Honey hunting might seem like a regular exercise, but it is much more than that. In the context of Nepal, a honey hunting expedition is generally carried out in the hills of Lamjung. To the readers unaware that honey hunting is famous in the village of Bhujung, providing them with insights into the place.
Not only in the areas of Lamjung, but honey hunting is famous in plenty of remote villages of Nepal. In case you are thinking this is just another common honey, you are wrong. It is called mad honey, which can get you hallucinated if taken in too large a quantity.
The indigenous Gurung and Magar community people are known to perform the honey hunting activity. Meanwhile, the number of young people willing to do honey hunting seems to be decreasing every year, which is an issue.
With honey hunting being one of the famous activities in the rural region, it has been a major source of tourism as plenty of tourists come every year to experience the tough work behind the mad honey hunting expedition.
At the start, the bees are driven away with the help of smoke. As the honeycomb becomes empty, the daredevil honey hunter climbs the wooden ladder to extract the mad honey. Besides the economic activity, honey hunting is also a spiritual practice that has been passed down from generation to generation.
There are plenty of honey hunters who have died during this extraction. Meanwhile, there are cliffs named after them. This shows the toughness of extracting honey from the dangerous mountain. It is a sustainable process where the safety of the bees is kept in focus.
Highlights of the Trip
No trip is easier and no trip is harder than your willpower. Similar is the case with the Honey Hunting expedition.
The process of extracting the mad honey seems to be a tough task, but it provides a lifetime of experience. Some of the highlights of the trip are:
- Honey extraction from the toughest cliff.
- Special gift if you join the honey hunting expedition
- Mind-blowing view of Mount Annapurna while climbing up Lamjung.
- Cultural dance, program, and interactive session with the locals of Lamjung
- A homely atmosphere with safety and security for the expatriates.
Best Season for Honey Hunting Expedition
If you thought that going on a honey hunting expedition is possible in every season, you are wrong. It is very tough to do the honey hunting expedition in the tough times of monsoon.
According to the locals of the Honey Hunting expedition, they suggest late March to early June or October to December. The weather remains clear, and the honey is just about ready to be extracted.
During these months, there is a major chance that the weather is going to go up the hills and the extraction is better. With clear skies and no signs of rain, it is easier for the locals to get the honey and also explain the whole process to the tourists.
This is the perfect time to get the best out of the trekking expedition. Just try and have the basic gear and also the right shoes to enjoy the tour.
Don’t expect too much from the tour, and you will get lifelong memories. At Lamjung Honey Hunting Expedition, just try and be open to opportunities, and you will learn and experience more.
Tips For a Better Honey Hunting Expedition
Honey hunting expedition is a tough task and it requires major focus and dedication. If you book with The Trek Nepal, we will help you with every technique and tip. However, these tips are for those who are planning the journey alone.
Research and prepare well
The first technique is doing proper research about the place and the process. It is very important to know the need for the honey hunting expedition.
Not only that you must also research the local culture, tradition, along practices that allow for better results. During the preparation though always try and prepare about the safety procedure.
Learn with the local guide
The local guides are key during these expeditions. They know the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of the overall journey. What makes things special is their knowledge about the unknown situation.
If you can do so, there is a high chance that you will know about the habits of the honeybee. Not only that you will also have the proper idea about honey collection techniques.
Use proper gear
A honey bee sting can turn into a fatal one or also bring in bad results for you. Having said that, it is important to understand that only the use of proper gear will help you to remain safe.
Honey hunting expedition journey demands a bee suit, face veil, gloves, and other protective gear. All of this allows for safety and also no accidents during the extraction. Fewer bee stings also means that successful extraction.
Enjoy the experience
Mad honey hunting expedition doesn’t happen all the time. It is done once in many attempts, so it is key that you enjoy the whole process. In order to reach the destination, you will need to cross some beautiful locations, making it quite the experience.
The final result shouldn’t matter more than the overall experience you will be having during the journey. Try and enjoy the journey. From the challenges and the risk associated savor the experience.
Cost of Honey Hunting Expedition In Nepal
The accurate cost of a honey hunting expedition in Nepal is hard to predict. The major reason for that is due to the changing weather, situations, and the use of labor.
The Trek Nepal does arrange this tour, but there is much more that needs to be looked after. If you choose groups for this journey, the cost will be limited, while the cost rises in case of a single package.
Similarly, this journey is around a week, so the cost changes as the time changes for the trek. All in all, the trek cost depends directly upon the facilities, time, and unseen circumstances. The best you can do is contact The Trek Nepal, and we can explain the whole package to you better.
Right Techniques For Honey Hunting Expedition In Nepal
Honey hunting is a challenge in itself. As much as a honey hunting expedition sounds fascinating, the risk associated with the overall process can’t be ignored at all.
Even for the experienced people who have done honey hunting for decades find it is tough every time. This states to the fact that the task requires some herculean effort to be successful.
Most of the time, the honey extractors come through some serious injuries, which could be fatal as well. As risky as it may sound, honey hunting is done by reaching the location and extracting it.
In order to do it safely, there are some key techniques involved. They are:
Selection of the season
The first technique is to find the best season to go for honey hunting. As the process is performed in high mountains, it is tough to do in every season. Not only that you will need to be extra careful.
Autumn and spring are considered the best seasons for honey hunting. The amount of honey in this period is at its maximum level, so that the honey hunters can extract a lot and store it for future use.
Use of traditional equipment
Traditionally, the technique is the higher the risk. For a honey hunting expedition, almost all of the tools are traditional. From bamboo ladders to hemp ropes, along with face cover and thick clothes, the job isn’t easy.
With no modern tools and techniques, the number of accidents is getting higher and higher. Thick clothes are used so that the sting from the bee can’t be felt on the bare skin. It’s amazing to see how old techniques help you with modern needs.
Smoke and fire
A honey bee sting can be fatal, and it is important to remain calm. To make the bees settle down and move ahead with the process, we use smoke and fire. The presence of smoke and fire helps the bees to calm down, and the process can be started.
As the bees are calm, the extraction process from the honeycomb gets underway. By the smoke and fire, there have been way fewer injuries and accidents for the extractors.
Harvesting of the honey
One of the key parts of a honey hunting expedition is the harvesting of the honey. As the honey is extracted, we should be able to preserve it for a long time. Interestingly, the locals do nothing in the case of harvesting.
Locals leave the honey in the natural habitat with no extra or added preservatives. As the honey is left in the open, it gets to develop in its natural form, and the honey can be used for a long time.
Itinerary for Honey Hunting Expedition
The honey hunting expedition itinerary keeps on changing from one way to another. Some of the well-known trekking companies do it in four days, while some take seven.
At The Trek Nepal, we try and accommodate the whole of the trip from Kathmandu within a span of six days. The Trek Nepal tries and provide all the comfort and also not make the journey lengthy.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Besisahar drive
The first day signifies the tourist reaching the destination safely. The drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar lasts around six hours.
After reaching Besisahar, we try and make guests comfortable with some drinks and also time with the locals. Dive in and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the place.
Day 2: Besisahar to Ghalegaun drive/trek
At The Trek Nepal, we take things nice and slow. Therefore, we try and provide either trekking or driving facilities from Ghalegaun to Besisahar.
It is a beautiful walk following the river and the early morning freshness. After five hours of walking, you will reach the destination.
The Gurung village, rice plantation, and forest around the place will provide you with peace and calm. Finally, you will reach the Gurung village.
There are plenty of homestay options that will keep you in comfort. You will have a grand welcome and also get to watch the dance and performances.
Day 3: Plan and explore honey hunting
This is when the actual action begins. You will be prepared in advance as to how you will appear for the honey-hunting work.
Meeting with the honey hunters, relocating yourself to the right place, and setting up the camera and crew is what we do on Day 3.
Day 4: Mad Honey Hunting
When the preparations are in full tilt, you will be able to go honey hunting on the fourth day.
You will be taken to the cliff where the honey-hunting work takes place. Before jumping right in, there are prayers that will take place.
The actual journey by hanging on the man-made stairs will take place. After a long and hard day of hunting honey, you will return to the place of stay. A tough day in the hunting process.
When the hunting and tasting of the honey is done, there will be cultural programs at the place of your stay. Good food and admirable hospitality will be the key.
Day 5: Exploring the Annapurna range and returning to Besisahar
This is the day of return to Besisahar. On the way back, you will have the opportunity to witness the Annapurna mountain range, which is majestic.
The mountain tops will be covered by snow, which provides a fascinating view during the sunshine. Either trekking or by bus, we return to Besisahar in the evening.
Day 6: Back to Kathmandu
With a heavy heart and a lot of memories, Day 6 signifies returning to Kathmandu. Early in the morning, we take the ride back to Kathmandu. Within six hours, you will be in Kathmandu.
For some international tourist, they tend to spend some days in Kathmandu and return to their home country. For others, it is about returning to their place of stay pretty quickly.
Things Included and Not Included In The Cost
A lot of the readers might be thinking you will receive every service during this honey hunting expedition with The Trek Nepal, but that is not the case. We provide everything that will be included in the package. However, personal expenses and other costs won’t be included in the cost.
Things Included
- Hotels in Kathmandu on a bed and breakfast basis
- Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing with a guide
- 3 meals in the day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Local guest house during the remote tour
- TIMS card for every visitor provided by Nepal Tourism Board
- Transportation from and to Kathmandu during the journey
Things Not Included
- All kinds of drinks during the trip
- Personal expenses like nightout parties, tips, laundry
- Sightseeing spot entrance fees
- Personal trekking equipment cost
- Individual room cost in case not mentioned in the package
How Do You Book With Trek Nepal For the Honey Hunting Expedition?
The Trek Nepal has been performing the honey hunting activity for a very long time. All you need to do is book with us, and we will manage everything from there.
Just come in contact through the website or also call our number so that we can arrange the schedule. Being a 6-day schedule, the seats might be fuller and you might not be taken. So be careful when you book slots.
Final Thoughts
Nepal is full of surprises and offers that can bewilder national and international tourists. In recent times, the honey-hunting expedition has turned into a tourist favorite.
A lot of the tourists from the Western part of the world tend to come to Lamjung and get an experience of the honey hunting trip. It is not too tough to get a taste of the mad honey.
For people who aren’t able to visit Lamjung for the trip, you can even enjoy the mad honey at the Mad Honey Store present in Thamel, Chhaya Center. One way or another, we don’t let the tourist return empty-handed.