4th Nov. 2025
Tucked deep within Nepal’s Manaslu Conservation Area, "SAMAGAUN" (3550m) is a hidden gem that feels like a Himalayan dream come to life. Surrounded by towering peaks, glaciers, and fluttering prayer flags, this remote mountain village is the gateway to Mount Manaslu (8163m) — the world’s eighth-highest peak. Reaching Samagaun is an adventure in itself. The Manaslu Circuit Trek winds through dense forests and ancient stone hamlets before opening into the broad Nubri Valley (2000-5800m), where Samagaun rests beneath the shadow of snow-clad giants. Primarily inhabited by ethnic Nubri people of Tibetan origin, Samagaun offers authentic cultural experiences. These welcoming villagers speak their own Nubri language—a Tibetan-Burmese dialect. Interestingly, polyandrous marriage is permitted in their community. The Nubri predominantly practice Buddhism mixed with animistic beliefs, respecting the spirits of plants and animals. Here, time slows, with yaks grazing in open pastures, and the sound of spinning prayer wheels mingling with the crisp mountain breeze. For trekkers, Samagaun is both a sanctuary and a starting point. The Manaslu Base Camp hike (4800m) — a challenging 6-hour ascent — rewards adventurers with awe-inspiring views of glaciers and the mountain’s dramatic north face. Nearby, the tranquil Birendra Lake (3691m) glimmers like turquoise glass, and dominated by the serene ancient Pungyen Gompa (monastery) built upon a rock overlooking the entire settlement, adding to its spiritual calm and sweeping panoramas. Life here still beats to an ancient rhythm — stone houses with thick walls and flat roofs tumble down the hillside, carefully designed to endure harsh mountain conditions; wool-clad villagers, and the quiet strength of people who have lived for centuries in harmony with the mountains. As night falls, the sky over Samagaun bursts into a sea of stars, and you realize: this isn’t just a stop on a trek — it’s a doorway into the heart of the Himalayas. I was lucky to be involved with a school projecy here post earthquake (2018) supported by an US INGO "Mountain Child", and had to travel by helicopter to inspect the site.
Morning Tweet - The heart finds its home in the heartbeat of a village in the mountains.
Good Morning!!!!