Travellers all around the world are always seeking some new hidden gems to explore. They are always on the run to unlock some new adventures to throw themselves. In such cases, Nepal might pique the interest of many people.
This small country in Southeast Asia is home to some of the most secluded and beautiful villages. Hiding at the bottom of the almighty Himalayas, these mountain villages offer travellers a rare view into Indigenous mountain life. They are the perfect combination of nature’s beauty when blended with rich culture and a sense of timelessness.
So, here are the 5 most beautiful hidden mountain villages to discover:
Ghalegaon
Nestled in the Lamjung District of Gandaki Province, Ghalegaon has always been on every visitor’s bucket list. Mostly for the one who wants to experience authentic Nepali village life. Just 193.6 km away from the capital city, Ghalegaon lies in the courtyard of the Annapurna mountain range. It is famous for its remarkable view of the Annapurna range.
Visitors can decipher the daily amusing lifestyle of the Gurung community living here. It is also called Gurung Village. Gurung is one of the major ethnic groups that are the residents of this village.
Ghalegaon is well known for its green tourism approach and efforts. The Gurung community allows visitors to experience their daily lives by staying in their homes and interacting with their families. Ghalegaon offers numerous homestay options for visitors to choose from.
They can also experience their culture, tradition, food, and art firsthand. The Gurung architecture of the village is renowned for reflecting the community’s beauty and art. Visitors can also spectate the cultural dances of the Gurung community known as Ghatu, along with some cultural festivals.
The best part is visitors get to explore the nearby “Ghorepani Poon Hill,” which is one of the most renowned trekking spots in Nepal.
Nar Phu Valley
The Nar Phu Valley is situated in the remote regions of the Annapurna Conservation Area. It lies between the stunning Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. The Nar and Phu valleys are two distinct areas located close to each other.
The region is mostly home to Khampas, who are people of Tibetan origin. This is why visitors will get to witness lots of Tibetan culture and art around here. Visitors can also taste some Tibetan foods like Tsampa, Gyuma, Thenthuk, Yak butter tea, momo, and so on.
Besides Khampas, Bhotia is another predominant inhabitant of this region. The villages are surrounded by mostly Tibetan-influenced architecture and culture. It offers visitors a glimpse into life similar to that of Tibet. This valley, opened to tourists in 2003, is geographically negligible but culturally distinct.
Trekking to Narphu provides an immersion into Tibetan, Buddhism, and monasteries, which might provide healing attributes to some travelers. Besides that, visitors can encounter many ancient stone villages and monuments scattered all around the valley.
The Nar Phu Valley offers spectacular views but also an incredible variety of flora and fauna unique to Nepal. The trek to Nar Phu Valley might be physically challenging but will provide great satisfaction.
Tsum Valley
Tsum Valley resides in the northern part of the Gorkha district, inside the Manaslu conservation area of Nepal. Among locals, Beyul Kyumolung is the common name for the valley, translating to “hidden valley of happiness.” Foreigners often call it the “hidden mountain valley.”
The valley is surrounded by Kyirong, Tibet, on three sides. It has remained largely untouched by the outside world due to its limited infrastructure and rural settings. The Tibetans astonishingly preserve their culture there.
Many of the settlements have a warm spiritual aura attached to them. The valley was also once a place for many spiritual healers. Visitors can explore many monasteries, such as Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa, which are the popular ones. Besides that, visitors can also meet Tibetan Buddhist monks of the monasteries and witness their traditional practices and daily routines.
Another activity that visitors can carry out is to learn about the daily life of the Tsumba. Tsumba are locals primarily engaged in traditional farming and animal husbandry. In addition to potatoes and millet being the staple diet, Tsumba raises yaks, a popular mountain mammal in such areas.
The trek offers a deep dive into pristine nature surrounded by thick temperate forests and panoramic mountain views
Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang)
Upper Mustang refers to the villages situated in the Mustang District’s northern region of Nepal. The Kingdom of Lo was formerly known as one of the hidden mountain villages by its people. It was only opened to visitors after 1992. Upper Mustang, locally known as Lo Manthang, is an ancient town imbued with lots of old and antique cave dwellings, which is one of the most noticeable highlights of visiting this place.
On the contrary, visitors can also experience an atmosphere filled with desert-like landscapes, where travellers can discover the open scenery of the vast dry land, filled with mountains covered in sand and dust.
Other iconic places to uncover at Upper Mustang are the villages, like Chuksang, Ghami, and Tsarang, which offer a one-time cultural engagement and warm hospitality. Besides that, Upper Mustang also offers an adventurous and adrenaline-pumping road trip filled with lots of heart-shrinking moments on the spiral mountain roads of Mustang, suitable for any thrill-seeking travellers.
Visitors can also explore the narrow alleyways and traditional mud-brick houses of Upper Mustang, which reflect the art and history of the place, with some local bustling markets filled with high-quality local products.
Olangchung Gola
In Nepal’s northeastern Taplejung District, close to the borders with Sikkim and Tibet, sits the solitary and mysterious village of Olangchung Gola. It lies in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, a region that’s rich in natural beauty as well as in its cultural heritage. The Sherpa and Limbu ethnic groups largely populate this village, each preserving their unique traditions, languages, and lifestyles.
From the depths of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the Tamor River emerges, and by walking the banks of Tamor, visitors will reach Olangchung Gola. Ila Dada is the starting point of the trekking trail to the village, and it takes approximately seven hours to reach there.
On the way to the village, visitors can encounter numerous waterfalls and have to cross a notable amount of suspension bridges, alongside some wooded hills and the majestic Tamor, to reach this gorgeous destination. One of the specialities of Olangchung Gola village is that it lies on the trail that leads to the world’s third highest mountain, which is Mount Kanchenjunga.
It also offers visitors the opportunity to experience and discover one of the most remote and stunning trekking trails in Nepal. Not only that, visitors can also observe enchanting views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kumbhakarna, and other peaks that surround this region.
These hidden mountain villages of Nepal offer travellers an opportunity to see the country’s rich and diverse culture. It also provides visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of these origins and reward them with some breathtaking scenery and lifelong memories to take back.
Not only that, observing the traditional lifestyles of these places provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience, especially for those who love indulging themselves in nature and solitude. Besides them, Nepal is heaven for all adventure seekers who love throwing themselves into dangerous situations. Whether you’re walking to old monasteries in Upper Mustang or exploring the isolated valleys of Kanchenjunga, these villages are ideal for tourists wishing to venture beyond the usual tourist spots.