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Honey
Hunting Tour
 "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.
Outline Itinerary
DAY 01 : ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Arrive in Airport, meet our office representative
assist you to transfer to Hotel.
DAY 02 : IN KATHMANDU
We explore the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath
Stupa, Shyambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar square.
DAY 03 : DRIVE TO KHUDI
186KM, 6 hrs.
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 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 : ABSORVE
HONEY HUNTING IN GHANPOKHARI & 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,
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 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 14 : FINAL DAY DEPARTURE
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