Manakamana Heritage Tour

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Recommended by 99% of travelers
Duration
1 Days
Trip Grade
Easy
Country
Nepal

Manakamana Temple is one of the most popular cultural sites of Nepal located in Gorkha district. The word “Manakamana” is made up of two words “Mana” and “Kamana”. “Mana” means “the heart” and “Kamana” refers to “wishes”. As a whole, it means the shrine that helps in “fulfilling the wishes” of someone.

This popular pilgrimage site of the Hindus from all over the world lies close to the Prithvi Highway. Every year, thousands of visitors from India and Nepal this shrine to pay the homage to Goddess of Wishes. Manakamana Temple (1,302m) is a vantage point to see Manaslu (8,163m), Himalchuli (7,893m) and Annapurna (8,091m) Range.

Manakamana Heritage Tourrewards you with amazing view of the Trishuli River Valley and the Marsyangdi River Valley. The distant view of the hills covered with green forests is something must-have once in a lifetime.

The fertile valleys of Gorkha, Lamjung and Tanahun districts are visible. The temple itself has a square base looking across a huge sacred magnolia tree. The temple has four floors that are tiered in pagoda style roofs. The roof is plated with brass sheets.

How to Begin Manakamana Heritage Tour?

To begin Manakamana Heritage Tour, you have three choices. You can either use cable car or off-road drive or hike to Manakamana Temple. The Cable Car station lies in Kurintar, which is 99 km far from Kathmandu and 105 km from the Lake City Pokhara. It means you can reach there within 4 hours drive from the either side.

The Manakamana Cable Car is the first cable car of the country established in November 1998. The total length of the cable car is 2.8 km that can be covered in about 10 minutes. The technology was imported from Austria with 100% guarantee of the safety. The transportation opens from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with 12:00 noon to 1:30 Lunch Break.

Hiking to Manakamana Temple

You can do Manakamana Heritage Tour on foot as well. You should have habit of regular walking or have a good physical condition. Before the development of the cable car facility, the pilgrims used to walk up to the shrine. The ancient hiking trail to Manakamana Temple starts from Aanbukhaireni of Tanahun.

Aanbukhaireni is nearly 122.7 km distant from Kathmandu whereas 84.6 km from Pokhara City. You can reach this small town in about 3:30 hours driving along the Prithvi Highway. From Pokhara, you can cover the distance within 2:30 hours driving in a private jeep or a tourist coach.

The hiking to Manakamana Temple begins after crossing the Marsyangdi River bridge nearby the Gorakhakali Tyre Factory. The trail is well defined with many teahouses and hotels to provide you food and accommodation facilities as well. While moving ahead, you can see the Gurung Villages having clean surrounding.

This region is popular for oranges, peanuts and sugarcanes. You can have the glimpses of the barley and maze cultivation areas en route. If you make this Heritage tour in Nepal in autumn, you can taste the mouth-watering organic products of the villages. While moving ahead you can have the majestic view of the green hills and snowcapped peaks.

Alternatively, you can even make hiking to ManakamanaDevi right from Kurintar. After crossing the suspension bridge, you begin the trekking following the shadows of the cable cars. Although it is hard to walk the steep trail, the view of the surrounding hills and high altitude villages pushes you further. It takes around 4 hours to reach the temple by walking past the Gurung and Magar villages en route.

You can customize Manakamana Heritage Tour to other popular shrines of Nepal. Many tourists extend it to Gorkha Durbar Excursion and Bandipur tour. You can extend it to Pokhara Day tour, or tour to Janakpur, Lumbini or Muktinath as well. For more details, contact us via phone call, email, WhatsApp or online reservation tool.

Highlights

  • Driving along the banks of the Trishuli River
  • Scenic ride on a gondola car
  • Breathtaking view of Manaslu (8,163m), Himalchuli (7,893m) and Annapurna (8,091m) Range
  • Pilgrimage to one of the famous cultural sites of Hindus
  • Hiking is also possible from Aanbukhaireni, Tanahun
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Meals: Breakdast, LunchAccommodation: Three Star Hotel
Essential Information

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Manakamana Heritage Tour FAQs

To reach Manakamana Temple, you have to drive along the Prithvi Highway from Kathmandu. It takes nearly 3:30 hours to reach there. From Kurintar, you can ride on a gondola car and reach the shrine in around 10 minutes. Or, you can also hike to Manakamana Temple right from Aaambukhairni of Tanahun. It takes nearly 4 hours to reach there in a bus or private car. By walking for nearly 4 hours along the easy but steep trail, you get to the destination.

If you drive from Pokhara City to Kurintar, the Manakamana Cable Car station, it takes nearly 2:30 hours. From here, you can reach the temple in about 10 minutes enjoying the picturesque villages and green forests. If you want to experience hiking in Nepal, you can reach Aambukhaireni in about 2 hours. Then, by walking for 4 hours, you reach the destination.

Yes, you can! Before the establishment of the Manakamana Cable Car in 1998, the pilgrims used to walk all the way to the temple. Even today, many of them prefer walking to using cable car. From Aaanbukhaireni of Tanahun, it takes nearly 4 hours to reach the temple. The trail is really pleasant to walk through by observing the cultural villages. If you make this hiking in autumn, you can find the mouth-watering oranges in the large orchard of this region.

Yes, of course! You can customize this tour to Gorkha Durbar Excursion or any other pilgrimage sites. Bandipur Day Tour, pilgrimage tour to Muktinath, Janakpur or Lumbini can also be added to the itinerary. For more customized pilgrimage tour in Nepal, visit www.orbitalpineadventure.com.