Serang Gompa Trek: The Complete Guide

Serang Gompa is a Nyingma Buddhist retreat centre in a hanging valley at around 3,600 m above Bihi, in the Manaslu restricted area. There are meditation caves in the cliffs above it and a resident community of monks and long-term retreatants. It receives a handful of foreign visitors a year, and most of them come for the retreat rather than the walk.

The approach is the classic lower Manaslu gorge — hot springs at Tatopani, the stone-paved village of Jagat, and the canyon above Philim where the trail is cut into the rock — and then a steep climb through forest into a valley with no road, no lodge and no other party.

This is a short, culturally rich trek rather than a high-altitude one: nine walking days, a maximum of 3,600 m, and a monastery that receives visitors as guests rather than as customers.

The Trek at a Glance

We run it as a 12-day trek. Because Bihi sits on the main Manaslu trail, it can also be added to the Manaslu Circuit as a two- to three-day detour, or combined with the Tsum Valley.

The Route

Machha Khola to Philim (870 m to 1,570 m)

A long jeep day from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, then two days up the Budhi Gandaki. This is the standard Manaslu approach and it is superb walking in its own right — hot springs at Tatopani, the stone-paved street at Jagat where the restricted area begins, and the canyon above Philim with the trail cut into the rock face above the river.

Philim to Bihi Phedi (1,570 m to 1,990 m)

A gentler day continuing up the gorge to the foot of the monastery valley. This is the last point with ordinary teahouse comforts.

The climb to Serang Gompa (1,990 m to 3,600 m)

The hardest day of the trek: around 1,600 m of ascent on a steep forest trail, six to seven hours, relentless rather than technical. The valley closes in, the forest thickens, and then it opens into a hanging basin with the monastery buildings against the cliffs and the meditation caves above them.

The day at the monastery

A full day at Serang is on the itinerary. Depending on what the community is doing you may sit in on practice, walk up to the retreat caves, or simply spend the day in a place organised entirely around something other than visitors. Go as a guest: dress modestly, ask before photographing, walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls, remove shoes in the temple, and keep quiet during practice. A donation is appropriate.

The descent

Back down the same 1,600 m to Bihi Phedi — hard on the knees, and the reason poles are recommended — then two days down the gorge to Machha Khola and the jeep to Kathmandu.

Difficulty and Who It Suits

Graded moderate. The altitude never becomes a factor, and apart from one day the walking is straightforward gorge trail.

• Nine walking days, most five to six hours.
• One very hard day — 1,600 m up to the monastery, and the same in descent two days later.
• Maximum 3,600 m, with only two nights near it, so altitude sickness is unlikely.
• Long jeep days at each end — Kathmandu to Machha Khola is a full day on rough road.
• Simple accommodation above Bihi: the monastery guesthouse or tents, shared outside toilets, no showers.

If the Manaslu region interests you more broadly, start with our Manaslu Circuit guide and the Tsum Valley guide.

Visiting the Monastery Properly

Serang is a working religious institution, not a monument, and that shapes everything about the visit. Your guide will brief you and arrange introductions, but the basics matter:

• Dress modestly — covered shoulders and legs, in the buildings and around them.
• Ask before photographing people or shrine rooms, and accept a no.
• Walk clockwise around chortens, mani walls and the monastery itself.
• Remove shoes in the temple, and keep quiet during practice sessions.
• Bring a donation in small notes — it is the main reason a visit is a net good for the community.

Extra nights at the monastery can be arranged at the booking stage if you want time to sit in on practice or walk to the retreat caves, subject to what accommodation the community has available.

What It Costs

The price reflects the Manaslu restricted-area permit and the jeep transfers rather than a large camp operation — teahouses cover most of the route.

Restricted-area rules mean a minimum of two trekkers on a permit, so solo trekking is not possible here. There are no ATMs on the route — draw all your rupees in Kathmandu, in small denominations, including your monastery donation.

What Is Included

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu.
• Private jeep transport Kathmandu to Machha Khola and back.
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.
• Teahouse accommodation on the trek, and monastery guesthouse or tented accommodation above Bihi.
• Three meals a day during the trek.
• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and trekking registration.
• A licensed English-speaking trekking guide.
• Group trekking map, first aid kit carried by the guide, and all government taxes, permit fees and service charges.

What Is Not Included

• International flights and the Nepal entry visa fee.
• Travel insurance including emergency helicopter evacuation.
• Personal trekking equipment and clothing.
• Porter services, available at additional cost.
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
• Snacks, bottled water, hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging and drinks.
• Laundry, phone calls, souvenirs and personal expenses.
• Tips for guides, drivers and support staff — and your donation at the monastery.
• Extra accommodation or transport caused by weather or anything else outside the itinerary.

See our permits guide for how the Manaslu restricted-area system works and what the two-trekker minimum means in practice.