Barun is a Himalayan valley at the base of Mt. Makalu (8485m) which is the fifth highest mountain on earth. Exploring Barun Valley, one of the less-visited places in Nepal, we can see unique landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, and lush green forests. It offers a genuine wilderness experience in the rugged, uninhabited terrain of Makalu-Barun National Park. Likewise, the place is extremely rich in biodiversity and is a part of Makalu-Barun National Park. The notch is also a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts because of its globally significant biodiversity. So, many consider the area as a ‘living laboratory’ for international scientific research.
Experiences in Barun Valley
Barun Valley is full of contrasting landscapes. While exploring the Barun Valley every day feels different. The colorful alpine flowers mesmerize your eyes. The cascading waterfalls and deep gorges give a chill to your spine. Further, the roaring sound of the Barun River soothes your mind. Also, the spectacular view of silver-shining mountains remains as a memory for a lifetime.
When exploring Barun Valley, the fresh air and cool breeze against your body give your mind a break from the tedium and stress of everyday life. While doing the Makalu base camp trek, you surpass the valley. The trekking trails are a little difficult. So, if you are out to explore the Barun Valley; you require moderate fitness and acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness. Also, as the valley is scarcely populated, you won’t find many lodges or hotels to stay in. So you might sometimes have to sleep outside under the shadow of the Himalayas watching beautiful moon and stars. Such experiences make you feel closer to Mother Nature.
Barun Valley, Nepal | Photo from Letsbewild
Exploring Flora and Fauna in Barun Valley
Exploring Barun Valley is finding the pristine mountain ecosystem inside the peculiar landscape. As it is one of the least developed places in Nepal, the valley is still under the radar for most travelers visiting Nepal. The place is away from humankind and is widely recognized for its tremendous diversity of plants and animals. You can see some of the rare species of plants and animals found in diverse climates and habitats. The place has around 3000 species of plants, 440 species of birds, and 75 species of mammals. Some plants like Swertia Barunesis, Potentilla Makaluensis are found only in this valley. Likewise, there are several other rare animals like clouded leopards, snow leopards, red panda, musk deer, and wild boars. And, the place is also very suitable for bird watching.
Exploring the Religious Side
Besides the beautiful landscapes and diverse biodiversity, Barun Valley has religious importance too. Buddhists and Hindus consider the valley a holy place. Buddhist scriptures describe the place as a mystical evergreen place where no one gets old. Also, Hindus consider Shivadhara in the valley as a scared tap of Lord Shiva. The water comes from the stone roof of the domelike cave. Several devotees visit and worship the waterfall. We must ascend an extremely dangerous cliff before visiting Shiv Dhara. But the view is astonishing. Apart from the beautiful waterfalls, there are many high-altitude lakes too. Salpa Pokhari, Thulo Pokhari, Barun Pokhari, Dudh Pokhari, Kalo Pokhari are few examples among them.
In a nutshell, if you explore Barun Valley, you can experience the unspoiled beauty of nature, beautiful landscapes, amazing waterfalls, rare wildlife, and a lot more. Henceforth, if you are looking for a beautiful and calm destination away from hazardous human settlements, then you should visit Barun Valley.
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