Why do all our travellers love their stay in Bajthala? … Maybe because there is nothing here. There are no bars, no restaurants, no shops, there are not even tourists. Just a small village of four houses on the top of a mountain with spectacular views over the Himalayas, tranquility, homemade, local and organic food, and walks through traditional villages, farms, terraced fields and forest.
Recommended minimum duration of 3 days / 2 nights
Altitude 900m
Local guide in English (or your travel guide in your trip in Nepal)
Accommodation in a rural hotel
Transfers by private vehicle
$280*
description
itinerary
included/not included
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description
The area around Bajthala is exactly what many travellers who come to Nepal are looking for. A place that largely represents the ‘real’ Nepal (though there are, of course, many ‘real Nepal’), which isn’t overly ‘spoilt’ by tourism (it isn’t at all), where we can stroll peacefully and relax amidst nature, farmland, the occasional grazing buffalo and eagles soaring overhead. With the added bonus of being able to stay in a very comfortable hotel with a homely feel, in a tiny village of just four houses and with spectacular views of the Himalayas.
To reach Bajthala, you travel via Dulgauda, an hour’s drive from Pokhara, crossing the River Seti through the ‘rock garden’ – a series of curious formations created by the water as it carves its way through a strip of hard rock – and taking a secondary road that winds its way into a small valley through farmland. Soon the road narrows and begins to climb up to the parking lot at the small Dhor Barahi temple. From here to Bajthala, there is a narrow rough road –some sections of which have been paved– or a lovely path that takes about an hour to walk up.
Here is a suggested itinerary starting from Pokhara or its airport. The main idea is to enjoy a leisurely day’s hike through subtropical jungle and terraced fields, passing through traditional villages – mostly inhabited by the Gurung, Magar or Newar ethnic groups – whilst the locals go about their daily chores or relax in the village. You’ll be able to share a cup of tea, a ‘mui’ (a type of yoghurt) or some fruit that they might offer you on the veranda of a village house. The walk can be as short or as long as you like.
In Bajthala itself, you’ll have a spectacular view of the Himalayas from the balcony of your room and from the large terrace. It’s all about relaxing and enjoying a peaceful time.
In this programme, we’ve only included three days: the day of arrival, a brilliant day’s hiking, and the day of departure. But in reality, you can stay for as many days as you like, because there are plenty of options available from here:
- You can do the little-travelled Millennium Trek on a 5-day circular route staying in “homestay”
- You don’t need to do the whole trek either, you can go to the Millennium cave and come back in two or three days, for example
- You can walk in a couple of days to Pokhara
- Also, in a couple of days cross to Shyanja and go by road to Pokhara
- You can go down to the “vulture restaurant” observation point
- If you can’t walk, we can organize jeep tours in the area
- If you are a fan of MTB, you have many kilometres of mountain tracks
- You can take routes to observe the birds, fauna and flora of the environment and, if you are very lucky, you may be able to see some of the leopards that prowl here.
- It is an ideal place to do meditation and yoga away from everything
- … or, simply, do nothing
So, we invite you to explore this beautiful place, ideal to insert into any travel plan in Nepal.
itinerary
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| Vehicle to Dhor Barahi 30Km ~1h. Visit to the temple. Hike up to Bajthala ~1h Meet your guide Transfer from Pokhara or airport to Dhor Barahi 35Km ~1h / 30Km ~45′ Luggage transfer to Bajthala Visit to Dhor Barahi Mandir temple. Hike up to Bajthala ~1h (optional by jeep) Check-in Lunch (included) Free time Dinner (included) Accommodation in a rural hotel in Bajthala
Whether from Pokhara or from its airport, the journey to Dulegauda is short. Once there, we leave the Prithvi Highway and take a detour passing over the curious rock formations that form what is known as the rock garden of the Seti River. We will pass through the Lodrik Jampaling Tibetan Refugee Camp. This settlement has been depopulated in recent years, although there is a small very simple restaurant that can be good if it coincides with lunchtime. A good way to support the family that runs it. The road continues past farming areas and begins to ascend through a narrow valley to the parking lot of the Temple of Dhor Barahi Mandir. Here, unless you go up by car, the jeep will carry your luggage to Bajthala and we head up some stairs to visit the small temple. Dhor Barahi Mandir is dedicated to the goddess Barahi. It is a small temple that welcomes many devotees who come from afar to ask for favours or, more often, to thank the favours granted by the goddess. It is not a very large enclosure and you should enter barefoot following the cement path that crosses a small waterfall bordering the cliff that surrounds the area. We warn you that animal sacrifices are performed here, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and there may be some blood, especially in the water of the small pond next to the temple, but a short visit is interesting. From Dhor Barahi, the path climbs towards Bajthala. You’ll need to take it slowly as some sections are quite steep, but it’s a pleasant walk-through woodland dotted with the occasional farm, fruit trees and crops. Eventually, you’ll reach an open area, from where it’s only a short distance to your accommodation, which is already in sight. Bajthala is situated on a stunning balcony, offering spectacular views over the Himalayas – including Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, Lamjung Himal and Manaslu – as well as over the deep valleys and towards Pokhara. Its name roughly translates as ‘the place of the eagles’. We are in a rural setting of hills and valleys, terraced fields, tropical forests, small villages and scattered farms dotted here and there, linked by an endless network of footpaths and unpaved mountain tracks in varying states of repair. Many travellers ask about the ‘real’ Nepal; well, this is a good example of one of the ‘real’ Nepals, where and how a good part of the country’s population lives.
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| Hiking through the traditional villages around Bajthala ~2h/6h Sunrise with the Himalayas in the background Breakfast Hiking through the traditional villages of the area ~2h/6h Picnic lunch during the hiking day or back in Bajthala (included) Return to Bajthala Rest afternoon Dinner (included) Accommodation in a rural hotel in Bajthala
As we have already mentioned, the views of the Himalayas from here are spectacular. You don’t even need to leave your room, as they all have a view of the mountain from their balcony. However, keep in mind that it is early at dawn when the atmosphere is most likely to be clear and transparent, perhaps with a sea of clouds in the valley. Sometimes the vision of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre accompany us all day, other times they disappear between clouds or the humidity of the environment as the day progresses, on other occasions – though rarely – we are not lucky at dawn, but suddenly the mountains appear out of the blue during the day. Today we have a very relaxed day and there is no hurry. We will do a hiking route in the surroundings in a fully rural environment, which we can make last a short or long time depending on ourselves. We have the whole day and there is no need to run. The itinerary passes between terraced crop fields, forests and pastures and the real value of the route are the small traditional villages and farms scattered everywhere that we will find along the way, with inhabitants of the Gurung, Magar, Chetri and Newar ethnic groups mostly. It is very interesting to cross paths with the villagers, share a smile, an exchange of glances, the imperative “namaste” and be able to enjoy a moment of rest sitting on the porch of a house, perhaps with a tea in hand or having a “mui” (yogurt similar to lassi). The route may take us to the ancient fortress of Gurdum Durbar (durbar = palace), also marked on maps as Dhor Mulkot (the ending “kot” refers to fortification) near the village of Rajasthal. They are the ruins of what was the palace of the Rajs (kings) who ruled that territory before they merged with the kingdom of Gorkha. This area belonged to what is known as “24 kingdoms” and had an important role in the unification of Nepal as a country. Although it is a place that may be curious, in reality do not expect any great fortress and it is not even essential to reach it. If you are strong hikers, we could extend the day and reach the Gurung village of Lamagaon. There is also the option to hike only the “outward” route and the return route by local jeep, although it will entail the cost of it. If you’re planning to be out hiking for most of the day, we’ll take a picnic lunch with us, but if you’d prefer to just go for a walk in the morning, it’s also possible to head back to Bajthala for lunch, even if it’s a bit late. Back in Bajthala, we will have the rest of the day free before dinner, enjoying the views with a good tea or a beer. An ideal time to chat relaxed and fix the world.
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3 |
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| Drive or walk down to Dhor Barahi Mandir ~1h. Vehicle to Pokhara ~1h Sunrise with the Himalayas in the background Breakfast Check out Departure or free time Descent to Dhor Barahi Mandir ~1h (optional by jeep) Transfer to Pokhara ~1h or airport ~45′
After breakfast and depending on your travel plan, we will go down to Dhor Barahi either by vehicle or on foot, to move to Pokhara, the airport, Kathmandu… |
included/not included
PRICE INCLUDES
- Private vehicle transport from Pokhara/airport to Bajthala and from Bajthala to Pokhara/airport
- 2 nights full board in Bajthala
- Luggage transport in Bajthala
- English-speaking guide / guide of another language if you are travelling with a guide
- 1 day hiking in the Bajthala area
- Government Fees and VAT
- Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for all staff
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Tips to staff
- No services in Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Drinks, phone calls, internet connection and any other personal needs
- Medical and/or travel insurance
- In general, any concept not specified in this program, as well as any need for personal assistance for foreign affairs
- No additional expenses due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.
BAJTHALA, Bajthala Traditional Homes
Everything here has a local flavour and the service is meticulously attentive. Bajthala also serves as a training centre, providing opportunities for young people to learn the trade. Most of the food is sourced locally, with some produce grown in the property’s own vegetable orchard and other items sourced from neighbouring farms; the menus will feature Nepalese cuisine, though with some Indian and continental influences. Every effort has been made to ensure that the economic activity generated by this establishment benefits the local area and its residents as much as possible.
Bajthala has six rooms, two on the ground floor and four on the first floor, all with good views of the Himalayas and en-suite bathrooms.
price
* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers as described in the program.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.
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