Essential Information - Nepal Honey Hunting
Honey hunters from Nepal
Wild Honey is collected from the wild bee colonies Apis Laboriosa found within the isolated forest in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal. The world’s largest honey bee, Apis laboriosa (the giant Himalayan honey bee) may be a wild bee and makes it combs cliff overhangs on the Rockies.
Within the foothills of the Nepal Himalaya lives a brave tribe of Gurung people that risk their lives climbing up cliffs to reap honey from one of the most important and most dangerous honey bees within the world. This tradition is followed by locals for many years and holds great religious and cultural importance to the people that live here.
A honey hunter of Nepal Honey hunting the honey within the cliffs or the rocks. Most of these hunters are farmers, cultivating rice, corn, and vegetables for his or her own use. According to the local people, about 200 years ago, two tribes of Gurung and Ghale people left Tibet and settled in the Lamjung honey hunting site. from that time the locals start to collect wild honey from the steep cliffs and commenced trading it.
First, they prepared the ropes made from braided strips of bamboo. Some hunters made the ladder, which is comprised of those ropes, and others stay down to collect the honey. According to the honey hunters the highest quality in May and June.
The honeybees usually made their beehives on gigantic cliffs in the Jungle. They collect nectar from poisonous flowers within the jungle which make the real organic honey. The hunters first do the pray and respect the spirits of the forest. They also perform a ceremony to placate the cliff gods. They firest offer flowers, fruit, and rice, and pray to the spirits for a secure hunt.
Enjoy the traditional way of Nepal honey hunting
Nepal honey hunting is doing by a traditional from local village people. The honey hunters are the tribe of Mogoals and they are in the different part of Nepal. A tradition passed down for generations they locals are still following this tradition. Honey is taken as the primary source of sweets in ancient times when there was no sugar produced. Some of the indigenous Nepali communities like Gurungs and Magars are in this process.
There are many mountains cliffs in Nepal where you can see the wild bee honey. The Manaslu and Annapurna regions hills near the forest big stone has few of them. Nepal honey hunting will mostly go to hunt in Annapurna and Manaslu regions. As the which makes hive on the vertical slopes of these cliffs that’s why it is dangerous activity. We can see some sites of clifs which has local names of honey hunters who died during honey harvesting.
Nepal honey hunting is a very old tradition in the mountain areas of Nepal. In the past, people used to organize the religious ceremony before collecting honey to protect themselves from the attack of honeybees and any misshapen. The honey hunter from the local village celebrates honey hunting as a festival by offering flowers, grains, and sheep to God before shooting. The worship is organized to respect the hard work of honeybees and their contribution, to the survival of human beings. Everyone is excited and curious to watch honey hunters working at the cliffs.
Taste the wild honey
Nepal Honey hunting tour is doing by well experience villagers who hang from cliffs as tall as 300 m with the help of homemade ropes and Bamboo ladders. The leaders of the hunters collect honey in the bucket from the beehives and pass it down to another person. You can also taste the wild honey if you are in the hunting time. This wild honey is used for a medical purpose which still exists and has medicinal value with a great deal of money in the international market.
Nepal Honey hunting tour is still part of traditional livelihood; that is why it is more interesting for tourists to know the Nepali traditional honey hunting knowledge and skills. The trekking routes to and from the honey bee hives are exciting and breathtaking. Nepal honey hunting gives the visitors to take in the beauty and magnificence of the Nepali landscape and wildlife. At the same time, tourists can experience the culture. Thus, it adds more color to our delight. Nepal Honey hunting tour gives you the best experience of the traditional method of wild honey harvesting and hunting which is worth a visit
Enjoy the Nepal honey hunting tour with the best view in the village of Annapurna region
We can arrange a Nepal honey hunting tour in different parts of Nepal. We take you to the Annapurna region one of the best Gurung villages this honey-hunting trip. Honey hunting is usually done in October and November in Autumn and in springtime from Mid-April to May. You will stay at the local homestay accommodation during the tour.
We specially arrange the Nepal honey hunting tour in Lamjung District nearby the famous Ghale Gaon village. it is a famous cultural Village. You can ask us for any alternative honey hunting itinerary if you want to try it in different areas.
What to pack for Nepal honey hunting
Mad Honey Hunting in Nepal is an easy and short tour, so you can pack your belongings in your day pack. below is the idea of what to take.
- Trekking boot
- flip flop/sandals
- sleeping bag -10 degree
- Socks
- walking stick
- Shorts
- trekking trousers
- T-shirt
- Wind stopper, warm Jacket
- Hat (sun/cold)
- Rucksack/backpack with cover Weatherproof pack cover
- Head torch
- Water bottles
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Raincoat or Umbrella
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, etc.)
- Small first aid kit e.g. plasters, paracetamol, antiseptic wipes, etc
- Some snicker, chocolate, candy
Health & Fitness
Nepal mad honey hunting tour is a short and easy tour so anybody can go for it. Actually, it is best for families with children and first-time trekkers with limited time. During the hike, we just need to walk at medium altitudes (800 m-2500 m) but you must have a normal health condition and average physical fitness. the alternate way there are transport facilities also so if you have any problem you can take a drive back to Kathmandu.
When is the best time for Nepal honey hunting?
Mad Nepla Honey Hunting is not possible throughout the year. We can do the honey hunting in two seasons, late spring and late autumn. As a result, these are the times when you have the most chances to see the hunters at work. We run the tour 2 times a year, the best time for a Nepal mad honey hunting tour is in October/November and mid-April to May.
The local people harvest their honey first during the summer (April to May) and second time during the Autumn (October o November). Therefore, You can do the trip only at a special time. However, hunting in autumn is more often done in low-altitude belts of the Annapurna region and other areas. If you wanted to see the high-altitude honey hunting it is in the spring and it is quite a long day’s trip.