The Honey Haunting Tour in Nepal offers an exciting opportunity to explore the Himalayan foothills of Central Nepal, where honey hunting takes place twice a year. The rugged cliffs in this region are home to the world’s largest colonies of Apis Laboriosa and Apis dorsata, two indigenous species of honeybees. These bees have been living in these cliffs for generations, and the honey-hunting practices of the local communities also vary.
This tour allows you to witness these unique rituals and meet the people who practice them. Additionally, the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu runs a program called the Himalayan Honeybees Project, which aims to ensure the sustainable management of honey hunting in order to preserve these bee species.
Trip Info
-
2157 m
-
Kathmandu
-
Kathmandu
-
Tea house/Lodge/Homestay
-
Private vehicle
-
All meals during trek (B,L,D)
-
English, Hindi, Chinese
Overview
Honey haunting takes place in the village of Ghan Pokhari and Ghale Gaun which are beautiful traditional villages. To reach the village one has to drive from Kathmandu to Khudi which is at 6 hours of bus drive and from the place you will have to trek for almost 6 to 7 hours to reach the villages. This Honey haunting ritual begins with a certain kind of prayer and flower, fruits and grain offerings. After that the haunters lit fire below the cliff, this will smoke the bees so that they leave their comb and fly away. Now the haunter climbs up the cliff with the help of the ladder-made rope, he carries a tool with him and then, fighting with the honey soldiers cuts off the chunk of honeycomb. This honey has proven to be used best for many medical treatment purposes. The experience to see the traditional Honey Haunting Process is worthwhile.
These days the introduction of the noon indigenous species of plant and European honey bee Apis mellifera has created a problem of food for these indigenous species since all the nearby flower nectar is used up very fast.
The honey hunting trip itinerary can be changed at any time depending on our season. Himalayan 360 can organize a lot of places (depending on the season) for honey hunting tours please contact our team.
Trip Highlights
- The Honey Haunting Tour in Nepal takes you to the Himalayan foothills of Central Nepal where honey hunting takes place twice a year.
- The tour offers the opportunity to observe the world's largest colonies of Apis Laboriosa and Apis dorsata, two indigenous species of honeybees.
- You will witness the unique rituals and practices of the local communities who hunt for honey.
- he tour gives an opportunity to experience an authentic cultural activity that is unique to Nepal, and observe the interconnection of nature and human culture.
Write a Review