Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek full of fascinating landscape

Words and photos: Kanchi Dolma Hyolmo/Sanjiv Gurung

This time we have come up with a new trekking trail in Gorkha. If this trail, which is full of cultural, religious and natural elements but still unexplored, can be developed, the people who love traveling will get to taste a new destination and the standard of living of the locals will rise.

This trail, which we studied for 12 days, is the trail leading to the Ganesh Himal base camp in North Gorkha. For this, Dharche Manaslu Tourism Development Committee was leading and Dharche rural municipality ward no. 1, 2 and 6 had financial support.

Here we have given daily details about the Ganesh Himal base camp trek and the Ganesh Kund – Black Pond trail.

Our first day journey was by bus from Kathmandu to Arkhet. The travel distance to Arkhet is 190 km. Another way is to go to Arkhet through Dhadingbensi.

But while passing through Gorakh Bazar, one can also observe the historical Gorakh Palace. Bus travel is easy as there is a black road to Arughat Bazar. After about 7/8 hours bus journey we reached Arkhet.

On the second day, we traveled 38 km in a jeep to Kerauja.

Since there is a dirt road, the jeep journey is not so easy, but the view of mountains, rivers and streams from the road made it easy to cross the road. Before reaching the Soti River, it crossed Budhi Gandaki and went uphill towards Mambu. Mambu is a large settlement. arsa village is reached through Katoche, Dhunchet, Dorot, Darchet, Yarsa rivers.

Yarsa village is a large and beautiful settlement. There is a majority of Ghale and Gurung in this settlement. Yarsa village is under the Great Himalayan Trail. There is a homestay arrangement here.

After a short drive, the beautiful village of Kashi is reached. Keraunja is reached after a two-hour drive from Kashi village. This is where we live today. Keraunja has a population of about 3,000 in about 700 households. There is a majority of Ghales and Gurungs in this village as well.

Day 4: Mavung Khark – Megachet Den (Trek)

After climbing uphill for a while, we reached Lambra Hill. The road from Kashi village also joins here. The spectacular views of Lambra hill covered with thick Rhododendron made our trek even more beautiful. Taking photos and videos, it went up again.

Lunch was prepared and eaten at Birim Pakha via Bhungmarchet.  Today is the fifth day of the journey, i.e. the third day of the trek, from Meghachet Odar to Runchet. There is no shortage of geographical views with open weather, enchanting scenery.

After a few hours of walking, Rongja Hill was reached. From here Ganesh Himal range, eight thousand mountains above Mount Manaslu, Dr. Hark Chuli, Himchuli, Buddha Himal, Pangpoche Himal, Chamar, Ganesh Himal, Pavil Himal and many other mountains can be seen.

Day 6: Runchet – Hulchuk (hiking up to 1502m) After saying goodbye to the local youth of Runchet, the journey towards Hulchuk started.

After walking for a while, the Jhankri stream was reached. The feature of this stream is different. It is a tradition that Jhankri descendants should not drink water from the Jhankri stream. In ancient times, the Magar king was killed and the water of that stream was thrown into the spring (Khonchma), so the Jhankri descendants still believe that the water of the stream looks bloody.

Day 7: Hulchuk – Cave Camp (trek up to 2065m)

Hume River is reached after descending five hundred meters from Hulchuk. That is Humchet village. After climbing for a few hours, reached the tobacco farm (Hungachet). After having dinner at Surtivari, the journey was prepared again.

Day 8: Cave Camp – Bungnan Odar (trek up to 3165m)

Today’s journey was very difficult. Lost the way in the beginning. Reached the hill of Seksy by splashing over a very risky big hill. Juntur hill was reached through the dense forest through the road coming from Yaruphant. When we arrived, we found water in a small hole and we cooked the food and ate it.

Day 9: Bungnan Cave – Hule Khark (trek up to 3296m)

After breakfast we reached Dobhan, looking for a way through steep descents, hills and gorges. Following the Yaru River from Dobhan, Dungdung Buk was reached. We made and ate lunch in this den today. Let’s follow the Yaru River from Dungdung Buk too.

Crossing the Yaru river again and again, following the path uphill through the forest, hills, and landslides passed through Dambakchet and reached Hule Khark.

Day 10: Hule Khark – Hechamba Khark – Ganesh Himal Base Camp (trek up to 4395m)

Today is the tenth day of our journey, we are reaching our destination Ganesh Himal base camp. After breakfast, we started uphill again following the Yaru River.

Along with Malingo Ghari and Laliguras, we are walking looking at the beautiful flowers in different types of soil. Wide fields are fascinating.

Eleventh day: Hechamba Khark – Bisi Khark (trek up to 2396m)

Hechamba returned by the same route from Khark to Jantur Danda. The steep slopes, narrow paths and wooden paths are hazardous.

After that, there is a forest path from Jantur Danda to Bisi Khark. There is an easy road here because the local government has made a road.

Twelfth Day: From Bisi Khark to Yaru Bagar and by night bus to Kathmandu The road from Bisi Khark to Yaru Bagar was built with the help of Dharche Rural Municipality. But that too is slowly being wiped out by the forests.

To reach Yaru Bagar from Bisi Khark, one has to descend for two hours. Yaru Bagar Budhi is located on the banks of Gandaki. This road is the main trekking trail, which is on the way to Manaslu Round, Chum Valley, and Ganesh Himal towards the north. Asia’s first long cantilever bridge has been constructed in this area. There is a good arrangement of hotels, lodges and homestays in this place.

A big stone from Yaru Bagar, Syauli Bhatti reached Dobhan.  Hot water in a jeep from Dobhan, fish river was reached through Khola Bensi. Day and night buses are operating from Machha Khola to Kathmandu. Night bus journey to Kathmandu. One of our new destination searches was also completed

This area is an area with great potential for tourism development. If tourism infrastructure can be developed and promoted in this region, which has its own cultural, religious and natural elements, there can be no doubt that the life of the people of that region will be stimulated by the development of tourism.

This very beautiful place full of waterfalls, fascinating geography, and views of mountains has not been developed even though it has a lot of potential.

Study team

Sane Gurung Lamichhane – Coordinator

Sanjeev Gurung – Mountain Guide, Explorer, and GPS Expert

Dolma Hyolmo the Younger – Everest climber, explorer, and photographer

Hem Raj Bastola – Pokhara TAN Representative and Researcher