Tamang Heritage Trek
As the name suggests, Tamang Heritage Trek is especially designed for people who are interested in soaking in the cultural heritage along with the impressive natural landscape that surrounds the villages of indigenous Tamang people. They comprise of little more than five percent of national population and their cultural and religious views are influenced by the earliest form of buddhism propagated by Padhmasambhava. They hail from Tibet and have long inhabited Kathmandu Valley and the hills of Nepal in general, yet the origins of Tamang are exactly from upper tibet (around gobi desert) according to archeological study done by Dr.Anatoly Yakoblave Shetenko, yet they believe they are indigenous to the area had once ruled Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
Tamang Heritage trek is easily accessible from Kathmandu which is community based trekking package between Ganesh Himal and Langtang range. The Tamang people inhabiting these areas still follow their traditional ways of life as most of their culture puts emphasis on not diverging from their cultural roots and thus one would be pleased to see traditional people who have so far kept their way of life without insulating themselves from greater mainstream of Nepalese society.
Every villages have their traditional Gompas, shamans(jhankris) and every family has their special Buddhist ‘Yidam’ and book to practice every morning. The shamans are believed to be traditional healers as well as medium of communication between the spirits of the otherworld and it is quite a sight to behold when they are immersed in their spiritual practices while helping the needs of common folks.
Langtang valley trek is one of the most famous trekking route of Nepal and connects various trekking routes, Langtang-Helambu, Langtang-Gosaikunda-Chisapani. as well as Langtang Valley Trek.
Overview
As we proceed through the scenic trekking route through dense forest that inhabits many endangered animal species like snow leopard, musk deer, tigers, wild boar, red panda, pica, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Thar (wild goat), rhesus monkey, common Langur, etc. Also more than 250 species of birds (like hawks, hoopoe, cuckoos, barbets, owls, nightjars, etc. to name a few) inhabit the dense pine, fir and rhododendron forests that would be any birdwatcher’s dream.
The villages have houses that are traditionally built with their peculiar craftsmanship, one would be amazed with the beautifully carved wooden windows, doors and porches. The architecture of these houses as well as the ancient monasteries blend well with the landscape and also complement it in their own ways. Apart from the natural beauty of this region, it is also noteworthy that Langtang area has over 70 glaciers of varying sizes and holy lakes; Gosaikunda, Parvatikunda, Bhairavkunda, Dudhkunda, etc. which hold great religious significance among the people residing in these areas and beyond.