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Dhading
district lies immediately west of Kathmandu, stretching
from the Ktm–Pokhara Prithivi Highway to the Ganesh
Himal range and the Tibetan border. With elevations
varying from 488 to 7909 m. above sea level, we find
sub-tropical, temperate and alpine climates. Average
annual rainfall is around 2,121 ml. Dading Besi can be
reached by bus from Kathmandu. The trip takes 4–6 hours,
depending on the traffic and road conditions. Several
rivers, among them the Budhi Gandaki, the Trishuli and
the Mahesh, run through the district. In addition to
panoramic mountain views of the famous Ganesh Himal,
Dhading also boasts such scenic attractions as Bridaing
Kunda and Ganesh Kunda lakes and the waterfall at
Ganga-Jamuna. Dhading district, like Nepal as a whole,
is marked by cultural plurality. Hindus predominate in
the lower regions; in the higher areas there live a
great variety of ethnic groups, primarily Tibetan
Buddhist in culture and religion. The main languages
spoken are Nepali and Tamang, with sizeable groups of
Magar, Gurung, Newari and Rai-Kirati speakers.
Labour-intensive subsistence agriculture remains the
main occupation. This in turn has meant that larger,
traditional family groups are still the rule. Wheat and
potatoes are among the main crops. Massive destruction
of the natural forest area due to over-exploitation and
mismanagement has decreased the total forest cover in
Dhading. Now, under the concept of community forestry ,
local forest user groups have been introduced, and today
much of the previous degraded forest area has regained
its original composition.
Dhading
boasts a considerable potential for trekking tourism,
which could benefit the local communities and raise the
standard of living. As yet, however, very little exists
in the way of tourism infrastructure, nor is there any
overall management, as elsewhere with Nepal's national
parks and conservation areas. As part of a larger
project to promote sustainable eco-tourism in Dhading
district, the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project
has been requested to provide volunteer teachers to a
total of seven rural schools. To date, KEEP volunteers
have taught at schools in the Sertung, Borung and Lapa
village areas.
Outline Itinerary
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Day 01 |
Arrive in Kathmandu |
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Day 02 |
Kathmandu - Dhang Bensi - Sangkosh Village |
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Day 03 |
Sangkosh Village Tour |
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Day 04 |
Sangkosh Village Tour |
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Day 05 |
Sangkosh Village Tour |
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Day 06 |
Sangkosh Village Tour |
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Day 07 |
Sangkosh Village Tour |
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Day 08 |
Sangkosh - Dhang Bensi - Kathmandu |
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Day 09 |
Kathmandu |
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Day
10 |
Departure |
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