I’m Rujan, a licensed trekking guide living in Kathmandu. Many walkers come to Nepal hoping for monasteries, prayer flags and quiet spiritual places, not only mountains. Not every trek gives that: some regions are mostly Hindu, or Magar and Gurung. These are the walks where Buddhist life is part of every day.
Langtang and the Tamang villages
North of Kathmandu, by road. Tamang villages with small gompas, mani walls and prayer wheels, and Kyanjin Gompa at the head of the valley. The Tamang Heritage Trail adds village homestays. See the Langtang Valley trek.
Solu: Junbesi and Dudh Kunda
South of the Everest region, reached by road. Sherpa villages, the monastery of Thubten Choling above Junbesi, and the holy lake of Dudh Kunda. Quieter than the Khumbu. See the Pikey Peak trek.
The Khumbu
Tengboche, Pangboche and Khumjung, and the Mani Rimdu festival in autumn. Busier, but the monasteries are among the most important in Nepal. See Mani Rimdu at Tengboche.
Lower and Upper Mustang
Kagbeni’s red monastery, Lubra, one of the few villages of the Bon religion, and the walled city of Lo Manthang with its old monasteries. See Upper Mustang.
Manaslu and Tsum
Tibetan Buddhist villages and the monasteries of the Tsum valley, in a restricted area. See the Manaslu Circuit trek.
Near Kathmandu
Boudhanath and Swayambhu at dawn, the caves of Pharping, and Namo Buddha on its hill above the valley, a lovely overnight walk.
Visiting with respect
- Walk clockwise around stupas, chortens and mani walls.
- Ask before entering a prayer hall, take off your shoes and hat, and sit quietly at the side.
- Ask before photographing monks or people at prayer.
- A small donation is welcome, never required.
See visiting a monastery respectfully and prayer flags, mani walls and stupas.
If you are not sure which suits you, write to me and tell me what you hope for. I will say honestly.
Rules change. If something here is out of date, please tell me and I will correct it.Tell me
