Short Program for Wayers Volunteers (Social Tour: Off-Beat Trekking)
Remarks:
This tour is ideal for travelers seeking an authentic experience away from mass tourism, exploring remote villages rich in culture and natural beauty. A guide will accompany the group, assisting with any needs during the trek.
Why This Route?
We depart early today, heading towards Arughat and then continuing to Swaragaun. Along the way, we enjoy views of the Nepali landscape and mountain scenery. The drive takes us on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1050 m). However, the road from Dhading Bensi to Arughat is rough and bumpy. Upon reaching Arughat, a key town in the region, we continue past Sotikhola and ascend to Swaragaun.
In the evening, a warm welcome program and campfire await us.
Early Morning: Enjoy the breathtaking mountain views and explore the local projects in the village. In the afternoon, we take a short hike and then return to Swaragaun.
Swaragaun, a picturesque village off the Manaslu Trek, is not only stunningly beautiful but also home to meaningful social projects, including a school, a bottle house, and a hostel for visually impaired children. The village radiates authenticity and offers a unique insight into the true essence of Nepal.
Included Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, the journey continues towards Soti Khola. Along the way, we are treated to beautiful views of nature and the surrounding fields as we descend steadily. After a brief tea break, we cross a bridge and continue down to Majhagau.
Majhagau is the village where our kindergarten project has been developing since October 2023, and children have been cared for here since mid-April. Dizzy, the contact person for this project, manages everything on-site and will arrive the same day. In the evening, there will be a communal program.
If desired, we can spend an additional day here. Dizzy will be happy to arrange a meeting with parents and children, guiding us through the village to discover the surroundings and engage with the community.
Hiking Time: About 90 minutes to Soti Khola, then approximately 4 hours with breaks to Majhagau.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Today, we embark on a leisurely hike to Machhakhola, departing early after breakfast. The trail begins through terraced rice fields, offering stunning views over the valley, dotted with small villages, countless rice paddies, and the Budhi Gandaki River. We descend through the forest via stone steps, reaching our first tea break at Soti Khola.
Continuing along narrow mountain paths beside the river, we pass scenic waterfalls and periodically make way for mule caravans carrying heavy loads. We have lunch at Lapubesi before resuming our hike. The route continues through small settlements, offering expansive views over the river valley and a chance to see the Nauli Waterfall.
We reach Machhakhola in the late afternoon and stay overnight in a simple mountain lodge or homestay.
Accommodation: Homestay or Simple Lodge
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
We ascend steeply to Gumda, starting our hike with stone steps right after breakfast. At the top, we are rewarded with the first glimpse of the Ganesh Himalaya, which will accompany us throughout the trek.
After lunch at Lapsibot, we follow a well-maintained flat trail through other mountain villages. In the afternoon, we reach Gumda, where there’s an option to hike to a viewpoint at the village's summit, offering panoramic views of the hills and the Ganesh Himalaya in the background.
Accommodation: Homestay or Simple Lodge
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After an early breakfast, we hike to Laprak, a picturesque mountain village. The route includes a steep shortcut through rice fields, bypassing a longer road stretch.
Before reaching Laprak, we arrive at a viewpoint with vistas of both Gumda and Laprak, as well as the Singla Pass at 3200 m. We spend the night in New Laprak in a simple lodge, with the afternoon free for village exploration or relaxation.
Accommodation: Homestay or Simple Lodge
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
A 3 to 4-hour drive on bumpy roads takes us to Gorkha Bazar, culturally renowned as the homeland of the Gurkha soldiers.
Sightseeing Highlights in Gorkha:
Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Depending on time, continue to Kathmandu or explore other destinations like Bandipur, Pokhara, or Chitwan.