Trekking the Chitwan Chepang Hills Trail of Nepal

This pristine trail (5 to 9 days) is an ideal choice for those seeking cultural interaction away from the popular, commercialized routes and can be conveniently combined with a visit to the World Heritage Site (Natural) of Chitwan National Park. The scenic route passes through mainly Chepang villages in the mid-hills that receive considerably fewer tourists than the traditional trekking areas. Himalayan panoramas from select viewpoints and village vistas are sensational and home stay enables a deeper cultural experience than can be had on more established routes. This book provides the essentials for entering the heart of Chepang country. Chepang have a distinct language that is of the Tibeto-Burman family and is one of a few, rare languages of the world that follow the duodecimal counting system with a base of twelve (rather than the decimal with a base of ten). Other ethnicities predominant along this route include the Giripuri (a subgroup of Chhetri which is a warrior caste that includes the former royal family), Magar, Bahun (Brahmin), and Newar. *Route descriptions includes exclusive new routes *Detailed maps *Side trips not found in other guidebooks *Glossary with practical vocabulary and key phrases *Cover Painting by Nicholas Roerich

Alonzo Lyons is co-author of Annapurna Sanctuary and Circuit (May, 2012), The Guerrilla Trek (August, 2012) and Trekking Nepal (Mountaineers Books, 2011) and writes for magazines, newspapers and online editions, chiefly about Nepal and greater Asia. He first came to Nepal in the mid-1990s and returns every available chance. His guidebooks include areas that receive little attention from tourists. The mid-hills of Nepal are rich with culture, customs, and traditions. His aim is to introduce travelers to the mid-hills in a land of well-endowed Himalayan splendor with the legendary hospitality of an openhearted people. Please visit his website, Secrets of the Himalaya at www.sohimalaya.com for more information.