Imagine a stone sanctuary sitting at 4,000 meters. Prayer flags flutter in the cold glacier wind. Mount Manaslu’s 8,163-meter peak glows pink at dawn. Yaks graze knee-deep in alpine turf; lammergeiers wheel overhead; the only human sound is a monk’s low chant echoing off the office.

This is Pungyen Gompa. It is a place where the arduous Manaslu Circuit Trek meets a calm, spiritual feeling that seems ancient.
Most trekkers reach Samagaon, snap a few photos of Birendra Lake, and march toward Larkya La. People who take a half-day detour to Pungyen Gompa find something special.

They experience living Tibetan culture and a story of avalanches and rebirth. They also get the best close-up view of Manaslu’s south face on the trail. The route needs no ropes or crampons.

You need strong lungs, good boots, and respect for altitude. The reward is enormous. Many hikers later say it was “the best part of our Manaslu trek.”

Fast-Facts Cheat-Sheet

• Altitude ≈ 4,000 m / 13,100 ft
• Round-trip distance ≈ 15 km from Samagaon
• Walking time 6 – 7 h (4 h up, 2–3 h down)
• Permit zone Manaslu Restricted + MCAP
• Best seasons Mar–May • Sep–Nov
• First built c. 1600 CE
• Rebuilt after the avalanche 1954 – 57
• Mobile coverage NTC only—no NCELL
• Accommodation on site None – day-hike from Samagaon
• Guardian deity Lord Pungyen (“Three Peaks”)

(pronunciation: poong-YEN GOHM-pa)

Four Centuries of Story, Trade & Tragedy

Founding legend. Four hundred years ago, Nubri and Tsum settlers erected a stone hermitage to honour Lord Pungyen, protector of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Ganesh Himal.

Caravan traders bunked here; monks meditated in cliff caves; herders left butter offerings for safe pastures.
Avalanche of 1953. A climber-ignored blessing purportedly angered the mountain.

In May 1953, a serac fell and buried the old monastery, killing 18 people. Survivors saw this as a warning: no expedition goes to Manaslu without the lama’s permission. Reconstruction.

By 1957, villagers and climbers rebuilt the chapel, stupa, and monk quarters beside the ruined walls. Today, it stands as a living example of resilience.

Living Culture on a Glacier Stage

• Daily puja at dawn and dusk—cymbals, conch shells, juniper smoke.
• Climbers’ blessing—every Manaslu expedition receives a red wool wrist cord (khatag).
• Village anchor—Samagaon families trek up before sowing barley and after harvest.
• Festival hub—Lhosar, Mani Rimdu, and the summer Tungna Dance bring joy to the meadow. Masked performers and barley-wine fun fill the air.

Geography & 360° Views

• East: Mount Manaslu’s massive south face.
• South-east: Himal Chuli (7 893 m), Ngadi Chuli (7 871 m).
• North-west: Naike Peak, Larke Peak guarding the pass.
• South (clear mornings): Distant Ganesh Himal.
• Below: Birendra Lake glows turquoise; Pungyen Glacier creaks and calves just beneath the terrace.

Spring rhododendrons paint slopes crimson; autumn air turns every ridge razor-sharp.

Step-by-Step Route From Samagaon

• 07 30 Samagaon mani wall 3 530 m SE path left of mani stones
• 09 15 Lower chorten 3 750 m Offer juniper; gradient steepens
• 10:00 Meadow plateau 3 900 m Trail levels; glacier roar audible
• 11:00 Pungyen Gompa 4,000 m Explore 60–90 min; picnic lunch
• 13:00 Begin descent. Afternoon cloud & wind rise
• 15:00 Samagaon 3 530 m Garlic soup & rest

Trail: pine-needle soil → gravel switchbacks → frost-kissed alpine turf. Start down by 13:0 if the weather builds

Permits & Check-Posts

• Manaslu Restricted US$ $100 (first 7 days) Agency → KTM Immigration
• MCAP NPR 3,000 Agency
• ACAP* NPR 3,000 Only if crossing into Annapurna

Guide compulsory; min. Two foreign trekkers. Check-posts at Ghap, Namrung, Lho, Samagaon—carry a passport daily.

Day-Hike Packing List (≤ 8 kg)

• Merino base, fleece, wind-shell
• Soft-shell pants, beanie, liner gloves
• 2 L water + thermos tea (purify en route)
• Packed lunch, trail mix
• Trekking poles, first-aid kit, head-torch, power bank
• Glacier sunglasses, SPF 50, lip balm
• NPR 500 in small notes for butter-lamp donation
• Phone with NTC SIM (signal only in Samagaon Ridge, none at Gompa)

Altitude Safety

• Two nights in Samagaon before climbing above 4,000 m.
• Drink 4 L of fluids on Gompa day.
• Ascend ≤ 300 m vertically per hour.
• Persistent headache, nausea, or dizziness → descend.
• Diamox 125 mg AM/PM only on medical advice.

Shoot Like a Pro – Photo Planner

• 06 30 Alpine glow Manaslu framed by prayer-flag gate
• 11:00 High contrast Gompa facade vs. glacier—use polariser
• 16 30 Warm back-light Descent ridge silhouette, Ngadi Chuli behind
• 22 00 Milky Way (Oct / Apr) Prayer-flag foreground, 20 s / f2.8 / ISO 3200

Drone flights demand a CAAN permit + monk consent, which is usually declined.

Wildlife Snapshot

• Blue sheep 07:00–09:00 on Moraine slopes
• Lammergeier Noon thermals overhead
• Himalayan tahr 16:00 cliff edges west of the meadow
• Marmot All day—listen for whistles
• Snow leopard Tracks are only in winter snow

Festival Dates

• Lhosar Feb / Mar New-year flags, barley-wine feasts
• Mani Rimdu Oct full-moon Mask dances, sand mandala
• Tungna Dance Jun / Jul Yak-gait music, circle dance

Visitors welcome—dress modestly, donate tea, no flash photography.

Leave-No-Trace Pledge

• Pack out all trash (Samagaon burns rubbish).
• Refill bottle; no soap in streams.
• Dig a 15 cm hole 70 m from the water.

Leave juniper branches intact; locals harvest sustainably.

Side-Trip Matrix (for acclimatisation days)

• Birendra Lake 3 700 m 3 km 1–2 h Turquoise mirror
• Manaslu Base Camp 4,800 m 13 km 7–9 h Ice-cliff theatre
• Samdo Ri 5 100 m 8 km 5–6 h Tibet-border panorama

“Climb high, sleep low” before Larkya La.

FAQs

Can I camp at Pungyen Gompa?

• Flat ground exists, but no water; carry 3 L extra per person and pack out all waste.

Is the side trip safe in the monsoon?

• The trail becomes slick, fog causes disorientation, and the avalanche risk is higher. The guide may cancel.

Are women welcome at the monastery?

• Absolutely—dress modestly, cover shoulders, and follow prayer-hall etiquette.

Is a cell signal available?

• No. Samagaon Ridge has NTC in clear weather; bringing a satellite communicator is crucial.

How cold is it in November?

• Daytime is 0–5 °C, and nighttime is 10 °C at Gompa; the wind chill feels colder. A down jacket is essential.

Final Reflection

Sit on the lichen-speckled wall outside Pungyen Gompa. Wind snaps prayer flags overhead; juniper incense drifts through glacier air; far away, a serac crack booms like distant thunder.

The mountains, the monastery, and the legend come together in silence. Anyone who stays long enough takes that silence home.

Get ready to feel the cold glacier wind, hear old chants, and see Manaslu turn gold at dawn. Alpine Luxury Treks offers everything you need for the Manaslu circuit trek. They provide permits, Nubri guides, and comfortable lodges.

This includes Pungyen Gompa. Email [email protected] or Enquire Now—prime spring and autumn departures fill months in advance.

May Lord Pungyen bless your footsteps.