Nyak Village

Nyak is a beautiful, peaceful village located inside the Manaslu Conservation Area of the Manaslu region, the gateway to Mount Manaslu. Nyak village is at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level and on the riverbank of the Budhi Gandaki River. Nyak village is also known as the Nyak Phedi by the locals, so don’t get confused between Nyak village and Nyak Phedi. The village offers a peaceful environment with the beautiful backdrop of the mountain ranges. Nyak village is surrounded by dense forests, cliffs, waterfalls, and terraced hills. The trail approaching Nyak from Philim passes through lush vegetation and climbs gradually through subtropical and alpine forest zones.

Culture and Traditions of Nyak Village

The culture and traditions of the Nyak village are similar to those of the Jagat village, as both of them lie near the passing routes of the Manaslu circuit trail. The village is for the local Gurung and Tamang people who have been the inhabitants of this region since ancient times, due to which the village reflects ancient Nepal as well. You will see the village's houses are made up of stones and wood found in the local region. As most of the people are Buddhists, you will see a high influence of Buddhist cultures and traditions, and it was the salt trading route of Tibet, so here Tibetan influences are dominant as well. You will see that daily lives are deeply influenced by ancient rituals, festivals, and spiritual practices. Prayer flags flutter in the mountain winds, symbolizing peace and compassion, while mani stones inscribed with sacred mantras line the trails and village outskirts. When you stay here for your Manaslu base camp trek or the Manaslu circuit trek, you will witness festivals such as Losar (Tibetan New Year) and Buddha Jayanti, which are celebrated with vibrant dances, colorful costumes, and communal feasts, reflecting the tight-knit community spirit.

Surroundings of Nyak Village

The surroundings of the Nyak village are covered with lush green dense forests of oaks, pines, bamboo, and ferns. You will see the beautiful Himalayan ranges in the backdrop. You will hear the soothing sound of the Budhi Gandaki River and the waterfall streams in the background every second. If you are lucky enough in the peak seasons, you can witness the variety of flora and fauna in the forests from the tea houses themselves. The surrounding landscape also supports the villagers’ traditional agricultural lifestyle, with barley, buckwheat, and potatoes commonly grown crops.

Accommodations in the Nyak Village

The accommodations in Nyak village are simple but comfortable for the trekkers to rest and relax after their long day trek. The tea houses and accommodations in the Nyak village reflect the ancient Himalayan hospitality. Most tea houses are family-run guesthouses or guest houses that offer basic rooms with essential amenities like warm blankets, a common dining area, and hot showers. However, you may need to pay extra charge if you want to charge your electrical equipment items or use facilities like wifi and hot showers, as there is no proper electricity and most of them run on battery or solar. However, still staying in these guesthouses and teahouses provides trekkers a chance to immerse themselves in local culture and hospitality, often sharing meals with the host family and learning about their way of life. Also, the meals are mainly cooked on the fire, which adds to the taste of the foods and makes them delicious and healthy for the trekkers.

How to reach Nyak Village from Kathmandu?

To reach Nyak village from Kathmandu, you will first need to rent a vehicle like a Scorpio or jeep and then drive from Kathmandu to Jagat village and relax there. The next day you can trek to Nyak, as there are no vehicle options to reach Nyak village, so you will need to trek from Jagat. The distance between Nyak village and Jagat is around 10 to 12 km, which will take you a proper 6 to 8 hours to reach Nyak from Jagat. Another option is you can fly from Kathmandu to Jagat and stay in Jagat and trek to Nyak another day if you want to avoid the drive.

Do I need a permit to reach Nyak village?

Yes, you will need a permit to reach Nyak village, as the village lies inside the Manaslu conservation area, and it is a restricted area, making it difficult to enter without a permit. Your permits will be checked in the Jagat village and on the way to Nyak by the Nepal army officers who are there to protect the region from illegal poaching and the conservation of the region. So, to enter without any difficulties, you will need permits like: