| healer) might
be an interesting figure for cultural tourists to be introduced
to.They inhabit the remote and sparse contours of Makwanpur,
Chitwan, Gorkha and Dhading districts.
Other ethnic groups found in this region largely comprise
of Tharu, Musahar, Satahar, Danuwar, Tamang, Kumal Gurung
and Magar.
The Chitwan Chepang Hills Trail offers a rare
combination of cultural and sightseeing experience. A stay
in the beautiful homes of the villagers as guests and sharing
their meals is a journey of discovery in itself. The unique
culture in this area, bird watching, and other natural attractions
add to the experience.
Hattibang, the first night
halt on the way from Hugdi Bazaar, offers good scenery of
the surrounding mountains and touch of Magar, Chepang and
Giripuri culture, at the several home stay and community-managed
guest house. Villagers give a unique cultural performance
for visitors on request and offer Local handicrafts on sale
as souvenirs.
Siraichuli (1,945 m), one
of the highest hills of Mahabharat range, offers spectacular
views of the mountains and magnificent sunrise and sunset
views. The view includes a wide range of Himalayan peaks
such as Rolwaling, Gaurishankar, Langtang, Gorkha Himal,
Peak 29, Himalchuli, Manaslu, Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri,
and the Royal Chitwan National Park in the Terai. The trek
to Siraichuli from Hattibang is challenging through rough
landscape and vegetation. Jyandala village
on the trail is a Chepang settlement where tourists can
have a cultural experience. A tour of the village and accommodation
at village home stay is recommended. Next is Chisapanitar,
which is a popular bird-watching site. More than 250 varieties
of bird species are found here. The dense forest in this
region is also home to other wild animals.
Another interesting place is Uppardang
Gadi which used to be the headquarters of Chitwan
till early 1962. The remains of a historic fort that defended
the surrounding countryside are still here, sitting at 1,275
meters, which is said to have been built by Shatru Bhanjan
Shah. Offering spectacular views, camping service is available
through community along with Home stay facilities.
Shaktikhor, where the trek
formally ends gives ample opportunity to visitors for a
wholesome cultural experience. Home-stay experience, Cultural
shows, Chepang Museum and Visitor's information centre,
Caves and waterfalls around Shaktikhor make Shaktikhor a
unique experience. Travelling to Chitram waterfall on the
next day and stay at Chepang houses in Majhbang village
of Siddi VDC is yet another attraction.
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Accommodation:
Besides home-stay facilities in Shaktikhor, Gadi, Chisapanitar,
Chitram, Majhbang and Hattibang, resting places, porter
shelters with bath rooms/toilets are also available. Tea
houses are available in Siddhi, whereas camping site is
available in Uppardang Gadi, Hattibang, Chitram and Jyandala.
The nearest point where all major tourist facilities are
available is Sauraha near the Royal Chitwan National Park
or Narayanghat.
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Food:
Wholesome and organic locally produced agricultural items
are available along the Chepang Hills Trail. Millets, wheat,
corn, buck wheat Dhido (Nepali food item) and roti, baked
corn, soybeans and other beans, dal and rice, gundruk (partially
fermented edible leaves), seasonal vegetables and fruits,
ghee, milk, honey, curd, other juices, poultry/goat items,
edible roots, etc. are available. Other items like Kheer
(pudding), sel-roti (fox bread), black dal's phuloura (a
type of fried item), crab, tama (bamboo shoots), fish, nettle,
etc. are also available on demand.
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Chepang Museum:
A Chepang Museum has also been established at Shaktikhor
with the view to preserve and promote primitive cultures,
originalities, costumes, life styles of the people. Different
materials used by the Chepangs and relics like catapults
used in killing birds, slings and bows used for hunting
animals, crushing devices, dhiki and janto (traditional
stone tools for beating and grinding grains), pots, wooden
containers, drums have been kept in the museum.
•
Shaktikhor Tourist Information Center:
Visit to the tourist information center at Shaktikhor is
recommended for current travel information, while trekking
in the Chitwan Chepang Hills. The tourist information center
at Shaktikhor has resource materials that can provide cultural
and natural attractions of the Chepang Hills. The information
center also makes provision for trained tour guides, cooks,
informative books, tents, utensils, and facilitate Chepang
museum tours, local handicraft sales and crop sales, documentary
show.
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Access :
Chitwan lies south-west of Kathmandu, near the Indian border
on the tropical terai. It is accessible by air with a flight
from Kathmandu to Bharatpur or Meghauli, and by road from
Kathmandu or Pokhara. One can either take a bus from Kathmandu
or a raft trip down the Trisuli River to begin your trek.
The trail climbs uphill from Hugdi Khola through Laitak
Chautara and Khor Bhanjyang, a campsite among terraced fields.
Access to the Trail
The best time to trek in this area is from
September through to Mays warm, temperate and pleasant.
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Tourist Attractions and Services :
1. Hugdi Bazaar: (309Mtr.)
- High-way vehicle transport available; Small teashops
and grocery shops.
- Tourist information corner and information boards.
- Local trained guides and porters.
- Local markets besides the trails.
2. Khorbhanjyang: (900 Mtr.)
- Village life style and traditional houses and school.
- Panoramic view of mountains and hills, Trishuli River
and the Prithivi National Highway.
3. Jayapuri:
- Resting houses, and small teashops.
- Local cuisine, pure un-processed milk, curd and ghee.
- Seasonal organic fruits and vegetables.
4. Hattibang: (1410 Mtr.)
- Chepang, Giripuri and Magar's villages and culture.
and their cultural performance
- Elephant Shaped boulders, Scenic beauty of the hills
and the mountains.
- Community operated guesthouse, Home stay and local cuisine,
Small teashops and grocery stores.
- Small health center and schools.
- Village and Jungle tour, local handicrafts sales.
5. Jyandala Village: (Kaling-Jautesh-Changa-Rajbhoj-Kolbhanjyang–Dinglang)
- Pure Chepang village tour and Chepang Culture
- Home stay and local cuisine, Camping site.
6. Siraichuli: (1946Mtr.)
- Sunrise and Sunset viewing points.
- View of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and
Langtang Himalayas and other surrounding hills, plus the
Terai, Churia Parbat, Chitwan National Park and the Rapti
and Narayani river basins.
- Paragliding (1600 meters difference)
- Jungle, rhododendrons and wildlife.
- The historical and sacred temple of Sidda Baba.
7. Chisapanitar: (1695 Mtr.)
- Bird watching with more than a hundred species of birds.
- Jungle safari and natural scenic beauty.
- Historically significant places.
8. Upardang Gadi: (1275 Mtr.)
- Three hundred-year-old fort, built by Shatrubhanjan
Shah.
- A taste of Chitwan's capital of the pre 2018 B.S era.
- Home stay facilities and provisions for tents for camping,
organized by the local community.
- Gurung and Chepang villages and their cultural heritage.
- Beautiful view of the Himalayas and the surrounding
hills and Terai.
9. Shaktikhor: ( 355 Mtr.)
- Tourist information center, Chepang Museum, Kalika Temple,
historically significant statue of Lakhan Thapa, Elephant
foot boulders
- Home stay, small hotels, restaurant, and local cuisine.
- Sinti Cave, Bat Cave, Sinti waterfall, fishing, bird
watching Public transport, telephone and electricity facilities.
- Cultural dances by Chepang, Magar, Gurung and other
ethnic groups.
- Trained tour guides and porters.
- Local handicrafts exhibition and sale.
10. Shaktikhor – Siddi –
Chitram waterfall:
- Small teashops, Pure Chepang culture at Majhbang
- Village tours and home stay facility at Majhbang (Chepang
house).
- Caves and Chitram waterfall, bird watching.
- Local cuisine, Local handicrafts sale.
11. Korak:
- Kaminchuli hill (1927 m.).
- Community forest, Bird watching.
- Tamang community, cultural heritage.
- Noke Cave with steaming geysers.
- Lekahamchuli, shinning stones, seasonal migrated
birds.
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