Manakamana (mana means soul and Kamana means wish) temple is 100 km / 3 hrs away from Kathmandu. Cable car sweeps up an almost impossibly steep hillside to the ancient Manakamana temple, one of the most famous temples in Nepal. Hindus believe that the goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati, has the power to grant wishes. Pilgrims sacrifice the goat or free pigeon according to their vow as their wishes are fulfilled. Besides being the center of culture and religion, the ridge-top Manakamana temple also offers a good view of mountain ranges.
Gorkha, 140 km west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,135m, is the ancestral hometown of Nepal’s royal family. Gorkha’s small town is perhaps the most important historical town in Nepal. From its hilltop fortress, King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal. The British term “Gurkha” evolved from the name Gorkha, referring to the famed fighting soldiers of the region. Its main attraction is the magnificent Gorkha Durbar with a fort, a palace, and a temple with extensive views of the surrounding valleys, and the Manaslu range.
Our guide will receive you from the hotel and then take a private vehicle to Kurintar, a gateway to Manakamana Temple, which takes about a 3/4 hour drive. You can either take the cable car to Manakamana Temple or hike uphill for 4 hours to reach the Manakamana temple. Afterward, roam around the temple area and take a rest.
Accommodation: Overnight in available lodges in Manakamana.
In the morning, you can visit the premises of the Manakamana Temple and offer your prayers. We then start our trek to the village of Basket. On the way, we can visit Mahadev temple and LakhanThapa (Nepal’s first martyr) statue and his village. The Himalayan view looks spectacular from the Lakhan Thapa cave and above. The trail further follows the ridge through the forest. After a 6-7 hour walk, we reach Gorkha, where we can visit Gorkha palace, museum, and a lot of other attractions.
Accommodation: Overnight in available lodges in Gorkha.
Continuing our tour of Gorkha, we complete the remaining sightseeing and later, we pack our bags and hop on the vehicle to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This marks the end of Manakamana- Gorkha Hiking.
Accommodation: Overnight in Yatri Suites and Spa or similar in Kathmandu.
