Ghalegaun is a beautiful hill village in northwest of Khudi which is the main entrance point to the famous Annapurna terkking route.It is being developed as an ideal rural tourist desination. Ghalegaun is surrounded by magnificent scenery of the Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayan ranges and is known for its typical Gurung (Tamu) culture.
The village facing south lies on a plateau in the lap of the Lamjung Himal at an altitude of 2016 meters (6614 feet) above sea level. It is a totally unspoiled mainly Gurung settlement with a total of 105 households, 25 of them belonging to the Chhetri and Biswakarma castes, Gurungs (or Tamus) are one of the many ethnic groups in Nepal. The people are Mongoloid in origin, of moderate height but with strong bodies. Gurung, a Tibeto-Burman based language, is the mother tongue of most of the population. The Chhetri and Biswakarma families also converse fluently in Gurung.
From Ghalegaun you have a tremendous view across mountain peaks, green hills and vallleys belonging to 13 different districts.
Various photographs of religious, cultural, handicrafts, honey hunting and natural views of ""Ghanpokhata" have been used in this CD-ROM. Ghanpokhara is a beautiful village heading towards development with a concept of eco-tourism. It lies at north of Lamjung district in the close proximity fo Ghalegaun at the top of Dashthar Danda at an altitude of 2100 meters.
How To Get There
Ghalegaun lies 205 kilometers northwesr of Kathmandu and 125 kilometers northeast of Phokhara. The nearest roadhead is at Khudi Lamjung; Khaudi can be reached by daily bus servicesfrom Kathmandu and Phokhara. 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 throught another Gurung settlement Bhalam Chour. The way from Bhalam Chour to Ghalegaun throught the Thick forest provides opportunities to see many species of animals, birds, insects and butterfiles.
ganized tourist groups are welcomed into Ghalegaun with traditional dance. Handcraft exhibition and other entertainment programs are also performed for visitors. Tourists can participate in traditional musical programs of Rodhi every evening, Trekking to and staying at Ghalegaun id an exciting and enjoyable experience for both international and domestic visitors. Special discount faclities are offered to groups of students, forest users, women and community members.
For detailed information about individual trekking or package programs, with tariffs and itineraries, please contact:
Lifestyle
Most residents of Ghalegaun live the typical life of hardworking hill farmers. They wear traditional Gurung dress during special occasions and festivals. Visitors are often fascinated by the lifestyle of the Gurungs. A typical day for the natives includes work outside and inside the house like: ploughing or sowing in the fields, or cutting grass for livestock fodder, chopping firewood for cooking meals, milking cows, churning curd, fetching water from the spring, wasting clothes. During leisure people just site the sun taking to neighbors.
Namaste from Himalaya "Club of Himalaya Trekking"
Heavenly place: Ghumarichok Ecotourism project Angry with town noises? Need to relax? We have what you want…. Ghumarichok ! It is a small village in the Kathmandu Valley (about 20 km). The landscape is beautiful and you can enjoy the Tamang culture. You can have a rest in a nice guesthouse: Surya guesthouse after your visit of the Bajrayogini temple and before exploring the Shivapuri National Park. Surya Bahadur offers a nice guesthouse with 4 double beds separated by curtains. The lovely room is well garnished. One can access to the room ascending a stair from the balcony. Tourist will be able to appreciate the calm and nice view of sun rise and sun set sitting on the straw mattresses with a glass of hot milk or lemon tea. Separate toilets and bathroom are also available. Sura Bahadur and his family hold a grocery shop on the ground floor and collect milk brought by the villagers every morning. Sun rise from the village From the guesthouse, we can enjoy a magnificent view of the Kathmandu valley, mountains and hills. This is also the best place in the village to see sun rise and sun set, to go to visit forests, observe birds and flora. A lover of nature, calmness and tranquility will find peace of heart. When the weather is clear you can enjoy a beautiful mountain view from the top of the village: Ganesh Himal, Annapurna Himal. View of KTM valley on the fog Proposal of a two-days trip: First day: Morning: Departure from Kathmandu. Take the bus at Ratna Park to Sankhu . Possibility to stop on the way at Boudha in order to visit its beautiful stupa, the biggest in Nepal. Arrival in Sankhu • City of Sankhu: About 7km distance from Boudha, a trail to the south crosses the Manohara River on a temporary bridge (dry season only) and ascends the ridge to Changu Narayan. The road carries on to SANKHU: an important trade and spiritual centre in ancient times which now drifts on as a Newar backwater in a far corner of the valley. A large but unhurried town, it's not especially well preserved, but neither is it at all touristy. The oldest part is the bazaar area to the east of the main north-south road. Sankhu's main festivals are Magh Sankranti (January), observed with bathing just upstream of the town, and Sankhu Jaatra (the full moon of March-April), when the image of Bajra Jogini is paraded. You won't find a restaurant here, but you should be able to get snacks in the bazaar and at the Bajra Jogini temple. Sankhu : street scene Two roads connect Sankhu with Nagarkot: the more traveled route leaves Sankhu from the old bazaar area, heading north, while a steeper back way branches off on a more easterly bearing. The main road from Boudha continues northwards partway to the Vajra Jogini temple. Sanku or Sakwa is a small and charming but a very old Newar city and lies 23 km from Kathmandu. It derives its name from Sankhapura, which means Conch City. It lies on the famous route to Tibet. It is believed that sankhu was established in 1299 AC, it is the oldest urban center in the valley. The traders used this route. This legendary city is worth a visit because of its old houses, beautiful wood- carved temples and old stone water taps. After the visit of Sankhu, walk to Bajrayogini temple. On the way, take five minutes to stop at the Buddhist monastery (on the left side after the first small stupa). • Temple of Bajrayogini The famous temple of Goddess Ugratara Bajrayogini is situated at a 45 minutes walking distance from Sankhu. The temple complex is supposed to be as old as Changunarayan (467 AD). It is mentioned in Gopal Vamsabali, a research manuscript, which states Manadev performed penance at this place. The present three-tier structure or the temple is the contribution of King Pratap Malla. Temple of Bajrayogini Bajryogini is Nepal's unique and valuable treasure. Sankhu Bajrajogini is one of the Valley's oldest shrines. Both Buddhists and Hindus have their separate tantras and sadhanas of Ugratara. She is accounted as a superior goddess of wisdom, Symbol of Women's power and spiritual dancer. Here is an extraordinary, sublime image of Yogini, and an eternal flame. After the visit of the temple, walk to Gumarichock (45 minutes). Afternoon: Arrival at Gumarichock Possibility to enjoy a great Dal bath in the Surya Guesthouse sitting on the balcony and looking at the Kathmandu Valley. Visit and discovery of the village • Ghumarichok, a Tamang village: If visitors are interested to learn about Tamang, this village can offer a good panorama on Tamang culture and society. These Tamangs have a long history of exchange with the Newar of Sankhu. Both of those groups celebrate certain festivals related to Bajrayogini. Tamang are autochtonous people of Ghumarichok village. There are 300 houses and about 2000 inhabitants. They speak Tibeto Burmease language. Many are engaged in the agriculture (75%) and others do some business and services (25%). They grow iskuss, rice, wheat, millet, corn… Some of them produce milk and local wine and sell it in the market. The Tamang (also known as Murmi) are one of the several ethnic groups living in Nepal descended from Tibeto-Burman origins. Living mainly north and east of the Newars in the Kathmandu valley, they constitute 5.6% of Nepal's population, which places their population at 1,280,000, slightly higher than the Newars. Due to their geographical location, their language is vaguely intelligible with Neawri but closely related to both Tibetan and Sherpa. The name Tamang means horse traders in Tibetan, which suggest that their ancestors came from the north and traded horses with the local community (Newars) and later settled and intermarried among them. However, many of them today earn a living through serving as porters. Like the Sherpas, they are also good mountaineers and mountain-guides. The Tamangs are followers of Lamaism mixed with elements of the pre- Buddhist Bön and the Tambaist religion. Due to their close proximity with the Newar, a slight Hindu influence can be seen in their practises. Their priests include Lama, Bombo and Tamba. Tamang celebrate different festivals: Pashain (October), Tihan (22 days after Pashain), Buddha Purnima (full moon between april and may), Maghe Sankaranti (Mid January), Sawane Sanlcaranti (Mid July) and others… Do not hesitate to ask if there is soon a marriage in the village because the marriage celebration is different from other casts. Evening: Stay at the Surya guesthouse and have dinner Second day: Morning: Visit of the Shivapuri National Park (one hour to go). Nature, flora and fauna The village of Ghumarichokk is adjacent to the Shivapuri National Park. One hour of walk from the guesthouse, you can arrive to the park where the lovers of nature could appreciate flora and fauna, tranquility and peace. A scenic view of the mountains enchants the eyes of visitors . The breathtaking views of the high Himalayan peaks can be seen from the top of the Shivapuri Mountain. Shivapuri park on the top of the village The Shivapuri National Park (144 sq km) is the major watershed supplying drinking water to the capital city of Kathmandu. Lying in the transition zone between the subtropical and temperate climatic zones, its diverse vegetation is composed of pine, oak, rhododendron and others. The park is rich in wild mushrooms (129 species), The wildlife found in the national park includes Himalayan black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkeys. The park is home to over 177 species of birds including 9 threatened species, over 100 species of butterflies including rare and threatened. Afternoon After the visit of the park, go to Manichood temple. Quiet hidden place in the Shivapuri National Park with a small lake and several small temples. Return to the Kathmandu Valley: 2 possibilities: Kathmandu by bus. Go back to Sankhu, take the bus to Kathmandu. (Ratna Park). Nagarkot by bus or by walking (4 hours) If you have more time Manilingeshor Temple (1/2 hours) Small waterfall where you can bath and see a religious place where villagers have the habit to come during festivals. Sundarijal Temple (2hrs ½) Kageswar Temple (2 hours) Chishowpani (4 hours) Gosain Kunda (3 days) Langtang National Park: An area of 9710 sq. km where you can find dabra, kustari, leopard, snow leopard, dangali sheep, bear, yak… Ghumarickock is situated on the trekking road of the park. Tourist guide available in the village: There are motivated people among the villagers who speak simple English and are really devoted and ready to work as guide. They are cheerful, cooperative, and intelligent and possess a good knowledge of Tamang culture. If it is easy for Nepali people to find the road to the different temples, it is not so for tourists! So do not hesitate to take a guide. Chances are that all the features will help you enjoy a lovely stay; such as natural scenes and landscape, nature, forest, tranquility, smiling people, villagers ready to receive guests. Price for the guesthouse: 300 Rupees per night per person including Bed, commodities (toilets, bathroom) Nepali tea, Dinner (Dal bath or noodles), breakfast (tea, biscuits, eggs) A part of the sum will be used by the tourism committee to improve the conditions of living in the village (school, medical help…). Additional cost: see with the guide
