Indigenous People Trail

Indigenous People Trail - 10 Days

Indigenous People Trail is a classic route short and easy trek to escape the congestion of commercialized trekking routes and get ‘off-the-beaten-track’ to experience the real Nepal. The “Indigenous People (IP) Trail”  or IP trail culture trek takes place in Ramechhap District, 130km 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/end 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.

Newly open for trekking routes in Nepal, A culture trek par excellence, without a doubt one of the best trek in Nepal. this trek is possible throughout round the year, although, when you are travelling into spring season the Rhododendrons are in blooming. the trail has been given a name of ‘Indigenous People Trail’ (IP Trail) in honor of the six major ethnic settlements in the area.

The trekkers are welcomed into the culture and lifestyle of indigenous communities including Sherpa, Newar, Thami, Tamang, Yolmo and Majhis in this lively cultural route. The two major religions in Nepal – Hinduism and Buddhism are ever present in the form of gods and goddesses, temples, stupas, gumbas, monasteries and sacred caves.

Getting Indigenous People Trail

It is an easy trek. Starting from the trailhead at Dunghe and walking downhill to Lubughat or start at Nepalthok and trekking uphill to Dunge via Sailung. Ramechhap-bound buses run daily from Ratna Park bus station in Kathmandu at 6.30am to Mude.

Buses ply the five-hour return trip to Kathmandu via Nepalthok from the other river bend in Lubughat. Hiring a guide is helpful and necessary. No need to book accommodation as homestays are provided by the villagers along the way.

Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu (1400 meters)

Upon your arrival the Kathmandu airport after completing your custom formalities Visa, etc. pick up your luggage and look for our airport representative from Himalaya Discovery, who will display your name on the board at the arrival gate. You will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2
Free in Kathmandu for sightseeing and pre trip briefing and gear check.

Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old city where the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving is located. The whole area is a maze of temples and images. Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls.

Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ Swayambhunath and Buddhists shrine Buddhanath which is one of the largest Stupas in the world.

There will also be a full trip briefing today with gear check. In case you need to hire or buy equipment locally there will be time to do this today. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 3
Drive from Kathmandu to Nepalthok (4 hours) and short trek to Lubughat (533 meters).

We begin our trek at Napalthok after 4 hours driving by private vehicle from Kathmandu. After 45 minutes short walk along the banks of the Sun Koshi River, we reach at Lubhughat (533 meters) a small village of Majhi.

You will meet the Majhi people, renowned for their fishing expertise and their cultural milieu. In the evening Majhi culture dance presentation and overnight at local homestay.

Day 4
Trek to Dongme (1982 meters) 4 hours.

After breakfast leaving Lubughat, we begin our journey with a gently steep climb to Dongme. En route you will enjoy newly renovated trails leading majestic views of Sun Koshi river and the valley of Lubhughat confluences, then we arrive at Dongme 1982 m.

Dongme is a large Yolmo Tamang village. In the evening special Buddhist Monk culture Dance Presentation and Overnight at homestay .

Day 5
Trek to Doramba (2054 meters) 4.30 hours.

The walking is easy and after passing through the beautiful village we reach Galba Bazaar. The route gently ascends to the sacred Hindu shrine atop Aglehwari Danda where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Himalaya and the rolling Mahabharat hills.

Then we reach at the biggest Tamang village Doramba. The Tamang Culture dance presentation in the evening or morning depending on how the days trekking went. Overnight at homestay.

Day 6
Trek to Daduwa (2210 meters) 2.30 hours and half day rest at Daduwa.

Today, the trail continues ascent to Daduwa, traversing forest-covered hills and the terraced fields of Daduwa. On reaching the Sherpa village Daduwa, you will see the local Buddhist Monastery, Gompas, Prayer flags, Chortens and Mani stones. In the evening Sherpa traditional culture dance presentation and Overnight at homestay.

Day 7
Trek to Khola Kharka (2948 meters) via Rajveer 3 hours.

During the ascent to Sailung along with the journey, you will visit Rajveer monastery and receive a blessing from the Monks. The trail passes through rhododendrons forest with a wide variety of native tree, shrubs and different species of birds. We arrive at Khola Kharka where you will spend the night in the newly established Community lodge / tented camp.

Day 8
Trek to Maga Deurali via Sailung (3146meters) 4 hours.

The last day of the trek, wake up early to reach the summit of Sailung atop during sunrise over the Eastern Himalayas. At 3,146 meters Sailung offers magnificent views of the Annapurna, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Rowaling, Everest ranges. In the South, the Mahabharata hills roll over the Sun Koshi River sliding down to the Tarai lowlands.

At the highest point of Sailung, the main rituals are Buddhist offerings to the souls of the deceased. During the festival of Saun Purnima, held on the full moon of July / August, Tamang pilgrims crowd around the ruined Chortens at this holy place.

Nowadays, there are no more blood sacrifices at Sailung. Leaving Sailung, the trail continues descend downhill to Dunge Bazaar. Along the trail, you will see the splendid view of Mount Gaurishankar (7,134 meters). Overnight at Maga Deurali homestay.

Day 9
Drive back to Kathmandu (1400 meters) 5 hours.

5 hours drive back to Kathmandu, the rest of the afternoon is free. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 10
Free day and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

Today is rest and relax throughout the day. If you get interested to take some gifts from Nepal for friends and relatives, visit some nearby shops or go out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods which can be assisted by our guide or you can do it yourself too.

In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 11
Fly to home.

The trip concludes! Our airport representative will drop you to the airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

Price Includes

  • Airport transfers pick-up and drop-off.
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
  • Hot drinks. (tea, coffee, hot milk, hot chocolate).
  • Boiled and purify drinking water for the trek.
  • All accommodations during the trek either with (Tented camp or homestay).
  • All necessary paper works, trekking information management system (TIMS) permit.
  • From Kathmandu – Lubughat / Dunghe/ Mude – Kathmandu by private transport.
  • English speaking trained, government license holder guide.
  • The required number of staff and Porters to carry your luggage during the trek. (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
  • Accommodation / salary / food / drinks / insurance / equipment / medicine and transport for all staff.
  • Sleeping bag, and walking stick (if it is required)
  • Farewell dinner.

Price Excludes

  • International airfare.
  • Nepal visa and which you can obtain easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu.
  • Travel insurance which covers emergency Rescue and Evacuation.
  • Tips for guide / porter. (Tipping is expected).
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on the 'Price Include' section.

Q. Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon my arrival?

A. Yes, our airport representative will be there to greet you at the airport. S/he will be displaying an Himalaya Discovery Adventures sign board outside the airport terminal. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel by our tourist vehicle.

Q. When is the best time to travel to Nepal?

A. For the trekking regions of the Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, Jumla Rara Lake, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Manaslu we recommend the periods February to May and September to December as the best time for travelling.

  •  For trekking in Mustang or Dolpo region we recommend May to September.
  • The Poon hill  trek  in the Annapurna region takes place throughout the entire year.
  • Cultural tours takes place throughout the entire year. For the best mountain views the periods February to May and September to December are recommended.

Q. How is the climate (temperatures) during the seasons?

A. Winter – January and February. Pleasant temperatures. The nights, mornings and evenings can, however, be quite cold (approx. 0°C – 5°C. Throughout the day, it is mostly sunny with cooler temperatures (approx. 18°C – 20°C).

Spring – March to May. Hot and dry pre-monsoon season (approx. 25°C – 30°C during the day, and approx. 7°C – 20°C at night). May is the hottest month in the lowlands. June is the hottest month in the mountains.

Summer – Monsoon from June to August (approx. 28°C – 30°C during the day, and approx. 20°C at night). Strong rainfall, continuous sultriness and high humidity.

Early autumn – From September the monsoon season is constantly interrupted by periods with only a slight rainfall. Towards the end of August the pauses in rainfall become more frequent and longer.

Late autumn – Post-monsoon season from October to December. The nights, mornings and evenings can be relatively cool (approx. 5°C – 10°C). During the day the sun shines and it is warm (approx. 20°C – 27°C).

Q. Where can I change money?

A. Any cash you have taken with you can be exchanged into Nepalese rupees at the banks, large hotels and the numerous bureau de changes.

Q. Can I use my mobile phone in Nepal?

A. The network coverage is meanwhile quite good in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and other parts of the Terai (in the rural areas it is very unpredictable).

Basically, foreign SIM cards (providers having international roaming contracts with Nepal) can also be used. However, it is cheaper to buy a local SIM card (Mero Mobile, NTC (GSM) – for approx. NPR 500 or more) and top this up.

Q. Can I use the tap water for drinking and brushing teeth?

A. Tap water is not suitable for drinking in Nepal and it should not be used for cleaning your teeth, either. As there is often a scarcity of water in the countryside, water should be used very sparingly.

Q. What should I concern during my stay in Nepal?

A. Nepali people are very kind and friendly, but there are some things that you should be aware of:

  • Do not take photos of anyone without their permission; always ask permission first!
  • Do not wear hot pants/short paints or stylish clothes in the remote area! (shoulders and legs should be covered)
  • Do not wear hats or caps when you enter a chapel!
  • Do not touch Buddha statues or ritual offerings inside of a monastery!
  • Do not kiss or hug in public places, especially in monasteries!
  • Do not step across someone’s feet, cups or cooking gears!

Q. What documents do I need to visit Nepal?

A. A tourist visa is required for entering Nepal. The tourist visa can be applied for, for different lengths of stay. A visa is required for children under 10 years but no fee is charged. The entry to Nepal must take place within 6 months of issuing the visa.

Q. How much does the Visa for Nepal cost?

A. The fees for the tourist visa (fees valid since 16.07.2008) are staggered as follows:

  • 15 days (several entries possible)  $ 30 (approx. EUR 27.00)
  • 30 days (several entries possible)  $ 50 (approx. EUR 45.00)
  • 90 days (several entries possible)  $ 125 (approx. EUR 115.00)

An extension of the visa to a maximum of 150 days is possible (per year – January to December). The extension must be made at the Immigration Office in Kathmandu. A fee of $ 2.00 is charged in Nepalese rupees (NPR) per day of extension.

Q. Can I find a hospital with western doctors?

A. CIWEC Clinic with western doctors is located in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Tel. +977 1 442 4111, info@ciwec-clinic.com.

Q. Do I need an international health and travel insurance?

A. It is recommended taking out a travel and health insurance covering the following risks:- Emergency and personal accident transport/emergency evacuation (helicopter rescue, rescue costs in a case of illness or accident), medical and personal accident risks, repatriation, tour cancellation, damages and theft of baggage.

Q. What happens in bad weather periods?

A. There is virtually always a possibility of a flight delay or postponement owing to highly unpredictable weather conditions that may occur in Himalayan regions, in particular, in the Everest region (Lukla), Jomsom, Dolpo, Simikot and the Jumla region, etc.

When trekking in remote areas or those described above, and especially outside the trekking season, the clients are strongly advised to reserve extra days for making  allowance for possible delays, and thereby avoid any frustrating consequences. In the case of a delayed flight prior to commencing the tour, or at the end of the tour, the participants shall pay for their own accommodation, food costs, etc.

Q. Where can I store my unneeded luggage during trekking?

A. As a rule there is the possibility before commencing the trek, of depositing part of the baggage in the hotel in Kathmandu or in Pokhara.

Q. What kind of meals I can have during the trekking?

A. All Meals on full board basis will be provided during trekking. Freshly cooked food is served at all times (western, continental and Nepalese, Chinese, Indian and Tibetan meals are available in all places).

Q. Is there any communication while we are on trekking?

A. There are telephones in some villages along the trekking routes from which you can make international calls. All our guides are equipped with the local mobile phone. You may wish to pass the number of our guide to your family for the callback or you can make a call from the guide’s mobile and pay him directly for the international call too.

Q. Can I re-charge camera batteries along the trek?

A. Yes, Most of the places, you can charge batteries along the trek (per hour USD 2 – 3 for charging).

Q. What kinds of banking facilities in Nepal?

A. Nepal has modern banking facilities and some international banks even have offices in Kathmandu. Almost all foreign currencies along with credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Master card are accepted in Nepal. Nepal has also ATM facilities as well.

The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. This itinerary can be customized according to the duration of your holiday. We have many options for shorter visits based on your interests and budget.

On an adventure trip of this type, weather, political strikes, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is however very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Indigenous People Trail

Trip Facts

  • 10 Days
  • Easy
  • Min. 2 to Max. 10 People
  • Feb, March, April, May, June, Sept, Oct, Nov & Dec.
  • 3,146m.
  • Nepalthok/Dhunge
  • 4 to 5 hours
  • Ramechhap
Chhiring Sherpa - Trip Planner

“I was born and raised in Nepal, nearby Everest region. I am proud to be a native Sherpa, and I have been a Mountain guide over a decade now. Following my passion, I decided to start helping travelers with their travel plans! I think life is a journey, a trip where you collect experiences when you share with other people and with nature.”