An Adventure In Ghale Gaun and Bhujung Gaun - Part I
For years, travellers and trekkers have flocked to the the beautiful villages of Ghale Gaun and its neighbouring village of Bhujung. The hill station village of Asia’s model tourism village. The village is situated approximately 108 km north west of Nepal’s capital- Kathmandu. Whereas, it is 12.5 km north-east of Pokhara- the popular lake city of Nepal.
Highlights of Ghale Gaun Trek
Stunning panoramic views of mountains such as
Mount Machhapuchre (6693m)
Mount Annapurna (8091m)
Mount Annapurna II (7939m)
Mount Annapurna IV (7525m)
Mount Lamjung (6932m)
Mount Bouddha (6974m)
Himal Chuli (6747m)
Witness the traditional lifestyle of the Gurung community
Savour traditional delicacies and drinks of the Gurung Community
Rejoice in the traditional dance and music of the Gurung Community
Rekindle with yourself in the peaceful mountainous setting and rejuvenate in nature.
Where do I get the permit and card? How much does it cost?
A trekker needs to pay the ACAP Permit, $20 per person. You need to acquire the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card from Nepal Tourism Board. It’s offices are located in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Can I trek to Ghale Gaun alone?
Yes! You can perform a solo trek to Ghale Gaun. There are no restrictions placed on solo trekking in this region by the government of Nepal. As the route is well mapped and features plenty of local and international travellers especially during the main season, you shall not have much difficulty in maintaining our route.
How do I start?
Once you have landed at TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport), you can either experience a bit of the capital (Kathmandu) for a few days or get a connecting flight to Pokhara. The distance between Pokhara and Kathmandu is 200 KM. You can opt to take a bus instead of a flight as well. Your available options are either local or deluxe buses.
Deluxe buses leave at 7 AM from Sorakhute Bus Station in Kathmandu. You may either book a ticket beforehand or arrive an hour early, pay and embark directly at the terminal. We recommend these buses as they have air conditioning. The travel time ranges between 7-8 hours, with stops for lunch and snacks at good quality rest stops.
Once you explore Pokhara, you can catch a bus to Besisahar from Pokhara Bus Stop. The drive time is a total of 3-4 hours.
You can skip all of the hassles by contacting the front desk officer at the hotel. S/he shall do their best to arrange these services for you. They can also develop a proper itinerary to experience Lower Mustang at a reasonable rate.
If you do not want to visit Pokhara then you can take a bus to Besisahar from Kathmandu. The bus is available at Gongobu Bus Park. We recommend reporting half an hour earlier. The drive time is 6 to 7 hours with a total distance of 173 km.
Normally the buses leave at 8:30 in the morning.
When is the right time to trek?
In Nepal, Spring and Autumn is prime trekking season. The skies are clear with light to minimal rainfall. Autumn (Mid-September to Mid-November) is best for Lower Mustang Trek.
During other months such as December - February, the climate is colder and potential high snowfall may not allow you to trek above High Camp. Whereas during pre-monsoon ( Mid-May to Mid-July) and monsoon (Mid-July to Mid-September), chances of rain and clouding are high. The forest area shall be full of leeches and mosquito's.
Spring (Mid-March to Mid-May) is also a great time to trek this region. Temperature is nominal, and winds are light, allowing you to have a beautiful walk. The plant life will be blossoming: amplifying the atmosphere.
What should I wear and carry?
Proper clothing is vital while trekking to remote areas. In Spring and Autumn, you need summer/light clothing for the day hours and warmers for the night. If you’re travelling during the pre-winter and winter months, you need to wear your heavy jacket. During pre-winter and winter, warm clothes are essential. A heavily padded jacket, full sleeve t-shirt and fleece-lined pants are essential. During spring and autumn, a parka is mandatory. An umbrella and a raincoat should be carried as well.
Does the trek cost the same around the year?
No, the cost presented to you by your tour agent varies as per the season. The cost of accommodation is higher during peak season. Food costs rise during winter as transportation of goods becomes difficult. During peak season, you are bound to be over-charged. Off-season treks are usually less expensive due to slow business. You’ll get a sweet deal if you time your adventure off-season.
In the next part of this article we shall discuss the itinerary of Ghale Gaun.