Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking

Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back, Journey through the post-conflict Guerrilla territory.

Highlights 

  • Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back

  • Journey through the post-conflict Guerrilla territory

  • Seventh tallest mountain Mt Dhaulagiri on the way

  • Watch the beautiful pictures of less explored trails

  • Thrilling off-the-beaten trails with rich flora and fauna

  • Explore the only hunting reserve area of Nepal, Dhorpatan hunting reserve

  • Experience the local homestay in the remote areas

  • Himalayas and their beauty through the local eyes

  • Witness the culture of the Himalayas

'Land of mountains' a common title was given to Nepal. Speaking about this title, how can you forget Gurja Himal (7,193 m) which plays a significant role in maintaining this title. Amazing offerings by this land I should say. It gives you everything that you wish, you had on your trek in off-the-beaten trails. Here we are to offer you this amazing trek of Gurja Himal which will provide you glorious moments of your life for sure. For people who want to explore the other side of the Annapurna region, this would be the best trek. This is a whole new effort to show you the unseen pictures of Nepal giving all the adventures and yes the cultural aspects of remote Nepal. 

Don’t you want to explore this less explored trails of Annapurna region which would include the fascinating views of Mt Dhaulagiri, walking closely connected to it? This trek would be an inside look for every trekkers to explore the off-the-beaten trails of the Annapurna region. Guerrilla Gurja Himal trek routes offer you the views of the spectacular and mesmerizing Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and the Annapurna Mountain ranges itself.  

You will pass through the amazing villages of the region. Oh, and how could we forget Dhaula valley? Crossing this valley is so much fun. When the summer season arrives in their door, the local people ascend high (above 5,000 m) and as winter arrives, they get down to Dhaula valley. You don’t find as many big tea houses in this area. The most favored village is the Gurja Khani village where we can spend some days if you have a lengthy days for travel. Trek will begin from the overland drive to Pokhara. You can witness the wonderland in between. Guerrilla Gurja Himal trekking offers you the unseen footage of rural villages of the Annapurna Region. The main indigenous people of this region are Biswakarma people. They are the people who have been doing traditional blacksmith works. It’s amazing to witness the shepherds' huts and the lush dancing of Rhododendron flowers over the forest. As you reach Gurja Khani village, we can hike to the viewpoint next morning. Gurja Himal trekking trail is so much rich in the floras and faunas with amazing wild lives. Of course, the traditional Magar culture comes together hand in hand for your welcome. Located in the west of Dhaulagiri Himal range, Gurja Himal trek offers you the journey in a dense lush forest with fascinating mountain views.   

Not only this, here we are offering you many more exclusive new trekking trails. Guerrilla Gurja Himal trek is a completely undiscovered jam but in the process of coming out in the attention. This hidden Gurja Himal trek gives you access to explore the cultures and lifestyles of the Himalayas and Magar community. Here in this region, we also have a community of Dalit people, used to be referred as untouchable caste in the society long time back and who has lived the most humiliating life in our history. You can have a chance to explore their lifestyles as well. After a few days of the trek, we will reach Gurja Gaon, one of the most preserved places in terms of natural beauty.  

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation 

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara

Day 04: Pokhara to Dharapani (1,560 m) 5 hrs bus, 2 hrs trek 

Day 05: Trek, Dharapani to Lulang (2,450 m) 6 hrs

Day 06: Trek, Lulang to Gurjakhani (2,620 m) via Gurja Pass (3,250 m) 8 hrs

Day 07: Trek, Gurjakhani to Rugachaur Pass (3,850 m) and Gurjaghat (3,015 m) 9 hrs

Day 08: Explore Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 

Day 09: Explore Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 

Day 10: Trek, Gurjaghat to Jaljala Pass (3,400 m) 

Day 11: Trek, Jaljala Pass to Lumsung (2,190 m) 7 hrs 

Day 12: Trek, Lumsung to Darbang (1,070 m) 8 hrs

Day 13: Drive from Darbang to Pokhara (850 m)  

Day 14: Drive Back to Kathmandu 

Day 15: Departure, international.

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking Detailed Itinerary

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Once you land in Tribhuvan international airport, one of our team members will be there to welcome and shift you safely to your hotel where the welcome drinks will be served. After some rest, one of our team members will describe you everything about Guerrilla Gurja Himal trek.

Day 02:Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation

Early in the morning after having a good breakfast in the hotel we will explore the historical places of Kathmandu valley. There are many places to explore in this day.

Day 03:Drive to Pokhara

it would be around 6- 7 hours of ride from Kathmandu. You can enjoy the cool ride in Nepali terrane watching the magnificent views.  

Day 04:Pokhara to Dharapani (1,560 m) 5 hrs bus, 2 hrs trek 

This would be an amazing short trek to Dharapani. Crossing the hills with so much of natural beauty in between. Dharapani is a small paradise village in the mountain.

Day 05:Trek, Dharapani to Lulang (2,450 m) 6 hrs

Since we are in unfamiliar trail, we want to enjoy as much as we can so early in the morning after having a good breakfast we will start our walk towards Lulang. You can witness the amazing greenery of the forests on the way.  

Day 06:Trek, Lulang to Gurjakhani (2,620 m) via Gurja Pass (3 250 m) 8 hrs

Today we will start walking uphill to the Dhaulagiri region in the amazing Myagdi district, rich in interesting cultures.

Day 07:Trek, Gurjakhani to Rugachaur Pass (3,850 m) and Gurjaghat (3,015 m) 9 hrs

Today we are about to enter the Midwestern part of Nepal, Bheri region. Since now we are crossing the passes of the rural areas we can explore the diverse cultures.

Day 08:Explore Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 

Watching the magnificent sunrise view in Gurjaghat, we will move our footsteps to the most awaited destination, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

Day 09:Explore Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

This is the only hunting reserve of Nepal. You can explore the amazing wild lives here and yet you should be careful too. We can just wander around in the reserve.

Day 10:Trek, Gurjaghat to Jaljala Pass (3,400 m) 

This day we will be witnessing one of the remote areas of this region but yet believed to be one of the best touristic destinations. We will explore the cultural and historical aspect of this place including its natural beauty of course.

Day 11:Trek, Jaljala Pass to Lumsung (2,190 m) 7 hrs 

We are very close to ending our beautiful trek over here with the beautiful moments that we made and the interesting stories that we've shared. Lumsung is the less traveled village of Nepal.  

Day 12:Trek, Lumsung to Darbang (1,070 m) 8 hrs

Early in the morning after good breakfast fueled into our body, we will do a tough day walk. Continue until you get to Darbang for the overnight stop.

Day 13:Drive from Darbang to Pokhara (850 m)  

It will be around 6 hours of the ride in cozy trails with all fascinating views to Pokhara. You can explore the wonderland Pokhara afterward, if you wish to.

Day 14:Drive Back to Kathmandu

After the amazing trip done in Gurja valley and the beautiful dinner night in Pokhara, early in the morning we will get back to Kathmandu on a scenic ride.

Day 15:Departure, international.

With all those memories we created together yes it's difficult to part, but we have to. It's a choice you made, haha. We hope to see you again, with us here in Nepal since we have a lot more to show you, still.

Cost for 1 PAX: $1220 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $1090 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trek Cost Breakdown

Cost Include

  • Airport pickup and drop

  • Guide, porter and their expenses

  • All meals included, typical Nepalese food (dal, bhat, pickle and curry) 

  • Hotels in Kathmandu on Bed and Breakfast basis

  • Kathmandu valley sightseeing

  • Homestays in the local houses or the teahouses during the trek, whichever available

  • Land transportations

  • Required trek permits

  • Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve fee

  • Complimentary farewell dinner in Kathmandu in a typical Nepali restaurant

  • Company t-shirt and route maps

  • Medical kit bag

  • Certificate of appreciation

  • All government taxes and VAT

Cost Exclude

  • International flight and visa

  • Personal expenses

  • Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara with monument entrance fees

  • Travel and rescue insurance

  • Meals and accommodation behind schedule

  • Any gratuities to the staffs (mandatory)

  • Sleeping bag, duffel bags, down jacket, walking stick (provided if needed, to be returned after)

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking Useful Information

Kathmandu airport pick up and drop services

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours’ staffs will pick you up from the airport as per your flight arrival time and similarly drop you off in the airport for international departure according to your flight schedule. During arrival, please don’t forget to look for your name placard hold by the team, outside the airport arrival gate. Our staff will be impatiently waiting for your arrival to greet you and warmly welcome you in Nepal. ‘NAMASTE’ is the foremost and the most commonly used greeting word in Nepal which you will hear from our staff at the very first moment you meet him.

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations in Kathmandu, Pokhara and during trek

You will be staying in the 3 star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara while in the teahouse lodges and even homestays during the trek.

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.

If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better ones in Kathmandu and Pokhara, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Safe Drinking Water during Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking

Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking.

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking cost?

The cost of the Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking varies from $800-$1800 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

In Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations or homestays in some days, too. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Few teahouses have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Most of the teahouses provide the Asian style of toilets only. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

A homestay is typically a local house with addition of some extra beds and minor facilities to welcome the guest. Homestay is where you can stay and experience the local lifestyles and cultures. Most of the homestays have Asian style of toilets and no attached bathrooms. Hot water and hot showers are available on added cost.

What are the permits that I need for Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

For Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking, you will need to make two permits: Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve fee and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).

How does this tipping system in Nepal works and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide expects around $5 or more per day per person while a porter expects $4 or more per day per person.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

You can charge your electronic devices during Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking {with some exception days} but by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking route has poor mobile network coverage. But you can buy one of the NTC or Ncell Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu which has coverage in most parts of the country. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek whenever available.

WiFi is hardly available on the teahouses and homestays in Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking route but if it does, you need to pay extra.

When is the best time to trek to Guerrilla Gurja Himal?

Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Guerrilla Gurja Himal. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

The itinerary of our Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 3850 m or more above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking demands moderate physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents which means you need at least some practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least a month prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Guerrilla Gurja Himal.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

Only breakfast is included in Kathmandu and Pokhara while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse / homestay where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are a varieties of choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.

The most common and the highly recommended food during the Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.

Do I need a travel insurance for Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Guerrilla Gurja Himal. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 4000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Guerrilla Gurja Himal Trekking?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Guerrilla Gurja Himal. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Guerrilla Gurja Himal. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.