Village Tourism

Nepal is fast emerging as a destination for various kinds of village tourism with many award winning concepts and development in Sirubari, Gorkha and other places. Village tours give visitors the opportunity to observe the rich and traditional cultures of rural Nepal from close quarters. One can easily intermingle with the locals. More importantly, village tourism generates income at the local level and benefits the localities at their grassroots level. Therefore, Nepalese village tourism, with its direct trickle effect, gives the spending tourists a great sense of satisfaction.

VILLAGE TOURISM in 4 different areas:

• ACAP
• KCAP
• Ghandruk
• Sirubari

I. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)

Ecotourism in the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal. The Annapurna area is the most popular trekking destination in Nepal. Mass tourism in the area started in the early seventies. Since 1989 the number of trekkers coming to the area has increased at an annual rate of approximately 18%. In 1997, 50,708 international trekkers visited the area. Out these around 12,000 visited the Annapurna Sanctuary.

The eco-tourism, which is talked about, is in the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Annapurna Sanctuary is one of the Special Zones (SZs) in the Annapurna area. The objective of the ecotourism is obviously to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and maximize its positive impacts on local ecology, economy and culture.

The Annapurna Sanctuary:

Annapurna Sanctuary lies in the south of the Annapurna I (8091masl). To get to the Annapurna Sanctuary, one has to drive for one hour from Pokhara along the Pokhara-Baglung road and drop at Nayapul (1000masl). After a one hour walk towards the Annapurna along the Modi river, the trail ascends for another 3 hours to get to the village of Ghandruk, one of the largest and most traditional Gurung villages in Nepal. After about 5 hours walk from Ghandruk, Chhomrong village comes. This is the last permanent settlement towards Annapurna. From Chhomrong onwards, the Annapurna Sanctuary area starts. Next stop from Chhomrong is Sinuwa, which is at about one and half hours further. Rhododendron forest starts from Sinuwa. At about one and half hour distance from Sinuwa, there is a tourist information and check post at Khuldighar established by the ACAP.

Trekkers have to have their trekking permits and the conservation area entry cards checked, and have to get registered here at the check post. After 30 minutes descent from the check post comes Bamboo. Next stop from Bamboo is Dovan, which is at two and a half hours distance. In next 3 hours from Dovan come Himalaya and then Deurali 2 hours further on. One can find Birch and junipers trees from Deurali. The trail from Deurali is slightly uphill. ABC is the last stop, which is in the middle of the mountains. In order to return, one has to follow the same trail until Chhomrong. From Chhomrong the trails divides into many directions and one can choose any trail depending on levels of interest and fitness.

The Special Zone (SZ):

The SZs are zones where there is no permanent human settlement. The management implications for this zone are to allow no further large infrastructure development and keep the area's natural environment intact as it is. Beside the Annapurna sanctuary, this zone includes two other sites inside the Annapurna area. The minimum altitude in Annapurna sanctuary area is roughly 2000masl. The SZ was also occasionally used by the local communities for harvesting timbers, bamboos and medicinal plants for local use only. The local communities were using the resources from this zone since they had inhabited in the village of Ghandruk, centuries before. However these local uses in fact did not have any noticeable negative impacts on the local ecology.

Impacts of tourism in the Annapurna Sanctuary:

The majority of the foreigners who go trekking in Nepal do so to enjoy the beauty of the snow capped mountains. The Annapurna sanctuary is the closest site where tourists can get into the middle of the mountains in just 3 days walk from the nearest road head. The beauty and the accessibility of the Annapurna sanctuary attract most of the trekkers to it.

In the beginning, tourism started without any planning and programmes. The local communities converted their summer animal sheds into teashops and lodges. It was demand driven tourism. Along the trails to the Annapurna sanctuary, teashops and lodges were scattered here and there. Solid waste pollution increased, trees were felled to make fuel wood and to construct new and comfortable lodges for the tourists. The forests were also cleared to make new sites for the lodges. The lodge or teashop owners were untrained in lodge management. Trekkers visit the area throughout the year if the weather permits. This favoured the creation of a sort of permanent settlement in the area to run the lodges. The lodge owners had unhealthy competition amongst themselves, which increased the negative impacts and minimised the positive impacts of tourism on the local community and environment. The infrastructure (trails) suitable for foreigners was also not adequately built.

ACAP's intervention:

ACAP, after its establishment in the village of Ghandruk, intervened in the Annapurna sanctuary to help develop better tourism management. It required well-thought out and applicable programmes and strategies to overcome the problems. An integrated tourism management programme for eco-tourism development in the Annapurna sanctuary was then developed and undertaken in partnership with the local lodge owners. The long term objective, as has already been stated, is to maximise the positive impacts and minimise the negative impacts of tourism in the local ecology, economy and culture. The positive impact which has been considered here is the economic benefit to the local communities. And the negative impacts are the impacts on forest, sanitation, culture and wildlife.

II. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP)

With the motto "To conserve the natural resources of the area and raise the living standards of the local people by mobilizing them through the integrated conservation and development approach", Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP), was implemented by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) of Government of Nepal with the financial support of WWF. The conservation area encompasses 2035 sq.kms and covers the VDCs of Lelep. Thapethok, Walangchungola and Yamphudin. KCAP was formally established in the field from March 22, 1998.

The abundant ecosystem of the conservation area is the habitat of a diverse wildlife community that includes a number of endangered species. The snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, red panda blue sheep and ghoral are found here. It also has incredibly rich bird life. The Impheyan pheasant, red-billed blue magpie, shy drango, hawk and eagle among many birds are sighted here.

The culture of the local people living in the area is as diverse and colourful as the natural environment that they live in. this is the land of the Sherpa, Lama, Limbu, Rai, Gurung communities who are the predominant people of this area. In this remote part of the country where modern interventions are minimal, the people have retained their traditional practices and way so that their unique cultures are alive and vibrant.

III. GHANDRUK

Ghandruk is a model village of eco-tourism in the world. Ghandruk has received international awards for eco-tourism. Here the eco-tourism signifies traveling relatively undisturbed in uncontaminated natural areas with specific object of studying,admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals as well as any existing cultural areas in which the conservation of eco-systems and protection of biodiversity is aimed at. Nowadays the popular slogan of eco-tourism defines as environmentally and socially responsible tourism, which minimizes degradation of natural environment, cultures and socio-economic conditions and provides economic benefit to local people through employment and services.

In Ghandruk, the majority of people are from Gurung community. They are known for their unique culture. However, they are now conscious of eco-tourism. Annapurna area is located in west-central Nepal and internationally known for its formidable peaks. It contains some of the highest mountains of the world and the world's deepest gorge, namely the Kali Gandaki gorge which lies between the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya ranges. Ghandruk is situated in the southern slope of Annapurna Himalaya in the western region of Nepal.

IV. SIRUBARI VILLAGE

The village is a totally unspoiled Gurung settlement set in the hills at 1700 meters above sea level. The climate is ideal at any time during the September to June season with warm days and cool nights.

Sirubari village is a short drive and walk from Pokhara, the major tourist center for the Annapurna Region. It is reached from the road to Lumbini. The trail to the village is steep but well made and most people manage to reach the village after a three-hour walk.

You will be welcomed into the community and invited to stay in the home of one of the village families. The accommodation is simple but comfortable with good bedding as well as clean toilet facilities. The food is delicious and you will be eating your meals as one of the family.

Each night there will be entertainment provided by the community. One evening this will be in the form of traditional Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing, you can join in if you like!

As the locals are all Buddhist, the village gompa (monastery), a simple but beautiful temple, will be a feature of your stay. There will be the chance to get a blessing from the resident lama (priest) before you leave.

THE MOUNTAINS

An easy one-hour walk above the village is the viewpoint at Thumro. At 2300 meters this is the highest point south of Pokhara and the views on a clear day are spectacular. Rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities and crowned by an array of snow peaks is spread all around that will leave anyone breathless. From Manaslu in the east, through Machhapuchare and the Annapurnas and around to Dhaulagiri the Himalayan giants all line up for your camera to capture.

THE VILLAGE LIFE

During one's stay he will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, going to school with the children, or just sitting in the sun talking to neighbors. One can wander freely, safely, by oneself and look at all of the developments that the community have supported and funded; the primary health center with its doctor, the agricultural service center, the veterinary hospital, the plant nursery and forest plantation. The list goes on. And, at the end of the stay, one will be overwhelmed by the farewell that your new family will give you. If you never come this way again the village and its people will remain in your heart forever.

PACKAGES:

The standard packages are two nights/three days and three nights/four days starting after breakfast at Pokhara and finishing back in Pokhara late afternoon on the last day. Extensions are always possible on request. Helicopter transfers can be arranged provided at least 48 hours notice is given. We can arrange extended trekking itineraries that also include the village visit, ask us for details.

WHAT YOU WON'T GET

Hot showers, television, bottled beer, hamburgers, rubbish on the trail and thousands of tourists.

WHAT YOU WILL GET

Delicious local food and drink, comfortable accommodation, a welcome like you have never had before and the cultural experience of a lifetime.