Chepang Village Jogimara, Dhading

Posted in: 8th Nov, 2013 Post Category: Blog of Nepal

Nepal’s Terai possesses a beauty that is totally unexpected in a country known mainly for soaring snow-covered mountains. Chitwan, a majestic and powerful location teeming with wildlife hosts one of Asia’s finest national parks, renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife. Seas of elephant grass ripple beneath a magnificent sunset and pervasive sense of relaxation soaks in deeper the longer you stay.

The newly developed Chitwan Chepang Hills Trail is unique because of one of the most ethnic cultures of Nepal- Chepang Culture which offers a rare combination of cultural and sightseeing experience. One of the most interesting aspects of the trek is getting a glimpse of the Chepang’s and other local communities whose settlement is in the mid hill region of Nepal The Chitwan Chepang Hill Trail begins at Hugdi, between Mugling and Krishna Vhir in Dhading district about 80 km from Kathmandu, and ends in Shaktikhor. If one starting from the Chitwan National Park the trail can also be started from Shaktikhor ending at Hugdi. Chepangs, believed to be influenced by Tamang, speak their own distinct language, leading a nomadic life and their primary lifestyle, hunting, foraging for wild roots and fishing and traditional farming near jungles. A Praja Pande (faith healer) might be an interesting figure for cultural tourists to be introduced to. They inhabit the remote and sparse contours of Makwanpur, Chitwan, Gorkha and Dhading districts. Other ethnic groups found in this region largely comprise of Tharu, Musahar, Satahar, Danuwar, Tamang, Kumal Gurung and Magar.