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Showing posts with label heritage Trekking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heritage Trekking. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2013

Tamang Heritage Trail a unique way to see Nepal's cultural heritage


Located between Langtang and the Ganesh Himal, the 'Tamang Heritage Trail' offers an immersive
cultural experience and scenic views of the adventurous Mountain Range. It covers an area of
outstanding natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage preserved by its ethnic Tamang Community.
Richness in both cultural and natural aspects of this area truly fulfills your desire to make your holiday
for lifetime experience. The main inhabitants of this area are believed to be the descendants of Tibetans
from Kerung who intermingled with Tamang of the Helambu area. Tamang communities are generally
found on higher elevations with the peasants engaging in shifting cultivation and extraction of forest
products. They are mainly sheep and yak herders but grow some hardy grains and vegetables. Their
daily life activities include raising livestock, agriculture and trade with Kerung in Tibet. They also make
baskets and mats from mountain bamboo.

Practicing a unique and rich culture, it is considered as one of the prized cultural heritages of Nepal.
The people, craftsmanship, dress, traditionally built stone houses and the beautifully carved wooden
porches reflect the solitude and the serenity of the Himalayan scenery make this are an ideal model
trekking destination in Nepal.

The Tamang culture mostly searches beliefs of Shamanism that is still used in daily lives of the people.
The trek takes you through a number of settlements where these communities live, while also taking
you to a high mountain ridge to give you breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain peaks of
Langtang, Ganesh Himal and peaks in bordering Tibet. The valley offers pine forest, swift mountain
streams, rugged rock and snow- capped peaks, grassy downs and meadows strewn with daisies and wild
primula. During the trekking one can we enjoy the panoramic mountain views of the nearby peaks and
soak in the natural hot springs at Tatopani.

If you love wild life then there are great chances of spotting bears, leopards, red panda’s and musk deer
that however are no danger. In March and April the Rhododendron forests have many different species
of trees, birds and butterflies while trekking you can discover the rough history of the Tibetan ancestors.

The trail starts either from Dhunche or Syabrubesi and passes through Goljung, Gatlang, Thuman,
Timure, Briddim, Lama Hotel, Langtang valley and Kyangjin Gompa. Goljung, Gatlang and Langtang are
traditional Tamang villages culminating cultural features. The visit to beautiful local Tamang monastery
and the holy Parvatikunda Lake at Gatlang adds exhilaration to your trekking.

Trekking in Tamang Heritage Trail offers; to the mountains lovers’ opportunity to observe Syabru, Mane
and other local dances at Goljung, Brimdang and Gatlang village, this is nearby Tibetan border. The
villages also sell exclusive handicraft items like traditional caps, mufflers and other items, where the
stay is a unique experience. The ancient monasteries and houses adorned with rich wood engravings
at Thuman is an unforgettable experience. At Briddim one gets to experience the famous Tamang
hospitality, where there is home stay facility in two dozen houses.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 01 : Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1467 m.) via Trishuli

Day 02 : Syabrubesi to Gatlang (2238m.).

Day 03 : Gatlang to Tatopani (2607m.).

Day 04 : Tatopani to Thuman (2338m.) via Nagthali (3165m.).

Day 05 : Thuman to Timure (1762m.).

Day 06 : Timure to Briddim village (2229m.).

Day 07 : Briddim village to lama hotel (1900M).

Day 08 : Lama Hotel Trek ThuloSyabru (2100.):

Day 09 : Thulo Shyabru to Dhunche

Day 10 : Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01 : Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1467 m.) via Trishuli

The trip starts from Kathmandu with a bus ride and it takes about nine hours to reach Syabrubesi. You
will stay overnight in Syabrubesi. You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills
and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank
of Trishuli River you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. As you pass through
Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards deep land.

Day 02 : Trek from Syabrubesi to Gatlang (2238m.).

Walking for about six hours you will experience the Tamang culture. You can see scenery from view
point. This day you walk through village. The cultural show at Goljung and Gatlang makes your trekking
a memorable one. Gatlang set high on a hillside among terraced fields is a Tamang settlement. One can
visit a Tamang monastery and beautiful Parvatikunda Lake at Gatlang.

Day 03 : Trek from Gatlang to Tatopani (2607m.).

On the way you will enjoy sightseeing of Langtang range and Ganesh Himal. At Tatopani which naturally
signifies 'hot water', you can take hot bath in natural hot springs with bathing areas in the lap of the
mountains. It is believed that taking a dip into this spring would heal you from your aches and pains. This

day's trekking provides you an opportunity to experience of the Tamang culture.

Day 04 : Trek from Tatopani to Thuman (2338m.) via Nagthali (3165m.).

Trekking about 5 hours via Bimthang you can encounter animals like red pandas, monkeys and deers.
The panoramic view of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal, Sanjen ranges can be distinctly experienced
from Nagthali. Nagthali used to be a popular meditation center for the local monks and priests. Another
cultural village Thuman is popular for its Shamanic performances and beautiful view of Langtang.
Beautiful view of the mountains can be seen from every house in Thuman.

Day 05 : Trek from Thuman to Timure (1762m.).

It takes about five hours, while trekking from Thuman to Timure you can visit nearby historical
Rasuwagadi. This day's trekking grants you an opportunity to observe Tibeto Burman Tamang culture on
the two villages on the way. Timure is on the old trade route to Tibet. A fort here is a historical reminder
of the Nepal Tibetan relations that has existed for many centuries. A suspension bridge here links Nepal
and Tibet.

Day 06 : Trek from Timure to Briddim village (2229m.).

It takes about six hours. You can experience village life of Briddim. Moreover you can enjoy cultural
show performed by community members. You can also experience of home stay and Tamang culture.
To mention about Briddim is a Tibetan Buddhist village in the bosom of Langtang Himal. As direct
descendant of ancient Tibean immigrants, the culture and tradition of Briddim closely resembles that of
nearly Tibetan villages.

Day 07 : Trek from Briddim village to lama hotel (1900M).

From Bridim village to Lama hotel it takes about 4 hour easy walking, the trek starts in the morning then
after 2 hours we will pass through forest and along the river.

Day 08 : lama Hotel Trek ThuloSyabru (2100.):

It takes 4/5 hours easy downhill walking along the river and the trail moves gentle descent passing
through forest , terraces and magnificent views of surrounded hills and Ganesh Himal and Langtang
Lirung etc.

Day 09 : Thulo Shyabru to Dhunche

It takes about 4 hours easy walking passing trough tamang village where we can explore their rich
culture, life style as well as beauty of Nature and landscape. The journey then will stop after 2 hour
trekking where you can get a breath taking views and wild experience. Then we will reach Dhunche

Day 10 : Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu

It takes about 9 hours. It is a pleasant drive back to Kathmandu with splendid views of hills, mountains,
terraces and villages.