Tamang Heritage Trek

Lying in the north of Kathmandu Valley, the Tamang Heritage Trek is the most accessible trail from the capital which was opened in 2004. Tamang Heritage Trail provides visitors with a blend of stunning landscapes, the Himalayas, and the unique culture and lifestyle of the Tamang people in the Langtang region of Nepal.

The Tamang people originally resided in Nepal as traders who traded their products in the Kathmandu Valley from the Tibetan region. Tamang settlements retained the identity of Tibet with its culture, traditions, and livelihood. The trails wind through the Tamang community showcasing their rich culture and warm hospitality.

The trails offer diverse flora, the majority of Rhododendrons, as well as a variety of fauna, including birds, butterflies, and natural inhabitants like leopards, red pandas, musk deer, and black deer. The mesmerizing views of Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, and peaks above 7,000 range further enhance the wilderness experience of this trail. Tamang Heritage Trail also offers a natural hot spring pool at Tatopani which has a calming and peaceful atmosphere.

The journey starts from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi followed by a hike to Gatlang. Galtang is the traditional Tamang village where we explore ancient monasteries and Parvati Kund Lake. From Gatlang we will continue to Tatopani. The natural spring water at Tatopani is said to possess healing properties. We then head towards Thanum where we see breathtaking views of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal, and Sanjel Himal regions.

Next is Timure, located on an ancient trade route to Tibet. A suspension bridge here connects Nepal and Tibet. The trails climb to the village of Briddim. We will hike from Briddim for around six hours to the Hotel following the Langtang Valley route. We will leave a hotel early in the morning for Syabrubesi. The Tamang Heritage Trek will come to an end when we take a bus from Syabrubesi back to Kathmandu.

Useful Info

Best Time and Season for Tamang Heritage Trek

Weather is one of the main factors affecting the journey’s overall experience. Different seasons provide different sorts of experiences throughout the trial. However, Spring and Autumn seasons are best for completing this trek.

The spring season consists of March, April, and May. During these months the weather is quite consistent with a clear sky with a few clouds. The flowers start to blossom, and the vibrant color of different flowers with lush green forest and different fauna makes the journey more fulfilling. The red panda, one of the endangered species, can also be seen during this period on the journey.

Similarly, the autumn season consists of September, October, and November. During these months the flowers and the leaves change their colors. Also, the leaves start to fall on the ground, darkening the trunks of the trees, and creating what is described as a carpet of orange foliage. This gives us a different perspective of the same trail. In addition, the views of the mountain ranges with a clear sky can be seen during this period of the season.

Accommodation on Tamang Heritage Trek

From a basic room to a standard one, we can accommodate whichever we wish for. However, as we ascend in our journey, there are fewer options available that provide basic facilities.

During the initial section of the trek, we will find lodges and tea shops offering basic to standard facilities like Wifi, and hot showers with attached bathrooms.

As we slowly move ahead in our journey, these facilities become scarce. The rooms are provided with minimal amenities, including communal or shared bathrooms. There might be a few options for a better deal, but it will be much more expensive in these higher altitudes.

Meals Availability on Tamang Heritage Trek

To keep up with the trail, we need to have a healthy diet throughout the trail. Both Asian and Western cuisines are available in the local tea shops and lodges offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. However, we don’t suggest you eat non-vegetarian food items due to hygiene concerns.

Below are a few of the menu details that the lodges and local shops will offer during the journey:

• Breakfast: With a wide range of options, we can choose different breakfast items like eggs, cornflakes, French toast with jam, butter, cheese, Tibetan bread, and some hot drinks.
• Lunch: For lunch, there are options from local to Western cuisine which includes Dhal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo, Macaroni dishes, Tenduk Spaghetti Noodles, Potatoes, Vegetables, Snacks, and Desserts.
• Dinner: For dinner, the items are almost similar to the Lunch.

Tamang Heritage Trek Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance can be pretty useful if some things go wrong. To trek with Mercy Holidays, having proper travel insurance is a must. Moreover, when trekking in hills and mountains, it is one of the crucial documents required. It generally covers medical emergencies, medical evacuation, and trip cancellation.

Therefore, it is advised to have insurance when trekking in any part of Nepal. This will cover the expenses if any problem arises related to high-peak rescue and evacuation.

Altitude Sickness and Remedies during Tamang Heritage Trek

One of the frequent problems for the trekkers is the altitude sickness. As we ascend, the oxygen level starts to drop and air pressure changes making it hard for us to trek. Moreover, if our body doesn’t adapt to this environment we see symptoms like headache, vomiting, insomnia, and reduced performance and coordination.

If you feel any of these symptoms or discomfort during the trek, you should alert the guide/leader. Meanwhile below are the things to do when we get altitude sickness:

• No smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Keep your body hydrated by drinking water often.
• Acclimatization is essential as it helps our body adapt to higher altitudes.
• Eating food with a proper diet, and high calories is a must.
• Medicinal herbs like garlic and ginger can help in reducing the effects.

Note: If the pain is unbearable then immediate descent is required with further checkup required in the nearest health post.

Difficulty and Challenges of Tamang Heritage Trek

The difficulty level of the Tamang Heritage Trek is considered to be moderate. Any individual with a good physical condition can complete this trek easily. However, the altitude can challenge a few of us during the journey.

During the initial days of the trek, we climb up to an altitude of 2200 meters. Passing through steep and gradual ascents and through the woodlands, on the 5th day, we reach Nagthali, which is at an altitude of 3165 meters. Trekkers now might start to feel a bit of altitude sickness.

In addition, one will have to trek for 6 to 7 hours daily. So, getting proper rest and food throughout the journey is important.

Packing List, Gears, Equipment

Located in the Langtang region, the Tamang Heritage Trek is considered moderately challenging. Since the local tea shops will provide most of the basic stuff that we require. However, below are the things that we need to take with us during the trek:

• Rain and waterproof trousers
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Warm down jacket
• Sleeping bag, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, toilet paper, etc.
• Hiking shoes, sandals, and sunglasses.
• Water purifier and water bottle.
• Gloves, hat, neck, and mount cover.

Guide and Safety

The safety of our clients is the priority. To ensure this, we make sure you are properly trained for any possible problems which might arise during the journey. We take the following safety measures in Mercy Holidays:

• Our guides will ensure that you will have a comfortable and secure journey as they have years of experience.
• For some individuals, as we ascend, they might become ill due to the altitude. Our leader has the authority to cancel or continue the trek according to the condition of the person.
• The first aid kit with other emergency items is available with our leader.
• The sanitation of the rooms and hygienic food are also ensured during the stay.