Dhading, Gorkha, Rasuwaa and Nuwakot districts are at the geographical center of Nepal and lie at the heart of the nation’s history. It is from these hills that Gorkhahillsmen, led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, set out to unite Nepal in the late 1700s. Since then, Gorkha soldiers have received international fame for their bravery and skill as warriors.
Wildflowers flourish, and waterfalls embellish the lush hill scenery in a land blessed with wideranging geographical, cultural and
biological diversity.
Sensational viewpoints feature the sublime Himalaya to the north. Most prominent is the Ganesh Himal Range, a family of peaks among the most attractive of the entire Himalaya. The Ganesh massif is named in honor of Hindu deity Ganesh, son of Shiva and Parvati. Selected viewpoints in the area offer immense panoramas !
Most rewarding are the cultural attractions including magnificent Ganga Jamuna, twin waterfalls, Kalo, Seto and Ganesh kunda, hot spring and Tripurasundari temples and especially the hospitable people that inhabit the region. The area is populated mainly by Tamang Gurung and Ghale to the north, and Brahmin, Chhetri, Dalit, Newar and Chepang at the lower elevations in the south. Visitors are warmly welcomed by all with a friendliness that makes Nepal legendary.
At least 10 separate trekking itineraries are recommended and await travelers promising unforgettable adventures. Government registered trekking agencies will be happy to set up visitors with a guide and all necessities for exploring this captivating, undiscovered region.
The area is easily accessed by the Prithivi Highway and PasangLhamu Highway along the southern fringes, connecting Kathmandu and Pokhara. Another adventurous option is to hike in from the Tamang Heritage Trail of Rasuwa and follow the Ruby Trek, so named for the precious stones harvested in the area as well as Bhalche Nuwakot, Gorkha and Dhading Besi.
We will take you along this route with dramatic scenes of natural beauty, village scenery and cultural charm.
GANESH HIMAL REGION QUICK FACTS
Best time to visit: all season (views are clearest from fall to spring)
Geography: mid to high-hills
Maximum elevation: Dobra Danda (Ganesh Himal Viewpoint), 4341 m (14280 ft)
Minimum elevation: Dhading Besi (520m/1716 ft)
Facilities: camping, lodges and hotels, teahouses, home stay (agencies can arrange all details)
Duration: one to three weeks
Accessibility: road connection including two major highways (Prithvi and Pasang Lhamu)
Difficulty level: easy to moderate with advanced options, too; best explored with guide
Formalities: Nepal Visa on arrival ($25 USD for 15 days, $40 USD for 30 days, or $100 USD for 3 months); Langtang National Park Entry Fee, 3000 NRS ; Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card, $20 USD, will be checked if passing through Dhunche (rather than walking in from Bhalche, Dhading, Gorkha)
Food and lodging costs: minimal
Typical Nepali dish: daal-bhaat-tarakaari (lentil soup, rice and vegetables)
Typical drink: chiyaa (sweet milk tea)
Highlights: indigenous ethnic groups (Gurung, Ghale,Tamang, Brahmin, Chhetri, Dalit, Newar, Chepang) cultural interaction, village scenery and lifestyle, Nepali hospitality, Himalayan panoramas including the Ganesh Himal Range, sacred lakes including Seto Kunda, Kalo Kunda, Ganesh Kunda, Tin Kanya Temple, Triveni Temple, waterfalls, hot springs, Hindu Temples including ParvatiKunda and Tripursundari Temples, Buddhist monasteries, cheese factory, immense viewpoints, herbal plants, crystal and ruby mining, dances and festivals, historical sites, unexplored territory, rare and exotic wildlife
Route 01 Detailed Itinirerary
Day 01: Kathmandu – Shyabru Besi (1503m/4945m) 8-9 hrs drive
Taking local bus early in the morning or a private four wheel drive journey from Kathmandu reaches Shyabru Besi, gateway to the Langtang Valley at the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Langtang Rivers. Mesmerizing scenic driving and passing through Trisuli Bazaar, Ramche Gaon and Dhunche Bazaar makes you scenic driving. Narrow and bit adventurous zig zags road but amazing landscape along the way driving will make you good start day drive of the trek.
Day 02: Shabru Besi – Chawatar – Gatlang (2337m/7960m) 5-6 hrs hike
A dirt track zig-zags to the west up to Bahun Danda Pass and then down to the Tamang settlement of Gatlang, a cornerstone village on the Tamang Heritage Trail or hike to Gatlang by way of Chawatar. Gatlang is a Tamang village with unique customs and craftsmanship in a magnificent setting. Above lies Parvati Kund, popular during Janai Purnima when thousands of pilgrims are attracted to the sacred pond and nearby temple.
Day 03: Gatlang – Parvati Kund, Yuri Kharka – Somdang (3271m/10760ft) 6-7 hrs
The trail ascends through pine and rhododendron forest to a lunch point of Yuri Kharka before continuing to Khurphu Bhanjyang and then dropping down to the Somdang River, border between Rasuwa and Dhading districts. A sprawling mining compound, no longer functioning but locals are appealing government to revive it, lies a few hours to the north upriver. The hike passes through a scenic valley featuring the 200 m Chukarma Waterfall. The former mine leaves a lot be explored and is the site of a 1.4 km tunnel bored into the mountain to extract zinc, copper, tin, crystal and even highlyprized rubies.
Day 04: Somdang – Pangsang Pass (3842 m) – Tipling (2078m/6835ft) 6-7 hrs
Pangsang Kharka is a viewpoint southwest of Somdang village with a broad panorama of the surrounding terrain. To the north are the soaring peaks of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Range. The large meadow is graced with a giant entry gateway and is a sensational location for camping and taking in the breathtaking scenery. The whole Ganesh Himal region is blessed with abundant herbal plants. Previously, herbs were taken to Tibet along an ancient trade route and exchanged for salt, livestock, wool and turquoise.
Descend to Tipling, a large village that hosts two Buddhist gombas and both a Protestant and Catholic church. Along a ridge top to the east is a gomba and cremation ground for both Buddhists and Christians lined with colorful flags. Being a majority of Tamang people it has beautiful Tamang culture show. Tamang people have own rich culture to show for the visitors jhankri or shaman dance, ghode or horse dance, said to have been brought from Tibetan culture long ago. Jhankri (shaman) activity is robust in this territory with the worship of natural forces and indigenous local deities interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist practices. Mane dance, Mendo Maya, Paro dance and Ghode (horse) dance as well as Lama (monk) dance are quite popular.
Day 05: Tipling – Shertung/Chalish – Borang Village (1700m/5610ft) 5- 6 hrs
Descend to cross the Adha Khola on a box bridge and ascend to the sister villages of Shertung and Chalish, regally overlooking the fertile river valley and abundant fields.
Shertung is inhabited mainly by Tamang. The name Shertung means ‘place of gold’. According to a legend , two brothers in search of gold were led here by a dream and thus the settlement was born. Tamang people have own rich culture to show for the visitors Jhankri or shaman dance, ghode or horse dance, said to have been brought from Tibetan culture long ago. Jhankri (shaman) activity is robust in this territory with the worship of natural forces and indigenous local deities interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist practices.
Chalish is inhabited primarily by Gurung, Ghale and Kami. There used to be Newar people but they migrated to Kathmandu city. The hospitable people of this area have unique customs and craftsmanship and traditional dances, including a hospitable welcome dance, Ghatu Dance, Dohori is also popular with call and response between male and female participants, a type of courtship ritual, complemented by folk music. Some dances depend on the time of year and take place during festivals including the Maruni Dance during Dasai and Tihar, Hai Nelo Dance of Tihar, and the Ghatu (Ghasiri Dance) that occurs during Chandi Purnima in the Nepali month of Chaitra. Deusi and Bhailo programs in Deepawali are also quite popular. Gurung men traditionally wear vangra, a woven, embroidered cotton cloth tied at the ends that serves as a pouch for carrying goods. Sri Tinkanya Devi Mandir lies above Chalish. Local women tie bits of cloth or leave a bangle representing a wish to be fulfilled near a small pool of water surrounded by Barmase or periwinkle flowers.
Have lunch in Shertung or in Chalish village and then trek continue to Borang. If you have lunch at Shertung village you trek to Borang via Awai village whereas trekking via Chalish will be passing through Gobre gaon. Borang village also the Tamang community village and similar culture of Tipling and Shertung village will be found.
Day 06: Borang – Percho (lunch) – Darkha Gaun (850m/ 2805ft) 7-8 hrs
After breakfast trek all the down to Lishne khola (2 ½ hours walk) and trek continue to Percho where stop for lunch and trek continue to Darkha Gaon.
Passing through suspension bridges, breath taking views of Ankhu khola and Chyamchyat as well as Ri village other side of the river finally reach at Darkha gaon. This village is mix culture village of Brahmin people and Tamang as well as Dalit.
Day 07: Darkha Gaun – Darkha Phedi – Dhading Besi – Kathmandu (1310m/4323ft) 6 -7 hrs drive
After breakfast trek all the way down to Darkha Phedi taking 45 minutes downhill walk and then take sharing local Jeep with other people and the arrive in Dhading Besi after 3-4 hours rough and tough zig –zags road drive. Crossing through Ankhu Khola Passing through suspension bridges, breath taking views of Ankhu khola and Chyamchyat as well as Ri village other side of the river finally reach at Darkha gaon. This village is mix culture village of Brahmin people and Tamang as well as Dalit. as well as Kimdang phedi villages, Katunje and Jyamrung village will make you fun driving having fabulous landscape surroundings. From Dhading change another bus and drive back to Kathmandu taking 3 hours drive.