Mad Honey Hunting Photography Tour in Nepal

Date: May 1-5 and May 14-18

Trip Facts

Duration: 5 Days
Difficulty: Easy
Price: USD 990 per person

Embark on a thrilling adventure with the Mad Honey Hunting Photography Tour in Nepal. This tour offers an incredible glimpse into Nepal's traditions and landscapes, combining the ancient art of honey hunting with stunning photography opportunities.

Overview
The Honey Hunting Tour is a fascinating journey that takes you to remote villages in Nepal, where the ancestral tradition of honey hunting still thrives. This adventurous tour offers high tourism potential, showcasing the traditional way of extracting honey from wild bees living on steep cliffs. The honey hunters, belonging to tribes like the Gurungs, Magars, and Tamang, exhibit exceptional skills as they hang from cliffs up to 300 meters high using bamboo ladders and hemp ropes to harvest honeycombs.

Honey Proceeding
This ancient tradition involves more than just harvesting honey; it is a cultural festival celebrated with reverence. Locals organize religious ceremonies to protect themselves from honeybee attacks and accidents. Before the hunt, offerings of flowers, grains, and sheep are made to honor the gods and appreciate the hard work of honeybees.

Species of Honeybee
Nepal is home to at least five different species of honeybees, with wild bees creating hives on rock cliffs. This tour offers a challenging experience for those with rock climbing skills, providing a chance to witness the traditional honey harvest of the Gurung people. Honey hunting occurs twice a year, in spring and autumn, as locals collect wild honey from hives hanging on rock hills.

Highlights

Experience the excitement of honey hunting proceedings by local hunters and teams at Chamje Cliff.
Explore the beginning part of the Annapurna trekking trail along the Budi Gandaki River and remote Gurung villages.
Enjoy an adventurous drive to Chamje.
Taste local honey and immerse yourself in the culture of honey hunting.
Capture the majestic panoramic views of Annapurna I (8091m), Manaslu (8169m), Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Gangapurna.

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Besishahar

Trekking Time Average: 160km Drive (Approximately 5 hours)
Accommodation: Luxury Hotel in Besisahar
Altitude: 820m/2706ft
Begin your journey with a scenic 5-hour road trip to Besisahar in the Lamjung District. Travel alongside the Trishuli River, then north along the Marshyangdi River, before reaching Besisahar Town. Overnight in Besisahar.

Day 2: Drive towards Chamje - Honey Hunting Preparation Day

After breakfast, the trail follows the Marshyangdi River upstream towards Chamje village.
Meet with honey hunters and the local team to prepare hunting equipment such as ladders, knives, baskets, and bamboo ropes.
Prepare the hunting site for the next day's adventure.

Day 3: Honey Hunting Day

Spend the whole day enjoying honey hunting with the local team.
Capture pictures, videos, and interviews with the local people and hunters.
Taste the honey, but remember to ask the locals first, as wild honey can be potent.

Day 4: Wrap up

Visit nearby villages, monasteries, or temples.
Take short hikes or nature walks to enjoy the scenic landscapes.
Spend the day photographing the local life and landscapes.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner with cultural performances.

Day 5: Drive to Kathmandu

Trekking Time Average: 180km Drive (Approximately 8 hours)
Altitude: 1295m/4273ft
Your journey concludes with an 8-hour drive from Chamje to Kathmandu. Travel by local jeep to Besisahar, then take a bus to Kathmandu. Enjoy the scenic road alongside the Marshyangdi and Trishuli Rivers, soaking in the views of villages and landscapes.

What's Included

Overland transportation as per the itinerary.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the tour.
Lodge accommodation (twin share basis) during the tour.
One professional English-speaking photography guide with all expenses covered.
Expenses of all honey hunting local crews in Chamje village.
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and necessary documents.
Assistance for emergency rescue evacuation.
Government tax and service charge.
Public Liability Insurance.

What's Not Included

Beverages, alcoholic drinks, mineral water, boiled water during the trip.
Travel insurance.
Tips.

Experience the thrill of Mad Honey Hunting Photography Tour in Nepal, where adventure, tradition, and stunning landscapes await. Book your dates now and don't forget your camera to capture this unforgettable journey!

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