Developed by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program, the ’Tamang Heritage Trail’ is a newly developed tourist route off the beaten track, which highlights an ancient lifestyle of the Tamang people journeys through picturesque scenery, including a visit to hot spring healing baths. The 7-day trek gives you an insight into Tamang rituals, Tibetan culture, festivals, traditional architecture, costumes and local dances, all making for a unique experience. In particular, staying with a family at Briddim, not only gives a close-up view of life in the village, but directly contributes to supplement the family’s income.

A short trek, this trip is ideal for anyone curious about local Tamang culture and willing to go on a relatively easy trek. Apart from one long day, this trek typically involves walking for 3-5 hours a day. It is suitable for people of all ages, though some basic level of fitness is needed as there are a lot of ups and downs!

The operator does a lot to promote responsible tourism in the media and networks with like-minded companies. Since its inception, the operator has worked on a number of social responsibility issues, particularly those connected with Corporate Social Responsibility.

These principles have guided the company to develop a responsible tourism policy and over the years, it has been involved in several initiatives, be it improving the energy usage situation in the workplace, developing practices for continuous employee development, working with national and international partners in broadening the knowledge and practices in this field and supporting social initiatives like the annual Bagmati River Festival in Nepal. 

Short Program

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu
Day 2: Heritage tour of the Kathmandu Valley (Overnight at Kathmandu)
Day 3: Drive to Syabrubesi; overnight at Syabrubesi (1,982m)
Day 4: Trek to Gatlang; overnight at the community lodge
Day 5: Trek to Tatopani and enjoy bathing in hot springs
Day 6: Trek to Thuman
Day 7: Trek to village at Briddim; overnight homestay
Day 8: Trek to Syabrubesi
Day 9: Return to Kathmandu
Day 10: Departure

The operator does a lot to promote responsible tourism in the media and networks with like-minded companies. Working on a number of social responsibility issues, in particular, the operator is dedicated to principles connected with Corporate Social Responsibility.

These principles have guided the company to develop a responsible tourism policy and over the years, it has been involved in several initiatives, be it improving the energy usage situation in the workplace, developing practices for continuous employee development, working with national and international partners in broadening the knowledge and practices in this field, and supporting social initiatives like the annual Bagmati River Festival in Nepal.

The environment is close to the tour operator’s heart, triggered by a strong belief that this is its chief asset. Using every means to reduce energy consumption and waste in their offices is one step in this where the operator tries to play its part. Since 2008, the operator has been developing an internal audit of responsible practices which includes continuous review of the company’s responsible tourism policy.
 

Trip highs!

• Briddim homestay in a traditional Tibetan/Tamang home
• Hot springs at Tatopani
• Local Sybru dancers
• Off-the-beaten-track territory
• Chance to meet local people
• Beautiful scenery

Trip watch-outs!

• Accommodation at times is fairly basic

The company was set up as a result of two charity trips that were made to Nepal, run voluntarily by Raj Gyawali and his British partner in 1998 and 2000. These two treks raised funds for a school hostel in the mountains and a rural cataract eye camp. In 2002, Raj set this up into a full time business as the sole owner of the trekking agency, based on corporate social responsibility principles.

Persuasive and eloquent, Raj invests a lot of his time trying to spread the word on responsible tourism, networking and attending high profile workshops and meetings whenever he can.
 

Ideal For Whom

This trip is ideal for anyone wanting an insight into local Nepali customs and village life. This is quite a gentle trek, so you don’t need to be especially fit. However the trek does include one very long day of walking (7 hours), so some level of fitness is advisable. This trek would be suitable for families with children, especially given some of the activities involved.

Accommodation is quite basic, so you need to be prepared to rough it a little. Part of the charm of this trek however, is that you will be staying at a community-run lodge, some simple family-run tea houses and lodges, and the village homestay at Briddim.

When To Visit 

The best times of the year to visit this area are in the spring and autumn, when the weather is warm, dry and fairly settled. There may be the odd showers in late spring and early autumn, and the skies tend to be clearer in the autumn. Winter is cold, but the weather is settled and there is not usually too much snow in this area, so this is also not a bad time to come.

The summer is not the best time of the year to come, as this is also the time of the monsoon and it can rain for a few hours each day. The area is very prone to landslides and so there can be problems getting to and from Syabrubesi.

Things To Bring

• Trekking clothes – avoid shorts and skimpy t-shirts, as these are not culturally acceptable.
• Evenings can be cool in the mountains, so bring a warm jacket and waterproofs for rain that might occur in the late spring and early autumn.
• Comfortable trekking boots or shoes.
• Torch.
• Insect repellent can be useful early autumn and late spring.
• Sun cream and sun hat.
• Iodine tablets or a filter for water purification can be useful, especially to minimise on the use of the plastic bottled water that is not environmentally friendly given it is not possible to recycle plastic easily in this country. Otherwise water on trek can be boiled, but this uses fuel and deforestation is a serious problem in this area.
• Souvenirs, photos, postcards from your country can make good talking points when you are meeting local village people.

Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal – Most people arrive by air to Tribhuvan International Airport. It is possible to travel overland from India by bus, arriving at the New Bus Park, Kathmandu.