Sailung trek | Indigenous people trail | 9 days

Today, you depart with your guide and porter by private jeep to the starting point of your trek, Dhunge. You drive there via Dhulikhel and then the village of Mude. The drive takes approximately 4.5 hours in total. Today is a short hiking day. In Dhunge, you begin a short climb towards Thulo Sailung. You then follow the path downhill until you arrive at the Sherpa village of Khola Kharka, where you will spend the night.

Today you will hike to reach the summit of Thulo Sailung. At an altitude of approximately 3,300 meters, Sailung offers an impressive view over Kalinchowk towards the Annapurna, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Rolwaling, Everest, and Kanchenjunga; to the south, you can see the Mahabharata hills and the Sun Koshi River, and further down, you can even see the lowlands of the Terai! Thulo Sailung is considered by the indigenous Tamangs (the largest population group in this region) to be the abode of the region’s God, Sailung Phoi Sibda Karpo. The chörten on the hill of Sailung is the home of this divine protector, and the Tamang community is regarded as the ‘guardians of the land’. This is a very important – and therefore fascinating for you – place for the indigenous population. Just below the summit of Thulo Sailung is Gaurighat Cave, considered a source of fertility and health.

In clear weather, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunrise over the Eastern Himalayas here! After breakfast, follow the path downhill through rhododendrons to the Tashi Namgyal Choeling Monastery in Raj Veer, which was built in 1972 by the Bhutanese Drukpa Kagyu school. Unfortunately, this monastery was severely damaged by the 2015 earthquake. From the Raj Veer Monastery, the path continues downhill. You no longer walk through forests, but through green terraced fields. Along the way, you pass a Sherpa village and a Tamang village. You walk under and past prayer flags and next to chörtens and mani walls. The path continues downhill until you reach the spectacular ‘Thinghare’ waterfall: the water of the 12-meter-high waterfall plunges onto the rocks below. After another short climb, you arrive in the settlement of Surke, surrounded by beautiful terraced fields. You spend the rest of the day in the village. You can hike to the Gaurigaun viewpoint or visit the Thami community. This indigenous community is happy to show you their culture. There are only 30,000 of them left, and the survival of their Tibetan-Burmese community is threatened.

You walk through the Thami settlement before crossing the Doramba Valley. The path leads you over a wooded ridge to the terraced fields of Doramba. Doramba is one of the largest Tamang settlements in Nepal. Did you know that many of the Thangka artists you see working in Boudha come from this village? The Tamang are very hospitable and also have their own language. Be sure to try a few phrases!

You leave the Doramba Valley and hike up to the summit of Agleshwari Danda. Here, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Himalayas and the rolling Mahabhata hills below. A secret Hindu shrine is also located on this hilltop! You descend through a slate mine, then through pine forests until you reach Galpa Bazaar. This village is situated on a pass between two valleys and is a perfect spot for lunch! Khandadevi sits atop a hill at an altitude of 1,977 meters. The village is situated around a fascinating Hindu temple complex and is surrounded by ancient stone walls. The Hindu temple is dedicated to the Goddess Khada Devi. The surroundings are picturesquely beautiful! From the rolling, lush green Maharabharata mountains, to the snow-capped peaks of Numburchuili and Gaurishankar in the North, and views extending to the plains of the Terai in the South.

Upon leaving Khandadevi, you follow the path along a long mountain ridge, with views of the subtropical plains of the Terai on one side and the snow-capped Himalayan peaks on the other. Nepalese diversity at its finest! The path winds up and down through dense alpine forests before entering another valley. Before arriving in Dhonghme, you pass a huge rock in the middle of the forest on which a small temple dedicated to the God Shiva has been built. Dhonghme is an old Yolmo settlement home to many Lamas. The local Lama is happy to show you his extensive collection of Buddhist scriptures. In the evening, you can climb to the summit of Sunapati. The sunset here is spectacular. Because you find yourself surrounded by Buddhist Chörtens and Hindu temples, the experience is magical.

You enjoy a beautiful sunrise early in the morning. After breakfast, you descend today to the village of Lubughat on the famous Sun Koshi River. Here you meet the Majhi community, known for their expertise in fishing. You see the men, women, and children in the river, repeatedly throwing nets into the water in the hope of catching passing fish.

Today is the last day of your trek. You will walk through fields from Lubughat to Thulo Parsel. Thulo Parsel is a sprawling village with views of the mountains and the river below. Various communities live here, the majority being Tamang, Brahman, and Chhetris. This is also the birthplace of Chuda and some of our guides and porters!

The end of the journey has arrived. After breakfast, you will depart for Kathmandu in a private jeep. The first part is an adventurous drive, passing villages and with views of the river. Afterwards, you will drive past Dhulikhel, Banepa, and Bhaktapur until you reach Kathmandu.

The Sailung trek is a light to moderately challenging trek. You will walk an average of 4 to 6 hours per day on well-maintained paths. There are a few climbs, but no technical sections. Thanks to the relatively low elevation profile, this can be an excellent option for active travelers aged 55+ and families with children aged 8 and up.

The highest point lies at approximately 3,150 meters, at the hilltop of Sailung. Here, you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the Himalayas and the Terai lowlands. The limited altitude makes this trek very suitable for those prone to altitude sickness.

The best periods are spring and autumn: March through May and October through November. During these months, the weather is clear and pleasant, and you can enjoy beautiful views and blooming rhododendrons. Due to the lower altitudes, the trek is also suitable for winter, although it is a bit cooler then.

To make your stay in the simple homestays and community lodges more pleasant, we recommend bringing the following:

🛏️ Sheet bag or lightweight sleeping bag – for extra hygiene and warmth

🧦 Warm socks and slippers – the rooms are not heated

💧 Reusable water bottle and water purification tablets or filter – running water is never drinkable

🚿 Quick-drying towel and washcloth, optionally a saree or wrap – for washing by a stream or with a bucket

💡 Headlamp or flashlight – power supply is limited

🚽 Toiletry bag with toilet paper and hand gel – toilet paper is rarely available

🔥 Warm clothing for the evening – it can cool down considerably, even indoors

🩹 Personal first aid kit and basic hygiene products – there is no store nearby

Because the Sailung trek runs through remote and little-trodden areas, it is important to set off well-prepared. Carry the following in your daypack every day:

🎒 Comfortable daypack (20–30 liters) with rain cover

🧥 Windproof and waterproof jacket – the weather can change quickly

🌞 Sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap or hat

🥤 At least 1.5 liters of water – and optionally water purification tablets or a filter

🧃 Snacks or energy bars – there are few or no shops along the way

🧤 Warm hat and gloves – it can get chilly at altitude, even during the day

🧦 Extra pair of socks – for wet or cold feet

👟 Broken-in hiking boots with good tread

📸 Camera or smartphone – for the breathtaking views

🗺️ Notebook or small diary – to capture your impressions

🧻 Toilet paper and small trash bag – there are no facilities along the way

🚑 Personal first aid kit with plasters for blisters

A frequently asked (and valid) question. During the Sailung trek, you stay with local families in homestays or community lodges. This offers you a unique insight into daily life, but sometimes also evokes the desire to “give something back” or bring something along.

We recommend handling this consciously and respectfully. Although well-intentioned, gifts such as candy, money, or random items can encourage begging or inequality in the villages – and we want to avoid that.

What is appropriate:
🎨 Educational or creative materials such as colored pencils, notebooks, or balloons, which you can donate to the local school or community via the guide.

🧼 Small toiletries (such as a bar of soap or toothbrushes) in consultation with the guide.

📚 Booklets in English or visual teaching materials – especially welcome at local schools.

🛑 What we prefer not to do: hand out gifts personally to children or families. Do you still want to contribute? Ask your guide for advice. Often, genuine interest, a friendly conversation, and respecting their way of life is the most beautiful gift you can give.

During the Sailung trek, you will pass through remote villages where Wi-Fi is usually unavailable. If you still wish to stay reachable along the way or send occasional messages, we recommend purchasing a Nepalese SIM card with data in Kathmandu (e.g., from NTC or Ncell). This will provide coverage in some places along the route, although the signal remains inconsistent. Therefore, do not expect a constant connection – and view it as an opportunity to truly go offline for a while.

You will stay in simple homestays and community lodges. These are accommodations run by local families, offering basic amenities and a warm welcome. If there is a bathroom (not always the case), it is often located in a separate building. Toilets are usually squat toilets.

You walk through remote villages where tourists are still rare, and get to know lesser-known ethnic groups such as the Thami and Majhi. The cultural exchange and hospitality along the way make this a unique, valuable experience.

Yes, the Sailung trek is relatively close to Kathmandu, which makes it easy to combine this trek with a cultural visit to Bhaktapur or a stay in the spiritual village of Pharping.