Manaslu Circuit Trek - Day 3: Deng to Namrung

I Continued From here: Manaslu Circuit Trek - Day2: Jagat to Deng

Day 3:Trek from Deng (1804m / 5918ft) to Namrung (2630m/8628ft) - 19km/9H

9-May-2026

The next morning, I freshened up and stepped outside to capture a few time-lapse videos. The view from the guesthouse was spectacular. 

Our group was almost always the last to leave the guesthouse. Most trekkers would be on the trail before 7:30 a.m., while we typically started about half an hour later. That suited us well, as the trail was usually much quieter by then.

As I set off ahead of the group, I met Bimal along the way. He seemed to be struggling with his heavy backpack. After a brief chat, I moved on. That was the last I saw him on the trail. I also walked with the three Israeli boys for a while. There was another group of young Israeli men and women on the trek as well. Nepal is a popular destination for Israelis travelling after completing their mandatory military service.

KP also appeared to be quite knowledgeable about Indian politics. During one of our conversations, he made remarks that suggested he sympathised with the political polarisation visible in India today. He seemed supportive of the religious bias that has become increasingly evident in public discourse. He remarked that, since most Nepalis are Hindus, many of them supported the current Indian government because of its pro-Hindu stance. No one responded to the comment, and the conversation quickly moved on.

Along the way, we crossed what was either the highest or the longest suspension bridge on the trek—I can no longer remember which.

We also spotted a few mountain goats grazing on steep rocky slopes. With remarkable balance, they moved effortlessly among the rocks, feeding on patches of grass growing in the crevices.

Later, we stopped by a river where Ward and KP decided to take a dip. The water was freezing, so the rest of us chose not to follow their example. We spent some time relaxing by the river before continuing. The next section of the trail was particularly steep and exhausting.

At the top of the climb stood an apple farm where the owners sold apple juice, wine, pies, and cakes. The apple cake was delicious, and the lightly fermented apple juice was especially refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. The prices, however, were rather steep. A slice of cake cost 600 NPR, while the juice was priced at 400 NPR.

After another stretch of walking, we finally arrived at Namrung, one of the cleanest villages we had encountered on the trek.

Three days and nearly sixty kilometres of walking had taken their toll, and I was feeling thoroughly exhausted. Fortunately, the view from the guesthouse more than compensated for the fatigue. The sight of Mount Saula (6,235 m / 20,456 ft) rising above the valley was spectacular.

While the others gradually surrendered to the cold and opted for hot showers, Ward and I remained committed to our self-imposed vow of taking only cold showers. 

Flavie was suffering from a bad stomach, and thankfully the medicines I was carrying came in handy. One has to be quite careful about food and water on these treks. For drinking water, we used purification tablets that kill bacteria and make it safe to consume. Cases of food poisoning are not uncommon on treks in Nepal, so it is important to be selective about what one eats and drinks.

Later that evening, Ward, Gilou, and I sat together sipping masala chai prepared by KP. We discussed my art journal, our travels in Jordan, travelling in India, and a variety of other subjects. Ward was particularly appreciative of my artwork and repeatedly encouraged me to take pride in it and share it more confidently with others. He felt that many people would genuinely enjoy seeing it.

Ward told me that most people appreciate authentic, original artwork like mine. At the time, I dismissed his remark, saying that I had long since passed the age when one seeks attention or recognition for one's work. However, when I reflected on it later, I realised he was right.

I have always held myself to very high standards and have often felt that what I create or do is average and nothing particularly special. Deep down, I knew this tendency existed, but I had never consciously acknowledged it. Ward's comments helped me see something about myself that I had overlooked for a long time—I have been far too harsh on myself. I habitually downplay my achievements and treat them as less significant than they are. Perhaps he is right; perhaps it is time for me to change that attitude.

The young Israeli group was staying at the same guesthouse as us. They did not seem particularly popular among the other trekkers. Some Westerners appeared to dislike them because of the ongoing war and what they perceived as arrogance in their behaviour. Some Nepalis, meanwhile, found them blunt or occasionally rude. Perhaps aware of these perceptions, the group largely kept to themselves and rarely interacted with others.

At times, their behaviour towards the Nepali staff came across as dismissive or sarcastic. On one occasion, a rather loud exchange took place between one of the group members and a Nepali staff member accompanying them. Most of us found the young Israeli man's request somewhat impolite. The staff member, however, handled the situation well - by ignoring the comment and request the boy was making. 

That evening, we had an engaging discussion about Generation Z and Generation Alpha. I shared some of my own experiences and observations, and the conversation eventually drifted towards Indian politics. I spoke about my sadness at seeing the political polarisation and religious divisions that have become increasingly prominent in recent years, and how such sentiments seemed to have crossed national borders as well (referring the KP's talk earlier that day). I reflected on how dramatically the society I grew up in had changed over the past decade. It struck me that no matter how far we travel, politics has a way of following us—even into the most peaceful mountain villages.

To Be Continued...