Tamang Heritage trail/ Langtang valley/ Gosaikund Lake and Helambhu region

Rasuwa district, situated at about 120-km north (32 nautical miles) of the capital city Kathmandu has a total area of 1544 sq.km. The altitudinal variation ranges from 845 (Betrabati) alms to 7245m (Langtang Lirung). The district is accessed with the 118 km long Pasang Lamu highway from Kathmandu. Rasuwa is the homeland of various ethnic groups and caste. The majority of the groups is dominated by Tamang (64%) followed by Brahmins (16%), Gurungs (7%), and so on. Rasuwa is rich equally in natural and cultural resources. Tourism has been emerged as the second most viable economic sector aafter agriculture (DPP 2002 Rasuwa). Rasuwa constitutes major parts of Langtang area. Langtang is a popular tourism destination as well as a beautiful geographical landscape representing important part of Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok and Nuwakot districts. This area has been managed as Langtang National Park since 1976. The prime tourism resources and geographical area of the Park fall in Rasuwa district representing 974.5 sqkm out of 1710 sq km area of National Park. Langtang is the third most popular trekking destination after Annapurna and Everest region. Trekking tourism was started here in 1979 and has reached a maximum number about 13000 in 2000. It absorbs about 10% of the trekkers coming to Nepal. Around 20000 pilgrimages also visit Goshaikunda each year. The trekking tourism in Langtang follows distinct seasonally and the busiest seasons are Oct-Nov and March-April (60%).

Major tourism resources

A visit to Langtang offers the kaleidoscopic insight of scenic landscape, magnificent nature and unique Tamang culture to the visitors within a few days trek from the capital City kathmandu. The combination of natural and cultural resources has added the value of tourism potentiality in Langtang and has placed Langtang as destination for many reasons. The tourism resource of Rasuwa is broadly described under natural and cultural resources.

Natural resources: The landscape of Rasuwa is extremely dissected and much of the area comprises glacio-fluvial, collivial and moraine deposits. The climatic conditions of the district range from sub tropical to arctic and this drastic variation of climate at a short distance has resulted the five broad categories of vegetation ranging from deciduous subtropical forests (Sal forest) to temperate, sub-alpine and alpine vegetation. Langtang area also comprises high level of biodiversity including 15 forest types, 3000 species of flowering plants, more than 10 species of Rhododendron, Orchids, Primulas etc. The important faunal species includes Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Red Panda Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Languor, Asamese Monkey, 46 species of mammals and more than 250 species of identified birds etc. The beautiful Mountain peaks including Langtang-Lirung (7245m) Sanjen and Ganesh Himal as well as the adventurous pass including Gonjala pass, Lauribina pass, Pangsang pass, Langmala pass are the prime attraction of adventurous tourism in Rasuwa. Likewise high altitude lakes including Goshaikunda, Parvatikunda, Riverkunda, Dudh kunda, Jageshwor kund etc are also the prominent tourism features of cultural and scenic importance. Kyanjin valley, Langtang valley, Sanjen valley, Nagthali, Tatopani hot water Spring are the other areas of natural attraction in the district. Cultural resources: Rasuwa district is equally rich in cultural heritages. Major cultural resources include Tamang culture, tradition, cultural sites and pilgrimage sites. Major area of cultural attraction are Gosaikunda, Langtang valley (a fusion of Tibetan and Tamang culture), Gutlang-Goljung areas (living heritage of Tamang culture and architecture), Kanjin and Sing Gomba (oldest Buddhist monasteries). The presence of historic fort Rasuwa Gadi with the boarder to Tibet and historical and religious site Betrabati are other additional site of socio-cultural value in Rasuwa district.

Major tourism Product of the district

The tourism product of Langtang is broadly classified into following 3 categories:

• middot; Biodiversity experience
• middot; Landscape experience
• middot; Cultural experience

Despite the enormous tourism attractions, safety and the easy access from Kathmandu, the scenario of tourism growth in Langtang area has not followed the general trend as it has been in Annapurna and Everest regions. Current tourism trend is too much concentrated in some particular areas like Kanjin and Goshaikunda with too narrow scope of activities. Major principle market and tourism trend of the district Potential market segment of the area includes Organized group trekkers; adventure groups; special interest groups; mountaineers; free individual trekkers (FITs), pilgrims, domestic trekkers and cultural tourists. Of the total trekkers about 60% are free individual trekkers (FITs). The trekking tourism in Langtang follows distinct seasonally and the busiest seasons are Oct-Nov and March-April (60%). Also about 20000 pilgrimages visit Goshaikunda and about 3000 domestic tourist visits Tatopani for medical purposes.

Access to the area

The district is accessed with the Pasang Lamu Highway (Trishuli-Somdang road). 3 local bus and rented jeep are available for the visitors. However the access is not comfortable and reliable due to the heavy landslide at Ulkharka (before Dhunche) during rainy season. Private Helicopter charter service is also available from Kathmandu.

Major trekking routes in the district

There are mainly three trekking routes of having different tourism experiences in Rasuwa. Goshaikund trail (6-days) and Langtang trail (9- days) are the established trekking trails where as the Tamang Heritage Trail (8-days) is the newly developed trail offering the blends of cultural and natural experiences. Beside these trekking trails, a greater Langtang circuit trek (17-days) combining all three trails can be done in Rasuwa. Major features of these routes are described separately below.

Tourism trend since 25 years back

Overview of Tamang Heritage Trails

In order to materialize the rich Tamang culture and associated natural attractions as tourism product in the Tamang areas of Rasuwa, a new tourism product called Tamang Heritage Trail has been developed and promoted by DDC: TRPAP Rasuwa. The trail starts either from Dhunche or Syabrubesi and passing through Goljung, Gatlang, Chilime, Thuman, Timure and Briddim. The trail may ends at Briddim village or follows the Langtang trek from Briddim village via Khanjim. The trail follows the row of Chhorten (Buddhist shrines with a square base topped with an onion-shaped dome and Mani walls. Manis are prayer stones engraved with mantras) from Gatlang to Timure along the old traderoute to Tibet. Tamang Heritage Trail passes through the mountain villages where the traditional architecture, crafts and style of dress has remained unchanged.

The areas included in the trail have different tourism experience. Goljung and Gatlang villages are especially popular for their rich Tamang culture, architecture and lifestyle. Gatlang is especially famous for its houses of wooden roof, beautiful Gomba and beautifully embroidered hats and live craftsmanship. They are Buddhist by religion and they decorate their houses with the buddhist’s symbol. Prayer flags, prayer wheels, prayer walls are some of the decorational pieces.A viewpoint has been built at Bahundanda from where one can see the panoramic view of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal and Sanjen Himal range. Gatlang is blended with the presence of holy Lake Parvatikund. Gatlang is the largest Tamang settlement made up of stone wall and wooden roof. A visit to Gatlang village offers an experience of live Tamang museum. Traditionally women wear a colourful, wrapped skirt, blouse, a jacket and scarf. Men wear lain cloths or the traditional trouser(pants) short sleeved jacket and topis(cap) Tatopnai trail through Chilime VDC is famous for its popular natural hot water spring, possibly the biggest hot spring water in Nepal. The place get usually crowded with people from different part of Nepal coming there with the strong believed of getting heal from skin diseases and muscles ache. Nagthali,on the other hand offers the Kaleidoscopic view of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal and Sanjen Himal range. It is belived that Nagthali was the meditation centre of the ancient Great Tibetan Lamas. Thuman VDC is popular for the Tamang-Tibeto cultural and tradition which one can observe on the way to Timure. Timure is the old traderoute to Tibet which is famous for its historical fort of Rasuwa Gadhi lies on the bank of the popular river name Bhote Koshi means river from Tibet. It displays the scene of ancient battles between Nepal and Tibet. The next hub is Homestay village called Briddhim lies at the laps of Langtang Himal. One can experience the Tamang-Tibetan culture with the accommodation facilities at typical Tamang house. The stay at Briddim is managed by the Homestay management committee.

The new Tamang Heritage Trail, offers a peek at the Himalayan life-style and ulture.This itinerary takes you through verdant midlands of Nepal experiencing the beauty of this mountain region and the culture of the people who live here. The trail passes through traditional Tamang villages where life, culture, and crafts have remained unchanged since the beginning of the settlement. Warm traditional welcome hosted by the locals, their elaborate costumes, rich architecture of their mountain houses, and the ancient monasteries and places of pray add color to the experience of this trail. In addition to this, the trek also offers wilderness experience through beautiful landscapes of alpine terrain, flat meadows, and rhododendron forests.

The trail starts from Dhunche or Syabrubesi and passes through Goljung, Gatlang, Chilime, Thuman, Timure and Briddim. The trail may and back in Syabrubesi or follow the Langtang trek from Briddim village via Khamjim,Goljung and Gatlang are traditional Tamang villages. Goljung has as ancient monastery. From the viewpoint at Bahundanda near by one can see a panoramic view of Langtang ,Kerung and the Ganesh Himal,Sanjen Himal ranges, Gatlang set high on a hillside among terraces fields is a Tamang settlement.One can visit a Tamang monastery and the beautiful Parvatikunda lake at Gatlang,Bathing in the hot,healing waters of the natural spring at Tatopani en route from Gatlang to Chilime is an exhilarating experience. Bridim offers cultural experience at community-run homestay while Nagthali in Thuman VDC is surrounded by beautiful views of Himalayan ranges.

Langtang Valley

The Langtang Himal is a region north part of Kathmandu. vally and it lies just south of Tibetan border. The langtang valley is surrounded by high peaks of great appeal. It has become famous ever since the British mountaineer Bill Tilman described it as the most beautiful valley in the world. The highest peak in this area is Shisapangma or Gosaithan 8027m in Tibet. The course from the Langtang valley to Gosaikund is full of diversity and it is attracting many tourists. The langtang valley is also know as the treasure house of Alpine plants. The whole valley is cover with flowers during the summer.

This high and isolated region is inhabited by Tamangs whose religious practices, language and dress are much more similar to Tibetan

Flora and Fauna
The forests of Helambhu region and Langtang area is prime example of temperate and sub alpine vegetation. The dense oak and pine forests on the trail are of particular interest. During the spring Rhododendrons are also very spectacular.

People and culture
The people here, are of Tibetan origin and call themselves sherpa although they are quite distinct from the sherpas of Everest region both in language and customs. Many Tamang people also inhabit this area, Tamangs are also orginated in Tibet but settled in Nepal considerably earlier than Sherpas.