The activity that is not yet fully commercialized in Nepal. Therefore, it is possible to witness the ancient Nepalese honey hunting and be sure it is not staged just for you. There are two seasons of honey hunting - late spring and late autumn and thus these are the times when you have most chances to see the hunters at work.
The hunters themselves could earn the title of most courageous people since they climb huge cliffs to get to their target - enormous bee hives, with, sometimes, above 2 million population. They've been stung so many times, that they might not even feel it. They use only traditional handmade ropes as means of transportation up. This is a spectacular activity considering the hilly topography of the country. The hunting goes on in isolated areas and may be a bit off the track.
Therefore, it would be a good idea to ask your guide for more information on the spot. However, it is known that autumn hunting is more often done in low altitude belt and takes about 5 days. The high altitude hunting occurs in spring and takes about 9 days. The duration depends on the distance to the base.
Practical info
When is the best time to witness honey hunting in Nepal?
Honey hunting in Nepal is at its peak either during late spring or late autumn. Hunters take up to nine days for honey hunting in high altitude areas during late spring, while the low altitude regions during late autumn take only about five days. Honey hunting is performed by hunters in isolated areas, so inquiring about it upon arrival is recommended. Show more
Where can we witness honey hunting in Nepal?
Honey hunting is a unique and fascinating activity in Nepal that takes place throughout the country's isolated areas. The most sought-after destinations for this activity are usually in the midwestern region of Nepal near Pokhara and Kathmandu. Visitors are advised to hire a guide who will take them to these areas and offer more information about the activity. Show more
How long does autumn honey hunting generally take place?
Autumn honey hunting, usually conducted in the low altitude belts of Nepal, generally takes about five days for completion. It is considered to be comparatively less dangerous than the spring season honey hunting as bees tend to be more relaxed in autumn. The perfect time to visit Nepal for Autumn honey hunting is October or November. Show more
What is the difference between the autumn and spring honey hunting in Nepal?
In Nepal, spring honey hunting is carried out in high altitude areas that last up to nine days, while autumn honey hunting takes place at low altitude regions that take around five days. Spring honey hunting is usually more challenging than autumn honey hunting due to harsher terrain and larger beehives. Both seasons, however, offer their set of unique experiences. Show more
How do honey hunters reach the bee hives, and what tools do they use?
To reach bee hives, Nepalese hunters climb high cliffs with the help of traditional handmade ropes made of a specific type of grass endemic to Nepal. These seasoned expert climbers have excellent skills in climbing and descending, and despite being bitten repeatedly by bees, do not much feel more stings. The hunters wear outfits from an earlier era. The size of bee colonies can scale to an enormous two million. Show more
