Take the 30-minute Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Our team meets you at the airport and drives you about 15 minutes (13 km) to your hotel in Khandbari. Meet your guide and porter, and pack for your 14-day Shiva Dhara trek
Shiva Dhara Trek
14
Days
Overview
The Shiva Dhara Trek is a sacred Himalayan journey into the Barun Valley, beneath Mt Makalu (8,463 m), the world’s fifth-highest mountain. It combines a real mountain adventure with one of eastern Nepal’s most important pilgrimage sites.
Shiva Dhara lies at 4,310 m above Yangle Kharka. Here a waterfall about 150 m (500 ft) high pours through a hole in a huge rock cliff. Local people believe this is the bathing place of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and pilgrims come to bathe in the holy water, which is said to wash away sins and heal illness. The sacred site includes the Shiva cave, the Parvati cave (Parbati Gupha) and the abode of Lord Ganesh.
From Khandbari, you drive to Num and walk to Seduwa, then climb through Tashigaon and Khongma, cross the high Shipton La pass and descend into the Barun Valley. After a rest day at Yangle Kharka, you make an early-morning climb to Shiva Dhara and return the same way.
Tea houses now operate along the route. You trek with a licensed local guide, as required by Nepal’s trekking rules, and a porter who carries your main luggage, so you only need a daypack. The steep climbs make this a strenuous trek, so good fitness is important.
Highlights
- • Bathe at Shiva Dhara (4,310 m), a 150 m sacred waterfall pouring from a hole in a massive cliff
- • Visit the sacred caves of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati (Parbati Gupha) and Lord Ganesh
- • A pilgrimage for many faiths: honored by Hindu, Buddhist and Kirat devotees
- • Cross Shipton La (4,216 m) and Keke La, with views of Chamlang, Baruntse and Peaks 6 and 7
- • Explore the Barun Valley and Makalu Barun National Park, far from the crowds
- • Trek with purpose: your trip employs local guides and porters and supports village tea houses and MAST community projects
Itinerary
A. Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 1,036m
- Day 4 3,560m
- Day 7 3,600m
- Day 8 4,310m
- Day 10 3,650m
- Day 13 1,036m
- Day 14 579m
| Day | Description | Altitude (Meters) | Net Gain/Loss | Trek Duration. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Khandbari | 1036 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Drive from Khandbari to Num to Seduwa | 1540 | 504 | 5-6 |
| 3 | Trek from Seduwa to Tasigaun | 2070 | 530 | 4-5 |
| 4 | Trek from Tasigaun To Khongma | 3560 | 1490 | 4-5 |
| 5 | Trek from Khongma Danda to Dobato | 3550 | -10 | 4-5 |
| 6 | Trek from Dobato to Yangle Kharka | 3600 | 50 | 0 |
| 7 | Yangre Kharka Rest Day | 3600 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | Trek from Yangle Kharka to Nghe Kharka (3750m) to Shiva Dhara (4310m) to Yangla Kharka | 4310 | 710 | 0 |
| 9 | Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobato | 3550 | -760 | 4-5 |
| 10 | Trek from Dobato to Khongma | 3650 | 100 | 0 |
| 11 | Trek from Khongma to Seduwa | 1540 | -2110 | 0 |
| 12 | Drive from Num to Khandbari | 1036 | -504 | 5-6 |
| 13 | Khandbari Area Exploration Day | 1036 | 0 | 3-5 |
| 14 | Drive from Khandbari to Tumlingtar, Flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu | 457 | -579 | 4-6 |
B. Detailed Itinerary
Day 2 :
Jeep to Num to Seduwa (1,540 m)
After breakfast (around 7:45 am), a reserved jeep drives about 4-5 hours to Seduwda through Num. Register your TIMS card and pay the Makalu Barun National Park fee (NPR 3,000 per person) at the park office. Overnight in a tea house in Seduwa.
A steady uphill walk of 4–6 hours past Chyaksedanda (1,890 m) and the primary school below Tashigaon. Overnight in a tea house.
Climb to Danda Kharka for lunch, then continue past Chipla (2,520 m) and Unishisha (3,180 m) to Khongma (4–6 hours). You may notice the first signs of altitude, so walk slowly and drink plenty of water.
Cross Ghungru La (4,045 m), Shipton La (4,216 m) and Keke La (4,150 m), with views of Chamlang (7,319 m), Baruntse and Peaks 6 and 7. The walk takes 4–5 hours. Overnight in Dobato.
Descend through forest to Phematang, cross the Barun River on a suspension bridge and continue to Yangle Kharka (4–5 hours).
A day to rest and acclimatize before your climb to Shiva Dhara. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the Barun Valley. Overnight in the same tea house.
Start very early, carrying enough food and water for the day. Walk slowly uphill past Nghe Kharka (3,750 m) and, with your guide, make your way up to Shiva Dhara. Bathe in the sacred waterfall and visit Parbati Gupha, Ama Bhujung and the other holy sites, then return to Yangle Kharka for the night.
Day 09 :
Yangle Kharka to Dobato (3,550 m)
Walk back up out of the Barun Valley to Dobato (4–6 hours).
Day 10 :
Dobato to Khongma (3,560 m)
Recross Keke La and Shipton La for a last look at the mountains, then descend to Khongma (4–6 hours).
Day 11 :
Khongma to Seduwa (1,540 m)
A long day of descent: walk down to Tashigaon for lunch, then continue to Seduwa (7–8 hours in total ⚠️). Your last night on the trail.
Day 12 :
Seduwa to Khandbari (1,036 m)
After breakfast, take a reserved jeep back to Khandbari (5–6 hours). Say goodbye to your guide and porter and review your trek with the MAST team
Day 13 :
Free day in Khandbari
Explore Khandbari at your own pace. Visit the market for local products such as allo cloth, rudraksha beads, raw sugar (sakhar) and woollen blankets (radi), or visit a school or project that MAST supports
Day 14 :
Fly back to Kathmandu
After breakfast at the hotel, drive 20 minutes to Tumlingtar for your flight to Kathmandu.
Flights to Tumlingtar are sometimes delayed by weather. We recommend adding 1–2 spare days to your travel plans.
Cost and Price Details
The price includes
- A licensed local guide: daily wages, food, accommodation and insurance
- A porter (one porter per 2 guests): daily wages, food, accommodation and insurance
- Shoes, socks, gloves and park entry for your guide and porter
- TIMS card and Makalu Barun National Park entry fee (NPR 3,000 per person)
- Reserved jeep: Tumlingtar – Khandbari – Num – Seduwa – Khandbari – Tumlingtar
- 2 nights in a hotel in Khandbari (one room for two guests)
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at Tumlingtar
- MAST service charge and government tax (VAT) confirm the 15% is included
- A contribution to our community projects
The price does not include
- International and domestic flights (Kathmandu–Tumlingtar)
- Nepal visa (currently $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days.
- Hotels in Kathmandu
- Food and accommodation on the trek (paid directly to tea houses, see below)
- Travel and medical insurance, including helicopter rescue
- Personal expenses: drinks, charging, laundry, shopping, offerings at the shrine
- Tips for your guide and porter
- Costs caused by events outside our control, such as flight cancellations, landslides or strikes
Tea houses: pay as you go
Food and accommodation on the trail are not included in our price. You pay family-run tea houses directly, so 100% of that money stays with local families. Budget around US$50 per person per day for meals, a room and hot drinks (paid in Nepali rupees).
Your Guide and Porter
Food and accommodation on the trail are not included in our price. You pay family-run tea houses directly, so 100% of that money stays with local families. Budget around US$50 per person per day for meals, a room and hot drinks (paid in Nepali rupees).
Altitude and Fitness
This trek reaches 4,310 m and crosses passes above 4,000 m. Expect steep climbs and descents, including one very long day on the way down. You should be fit enough to walk 5–7 hours a day on rough trails. The rest day at Yangle Kharka helps you acclimatize before the climb to Shiva Dhara. Tell your guide straight away if you have a headache, nausea or dizziness. Travel insurance with helicopter rescue is required.
Shiva Dhara Trek Map
FAQs
General
It’s strenuous. You cross passes above 4,000 m (Shipton La and Keke La) and climb to 4,310 m at Shiva Dhara, on steep, remote trails. Good fitness and some trekking experience are recommended
Shiva Dhara at 4,310 m, and Parbati Gupha (the Parvati cave) at 4,316 m
Usually 4–6 hours. A few days are shorter (about 3 hours), and the descent from Khongma to Seduwa is a long day of 7–8 hours
September to October after the monsoon, when the weather is clear and the trails are dry. [Add spring, March–May, if you run this trek then.]
From $1,056 per person for two people sharing one licensed guide and one porter. On top of this, budget about US$50 per person per day for food and accommodation at tea houses, plus flights and insurance
Yes. A licensed guide is now required for trekkers in Nepal’s national parks, including Makalu Barun National Park. All our treks include a licensed local guide and a porter.
Yes. Bathing in the holy water is the heart of the pilgrimage. The water is very cold, so keep it brief and bring a towel and warm, dry clothes.
You can charge batteries with solar power at most tea houses (bring your own charger and a power bank). There are no hot showers on this route.
There are no ATMs after Khandbari, so bring enough Nepali rupees for the whole trek. Mobile signal works up to about Shipton La, and there’s no connection beyond.
So your money goes directly to the families who run the tea houses, and so you are free to choose what you eat and where you stay.
Yes. Tell us what you’d like to change and we’ll send you an updated itinerary and cost. Extra days are charged at your guide’s and porter’s daily rates.
Fly to Biratnagar instead and travel by road via Dharan to Khandbari (6–8 hours). We can reserve a jeep for you.
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