Chepang Hill Educational Trekking Tour

Chepang is one of the indigenous ethnic groups among the 103 ethnic groups of Nepal. With their own distinct language, the people of this community lead a semi-nomadic life, and their primary lifestyle includes hunting, foraging for wild roots, fishing, and traditional farming near the jungles. Their settlements, house construction, social organisation, language, customs, festivals, and religion are different from those of other communities.

The Chepang Hill Trekking or Chitwan Chepang Hill Educational Tour is one of the best destinations for student educational excursions, providing exposure to unique cultures, lifestyles, beliefs, and traditions. The Chepang Hill Trail Educational Tour adjoins Asia’s most beautiful Chitwan National Park, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers a jungle safari after completing a wonderful nature trek in the Chepang-inhabited region.

Other attractions of this trek include experiencing the nomadic culture of Nepal and rafting in the Trishuli River before or after the trek. For this tour, a camping-style trek is required, but the community also provides homestay facilities to visitors.

The recently opened trekking trail “Chitwan Chepang Hill Trail” offers a rare combination of cultural and sightseeing experiences for student educational tours. Another interesting aspect of the trek is getting a glimpse into the livelihoods of the Chepang and other local communities of Nepal’s middle hill region. The warm invitation from villagers to stay in their beautiful homes as guests and share their meals becomes a memorable journey of discovery.

The unique culture of this area, in addition to natural attractions, enhances the charm of the trekking experience. The Student Educational Tour on the Chitwan Chepang Hill Trail begins at Hugdi, between Mugling and Krishna Bhir in the Dhading district, about 80 km from Kathmandu, and ends at Shaktikhor in Chitwan.

For those starting from Chitwan National Park, the trail can begin at Shaktikhor and end at Hugdi Khola. While on this interesting trek, you can support local people in different villages. The tour goes through rolling hills with lush vegetation, where rice fields with small traditional houses painted in beautiful orange hues meet the eye.

The last two hours of the trek are the most difficult, as we follow the stream up the ravine to the pass. From here, we can look down into the Chepang Gaun valley as we follow a narrow path close to the mountain. Upon arrival in the village, the locals serve their traditional Dal Bhat. The trek to the top of Sirai Chuli (2000m) offers magnificent views of the Himalayan range from east to west—Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu (8000+), Annapurna (8000+), and Dhaulagiri (8000+).

Chitwan offers many adventures and activities, such as jungle safaris, bird watching, canoe trips, and more. Chitwan National Park is renowned for its dense tropical forest, rich in wildlife and bird species. It is home to about 600 species of plants, 43 species of large mammals, 526 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies, 126 species of fish, and 49 species of reptiles.

The park is famous for rare one-horned rhinos and other endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Gangetic Dolphins, and Gharial Crocodiles. It also boasts grey langur monkeys, rhesus monkeys, deer, leopards, wild dogs, various species of mongoose and wild cats, wild boars, porcupines, hyenas, bats, squirrels, and more.

The park also boasts nearly 600 one-horned rhinos—about a quarter of the global population—and their numbers continue to grow. An estimated 100 tigers live in the park at present. This makes the tour a perfect destination for students to study wildlife, vegetation, and human activities during their trip.

TRIP FACTS

Trekking Destination: Siraichuli, Chitwan National Park

Activities: Trekking & Walking, Sightseeing, Cultural Tour

Difficulty: Easy

Max Elevation: 2000m (Sirai Chuli)

Trek/Tour Style: Homestay / Camping

Accommodation: Deluxe hotel in Kathmandu & Chitwan / Camping during trek

Meals: Full board on trek & Breakfast in Kathmandu/Chitwan

Operation: Hotel/Tent

Transportation: Comfortable private vehicle / Tourist bus

Best Season: Anytime throughout the year

Trip Length: 12 Days

DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon arrival at the international airport, meet, assist, and transfer to the hotel. Rest and enjoy leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing & Evening Pre-Trek Meeting (1350m)

Your tour guide will take you to explore historic and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, the House of the Living Goddess “Kumari,” Kasthamandap Temple (believed to be built from a single tree), Boudhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, and Patan Durbar Square. If time permits, visit Bhaktapur, known as the Living Museum. After sightseeing, return to the hotel and prepare for the trek.

Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Hugdi (309m) – 3 hours, Trek to Hattibang (1410m) – 4 to 5 hours

Early morning drive to Hugdi Khola. After lunch, trek to Hattibang, a beautiful village with stunning mountain views. Overnight in local homes or community guesthouses.

Day 04: Trek Hattibang to Jyandala (1600m) – 4 to 5 hours

After breakfast, trek through Chepang settlements such as Jautesh, Changa, and Dinglang. Continue toward Siraichuli (2000m) for panoramic Himalayan views. Overnight in Jyandala.

Day 05: Trek Jyandala to Upendragadi (1275m) – 6 to 7 hours

Enjoy sunrise views at Siraichuli. Trek through changing landscapes to Uppardang Gadi, the former headquarters of Chitwan. Explore the historic fort ruins. Overnight with a local family.

Day 06: Trek Upendragadi to Shaktikhor (355m) – 4 to 5 hours

Descend to Shaktikhor, another Chepang village with a museum and visitor centre. Explore caves, waterfalls, and cultural programs. Overnight in a homestay.

Day 09: Trek Shaktikhor to Sauraha – 2 to 3 hours, Explore Chitwan National Park

Arrive in Sauraha and enjoy a jungle safari. Spot wildlife like the Royal Bengal Tiger, rhinos, deer, and crocodiles. Experience the Tharu culture. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 10: Drive Back to Kathmandu – 5 to 6 hours

Return to Kathmandu via tourist bus.

Day 11: Leisure Day & Farewell Dinner

Relax or explore Thamel. Enjoy a farewell dinner and receive a trip certificate.

Day 12: Final Departure

Transfer to the international airport for your onward journey.

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

ACCOMMODATION:

4 Nights Hotel in Kathmandu

7 Nights in Tent/Camp

TRANSPORTATION:

Airports pick up and drop off

1 full-day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu to the trek start point

Drop at Chitwan Hotel

Chitwan drove back to Kathmandu

SIGHTSEEING TOUR:

1 full-day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

All entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu

CHITWAN SAFARI TOUR:

1 night/2 days jungle safari program in Chitwan

Pick up from the Arrival Point.

Cultural Tour (To Visit Tharu Village)

Riverside Sunset view

Tharu stick dance

Bird Watching

Get off at the bus stop

TREKKING:

Accommodation in a tent/camp

Sleeping bag

Down jackets

English-speaking guide

Camping team "Nepali Team porter, cook, kitchen helper"

All necessaries for Nepalese staff (all meals, accommodation in tea houses, equipment, salary, insurance, etc.)

MEAL:

11 BREAKFAST,

6 LUNCH,

8 DINNER ( including welcome and farewell dinner)

COST EXCLUSIONS:

Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu

Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, sweets, snacks, tips, etc.

Beverages like mineral water, juice, Coke, Fanta, Sprite, as well as alcoholic drinks.

Travel Insurance (Essential).

Personal trekking equipment, except as stated above.

Tips for field staff and drivers.