3 days 2 nights in Bajthala

1

Drive to Dulegauda ~6h. Tibetan refugee camp. Hike to Bajthala ~2h

2

Hike in Bajthala area. Gurdum Durbar (1262m) ~4h/6h

3

Hike to Dhor Barahi Mandir ~45′. Drive to Pokhara ~1h

Bajshthala_1day_map

day 1 – Drive to Dulegauda ~6h. Tibetan refugee camp. Hike to Bajthala ~2h

  • Vehicle to Dulegauda ~6h
  • Meeting with your guide
  • Luggage transfer
  • Lunch at Dulegauda Tibetan Refugee Camp
  • Hike up to Bajthala ~2h
  • check in
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation in rural hotel in Bajthala

Your vehicle will pick you up in your accommodation at the agreed time, which is early in the morning.

We will drive to Dulegauda through the Prithvi Highway, the road connecting Kathmandu with Pokhara. Although it is one of the main routes in the country, we cannot say it resembles a highway. Just a road in relatively good condition and with lots of traffic. However, the landscape is very interesting and a part of the route runs along the Trishuli River.

In Dulegauda the guide will receive you and we will take care of your luggage to take it up to the hotel (put what you need on hand in a small backpack or bag to take with you).

From Dulegauda, we have a small walking route ahead of us, about 2 quiet hours, which we will begin by crossing the River Seti by a suspension bridge over the curious rock formations that form what is known as the rock garden of the River Seti. Nearby is the Lodrik Jampaling Tibetan Refugee Camp.

If there is no mishap, the ideal is to eat at the Tibetan Refugee Camp, even if it is a bit late. We will warn them of your arrival.

The Tibetan refugee camps are actually like small villages, with their houses, streets and squares, some stupas and a gompa (temple). Nepal is the country with the largest Tibetan refugee community for obvious reasons. Its inhabitants do not have an easy life and survive doing various jobs and selling Tibetan crafts and jewelry. Nevertheless, their conditions have been getting worse due to Chinese government pressure on Nepal.

After lunch, we will ascend into the forest and cultivated fields until we reach our accommodation at Bajthala, a small, well-kept hotel.

Bajthala is situated on an exceptional balcony, with spectacular views of the Himalayas, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas, Lamjung Himal and Manaslu, as well as deep valleys and towards Pokhara. Its name comes to mean something like “the place of the eagles”.

We are in a rural environment of hills and valleys, terraced fields, tropical forests, small and picturesque villages and scattered farms here and there. The mountains are crossed by an endless network of trails and unpaved mountain roads in good or poor condition. Many travellers ask about the “real” Nepal. Well, this is an excellent sample of one of the “real” Nepals, where and how much of the country’s population lives.

 

NOTE – The itinerary from Kathmandu to Dulegauda can also be done with the “tourist-bus”. Despite their name, they are not “just” for tourists. These are regular direct buses between Kathmandu and Pokhara, although they may stop under demand.

day 2 – Hike in Bajthala area. Gurdum Durbar (1262m) ~4h/6h

  • Sunrise with the Himalayas in the background
  • Breakfast
  • Guide
  • Trekking to Gurdum Durbar ~2h/3h
  • Picnic lunch during the hiking day
  • Return to Bajthala ~2h/3h
  • afternoon rest
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation in rural hotel in Bajthala

Today is a very relaxed day and no rush. We will hike around a fully rural environment, passing through small nuclei of houses and farms scattered among terraced fields, forests and pastures. Our “official” destination is the old Gurdum Durbar fortress (durbar=palace), also marked on maps as Dhor Mulkot (the ending “kot” refers to fortification) near Rajasthal. They are the ruins of the palace of the Rajs (kings) who ruled that territory before merging with Gorka’s kingdom. This area belonged to what is known as “24 kingdoms” and played a significant role in Nepal’s unification. Although it is a place that can be curious, do not expect any massive fortress and it is not even essential to get there.

The true value of today’s route is the small villages we will find on our way. Gurung, Magar and Newar ethnic groups are the main groups. It is very interesting to come across the villagers, share a smile, a glance, the imperative “namaste” and perhaps enjoy a moment of rest sitting on the porch of a house.

If you are strong hikers, we could extend the day and reach the Gurung village of Lamagaon. However, in any case we will have a “picnic” meal today.

Back in Bajthala, we will have the rest of the afternoon free before dinner, enjoying the views with either tea or a beer.

day 3 – Hike to Dhor Barahi Mandir ~45′. Drive to Pokhara ~1h

  • Sunrise with the Himalayas in the background
  • Breakfast
  • Guide and porters
  • Luggage transfer
  • Descent to Dhor Barahi Mandir ~45′
  • Visit Dhor Barahi Mandir
  • Drive to Pokhara ~1h
  • You continue in Pokhara with your travel plan, either with us or on your own

After breakfast, we will go down on a different path than on the way up. We will pass through cultivated fields, orchards and farms until we reach the Dhor Barahi Mandir temple.

The Dhor Barahi Mandir temple, dedicated to the goddess Barahi, is a small temple that welcomes many devotees who come from far away to ask for favours or, more often, to thank the favours granted by the goddess. It is not a very large enclosure and it is necessary to enter barefoot following the cement path that crosses a small waterfall bordering the cliff that surrounds the area. We advise that animal sacrifices are performed here and there may be some blood, especially in the water of the small pond next to the temple, but a short visit is interesting.

In the parking lot of the temple we will meet our vehicle to drive to Pokhara. Here, you can enjoy the afternoon free at your leisure.