Taal Besi Walk along the Sundari Danda ridge visiting this small scattered hamlet inhabited by a mixture of the Gurungs, a well known hill tribe and the high caste Bahuns and Chettris. Sundari Danda, literally meaning `beautiful hill' in Nepali offers spectacular views of the Manaslu (8156m), Lamjung (6931m), Mt. Macchapuchare (6993m) and the entire Annapurna massif including most of its prominent peaks. Walk through the little village bazaar straddling a spur between the twin lakes of Begnas and Rupa.
Descend along an old winding village trail to Taal Besi, a small village that lives off fishing and trading with the adjoining district of Lamjung where goods are transported by porters and mule-trains. Walk along fertile paddy-fields and small colorful villages. You may either return by the same route or take another trail which is mostly along a dirt road that runs round the hill contours to Sundari Danda where your resort is located.
Rupa & Pachhbhaiyya From your resort take a narrow trail through bushes and Hazelnut trees ascending slowly to Chyaan Danda before reaching a small village bazaar. From here a trail branches south along the western bank of the Rupa lake. In parts it is a pleasant walk through quiet forested areas. Follow the trail through a thick forest of hardwood trees which gently gives way to terraced paddy-fields leading to Simaldanda village situated on a hill ridge. This is a small village
inhabited mainly by the Gurung clans. Walk on to Pachhbhaiya, one of the largest of the surrounding villages inhabited mostly by the Bahun-Chettri (priests and warriors) clans as well as by the low caste Kamis (iron-smiths), Damais (tailors) and Sarkis(cobblers). It is interesting to see these diverse Hindu upper and lower castes co-exist happily for generations. This village prides itself for its large UN funded school in the area and the fact that unlike in other parts of the country almost all families are reasonably well off and fairly well educated. Walk back along a wide mud-track to your resort.
