Anthropologists have long known that most of Nepal’s indigenous people settled along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountains in waves beginning more than 1,000 years ago. The linguistic affinity between the languages of the Gurung, Tamang, Thakali and Manang peoples have led experts to conclude that they may have travelled from Tibet across the mountains to settle below the Annapurna and Langtang ranges at about the same time in history.
After six-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Besisahar, the first stop is the Tamu/Gurung Museum where visitors pay respects to a statue of Harka Gurung, the famous Nepali geographer who was among the 23 killed in a helicopter crash in 2006 at Ghunsa in Kangchenjunga in Taplejung district. Chandra Gurung, the pioneer environmentalist who helped establish the Annapurna Conservation Area also died in the crash. Harka Gurung’s birthplace of Ngadi is also his burial site.
Then, it is up the dirt switchbacks to the bucolic village of Ghale Gaun (Kuinli Nasa in Tamu) which has become a staging point for scenic treks in the area. This is where the Ghale rulers from Kohla Sonthar first settled there. The last Ghale king was Ghyalpo Rajalke, and there is a statue in his honour near the ruins of his palace. Local cultural groups perform for visiting tourists with naumati baja and traditional Gurung dances like Ghanto, Sorathi, Pachyu and Ghyabre.
From Ghale Gaun to Bhujung is a pleasant ridge hike, but there is now also a motorable road. Bhujung has homestays and the locals are extra hospitable to visitors. The trek to Kohla Sonthar starts here, and it is a steep walk along the trails, with the clouds often drifting in and flowing across forests of rhododendron and oak draped with orchids. Stop over at Samiro Kuna for the night by the side of a gurgling brook.
The next day is a steep climb to Kobaro Hill at 3,300 and then down to Ngasi Kharka for the night stop, a meadow where villagers bring their livestock to graze during monsoon. The walk is arduous, but the scenery and tranquility of the forests with rhododendron in full bloom more than makes up for the fatigue.
It is a hard walk of a few hours from Ngasi Kharka to Kohla Sonthar, the final destination. Vegetation has partly taken over the ancient ruins of Gurung ancestors.
The route from Kohla Sonthar to Sikles (Chiuli Nasa) is not well trodden and the trail down to the Madkyu Khola is steep and rough. It takes all day to finally get to the picturesque village of Sikles, where hikers will sleep like babies. Silkes is used to trekkers, and there is always a cultural troupe at hand to provide music and dance in the evenings, in one of the many lodges.
Those with some time on their hands can take this as a rest day and explore Sikles and its environs. After the rainy season, the town will offer some spectacular 360 views of the surrounding forests.
From Sikles, it is a short hike down to the Madi Khola before climbing up again to Tangting with its spectacular views of Annapurna 2 and 4, and the huge hulk of Lamjung Himal. Locals can do the walk in two hours, but it may take four hours for visitors. Nearby is Nauju Danda where ancestors of the families in Tangting are believed to have come from. The hill top is a historical and archeological site with even better views of the Annapurnas.
The last day is a bumpy jeep ride to sub-tropical Pokhara, with its pubs and cosmopolitan restaurants.
KOHLA SONTHAR
After the breakfast, the trekkers can take a flight to Kathmandu or they can drive to Kathmandu in private vehicle, O/N in a hotel in Kathmandu.
After the breakfast, the visitors can fly back to their country or they can explore the natural beauty, cultural heritage and historical site in Kathmandu valley and around.