Honey hunting in Nepal- Annapurna Region is an ancient tradition that involves extracting honey from swarms of wild bees in Nepal’s western region. Bhujung, Nai Chi, Pasgaon, Naya Gaun, Ludhi, Lamjung, and Dare are the most well-liked locations in Nepal for honey-hunting. The native Gurung and Magar tribes of the villages of Bhujung and Pasgaon fiercely preserve the tradition. There have been hundreds of years of this practice.
Local jobs are the only source of income for the isolated village of Bhujung and Pasgaon. Through potential tourists, the honey-hunting trek gives them an opportunity to make a living. The trek is planned with sensitivity, a way of life, and the culture of the region. Starting in Besi Sahar, you will travel slowly to the far-off regions of Bhujung and Pasgaon. Throughout your time at Bhujung and Pasgaon, you would reside at a homestay. Possibly, a night of camping may be required. You can join the locals in their feasting and story-telling, honey-hunting, and celebration for a day or two.
The local traditions of the world are becoming more widely known thanks to modern advances in technology. Himalayan Honey Hunting, which was formerly solely practiced within the nation but has now become a thriving tourist industry in Nepal. Without a doubt, honey is consumed and used for a number of reasons all over the world. However, honey hunting in Nepal is an old custom of the indigenous people who live in the foothills of the Himalayas, far from modern honey farming.
Although they do not make a living from harvesting honey, they do it expertly, courageously, and with complete confidence without using any modern harnesses, equipment, or tools. A homemade ladder, ropes, and other items are their only means of support.
In Nepal, honey hunting takes place twice a year in the spring and the fall. The Rai people of eastern Nepal and the Gurung people of western Nepal typically gather huge honeycombs that are hanging in the crevices of the cliffs. Before harvesting them, specific processes must be carried out. The ritual is conducted differently based on the locals’ cultural traditions. A shaman who worships nature and sacrifices cocks does it elsewhere, and the team members who are taking part in it somewhere else. Wherever the ceremonies are held, they express respect for the natural world and hope for success while avoiding bad omens. Furthermore, the hunter cannot be a random one.
The honey hunter is believed to be chosen for the job by their deity and must be skillful, self-assured, and daring. The team must hike quite a distance through the hilly, dark green forest to get there while carrying all the necessary tools from home, including a long handwoven ladder, rope, bamboo basket, bamboo strainer, some buckets or gallons to store the honey, and other tools to cut and hold the honeycombs. The trip itself is thrilling. They initially worship the cliff and the surrounding nature there. Some of them climb the cliffs, drop the ladder and rope, lower themselves, light a fire, and create a smoky environment to drive the bees away.
The daring hunter ascends the cliff-hanging handwoven ladder, cuts the honeycombs with a long bamboo knife, and puts the pieces into bamboo baskets. People who make them down squeeze and filter them through a bamboo strain before storing them in gallons or buckets. They finally worship the cliff and ask for the bounty of nature after harvesting as well. It’s very stunning to see people ascend the handwoven ladder on the precarious ledge without any harnesses. They hardly ever use gloves or bee-protection netting. Therefore, tourists must travel to Nepal to witness this spontaneous stunt of mountain people, learn about the diversity of our world, and taste the natural Himalayan bees’ honey.
OUTLINE ITNERARY: Day 1: After arriving in Kathmandu, drive to the hotel. Meet the guide and get a briefing on honey-hunting trips. Day 2: Drive to Besisahar then hike or take a jeep to Tangring Village Day 3: After breakfast, we'll go on a short hike through the neighborhood villages, go on an excursion to Tangring or Ghermu villages,. The Honey Hunting location and hunting process will be described and shown by our guide. Then you all take part in this activity. Back to Tangring Village Homestay in the evening. Day 4: After breakfast, go on a trek or take a local jeep to Ghalegaon, a well-known Gurung community renowned for its rich heritage of culture. Day 05: Drive from Ghalegaon to Besisahar in a Jeep, then continue on to Pokhara or Kathmandu.