Wellness and Cultural Preservation with Honey Hunting in Nepal

  • Instant Booking
  • Secure Payments
  • No Hidden Costs
  • DestinationNepal
  • Duration9 days
  • Trip DifficultyPahad (Moderate)
  • ActivityAdventure Luxury
  • VehicleLuxury Air and Land Transfer
  • Group SizeMax. 10 Pax

Trip Overview

Join a rare journey into the ancient art of wild honey hunting in Nepal. Experience wellness, culture, and purpose alongside Gurung and Kulung communities, bee experts, and local guides.

Trip Highlights

  • Witness the ancient art of wild honey hunting on Himalayan cliffs 
  • Embrace wellness and tranquillity in a serene mountain retreat 
  • Connect with the Gurung and Kulung communities, preserving their heritage 
  • Support responsible tourism and the conservation of Apis laboriosa, the world’s largest honeybee 

Apis laboriosa, the world’s largest honeybee, lives in the high Himalayan hills of Nepal. These bees produce a rare form of honey, deeply connected to the culture and lifestyle of the Gurung and Kulung communities. 

In recent years, changes in harvesting methods and environmental stress have affected both bee populations and honey yields. To support the natural cycle and traditional knowledge, organisations like ICIMOD have been working to encourage sustainable practices in the region. 

If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive - Abraham Lincoln 

Everest Luxury Holidays offers a thoughtful journey into this unique tradition of Honey Hunting in Nepal. Our Honey Hunting Cultural Preservation Expedition is guided by local honey hunters, bee experts, and mountain guides. The expedition is planned around the bees’ natural harvesting time, ensuring both safety and respect for the environment. 

Travellers experience this rare process from a secure observation point—close enough to witness the intensity and skill, while staying grounded in comfort. This journey is more than an adventure; it is a step toward preserving a living heritage.  

What to expect from ELH’s cultural preservation journey of honey hunting in Nepal? 

This journey takes you into the remote corners of Nepal, where wild honey hunting still survives as a sacred tradition. Our featured itinerary is currently based in Lamjung, though other locations like Solukhumbu may also be chosen depending on timing and conditions. One of the revered sites is linked to the late Maule Dhan Rai (1959–2018), believed by his community to be spiritually blessed by their deity, Rongkemi, for honey harvesting. 

This is a legacy-based expedition rooted in deep cultural meaning. With our signature heli-based access, you'll reach hidden locations where tradition, spirituality, and nature meet. At the heart of the journey is the warmth of Nepalese hospitality and the authentic rhythm of village life. 

The trip includes unique challenges, but safety remains a top priority. Expect real adventure: river crossings, forest walks, and standing just below towering cliffs where the hives cling. While you won’t be climbing, you’ll witness the hunt up close, guided by experts with years of experience. 

Honey hunting is only part of the journey. The experience is thoughtfully blended with wellness practices, slow travel, and cultural immersion. You’ll learn how these communities live in harmony with their land and traditions. 

In support of long-term impact, 10% of proceeds from each trip go directly to local initiatives in education, healthcare, and cultural preservation. Your journey of Honey Hunting in Nepal helps protect a living heritage while supporting the future of the Gurung and Kulung villages.

Itinerary

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Essential Tips

By joining this unique journey, you’ll play a direct role in preserving one of Nepal’s most sacred and ancient traditions—wild honey hunting. This practice is part of the cultural heritage of the remote regions, and your participation supports efforts to ensure its survival.

Our approach is rooted in choosing the right time and place for the experience, ensuring it aligns with both the bees' natural rhythms and the local customs. Here are a few essential details to help you prepare for the adventure. 

About the Bee – Apis laboriosa 

The Apis laboriosa is the world’s largest honeybee and is found only in the high Himalayan hills of Nepal. These bees are known for producing a unique form of honey, sometimes referred to as "mad honey," which is harvested in remote, steep terrains.  

The bees feed on nectar from rhododendron flowers, and their honey has a special medicinal value that is highly revered in local culture. 

Best Time for Honey Hunting in Nepal 

The best time to experience honey hunting in Nepal is between mid-May and the end of October or the beginning of November

May: During this month, the bees have properly harvested the nectar from the rhododendrons, which bloom in March and April. By May, the bees have produced their honey in abundance, making it the optimal time for harvesting. 

October-November: After the summer monsoon, the bees return to their hives for their final harvest before the cold sets in. This period allows the bees to store enough honey for the winter months, making October and November ideal for a second, smaller harvest. Additionally, the bees are less aggressive during this time as they have already completed their feeding and are preparing for the colder season. 

Our Responsible Practice 

Our approach to honey hunting in Nepal follows the principles of responsible tourism, ensuring that the practice is sustainable, respectful of local traditions, and beneficial to the environment. By participating in this expedition, you are directly contributing to the preservation of these bees and the continuation of their cultural significance. 

Our practice focuses on sustainable harvesting by taking only part of the honey, ensuring the bees' survival and future cycles. We respect bee health by using smoke carefully and selecting undisturbed spots to minimise disruption. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds supports local communities, funding education, healthcare, and cultural preservation efforts. 

Visa Process 

Getting a visa for Nepal is quick and straightforward. Travellers can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A valid passport with at least six months' validity and one passport-sized photo is required. The current visa fees are USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days.   

Our team will guide you through the visa process if needed, ensuring a smooth entry into Nepal.

Traveller Reviews

5 - ExcellentBased on 5 reviews
  • L

    Luke Smith

    8th Aug 2024 - Excellent

    Himalayan Nation Nepal- Just Topnotch

    I just got back from an amazing trip to Nepal with Everest Luxury Holidays, and it was incredible! The whole experience was top-notch, and I couldn’t be happier.

    The tour was really well organized, and everything went smoothly. The people at Everest Luxury Holidays made sure...

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  • S

    Sarah Johnson

    1st Aug 2024 - Excellent

    Porters are not Porters they are superhumans

    My trip with Everest Luxury Holidays was amazing, thanks to Kamal, Bhakta, and Dawa. Kamal organized our Upper Mustang tour perfectly. He made sure everything was planned out so we could enjoy every part of the trip.

    Bhakta, our trekking guide, was fantastic. He helped us through the...

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  • S

    Simona Tyler

    31st May 2024 - Excellent

    We enjoyed wearing traditional clothes and even tried archery

    I just came back from an incredible 14-day trip organized by Naresh at Everest Luxury Holidays. We spent 7 days in Bhutan and 7 days in Nepal, and everything was perfect!

    In Bhutan, we enjoyed wearing traditional clothes and even tried archery. It was so much fun and...

    Read more +

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