Samdo is a beautiful village in the Manaslu region just after Samagaun. It is peaceful and quite dominated by giant peaks around it, like the Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Mansiri Himalayan ranges. It is situated at an elevation of 3,730 meters (12,238 feet), directly above the Samagaun settlement. Samdo is known as the village beyond the mountains and hills because it is located at a high altitude where clouds rarely reach. It is the last and sometimes second-to-last settlement before the Larkya La pass, as sometimes trekkers start their trek from Samdo and cross the Larkya La pass, or sometimes, for acclimatization and preparation, trekkers first trek to Dharamshala, also known as the Larkya Phedi, and cross the pass. The village is known for its majestic views of the mountain ranges seen from the settlements and its peaceful and high-altitude deserts, which add scenic beauty to the trek.
Surroundings in Samdo Village
Mount Manaslu Peak and the surrounding peaks like Samdo Ri and Naike Peak dominate the surroundings of the Samdo village. The landscape of the Samdo village is barren, as it’s high land and is the high-altitude desert, due to which you will see the deserts and glacier moraines along the peaks, which are scenic and breathtaking. The breeze here is cold and windy, which is refreshing. You will see the Buddhi Gandaki River flowing alongside the trek. Also, you will see the yak pastures, stone walls, and dry alpine slopes that characterize the region.
How can you reach Samdo Village from Kathmandu?
To reach Samdo village from Kathmandu, first, you will need to drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola or Macha Khola, and last, if you want to drive to the last place where the vehicle can reach, then it's Jagat village. From Jagat village, you will start your trek for 4/7 days, passing via the small beautiful settlements like Deng, Namrung, Nyak, Lho, Shyala, Samagaun, and then Samdo. If you don’t want to trek for these many days and just want to fly from Kathmandu to Samdo, then you can do that as well, but you will need to reach Samagaun first, as the altitude is very high; there will be a risk of high altitude sickness. So stay at Samagaun for some days to acclimatize and then trek to Samdo, which is just 3 km from Samagaun.
Do I need a permit to reach Samdo village?
Yes, you will need the permits to reach Samdo village, as it's in the Manaslu conservation area, and there are several checkpoints where you should show your permits and enter. You will need permits like the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), as you will be exiting from Dharapani, which is the gateway to beautiful destinations like the Tilicho Lake Trek, the Annapurna Circuit Trek, and the North Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Another permit is a Restricted Area permit because the Manaslu region lies inside the restricted area, which is protected by the government, due to which it is important to have an RAP permit.
The last permit is the Manaslu Conservation Area permit, as the region is protected and governed by the Nepalese government. The permit prices may increase and decrease according to the seasons, so it's always advisable to check the permit prices. You can read our blog, Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits Cost, which explains everything you need to know about the permits and cost for the trek to Samdo village and the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
What are the accommodation options in the Samdo village?
The accommodation options in the Samdo village are very basic but warm and cozy to relax after a long day's strenuous trek. The teahouse lodges are run by the locals. The facilities may be normal, like warm dining halls with yak dung heaters, shared twin rooms with beds, pillows, and blankets, and shared squat toilets. Also, there is no facility for charging your device or using internet connections, as it lies at a high altitude where reaching the modern infrastructure is difficult. So if you want to charge your devices, then you will need to use the electricity generated from the solar panel, and you will need to pay extra, which is around 2 to 5 USD depending upon the lodges. Also, you will have the basic food facilities, which are cooked on the fire, and woods, and you will have food options like Dal Bhat, Tibetan bread, soups, noodles, and limited hot drinks.
What are the cultures and traditions of the Samdo Village?
The cultures and traditions of the Samdo village are highly influenced by the Tibetan culture and traditions, as it is the Tibetan refugee settlement, which makes the majority follow Buddhism. You’ll find prayer flags, mani walls, and a small monastery throughout the village. You will see that locals speak a dialect of the Tibetan language, and many wear traditional woolen robes (chubas). Local people of the Samdo village mainly depend upon yak herding and trade as traditional livelihoods. Also, you will see people practice age-old rituals like incense burning and prayer wheel spinning daily.
