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,
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
