Experience traditional Tamang culture, heartwarming hospitality and Tibetan Buddhist lifestyle as you mingle with the locals and enjoy the scenery on the pleasant Tamang Heritage Trail.
The Tamang Heritage Trail is a relatively new cultural trek that offers an authentic insight into the unspoiled traditional lifestyle of the Tamang people. The Tamang people, originally Tibetan Horse traders that and settled in the hilly regions hundreds of years ago, are an ethnic group with a peculiar culture and distinct identity. The trail explores a recently opened area between the Ruby and Langtang Valleys: at comfortable altitudes. These villages portray a region ‘set back in time.’ You stay in private homes and teahouses to experience the warmth and spirit of the Tamang culture; their Buddhist beliefs and their handicrafts.
Apart from the cultural aspect, this trek also offers some gratifying views of the Langtang range and Ganesh Himal with glimpses of Paldor and Shishapangma. Finally, the natural hot springs at Tatopani are the icing on the cake to this trek.
The trekking trails wind over ridges: through farmlands, grasslands and subtropical forests while high ridges offer magnificent views of snow covered peaks to the north and east. On the trail, you will come across numerous chortens, mani stones, prayer flags and wheels. The valley is teeming with wildlife as well with forests that are are home to Langur monkeys, red pandas, leopards, musk deer and birds.
From Kathmandu the trail is reached along the Northern Highway: first a scenic drive northwest to Devighat and then a northeast route up the Trisuli Nadi Valley to Syabru Besi. The first day’s trail zigzags gradually up the Rongga Ridge with great views to the north and south en route to Gotlang, the region’s largest village.
Head north to the Chilime Valley and up to Tatopani: to enjoy hot springs. Day three rises to 3 200m/10 500ft with close and thrilling views of the snow covered Ganesh Himal; before descending to lower Thuman. A home-stay visit with a family in Briddim will include a traditional dinner and dances.
A fairly short day’s trek; along the ancient salt trade route from Tibet, returns you to Syabru Besi.
This 10 Day Tamang Heritage Trail can be combined with classic Langtang Valley Trek, Gosaikunda Helambu Trek or the all-encompassing Langtang Gosaikunda Helambu Circuit Trek.
The best time to visit the Tamang Heritage Trail is during the spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November) seasons. These periods generally have stable weather, moderate temperature and clear skies. This will provide you with the best views and an easier trekking experience.
The Tamang Heritage Trail is a moderately easy trek that can performed as a teahouse or camping trek. You will walk for an average of 5-6 hours a day over hilly trails with ups and downs that will lead up to altitudes of 2600 meters at most. As such, decent physical fitness and stamina is recommended. However, no prior trekking experience is necessary for this trek.
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)
The Northern Highway from Kathmandu snakes northeast through Middle Hill forest and farmland to cross the Tadi Khola at Devighat, near its confluence with the Trisuli Nadi from Tibet. It then swings northeast up the Trisuli Valley to Betrawati, snakes over a pass to Ramche and then continues, more sedately, to Dhunche (1 950m). Continue to Syabru Besi (where the river becomes the Bhote Koshi Nadi above its confluence with the Langtang Khola). Overnight in Syabru Besi.
After breakfast, our trail follows a rough road for 2 hrs before zigzagging up, though forest, to a viewpoint on the Rongga Bhanjyang (ridge) with views over the Goljung Valley and up to the Ganesh Himal on the border with Tibet; to the south is the Trisuli Valley; to the east views over the Langtang and Gosaikunda ranges. An easy ¾ hr walk leads to the hamlet of Chaurhattar (2 120m) for lunch. A 1½hr undulating walk leads to Gotlang, a large and attractive Tibetan village where you will be welcomed with typical Tibetan hospitality. There is an attractive lake nearby. Overnight in Gotlang.
Today will be a long day with the trail heading, past several gompas and chortens, to Thambuchet (1 750m) on the Chilime Khola, an important tributary of the Bhote Khola. Further upstream, at Chilime (1 780m), is a hydroelectric plant – and lunch. We then cross a suspension bridge to the north bank and after an impressive waterfall climb above the river to Gonggang (2 000m) and on to Tatopani (hot water). The community runs the hot springs where you can relax, overlooking the Himalayas. Locals believe that these springs have healing qualities that will ease away any aches and pains. Overnight in Tatopani.
After breakfast our trail ascends toward Nagthali Danda, a high open grassland with amazing views of the snow capped Himalayas. Two routes are possible, depending on your enthusiasm.
The first trail ascends fairly steeply up a river valley toward Taruche (3 800m) and a river crossing. If you are feeling fit, continue up to the ridge for unparalleled northwest views of the Ganesh Himal and closer Paldor (5 903m). To the east is the Langtang Himal with Langtang Lirung (7 227m) as centre piece. Return to the river and follow the trail to Nagthali Ghyang for similar views.
The alternative trail from Tatopani is to walk southeast to Brimdang (2 850m) for lunch and then continue up to Nagthali Ghyang for the panoramic views.
From this point, follow the trail down to the Tibetan influenced Tamang village of Thuman. Overnight in Thuman.
This morning’s walk roughly follows the hill contours north, crossing a stream and continuing through Dal Phedi (2 120m) before dropping to a bridge over the Bhote Koshi. (The border with Tibet at Rasuwaghadi is just 2hrs walk to the north on an ancient trade route: but requires a permit to trek that far).
The trade route trail follows the eastern bank down to Lingling for lunch. The path then undulates gently up to Briddim. Explore the village, observing the traditions and customs of these friendly people. We will stay in the home of a Tamang family. Dinner will include traditional foods; plain rice, Tibetan breads, Sherpa stew, spiced potatoes, Tibetan tea. This will be followed by traditional dances. Overnight in Briddim.
The trail descends through terraced fields and pine forest with tranquil views of the valley. At Khangjum (2 290m) we meet the trail from the magnificent Langtang Valley to the east. Continue down to Wangal (1 600m) and on to Syabru Besi for lunch. Afternoon free to explore the double village: on both sides of the river. Overnight in Syabru Besi.
From Syabru Besi, the 15km rough road crosses the Trisuli Khola and zigzags over hills to Thulo Bharkhu (2 140m)
and on to Dhunche. From there the better roads lead back to Kathmandu and your hotel. Afternoon free.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
I did two group trekking in Nepal, first in Poon Hill and Ghandrul Circuit in Mar 2012 (10 days), and second one in Langtang in Oct 2013 (11 days). Both were group of 10 plus people.
When we did the first one the weather was wonderful. We did sight seeing in Kathmandu on day 2. On day 3 we left Kathmandu for Pokhara. When we walked our way up (day 4 to 5), we have tea in different tea houses in Hille, Ghoreoani… which made the journey very relaxing and enjoyable. We went up to Poon Hill before dawn and watched sunrise in Annapurna (day 6), it was amazing. When we return, we passed through a forest in Tadapani and village in Ghandruk (day 6 & 7). Because of the sunny weather, the landscape looked very beautiful. Overall speaking this trip suits any trekkers.
The Langtang one was more challenging because of heavy rain, but trekking along the Langtang River surrounded by the Tibetan mountain ranges was still worth the effort. Luckily the weather was good when we return. On day 3 we left Kathmandu for Syabru Besi, which was an eight hours' drive! The trek began on day 4 and we arrived Lantang on day 5, all allong Langtand Rvier, We walked passed deserted windy area and crossed several streams, not big ones but due to heavy rain some were knee-deep. On day 6 and 7 we stayed in Kyanjin Gompa and went up to Tserki Ri and reached the foot of Lirung Glacier. On day 8 & 9 we headed back. Luckily the weather was good.
Both trips were guided by Prem Panta, who is now running Landmark Discovery Treks, and his assistances. Prem and his team were very knowledgeable, well prepared and attentive. I and my friends were in good hand.
We felt sorry for the earthquake in Nepal earlier in this year. Some of the places we visited were ruined. I wish everything will recover soon. When I have time, I will do trekking in Nepal again.
YC W
25th Apr, 2022