Arun Valley Trek -15 Days

Your arrival in Kathmandu will be marked by landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). A company representative of Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours will receive you and transfer you to your hotel. Evening you can meet the participants and the trek members. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, we start for the Kathmandu city tour which includes four of the UNESCO world heritage site in the Kathmandu valley.

Pashupatinath: It is a very large, complex, and focal point for the Hindu religion. This old and very revered complex of Temple and shrines is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism and very popular in Nepal as well as Indian devotees. Hindu people believe that Lord Shiva has multiple forms he is often seen as the destroyer god. This has great significance for the Pashupatinath temple as it is the site of many Hindu ritual cremations each day on the bank of the holy Bagmati River. Pashupatinath Temple is considered by Hindus to be an auspicious site for passing from one stage of life to the next through the purifying and destroying flames of cremation on the bank of Bagmati river and feet of Lord Shiva called Brahmanal. However, on a happier note, visitors may also get to see the temple in a buoyant festival mode with one of the many Hindu festivals like Shivaratri, Teej, Janaipurinma and many celebrated here throughout the year.

Boudhanath Stupa: It is a Buddhist religious complex with a long history back over 500 years and more. which is also the World Heritage Site UNESCO. Located on the eastern part of Kathmandu valley it is now a site of great pilgrimage for Buddhist followers who circle its massive stupa, spin its many prayer wheels and visit its beautiful monastery. The main feature of Boudhanath is its huge hemispherical white stupa with a central golden tower and the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha. It also believes that eyes represent peace and love. Visitors should circle the stupa in a clockwise direction and spin prayer wheels for good fortune and get Nirvana. Boudhanath surrounding is a kind of school for the visitors who are interested in Thangka painting to see highly skilled artists at work on religious mandala paintings.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: It holds the places of the ancient king who ruled over the Kathmandu Kingdom. The durbar square is an ancient Malla king of the Kathmandu Valley. It is all of the arts and architectural treasures of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also called the Hanuman Dhoka in central Kathmandu. It believes that the Kasthamandap temple was build in the 5th century from the single tree. The durbar square has many beautiful multi-storey pagodas and temples with ornate carving and carpentry artwork that tells some of the stories of the ancient kings and their mystical time and beliefs. The durbar square contains many important Hindu temples and statues such as Kal Bhairab, Swyat (White) Bhairb, and Lord Shiva. The main attraction for tourists contains unique and intriguing Kumari Chowk. This is an ancient and ornate house where resides in the Living Goddess. The young girl has chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process from the Newar community to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother goddess, Durga. At the Kumari courtyard the right time is in the afternoon you may see a brief glimpse of the Goddess at her window.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): Swayambhunath stupa complex that sits atop a high hill overlooking Kathmandu and the entire Kathmandu Valley with Mountain ranges on the north side. Swayambhunath is probably the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. It is another famous tourist destination and holiest Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims. This temple also called the Monkey temple due to the lots of monkeys and they have their swimming pool. This is a wonderful place to catch your breath and observe the sunset, start to understand the deep importance of Buddhist belief to the people. It consists of a very large white stupa with the all-seeing-eyes, it believes the love and peace of Lord Buddha and many small stupas and beautifully carved stone shrines on the top of the hill. If you feel more energetic then you might also like to try some or all of the 350 steps or more that lead all the way from the eastern part from the temple called Bhagwan pau (God Feet)up to your Swayambhunath stupa vantage point.

In the morning after taking breakfast, we fly to Tumlingtar, the eastern part of Nepal. The beautiful flight covers terraced fields, hills, Snowy Mountain, traditional village of the Himalayan range. We head towards Kariki Ghat. Moreover, in trekking, we meet various cultural and ethnics community villages.

The village trail and vegetation round about the trail are more interesting. In our continuous walking, we cross the suspension bridge over the Arun River. Finally, we meet the Kartiki Ghat and live overnight at the tea house.

We start our trekking after breakfast in the morning. We follow the tiny village Balwa Besi and cross the small river. Furthermore, we walk upwards through the forest, hazy valley, and Arun River. We cross the many small traditional village and attractive places and forwarded to Goethe Bazaar by crossing the Irkhuwa River two times.

The Goethe bazaar is the communal mixer of Gurung and Rai. Overnight at Goethe Bazaar with the representative of the great Himalaya.

After breakfast, we head to Lankuwa village and then go to Dhobani which is the trekking route of Salpa Phedi. On the way, we cross the many small traditional villages and bamboo bushes. We continue our trek upwards by crossing the forest. With the various green and snowy mountains, we reach Salpa Phedi and live overnight there.

In the morning we take our breakfast in Salpa Phedi and leave for Guranse. To go to Guranse we follow the upper site of Salpa Phedi, from this site you can see the attractive valley around Arun valley. The layers of hills various shades of icy-blue below us.

It will take us several hours of climbing to reach Jau Bari, a village where they grow the best barley in the region and where there is a Sherpa gompa (monastery) just below a lovely Sherpa-run campsite. At last, we get to Guranse and live overnight.

The same activities have happened on this day also. We start our trek after breakfast. Today we trek to the border site of Solukhumbu. On the way, we can see Karylang peak, and follow forest, and streams. The typical Sherpa village and its settlement make you happy on your trip to Arun valley. Even you will stay there for this night.

After leaving a pleasant tiny Sherpa village called Sanam we hike towards Gudel. Afterward, we arrive at the rustic gompa at Nimtsola here is Sherpa's influence ends and the land of the Rai begins. The trail is now larger as we contour another few hours along the hillside finally we reach the many buffalo huts and terraces fields of the large Rai village of Gudel.

The equally sprawling village of Bung and the Naulekh Mountains are visible in the distance as is Mera Peak. We get to Gudel and overnight there.

We start our trek after breakfast. Normally we will trek this day more than other days. We pass the parry field and other local plants. Likewise, we also cross the small stream and traditional houses. The Makalu Barun National Park is also our attraction of the day. Afterward, we walk towards the local school and Buddhist Gompa. Overnight at Gompa.

Today it takes a two/three-hour hike up to the crest after breakfast. Heading towards the ancient moss-covered Chortens and mani walls on the ridge we pass through a rhododendron forest and at the intersection by the small group of tea-houses.

We are continuous to Surkie La pass. The view of the sightseeing platform just above the narrow 'pass' ridge where we'll be able to see Karylung, Khatang, and Numbur Himal so head up for a look. Overnight at Sibuje.

We take our breakfast at Sibuje and trek towards the interesting pass named Gai Kharka. In our continuous walking, we can see the Mera peak. The beautiful village Shubuche can be seen, which has Tibetan influence. With the crossing of the interesting vegetation and forest, we reach the Pangum and stay overnight there.

In the morning after breakfast, we leave Pangum and head towards the Painya. We look out at the hilltop villages of Bupsa and Karikhola in the distance but veer right on a smaller wooded trail towards the small hamlet of Kharte two and a half hours away and then the Khari La ('wide pass'). Even we walk through the rocky trail and reach Painya. Stay overnight at Painya.

On this day, we trek to Lukla from Painya. The trail follows a sandy path with a strenuous walk. The trail is full of picturesque views of the landscape and some mountain scenarios. You can explore Lukla Bazaar and shop local items there. We stay overnight in Lukla.

You board a plane and fly to Kathmandu. This short and scenic flight possibly makes you feel nostalgic because of the glimpses of snowy mountains from your plane. You will be transferred to the hotel where you either have leisure time or you may catch the last moments exploring the sights of Kathmandu valley. Shopping in the market is also a good idea for your special loved ones.

Evening you can do shopping in Thamel for your friends & family. Evening farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance.

A representative from Himalayan Adventure Treks and Tours will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.