Dharamsala, which is also called “Larke Phedi”, sits at an altitude of about 4,460 meters. The name Larke Phedi comes from two Nepali words: Larke, referring to Larkya La Pass, and Phedi, meaning the base or foot of a mountain pass. Therefore, Larke Phedi means the base of Larkya La Pass.
Dharmasla is one of the most searched places in the Manaslu Circuit trek. Trekkers who are planning this journey are eager to know about this place. The reason is simple; it is the last place to stop before crossing the challenging Larkya La Pass(5,106 meters).
Dharamsala is not a permanent village; it is just a temporary settlement built for trekkers to accommodate. Here you will find a very basic teahouse with limited facilities. It is one of the most remote places that you will spend the night in the entire trek.
Today in this guide, we will give you detailed information regarding what accommodation and meals look like here. Also, you will learn how to stay safe and in a comfortable way at this high-altitude place.
What Is Dharamsala on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
As mentioned earlier, it’s not a permanent village, so no one lives here year-round. It is a seasonal stop specifically built to accommodate trekkers. The teahouse in Dharamsala is operated by locals from Samdo and Samagaon.
Located in the Gorkha district of Nepal, Dharamsala lies within the Manaslu Conservation Area. It is situated just above the Samdo Village(3,875 m). The distance from Samdo to Dharamsala is about 6 to 7 kilometers (3.7 to 4.3 miles), and the hike duration is roughly 3 to 5 hours. Lofty Manaslu Himal range, rocky ridges, and glacial streams surround it.
Dharamsala Altitude and Why It Matters
The altitude of Dharamsala is about 4,460 meters, or 14,632 feet. At this altitude, the air pressure will be only 61% of that at sea level. This means the air will be thinner, and the oxygen level will remain low in your body. Some trekkers can find difficulty in breathing, which can result in altitude sickness(AMS). Trekkers need to spend a good acclimatization day in Sama Gaun before reaching here.
The landscape here is barren, and you won’t find any trees, farms, or local food supply. All the items that are served here are carried from the lower village by mules, yaks, or porters. This is the reason accommodation and meals here feel so basic.
Manaslu Dharamsala Accommodation: What to Expect
There are a total of three teahouses in Dharamsala as of 2026. This mountain lodge is built with stone and covered with tin roofs. The rooms are partitioned with wood and tarpaulin sheets. In the peak trekking season( spring and autumn), due to limited rooms, it fills up fast. When the room is run out they often set the tents outside. Tents are colder than rooms, but they offer more privacy.
Room Types in Dharamsala
Most of the rooms are shared among the trekkers for up to 5-7 people in a single room. However, you can book a private room for your group, which can accommodate up to 4 people if you reserve in advance. Unlike in other villages, to get room here is very tough. You must reserve in advance by talking with the teahouse owner with the help of your guide.
Inside the room there will be a sharing bed and blankets and small window. The bed is made from stone, and on top of the stone there will be a mattress. Except for the bed, you won’t find anything else here as you can find in hotels. Walls are thin, and sound travels between one room and another. There will be no heating system inside the room, and the temperature drops below the freezing point at night. For the blanket, you need to pay NPR 250 to 300. Single blankets won’t work here as temperature at night ranges between 10°C and -15°C in peak season.
Electricity, Charging, and wifi
Due to the high altitude, remote location, and being far away from the road, the regular electric supply is not available. Solar power is the only source of energy here. During cloudy days, solar charging often gets disrupted. There is no reliable electricity supply at the teahouse.
A charging port is placed in the dining hall, but for this service they often charge extra cost. We highly recommend you bring a fully charged power bank above 10,000 MAH with you. Freezing temperatures in the Himalayas drain the battery fast. Therefore, keep your electronic device inside your sleeping bag at night.
There is no wifi and mobile signal in Dharamsala. Treat this stop as a full digital detox. Before reaching above 3,000 meters, tell your family member you will be offline for 2-3 days. The network connection in the Manaslu route is available only around 40% to 50%.
Toilets and Water Facts
Toilets in Dharamsala are very basic and limited in number. The toilets are traditional squat pit types with running water facilities. Water often freezes overnight. Toilets are not as clean as in the lower village, and you might need to flush using a bucket.
Hot shower facilities are not available here. Due to cold pipes and freezing weather, providing hot water is not practical or safe. To maintain personal hygiene, we suggest you bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer.
Manaslu Dharamsala Meals: What You Can Eat
Food at this high altitude is simple but nutritious and fresh. The kitchen staff often use local ingredients for preparing dishes. Food is prepared using gas stoves, kerosene burners, or wood stoves.
The dining hall is the only warm room in the teahouse. Trekkers often gather to relax and spend time talking with their fellow travellers before going to bed.
Don’t expect a variety of food items here. At Dharamsala, the menu is short but filling. The bill for the meal is paid in the evening, and if you want to eat breakfast, you will inform the teahouse at night. This is because the next morning, to cross the challenging Larkye La Pass, you need to move early in the morning from 3 AM to 4 AM. Serving breakfast starts from 3: 30 in the morning.
It takes 3 to 4 hours to reach the top of the Larkye La Pass from Dharamsala. And further walking on the descent trail from the pass for around 3 – 4 hours, you will reach Bhimtang.
Dal Bhat: The Main Trekking Meal
Dal bhat is the most common meal in Dharamsala. It has rice, lentil soup, and a vegetable curry. Many lodges offer free refills of rice and dal. This makes it a smart choice for energy.
Guides often suggest dal bhat for both lunch and dinner. The carbs help fuel long trekking days. It also keeps you warm through cold nights.
Other Food Options in Dharamsala
Besides dal bhat, you can also find:
- Noodles, such as fried noodles or instant noodles
- Momo
- Garlic soup, which many believe helps with altitude
- Tibetan bread, chapati, and porridge for breakfast
- Boiled or fried eggs
According to the local Buddhist beliefs and cultural norms, they don’t kill animals here. Also, there is no proper refrigeration here, so eating meat is highly discouraged for health safety.
Hot Drinks and Hydration
Trekkers can find the mineral water bottle at lower Manaslu Village. But here in Dharamsala inside the teahouse, they often provide hot water for drinking. This hot water is collected from a tap or natural source and is boiled. You can refill your water bottle from here by paying some extra cost. For extra safety, you can add a water purification tablet if you want to treat the water before drinking.
Drink enough water at this altitude to remain hydrated. Other hot drinks you can find here are:
- Ginger lemon honey tea
- Black tea or milk tea
- Hot lemon water
- Hot chocolate
Special note: Drinking alcohol at high altitude triggers altitude sickness(AMS). So, to be free from the risk of AMS, avoid alcohol completely.
Manaslu Dharamsala Accommodation and Meal Costs
The cost goes up as you go up the Manaslu village. The reason is that it is difficult to carry supplies uphill. Dharamsala is one of the more costly places along the entire trek.
The average price of basic teahouse rooms is also approximately USD 5 to 15 per night for the entire Manaslu Circuit. Rooms are frequently high up in that range at high camps such as Dharamsala. The meal prices on the upper circuit can be quite high, running at an average price of USD 15 to 30 per day, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks.
Many teahouses lower the room price if you also buy your meals there. This is common practice across the whole region. Still, prices at Dharamsala stay firm due to high demand and low supply.
There are no ATMs anywhere on the upper Manaslu trail. Carry enough Nepali rupees in cash. Bring extra small notes from Kathmandu, Gorkha, or Arughat before you start the trek.
How to Secure a Room in Dharamsala
A limited number of beds are available in Dharamsala. A lot of trekking groups arrive on the same day. This makes it difficult to find rooms in busy times.
Here is how to improve your chances:
- Hire a licensed guide. A good guide can call ahead from Samdo to book a room.
- Leave Samdo early. Try to reach Dharamsala earlier than other groups.
- Stay flexible. In busy periods, lodge owners may lay mattresses in the dining hall.
Autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are the two main trekking seasons of the year. These are the months that are the busiest. Expect the most crowding during these months.
Health and Altitude Tips for Staying in Dharamsala
Dharamsala is in the danger zone of altitude sickness. Your body has to work much harder to breathe even while you are at rest. Here, careful planning will ensure you are safe for the pass crossing.
Acclimatize Before You Arrive
Most itineraries include an acclimatization day in Samagaon before Dharamsala. This is done to slowly acclimatize your body to high altitude and lower the risk of altitude sickness.
Stay Warm at Night
Be prepared for the cold before you come on site. During the night, Dharamsala can get colder than -10°C. It is essential to have a good sleeping bag. Select one that can withstand low temperatures of -15°C to -20°C.
Replace sweaty trek clothes immediately after you arrive. Put on dry base layers, a warm jacket, and wool socks. Ask the kitchen to fill a bottle with hot water before bed. Place it inside your sleeping bag near your feet.
Eat and Drink Even Without Appetite
You may lose your appetite because of the altitude. Try to eat your full meal anyway. The calories are required for the crossover pass. Take water regularly – even when you are not thirsty.
Ensure that all water is treated with a filter or tablets to purify it. This will reduce your chances of stomach issues before the big climb.
Packing Checklist for Dharamsala
- Before heading up from Samdo, check that you have:
- Enough Nepali cash in small notes
- A warm, high-rated sleeping bag and liner
- A water purification tool
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
- A charged power bank
- Snacks like energy bars, nuts, or chocolate
- Any altitude medicine advised by your doctor
Frequently Asked Questions About Manaslu Dharamsala
How high is Dharamsala on the Manaslu Circuit?
Dharamsala sits at an altitude of about 4,460 meters, or 14,632 feet.
Is Dharamsala a real village?
No. Dharamsala is not a real village; no locals live here. The teahouses here are built only for trekkers.
Are there private rooms in Dharamsala?
There is no single bed with a private room. But they can book the entire room for their group, and for this you need to book the room in advance.
Does Dharamsala have wifi or phone signals?
No. Wifi and phone signals work here.
Can I get a hot shower in Dharamsala?
Hot shower facilities are not available in Dharamsala. You can take a hot shower at the lower village after crossing Larkye La Pass.
What food is available in Dharamsala?
Basic food items such as Dal bhat, noodles, soups, eggs, and simple breakfast.
How much does a night in Dharamsala cost?
It can cost you around USD 10 – 25 per night.
How do I get from Dharamsala to Larkya La Pass?
Trekkers leave Dharamsala early in the morning around 3 AM – 4 AM. The climb to the pass takes several hours, followed by a long descent to Bimthang.
Final Say
Dharamsala is straightforward, chilly and easy. But it plays a key role in your Manaslu Circuit Trek. It provides rest and refreshment ahead of the greatest test on the trip.
Make plans to accommodate rooms. Pack warm gear. Feed normally despite not being hungry. Get plenty of water and don’t drink any alcohol.
If well-prepared, your night in Dharamsala is an adventure. The following morning, it is time to cross Larkya La Pass and head on with the Himalayan adventure.
If you are searching for the licensed guide, permit or guide trip to the Manaslu Circuit trek then you can contact us. Peaceful Nepal has been organizing the trip for the last 10 years.
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