Rashmi Pant unveils the captivating beauty of Manang

Some moments you experience while travelling end up completely blowing you away, in ways you would’ve never expected. They stay with you forever, and years later you still smile at the fond memories. To say that there’s truly nothing like it in the world would be an understatement. Manang is the place where travel dreams come true.

Manang is a valley situated in the rain shadow area north of the Annapurna range of Himalayas. The district, with Chame as its district headquarters and 13 VDCs, covers an area of 2,246 kms. The Thorung La mountain pass at 17769 feet above sea level connects the district to Mustang by providing a route between the towns of Manang to Muktinath, Mustang, Tibet and the western region.

In the vicinity of the Tibetan border, this valley has a history among the yak and salt traders of Nepal and Tibet. This valley is still used as the yak and salt trading point and it remains one of the most important trading points in the northern border of Nepal. Blessed with many stunningly beautiful mountains like Pisang peak, the Chulu range, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Kangaru Peak, Throng peak, Manang valley trek is always a great experience for those who have been there.

Along with friends I made a trip to Manang and we still remain spellbound by its enchanting beauty. From the moment we trod on Manang soil till the time we left its mountains, waterfalls and brooks captivated us. From the first morning cup of tea till late evening was it full an “I-can’t-quite-believe-this-is-happening moment.”

Most were captivated by landscape’s indefatigable beauty, but others were definitely lost in place’s singular

sense of style. We could not believe mountains with the rising sun could be so entrancing that we would forget ourselves.

The murmuring brooks, gurgling waterfalls and flowing tap water had come to icy halt. It seemed as if nature was rejuvenating itself to come up with unimagined pristine beauty. Gangapurna Lake, one of the lakes that we came across in upper Manang, was all solid ice with running water at the bottom, which we could hear in the silence of the Himalayas.

Apple farming in the district is also worth a mention. We couldn’t believe that such a rocky terrain could nurture plants in a way that a single plant bore 30 to 40 kgs of fruit. The Agro-Manang farm covering around 500 ropanis of land has plants imported from Italy and uses the latest plantation techniques.

By the time our stay ended, we pondered over and over again how this part of the country could be so exquisitely mesmerising? One thing’s for sure — God, on His part, has been extraordinarily kind to this part of the country with an endless string of magnificent mountains and lovely lakes.

The spellbinding music of the falls, rivers and lakes still rings in my ears. Manang ‘A bride in the veil’ seems to be luring and captivating travellers to visit her again and again.