Chitwan Chepang Hill Trail Trek is newly highlighted trek program in mid-hill Nepal in Mahabharat and Chure range – the lower mountain range of Nepal in between southern plain and the higher Himalayan peaks – that ends in the southern plain of Tarai. Thus this trek is unique that the trek does not take you to the foothills of the high Himalayan peaks.
This trek takes you to the heartland of Chepang indigenous people with rich cultural heritages once living hunter-gatherer, wanderer, and semi-nomadic life who very recently began their permanent settlements in these hills. This is unexplored trek thus expect some of the primary hospitality of the Chepang people. Since they are remotely dwelled they are a group of marginalized population in Nepal.
The trek is not that strenuous in the lower mountain range, and offers splendid view of the Himalayan peaks, river beds, and plain of Southern Tarai.
Your arrival in Kathmandu is fascinating itself. Our friendly representative will be there at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your hotel. After you complete check-in formality, and taking short rest, we introduce to the market of Thamel, where you can eat your supper, change money, buy some stuffs from supermarket, or buy trekking gears. Later we take you to our office for the trip briefing. Overnight at your hotel. Delay of any kind will postpone the events for next day according to feasibility.
In the early morning you begin your journey to less travelled and unexplored region of Nepal – Chitwan Chepang Hill Trail Trek. You drive to Haatibang located at the hill top from where you can explore and get some fascinating views in clear weather. You will get to explore small villages and figure out magnificent unexplored trials of the villages and hill ranges. Upon your arrival at Haatibang you will check in at the hotel that you have been assigned with and stay overnight.
Today you walk through various Chepang settlements such as Jautesh, Changa, Dinglang, and reach Jyandala to sleep. Chepangs are once hunter-gatherer and living nomadic life in the hills of Mahabharat range and now begin to settle in permanent houses in this region You climb to Siraichuli – one of the highest hills of the Mahabharat range – to view the splendid view of the Himalayan Peaks that includes Rolwaling Himals, Gaurishankar, Langtang, Gorkha Himal or Manaslu Himal, Peak 29, Himalchuli, the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri covering long stretch from east to west. You can view the green forest of Chitwan Jungles, and in a clear day you may see even Kathmandu. You reach to Jyandala and enjoy the Chepang delicacies,
Shaktikhor is another Chepang village where the centre for sustainable tourism initiative is located. The initiative has established a Chepang museum and visitor’s information center serves for both tourists and educational purpose. Caves and waterfalls attract you in this place. Shaktikhor is renowned after the Maoist People’s Liberation Army was kept in this place. Third Division’s Headquarter was housed among seven division headquarters. Overnight at the local lodge.
You complete your trek in this majestic heartland of the Chepang people today and return back to Kathmandu. It is about 5-6 hours scenic drive. Overnight stay in the Hotel in Kathmandu. Add on: You can extend this trek to Chitwan National Park which is one of the best national park to do jungle safari. From Shaktikhor it is few kilometers to the park where excellent programs and hospitality is available. You can make it to two nights and three days program as add on.
You tour around Kathmandu city for half day today after breakfast at your Hotel. This historical, cultural and spiritual city unveils the social and historical mysteries to visitors. You will walk through the narrow path of the ancient Kathmandu – the center of power – that includes markets of Ason, Glass beads market at Indrachowk, oldest supermarket at New Road, Kilagal, and Hidden Stupas inside the family courtyard. Visit of Kathmandu Durbar Square – the administrative quarter of Malla Kings (fourteenth to eighteenth century), and Shah Kings who ruled Nepal from 1768 until 2008. The most unique experience in the square is the visit to the temple of the living goddess “Kumari”. After the tour, return back to your Hotel. If you are staying in Thamel, you can hang around this bustling tourist market and enjoy shopping. Overnight in Hotel.
As per your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the international airport of Kathmandu three hours prior to the flight time and your tour ends here.
This list outlines the required things to bring during the trekking tours. There are various selections and brands that you can choose as per your interest. All required trekking equipments can be bought or even hired easily at a reasonable price in Kathmandu. The quantity of your gears/equipments for shorter treks can be lesser, and you may wish to travel light.
General
Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes
Hand
Core Body
Lower Body – Legs- Feet
1. Nylon hiking shorts - Quick drying type, not cotton!
2. Underwear, stay away from cotton (4).
3. Lightweight long underwear - capilene or other synthetic.
4. Soft shell pants - synthetic, full zip from top and bottom preferable.
5. Trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts..
6. Cotton pants (loose jeans/khakis).
7. All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large puncture resistant plastic bags.
9. Two pairs heavy weight socks to be worn over liner socks preferable for cold season.
10. Two pairs light weight socks, a good option for the lower / warmer parts of the trail.
11. light to medium weight water proof hiking/trekking boots.
12. A pair of light trekking shoes or sneakers. Good for around the camp/lodges and in Kathmandu.
13. A pair sandals (Optional).
Medicines and First Aid Kits
(Please note our guide will also carry the first aid kit bag during the trek. However we still recommend you to bring your personal first aid kit as well)
Miscellaneous
Optional
All garments should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large puncture resistant plastic bags.