Tamang Heritage Trail: Tour with culture & nature

• Sushant Lama

Trekking through the Tamang heritage trail, near Langtang valley usually passes through Tamang villages, terraced green farmlands, thick forests, and high into the mountains.

Previously a restricted area for traveler within Langtang National Park, now developed as Tamang heritage trail is cultural trekking along with the ancestral Tamang villages with spectacular views of mountains, hills, and valleys.

It is one of the most accessible trekking regions in Nepal which begins from Syabrubesi and passes across Goljung, Gatlang, Tatopani, Thuman, Timure, and Briddim in Langtang valley with the beautiful sights of Langtang Lirung, Langtang Kerung, Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal, Jugal Himal, and Gosainkunda range.

The trail mainly is full of Tamang people who exhibit Tibetan Buddhism. Tamang people have unique cultures, traditions, languages, and lifestyles that have been passed down from generation to generation without losing its distinct identity.

The hospitality of peoples from Tamang communities, local lifestyle, culturally crafted dresses, traditional wooden roofed houses, cultural performances, unique rituals, and local delicacies are some amazing things you will see and experiences throughout this trail.

Peoples here are mostly engaged in shifting cultivation, rearing yak and sheep, and growing crops and vegetables. Thus, you can observe their daily activities like raising their livestock, plowing fields, and harvesting their crops which will give you immense pleasure. We can see prayer flags hanging everywhere in the village representing their religious beliefs.

This trail undoubtedly offers you the opportunity to experience the exotic sight of several snowy mountain peaks across this trail and observe the mystical values of Tamang cultures. Tamang heritage trail is close to Kathmandu valley if you have a hectic schedule. You can easily reach Syabrubesi, starting point of Tamang heritage trail, with a seven-hour drive from the Kathmandu.

On the way to Syabrubesi, you can enjoy picturesque views of the Annapurna range, Manaslu, various peaks of the Langtang region along with the beauty of the Trishuli river valley which extends throughout the road. The first stop after reaching Syabrubesi would be Goljung, a beautiful place that offers the best views of Langtang and Gosainkunda range. Ghale durbars and mediation places are its main attractions.

Gatlang, a beautiful Tamang village, is another stop after Goljung. Parvati Kunda, Orchids and Rhododendron forest, view from Khurpu Danda, cheese factory, water mills along with Tamang culture, architecture, craftsmanship, and Gumbas are some of its main highlights.

There is a pond of a hot spring in Tatopani, but the hot spring has dried up now after the earthquake in 2015. Majestic views of Sanjen Himal, Sanjen Kharka, and Sanjen valley seen from here are truly astonishing.

Thuman is another stop along the trail where lies scenic landscapes of Nagthali which offers bewildering views of Langtang, Kerung, and Sanjen Himal. Trekking along the trail will take you to Timure from where picturesque beauty of Dudh Kunda and Bhotekoshi river valley can be captured.

Briddim is the last resort of the Tamang heritage trail where green forest with Musk deer, Pheasants, and Snow Leopard, a beautiful view of Pangsang Himal and Tamang culture can be observed closely. Since the Tamang heritage trail is round, you don’t have to walk on the same route while traveling back.

Food and Accommodation

There is a presence of many local teahouses along the trail. Homestays in some villages like Gatlang and Briddim can be found. So, you don’t have to worry about accommodations. You can enjoy a variety of local foods along with common Nepali foods like Rice, curry, lentils, Dhindo, Gundruk, etc.

Best season

Since it doesn’t lie at high altitude, trekking through this trail is possible throughout the Year. But the best time would be during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) because of the favorable weather.