Gurja Himal Trek (Hidden Village)

Duration 14 days

Max-Altitude 3257m

Transportation Bus/Private Vechicle

Trip Difficulty Streneous

Accommodation 3* Hotel in City & Teahouse/Tent during Trek

Meals Breakfast in City & All meals during trek

Best Season Sep - Dec, Feb - Apr

Communication Available

Group Size 2+

Gurja Himal Trek (Hidden Village) is for the adventurous trip ideal for rural area hiking experience seekers in Nepal. It also takes the long route to Dhorpatan and Hidden Village. The trek begins from the district town of Baglung. This trekking involves many ups and downs and twists and turns imposed by the demanding topography of Baglung District. This trek will give you an appreciation for the challenging lives of rural families. You are very unlikely to meet another foreign visitors and trekkers along the route. Homestays and teahouse lodges are few, and you may well have to find your own homestay arrangements.

Gurja Himal trek’s main highlights are a close-up view of 7th highest mountain Mt. Dhaulagiri (8172 m). Trek offers the dazzling white beautiful mountain Dhaulagiri(8172 m), Gurja Himal (7193 m) and Churen Himal (7371 m) mountain range. The Chhantyal village the most people of “Bishwakarma” lived on farming and herding. They are the view practice of their traditional blacksmith skills. About the dress of theirs, the men wear thick wool jackets and woven by women and felted to make them waterproof. During the summer season, they ascend up to 5,000 meters with their herds. But in the winter season when snow falls in the village they descend to temporary dwellings in the lower valley Dhaula. The village is also a labyrinth of narrow alleyways. The houses are so tight and the slates of one roof touch those of the opposite house. Here, the older homes can also display intricately wooden carved windows for which Gurja Khani craftsmen are renowned.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03: Drive to Dharapani (1560meter, 5117feet) 5-7 hrs
Day 04: Dharapani to Lulang ( 2450meter,8036feet) 6 hrs.
Day 05: Lulang to Gurjakhani (2620meter,8594feet ) 8 hrs.
Day 06: Gurjakhani to Rugachaur Pass (3850meter,12628feet)
Day 07: Rugachaur Pass Gurjaghat (3015meter,9889feet ) 9 hrs.
Day 08: Explore Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
Day 09: Gurjaghat to Jaljala Pass (3400meter,11152feet)
Day 10: Jaljala Pass to Lumsung (2190meter, 7183feet) 7 hrs.
Day 11: Lumsung to Darbang (1070meter,3510feet ) 8 hrs.
Day 12: Darbang to Pokhara (820meter,2690feet ) By bus.
Day 13: Drive Back to Kathmandu
Day 14: Departure

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft)
A representative from HSA will pick us up from the airport and take us to our hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
Day tour of Kathmandu city, after breakfast in the morning you will be Proceed on to Boudhanath Stupa, Pasupatinath Temple, Patan Darbar square and Swayambhunath Stupa. Swayambhunath is a Buddhist Stupa said to be more than 2000 years old, is perched on a hillock 77 meters above the valley floor and offering a bird’s eye view of Kathmandu City. Afternoon, a tour of Patan, also known as Lalitpur or the “city of beauty” is the oldest city in the valley. A great center both of the Newari Buddhist religion and of traditional arts & crafts with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Overnight at your hotel in Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 03: Drive to Dharapani (1560meter, 5117feet) 5-7hrs
After an early breakfast, we will drive on a dirt road following the river until Darbang. In Darbang we will stop for lunch and continue our trek for 2 to 2.5 hours to Dharapani (our fist night stay). We will follow the Myagdi river bed for half an hour through rice fields and small villages. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to see the daily life of rural people, such as farming, washing, cleaning, etc. After an hour and a half, we will walk uphill through pine forest all the way to Dharapani. This relatively bigger village of 200 households has a population of about 500 people. Most of the ethnic groups that reside in this valley include Chhetri, Gurung, Magar, and Dalits. This picturesque valley has typical houses and one can really enjoy the Nepali hospitality in this village. The altitude of Dharapani 1560m. If the weather is clear, we will see the views of Gurja Himal and Mt.Dhaulagiri.

Day 04: Dharapani to Lulang ( 2450meter,8036feet)6 hrs.
After breakfast at 7:30 am, we will make a gentle two hours walk through the villages of Takam and Sibang. After Sibang we will start climbing uphill for two more hours through a wide mountain dirt road. From here we will descend for half an hour to Phalegaon, where we will stop and enjoy our lunch. Phalegaon is very beautiful. Here we can see lots of green fields and traditional houses. After lunch, we will continue our trek for gradual two hours uphill to Lumsung 2190m.

Day 05: Lulang to Gurjakhani (2620meter,8594feet )8 hrs.

Day 06: Gurjakhani to Rugachaur Pass (3850meter,12628feet)

Day 07: Rugachaur Pass Gurjaghat (3015meter,9889feet )9 hrs.

Day 08: Explore Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Day 09: Gurjaghat to jaljala Pass (3400meter,11152feet)

Day 10: Jaljala Pass to Lumsung (2190meter, 7183feet)7 hrs.

Day 11: Lumsung to Darbang (1070meter,3510feet )8 hrs.

Day 12: Darbang to Pokhara (820meter,2690feet ) By bus.

Day 13: Drive Back to Kathmandu

Day 14: Departure Day

Price Included

Pickups and drops from Airport.
Accommodations in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara including breakfast.
Teahouses/Lodge Accommodation including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during the trek.
Himalayan Sanctuary Adventure Duffel Bag
Farewell dinner at the end of Trek.
Transportation by Tourist Coach (Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu)
An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), and porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging.
All necessary paperwork and permits (ACAP, TIMS )
A comprehensive medical kit.
All government and local taxes.

Price Excluded

Nepalese visa fee
International airfare to and from Kathmandu
Excess baggage charges
Tour Guide and Entrance Fees for Sightseeing
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
Travel and rescue insurance
Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge,Tea, Coffee, Hot and Cold Drinks, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc)
Tips for guides and porters

This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Also, understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trek duration. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 15 kg. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

Important Documents And Items

Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
Dollars, pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
Credit cards, Bank/ATM for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.

Head

Bandana or headscarf,
Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
Sunglasses with UV protection
Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
Light and expedition weight thermal tops
Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Down vest and/or jacket
Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

Lower Body

Non-cotton underwear briefs
1 pair of Hiking shorts
1 pair of Hiking trousers
1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

Feet

2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
Cotton socks (optional)
Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

SleepingRucksack And Travel Bags

1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
1 large duffel bag
A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical