Nepal Owl Festival

Fusion of Entertainment, Local culture and Owl conservation Activities

Program Highlights

School programs: poem, essay and painting competition on owls and owl conservation camps

Public programs: owl conservation camps (slide shows in the public), owl conservation documentary, conservation speech, exhibition of owl conservation materials, exhibition of photos and sketches of owls, owl face painting, owl call device, exhibition of owl related materials

Entertainment:
Ghatu dance, Maruni dance, Jhyaure dance, Lama/Jhakri dance, Sorathi dance, nature photo walk, owl mascot

Conservation awards
Nature Conservation Award (four conservation/social heroes and sheroes working in the field of bird/nature conservation in Nepal and abroad), felicitation to the local conservationists and organizations

Competition
Bird watching (‘The Big Day’ celebration), Bhurung and Topi Jhikai games

Local attraction
Dense settlement of Barpak village, Baudha Himal, Monastery, Kot, Dhamithan temple, Chihandanda, local handicrafts, home stay, local museum, nature walk, village walk, local food and local cultural dances.

Access

1. A single bus leaves to Baluwa of Gorkha every morning around 06:00 from Gongabu buspark (New Buspark), Kathmandu, for which booking opens only a day before. The route is: Kathmandu-Mugling-Abukhaireni-Bara kilo-Baluwa. From Baluwa, you can get a jeep to Barpak (The trip takes approximately ten hours (Kathmandu-Baluwa; eight hours) and (Baluwa-Barpak; two hours)). In case you miss the jeep to Barpak, you can trek to Barpak via Mandre (approximately four hours of walk). Jeep can be reserved at NPR 6000-8000 (Baluwa-Barpak).

2. Alternately, you can take a bus from Kathmandu to Gorkha Bazzar (approximately five hours) and catch a bus to Baluwa (approximately three hours drive).

3. People who leave either from Kathmandu or Chitwan and do not want to visit Gorkha before heading to Barpak, can get down at Bara kilo and catch a bus directly to Baluwa. You can then get a jeep up to Barpak or trek up if you are willing to.

4. If you have your private vehicle (four wheeled or motorcycle), take the route of Kathmandu-Mugling-Abukhaireni-Bara kilo-Baluwa-Barpak. Please be sure that your vehicle is a four wheeler.

Home stay rate (Nepali currency)
Dinner, Lodging and Breakfast: Rs.700/night for Nepalese
and Rs.1000/night for foreigners
Lunch: Rs.100/meal for Nepalese and Rs.200/meal for foreigners

Hotel rate (Nepali currency)
Room: double bed: Rs. 300/night for Nepalese and Rs. 450/night for foreigners
            : Dormitory: Rs. 80/person for Nepalese

Lunch: Veg:
Rs.120/meal for Nepalese and Rs.320/meal for foreigners
          : Non-veg: Rs.220/meal for Nepalese and Rs.420/meal for foreigners
 
Organized by
Nepal Owl Festival 2015 Organizing Committee, Barpak, Gorkha district and
Friends of Nature (FON) Nepal, Kathmandu
Sponsor:ACCORDEOS foundation, Switzerland
Festival partners/supporters:
Local youth groups/mother groups/male groups, Barpak, Gorkha
Nepal Ornithological Union (NOU)
Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN)
World Owl Trust, UK
Houston Nature Center, USA

Brief about venue (Barpak village, Gorkha)
Barpak is a large village lying 45 km north of Gorkha bazaar, at an elevation of 1900 m above sea level. Homeland of Victoria Cross honored late captain Gaje Ghale, the village has approximately 1200 households with a population of around 9000. The majority of people in Barpak are Ghales and Gurungs with minority of other castes (Sunars, Pariyars, Bishwokarmas etc). The local economy of the region is primarily based on agriculture though the dependence upon remittance from recruits to British and Indian army also has a strong influence in the economy of the village. Home stay tourism is being promoted as a new prospect with a lot of potential.

The landscape of snow-covered mountains delights every visitor in this village. A perfect blend of diverse local culture, traditional houses built up of stones, stone paved trails and cleanliness of the village keeps you captivated.  The awe-inspiring falls and the charming Daraudi river offer pleasant moments while heading to Barpak from Baluwa. Those seeking for an additional adventure can reach Narad pokhari (4500 m asl) after two days of trek from Barpak village. During spring, the forests remain adorned with five different species of Rhododendron. Wildlife including musk deer (Moschus sp), goral (Naemorhedus goral), golden jackal (Canis aureus), Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus), leopard (Panthera pardus), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) etc. are found in the area.

Internet facility is also available at 40 NPR per hour in the local internet parlor.

Contact Details:

1. Mrs. Manoj Ghale (9846254709) for home stay
2. Mr. Jeet Bahadur Ghale (9846356555) for other local services
3. Mr. Raju Acharya (9841308266) for information about ‘Nepal Owl Festival, 2015’
4. Mr. Yadav Ghimirey (9849266026) for more information about ‘Nepal Owl Festival 2015’
5. Mr. Purna Bahadur Gurung (9846400789), Hotel Rupingla, Barpak
6. Hotel Bailam (9843002237), Barpak
7. Hotel Washigton (9846536111), Barpak1. Mrs. Manoj Ghale (9846254709) for home stay