Shiva Dhara Trek is one of the most famous sacred pilgrimage trekking routes situated in the Makalu Rural Minimality of Sankhuwasabha District of Eastern Nepal
Shiva Dhara (4310m) which is located on the lap of Mt. Makalu (8463m), the fifth highest mountain in the world is believed to have been a place for bathing of Lord Shiva and Parbati. There we can observe a massive stone cliff with a hole in its face and a majestic 500-foot-tall waterfall falling continuously.
Every year pilgrims from different places visit this site to seek to be freed from sins throughout their lives by having a holy bath in the sacred water fall and worshipping the God and the Goddess.
Your 15 days trekking program starts from Num. You travel (4 hours travelling) by a reserved jeep or public bus from Khandbari to Num village. From there you commence your real sacred pilgrimage trek with a big heart.
Your trekking route from Num goes down to the Arun River. After crossing the suspension bridge the river, it ascends and passes Seduwa village Tasigaun, the last village of this route. Then the route guess thought Khonama, Shipton la Dobato and finally reaches Yangle Kharka. The next day of your stay at Yangle you climb up an entirely dangerous cliff for your 5 hours and get Shiva Dhara (4310m). There you have a sacred bath with the holy waterfall, visit Parbati Gupha, worship the God and Goddess, enjoy the natural beauty around the place climb down to Yangle for your overnight stay there.
Now a days tea houses with very basic facilities are available along the trekking route, you can stay overnight there and enjoy the trek. Since this is one of the most challenging treks, you need a local well experienced porter guide to compete the trek successfully.
Daily Buddha Air flight (30 minutes) from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Airport. Meet the company representative there. Then catch an auto rickshaw or a private car and travel (13km, 15 minutes) and Khandbari Pre-booked hotel room.
Meet and be introduced with your porter guide there. Discuss and plan and pack the necessary goods for your 16 days’ Makalu Base camp Trek
This is your first day of your 15 days Shiva Dhara Trek. After your breakfast at around 8 am in khandbari, you border the Pre-reserved jeep and travel for about 4 hours and get Num.After half an hour’s rest at Num, your jeep goes runs down to Chamla Kharka. You leave your jeep there and commence your real trek. Your trekking rout goes down to the Arun River. You cross a suspension bridge and ascend. you will continue walking until you get Seduwa (1540m) in the evening. Your over night stay at a teahouse there.
Don’t forget to register your TIMS card and pay Rs. 3,000 Makalu Barun National Park entrance fee at the park office.
Your destination for this day is (Tasigaun 2027m). After your breakfast at Seduwa teahouse you commence your trek, walk for four to six hours completely uphill. You pass Chyaksedanda (1890m) a primary school at the foot of Tasigauun and get Tasigaun in the evening for an overnight stay at one of the teahouses there.
Your this days’ hiking destination is Khongma Danda (3560m). You trek uphill slowly and get Danda Kharka for your Lunch. After your lunch there you commence your trek uphill pass Chipla (2520m), Unishisha (3180m) and finally reach Khongma (3560m) after for up to 4-6 hours walking. Be careful, you may notice the first signs of altitude sickness. Your overnight stay at a teahouse there.
After a big breakfast at your tea houses you commence your today’s 4 to 5 hours’ trek. You cross three passes: Ghenguru La (4045m), Shipton La (4216m) and Keke La (4150m). Enjoy breathtaking views of Chamalang (7319m), Barunotse Himchuli (6424m) and admire the imposing peaks of Peak 6 (6739m) and Peak 7 (6105m) and finally get Dobato for overnight stay at the tea house there.
Yangle Kharka (3600m) is your this days’ trekking destination. You will have to walk for 4-5 hours to get Yangle from Dobato. After your big breakfast at Dobato, you begin your trek down, pass Phematang, cross suspension bridge on Braun river and finally reach Yangle Kharka (3600m) for your overnight stay there.
This is your rest day in Yangle. Use this time to fully relax and enjoy observing the stunning natural beauty around. Overnight in the same tea house.
Start your trek early in the morning and make sure you have carried enough food and water to drink. Head slowly uphill (4-6 hours), past Nghe Kharka (3710m) and with the help of your guide, make your way to Shiva Dhara (4310m). Bathe in the holy water of the sacred waterfall that falls from a high cliff. Visit Parbati Gupha, Ama Bhujung and other nearby attractions. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the area and then return to Yangle Kharka (3600m) and spend the night at the same teahouse.
This day you come back to Dobato from Yaqngle. After you breakfast at a tea house in Yangle, you start your trek back to Dobato which will take around 4 to 6 hours. Your overnight stay at a tea house there.
After your big breakfast at Dobato, begin your 4 to 6 hours trek to Khongma. Find a room for your overnight stay at a tea house there.
After having your breakfast at Khongma, start your hike down Tasigaun for your lunch. After that you walk for 4-6 hours and arrive Seduwa for your overnight stay there.
After a good meal, walk down to Arun river, cross the suspension bridge on the river and ascend to Chamla kharka Catcha in a reserved jeep and travel for 5-6 hours and reach Khandbari hotel room. Say goodbye to your porter guides, also meet MAST staff and review the entire trek
Today we split up so you can go to Khandbari area and start volunteering if you want. Take a trip to the local market and buy a handmade gift. In addition, you can see any hospital, school or project in which our organization is involved
Visit Khandbari market, buy some local product like Allo Clothes, Rudrakshya, Sugra tin (Sakhar), Sheep woolen blanket, (Radi), locally waved money bags etc as souvenir as you wish. You also have time to visit any school or hospital or any project supported by our company and do volunteer work that you like
Shiva Dhara is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3 hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4316m. This is the elevation of Shiva Dhara.
Yes, you can charge batteries throughout the trekking route with solar power by paying some money. There are no hot shower facilities
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Kathmandu or Khandbari. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
No. The Internet cannot be accessed away from Seduwa. But it is not s fast as you are used and sometimes you can lose connection. And Mobile Phone works up to Shipton La.
Shiva Dhara Trek cannot be done independently. You have to hire a guide and a porter through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
For the Shiva Dhara Trek, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST)
Khandbari 7, Sankhuwasabha.
Eastern Nepal.
Phone: +977 29562716
Mobile: +9779842084078
WhatsApp: +9779861714199
Email: makaluaruntreks@gmail.com
© 2010 Makalu Arun Social Trek(MAST), Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha All Rights Reserved.
