Trip Highlights:
- Knowledge about the Guerrilla warfare of Nepal during 1996 -2006
- Different species of flora and fauna in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
- Beautiful scenery of Gurja Himal, Chauri Peak, Sisne Himal, the Dhaulagiri Massif
- Culture of Magar and mixed ethnic groups
- Guerrilla trekking route and landscapes around it
The Guerilla trek is a completely new trekking route, introduced from Nepal Tourism Year 2011, gets its name from the Maoists Insurgency that took place in Nepal between 1996 and 2006. Guerrilla trek refers to the trail that used by Maoist guerillas in fighting against the government forces during the civil war. Travelling along the Guerrilla trek gives you a noble experience of knowing about the guerrilla hideouts, shelter and secret path they used to follow. Similarly, you can find the reminiscent of a decade-long guerrilla war that resulted in the loss of about 17,000 Nepalese lives. As Guerrilla trekking route is newly developed, it is less crowded and polluted as well.
Guerrilla trek Nepal is one of the newly discovered and developed trekking routes and is historically and culturally valuable. Guerrilla trek leads you through the lush valleys and typical human settlement areas in the high Himalayan region of Nepal. Guerrilla trekking route covers Myagdi, Baglung, Rukum and Rolpa which is the place the Maoists revolution began from. Introduction of the Guerrilla trek has created a new hope in the people of the war-torn area through tourism. Guerrilla trek has brought a significant change in the lives of the war victims and helped to forget their wound.
During the journey through Guerrilla trekking route, you can see the captivating sight of flora and fauna in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. You can also see the coffee production area of Nepal in Myagdi and Baglung. The spellbinding outlook of the Dhaulagiri Massif, some part of Dhaulagiri range, Mt. Sisne (5,400m), Churen Himal (7,371m) and Gurja Himal (7,193m) helps you forget the troubles during the journey. Apart from this, rhododendron and pine forests, green hills, freshwater lakes, hot waterfalls and apple farming attract you in this region.
Even though mix community and culture is around the Guerrilla trekking route, majority of people in this region is from Magar ethnicity. You can get information about the rich Magar culture, tradition, food items and their hospitality during Guerrilla trek in the mid-western part of Nepal. You will also know about the occupation of the people living in this region along with their agricultural practice for livelihood. You can talk to the local people who have just started a new way of life forgetting the decade long guerrilla warfare.
You can begin Guerrilla trek from two different points in a mutual consent between you and the trekking agency. One is from Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha and the other from Beni, Myagdi, the starting point of Lower and Upper Dolpo region trekking. You can find many Guerilla trek blogs offering different packages. Guerrilla trek cost depends upon the package you book in the discussion with the trekking agency. Guerrilla trek can be customized by settling between you and the trekking agency you book the package through.
Nevertheless, we recommend you to begin your trekking via Guerrila route from Beni and end at Sulichaur, Rolpa, With a view to enabling our trekkers along this route to retrace the footsteps of the Maoist guerrillas and imagine how they hiked and fought the battle in such a hilly and challenging terrain, A1 Excursions presents the long awaited new trekking trail ‘ Guerilla Trail’. This blog has mentioned a 16-day Guerrilla trek itineraryin details.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 01: Landing in Kathmandu
The mediator of the trekking agency that has booked your Guerrilla trek will be at the Tribhuvan International Airport to receive you. He will lead you up to the hotel they have booked for the night settlement. Your guide will inform you about the guerrilla trek gear, duration, type of trekking, etc. in the evening.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara or Fly to Pokhara
Today, you can catch a bus directly to Pokhara by bus along the banks of the Trishuli River and Marshyangdi River. To reach from Kathmandu to Pokhara, one of the main touristic places in Nepal, it takes about 6 hours. On the way, you can see a wonderful sight of the landscapes around the Prithvi Highway and some hustling bustling trade centers. On fine days, you can see the snowy peaks of the Manaslu region glowing in the bright sunlight.
Alternatively, you can take a scenic flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu that takes just about 30 minutes. After you reach Pokhara, you can visit Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Devi’s fall, Bindhyabasini Temple and other attractive places. You can have a majestic sight of the Annapurna Massif and Mt. Fishtail (Machhapuchhre) from Pokhara in clear days. You will spend the night at a hotel in Pokhara, a beautiful city.
Day 03: Drive to Beni
You can directly drive to Beni from Kathmandu if you want to decrease one day of your Guerrilla trek. It takes almost 13 hours to reach Beni from Kathmandu. The mesmerizing appearance of low and high landscapes and the mountain peaks during the drive is really memorable! Here also, you will book a hotel to spend the night for the complete rest so that you can continue further.
Day 04: Trek to Takam
Today, you will follow a gravelled road to reach Darbang and proceed experiencing an enthralling view of Gurja Himal which will push you forward. You will settle down in Takam for the night stay.
Day 05: Trek to Lamsung
Now, you will move forward to Lamsung by having a magnificent view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain Ranges. You can talk to the local people you meet on the way to hear lots of stories about the Maoists war. Exactly, the stories about war will make you quite sentimental and realize the fact that war is never pleasant. You spend the night at Lamsung relishing the local dishes in the best hospitality.
Day 06: Trek to Gurjaghat
Today, you will have to walk through a rocky trail that penetrates across lush forests of pine and oak trees. If you are lucky enough, you can sight musk deer as a good omen! Although the trail is strenuous, the magnificent view of the Dhaulagiri range conjoining the Chure range will boost you to reach your destination. At the end of the trekking today, you will reach Gurjaghat for the night station.
Day 07: Trek to Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
You will walk towards the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the only protected area where you can enjoy animals shooting on a scheduled time. You will leave the human settlement areas and enter in to the isolated area by crossing a Tibetan Refugee camp. You may also come to spot Himalayan black bear, ghoral, Himalayan thar and other species of wildlife. Finally, you wills set up you tent inside the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve premises for the night settlement.
Day 08: Trek to Nishi Dhor
Today, you follow the rough rocky trail up to Nishi Dhor, a haven for different species of birds for the night rest. You can hear Danphe, Nepal’s national bird singing in the lush forests of the reserve. If you are on Guerrilla trek during monsoon, you can spot some temporary cowsheds for seasonal cattle settlement. You can also see some species of wildlife like Himalayan black bear, Himalayan thar, etc during the journey.
Day 09: Trek to Tallo Sera
Now, you will leave Baglung district and enter into Rukum, one of the main guerrilla (Maoists) base camps surrounded by dense forests. You will see some Magar villages which used to be the hideouts of the Maoists during guerrilla warfare on the way. You can also see the housing style, lifestyle, culture and tradition of the Magar ethnicity here. Apart from this, you will experience the captivating sight of the Dhaulagiri Massif reflecting on the sunshine.
Day 10: Trek to Lukum
Now, you will trek through some Magar and Dalit villages with their typical culture and tradition having traditional houses in Rukum. Rukum is also known as the ‘district having 52 ponds and 53 hilllocks’ and has unspoiled natural beauty. If infrastructures of tourism are developed by the government in collaboration with the local people, it has a bright future prospect. En route, you can capture the mesmerizing outlook of the Dhaulagiri Massif, Chauri Peak, Putha Himal, Sisne Himal and other snowy peaks.
Day 11: Trek to Thabang
Today, you will trek through the rocky trail that goes past some rustic villages of Rukum and Rolpa. You will spend the night at Thabang, located in Rolpa and was the origin of Maoists revolution in 1996. During the emergency period 9(2002-2006), the army helicopter bombarded in Thabang and caused a huge devastation of people and property. You will walk past the forests of fir, pine and birch trees inhabiting species of wildlife.
Day 12: Trek to Jaljale
Now, you will go across thick forests of fir, pine and rhododendron following the trail leading to Jaljale. On the way, you can have a magnificent view of the Dhaulagiri Massif, Gurja Himal, Putha Himal and Chure Himal. At Jaljale, you can spend the night at a homestay or set up your own tent for camp rest.
Day 13: Trek to Jelbang
The trekking trail descends downhill through the villages of mixed ethnicities indicating cultural diversity. You can enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view of Api Himal (7,132m) and Saipal Himal (7,031m) during the journey. You will spend the night at Jelbang, Rolpa.
Day 14:Trek to Sulichaur
Today’s station for the night is Sulichaur, one of the Maoists Base Camps during the insurgency period. This is the final trekking day of the Guerrilla trekking package. You will spend the night at Sulichaur that has many restaurants run by the relatives of the former Maoists. You can talk to them to find out the stories about the Guerrilla war and its impacts on their lives.
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu
Today, you will drive back to Kathmandu by bus by crossing some beautiful places like Swargadwari, the Rapti River, Kapilvastu and Chitwan. You will spend the night at the hotel comfortably to recover from the travel fatigue. It almost takes 13 hours to arrive Kathmandu from Sulichaur in a bus or private jeep.
Day 16: Final Departure from Kathmandu or Plan Something New
Now, you have come to the end of the Guerrilla trek package. Hence, the representative of the trekking agency will accompany you up to the Tribhuvan International Airport for final see off. And if you have more time to spend in Nepal, we will help you to make the further stay most unforgettable and useful. Don’t hesitate to consult with us regarding the activities to be done next.
Necessary Trekking Gears:
- Duffel or Rucksack bag (Provided)
- Down Sleeping bag (Provided)
- Down Jacket (Provided)
- Daypack
- Hiking pants
- Waterproof & Windproof jacket
- Rain coat or Umbrella
- Full-sleeves shirts
- Jumper or Fleece jacket
- Pair of T-shirts
- Trekking Boots (water proof is better)
- Sandal, Toilet paper
- Cotton thick socks (2 pair), Woolen socks to wear with boots
- Sun-hat & fleece hat
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Sun block for lips
- Sun lotion
- Goggles or Sunglasses
- Thermal long underwear sets
- Insulated pants
- Trekking poles
- Wind breaker pants
- Water bottle
- Flash light or Head light, Batteries
- Swiss army Knife
- Personal Dry Towel
- Personal toiletries and medication which should be labeled
- Crampons
- Snow leg Gaiters
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