Dipendra Dhakal
+977-9851093471 (Whatsapp)Guerrilla Trek – 16 days
13 reviews in Tripadvisor
Duration
16 Days
Group Size
2-10
Difficulty
Moderate
Max. Altitude
3,414m. / 11,201ft.
Meals
B L D
Accommodation
Hotel, Teahouse
Transportation
Tourist Bus
Activities
Trekking & Sightseeing Need Help? Ask Questions 
Introduction of Guerrilla Trek – 16 days
The Guerrilla Trek takes you through the western parts of Nepal, which are seldom visited by tourists, both internationally and locally. We will explore and pass through the Myagdi, Baglung, Rukum, and Rolpa districts, where the Maoists once destroyed many villages and killed many villagers.
At the time, these regions were restricted by the Nepalese government since they were too dangerous to travel to. At present, a trek has been made based on the route taken by the Maoists back then, the Guerrilla Trek.
This trekking destination was recently added to the roster in 2011, making it one of the most recently introduced trekking trails. The trails follow the historic paths that the Maoist guerrillas used during the civil war. This conflict lasted over a decade and resulted in the killing of more than 17000 people. This is why this trek is historically important and a sensitive topic as well.
Dominated by Magar communities, the villages en route have rich cultures and practices that you can experience during your time in the remote western region of Nepal. Most of the locals are Kham-Magar, who are native to the region. In addition to the historical significance and cultural richness, the region is also naturally beautiful with green hills, clean rivers, and white peaks in the distance.
This itinerary takes us through the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the one and only of its kind in Nepal. Established back in 1987, this conservation area is now home to many carnivores, mammals, and birds. Some of the notable ones include snow leopards, wolves, black bears, blue sheep, etc.
The chances of encountering wild animals during our time in the reserve are low but not zero. However, we will not encounter dangerous carnivores since they are protected in special areas.
Highlights of Guerrilla Trek – 16 days
- A full-day sightseeing trek around the historic valley of Kathmandu.
- Follow the historic footpaths of the Maoist guerrillas, used from 1996 to 2006.
- Explore the Thawang village and see a bunch of different historic ruins and arts.
- Visit the remote Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve and experience serene natural trails with signs of wildlife all over.
- Cross high mountain passes such as Jaljala Pass (3414 m) and Tila Pass (3050 m).
Itinerary of Guerrilla Trek – 16 days
Day 1 of the Guerrilla Trek starts with your arrival in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. After you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will have to obtain a tourist visa to legally explore the beautiful land of Nepal.
For this, you will have to go to the immigration section where you can fill out a visa application form, pay your visa fees, and submit a couple of documents along with them. Shortly after, you will have your visa; this process takes about an hour to complete.
But during the peak travel seasons, like autumn and spring, you might have to wait a little longer because of the long lines at the immigration booth.
To avoid this, you can simply apply for a tourist visa from the official government site of Nepal. But this method takes about 3 to 5 business days to complete. Regardless of the way you get your tourist visa, after you exit the terminal, one of our reps will be waiting for you.
He will help you with your bags and drive you to your accommodation for the night. After a while, we will have a short meeting to introduce you meet the crew members who will guide and help you on this Guerrilla Trek.
Accommodation: Hotel
Today’s itinerary includes a bunch of ancient and interesting sites that are historically important to the history of Nepal. Not only do these sites feature intricate architecture, but they also have a sense of spirituality.
Starting the day tour around 9 AM after breakfast, we will first visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as Monkey Temple. This gompa offers a 360-degree view of the Kathmandu Valley and a couple of peaks. If you want to join the morning prayer, we have to be there around 6 in the morning.
Following that, we will visit the Pashupatinath Temple, just a 20-minute drive away. Located on the bank of the Bagmati River, this temple is one of the most revered Hindu temples in Nepal.
Our next destinations are the Bouddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Taragaon Museum, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and more. This day’s sightseeing itinerary is not strictly fixed; you are free to include the sites you want to visit, and we will take you there as long as they are open to the public.
We will drive you around in a private vehicle throughout the day. Your lunch will be served at one of the eateries along the route; you are free to choose your preferred establishment.
This meal will not be a part of the Guerrilla Trek package, nor will your dinner, during your stay in Kathmandu, we will only provide you with breakfasts. Nonetheless, the entrance fees of some sites in the itinerary will be covered by the package.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
From Kathmandu, we will drive about 295 km to reach Beni. Considering the windy roads of the hills and the below-average highway conditions, this will take us a little over 10 hours to complete.
We will take a comfortable tourist bus all the way to Pokhara and change into a jeep or another bus to get to Beni.
This ride starts with leaving the valley of Kathmandu. First, we will follow the Tribhuvan Highway and wind our way out of the valley, reaching Naubise. From there, we will switch to the Prithvi Highway and continue driving
We will stop at Malekhu for lunch or at Kurintar; we will only choose clean and fresh eateries for you. These meals are also not a part of the Guerrilla Trek package.
Post-lunch, we will pass Aanbu Khaireni, Dumre, Tanahun, and Lekhnath, and finally reach the city of Pokhara. We will stop at the bus park and change our ride to Beni
From Pokhara, we will head northwest, passing by Hemja, Naya Pul, and heading north from Kushma. From there, it will take us about 2 hours to reach our destination of the day.
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Hotel
Today is the first trekking day of the Guerrilla Trek. This trek features a 24 km trek distance with an elevation gain of 835 meters, which requires around 6 hours of trekking.
After a satisfying breakfast in Beni, we will head towards Darbang, over an easy gravel road. Following the Myagdi River, we will pass a wool factory along the way and many tiny villages as well.
Shortly after, we will cross the Dang River over a suspension bridge and keep ascending, following the river upstream. This path leads us to the Dharapani viewpoint, offering an unforgettable scene of the Annapurna region peaks.
After we pass Darbang, the trail turns narrower, passing by farmlands and forested sections.
En route, we will get to see the Gurja Himal standing tall in the distance. This part of the trek features uneven trails with small streams and rocky terrain.
After passing by a couple more Gurung and Magar villages, we will finally reach Takam, our destination of the day. This village is also a part of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp route, so expect to meet a couple of mountaineers there.
Activity: 6 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5 of the Guerrilla Trek is far shorter than the last day, about half of the total distance. Today, we will cover about 12 km, gain over 600 meters of elevation, and trek for 6 hours to reach Moreni.
Following a hearty breakfast at Magar village of Takam, we will ascend alongside terraced farms and reach Sabang. After a short break there, we will pass by Muna village over stone-paved alleyways and wooden footbridges to reach a trail junction.
The northern route takes us to Dhaulagiri, while the northwestern route leads to Lamsung and Moreni. Taking the latter path, we will soon encounter a waterfall and reach a descending trail.
This path leads us to Dar Khola Valley, where the Dar River Gorge is located. Descending into the gorge, we will cross the river over an old bridge.
After passing the gorge, we will reach the final leg of today’s trek. This is a steady ascent, gaining us about 275 meters. Going over rocky terrain and passing by tiny farmlands, we will soon get to our destination of the day.
Activity: 6 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 6 of the Guerrilla Trek features the same trek distance as the previous day, a 12 km long trail with an estimated trek duration of 6 to 7 hours. By the end of the day, we will lose about 350 meters of elevation.
After a lovely breakfast at last night’s accommodation in Moreni, we will pack our lunch and bags and hit the road. The initial part of the trek ascends all the way to Upper Moreni, which leads to a ridgeline.
After about an hour of trekking, we will reach the ridgeline, and 1.5 hours of additional trekking takes us to the foothills of Jaljala Pass. This portion of the trek features some steep and moderate ascents.
Climbing the pass, we will pass by some tea shops that operate seasonally and a couple of huts used by herders. From the summit of the pass, we will get to enjoy an expansive view of the Churen and Dhaulagiri peaks.
From the pass, we will descend steadily through grassy patches, and after about an hour, we will cross an old bridge over the Uttar Ganga River.
There are many old bridges on this trek since the region is not very popular in terms of tourism, making them less likely to receive developmental projects. Following the riverbank on the right, we will gently ascend to our destination of the day.
Activity: 6-7 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today’s trek distance is about 14 km with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. The elevation loss of the day is around 250 meters. The trek begins with a descending trail alongside a grassy ridgeline, following the Uttar Ganga Valley.
After a while, we will cross the Myadgi district and enter the Baglung district, passing by a Tibetan refugee camp and an airstrip made by the Swiss government.
Descending alongside the southern side of the valley, we will pass by a forest of pine, oak, and rhododendron.
This part of the trek is a bit rocky, following the curves of the river below. Soon enough, we will reach the entrance of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. At the entryway, the officials will check our trek permits and let us be on our way.
After about 30 minutes, we will reach the town of Dhorpatan, where we will spend the night. But before heading to bed, we will visit the Sowa Rigpa Seminary, a Bon Gompa on the outskirts of the town. This gompa also serves as a traditional medical school.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 8 of the Guerrilla Trek features about 13 km of trek distance with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. Meanwhile, the net elevation loss of the day is 240 meters. Starting off, we will follow a rocky trail leading us away from Dhorpatan.
Descending into a forest of pine, oak, rhododendron, and juniper, we will get to the exit point of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. This trail is our last chance to encounter wild animals on the reserve.
At about the midpoint of the trek, we will pass by many tiny villages, namely, Bhuji, Kanga, Masa, and more.
After this, we will arrive at a series of homestays where we can dine with the locals of the village in their own houses. After lunch, we will cross a dense forest and ultimately reach the destination of the day.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
On the 9th day of the Guerrilla Trek, we will trek about 11 km over a period of 6 to 7 hours to get to Taka. This descent will lose us 435 meters of elevation. Starting the trek, we will gradually descend into a dense forest, trekking over a dirt trail.
Following the Uttar Ganga River, the trail features dense forests where Maoists used to hide during the insurgency period. The forest is full of moss, wildlife, and wildflowers.
Soon after, we will exit the Baglung district and enter the Rukum District, one of the most remote places in Nepal. Continuing the trek, we will pass by many Magar villages such as Gaba, Khoriya, Danda, Siba, and more.
The trail turns narrower and reaches a junction at Upper Sera. Our trail goes southeast, ascending a little to arrive at a ridge-top village. From there, we will soon reach Taka, our destination of the day.
Activity: 6-7 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today’s Guerrilla Trek features a 12.5 km long trail that loses about 100 meters of elevation, which can be covered in about 6 to 7 hours.
After breakfast, we will begin descending into the Uttar Ganga River and cross it over a bridge. You will also get to visit a small Shiva temple on the way, accompanied by a police post nearby.
Soon after, we will get on the ascending trail to the Tila Pass, reaching 3050 meters above sea level. This part of the trek is steep with a 45° gradient in some parts.
After about 2 hours of climbing, we will finally reach the top of the pass and enjoy a memorable scene of the Taka, upstream valleys, Bacchi Gaon, and peaks in the north.
From there, we will descend all the way to Lukum, reaching 2095 meters. This descent is almost 1000 meters of elevation loss. This steep descent features a narrow trail and follows a tributary of Jhari Khola as we lose elevation.
Activity: 6-7 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
From Lukum to Thawang, the distance is just about 10 km, which we will cover in just 5 to 6 hours of trekking. With an elevation loss of 100 meters, this trek starts with an ascent following the Ruji River upstream.
Passing by many small streams and a forest of pine, we will soon get to the ascent to Syaubari Pass. This pass is not that high, reaching only 2670 meters, but it offers a great view of the surroundings. After about 2 hours of trekking, we will reach the summit of Syaubari Pass.
Descending from the pass, we will pass a mixed forest with views of the Sisne Himal in the background. This descent transitions us into the sub-tropical zone from sub-alpine vegetation. From there, it will not take us long to reach the village of Thawang.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
Sitting at 1975 meters above sea level, this village is rich in Magar culture and history. So, we will spend about 4 to 5 hours exploring the different sites within the village and on its outskirts, and also go on a short hike.
In the morning hours, we will stroll around the village, exploring its stone-paved streets. There are murals of unexpected figures such as Mao, Engels, Marx, Stalin, and Lenin.
After this, we will visit Ajambari Jana Commune, a local community hall near a water tap. This hall played a major role during the Maoist insurgency as the villagers planned anti-Maoist actions.
We will also meet the elders of the village and local Shamans called Jhankri or Dangar. After we are done with that, we will hike up to a nearby hill for a scenic viewpoint of the landscape.
In the evening hours, we will experience a community-hosted welcome program with traditional music and dance being the main attraction. The locals will also invite you to dance with them, and you can just copy their moves. We will call it a day after a leisurely dinner.
Activity: 4-5 hrs trek
Meal: B L d
Accommodation: Teahouse
With an elevation loss of 340 meters, day 13 of the Guerrilla Trek has an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. We will have to cover about 9 km to get to Jelbang. Leaving Thawang, we will descend through a mixed forest and occasional terrace farms.
This path leads us to the Golpu River, also known as the Fiba River. At this point, we can go on an optional hike to the Bhama Cave, reaching 3170 meters above sea level.
Continuing the trek, we will descend into open ridgelines with views of Sapial Himal, Dhaulagiri, Api Himal, and more. En route, we will pass by many tiny villages, namely, Sirbang, Sukulbamg, Jemthang, and more, before leaving the ridgeline. As we drop from the ridge, we will get on the final leg of today’s descent.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
The next day on the Guerrilla Trek, we will trek to Sulichaur, covering about 14 km in the process. This descent will lose us about 800 meters of elevation with an estimated trek duration of 4 to 5 hours.
The trek starts with a gradual descent winding through a forest of pine and fir. Shortly after, we will follow the Naibang River downstream and cross it over a suspension bridge.
Continuing the descent, we will pass through more forested sections with occasional settlements along the way. Passing the village of Rulbang, we will reach a short ascending trail, leading us to Bhanjyang village, sitting at 1245 meters above sea level.
After a brief rest there, we will finally start the final part of today’s trek. This descent is steep and takes us to the Lungri River. Following this river, we will arrive at Sulichaur and end the last trekking day of the Guerrilla Trek.
Activity: 4-5 hrs trek
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today is a long driving day. We will have to cover over 277 km to get to Pokhara from Sulichaur, which takes a little over 11 hours to complete since the road conditions are not optimal and full of bumps in most places. Even the highways have potholes scattered all over their length.
Since the travel duration is long, we will have to start the day early so that we can experience the nightlife of Pokhara.
Activity: 11 hrs drive
Accommodation: Hotel
The following day, we will drive all the way back to Kathmandu, where it all started. This drive is about 8 hours long and covers approximately 200 km.
After we get to Kathmandu, we will have you transferred to your hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel
Trip Information
How does our trip start?
On the first day of the trip, you will arrive in Nepal and spend the night in Kathmandu. The following day, we will take you on a day tour around the city of Kathmandu, visiting many intriguing and interesting sites throughout the day. On the third day, we will finally travel to Pokhara, followed by a ride to Beni, the starting point of this Guerrilla Trek.
Difficulty
This Guerrilla Trek is moderately difficult because of its long itinerary; there are only a couple of tiring high ascents to mountain passes. In general, the trails throughout the trek are very manageable. You will not have any major issues trekking from one village to another on a daily.
Best seasons
The best seasons for this trek remain to be spring and autumn. The spring season is widely preferred for its vibrant flower blooms and greenery all around. Additionally, the sky remains clear for the most part, and the air visibility is great. Likewise, the season of autumn is also widely chosen by trekkers since it offers very minimal chances of rainfall, dry trails with less slippery mosses, and peak visibility. You should avoid doing this trek in monsoon and winter, while summer is a valid choice, although it can be a bit too hot.
Can a beginner join this trip?
Yes, a beginner can join this Guerrilla Trek even though it is a moderately difficult trek. Since the entire trek is very doable with a few high ascents that do not require technical climbing. Beginners of various stages, with sufficient preparation, can join this trek.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is not an issue on this trek at all, since the highest point of this trek does not even cross the 3500 meters, where altitude sickness starts. There is no need to worry about altitude sickness.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Accommodation during the trekking days is in tea houses and lodges that are owned by local families and communities. Some of the villages even have homestay options where the locals host you and invite you to their houses for the night. This way, you can experience the local lifestyle very closely, but it is not as practical as tea houses, which is why we will stick to tea houses.
Food and drinks on this Guerrilla Trek are a mix of local Magar dishes and regional delicacies with a few Western dishes. However, you will only get Western dishes in the first couple of villages. The remote villages are self-sustainable and rarely import food items from the cities, except packaged goods. You will have a great time tasting the local delicacies and Magar dishes.
While the Guerrilla Trek package provides you with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, drinks are not part of the trek. Your drink options are limited to seasonal fruit juice, hot tea, and locally brewed alcohol. However, we recommend that you stay away from alcohol for the entirety of this trek since we do not want you to be dehydrated and hungover the next day. If you just want to taste it, we are okay with that.
Transportation
Every ground transportation required by the itinerary is a part of the Guerrilla Trek package. You do not have to pay extra for any of the ground transport separately. This includes pick up and drop off at the Tribhuvan International Airport, a day tour around the Kathmandu valley, a day tour, drive to Beni from Kathmandu to start the trek, drive to Pokhara at the end of the trek, and a last drive back to Kathmandu.
Permit required for the Guerrilla Trek
For this trek, you will need a TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) and a Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Entry Permit. Both of these permits are a part of the trek package. You do not have to pay the permit fees separately.
Trip preparation and fitness
To prepare for this trek, we recommend cardio and endurance-building exercises. Strengthening your core and leg muscles is also a good exercise for this trek. Starting your training about 6 to 8 weeks before the start of the Guerrilla Trek is recommended by our trek guides.
Cost & Budget
This Guerrilla Trek package will cost you USD _______ per person. This package includes expenses such as daily meals (B, L, D), daily accommodation, daily wages of the porters and guides, permit fees, entrance fees during sightseeing, local taxes, and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
Charging your gadgets can be an issue in remote regions since they rely on solar power for their daily needs. Since they experience frequent blackouts, charging from solar power will cost you a couple of bucks. Internet connectivity is also not a luxury you will find on this trek. The remote villages do not even have stable electricity connections.
Your Extra expenses
The extra expenses of this trek are international flight expenses, visa fees upon arrival, personal travel insurance, extra meals, any kind of beverages, additional accommodation, emergency medical services, and more.
Things to Remember Before Trekking The Guerrilla Trek
- Offline maps can be really useful to pinpoint your current location and the destination of the day.
- Most of the bridges on this trek are washed out and rustic. But they are stable enough to handle trekkers.
- The tea houses and lodges en route offer the most basic facilities as they are far away from the services of the city.
- Water purification tablets are very essential for this trek, and also use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic ones.
- Most of the villages are victims of the civil war, so it is very important that you show some respect when discussing the war or the Moaists.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total trekking distance of this trek ranges from 130 to 140 km, depending on whether you choose to trek the optional side hikes. The standard route lasts for 12 to 14 days, which can also be extended by adding nearby trekking destinations and villages.
The maximum altitude of this trek is 3414 meters above sea level at the summit of Jaljala Pass. We will reach the pass on the 6th day of the trek. As you might have guessed, this trek does not go at high Himalayan levels, which makes it a great option for beginners and first-timers.
From Moreni, we will have to ascend about 1140 meters in total, although the net elevation change is -350 meters, with about 6 to 7 hours of trekking overall. In general, it is tiring and exhausting for most people, but with optimal preparation, you will pass it without any issue. This sounds like a lot of trekking, but you will be able to cover it with the help of porters who will carry your heavy bags and guides who will show you the best route.
Yes, we have included the optional hike to Bhama Cave on this itinerary since it is a great addition to the trek. This sacred cave, located near the Jaljala pass, is accessible from the trail between Jelbang and Thawang. It will take us around 2 hours to complete the hike round-trip.
A GPS will not show you the trek routes we will be traversing on this trek. While an offline map is useful to navigate and pinpoint your location, you will still not see the trek routes on it. In such tricky situations, a knowledgeable and experienced guide is what you need to be on the right track.
There are tea houses and lodges that you can stay at in Gurjaghat. While camping is a great way to experience the overall trek, you can also opt for tea houses.
The sacred and cultural Bhume Nach is a seasonal ritual performed annually around mid-May and mid-June. This dance ritual is a part of the Bhume Puja that is celebrated in Jaljala, Thabang, and Jelbang villages.
The standard meal provided in Magar homestays is the national dish of Dal Bhat with a few side dishes of their culture. Since homestays are not typical businesses that can afford to cook a variety of dishes for a one-time guest, they like to play it safe and not offer something most travelers might not like.
You will receive very limited mobile network connectivity in sections like Gurjaghat or Lukum. If you want to make an emergency call, you can let the trek guide know, and he will give you a satellite phone to contact the city team members.
Yes, you will find power outlets and solar charging in villages like Lukum and Jelbang. All the villages in the region face frequent power outage issues, which is why they have solar electricity.
You can buy food and snacks en route, but you will have limited options. You will get basic food items like instant noodles, instant coffee, energy drinks, energy bars, biscuits, and a couple of snacks.
The drinking water sources along the trail are mountain streams and natural springs that you can find in every village. The communal taps in the village are connected to the natural springs, which the locals consume directly. They have grown accustomed to clean and untreated water, but you should not take the risk; always use a water purification tablet after you refill your reusable bottle.
There are no “culturally sensitive sites,” exactly, but you must respect the religious sites en route and always dress modestly throughout the trek. The locals are very conservative, and so is the entire trekking region; public affection is also not entertained.
Wildlife, including Himalayan tahr, Blue sheep, serow, barking deer, wild boar, goral, and more, might be encountered in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. The other animals include musk deer, black bear, wolf, leopard, and others, but these animals are rarely encountered.
At present, Jelbang village is not a conflict-affected community, but back in 2003, it was heavily bombed by Maoists, which resulted in many deaths and the destruction of houses. The ruins of the attack are still visible.
Yes, every trekker must have a Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve permit to legally complete this trek. The checkpoints are located at the entrance gate and the exit gate, where the officials will check your permits.
Yes, the Kham-speaking Magar people are the ones responsible for making traditional crafts or textiles in villages like Taka or Thawang. They produce hand-woven garments, traditional attire, jewelry, and more.
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Dipendra Dhakal
+977-9851093471 (Whatsapp)