Larkya La Pass often closes under heavy snow. The monsoon, from June through August, means muddy trails, leeches lower down, and clouds hiding most of the views. We'd steer you away from both seasons for this particular route.

Lower down the trail, temperatures stay fairly mild. Higher up, especially near Samdo and Dharmashala, nights regularly drop below freezing, and the morning of the pass crossing is the coldest stretch of the whole trek.

That depends on a few things — group size, trip length, and what's included. We customize each trek to your preferences, so your final cost depends on your choices.

Generally, that covers your Kathmandu hotel stays, airport transfers, ground transport to and from the trailhead, full-board meals during the trek, teahouse and monastery accommodation, a licensed guide, and all the required permits.

This trek package does not cover porter service, travel insurance, tips, trekking gear, and extras like hot showers, Wi-Fi, or charging fees on the trail.

You can share your trekking dates and group size with us. We will guide you step-by-step from there. To confirm your spot, we ask for a 20% deposit upfront. This is non-refundable. But it lets us book your accommodation, transport, and permits before you arrive in Kathmandu. You can pay the rest in Kathmandu, either in cash or by card, or pay the full amount upfront if that's easier.

We know plans change. If you have paid in full and need to cancel, please let us know in writing as early as possible. Cancelling 7 days or less before departure means a 30% cancellation fee on the total trip cost. Your original deposit is non-refundable, even if the trek never happens. If it's a genuine emergency, we are generally able to help you postpone it to a later date instead of cancelling it outright.

Yes, and this trek isn't one to skip. Comprehensive coverage is required for every client trekking with us, not just recommended — you will need to show proof of it before the trip begins. Your policy should cover high-altitude trekking to at least 6,000 meters, as well as emergency evacuation, medical treatment, and trip cancellation, at the very least.

Yes, unless you are an Indian citizen. Everyone else needs a visa, which you can arrange in advance or get on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport if your country is eligible. You will need two passport-sized photos, a passport valid for at least six months, and a completed application form — filling this out online beforehand through the Department of Immigration website makes the process quicker.

A 15-day visa costs USD 30, 30 days is USD 50, and if you are staying longer, 90 days will cost you USD 125. Need more time once you are here? Extensions are available in blocks of at least 15 days — USD 45 covers the first 15, then it's just USD 3 for every extra day after that.

They will know the Serang Gumba trail too. We make sure the guides we send on this route have personally walked the Bihi to Serang Gumba stretch, not just the standard Manaslu path.

It's optional, but we would recommend it. A porter can carry up to about 15 kilograms of your gear, which means you are only walking with a light daypack each day. This way, you can enjoy and make the most of the trek.

You can. Since the old group-size rule no longer applies, you are welcome to trek with just your guide. Or, if you'd prefer not to go alone, we can place you in a small existing group instead.

It's full board the whole way — mostly dal bhat, noodles, soups, and momos on the lower stretches. Options get more limited as you climb, and above Namrung, we would suggest sticking to vegetarian meals and dal bhat. That is because meat up there often isn't refrigerated properly.

You will stay at the monastery's own guesthouse. It's simpler than a regular teahouse, but there is a genuine calm to the place that makes it feel entirely different from the rest of the trek.

Most teahouses offer both for a small fee, though it gets less dependable the higher you go. Dharmashala doesn't have any in-room electricity at all, so keep that in mind.

No, none on the trail. There might be some once you leave Kathmandu, but they are not always reliable. So, withdraw whatever cash you will need before you set off, since it has to last you the whole trek.

Bring layered clothing that can handle a wide range of temperatures, a sleeping bag rated to at least -15°C, boots you have already broken in, a reliable headlamp, and solid sun protection. We provide a duffel bag, sleeping bag, and down jacket as part of the package, so you don't need to buy those yourself.

Walk clockwise around prayer wheels, chortens, and monastery buildings — that's the tradition of circumambulation. Keep your voice down inside the prayer halls, and always ask before photographing monks or anything happening during a ritual.

The valley still follows Shayagya, a pledge from 1921 that bans hunting or harming wildlife in any way. In that same spirit, we'd ask you to avoid bringing meat near the monastery and to carry out anything you bring in.

Possibly, depending on when you go. Losar, the Tibetan New Year, and Saga Dawa, which honors the Buddha's life, are both celebrated here, along with annual prayer gatherings that include Cham — a masked ritual dance performed by the resident monks.

Mostly Gurung, Tibetan, and Nubri communities, with Tibetan Buddhist influence growing stronger the higher you go. Villages like Lho, Shyala, and Samagaun are particularly special, their monasteries, mani walls, and prayer flags speaking of centuries of connection to Tibet just across the border.

Yes, and it's a popular choice for trekkers already in the region. Tsum Valley branches off near Lokpa and adds about 5 to 7 extra days as an extension of the Tsum Valley trek. It needs its own restricted area permit, so mention this when booking rather than on the trail.

Yes. Since the Manaslu Circuit ends near Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit side, continuing is a natural next step. The trek usually adds 4 to 10 extra days. Please inform us in advance, as it affects permits and logistics.

Some trekkers add a short Kathmandu sightseeing extension or a few extra days in Pokhara and Chitwan to unwind before flying home. Neither needs a restricted area permit, so both are easy to add with a little notice.

The core route is the same — you are still circling Manaslu and crossing Larkya La. What sets this trek apart is the Serang Gumba detour, a two-day round trip from Bihi most itineraries skip. That's why the itinerary runs 17 days instead of the usual 12 to 15.

It depends on what you are after. Want Larkya La fast? Go standard. Want a quieter, culturally rich detour to a 500-year-old monastery almost nobody sees? The journey is worth the extra days.