Wild Honey hunting is one of the unique tourism products in Nepal. Wild honey has been a source of food and income for mountain people for centuries. Only now has the honey hunting activity garnered special attention as a tourism attraction.
Ludi in Lamjung district is one such village where wild honey hunting is organized regularly. The village is inhabited by ethnic Gurung people who are known for their traditional lifestyle and honey hunting skills.
The surrounding cliffs in Ludi are home to hundreds of wild bee hives. These cliffs can range up to 200m in height. When the honey becomes available for harvesting either in Spring or Autumn, local honey hunters gather around and fixed a pious date for honey hunting as per their astrological calendar.
Experienced honey hunters fix ropes on the cliffs and create scaffolding using bamboo poles. Every material used for the purpose is sourced traditionally. The acrobatic skills displayed by honey hunters while collecting the honey from such high cliffs is thrilling to watch. The whole village celebrates this occasion with colorful festivities.
In addition to enjoying the taste of wild Himalayan honey, tourists can also learn about Gurung culture and tradition and partake in local delicacies. The village also has beautiful waterfalls and pristine forests and wildlife.
Ludi is easily accessible by road and offers good accommodation facilities, which makes it a perfect place for watching wild honey hunting. Honey hunting usually takes place here in the month of October/November and May/June. You will have to book in advance to participate in honey hunting trips..
After an early breakfast, embark on a scenic 7-hour drive from Kathmandu to Nadi (930m) via Bhulbhule. The journey follows the Trishuli River, offering captivating views of rafting spots, cable cars, hydropower plants, lush green hills, and picturesque villages. You will also pass through a tunnel en route. Nadi, a charming village nestled at the base of a cliff, will be your stop for the night. Enjoy an overnight stay at a local lodge.
Following breakfast, start your uphill trek. After about 45 minutes, you'll reach the traditional Gurung village of Thulbesi. Continue trekking, crossing the Nadi Khola, and climb up to Serabesi village. From here, the trail leads to Tarchok village, surrounded by hills. A gradual ascent of about one hour brings you to Ludi (1800m.), where preparations for the honey hunting experience begin. In the evening, the local Mother's Group will warmly welcome you with a cultural program performed by the Gurung community. Stay overnight at a lodge.
Today is dedicated to the honey hunting adventure. The day begins with observing the honey hunters as they perform rituals, offering prayers to nature. A 3-hour uphill trek through dense forest leads to Dahare Bhir, the honey hunting cliff. Here, you can witness the captivating and daring process as the hunters descend the cliff using bamboo ropes to gather honey, which is stored in bamboo baskets. In the evening, enjoy a tasting of the wild honey collected during the day. Stay overnight at a lodge.
After breakfast, begin your descent towards Besisahar (823m), a trek of approximately 5 hours. The path is gentle, offering fantastic views of villages and green hills along the way. Spend the night at a lodge in Besisahar.
Today, you will drive back to Kathmandu, a journey of about 7 hours. The route follows the banks of the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers, providing beautiful views of terraced farms, green hills, and colorful villages.
Note: There are various categories of hotels in Kathmandu, ranging from budget to 5-star. We can assist with hotel arrangements based on your preferences and budget. Please inform us in advance of your desired category or price range.
Below is a list of equipment and clothing required for Honey Hunting. The necessity of these items depends on the type, altitude, timing and destination. Appropriate gears are not only required for the comfort/pleasure of your trip but also to improve safety factor. Please have a look over these items in order to fully prepare and thoroughly enjoy the honey hunting trip.
General Items:
Daypack, Rucksack, Sleeping bag, Duffel bag, Walking Poles, walking boots, sandals, Toiletries (Soaps, Toilet papers, Sanitizers, toothpaste, tooth brush, etc.)
Clothing Items:
Thermal underwear, Down jacket, Shorts, Trekking trousers, Towels, Woolen gloves, Gaiters, Fleece jacket or Pullover, Wind/water proof jacket, Raincoat, Warm socks
Sun-worn Items:
Sun hat, Sunglasses, Snow goggles, Sunscreen, Lip balm
Gadgets:
Headlamp, Flash light, Binoculars, Cameras (chargers and batteries)
Liquid/Snacks:
Water bottle/bladder, Water purification Iodine tablets, Energy bars and snacks
Medical Essentials:
First Aid Kit
Optional:
Altimeter, Compass, Binoculars, Books/magazines, GPS, Pocket knife, Candles (for lodges), Notebook with pencil/pen, etc
Additional items for camping:
Tent, Stove and fuel, Utensils for cooking, eating and drinking, sleeping mattresses
Note: We can also provide sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, walking poles, and First Aid Kit in case if you don’t have one. These items are inclusive of total package price.
