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VILLAGE TOURISM
 A
unique way of exploring Nepalese way of living
is by experiencing a stay in a village house
with local villagers catering to your needs. The
concept is to put you up with a host Nepali
family trained on hygiene and providing services
to tourists. Visitors are provided with modest
accommodation in the village house with the
guarantee of basic comfort and clean
surroundings. Clean toilets, fresh running water
and typical Nepali meal prepared taking
vegetables straight from the private garden.
Evenings becomes lively when you join the
special performance of traditional, folk dances
and music concerts. Become spectator or become
part of daily village routine of herding cattle,
milking cows, fetching water, cooking meals,
etc. from dawn to dusk. These may be some
routine events of Nepali village life but can be
your life time experience. There is no other
better way to understand the Nepali way of life
and to enjoy Nepali hospitality than this. Not
just experience it but contribute to the welfare
of the destination village and people living
there through Infinity Tours.
Sirubari
Sirubari is a small village situated on the
southern slopes of a ridge at 1700 meters above
sea lev el.
The travel time to reach the village from
Pokhara is about 5 hours (about 20 kms to the
northwest), an experience in itself. The village
which is inhabited entirely by the Gurung people
is small and compact with neat and clean trails.
These typical Nepalese villagers will look after
you, entertain you and give you a taste of true
Nepali hospitality, which you are not likely to
experience in the cities. A short excursion to
Thumro, which is an hour’s walk away is
rewarding with its breathtaking view. A stay at
Sirubari is without a doubt a rewarding and
unforgettable experience for any visitor.
From the lush green fields of the river basin,
the vegetation turns to subtropical, deciduous,
coniferous and alpine as one goes uphill. A
variety of flora - sal, bamboo, alnusand,
cerasoides, pine, fir - and fauna - tiger,
jackal, fox, red deer, Langur, eagles,
partridge, nutcracker and wild fowl - abound in
these hills. In the valley below the only traces
of life are rare porters carrying provisions to
the villages in the hills or a shepherd herding
his flock. Traditional rest houses made of stone
and slate or lonely tea stalls provide the
welcome break. The best time to be in Sirubari
is around September-October.
Ghalegaun
Ghalegaun (Village of Ghales)-(Ghales- who
belong to the famed Gurung community of Nepal’s
mid hills. Gurungs have traditionally been one
of the major components of the Gorkha forces), a
charming village endowed with unparalleled
scenic beauty, is situated at the foot of
Lamjung Himal in north central Nepal at an
elevation of 2,016 m from the sea level. It
commands breathtaking views of the majestic
western Himalayan peaks including Machhapuchre
(height 6,693 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m),
Annapurna II (7,939 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m),
Lamjung Himal, Buddha Himal, Himalchuli and many
other smaller peaks.
Ghalegaun consisting of around 105 households
offers a superb combination of natural beauty
and unspoiled ethnic lifestyle. Visitors get a
unique insight into the social life of the
Ghales.
The warm and sincere hospitality of the Gurung
people is something for visitors to experience.
Organized tour groups are welcomed with
traditional dances. Handicraft exhibitions and
other entertainment programs are also performed
for the visitors. After a day of admiring the
Himalayan view, tourists can participate in the
traditional musical programs known as Rodhi in
the evening. There is no electricity in the
village, and the guest rooms are fitted with
solar lamps and water heating systems.
Visitors can join a family in their daily chores
as they plough the fields with oxen, cut grass
with a sickle, chop firewood with axes, milk the
cows, churn curd and fetch water from the local
spring. Activities around Ghalegaun include bird
watching at Talangyo Lake and visits to the
Utter Kanya Temple, Pempro Fall, Batase Cave and
the Khudi hydroelectric dam site.
Ghalegaun is conveniently accessible. It is a
four-hour walk from Khudi, the starting point of
the legendary Annapurna Circuit trekking route.
The trail to Ghalegaun passes through a thick
forest that provides opportunities to observe
varieties of animals, birds, insects and
butterflies. The mighty Marsyangdi River rages
alongside the footpath. Khudi lies at the end of
the road that branches off from the
Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway at Dumre.
 Ghandruk
Ghandruk is a wonderful village located at
2000 meters, where one must trek to reach
Annapurna base camp. Therefore, it is important
to understand the choices of the route to that
village. Ghandruk is not only ideal village to
rest but also a picturesque village from where
one can have beautiful close view of Annapurna
south and the tip of Machhapuchre (The Fishtail)
and Himalchuli Mountains. It is a good place to
rest and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Nepali
culture just before getting back to Pokhara.
 Lakuri
Bhanjayang
Overlooking the wide spectrum of the
Himalayan range and the broad expanse of the
Kathmandu valley, Lakhuri Bhanjyang lies perched
atop the pristine hill of Pokhari Thumko (18km
from Kathmandu). Located at an altitude of 2000
m, approximately, this is another vantage point
commanding panoramic views of the snowy mountain
peaks. The northern horizon is an ideal location
to watch spectacular views of sunset and
sunrise. After Dusk, a myriad of shimmering
lights far below in the cities of Kathmandu,
Patan and Bhaktapur glow to reveal yet another
delightful feast for the eyes. |
