DAMAULI: “We had seen pictures and videos of Manungkot in Tahanun on social media, but witnessing it in person was even more mesmerizing,” said Laxmi Karki from Pokhara. “The sunrise and the view of the snowcapped mountains from here are simply captivating.”
Karki, who rented a car from Pokhara at 2 a.m. on Monday to reach Manungkot in Byas Municipality–5, said the natural beauty far exceeded what she had seen on TikTok and Facebook. “We had heard a lot about Manungkot, so after discussing with friends, four of us decided to come,” she added.
Similarly, Lunibha Shrestha from Kathmandu shared that she was spellbound by Manungkot’s charm. “I had always wanted to visit, but couldn’t manage earlier for various reasons. The Tihar holidays finally gave me the chance—and the breathtaking view made it worth it,” she said.
Local visitor Sudeep Gaffar from Damauli noted that due to the heavy tourist flow, visitors should contact hotels in advance.
With the onset of colder weather, the number of visitors to Manungkot has been rising daily. Currently, over a thousand tourists visit each day, with nearly two thousand recorded on Monday morning alone.
According to Shailesh Sunam, owner of the Umbrella Restaurant in Manungkot, the area is currently experiencing peak tourist season, boosted by the Dashain and Tihar holidays. “The sunrise, mist, and sunset during the cold season attract many visitors,” he said.
“Since the crowd is large, it’s best to book accommodation in advance. We offer overnight lodging, food, and breakfast for Rs 1,200 per person.” His restaurant can host up to 70 guests a day.
The rise in tourist numbers has spurred a growth in local hospitality businesses. Once devoid of hotels, Manungkot now has around a dozen in operation. To enhance the visitor experience, Byas Municipality has built a viewing tower, installed safety railings along the hillside, and constructed a footpath beside them.
From Manungkot, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Manaslu, and Lamjung Himal. The fog that blankets Damauli Bazaar below also holds mythological significance—legend says that when Parasar Rishi, the father of Maharishi Ved Vyas, desired to unite with Satyavati, he created fog to conceal them from public view.
The tourism boom has even encouraged former residents who had migrated to urban areas to return and start businesses. Many had previously left due to a lack of drinking water, but the availability of jar and tanker water transported from the market has provided an alternative solution.
The road to Manungkot has recently been blacktopped through funding from the Ministry of Urban Development. A total of 4,300 meters of the road from Alainche to Manungkot has been paved, and Byas Municipality reports that 180 meters of RCC slope has been laid in steep sections where blacktopping was difficult.
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