KATHMANDU, Oct 25: The Tamang Heritage Trail in Rasuwa and the Ruby Valley trekking route in Dhading have reopened to tourists following the construction of a temporary footbridge over the Bhotekoshi River at Syafrubesi.
The trekking routes were damaged by the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa on August 26. Balram Neupane, president of the Rasuwa Nuwakot Tourism Society, said the temporary bridge had restored access to Syafrubesi, allowing tourists to resume their journeys.
Around 1,000 domestic and foreign tourists trek along the Tamang Heritage Trail each year. The seven to ten-day trek offers visitors a glimpse of the Tamang community’s lifestyle, shaped by Tibetan culture and traditions. Highlights include stone houses with wooden windows, monasteries and mani walls.
The route passes through Syafrubesi, Bahundanda, Goljung and Gatlang in Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality before reaching Parbatikunda.
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Dinesh Tamang Phulung, secretary of the Rasuwa Nuwakot Tourism Society, said trekkers could enjoy views of the Ganesh Himal and Langtang ranges, as well as the Chinese border.
The route also provides access to the scenic Ruby Valley in Dhading. Tourism entrepreneur Rakesh Dhamala said the temporary footbridge at Syafrubesi had reopened both the Tamang Heritage Trail and the Ruby Valley trekking route.
From the Tamang Heritage Trail, trekkers can continue to Somtang and Pangsang Pass in Ruby Valley Rural Municipality, visit Seto Daha and Kalo Daha lakes in the Ganesh Himal area, and proceed towards Gangajamuna in Dhading or the Manaslu region in Gorkha.
The Manaslu-Larke Pass trekking area, which was disrupted by flooding in the Budhigandaki River in Gorkha, has also reopened to tourists.
Around 400 to 500 domestic and foreign tourists visit the Ruby Valley trekking route each year.
Other popular destinations affected by the Bhotekoshi flood, including the Langtang, Kyanjin and Gosaikunda areas, had already reopened for trekking.
The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) said the installation of a Bailey bridge at Betravati, which was damaged by the August 26 flood, had provided two alternative trekking routes to the Langtang region.
Under the first option, trekkers can travel from Kathmandu through Trishuli and Betravati to Dhunche or Thulo Syafru, then continue through Bamboo, Lama Hotel and Langtang to Kyanjin.
The second route runs from Kathmandu through Chisapani, Helambu, Tharepati, Ghopte, Gosaikunda and Thulo Syafru, before continuing through Bamboo, Lama Hotel and Langtang to Kyanjin.
TAAN has urged trekkers, tourists and tourism operators to check the latest trail conditions before setting out and take necessary safety precautions.