Culture Journey From Pokhara to Khudi
Pokhara, the enchanting vale of lakes which provides panoramic view of Annapurna and Fishtail is the gateway to many treks that leads to Annapurna region and its surrounding areas. One of the trails that reaches into the heartland of Gurung community in Lamjung district but not frequently passed through begins from Thumsikot, 585m- three hours drive from Pokhara. Rough road across the Begnas Lake meanders through numerous ups and downs before reaching Thumsikot which is linked by regular bus service upto Thumsikot. The memorable cultural trek begins right from there crossing a suspension bridge over Madi Khola. The Madi Khola forms the boundary between Kaski and Lamjung district but not at Thmsikot. The first settlement that one comes across after Thumsikot is Mijure Danda, 1275m which has capacity to accommodate 20 people for night stay, and is linked by a small suspension bridge which is in a precarious condition. A few small roadside eateries are shattered all around the village which provide modest food at reasonable price. From Mijure Danda trekking trail follows along the bank of Rudi Khola that one has to cross at least 11 times before reaching Phakrikot, 1535 or Naghedhar. These two villages are the last settlement in the district of Kaski in this trekking route and the first night stop before moving ahead. Leaving Wardi Khola behind crossing a bridge, one has to climb steep slope flanked by long ridge in the left until reaching Phakrikot. Traditional occupation of inhabitants of both Phakrikot and Naghedhar is agriculture but many of them are found to be engaged in either British or Indian Army, and they belong to Gurung community. Apart from a Primary School, there is no education facility in entire village. Houses are built in the traditional Nepali way with a short door to enter upper storey which look perfect for home-stay.
Next day awaits the steep slope to get down as it takes three hours to reach Sano Bagaicha (Small Garden), 785m situated at the bank of Rudi Khola. A small bridge demarcates the border between Kaski and Lamjung district. On the 900-metre steep climb to Pasagaon, it takes almost 4 hours casual walk. Pasagaon, 1655m is a large Gurung village and the houses are a uniform two-storeyed building with slate roofs. Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal and Machhapurchre can be seen when weather is clear. This village of nearly 200 houses is rich in culture and hospitality. Ghantu, a narrative ritual music tradition prevalent among Gurungs is still performed in Pasagaon. The Ghantu observance unfolds as songs and dances, participated in by specific groups of performers who are segmented by age, gender and caste hierarchy. Krishna Charitra is another dance quite popular here which is hardly known outside Gurung communities. It depicts the life of Lord Krishna. Pasagaon has good accommodation facility for home-stay and many houses have solar–light. Tourists can enjoy the night devouring the delicious food provided at the home they stay. Another big village on the way to Ghalegaon is Bhujung, 1790m formed in a amphitheatre style. Small alleyways all around the village make it different from other Gurung villages. Bhujung is the only village to have electricity produced from Midim river in the whole trekking route, and this village is perched high up the hills across Midim river after taking down hill from Pasagaon. Since Pasagaon and Bhujung are under the jurisdiction of Annapurna Area Conservation Project(ACAP), foreign trekkers have to get permit from ACAP to enter this area. After walking almost one hour uphill from Bhujung, the straight road comes which leads to Ghalegaon and Ghanapokhara. For a good trekker, it takes only three hours to reach there.
The beautiful villages of Ghalegaon and Ghanpokhara lie to the northwest of Khudi, the gateway to Annapurna region at the top of two nearby hills. Ghalegaun, situated at the foot of Lamjung Himal in north central Nepal, is an exotic pristine village endowed with an unparallel scenic grandeur and a home to world famous Gurkha soldiers- the Gurungs. Ghanapokhara, 2016m is a beautiful village lies at north of Lamjung district in the close proximity of Ghalegaun at the top of Dashthar Danda at an altitude of 2100 meters.
Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara are mainly Gurung settlements; they nestle amidst mountains, rivers, streams, waterfalls and green forests. These places command 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.
The approach to Ghalegaon-Ghanpokhara is a wonderful experience in itself as it passes through rhododendrons blossoming along the way amidst the chirping of birds and wild insects. The trekking route passes through dense jungle and villages and impressive waterfalls. A night stay at Ghalegaon or Ghanapokhara is rewarded with beautiful view of sunrise over the mountains in the morning.
This wonderful cultural trek which ends at Khudi can be reached from Ghalegaon after 4 hours trekking down hill through another Gurung settlement Bhalam Chour. Same trek can be conducted in the reverse way from Khudi to Pokhara without any problem.
Cultural Attractions
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.
Handicrafts
The people of this trekking route 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 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.
Some Important Destinations from Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara-Bhujung-Pasgaun-Pakhrikot-Pokhara (8 days)
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara-Maidu-Lamjung Base Camp (4317 m) - Sikles - Pokhara (11 days)
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara-Chesa-Khola (4170 m) - Tang ting - Pokhara (10 days)
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara- Karapu-Beganas Lake- Pokhara (7 days)
Lodging and fooding
Comfortable rooms with clean restrooms are available at selected Gurung houses. Although there is no electricity in the village except Bhujung, 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. Good camping sites are also available at all along the trekking route.
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.
Next day awaits the steep slope to get down as it takes three hours to reach Sano Bagaicha (Small Garden), 785m situated at the bank of Rudi Khola. A small bridge demarcates the border between Kaski and Lamjung district. On the 900-metre steep climb to Pasagaon, it takes almost 4 hours casual walk. Pasagaon, 1655m is a large Gurung village and the houses are a uniform two-storeyed building with slate roofs. Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal and Machhapurchre can be seen when weather is clear. This village of nearly 200 houses is rich in culture and hospitality. Ghantu, a narrative ritual music tradition prevalent among Gurungs is still performed in Pasagaon. The Ghantu observance unfolds as songs and dances, participated in by specific groups of performers who are segmented by age, gender and caste hierarchy. Krishna Charitra is another dance quite popular here which is hardly known outside Gurung communities. It depicts the life of Lord Krishna. Pasagaon has good accommodation facility for home-stay and many houses have solar–light. Tourists can enjoy the night devouring the delicious food provided at the home they stay. Another big village on the way to Ghalegaon is Bhujung, 1790m formed in a amphitheatre style. Small alleyways all around the village make it different from other Gurung villages. Bhujung is the only village to have electricity produced from Midim river in the whole trekking route, and this village is perched high up the hills across Midim river after taking down hill from Pasagaon. Since Pasagaon and Bhujung are under the jurisdiction of Annapurna Area Conservation Project(ACAP), foreign trekkers have to get permit from ACAP to enter this area. After walking almost one hour uphill from Bhujung, the straight road comes which leads to Ghalegaon and Ghanapokhara. For a good trekker, it takes only three hours to reach there.
The beautiful villages of Ghalegaon and Ghanpokhara lie to the northwest of Khudi, the gateway to Annapurna region at the top of two nearby hills. Ghalegaun, situated at the foot of Lamjung Himal in north central Nepal, is an exotic pristine village endowed with an unparallel scenic grandeur and a home to world famous Gurkha soldiers- the Gurungs. Ghanapokhara, 2016m is a beautiful village lies at north of Lamjung district in the close proximity of Ghalegaun at the top of Dashthar Danda at an altitude of 2100 meters.
Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara are mainly Gurung settlements; they nestle amidst mountains, rivers, streams, waterfalls and green forests. These places command 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.
The approach to Ghalegaon-Ghanpokhara is a wonderful experience in itself as it passes through rhododendrons blossoming along the way amidst the chirping of birds and wild insects. The trekking route passes through dense jungle and villages and impressive waterfalls. A night stay at Ghalegaon or Ghanapokhara is rewarded with beautiful view of sunrise over the mountains in the morning.
This wonderful cultural trek which ends at Khudi can be reached from Ghalegaon after 4 hours trekking down hill through another Gurung settlement Bhalam Chour. Same trek can be conducted in the reverse way from Khudi to Pokhara without any problem.
Cultural Attractions
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.
Handicrafts
The people of this trekking route 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 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.
Some Important Destinations from Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara-Bhujung-Pasgaun-Pakhrikot-Pokhara (8 days)
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara-Maidu-Lamjung Base Camp (4317 m) - Sikles - Pokhara (11 days)
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara-Chesa-Khola (4170 m) - Tang ting - Pokhara (10 days)
* Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara- Karapu-Beganas Lake- Pokhara (7 days)
Lodging and fooding
Comfortable rooms with clean restrooms are available at selected Gurung houses. Although there is no electricity in the village except Bhujung, 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. Good camping sites are also available at all along the trekking route.
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.
posted by Sarad @ 6:24 AM
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