Overview
Chepang Hill hiking is one of Nepal’s newest hiking trails. Located west of Kathmandu, this walking track allows us to explore the high peaks and diminishing rivers. The main reason for opening this as a new trekking trail is to promote local culture and livelihood. This indigenous community has a distinct lifestyle and a rich cultural heritage. They lived a nomadic lifestyle that included hunting, digging for wild roots, fishing, and traditional style farming near rainforests before transitioning to sedentary life with the introduction of cattle husbandry and cultivation. They have distinct settlements, social structures, languages, cultures, religious practices, and festivals. Aside from the wildlife and other varieties of flora and fauna in Chitwan, the Chepang hill is now slowly becoming an attraction for the travelers. This excursion takes you to culturally significant sites as well as scenic locations. Aside from the nature and culture, one of the most interesting aspects of the walk is the homestay experience. You will have a one-of-a-kind experience by sharing farm work and sleeping in a local home with locals who share local organic cuisine. This walking track was completely unaffected by previous kinds of tourism. Trekking the Chepang Hills Trail takes us into an undiscovered part of Chitwan.
Top Highlights of Chepang Hill Trek
- Scenic vistas
- Vibrant local culture
- Serene landscapes
Itinerary
You will arrive in Kathmandu valley at the Tribhuvan International Airport, and our agents from Gravity Expedition will be there to pick you up. They will take you to your hotel, where you can rest and enjoy a delicious and traditional Nepali meal. In the evening, you have the option to attend a fascinating folk cultural performance.
Following breakfast the following morning, you will go for a full-day sightseeing trip of the Kathmandu Valley. You may see Swyambhunath, a very old temple that is essentially classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the revered Pashupatinath Temple.
Highlights of our guided trip include the largest Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the exquisite artwork and old architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, which showcase the ancient culture of Nepal.
Patan City’s historic architecture and renowned fine arts will charm you on a visit. You will have time to explore the neighborhood, eat supper, and maybe take a leisurely stroll down the well-known streets when you get back to your hotel. A traditional Nepalese dinner at the Nepali Cultural Restaurant rounds off the day.
Our trekking guide will arrive at the hotel at 6:00 a.m. to pick you up with private transportation to the Chepang Heritage Trail point Hugdi Khola (80km), which will take us about 3 hours of gorgeous route. Along the way, you will see some breathtaking scenery, including snowcapped mountains, lush hills, rivers for rafting, and villages. After lunch in Hugdi, we walk for almost five hours from Hugdi Bazaar to Hattibang, a picturesque town with breathtaking mountain views. You can spend the night in local homes or community-managed guest houses.
After breakfast with a local family, the trek begins towards Jyandala, passing through other Chepang communities such as Jautesh, Changa, and Dinglang to view the entire Chepang settlement and culture. The trail then leads through a vivid landscape to Siraichuli (2,000m), one of the highest hills in the Mahabharat range, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of Himalayan peaks such as Rolwaling, Gaurishankar, Langtang, Gorkha Himal, Peak 29, Himalchuli, Manaslu, the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri, and others to the east and west. The Chitwan National Park is to the south, with its verdant, deep, evergreen woods.
We depart from Jyandala and proceed to Upper Dhangadi, our target for the day. We must walk on both climbing and descending trails today. Today, walking through a lush forest with over 300 bird species will provide you with the opportunity to experience a bird watching heaven. Aside from the enormous number of birds, this area is home to a variety of wild animal species, however encounters with wild creatures during the day are quite unusual. After around six hours of walking, you’ll arrive in Upper Dhangadi, a Gurung and Chepang settlement. This hamlet, located at an altitude of 4029 feet, served as the headquarters of the Chitwan districts until 1962. The ruins of a fort are less than 10 minutes distant from the south of village.
Departing from Jyandala, we resume our trip towards Upper Dhangadi today.This fort was built in the early 1800s by the grandson of Nepal’s first king, Prithivi Narayan Shah. You can see this fort when staying in Upper Dhangadi. Gadi is a historic fort and the primary trail connecting the Terai belt to Tibet.
On the final day of our journey, we leave upper Dhangadi after breakfast. Our trail dips for around 300 meters, following a ridgeline. Continue along the ridgeline above Kolar and descend sharply to the tributary below the Shakti Khola (495 m / 1624 ft.). We’ll have to wade across the river several times before reaching Sampharang (363 m / 1191 ft). After almost six hours of walking, we arrive in the lively market town of Shaktikhor. Shaktikhor is situated at an elevation of 1070 feet above sea level. There is a visitor center next to the Chepang Museum and Chepang Development Center that sells locally produced commodities such as mustard seed oil and honey. The Chepang frequently refer to themselves as “Praja”.A Hindu temple called Sri Muktinath Shivalaya is located 50 yards above and to the west of Shaktikhor’s main market. When we get in Shaktikhor, we will tour the Chepang Museum, waterfall, and caverns. Local Chepangs will organize a cultural program for you in the evening. In addition, we can stay an extra night in Shaktikhor to explore Chitram waterfall and Majhbang, or Bat cave and Sindi Waterfall.
Today, we hike through gorgeous Himalayan forests to reach a remote area of the country. We travel from Myagdi to Baglung. We next hike along rocky paths until we reach a Tibetan refugee settlement, which brings us to the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. We may see ghoral, Himalayan tahr, black bear pheasant, partridge, and other wildlife on our trip to the lodge where we will spend the night.
Leisure day in Kathmandu, followed by a farewell meal and celebration. You can ask your guide to take you on a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. On this day, you can visit the valley’s numerous museums, including the Narayanhiti Museum, which was previously the residence of Nepal’s last king. You can also visit the hilltop of Nagarkot. After exploring the valley’s world heritage sites, you will enjoy a farewell supper with your Nepali friends and guide. You and your guide may even decide to extend your stay to include a Chitwan jungle safari, rafting activities, and other activities.
Our representative of Gravity Expedition will accompany you to Tribhuvan International Airport as you prepare to board your flight back home. While you travel home, you can start thinking about your next adventure here in Nepal, and rest assured that Gravity Expedition will be there to provide excellent service for your future endeavors.
Cost Includes
- ALL Airport/ hotel transfers,
- 4 nights in Kathmandu with breakfast,
- A full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley including tour guide, transportations, and entrance fees,
- Food and Accommodation during trekking (full board service – breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner + hot water),
- An experienced English speaking trekking guide and sherpa porters to carry luggage including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and Lodging,
- All necessary paper works including entrance fees,
- All ground transportation during trek,
- Travel and rescue arrangements,
- Insurance for Nepali Staff,
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner.
Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu (except welcome and farewell dinner),
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary,
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks on trek,
- All personal expenses, including Nepal Visa (for country entrance),
- Personal medical and evacuation insurance,
- All other additional charges for additional services,
- Additional tips for tour guide,
- Personal purchases,
- Any other expenses that are not included in Cost Includes.
FAQs
The best times to embark on the Chepang Hill Trek are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer the most favorable weather conditions for trekking, including clear skies and moderate temperatures. Spring brings blooming flowers and lush greenery, while autumn provides crisp air and excellent visibility of the surrounding mountains. During these seasons, the weather is generally stable, avoiding the extreme conditions of the monsoon and winter, which makes for a more comfortable and enjoyable trekking experience.
The Chepang Hill Trek is considered moderate in difficulty. It requires a reasonable level of physical fitness, as the trek involves daily hikes of 4 to 6 hours, often over varied terrain including steep ascents and descents. While the trek is accessible to those with basic trekking experience, a good level of cardiovascular fitness and stamina is beneficial. Preparing for the trek with regular exercise, including hiking and aerobic activities, will help ensure you are well-prepared for the physical demands of the journey.
To trek in the Chepang Hill region, you typically need to obtain a few permits, including the entry permit for the Chepang Hill Conservation Area. This permit can be obtained in Kathmandu or through your trekking agency. The process is relatively straightforward, and your trekking agency can assist in arranging all the necessary permits and documentation. Ensuring you have the proper permits is essential for trekking legally and respecting local regulations.
Connectivity during the Chepang Hill Trek can be limited due to its remote location. While some villages along the route may have basic phone services, internet access may be unreliable or unavailable. For reliable communication, consider bringing a portable satellite phone or a local SIM card with data services if available. It’s also a good idea to inform family and friends about potential gaps in communication and share your trekking itinerary with them. Being prepared for limited connectivity will help manage expectations and ensure safety.
Trekking in the Chepang Hill region requires a few specific considerations. First, be aware of local customs and etiquette to ensure respectful interactions with the Chepang community. Additionally, due to the region’s remote nature, it is important to be prepared for basic amenities and limited access to facilities. Ensure that you have adequate supplies, including water purification methods and a reliable first-aid kit. It’s also wise to carry some cash in local currency, as remote villages may not have access to banking services.
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