Honey Hunting Trip In Ludi

Overview

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.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Drive from Kathmandu to Nadi (930m) via Bhulbhule takes about 7 hours.

After completing early morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Nadi (930m) via Bhulbhule takes about 7 hours. The journey will follow Trisuli River enjoying beautiful views of rafting, cable car, hydropower, surrounding green hills and villages. We will also pass through tunnel along the way. Nadi is a village on the lap of a cliff. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 2 : Trek from Nadi to Ludi (1800m) takes about 4 hours.

After breakfast we start our trek uphill and after 45 minutes we come upon a traditional Gurung village named Thulbesi. Further ahead you will cross Nadi Khola and climb up to Serabesi village and finally to Tarchok village surrounded by hills on all sides. Another 1 hr trek of slow ascent will reach Ludi (1800m). Once in Ludi we will make necessary preparation for honey hunting. In the evening, you will welcomed by Mother’s Group and invited to participate in cultural program performed by local Gurung community. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 3 : Full day honey hunting.

Today you will be involved in full day Honey Hunting activities. At the start you will watch honey hunters pray and offer worship to the nature. You will follow honey hunters for 3 hrs uphill trek through dense forest and finally reach the honey hunting spot called Dahare bhir or cliff. Watch the enthralling and adventurous honey hunting activity as honey hunters climb down cliffs with the help of bamboo ropes after collecting honey. The honey is collected in a bamboo basket. In the evening you will enjoy tasting wild honey to your filling. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 4 : Descend down to Besisahar (823m) takes about 5hrs.

After breakfast you will descend down to Besisahar (823m.). The walk will be gentle with great views of villages and green hills. The entire journey takes about 5 hrs. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 5 : Drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu takes 7hrs.

Today you start your return journey from Besishar early morning. It takes 7 hrs drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu. The route follows banks of the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers with splendid views of green hills, mountains, farming terraces and colorful villages on both sides of road.

Inclusions

What is included?

All airport pick-up and drop-off transport by private vehicle
One guide
Porters (One porter carries up to 25 kgs of luggage of 2 participants)
All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation in tea houses (lodges) /local houses
Sleeping bags, down jackets, duffel bags and trekking poles if required
Entry Permit for Annapurna conservation Area
Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
Honey Hunting equipment
Community fee for organizing Honey Hunting
Cultural program by local women group and their fee
All land transportation by public bus and jeep
First aid kit
Tax, VAT and our service charge
Rescue assistance (In case of emergency, we will organize prompt and professional rescue services. To arrange timely evacuation/rescue by helicopter, you must be well insured from a reliable travel insurance company that covers both helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost.)
Souvenir
One farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening

What isn't included?

Personal nature expenses (Telephone calls, internet, toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers and any alcoholic beverages)
Travel insurance.
Tips for involved staff
Meals and hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (even in case of early arrival or late departure, early return from trekking due to any personal reason than the scheduled itinerary)

Trip code	NET-HHT-LUDI
Package name	Honey Hunting Trip In Ludi
Duration	5
Max. elevation	m
Level	EASY
Transportation	Public Bus or Jeep
Accomodation	2-3 Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu Tea house/lodge or local houses during the trip
Starts at	Kathmandu
Ends at	Kathmandu
Trip route
Cost	USD 0 per person