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Total Tamang Trek
The Trip
The Tamang are indigenous inhabitants of the Himalayan regions of Nepal. They trace their ancestry from Tibet, and even further back to Mongolia. They have a distinct culture, language, and religion. The ‘Total Tamang Trek’ leads us to their distinctive beautiful and traditional mountain villages located between Langtang and Ganesh Himal in the Rasuwa district. The local art and architecture resembles ancient Tibetan artistry. Most Tamangs are followers of Nyingma, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tamangs are a music loving people. Their favorite musical instrument is the damphu drum (tambourine). It is a small round drum where one side of the circular wood is covered by the skin of a goat and is joined with thirty two small bamboo pencil-like pieces. Legend has it that in ancient times when the Tamangs moved from place to place in search of food and shelter they lived by eating wild fruits, yams and the meat of wild animals. It was a communal kind of life where they shared food in their temporary shelter.
In a well balanced mix of mountain adventure and encountering authentic Himalayan culture, this trek is without doubt one of the most original ones into the Himalayas. The trail is still unique and yet not many Tamang have seen many tourists. Their culture is virtually untouched, something we will preserve even as we trek through their villages.
We start off in Kathmandu and we ascend the road north towards the Tibetan borderlands and enjoy a relatively gentle trek, also very suitable for families, through picturesque villages, terraced fields, and peaceful valleys. We enjoy panoramic mountain views of the nearby peaks and soak in the natural hot springs at Tatopani. Continuing north towards Tibet we soak up the heritage and appreciate a local fort, monastery and exquisite local architecture of the Tamang homes.
- Easy to moderate trek, suitable for families
- Stunning 360 degree views of the Langtang Himal
- Seeing the Tibetan border
- Authentic and distinct culture and interaction with the Tamang people
- 2 days full sightseeing in Kathmandu, coverage of all major temples and monuments in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur
All year long, upon client’s request
- Welcome dinner upon arrival
- All airport/hotel transfers
- Sightseeing with private transport and guide, entry fees temples and monuments in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur
- Drive from Kathmandu-Besisahar–Kathmandu with public bus
- Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu
- Teahouse/Lodge during trekking
- Full board during trekking B/L/D
- All equipment and local transport according to program
- All necessary staff with experienced English speaking trekking guide and porters to carry luggage
- All necessary paper works; trekking permits and TIMS card
- All government and local taxes
Suitable as family trek
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned in program
- Optional private transport Kathmandu- Besisahar –Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fee USD 40 for 30 days and 4 passport sized pictures
- Travel and rescue insurance (*please make sure your insurance covers emergency transport from mountains)
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides and porters
- Extra costs in case of unforeseen changes in the planned program (e.g. weather conditions)
- All others that is not mentioned in the Include section
Day by Day Program
The most cultural trekking in a nutshell
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel + D
Arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport in Nepal. You will be transported to your hotel in Thamel where in the evening we invite you to our traditional Nepali welcome dinner.
Day 2/3: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley, o/n in a hotel + B
Early rise for a breakfast in the hotel after which it’s time to visit Pashupatinath, the most venerated Hindu temple of Nepal and Boudanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa of the world. It really impresses all foreign tourists. In the afternoon we visit Durbar Square in the center of Kathmandu with its impressive monuments.
On the second day of the Kathmandu valley sightseeing the trip continues with a visit to the famous, former King cities of Bhaktapur and Patan -the principalities of Kathmandu valley. You will visit old royal palaces, temples, stupas, and monasteries and will see lots of nice intricate wood and stone works. All entree fees included! In the late afternoon we return to your hotel in Kathmandu, o/n in hotel + B.
Day 04: Drive to Syabrubesi (1460m, 8hrs) via Trishuli (Nuwakot) o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today we start our trail to the Tamang. First, after breakfast we drive out along the north-western hills of Kathmandu out of the valley. Enjoy the Himalayan views and mountainous lifestyle through the terraced fields and rustic villages. We have a lunch at the Trishuli Bazar, buy some fruits and continue further to Dhunche. Here the landscape changes and in the far we can already see what is awaiting us. The road is sometimes spectacular on our way to enchanting Syabrubesi, the starting point of tomorrow’s trek.
Day 05: Trek to Gatlang (2238m, 5/6hrs) o/n community lodge +B/L/D
The Total Tamang trek starts from today. From Syabrubesi, we steeply go up across the Goljung Village. Enjoy the views of the Ganesh Himal, Shishapangma, Langtang Lirung as they rapidly arise during our ascent. On the hill the trek starts become more grdually and at the horzon appears Gatlang, a small but very distinctive Tamang village with the traditional stone houses. We will be welcomed with a Khada (white scarf) and after dinner we will try the home made Rakshi accompanied by the welcome songs and traditional dances.
Day 06: Trek to Tatopani (2380m, 7/8hrs) o/n in community lodge +B/L/D
After a beautiful sunrise over the mountains we have to be fit for the longest trekking day that will take about 7 hours. But prepare for an unforgettable trek! The trek begins with a trip along many mysterious ancient stupa’s descending to Thangbuchet (near Chilime village) by the Bhotekoshi River. We stop for the lunch here before passing the bridge. Passing by the Chilime Hydropower dam, we ascend on a long climb up to reach Tatopani. We cross many villages our way up the green hills and will be rewarded in Tatopani with natural hot springs we will dream about our way since they will relax our tired feet and back.
Day 07: Trek to Thuman (2238m, 5/6hrs) o/n in community lodge +B/L/D
Our highest pass awaits us today as we ascends to Nagthali Danda (3.300m). Here one of the most amazing views in the Himalaya awaits us, a 360 degree Himalayan range of snow covered Himalayas! At the pass we stop for lunch at the Tibetan Brimdang village. After lunch the trek continues ascending to Nagthali Danda. We can enjoy the view and spend some time at the top accompanied by tea prepared by the care taker of the Gompa. Our trek continues, sometimes steep down to the forest to Thuman, a small Tibetan influenced Tamang village with friendly people who again love to sing and dance.
Day 08: Trek to Timure (1762m, 5/6hrs) o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today is very interesting because of the spectacular Tibetan mountain horizon, we actually come so close to this country, that just crossing the border would lead us there. Whilst trekking from Thuman to Timure you can visit nearby historical Rasuwagadi. This day’s trekking grants you an opportunity to observe Tibeto Burman Tamang culture in two of the villages on the way. Timure is on the old trade route to Tibet. A fort here is a historical reminder of the Nepal Tibetan relations that have existed for many centuries. A suspension bridge here links Nepal and Tibet. We will walk towards the border before having a nice dinner and a well deserved sleep.
Day 09: Trek from Timure to Briddim (2229m, 6/7hrs) o/n in lodge +B/L/D
We track back on the other side of the main road into the hills again where you can experience the village life of Briddim and enjoy a cultural show performed by community members. You can also experience a home stay and witness Tamang culture from inside. To learn a little about Briddim, there is a Tibetan Buddhist village in the bosom of Langtang Himal. Around 43 houses are spread in a Z shape. Most of the houses are made up of stone and have roofs of split shake. As direct descendants of ancient Tibetan immigrants, the culture and tradition of Briddim closely resembles that of Tibetan villages.
Day 10: Trek from Briddim to Syabrubesi (1460m, 3/4hrs) o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today is the last trekking day all the way from Briddim to Syabrubesi via Wangel. This day the trail moves along a gently descending path passing through villages, terraces and magnificent views of surrounding hills. Only the last part will be moving up again and dragging our tired bodies in the arms of Syabrubesi.
Day 11: Drive from Syabrubesi to Kathmandu (7/8hrs) o/n in a hotel +B/L
After breakfast we will drive back to Kathmandu and we will enjoy for the last time the splendid views of hills, mountains, terraces and villages. You drive along the unpaved road until Betrawati where we will reach the main road which will bring us back to Nepal’s capital in the late afternoon.
Day 12: Free day in Kathmandu for shopping, o/n in a hotel +B
Today you have a free day in Thamel, which is the tourist district of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Thamel has been the centre of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over four decades starting from the hippie movement when many artists came to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel. Even though Thamel has been referred to as the “ghetto” by some, most low-budget travelers consider it a tourist heaven, also for buying souvenirs.
Day 13: Transfer to international airport (B)
