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This is a
superb introduction to
trekking in Nepal among some
of the most beautiful scenery
in the whole country, with
rich tamang culture. Many ago
Nepal, fought with Tibet for
salt and some of the biggest
areas where this war took
place is in the Langtang
Region of Nepal, wherein lies
the third most popular
trekking trail in Nepal. This
area is connected to Tibet and
the trails in this region were
used by traders from Tibet
bartering in Salt and mountain
goats for meat (changra) with
foodstuffs from the south.
Developed
by the Tourism for Rural
Poverty Alleviation Program,
the "Tamang Heritage Trail" is
the newly developed tourism
product, off the beaten track,
which highlights an ancient
lifestyle combining it with
picturesque scenery and
healing baths in natural hot
springs.
The people of this region are
mostly Tibetans who came from
Kerung in Tibet across the
border and settled in Nepal.
In earlier days, the
citizenship of Nepal would not
be offered to real Tibetans,
so they changed their
ethnicity to Tamang, which is
what they still write till
date. The cultural and
traditions of these people are
similar to the Tibetan across
the border.
The trail
starts either from Dhunche or
Syabrubesi and passes through
Goljung, Gatlang, Chilime,
Thuman, Timure and Briddim.
The trail may end back in
Syabrubesi or follow the
Langtang trek from Briddim
village via Khanjim. Goljung
and Gatlang are traditional
Tamang villages. While Goljung
has ancient monastery, Gatlang
set high on a hillside among
terraced fields is the Tamang
settlement. One can also visit
a Tamang monastery and the
beautiful Parvatikunda Lake at
Gatlang. From the viewpoint at
Bahundanda near these
settlements, one can also see
a panoramic view of Lantang,
Kerung, and the Ganesh Himal,
Sanjen Himal ranges.
After the
trek of several days, bathing
in the hot, healing waters of
the natural spring at Tatopani
en route from Gatlang to
Chilime is an exhiliarating
experience. Brimdang offers
cultural experience at
community-run home-stay, while
Nagathali in Thuman VDC is
surrounded by beautiful views
of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh
Himal and Sanjen Himal ranges.
Nagthali used to be a popular
meditation center for the
local monks and priests. Next
is Timure on the old trade
route to Tibet. A fort at
Rasuwagadi in Timure is a
historical reminder of the
Nepal-Tibet relations that has
existed for many centuries. A
suspension bridge here links
Nepal and Tibet.
The trail
ends at Briddim which lies on
the lap of Langtang Himal.
Briddim offers warm Tamang
hospitality at the home-stays
run by community members. In
addition, visitors can also
visit local monasteries of
Dukchu Gomba (monastery)
chosen as sacred site by the
great Tibetan Lama - Guru
Rinpoche and Chukla Khnaga
Gomba.
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