Twice a year high in the Himalayan foothills of central Nepal teams of men gather around cliffs that are home to the world's largest honeybee, Apis laboriosa. As they have for generations, the men come to harvest the Himalayan cliff bee's honey. The harvest ritual, which varies slightly from community to community, begins with a prayer and sacrifice of flowers, fruits, and rice. Then a fire is lit at the base of the cliff to smoke the bees from their honeycombs. From above, a honey hunter descends the cliff harnessed to a ladder by ropes. As his mates secure the rope and ladder from the top and ferry tools up down as required, the honey hunter fights territorial bees as he cuts out chunks of honey from the comb." A chance to view and experience the traditional honey hunting harvest of the Gurung people. The Bees Apis laboriosa and Apis dorsata are indigenous to the region and traditional methods of harvesting the honey on steep cliffs have remaned unchanged for generations.
The introduction of non indigenous plant species and the Eurporean honey bee Apis mellifera have put pressure on these local bees to compete, and they need to fly further and further to forage their prefered plant species. This along with over harvesting has resulted in the bees' decline. The Himalayan Honeybees project for the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu has been actively involved in the sustainable management of honey hunting and work with the local communities to ensure the survival of the species.Tourism in this area helps communities protect the flora and fauna, and so gives the bees and local hunters a chance to co-exist and continue. TheBlueSpace will donate a percentage of profits from these trips to local communities who are actively involved and promoting ICIMOD ideas. There are great views of peaks Lamjung Himal, Manaslu, Hiunchuli, Buddha Himal and Annapurna II.
Suggested Itinerary: 13 Days
Day 01: Receive you in the kathmandu international airport then transfer to hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing In Kathmandu such as Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Shyambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar square.
Day 03: Drive to Khudi 186 Kms, 6hrs.: We drive along the prithivi highway across beautiful villages, colorful peoples, landscapes, all the we drive along the River Valley.
Day 04: Trek Khudi to Ghalagaun at 2050 Mtrs/6-7hrs trek.: After B/F, trail Ascend all the way to Ghalagaun, The trail passes through the beautiful forest, if you are lucky enough you will also get to see some of the wildlife's. This area holds a tremendous potentiality for bird watching. It really can be a birdwatcher's paradise
Day 05 & 06 : observe honey hunting in Ghanpokhara & Ghalegaun.: It is beautiful place to enjoy breathtaking views of numerous Mountains, it self situated at beautiful mountain, it is populated by Gurung Peoples who have wonderful culture & tradition.
Day 07: Ghalegaun to Pasgaun, 1800 Mtrs/6-7 hrs trek.: After B/F, Trail descend to Bhujung all the way, After the Bhujung trail ascend to Passgaun.It is long & Hard day trip.
Day 08: Trek Pasagaun to Pakharikot or Nanngdidhar at 1900 mtrs-5-6hrs. Trail ascends gently through jungles, beautiful waterfalls and the chirpings of the birds. After lunch, it again is a time for an as descends. It is a steep descend for hal fan hrs; one has to ensure that one carries enough water as there is shortage of drinking water. The intense heat, humidity and the direct sunlight striking can really be unbearable.
Day 09: Trek to Thumsikot, drive to Pokhara.: Trail descends about 1150 Meters & drives approximately 3 hrs by jeep through unpaved Road.
Day 10: In Pokhara. : An early morning drive to Sarankot to have close view of Mt. Fishtail and Annapurna. Return to Hotel, entire day sight seeing in Pokhara.
Day 11: Fly or drive to Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel,
Day 12: Rest day in Kathmandu
Day 13: Final day, transfer to Airport |
