Siklish and Ghale Gaon Home Stay
Trip Duration:
11 Days
Trip Code:
HSG
Trip Grade:
Moderate
No. of Pax:
2 - 16
From
$ 1600/person
Overview
Siklish and Ghale Gaon Home Stay is a newly introduced home stay program highlighting the Gurung culture and their lifestyle. Apart from the stunning landscape and views of the Annapurna region, you will explore two most popular Gurung settlements- Siklish and Ghale Gaon in the Annapurna region. Siklish village lies at the foot of Lamjung Himal is the main touristic trail. This tiny village offers magnificent views over the Annapurna Himalayan range and has emerged as one of the most sought after destinations among the visitors.
Ghale Gaon lies at the distance of 4hrs walk from Beshisahar. While staying at these villages, you can enjoy comfortable accommodation at the family home, enjoy delicious local food and experience local culture, tradition, and lifestyle.
This home stay program at Ghale Gaon is highly recommended for those who are interested in exploring an unspoiled countryside, experience ethnic culture and walk through the off the beaten track areas. This beautiful pristine village is gifted with an unparallel scenic grandeur and has been home to Ghales , one of the sub-tribes of the famed Gurung, in the mid-hill of Annapurna region. Under the ‘Ghale Village, Homestay’ program trekkers get a first -hand experience of village life in the countryside, particularly Ghale Gaun, the largest Gurung village in Lamjung district.
While on the trip you will enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurnas, Machapuchhare, and Lamjung Himal and also explore the bird watching in the forested surroundings.
Itinerary:
Less travelled countryside, Good mountain views and rough terrain, A spectacular short trek, A variety of terrain from lowland villages to elevated ridge, View the blooming of rhododendron in the springs
Important Note:
This itinerary is a guideline pattern which we offer home Stay tour of this type. But, unforeseen events such as mountain weather, local politics, transportation etc., is beyond Trek Himalayan’s control could be resulted in a change of program. It is very unlikely to have such circumstances occurs but our effort is to minimize its effect, however Trek Himalayan is not responsible for the result of delays or changes.
Arrive at the (TIA) Tribhuwan International Airport where you will be welcomed by Trek Himalayan representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free until evening when you’ll enjoy a welcome drinks with your guide and introduce each other. Overnight in Kathmandu
Hotel Accommodation (Kathmandu)
Harati Manor Inn [or similar standard]This is an example of the hotel we may use in Kathmandu city. Your actual hotel will be specified when your booking is confirmed. Please check your email or booking confirmation.
After breakfast sightseeing tour begins which include all the religious, cultural & historical sites within the Kathmandu valley. Overnight in hotel
Pashupatinath (World Heritage Site): One of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world, the temple of Pashupatinath is the focus of pilgrims from all over from Nepal and India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and built in the familiar pagoda Style. Chronicles indicate the temple’s existence prior to 400 A.D. It lies 5 kms east of the city centre. This holy place is picturesque collection of temples and shrines. All the dying persons are brought to Pashupatinath for cremation. Only the Hindus are allowed to go inside the temple.
Bouddhanath (World Heritage Site): It is the world’s biggest stupa located about two km to the north of Pashupatinath temple. This colossal stupa is known by the name of Bouddhanath, the god of wisdom. It is difficult to assign a period to it as some believe that it was built during the reign of either Shiva Deva or Anshu Verma in the 17th century A.D. The design is much like the Swoyambhu stupa, except that the final consists of receding squares instead of circles. Bouddhanath attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world.
Swoyambhunath, Monkey Temple (World heritage Site): The Swoyambhunath Stupa crowns a hillock to the west of Kathmandu. A massive white dome surrounded by a 13 stage spire, is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal. It is said to be 2000 years old. Its origins are linked to the founding of the Kathmandu Valley by draining the water of the lake by Bouddhisattva Manjushree. Swoyambhunath manifested in the lake as a brilliant light emanating from a lotus, Manjushree let the water out of the valley paying homage to Swoyambhu, thus making the valley inhabitable.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (World Heritage Site): It is the nine-storied palace structure built around 1770 AD. This palace square was a residence to Nepal’s royal family. The house of the living goddess (Kumari), the ferocious Kal Bhairav, the red Monkey God and hundreds of erotic carvings are a few examples of the sights at the square. All woodcarvings, statues and architectures in this area are exceptionally fine. Most parts of the palace premises are open for tourist throughout the week during office hours.
You will depart Kathmandu for the six hours drive to Pokhara (915 m,). As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. While in Pokhara you can visit different popular sites and observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Stay overnight at hotel on Pokhara.
A broad trail starts through rice fields near the Army Camp, and then ascends through Rakhigaon to a Chautara, a resting place under a large pipal tree. En route, you can enjoy the Views in panorama. Then, the trail gently climbs along a ridge top through the Brahmin and Chhetris villages towards Kalikasthan (1370 m.). At the end, you should climb a short distance up to the the village. While walking, you will enjoy panoramic views of mountains, Begnas Lake and Pokhara city. Stay overnight at local home
You begin following gently path passing through local villages of mixed ethnic groups, rice terraces up to Mardi Khola. Now the trek is easy as you walk along the riverbank. En route, you cross Bhaise, Nawaldanda, to reach Lama Khet. It is a small village where you will stay overnight. This place is surrounded by green hills which exhilarates you. Stay overnight at local home
The trail stretches at flat level along the river bank until you reach Khilan Gaon. After this, you follow the path which gently goes up at some distance and remain steep for some hours. En route you will pass Parju village. The trail again climbs till Siklis village. It is one of the oldest and big Gurung villages. Most of the people of this village serve in Indian and British Army. Stay overnight at local home
This trek goes through rhododendron and oak forests following gently ascent path in the beginning. After some distance, you walk over the flat land. Forest Camp is surrounded by forests. Stay overnight at local home
You trek through forests covered with rhododendron. While walking you cross the highest pass of this trek. After crossing the pass, you will descend steeply to reach Ghale Gaon. It is a small village which is mainly inhabited by Gurung and Magar community. Stay overnight at local home
After breakfast you will descend gently to Hyamgja (1070 m.). You will board on vehicle here to drive to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where country’s first Cable car is in operation to visit Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city.
Today as per your international flight time, our staff will come to pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the international airport for your final departure
Trip Map:
What is included
What is Excluded
Siklish and Ghale Gaon Home Stay 2024/2025 Cost and Departure Dates
Trip Code
Arrival Date
Departure Date
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Nitty Gritty
General Information
Nepal
Nepal is a small landlocked country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest. It contains over 240 peaks more than 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. By some measures, it is a land of different arts and indigenous cultures well preserved since time immemorial. Hindu and Buddhist shrines found in the country are enriched with wood carving and bronzes, century’s old statues standing along the wayside and three popular historic cities – Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan have preserved their medieval splendor and architectural flavor till date.
Geography
Nepal is located in South Asia between China in the north and India in the south, east and west. While the total land area is 147,181 sq. km including water area of the country that is 3,830 sq. km. The geographical coordinates are 28°00′N 84°00′E. Nepal falls in the temperate zone north of the Tropic of Cancer. Nepal’s ecological zones run east to west about 800 km along its Himalayan axis, 150 to 250 km north to south, and are vertically intersected by the river systems. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions: Himalayan region, mid hill region and Terai region. The highest point in the country is Mt. Everest (8,848 m) while the lowest point is in the Terai plains of Kechana Kalan in Jhapa (60 m). (Source NTB)
Nepal Visa
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the airport or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph.
* Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).Government Office Hours & Holidays
Sunday to Thursday: 1000hrs – 1700hrs (during summer)
Sunday to Thursday: 1000hrs – 1600hrs (during winter)
Friday: 1000hrs – 1500hrs.
Saturday: Holiday
You can find list of other national holidays in Nepal hereLanguage
Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is the official language of Nepal. However, most people living in the city areas can understand and speak English fluently. Hindi language is widely understood across the country.
Pre-Trip Meeting
On arrival in Kathmandu, our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our pre-booked hotel. There won’t be any activity on this day. We will host a pre-trip meeting at the hotel lobby on the 2nd day of your itinerary in the evening. It will be an opportunity for you to meet your tour guide and introduce each other. The guide will brief you about the tour and check your gear to ensure the smooth running of your tour trip.
Activities during Home Stay
Home stay guests get involved in different local rural activities. They learn to work in the rice fields, prepare the local traditional food, participate in the cultural program, visit cottage industries such as traditional handicrafts and paper making; and a plant nursery covering 380 hectares of flora, excursions around for bird watching, observing local festivals and rituals. Staying with local farming families in traditional homes provide ample opportunities for cultural exchange using translator of English and Nepali. Visiting to local school is extra highlight during home stay program.
Accommodation & Meals
All accommodations will be on a twin sharing basis during the tour in hotel and local homes. We recommend you to use your own sleeping bag. During the home stay program the host family will provide freshly cooked, local food which includes Dal, Bhat, lentil soup, vegetable curry, meat curry and other local cuisine.
Bathroom facilities
Most lodges offer hot showers and in the ones that don’t a bucket of water. In this area, we find many western toilets and in some places there are usually just the Asian squat type toilets.
Small Groups
Small groups provide a more intimate atmosphere allowing you to get to know your Tour Guide better and to develop lifelong friendships. Therefore, the maximum group size for this tour is 16 people. The minimum is 2 people.
Weather Information
The main tour season in Nepal begins from early October to mid-May. During this period temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC above higher altitudes. Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November
This is the main trekking season in Nepal. While trekking in mountains weather will be sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as to minus 10ºC at the highest altitudes.Winter: December to end February
Even it is cooler conditions this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. Skies are usually very clear especially in December and the mountain views are at their best. Nights will be very cold with temperatures down to negative 12ºC to negative 20ºC at the highest altitudes but days are pleasant and sunny. The trails are also much less busy at this time of yearPre-monsoon/spring: March to May
Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but cloudiness will be occurred up in the afternoons. Seasonal flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to tour in spring.INSURANCE
Before joining a tour, we recommend you to take out a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. Please send us the following details such as your full name, policy number and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number prior to departure. We also strongly recommend that your policy must cover personal liability, flight/trip cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Safety
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home – you don’t need it while travelling. Many of hotels in Nepal have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage
Rescue/ Evacuations
Though we hope for the best trip, you sometimes might be in need of rescue or evacuation in case of a serious sickness or a personal prolonged health issue. During such emergency you will be rescued by a helicopter. You are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation services. We request you to make sure when you purchase insurance from your country that your policy must cover these expenses or you should remain prepared to pay or sign on Helicopter Evacuation Form before you get on the Helicopter.
Overland Transportation Delay or Halt
If the main highway between Kathmandu Pokhara areas is blocked by a landslide or any natural calamity during the transfer, in such a situation the extra cost for food and accommodation has to be borne by the clients.
FAQ
- Nepal is a land of ancient history, colorful cultures and multi- religions found nowhere else on the planet! There are many festivals and cultural events celebrated throughout the year in the various regions by different Nepalese ethnic groups who follow their own way of religious practice, lifestyle, language, culture, and tradition keeping peace and harmony in society.
