Tamang Heritage Trek

Overview

Tamang are one of the largest ethnic groups of Nepal residing north, northeast and the periphery of Kathmandu valley. It is said that Tamang are originally the Mongolian horse riders entered through the Himalaya and is believed the oldest tribe of Nepal. They have their own tradition, language, clothing, ornament and traditional wooden roof houses. In past, they might be horse rider and warriors by profession but these days they are mostly farmers. They are also skilled in typical Nepali paper, hand woven clothes like yak/sheep woolen blanked, hemp blanket, bags, their own clothes, wood crafts etc. To experience their real lifestyle and culture we go to their some villages just north of Kathmandu. By religion, they are Buddhist- the followers of Nyingmapa Buddhism and also practice Bonism and shamanism. Shamans (widely known as Jhankri) are the first doctors in the community to cure all kinds of illness. Tamang Jhankri dance with traditional costume seems very interesting. They have really photogenic big traditional villages of mud-rock houses with wooden roofs in their communities. Due to 2015 earthquake (7.8M), almost 99% houses partially/fully destroyed and became unusable and they became homeless. Nowadays, they have economical mostly zinc wall and zinc roof lighter houses and still suffering from rain and cold. They are friendly people and have wonderful classic tribal monastic culture, particular dishes, costumes, festivals and events. They are rich in culture, traditions and outfits.

One of the most traditional trips & the closest treks from Kathmandu, Tamang heritage trek is really wonderful pleasant trek to have a great experience on ancient ethnic Tamang culture and lifestyle, traditional villages, natural hot spring, waterfalls and wonderful Himalaya panorama. A land of magic, meditation and shamanism, the region is trekkers’ paradise that also offers idyllic rural landscape, beautiful farmlands, rhododendron and bamboo forests, mountain wildlife and Trishuli river valley.

Package Itineary

(Average hike 4-6 hours a day)

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1310m), hotel

Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, depending on time, explore Kathmandu, dinner and overnight.

Day02: Drive to Gatlang (2316m), homestay

Full day drive through Shivepuri Nagarjun and Lantang National Parks, traditional villages and beautiful farmlands with picturesque view of Himalaya panorama, Trishuli river valley and wonderful landscape. Home stay in Gatlang village.

Day03: Explore Tamang village and culture, homestay

Explore and study the most traditional Gatlang Tamang village, typical culture and lifestyle, observe their culture programs.

Day04: Hike to Tatopani (2600m), homestay/teahouse

Hike down to Thambuchet (1805m) through farmland, walk along old stone chhortens and walls, hike to Chilime Khola then climb to Tatopani (2608m) through beautiful Gongang village (2203m). Hot spring Bath in the evening.

Day05: Hike to Nagthali (3217m), teahouse

Hike to Brimdang (2832m), visit old monastery then continue walking to Nagthali (3217m); a beautiful view Point that provides wonderful panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks like- Paldor peak, Ganesh Himal, Sangen peak, Tibet Border Himal, Sisapangma (8013m), Langtang Lirung, Gonjala peak, Gosainkunda peak and Dorje Lakpa Himal etc as well as the unique village settlement, farmlands and river valleys and visit monastery there.

Day06: Hike to Thuman village (2424m), homestay/teahouse

Hike down to Thuman Tamang village through beautiful forest and pasturelands where is chance to monitor deer, wild boar, rabbit and tiger etc, explore Tamang village

Day07: Hike down to Bhotekoshi then drive back to Kakani (2050m), resort/hotel

After breakfast, hike down to Bhotekoshi River valley and join the road near hot spring which is very close to the Tibetan border. Drive back to Kakani through Langtang National Park, headquarters of Rasuwa district, hydropower dams, Trishuli River valley, settlements, forests, strawberry mountain and rainbow trout fisheries. This is a full day scenic drive. Check in hotel. Rainbow trout for dinner! Dinner and overnight.

Day 08: Drive to Kathmandu, explore Kathmandu, hotel

Early morning, we see wonderful Himalaya panorama from the hotel. Have breakfast, we visit strawberry mountain where we see beautiful strawberry farming and people working on it. Drive back to Kathmandu, visit Patan and Bhaktapur. Check in hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day09: Explore Kathmandu

Morning visit to Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath, have typical Nepali lunch with host family. Free time for shopping or relax. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day10: Fly back home or open…

After breakfast, program over, transfer to airport, fly back home.

Detailed Trip Cost

Entire trip cost per person (USD): $999 (including restricted area permit) 1pax complimentary in 11 paid guests group

Trip cost includes:
All accommodation (twin sharing basis) & food; three meals a day -breakfast, lunch and dinner (except bar bill), insured crew (guide, porters, donkeys), all essential permits, all domestic transportation as per the itinerary, service charge and government taxes.

Trip cost does not include:
Personal expenses (like laundry, communication, alcohol, cold drinks and bottled water during trekking), gratuity to serving crew, emergency evacuation, international airfare, visa, your travel insurance and any kind of gifts and donation.

Payment system

80% of total trip budget must be paid in advance (the amount should be appeared to our account just two weeks before the trips) for domestic transportation, permits, hotel bookings reconfirmation and essential preparations.
Balance can be paid before or during/after the trip.

Refund system
In case of trip cancellation in the last 10 days of group arrival, 50% of the deposited amount will be deducted. If the trip cancels 10 days before the group arrival, we settle the full amount in next trip.

Special Feature

Traditional villages, classic Tamang tribal culture, shamans’ performance, typical lifestyle and culture programs, traditional distillery, fermenting homemade beer, typical tribal dishes, wonderful landscape, strawberry farming, hot spring, beautiful Himalaya panorama and wildlife.