Day - Wise Itinerary

Day 1

Kathmandu-Dhunge-Sailung (7 hours)

The starting point is Dhunge village in Dolakha district, accessible by local bus from Mudhe (on the Kathmandu-Charikot-Jiri hardtop road), a 3-hour drive from Dhulikhel or 4.5 hours from Kathmandu. From Dhunge, a short 90-minute climb will take you to Sailung hilltop. more...

Follow the short trail down to the Sherpa village of Khola Kharka where you will spend the night in the newly established Khola Kharka Community Lodge run by local Sherpa and Tamang.

Day 2

Sailung & Rajveer Environs

Rise early to reach the summit of Thulo Sailung as the sun rises over the Eastern Himalaya. At 3,146 m Sailung offers magnificent views of the Annapurna, Manalsu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorje-Lhakpa, Rowaling, Everest and Kanchenjunga ranges. more...

To the south the Mahabharata hills roll over the Sun Koshi River sliding down to the Tarai lowlands.

Thulo Sailung is regarded by the Tamangs as the abode of their territorial deity, Sailung Phoi Sibda Karpo, which literally means ‘White Male Lord of the Earth’. The chorten atop Sailung is the seat of this divine protector and the Tamang Community are the age-old ‘custodians’ of the land. The souls of the ancestors together with the ‘Lord of the Earth’ guarantee the wellbeing of the people and the fertility of the soil. The four clusters of stone chhorten on the summit are related to the Tamang Communities in the surrounding area – the groups on the highest point facing south over Ramechhap, today in ruins, are the largest. At the chhortens Buddhist Priests perform ‘mandala offerings’ for the rebirth of the souls of the deceased. The lingams surrounding the Chorten are erected during Tamang death rituals and are left there to succumb to the forces of nature. The main rituals held here are Buddhist offerings to the souls of the deceased. During the festival of Janai Purnima (Saun Purnima), held on the full moon of July/August Tamang pilgrims crowd around the ruined Chortens at the highest point of Thulo Sailung. No blood sacrifices are permitted on Thulo Sailung as the shamans surrender to Buddhist Dominance and refrain from offering blood to the fierce female deities. Other sites of interest around Thulo Sailung include three formations of a tiger, snake and cow representing the coexistence between Buddhist, Shamanic and Hindu beliefs.

The King of the Tigers lived on Thulo Sailung. One day he was pursuing a cow grazing on the meadows of Thulo Sailung. Suddenly a snake appeared from the soil and came between the tiger and the cow. The three turned to stone and thus the cow was saved from the tiger. Two rocks below Thulo Sailung bear the footprint of Padmasambhava and his sword. Located below the summit of Thulo Sailung is Gaurighat cave.

It is believed that on full moon nights ‘milk’ is said to ooze from the stalagmites inside the cave. The cave is believed to be a source of fertility and health. Pilgrims pray for the birth of sons, relief from illness and for personal success and wealth. The cave is also considered the entrance to the netherworld, the realm of the nagas serpent deity. Legend has it that when a yogi meditates inside the cave for five years, a door leading to the interior of the mountain appears. A second cave locally known as ‘Buddha’s Gate’ or the ‘Door of Dharma’ has an exit hole almost too small for human passage. Only the most devout Buddhists who have not committed sin may pass. Squeeze through in the hope of purging yourself of sin and emerge pure! The third small cave, the Godavari cave, is believed to see flow of whitewater every twelve years at the full moon of August/September during which Hindu’s take a sacred bath to ritually purify the body. These caves are also associated with the Hindu God Mahadev, the popular form of Shiva, together with his female consort Seti Devi, the ‘White Goddess’ Parvati.

According to a legend, a shepherd discovered his cow giving milk at a large phallic rock inside the cave. The rock as it turned out was Mahadev himself. Enjoy lunch in Khola Kharka and continue along the trail, passing through rhododendrons blossoming along the way amidst the chirping of birds and insects. A short downhill stroll brings you to the Rajveer Monastery built by the Bhutanese Drukpa Kagyu School in 1972. The monastery also offers meditation stays. The craftsmen responsible for the paintings and frescoes came from Bhutan. Savour the evening Sherpa cultural programme before your overnight at Kholakharka.

Day 3

Kholakharka-Rajveer-Surkey (4.30 hours)

During the descent to Surkey Village through the Sailung forest, you will see a wide variety of native tree, shrub and bird species. Tourists are welcome at Rajveer monastery to receive a blessing from the Lamas.Along the route you pass through the Sherpa village of Dadhuwa-Dara and a Tamang village, more...

each with their own Buddhist Gompas. Prayer flags, chortens and mani stones are scattered along the route.

The trail continues to descend where the spectacular 40 foot 'Thinghare' water fall crashes onto the rocks below. A short climb brings you to the beautifully terraced settlement of Surke where you will spend the night in one of five newly renovated Newari Home-stays houses.

Spend a day in the village, enjoy Newari cultural, and visit the endangered Thami Community. The local Thami band is on hand to entertain and visitors can sample the local Raksi! Thangmi, known in Nepali as ‘Thami’, is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by around 30,000 people in eastern Nepal.

Day 4

Surkey-Tinghare-Doramba (4 hours)

Experience the Thami cultural programme at Tinghare village before taking lunch at Deurali. Then move towards Doramba valley where the trail traverses along the forested hillside around to the terraced fields of Doramba.The trail leisurely follows the contours of the valley leading to the bustling Doramba Bazaar, more...

where you can purchase cold drinks, snacks and music cassettes of a local Tamang singer, Shashi Moktan.

Tonight you will sleep in a local Tamang Homestay. Doramba is one of the largest Tamang settlements in Nepal; in fact, most of the Thangka painters found in Bhaktapur and Bouddha are originally from this remote village. Enjoy a superb evening cultural performance.

Day 5

Doramba-Galba-Khandadevi (4.30 hours)

After a pleasant walk out of the Doramba valley, the route ascends to the sacred Hindu shrine atop Agleshwari Danda where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Himalaya and the rolling Mahabharat hills below. Descend through the local slate mine, through pine forests to emerging at Galpa Bazaar. more...

Galpa Bazaar is a bustling centre where you can purchase cold drinks and snacks, an ideal place to break for lunch. About 2 more hours walking brings you to the Khandadevi temple. Perched on top of a 1985m peak, Khandadevi is situated around a captivating Hindu Temple complex encircled by ancient stone walls. The temple, dedicated to Goddess Khada Devi, was discovered in 1458 AD by a shepherd who discovered milk oozing from a sacred stone, an emanation of the Goddess. The site also served as a fortress during the Anglo-Nepal war. The setting is dominated by high hills of lush green Maharabharat Range with snowy peaks of Numburchuli and Gaurishankar on the northern horizon and southern views over the flat Tarai. Daily animal sacrifices, ‘Panchabale’, are still carried out today. Enjoy your night at the newly developed Home-stay.

Day 6

Khandadevi-Hiledevi/Dongme (4 hours)

Following the pre-dawn and sunrise photographic experience start your trek towards Hiledevi following a long ridge of thick pine forest. The trail traverses up and down through thick pine forests before crossing into another valley. Amidst the forest you encounter with the several birds and mammals as well as the enormous rock more...

adorned with a Shiva image before emerging at Dhonghme, an ancient Yolmo or settlement, inhabited by many Lamas. Much of the Yolmo youth are employed as Thangka painters in Kathmandu. In the evening, make the gradual climb to the summit of Sunapati, well-known for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Here amongst the Buddhist Chortens you can enjoy sunset over the Himalaya before returning to the monastery lodge to spend the night and enjoy a Yolmo cultural evening.

Day 7

Hiledevi-Sunapati-Lubughat (4 hours)

The next morning you get to enjoy an equally stunning sunrise before the final descent to the village of Lubughat on the renowned golden Koshi River. You will be enjoying the newly renovated eco trails while reaching the Sunapati hilltop. After arriving in Lubughat, you will meet the Majhi people, renowned for their fishing expertise and extraordinary culture. more...

Roaming through the rivers, men, women and children repeatedly hurl nets in hopes of catching fish. You will spend your last day and night here in Lubughat participating in Majhi fishing and enjoying a cultural demonstration before rising early the next morning. The Majhi fishing and BBQ experiences at Lubughat and further down at Seleghat have additional business potential as standalone products for short duration tourists due to close proximity to Kathmandu. Seleghat and Lubughat can also be a nice stop for rafting visitors as well.

Day 8

Lubughat-Nepalthowk-Dhulikhel/Ktm (4 hours)

A 45 minute walking through the River valley takes you to Nepalthowk. Catch the bus for the one-hour journey up Dhulikhel where you can find luxurious hotels and stunning Himalayan views before returning to Kathmandu. more...

Take an extra night at one of the many comfortable lodges in Dhulikhel or continue direct to Kathmandu.

Tamang

By their location on the ancient trading routes, the history of Tamangs has been influenced by Tamang By their location on the ancient trading routes, the history of Tamangs has been influenced by Buddhist Tibet and the Hindu Malla kingdom of Kathmandu. Traditional customs are still followed during births, deaths, marriages and at other important times in a person`s life. The "Tamang Selo" dance is performed to the rhythmic sound of the "Damphoo" musical instrument which the dancers carry in their hands. The dance full of fun and vigor and the brisk movement and rhythmic beat of the Dampoo depicts a style peculiar to the Tamangs. It is performed on occasions like marriage ceremony, Lho-Chhar, childbirth and village fairs. For more information visit the http://www.tamangsamaj.com/

Majhi

The Majhi peoples are indigenous to Nepal and are known throughout the country and world for their fishing Majhi The Majhi peoples are indigenous to Nepal and are known throughout the country and world for their fishing expertise. From the dawn of time the Majhi have had a special and intimate relationship with the rivers of Nepal and hence inhabit the banks of Nepal�s rivers. Possessing their own language, dress, and culture, the Majhi people are very proud of their heritage and communicate this through their own traditional songs, dances and many ritual functions. The ancestral occupation of the Majhi people is to help other people in crossing the many rivers of Nepal in their Majhi made boats. However modern bridges and government interference in their traditional working areas is destroying the traditional Majhi way of life. For more information visit the http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/majhi/introduction.php

Yolmo

Sindhupalchok, Northeast part of Nuwakot and Southeast part of Rasuwa districts. The name, Yolmo Yolmo Yolmo are the Indigenous people of the Helambu region, which comprises the Northwest part of Sindhupalchok, Northeast part of Nuwakot and Southeast part of Rasuwa districts. The name, Yolmo, has been derived by two words Yol (high area surrounded by mountains) and Mo (goddess). Like the other inhabitants of the northern region, the culture and identity of Yolmo indigenous people are derived from Tibetan language and culture. Mahayana Buddhists have revered Yolmo lands since at the 8th century, when Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Mahayana Buddhist, traveled there and chose it as one of the places to leave behind his secret treasures of wisdom. Also the great Tibetan yogi Milarepa pursued his rigorous meditative retreat there. Having strong links to this history and to Mahayana Buddhist in general, the lives of Yolmo people are centered on the Buddhist faith and its practice. As describe in the religious text, Yolmo is considered as an sacred and 'hiding places for sacred treasures' where the great master left his sacred treasures of wisdom (doctrine) concealed to be revealed by powerful masters in future in the time of need. For more information visit the Nepal Yolmo Social Service Association http://www.yolmo.org.np/

Thami

With a total worldwide population of only 30,000, the Thami Indigenous Peoples of Nepal have a unique but Thami With a total worldwide population of only 30,000, the Thami Indigenous Peoples of Nepal have a unique but endangered culture. According to their mythology, based on their oral tradition and religious texts, Paloke, they are the successors of Yapati Chukku and Sonari Aaji who reached the head of Tamakoshi, while travelling in ancient times, from Simangadh. Thamis call themselves Thangmi, meaning �people of pastureland' or �people living in borderlands'. Followers of neither Hinduism nor Buddhism in complete sense, Thami�s are worshippers of nature. Today Thami people are well known throughout Nepal for their traditional expertise in producing quality bamboo products and their strong sense of cultural pride. For more information visit the Nepal Thami Society http://www.geocities.com/thamisociety/

Sherpa

Sherpa�s, literally translated as easterner, referring to their origins in Eastern Tibet, are well known Sherpa Sherpa�s, literally translated as easterner, referring to their origins in Eastern Tibet, are well known throughout the world for their reputation as high altitude climbers. While their reputation as climbers is nothing short of historic, local Buddhist, animist and cultural traditions equally shape their unique, Tibetan influenced culture and traditions. Also closely connected with Lamaism, Sherpa rites and rituals are based on and determined by their religion. Subsequently, the lamas of the monasteries wearing red robes direct the religious life of the region and are considered the religious social heads of the community. Throughout the year Sherpas show their cultural pride and religious respect through numerous colourful festivals, most noteably, Lhosar, Mani Rimdu, and Dumje.