Tamang Heritage Trail Trekking

Trekking in Tamang Heritage trail

"A new experience for enthusiast Nepal travelers!"

The Tamag Heritage Trail adjoins the well-established Langtang Valley Trek. The scenic trail passes through astonishing villages in the mid-hills that receive considerably fewer tourists than popular trekking routes. Village vistas with Himalayan backdrops are staggering and home stay in select villages enables a fascinating peak into the local culture.

The Tamang ethnic group comprises nearly six persent of Nepals total population and Tamang are the predominant inhabitants along this route and the neighboring Langtang Valley. Tamang have a distinct language,clothing and craftsmanship, and many homes have elaborately hand-carved wooden windows frames and porch fronts. Tamang Heritage Trail Trek offers a close experience of Himalayan way of life and cultural and cultural Heritage. The tour leads us to lush midlands of Nepal experiencing the beauty of the Himalayan County and the traditions of the local inhabitants. The trail goes through traditional Tamang communities where life, culture and crafts have remained untouched since the establishing of settlement. Affectionate traditional welcome hosted by the locals, their elaborate costumes, rich architectures of their mountain houses, the ancient Buddhist monasteries and places of prayers add color to the experience of this trail. In addition to culture experience, the trek also rewards wilderness experience through gorgeous backdrop of alpine landscape, flat pastures and Rhododendron forests.

The trail starts either from Dhunche or Syabrubesi and passes through Gatlang, Chilime, Thuman, Timure and Briddim. Trail may end in Syabrubesi or follow the classic Langtang Valley Trek from Briddim village via Khamjim. Goljong and Gatlang are tradional Tamang Villges. Goljong has an ancient monastery. From the view point nearby one can see a panoramic view of Langtang, Kerung, and Ganesh Himal, Sanjen Himal ranges. Gatlang set on high on a hillside among terraced fields is a Tamang settlement. One can visit Tamang Buddhist monastery and the beauty of the Parvatikunda Lake at Gatlang. Healing bath and spa in the water of the natural hot spring at Tatopani en-route from Gatlang to Chilime is an exhilarating experience. Brimdang offers cultural experience at community-run home-stay, while Nagthali in Thuman VDC is surrounded by beautiful views of Himalayan ranges.

The panoramic view of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal and Sanjen Himal ranges can be distinctly views from Nagthali. Interested visitors can stay one more night at Nagthali at the newly developed hotel lodge. Nagthali used to be a popular meditation center for the local monks and priests. Next cultural village after Nagthali is Thuman. Thuman is well-known for its Shamanic performances and beautiful view of Langtang from every house in Thuman. Next is Timure on the old trade route to Tibet. A Fort at Rasuwagadi in Timure is a historical reminder of the Nepal Tibet relations that has existed for many centuries. A suspension bridge here link Nepal and Tibet.

People and Culture

The inhabitants of the Langtang Valley are thought to be descendants of Tibetans from Kerung who intermingled with Tamangs from the Helambu area. The inhabitants of Briddim, Thuman, Timure and Langtang are of the Tamang ethnic group but a marked influence of Tibetan culture and tradition is noticed in their lifestyle closely resembling that of most Tibetan villages. They are mainly sheep and yak herders but also grow some hardy grains and seasonal vegetables. The daily life of the villagers includes raising livestock, agriculture and trade with Kerung in Tibet. Wheat, maize, potatoes, soybeans and millet are their staple food. In addition, visitor can also observe Syabru dance, Khamba dance, Shaman performances and other colorful performances during major festivals like Lhosar (February), Chhiju (December), Baisakh Purnima (April-May) and as per visitors request.

Hot springs: At Tatopani which literally means hot spring or water you can cleanse yourself spiritually in natural hot springs with bathing areas in the lap of the mountains. Locals believe that the waters have a healing quality that ease away your aches and pains.

Natural Experience: The trail is equally a pleasure for natural experiences. The unique landscape around Galjung Bhanjyang, Thuman, Brimdang pristine forest between Tatopani Nagthali Thuman and kaleidoscopic view of the Langtang mountains, Sanjen range, Ganesh Himal, Kerung and Gosainkunda range along the way give a wholesome experience of Himalayan landscape and vegetation.

Further Afield: Visitors can extend their stay in Langtang to trek to Kyanjin Gompa and explore the upper valley to Langshila and beyond. Tilmans Col, a difficult crossing named after H.W. Tilman the fisrt Westerner to visit Langtang in 1949 leads east toward Panch Pokhari. Ganjala Pass (5120m) often covered by snow and clouds, leads south to helambu and the Kathmandu Valley.

Getting There: Langtang region predominantly lies in Rasuwa district of Bagmati Zone. A 6 to 7 hours drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche in Rasuwa district is the most convenient approach to Langtang. National Park is also accessible from Sundaijal toward the east of Kathmandu and Melamchi Pul, about 3 hours drive from Kathmandu. Tamang Heritage Trail Trek offers Nepal home stay experience, warm Tamang hospitality, Himalayan panorama, local lifestyle and religious and cultural heritage.