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
Shiva Dhara Trek 2026
14
Days
Shiva Dhara Trek Overview and Highlights
The Shiva Dhara Trek is one of the most wonderful trekking routes located on the lap of Mt.Makalu (8463m). The route combines an extraordinary mixture of journey, spirituality, and Himalayan natural beauty together. Having located at 4310 meters above the sea level people consider to be a holy bathing site of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parbati.
The Shiva Dhara trek takes around six days to reach the sacred site from Seduwa (1540m). You follow the path through Seduwa, Tashigaon (2070m) village, Then the route goes through Khongma(3560m), Shipton La (4216m) and Dobato (3550m) before you reach Yangle Kharka (3600m). After spending one night at Yangle the early morning you climb Shiva Dhara (4310m) have a sacred bath and return back following the save route.
The Shiva Dhara trek is one of the most difficult treks to accomplish. Since you have to climb steep hill, you need to be physically fit to undertake this trek The shrine is divided into three parts: Shiva cave, Parvati cave, and Ganesh abode. Every year Pilgrims visit this sacred place to have a bath with the holy waterfall and to be free from sins from their whole life.
Now-a-days there are tea houses available along the route for your food and accommodation. So, you can enjoy this trek with light luggage.
Shiva Dhara Trek Highlights 2026
- 500-foot (152m) long Sacred Waterfall cascading from a hole in a massive stone cliff believed to be a "sacred tap" created by Lord Shiva. Have a holy bath hand wash away sins and cure chronic diseases.
- Believed to be an ancient bathing place and playground of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- One of the famous Pilgrimage Sites for Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirat devotees,
- An off-the-beaten path trekking route which includes traditional villages diverse landscapes, green forests, alpine meadows, snow-covered terrain.
Shiva Dhara Trek Itinerary 2026
A. Outline Itinerary
| 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 1 :
Khandbari (1036m)
This is Your first Shiva Dhara Trekking Day. After breakfast at your Khandbari hotel around 7.45:00 AM, you catch a reserved jeep and drive for about 4 hours and get Num. After having some rest at Num, your jeep takes you down to Arun River up to Seduwa. Register your TIMS card and pay the Makalu Barun National Park entrance fee of Rs.3000 per person at the Park Site office. Your overnight stay at a local tea house there.
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.
Day 7 :
Yangre Kharka Rest Day. ( 3600)
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.
Day 08 :
Trek from Yangle Kharka to Nghe Kharka (3750m) to Shiva Dhara (4310m) to Yangla Kharka (3600m)
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.
Day 09 :
Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobato
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..
Day 10 :
Trek from Dobato to Khongma
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.
Day 11 :
Trek from Khongma to Seduwa
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.
Day 12 :
Drive from Num to Khandbari
After breakfast at the teahouse at Seduwa catch a pre booked 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
Day 13 :
Khandbari Area Exploration Day
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
Cost
The Cost Includes (For a Two-Person)
- Daily salary for one (1) porter-guide (includes food and accommodation).
- Shoes, socks, gloves, and park entrance fee for the porter-guide.
- Insurance for one (1) porter-guide.
- Trekking permits (TIMS Cards) for two (2) guests.
- Makalu Barun National Park entrance fees for two (2) guests.
- Reserved jeep transportation costs for the route: Tumlingtar - Khandbari - Num - Seduwa - Khandbari - Tumlingtar.
- Contribution to the company's community project.
- MAST Agency service charge, including government tax (VAT), Tumlingtar airport reception, etc. (15% will be added to the total cost).
- Khandbari hotel room charge (one room for two nights).
The Cost Excludes
- International as well as Nepal domestic airfare.
- Nepal Visa Charges
- All Hotel expenses in Kathmandu.
- Local tea house or homestay food and accommodation expenditure throughout the trekking route will be your responsibility. You pay directly to your service providers from your pocket.
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, etc
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
- Nepal entry visa fee is $30 for 15 days and $50 for 30 days.
- Other unforeseen expenses incurred due to accidents, strikes, natural disasters, political unrest etc.
- Your porter guide tips at the end of your trek.
Shiva Dhara Trekking Map
FAQs
Question 01: Can I customize this trek program as per my requirement?
Yes. You can if you need. No problem. After we finalize the detail itinerary, we calculate the total cost you need to pay us and send you for your consideration.
Question 02: How long do we walk every day when doing Shiva Dhara Trekking?
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
Question 03:What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?
The highest altitude reach Shiva Dhara (4310m), Parbati Gupha (4316m). This is the highest point of Shiva Dhara Trek.
Question 04: What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?
Yes, you can charge batteries with solar power. Charger should be brought. There are no hot shower facilities along this trekking route.
Question 05: Are there ATMs on the way to Shiva Dhara Trek?
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route away from Khandbari area. You will have to draw enough cash in Kathmandu or in Khandbari. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So y money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Question 06: What about internet access?
The Internet cannot be accessed away from Khandbari Area.However themobile phone can work up Shipton la. Away from the place no mobile works. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems.
Question 07: Is it necessary to hire a porter Guide for Shiva Dhara Trek?
Sinc e this trek is one of the most difficult one you need a good porter guide to support you for thsi trek.
Question 08: How much do guides and porters cost?
For the Makalu Region , pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $20 to $25 per day.
Question 09: Why has food and accommodation cost not been included in Makalu Arun Social Trek's trekking package cost?
At Makalu Arun Social Trek’s total trekking packages cost food and accommodation cost for the guest along any trekking routes has not been included.
We would like to provide you freedom to choose whatever food and drink and accommodation you like to have and pay yourself directly to your service providers. Your porter guide pays for his own food and accommodation, and you pay for your part.
Although we offer all-inclusive packages, we think it is cheaper and better for you to pay for your own food and accommodation along the trekking route.
Question 10: My flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar cancelled because of bad weather. And I could not find a flight ticket for the next day. What Can I do to travel from Kathmandu to Khandbari?
Fly to Biratnagar from Kathmandu at 7am, 11 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm (a 30-40 minute flight). Upon landing at Biratnagar airport, head to the main road and take an express bus to Dharan (fare of Rs.120 per person, 1 hour of travel time). From the Dharan bus station, go to the Dharan-Khandbari jeep counter. You can call us from there if necessary, but keep in mind that a jeep will only leave Dharan once it is fully loaded with 10 passengers. To ensure your travel, consider reserving a jeep to Khandbari (Rs.10000). Otherwise, you will have to spend the night at a hotel in Dharan and take a bus or jeep to Khandbari the next day (6-8 hours of travel time, Rs. 1000 for jeep/bus fare).
Question 11: What will happen if I add some extra day in my itinerary?
If you are interested to enjoy adding some more days in the itinerary, we welcome you to do it. But you will have to pay us for the additional days salary for the porter guide after you come back from your trek.
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