To escape the congestion of commercialized trekking routes and get off-the-beaten track' to experience the real Nepal, take the 'Indigenous Peoples (IP) Trail in west Ramechhap District, 130 km east of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. The first of its kind in Nepal, the IP Trail offers unique, living exposure to one of the most culturally diverse areas of Nepal combined with the beautiful natural landscape. Sailung Peak in the north and the golden Sun Koshi River flowing along the south mark the start / finish point respectively of the IP Trail which offers a unique and natural combination of ethnic cultural diversity coupled with breathtaking Himalayan and mid - Hill panoramas.
Lying entirely on the Mahabharat range, the IP Trail offers mainly local Home-stay accommodation experiences offering trekkers a rare opportunity to experience the culture and lifestyle of six different Nepali ethnic groups. This top-down, gentle trek suits all types of trekkers particularly visitors wishing to avoid extreme high altitudes. The week long trail takes visitors from a starting elevation of 3146m at Sailung to 533m at Lubughat by the Sunkoshi River. The IP Trail package suits both the international as well as domestic visitors.
ATTRACTIONS
The IP Trail is a memorable blend cultural, Himalayan views and scenic landscapes. The trail boasts spectacular mountain views including the unique Himalayan panoramas from Sailung offering one of Nepal's few unimpeded Himalayan range including the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling, Everest and Kanchenjunga Himal ranges. It is against this magnificent Himalaan backdrop that visitors are welcomed into the culture and lifestyle of indigenous communities including Sherpa, Newa, Thami, Tamang, Yolmo and Majhis. The tow predominant Nepali religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, are ever present with a variety of gods and goddess, temples, stupas, monasteries and sacred caves.
The trail passes though the beautifully folded Mahabharat range and rolling terraced farmlands. The virgin forests at Sailung, Rajveer, Augleshwori, Galba and Khandadevi are the unique habitat for a varieties of wildlife including pheasant, deer, and Longoor monkey, as well as a seasonal spring blaze of blooming rhododendron.
The beautiful sunset and sunrise view and waterfall along the river at Daduwa, thatched houses and traditional colorful festivals such as Janaipurnima (August), Sora-Shraddha (September), Lhosar (February) and Buddha Purnima (May) are also among the special attractions offered on the IP Trail. The final trail destination, Lubughat on the Sun Koshi River, provides visitors the memorable experiences in river fishing and rafting as well as culture of the host Majhi community, Nepal's indigenous riverine people.
MEMORABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES
The serenely peaceful and scenic IP trail has been designed primarily for Homestay-based cultural trekking experiences within the 7-8 days, the unique tourism activities can unclude soft trekking, panoramic mountain views, visits to sacred sailung and environs, monastic visits at Rajveer (meditation services also available here), Doramba and Dongme, temple visit at khandadevi, forest walks, bird watching, traditionally decorated homes, sunset and sunrise views and cultural perfomences. Traditional economic activities include terraced agriculture, harvesting of forest medicinal plants and herbs and fishing. Mountain biking is also possible on the IP Trail.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
A 7 night / 8 days package is recommended for IP Trail visitors, while an exciting 4/5-days package can be appropriately customized for tourist whit less time available. The IP Trail formally starts at the Dhunge / Chaichhap bazar of Dolakha District to Sailung with a short hike highest point. The trail meanders thoughtfully downward the ethnic communities at Rajveer, Surkey, Doramba,khandadevi and Dongme, and ends at Lubughat. The trail itinerary and attractions are elaborated below:
DAY 1: KTM-DHUNGE-SAILUNG (7 HOURS)
Following road transportation from Kathmandu- Mudhe-Dhunge, commence the soft uphill trek from Dhunge to Thulo sailung enjoying its history and awesome Himalayan and Hill panoramas. Photograph the sunset on Mount Gaurishankar (7,134 mts) before retiring for the evening and overnight at the community lodge in nearby kholakhaka.
DAY 2: SAILUNG & RAJVEER ENVIRONS
Enjoy sunries and morning views of the Himalayan panorama from Thulo sailung while also visiting Sano sailung sacred caves, Tiger rocks and chhortens. Thulo sailung is regarded by the tamang people as the abode of the erritrial deity, sailung Phoi sibda karpo, (sailungs white Male lord of the Earth) visit Rajveer Gomba and forest after lunch. Savour the evening Sherpa cultural programme before your overnight at Kholakharka.
DAY 3: KHOLAKHARKA-RAJVEER – SURKY (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 down towards Surkey. Tourist are welcome at Rajveer monastery and to receive a blessing from the lamas. Enjoy a soothing foot bath at the cooling waterfall near Surkey. Your Homestay overnight at Surkey Village is a Newari cultural experience.
DAY 4: SURKEY-TINGHARE- DORAMBA (4 HOURS)
Experience the Thami cultural programme at Tinghare Village before crossing into the doramba valley via the rhododendron filled forest around to the rolling terraced fields of Doramba Enjoy tamang Home-stay culture programme at Doramba.
DAY 5: DORAMBA - GALBA - KHANDADEVI (4.30 HOURS)
Trek towards Augleshwori hill with stunning views of the Himalaya and the rolling Mahabharat hills below. Enjoy cold drink, snacks and lunch at Galba Bazaar before walking through the terraced landscape and pine forest to the sacred Khandadavi temple. Visit the temple and enjoy a stunnning sunset view and sight of the Sun Koshi River 1500 metres below. Relax with traditional Tamang Homestay hospitality this evening.
DAY 6: KHANDADEVI- HILEDEVI/ DONGME
Following the pre-dawn and sunrise photographic experiences, trek towards Hiledevi following a long ridge of think pine forest, home a wide variety of bird and other wildlife species. Experience the neat, traditional house along the trail before reaching the home of the ancient Yolmo people in Dongme. Enjoy spectacular sunset views from nearby Sunapati and visit Buddhist Chortens before returning to the monastery at Dongme to send the night and to enjoy the Yolmo cultural programme.
DAY 7: HILEDEVI-SUNAPATI- LUBUGHAT(4 HOURS)
Enjoy an equally stunning sunrise from sunpati before the final descent to the village of Lubughat on the sun Khosi River, famous for adventure rafting. Learn traditional river fishing with the majhi community and relax on the sanday beach beside the river. In the evening you will enjoy a fish BBQ or pig roast ( or both if you are really hungry), while learning about Majhi culture During a proudly-performed song and dance.
DAY 8: LUBUGHAT-NEPALTHOK DHULIKHEL/KTM(4 HOURS)
Cross the rivers by Majhi raft and suspension bridge to Nepalthok to catch the local bus or micro-bus for the short two-hour drive to Dhulikhel. Take an extra night at one of the many comfortable lodges there or drive direct to Kathmandu (1.5 hours).
