Hiking in the Himalayas - Meeting communities on the way

Cover picture: Gurung people during Tamu Lhosar 2018, Kathmandu. Author: Spahkrin. Source: Wikimedia Common

Hiking in the Himalayas - Meeting communities on the way

Although you might associate the Himalayas with Mount Everest, hiking in Nepal doesn’t have to be an activity on such an epic scale. In fact, a shorter and less physically taxing wander through the trails of the mountains allows you to appreciate the gorgeous views at a comfortable pace, as well as spend time getting to know the people there.

There are several classic hiking circuits in Nepal, of varying difficulty and altitudes, but all with fantastic scenery and friendly faces along the way. Whether you want to head to Everest Base Camp, circle around the Goyko Lakes, explore  or Poon Hill, or surround yourself in the peaks of the Annapurna range, you’ll move through natural beauty you won’t soon forget. 

Up in the mountains, there are villages scattered throughout the pristine landscape that are incredibly welcoming. People live here much as they have for decades, and whether stopping in at a tea house to break up your journey or chatting with people in front of their houses as you pass, this is a great opportunity to learn more about local life in the Himalayas. 

Meet the Gurung people

Gurung tribe in Western Nepal. Author: Tamu Samaj UK. Source: Wikimedia common

The Gurung live on the southern slopes of the Himalayas. Legend has it that they had their own kingdom in ancient times, amongst other small states that existed in the Himalayas, before being overthrown in the 15th century. Currently, there are approximately 620,000 Gurung living throughout the area in villages high up in the mountains. 

Largely Buddhist, with some elements of Hinduism and local beliefs, the Gurung speak their own language as well as Nepali. There is no written form of their language, though they have a rich oral culture. Music and folk dances are popular, and you might be lucky enough to witness some singing and dancing while staying in the Himalayas.

The dances often enact stories of kings and queens and Gurung legends. The dancers are thought to be possessed by their ancestors during special performances, and these culminate in the dancers and viewers visiting local shrines with offerings. Singing is a popular entertainment, and traditional love songs sung between men and women are common at gatherings, as is drinking and dancing. 

The way of life of the Gurung is steeped in tradition. They continue to work as farmers who grow crops on terraces of the Himalayas such as wheat, potatoes, beans, maize, and vegetables. Sheep are eaten during special occasions, but generally the Gurung do not eat much meat. Rice, lentils, and vegetables are the main staples, and sweetened tea is drunk throughout the entire day. 

Gurung elder woman, Ghandruk. Author: Χρήστης:Kalogeropoulos. Source: Wikimedia Common

The villages are small, often with a less than two hundred houses, which are small and simple. One area of the house is for storage, the other for sleeping and eating. There is not a lot of furniture, and sitting on the floor is common. A fire is sunk into the floor where the cooking is done. 

The Gurungare among the famous Gurkha warriors, and have a long history as soldiers, most recently in regiments with the British and Indian armies. They also have transported Himalayan salt along the difficult trails between Tibet and Nepal, and are known for their adventurous honey-harvesting techniques. 

Although the Gurung have such a long and proud history of service, innovation, and survival, pressures of contemporary life and environmental degradation threatens their way of life. Young Gurung leaving the villages also diminishes the practice of traditional culture, and fewer people speak the language. Though there is hope that, just as they have for hundreds of years, these are people who will find a way to adapt to ever-changing external conditions and maintain their home in the Himalayan Mountains. 

How to meet Gurung people

The three-day hike we offer as part of our Nepal tour with other people in their 30s and 40s passes through the Annapurna Mountains to the Australian Camp, where we spend the night at a local tea house. There we eat and drink with the locals and learn about their daily life. We then continue on to Majh Gaon, a remote village high up in the Himalayas, off the beaten track. This is the home of the Gurung, and we get an authentic glimpse into their life as we explore the village. 

When it’s time to say goodbye, we take with us the memories of these remarkable people as well as the stunning backdrop to their everyday life. We take away the stories and songs we’ve heard, and will never forget how we connected with a community tucked away amongst the world’s highest mountains. 

Find out more about our group tour to Nepal for people in their 30s and 40s. Join us to meet local people there soon!

One of our travellers meeting locals in Nepal. © Indico Travels