Nepal's Terai possesses a beauty that is totally unexpected in a country known mainly for soaring snow-covered mountains. Chitwan, a majestic and powerful location teeming with wildlife hosts one of Asia's finest national parks, renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife. Seas of elephant grass ripple beneath a magnificent sunset and pervasive sense of relaxation soaks in deeper the longer you stay.
The newly developed Chitwan Chepang Hills Trail is unique because of one of the most ethnic cultures of Nepal- Chepang Culture. Chepangs, believed to be influenced by Tamangs, speak their own distinct language,leading a nomadic life and their primary lifestyle, hunting, foraging for wild roots and fishing and traditional farming near jungles.A Praja Pande (faith healer) might be an interesting figure for cultural tourists to be introduced to.They inhabit the remote and sparse contours of Makwanpur, Chitwan, Gorkha and Dhading districts. Other ethnic groups found in this region largely comprise of Tharu, Musahar, Satahar, Danuwar, Tamang, Kumal Gurung and Magar. The Chitwan Chepang Hills Trail offers a rare combination of cultural and sightseeing experience. A stay in the beautiful homes of the villagers as guests and sharing their meals is a journey of discovery in itself. The unique culture in this area, bird watching, and other natural attractions add to the experience.
Hattibang, the first night halt on the way from Hugdi Bazaar, offers good scenery of the surrounding mountains and touch of Magar, Chepang and Giripuri culture, at the several home stay and community-managed guest house. Villagers give a unique cultural performance for visitors on request and offer Local handicrafts on sale as souvenirs.
Siraichuli (1,945 m), one of the highest hills of Mahabharat range, offers spectacular views of the mountains and magnificent sunrise and sunset views. The view includes a wide range of Himalayan peaks such as Rolwaling, Gaurishankar, Langtang, Gorkha Himal, Peak 29, Himalchuli, Manaslu, Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, and the Royal Chitwan National Park in the Terai. The trek to Siraichuli from Hattibang is challenging through rough landscape and vegetation. Jyandala village on the trail is a Chepang settlement where tourists can have a cultural experience. A tour of the village and accommodation at village home stay is recommended. Next is Chisapanitar, which is a popular bird-watching site. More than 250 varieties of bird species are found here. The dense forest in this region is also home to other wild animals.
Another interesting place is Uppardang Gadi which used to be the headquarters of Chitwan till early 1962. The remains of a historic fort that defended the surrounding countryside are still here, sitting at 1,275 meters, which is said to have been built by Shatru Bhanjan Shah. Offering spectacular views, camping service is available through community along with Home stay facilities.
Shaktikhor, where the trek formally ends gives ample opportunity to visitors for a wholesome cultural experience. Home-stay experience, Cultural shows, Chepang Museum and Visitor's information centre, Caves and waterfalls around Shaktikhor make Shaktikhor a unique experience. Travelling to Chitram waterfall on the next day and stay at Chepang houses in Majhbang village of Siddi VDC is yet another attraction.
PHORTSE ECOTOURISM VILLAGE (UPPER SOLUKHUMBU)
Phortse (3,950 m) is a unique Sherpa settlement of about 80 households. With the aim of adding cultural aspect to the Everest experience, Phortse is being developed as model ecotourism village in Sagarmatha National Park.
Community-run home-stays are available in Phortse for experience of the mountain life. Teashops and lodges are also available here. Staying at the home-stays as house guests, trying out wholesome Sherpa and Nepali food, and observing the the local peoples' everyday life, may provide experience of a lifetime. Cultural show and Sherpa dance are also performed on the request of
tourists. This Sherpa village in the lap of the mountains also offers wonderful views and wildlife experience. The village is lush, surrounded by birch and juniper trees that shelter endangered musk deer different varieties of pheasants. Peacocks, Himalayan tahr and bear are also spotted around the region every now and then. The rare snow leopards found in the mountains, have also been reported to be seen here. Phortse is about 4-hour walk north-east from Sagarmatha National Park headquarters. One also has the option of returning via Phortse, while coming down from Everest Base Camp.
DUDHKUNDA CULTURAL TRAIL
Solukhumbu region in the northeastern part of Nepal is the abode of the highest peak in the world - Mt. Everest and the famous Sherpas. However, while the Khumbu region is famous for the world's highest mountain, the southern part i.e. Solu is famous for its biological diversity, virgin landscape and mountain vistas.
Solukhumbu has many exciting attractions in the southern region that are yet to be explored, such as the treks on the Dudhkunda Cultural Trails. The Dudhkunda Lake is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The devotees believe that taking a dip into the icy cold lake will absolve them from all their sins and bless childless families with children.
Amazing views of flora and fauna, experience of diverse cultures of Sherpas, Khaling Rais, Tamangs, Magars, Gurungs, make this journey a lifetime experience. This is a journey to a part of the world where very few people have set foot until now, a cultural journey for young to old and for all.
SHEY PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK
Dolpa is often called "The Hidden Heaven," "Mysterious Dolpa," "Dream Land Dolpa," and "Exciting Dolpa." Dolpa is the largest district of Nepal (area: 7932 sq.km.). Shey-Phoksundo, the largest national park of Nepal, is in this district. Established about 21 years ago, the national park spreads over an area of 3550 sq. km. Considering the decent and balanced combination of natural, social, cutural and geographical aspects, the park has been proposed by His Majesty's Government to be enlisted into the inventory of the world heritage.
Situated in the park area is Phoksundo Lake. It is the deepest lake of Nepal (about 650m) and the second largest from the viewpoing of area. This lake is often called the "Lake of Mystery". Located at an altitude of 3600 meters from the sea level, the lake does not contain any living creatures. Some experts attribute this to the low temperature. The lake covers an area of 7.6 sq. km. Needless to say, the clear, blue water-mass of the lake is alluring to any tourist reaching the site; the surrounding landscape and vegetation is equally fascinating. The wonderful cliffs, various types of layered rocks, gorges, hills and the Suligad River pouring out of the lake at its southern border are very attractive. The river changes into the 167 m high Suligad Fall afterwards. This fall is situated at the highest altitude in Nepal, according to Dolpa DDC.
DOLPA EXPERIENCE TREK CIRCUIT
This circuit is the most popular trek of the lower Dolpa mainly because of the Shey Phoksundo lake. The lake featured in the famous Documentary 'Caravan' is of great interest to visitors. The lake cuts the deepest gorge and owing to extreme geographicalfactors, no living beings, not even fish can survive? in the lake. The route of Juphal-Dunai-Dho-Phoksundo-Dunai-Juphal is a 15 days long trek, passing through high Himalayan valley of Dho Tarap. If lucky, one can sight Snow Leopard and Musk deer.
KANCHANJUNGA LIMBU CULTURAL TRAIL (NEW EXPERIENCE)
A new trekking route between Kabeli and Khaksewa rivers offers an in-depth experience of the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the Limbu people who are dominant in this region. The 4-5 day Limbu Cultural Trail trek starts from Phungling and passes through Suketar, Lalikharka, Kande Bhanjyang, Simbu, Phungphung, Phumpe and Mamankhe. The Limbu Cultural Trail ends in Mamankhe where more than 95 percent of the population is Limbu (Mabo). From Mamankhe one has the option of either joining the Kanchenjunga trail or retracing the route back to Phungling.
Thick and a wide range of cardamom farms lie along the Limbu Cultural Trail. In addition is the unique Himalayan flora and fauna, and untouched natural landscapes. Limbu communities in different villages perform cultural dances Dhaan Naach, Chyabrung Naach, and Bijuwa Naach for visitors. Accommodation and meals are offered in local houses. This provides opportunity to discover the area and the people. Tasting the local tongba (alcoholic beverage) and sukuti (dry meat), interacting with the people and participating in their regular activities, and hiking along unrefined trails crossing ridge and gully offers some of the best of Himalayan experiences.
TAMANG HERITAGE TRAIL (LANGTANG)
This is a superb introduction to trekking in Nepal among some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole country, with rich tamang culture. Many years ago Nepal, fought with Tibet for salt and some of the biggest areas where this war took place is in the Langtang Region of Nepal, wherein lies the third most popular trekking trail in Nepal. This area is connected to Tibet and the trails in this region were used by traders from Tibet bartering in Salt and mountain goats for meat (changra) with foodstuffs from the south.
Developed by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program, the "Tamang Heritage Trail" is the newly developed tourism product, off the beaten track, which highlights an ancient lifestyle combining it with picturesque scenery and healing baths in natural hot springs.
The people of this region are mostly Tibetans who came from Kerung in Tibet across the border and settled in Nepal. In earlier days, the citizenship of Nepal would not be offered to real Tibetans, so they changed their ethnicity to Tamang, which is what they still write till date. The cultural and traditions of these people are similar to the Tibetan across the border.
The trail starts either from Dhunche or Syabrubesi and passes through Goljung, Gatlang, Chilime, Thuman, Timure and Briddim. The trail may end back in Syabrubesi or follow the Langtang trek from Briddim village via Khanjim. Goljung and Gatlang are traditional Tamang villages. While Goljung has ancient monastery, Gatlang set high on a hillside among terraced fields is the Tamang settlement. One can also visit a Tamang monastery and the beautiful Parvatikunda Lake at Gatlang. From the viewpoint at Bahundanda near these settlements, one can also see a panoramic view of Lantang, Kerung, and the Ganesh Himal, Sanjen Himal ranges.
After the trek of several days, bathing in the hot, healing waters of the natural spring at Tatopani en route from Gatlang to Chilime is an exhiliarating experience. Brimdang offers cultural experience at community-run home-stay, while Nagathali in Thuman VDC is surrounded by beautiful views of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal and Sanjen Himal ranges. Nagthali used to be a popular meditation center for the local monks and priests. Next is Timure on the old trade route to Tibet. A fort at Rasuwagadi in Timure is a historical reminder of the Nepal-Tibet relations that has existed for many centuries. A suspension bridge here links Nepal and Tibet.
The trail ends at Briddim which lies on the lap of Langtang Himal. Briddim offers warm Tamang hospitality at the home-stays run by community members. In addition, visitors can also visit local monasteries of Dukchu Gomba (monastery) chosen as sacred site by the great Tibetan Lama - Guru Rinpoche and Chukla Khnaga Gomba.
