5 Reasons To Visit Ghalegaun – Nepal

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Ghalegaun is one of the villages in Lamjung, Nepal that is popular for its scenic beauty, cultural experience, and great hospitality. Considered as the cleanest village, Ghalegaun is one of the popular destinations for people who are willing to escape the horrific city schedules and regular life. The people in Ghalegaun are mostly Gurung and are more than happy to serve you the local experience with home-stay accommodation, local food & drinks, and cultural clothes.

I recently made a two days trip to Ghalegaun, from Kathmandu on 15 & 16 January as my first trip of 2020.  I had not been to Lamjung before but I had heard a lot about the alluring beauty of this place. So, as soon as my college’s winter vacation started, I packed my bag to step on a new district which happens to be my 49^th district to step in Nepal so far. I went along with one of my friends. She had not been to Lamjung before either.

 

So basically, I shall not bore you with my unnecessary lectures and directly get into the points that shall help you make this trip worth.

Number of days: 2 or 3
Vehicle Type: Bus, micro van, Jeep
Travel Area: Ghalegaun, Lamjung
Altitude: 2070m

VEHICLE & ROUTE INFORMATION:

The vehicle for a local trip from Kathmandu can be a bus or a micro van. If you have private car or motorbike, you can take it. But if you are willing to hire a bus, you might face problem after Besisahar, as the road is off-side and during monsoon, or mild rain, the roads can be quite crazy for a bus.

If you prefer a local vehicle, you can get one from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu till Besisahar, Lamjung. The first bus or van will leave from Kathmandu at 7 am in the morning; the 2^nd will leave after one hour, and the last one by 9 am. You can pre-book your ticket or simply reach the Bus Park a little early.

From Kathmandu to Besisahar, it costs NPR 450 in a bus or van that will take you to Besisahar in six hours. From Besisahar, you shall find a Jeep that shall take you to Ghalegaun in 2 to 2.5 hours for NPR 350.

Most people also make a trek from Besisahar to Ghalegaun which can be 4 to 6 hour long trek depending upon one’s speed. It is also one of the popular hiking destinations.

COST ESTIMATION OR BUDGET

Bus fare: NPR 450 / $4.5 (one way), from Kathmandu to Besisahar
Jeep fare: NPR 350 / $3.5 (one way), from Besisahar to Ghalegaun
Vegetarian lunch or dinner (rice, daal, vegetables): NPR 200 / $2.0
Breakfast (Kodo ko  roti, beans, boiled egg, tea): NPR 200 / $2.0
Room (per person): NPR 400 / $4.0 (two people can stay in a room for NPR 800)
Gurung Cultural Dress: NPR 100 / $1.0 without ornaments & NPR 300 / $3.0 with ornaments
Firewood for camp-fire: NPR 500 / $5.0 per stock

SPECIALTY OF GHALEGAUN:

• You get to stay with the local families and learn very closely about Gurung culture
• You can taste local kodo-ko-raksi (local alcohol) which is pure and tastes good
• You can taste local breakfast like kodo-ko-selroti which is fresh and healthy
• You can wear Gurung cultural dress and feel like a Ghale for real
• You can enjoy hiking, sunrise, and visit to Chiya-bari (tea plants)
• It is cheap with the taste of local village life

5 REASONS TO VISIT GHALEGAUN

1. If you are looking for a complete escape from regular schedule, this trip provides you total refreshment with peaceful environment. If you are in a group of either friends or families, you can enjoy this place as it provides you private yet open space for group enjoyment.
2. You can do camp-fire, eat local food like kodo-ko-roti, and have local drinks at cheap price.
3. You can make another day stay at Bhujung village which is 8 km far from there and provides another home-stay experience. You can either take a Jeep or hike to that place.
4. One can experience Ghale-lifestyle & learn about Ghale cultures by staying with local families, & wearing Gurung cultural dress (on rent).
5. It is a safe destination for solo, group, and couples. The place is popular yet very peaceful &cheap.

Ghalegaun is also known as Gurung Heritage Trek. It lies between Marsyandi River in the east & Madi River in the south-west. There are some other places famous along with Ghalegaun which are Bhujung, Khudi, Pashgaun, Pakhrikot, & Tumsikot.

Ghale Gaun has been a really popular destination after the collaboration of Nepal Trust for Convervation (NTNC) & the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

So, pack your bag and make a wonderful trip to Lamjung!  

1/20/2020
Aleena Rayamajhi