Sightseeing · Manang
Braga Monastery
A centuries-old cliff-stacked Tibetan Buddhist gompa above Braga village near Manang.
Braga Monastery (also spelled Braka) is a Tibetan Buddhist gompa thought to be around 500 years old, built into a tall ochre cliff above the village of Braga near Manang at about 3,470m. One of the oldest and most important monasteries in the valley, it belongs to the Kagyu tradition and shelters a fine collection of statues, masks and thangka paintings.
What to expect
The village houses climb the slope in stacked tiers, with the gompa crowning the cliff above them — a striking sight on the walk into Manang. Inside, dim prayer halls hold centuries-old religious art, while the terrace outside frames a sweeping view across the Marsyangdi valley to the Annapurnas. It is a quiet, contemplative stop that suits the slow pace of an acclimatization day.
Good to know
- Etiquette: Dress modestly, remove shoes inside, walk clockwise around shrines and chortens, and ask before photographing interiors.
- Access: The gompa is an easy detour from the main trail; you may need to locate a caretaker for the key.
- Nearby gompas: Combine it with the cliff-top Praken Gompa above Manang and the Milarepa Cave hermitage, and see how it fits the country's wider tradition in our monasteries and gompas of Nepal guide.
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Frequently asked questions
How old is Braga Monastery?+
Braga (Braka) Monastery is generally said to be around 500 years old, making it one of the oldest and most important gompas in the Manang valley. It belongs to the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and still holds a notable collection of statues, masks and thangka paintings.
Where is Braga Monastery?+
It stands above the village of Braga, a short distance down-valley from Manang on the Annapurna Circuit, at around 3,470m. The gompa is built into a tall ochre cliff, with the village's flat-roofed houses stacked below it in tiers, and is an easy walk or stop on the way into Manang.
Can visitors enter Braga Monastery?+
Yes, the monastery usually welcomes respectful visitors, though opening times can be informal and you may need to find a caretaker for the key. Dress modestly, remove your shoes inside, walk clockwise around shrines and chortens, and ask before photographing the interior.
Why visit Braga Monastery?+
It is one of the most atmospheric cultural stops on the Annapurna Circuit — an ancient hilltop gompa with old religious art, sweeping views over the Marsyangdi valley to the Annapurnas, and a quiet, contemplative feel that fits a Manang acclimatization day perfectly.
