Indigenous People Trail | 11 Days

This trek is famous for its cultural diversity and astonishing hill scenery with many excellent viewpoints and mountain panoramas. The trek is in the mid-hills of Nepal known as the Mahabharat Range and at a lower elevation than most other popular treks. It is, therefore, easier and suitable even in the winter season. The first section of the trek takes you to the highest point and from there on it is a pleasant, top-down journey visiting cave, temples, monasteries, fishing villages and much more.

Jointly developed by the Ramechhap Economic Development Forum and the United Nations International Labor Organization, the trail was opened in October 2009 by the Nepal Tourism Board. As of yet, it has seen few tourists and maintains its mystique, offering greater insight into the culture than the busier routes of Nepal.

We begin Indigenous Peoples trek with a scenic drive from Kathmandu through Nepal's lush river valleys and hills. Snowy Himalayan peaks are visible during the ride and from our beginning point at Dunghe. From there, a short trek up to Sailung, an important festival site with a Himalayan panorama. At 3147 m (10,325 feet), Sailung is the highest point of our journey. The hill is rich with plants used in herbal medicine.

We then take a pleasant descent to reach a Buddhist monastery and pass through traditional ethnic villages maintaining a timeless way of life. Along with this trail, you'll be meeting with people from the Sherpa, Tamang, Thami, Majhi, Newar, and Yolmo community.

The Thami are unique to this region and, with a total Nepalese population of less than 30,000, their culture is considered endangered. The Mahji, with a Nepalese population under 75,000, traditionally make a living near rivers through fishing and through boat transport, mostly in the plains bordering India.

We will pass several more viewpoints in the pristine hills and visit one of the largest Tamang villages in Nepal, Doramba Bazaar and the famous Hindu temple of Kandadevi. Eventually, we descend to Lubughat 535 m 1755 feet), the lowest point of our journey along the cool waters of the Sun Kosi River. It is a short walk to the road and a drive back to the Kathmandu Valley.

Note: After exploring the Indigenous Peoples Trail there is much more to do in Nepal. If you are interested in other activities such as more trekking in the mountains, tours of Pokhara and Lumbini, paragliding, rafting, canyoning, jungle safaris and more then we will be happy to arrange it all for you as a follow-on to the Indigenous Peoples Trail.

Few other newly opened trails: