CHHAIRO - That gompa

Another one of the Paachgaon (Paach=five, gaon=village) which also has some apple orchards but isn't particularly famous for it. Many travellers come to Chhairo as a side trip from Marpha as it only takes little more than 30 minutes to reach Chhairo from Marpha. Or you could just head down south following your usual itinerary and Chhairo will be on the trail. The main and only attraction worth visiting here is the Chhairo Gompa which sits amidst the sleek and tall Juniper trees. This monastery also houses some of the oldest religious paintings in the Kali Gandaki valley and although disfigured has an impressive collection of religious statues. There is also a school here which is attended by kids of Chhairo and neighbouring Marpha. But the most interesting fact about Chhairo is that it was once a Khampa settlement. Khampas were Tibetan war soldiers who resisted the People's Liberation China's acquisition of Tibet. At the time of armed struggle against the Chinese soldiers, Khampas (supported by the CIA) had made a base here at Chhairo.