The Guerrilla Trek - 17 days

Namaste and welcome to Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Nepal Kameleon Holidays representative receives and transfers you to the hotel. After a short refreshment, we briefly explain to you about the sightseeing trip and the preparation for the trek. Overnight at hotel. (A) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Then we set out for the sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, exploring some of the unique monumental sites that are enlisted in the World Heritage Sites UNESCO.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): The temple is located at the top of the hill in Kathmandu, which is a 5th-century religious significant site. It is regarded as a self-sprung monumental site. For the Buddhist pilgrimage trip or tour in Nepal, Swayambhunath stupa remains the first selection in the Kathmandu valley. One of the UNESCO monumental sites, Swayambhunath is also popular as the monkey temple, having uncountable monkeys. Newari Buddhism is one of the major features here, which is known as Vajrayana. The eyes of Buddha represent wisdom and compassion. To climb the steps up the hilltop is believed to be the ladder to lead you to the state of enlightenment.

Pashupatinath Temple: The temple is one of the most sacred and popular pilgrimage destinations for Hindu devotees around the world. It is located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, about 5 km distance from the east of the valley. It is listed as a UNESCO site and travelers love to explore the 15th-century arts and architecture around the area of the temple. It has got wonderful pyramid-shaped temples, extensive cultural heritages, Ashrams for the old people and Sadhus along with remarkable inscriptions. It is very special during the Shivaratri festival and nearly one million people visit the Pashupatinath temple every year.

Boudhanath Stupa: Boudhanath Stupa is located about 10 km east of Kathmandu, which is antique and has a huge mandala. The stupa is one of the biggest among this type. The surrounding of this stupa is dominated by Tibetan refugee settlements. One of the prominent World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley, Boudhanath is a highly adored tour and pilgrimage destination. Buddhist monks and devotees can be seen to be doing a religious ways of paying homage around different corners of the Stupa within. 

After breakfast at Beni, we begin to walk towards Darbang passing through various picturesque villages. Following the Myagdi River, you can enjoy the natural hot spring on the way. Trekking forward, we pass Babiyachaur via a steep trail. Darbang is our final destination for today. It is a commercial hub that has few lodges for accommodation. Overnight at lodge. (note: driving is another option for today, which is about 3 hours if the road is fine for driving).

As Darbang is a business hub, various routes go here and there after taking goods. After breakfast, you cross the Myagdi River. On another side, you will see the processed woolen factory, where pure woolen jackets are made. After a short walk, we can enjoy the exciting view of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 meters). Crossing the Dang Khola via the suspension bridge, we climb steeply and reach Dharapani. It is a wonderful viewpoint of Gurja Himal. Then we walk for 45 minutes to Takam. Overnight at lodge.

Mattikana, which is a side trip today is a place where Beni attacking plans were made during the Maoist insurgency. 

From Takam, we begin to walk to Moreni after breakfast. First, we reach Sibang and Muna. Walking a bit ahead, we reach a junction, where one route leads to Dhaulagiri base camp (north trail) and we head through the northwest trail to Lumsung. The magnificent waterfalls allure you stunningly. Then we descend towards Dar Khola for half an hour and reach Moreni, which is our destination today. Overnight at lodge. 

One long walking day on the Guerrilla trail with very basic facilities or you can say no facilities. After breakfast, we pack up our lunch and begin to walk. After about an hour, we pass the Upper Moreni and walk about 40 minutes more to Chautara. Then we walk through the Jaljala Pass meadow for about 2.5 hours. We may meet sheep herders in this outstanding location. Then we descend to the River and walk along its bank with the fragrance of wildflowers. Then we walk through the rhododendron, pine, and juniper forest to reach the Gurjaghat for 2.5 hours. Overnight at lodge.

Following the Uttar Ganga River, we walk half an hour to the tributary to a suspension bridge. After some time, we cross the bridge and walk from another side. While passing the stream a bit further, you need to cross it by your foot, so please, be careful with your belongings. We pass a Bon Gompa and a traditional medical school. From Chhentung, we head towards Chisapani, which is about 45 minute walk that passes through some Tibetan houses that belong to the Kagyu sect. After about half an hour, we reach to Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve checkpoint. We spend overnight at the lodge. 

From Dhorpatan, we begin to walk, passing Syal Pake. If you go from the right trail (north), you will head towards the Yarsha trail, including Kayam and Maikot route. But, we head towards Bhuji, Kanga and ultimately to Niseldhor. Overnight at lodge. 

Beginning the trek from Niseldhor, we follow the Uttar Ganga River, passing Gaba and Siba. Reaching Khoriya Danda, we head more west and reach Ghumilibang. Walking continuously, we reach to Upallo Sera, where the trail splits to the southwest and northwest. We take the second trail and ascend to Taka, where we enjoy the homestay. overnight at homestay. 

We have an optional route. One goes via Dharmasala and another to Lukum. We need to take the second one. Descending to Upallo Sera, we climb up towards the Tila Pass (3050 meters) and head towards Lukum. You will get insights into the Kham Magar culture and its unique traditions. Lukum is also renowned for Shamanism, where the ethnic group enjoys chanting and dancing along with the Shamanistic traditions. Overnight at lodge. 

After breakfast at Lukum, we begin to deal with the physically strenuous section. We walk along the bank of the Ruji Khola and ascend away towards the Syaubari pass (2670 meters). along with the wonderful surroundings, the Sisne Himal can be explored during the excursion. Passing RI Khola and taking the eastern trail, we reach the entrance of Thawang, which remained the center of Maoist politics for a long time. Overnight at lodge.

Note: Thawang has experienced a long time war and several damages during the Maoist insurgency. It was a central place where the plans to bomb were prepared. So, helicopters were used to throw bombs and bullets several times to demolish the Maoist shelters. However, Thawang has got senior leaders, including those who are seated in vital posts of the government, including the ministers and spokesperson of the parliament.

As a side trip, we can visit the Ajambari Jana Commune, which was established in 2003. It was the first commune in Nepal. 

From Thawang, we proceed through the eastern trail and reach the Fiba Khola. We head towards Jaljala and heading a bit further, we explore the Bhangma cave. Following the Golpu Khola, we reach Jemthang and ultimately Sukulbang. Overnight at lodge.

After breakfast, we begin to descend from Sukulbang, from where Jelbang can be seen. Walking through the ridgeline and steep route. Jelbang was an eyewitness to the devastation caused by the Maoist insurgency era. Due to the suspected Maoist houses, several houses were burnt down in a fire. It is suspected that several dead bodies are buried nearby. Well, if you think, Jelbang is much near you, you can continue to Sulichaur. Overnight at lodge. 

Due to the road construction, even transportation is available at Jelbang. But, sulichaur is the usual bus stop. After breakfast, we descend to the tributary to Jelbang Khola and cross the suspension bridge after 15 minutes. We reach Rulbang and follow the downstream trail. Passing Narbang, we reach Are Bhanjyang (also known as Kenganath Chheda-1245 meters). After 3 hours of continual walk, we reach the tea shop. Then we walk down through the road, all the way to Suli Chaur. Overnight at lodge.

After breakfast, we go to the bus park and catch the bus to Kathmandu, which is at least 15 hours. Or, we take a bus to Bhaluwang and catch another bus to Kathmandu easily from the Mahendra Highway. After a long and tiresome bus drive, reach Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. 

It's time to bid farewell. A Representative of Nepal Kameleon Holidays drops you to the airport for your final departure. We hope to serve you time and again. (B)