The last time I was in Manang was 10 years ago. Although it was just a one-day stop, the Manang I remember was remarkably different—secluded and quaint—from what I saw and experienced this year, accessible to and bustling with tourists. There was no proper road access back then and I had to take a flight to the village. This time around, I was able to make a full 20-hour road trip right into its heart. 

Once a remote destination, Manang, peppered with hotels old and new, is today abuzz with tourists and trekkers throughout the year. Once cut off from the outside world, today the youngsters of the village can be seen flaunting styles of the Nepali actors who make frequent appearances in the region to film movies. 

To my surprise, popular coffee chains based in the Capital have also started expanding their franchise to the region to cater the urban tourist. 

Despite all the changes, however, what still remains unaltered is the beauty of this place. Manang is still as stunning as it was a decade ago—stretched across a beautiful landscape adorned with waterfalls, with beautiful mountains in the backdrop. 

In the three days that I spent in Manang, I realised that there’s nothing like waking up to and being surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Nothing compares to being able to walk to a glacial lake that shimmers in all its glory with sun right above it. And most importantly, nothing comes close to travelling to a distant land and feeling instantly home. 

Photos & Text: Suraj Ratna Shakya