Easy/Short Trek >> Village Trek

Village tourism in Nepal has meant city based sightseeing or days, or even weeks, of strenuous trekking. Now there is an alternative. Recognising the demand for tourism with a strong cultural base that is accessible to all, Nepal Village Resorts are offering visitors the opportunity to share the traditional lifestyle of village people from all sectors of Nepali culture

What is village tourism?

Our guests are taken to unspoiled villages where they spend a few days living with the local people and being treated as honored family guests. While staying in the villages, guests enjoy comfortable accommodation, delicious local food and drink and a welcome that will remain a happy memory for a lifetime. While they are with us our guests can rest assured that they are always in a secure and safe environment.

Local attractions, both scenic and cultural, are shown to our guests by our well trained ethnic guides who always do their utmost to make the guest’s stay a memorable experience. Many of our villages are close to unspoiled natural areas where wildlife may be seen undisturbed. This can be a feature of our packages for special interest groups.

The traditional culture of the different ethnic groups is a highlight of all of our village visits. These warm and friendly people are always ready to perform their music and dance and to give an insight into their religion. Examples of local handicrafts will be on display, and for sale, to guests.

Some village trek arround in Pokhara

-Sirubari

-Bandipur

-Nirmal Pokhari Trek

-Mattikhan

-Ghale Gaun

What is provided in the cost of the package ?

Almost everything. Our packages include all transport from the designated starting point, all guide wages and insurance, all food and drink, all the facilities in the village including sightseeing, cultural programs and community donations and any permits or entry fees that may be required. The only extra that you can possibly spend are on the purchase of locally made handicrafts.

Destinations.

Our first village destination to be operational is the Gurung village of Sirubari, near Pokhara. Other villages, representing different ethnic groups, are being developed and we expect to have several more sites available during 2000.

Sirubari Village Trek

Sirubari village is a totally unspoiled Gurung settlement set in the hills at an altitude of 1700 metros above sea level. The climate is ideal at any time during the September to June season with warm days and cool nights. The village is a short drive and walk from Pokhara, the major tourist center for the Annapurna region. It is reached from the road to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. You will be welcomed into the community and invited to stay in the home of one of the village families. The accommodation is simple but comfortable with good bedding and clean toilet facilities. The food is delicious and you will be eating as one of the family. Each night there will be entertainment provided by the community. This will be in the form of traditional Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing, you can join in if you like . As the locals are all Buddhist, the village gompa, a simple but beautiful temple, will be a feature of your stay. There will be the chance to get a blessing from the resident lama before you leave. Just because you are not trekking it doesn’t mean that you won’t see the mountains. An easy walk above the village is a viewpoint at Thumro. At 2300 metros this is the highest point south of Pokhara and the views on a clear day are spectacular .Spread before you are rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities and crowned by an array of snow peaks that will leave you breathless. From Langtang in the east, through Machhapuchare and the Annapurnas and around to Dhaulagiri the Himalayan giants all line up for your camera to capture. During your stay you will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, going to school with the children, or just sitting in the sun talking to neighbors. Feel free to wander, safely, by yourself and look at all of the developments that the community have supported and funded; the primary health center with its’ doctor, the agricultural service center, the veterinary hospital, the plant nursery and forest plantation. The list goes on. And, at the end of your stay, you will be overwhelmed by the farewell that your new family will give you. If you never come this way again the village and its people will remain in your heart forever. -Bandipur

Bandipur is located at 27.56 N, 84.25 E and an elevation of 1030m on a mountain saddle (Mahabharat range) approximately 700m above the Marsyangdi River Valley, 143 km to the west of Kathmandu and 80 km to the east of Pokhara. Since 1998 it is connected by a 8km access road from Dumre (Kathmandu-Pokhara highway). Until then there was only an unreliable road, in monsoon usually not accessible or only by tractors. The mountain saddle, just 200m long, is barely wide enough to accommodate the main street lined by 2 –3 storey buildings on either side. At the backsides of these houses the mountainsides steeply descend and the gardens are only accessible by stairs. Its medium elevation, excellent view of the Himalayas (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang Himal, the Marsyangdi Valley, Mount Manakamana and Gorkha with its high perching palace), relatively easy accessibility and, of course, old Newari town flair, make Bandipur an interesting tourist site from which a few guesthouses and a hotel at the northern end of the Tundikhel try to benefit. It may well be that the seclusion of Bandipur saved the Newari architecture of its buildings which otherwise would have been replaced by faceless modern types found in many other towns of Nepal. The and various Newari and Magar festivals, which until recently have been held for own purposes several times a year, can also be of interest to tourists. Sorathi and Chutka dances are very popular. Due to the distance and poor accessibility of many of the home villages of pupils at Bandipur schools a number of houses have been turned into boarding houses. Many Magar and Gurung men serve as Gurkha soldiers. Other attractions include the Bindyabashini temple and the library in the village centre, Thani Mai, Tindhara(“Three Taps” washing place at the southeastern outskirts), Raniban (Queen's Forest), the downhill trek to the Siddha Cave and a hike to Ramkot village. On Mukundeswari, the elevation at the western end of the saddle is a little shrine and one has a view of Bandipur itself.

Some villagers have picked up growing oranges, which do quite well in the climate of that area. An hour’s walk to the west of Bandipur is a silk farm.

-Nirmal Pokhari

Drive 6 KM towards to east of Pokhara through Dhunge Sanghu village where you can see best view of Annapurna ranges. Drive up to Modgauda cross Seti rever and start climb up to Nirmal Pokhari through terrace of rice field and jungle. It will take you about one and half hours to reach at Nirmal Pokhari(1450). Once you reach there,you will feel like Pokhara is in your handfull with view of long ranges of Dhaulagiri,Annapurna, Machhapuchhare,Lamjung,Ganesh Himal,Manaslu and Fewa,Begnas and Rupa lakes. Then walk to wards to west ridge through different villages.Baji Pokhari,Shivalaya,Foksing and Dhopahare. During two and half hours walk through ridge,you will enjoy different angle of mountains,Pokhara valley and village itself with full of culture and nature beauties. Make sure you have enough water bottle with you from hotel because no teashop,no cold drinks on the way. From Dhopahare you have to walk down for about one hour and you will reach at Tashi Ling Tibetan village where 6oo Tibetan residents.Its own Gompa,SOS childrens village,Primary school and souvenir shops. You can drive back with local buses or taxi. This will take you about five hours full excursion.

-Matikhan village trek

Mattikhan is a small village with a spectacular view of the Pokhara Valley including the Annapurna Range at a single glance. Its a one day trek from the Pokhara Valley.

-Ghalegaun trek

The main attraction of Ghale Gaun are Village cultural tourism concept development, real mil-hills traditional life style observation, splendid mountain views of Annapurna II, Manaslu, Fish Tail, Lamjung Himal and more, inhabited by Ghale tribal cast, colorful photographic opportunities, unforgettable short trip.

Accessibility

Drive to Bensisahar to trailhead from Pokhara or Kathamndu, by bus 6-7 hr. start the trek according to itinerary, after the trek drive back to Pokhara.

The Route

Easy trail, 5-6 hr. average per day walk, temperate climate, max. altitude 2000m