Ghale Gaun Trek

Ghalegaun is an exotic pristine village endowed with an unparallel scenic grandeur and a home to ?Gheles? the famed Gurungs the legendary mid-hill people of western Nepal. Repository of a unique ethnic culture ?Ghelegaun? is a true microcosm of stunning natural beauty mixed with an unspoiled ethnic life style.

Located is the district of Lamjung, Ghale Gaun is approximately 205km north west of Kathmandu and 125 km north east of Pokhara ? the picturesque hill town of western Nepal.Ghale Gaun Perched atop a ridge at an altitude of 2016 meters from the sea level, Glalegaun is probably the only place which commands a superb breathtaking view of majestic western Himalayas including Machhapuchhare(6693m) Annapurna(8091m), Annapurna II (7939m) Annapurna IV (7525m), Lamjung Himal, Bouddha Himal((6974m), Himalchuli(6747m) and many more smaller peaks.

Taking advantage of such a unique location, Ghalegaun- a picturesque hamlet of about 95 Gorung style houses, has recently been marketed as a new destination to experience ?Village tourism?. Accordingly quite a number of houses have been prepared for domestic and international visitors with comfortable basic amenities.

Besides the scenic extravaganza of the peaks, the warm and sincere hospitality of the Gurung people is also bound to overwhelm the visitors. Here food items such as grain, vegetable, meat, milk, eggs, are all locally produced and are indeed for any chemical fertilizers. In addition, the life-style of the village truly reflects an exotic living ethnic tradition handed down since ages. The social life is replete with interesting rituals of life cycle; birth wedding, death etc., religious events and a lively cultural tradition of dance and music and it is well augmented by interesting locally produced exotic handicrafts and utensils.

Activities around Ghalegaun include bird watching at Talangyo Lake and visits to the Utter Kanya Temple, Pempro Fall, Batase Cave and the Khudi hydroelectric dam site.

Cultural Attractions
Ghalegaun -Ghanpokhara are model villages for experiencing the typical culture and lifestyle of the Gurung people. Traditional customs are still followed during births, deaths, marriages and at other important times in a person?s life. Age-old cultural dances like the Jhyaure, Serka, Dohori, Ghantu, Ghyabring, Krishna Charitra and Jhakri are performed on various occasions accompanied by different musical instruments with the dancers in traditional dress.

Visitors to Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara are welcomed with offering of garlands and tika while music and dances are performed and traditional farewell songs are sung when guests depart. Nepali New Year and Buddha Jayanti are celebrated with traditional dance called Ghatu.

Handicrafts
The people of Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara keep goats and sheep and use wool from these animals to make woolen products. They make clothes and bags from nettle fiber (allo cloth) and scarfs, towels and shawls from the wool of angora rabbits. Ironsmiths make different iron products. Craftsmen produce a whole range of different products from bamboo.

Honey HuntingHoney Hunting
Honey hunting which is the collection of honey from the nests of wild bees built on steep cliffs is an age-old tradition. Local honey hunters show their exceptional skills by hanging themselves form cliffs as high as 300 meters using bamboo ladders and hemp ropes, while harvesting the honeycombs. Everyone is thrilled to watch honey hunters at work.

Getting There
Ghalegaun and Ghanpkhara lie 205 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu and 125 kilometers northeast of Pokhara. The nearest roadhead is at Khudi in Lamjung; Khudi can be reached by daily bus services from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The hotels in Khudi provide safe stay with hygienic food; pleasant rooms, clean restrooms and some even have natural swimming pools nearby. Ghalegaun is a four-hour walk from Khudi through another Gurung settlement Bhalam Chour. The way from Bhalam Chour to Ghalegaun through the thick forest provides opportunities to see many species of animals, birds, insects and butterflies. Ghanpokhara is also a three- hour walk from Khudi but it can be also be reached from Beshisahar crossing Kapur Gaon without reaching Khudi.

Organized tourist groups are welcomed into Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara with traditional dances. Handicraft exhibition and other entertainment programs are also performed for visitors. Tourists can participate in traditional musical program of Rodhi every evening. Trekking to and staying at Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara is an exciting and enjoyable experience for both international and domestic visitors. Special discount facilities are offered to groups of students, forest users, women and community members.

Lodging and fooding
Comfortable rooms with clean restrooms are available at selected Gurung houses. Although there is no electricity in the village, lamps and water heating system facilities are available through solar power. There are a few Pahuna Ghar (Guest House) belonging to the Aama Samuha (Mother?s Community) that also provide accommodation. More than 100 tourists can be accomodated both in Ghalegaon and Ghanpokhara seperately. Good camping sites are also available at both Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara.

Organic local food like cereals, vegetables, milk products, eggs and meat prepared in traditional way is served to visitors. Basic menu includes plain rice, vegetable curry, vegetable fried rice, chicken curry, dal-bhat, egg curry, dhendo soup, chapatti, garlic soup, bread, vegetable mixed soup and momo.

Highlights
Magnificent view of Mt. Annapurna, Fish Tail, Ghale-Gurung culture, homestay.

Facts of Trip
Tour Region: Annapurna.
Best season: September to December & Feb to May.
Transportation: By tourist bus / private.
Accommodation: Hotel, Resort & tea house /camping
Grade: easy
Trekking style: Tea house / camping / home stays
Highest access of the trek: 2200
Culture: Gurung, Ghale etc.
Himalayan sights: Annapurna and fishtail, Dhaulagiri etc.
Attraction: Close Mountain View, local Villages

Itinerary Detail of Ghale Gaun Trek:

Price Include :
* Pick & Drop to Airport / Hotel in Kathmandu
* Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing with Tour guide
* 3 meals a day (Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinners with tea or coffee) during the trek
* Accommodation of Lodges, Guesthouses in Twin Sharing Bases during the trek
* Trekking Guides and Porters
* Facility of Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all trekking staff.
* Group medical supplies (First Aid medical kit will be available)
* All ground transportation

Price Exclude
* Any Meals in Kathmandu & other area
* Airfare domestic / international flights
* Nepal entry visa fee, Visa issuance is easy at the arrival of Tribhuwan International Airport.
* Airport tax required for the Domestic / International flights All alcoholic, mineral water, laundry, phone , internets.
* Personal Trekking Equipment, medical and travel insurance
* Entrance fees for sightseeing/Monument Any kind of personal expenses / Helicopter rescue
* National Park Entrance Fee.