The off-beaten track “Indigenous Peoples Trail Trek,” which is located in the Mahabharat mountain range, offers the visitor unique, living exposure to one of the most culturally diverse areas of Nepal.
Indigenous People Trail - Discovering Nepal’s Abandoned Trail
Indigenous People Trail Overview
Indigenous Peoples Trail Trek: A 130-kilometer drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu Valley takes you to the newly discovered and off-beaten-track Indigenous Peoples Trail,” which is located in the Mahabharat mountain range and offers the visitor unique, living exposure to one of the most culturally diverse areas of Nepal. The ‘Indigenous Peoples Trail’ offers scenic trekking at comparatively low altitudes, below 3126 meters. Bound by Thulo Sailung peak in the north, the golden Sun Koshi flowing along the south, and the Tama Koshi in the east, the ‘Indigenous Peoples Trail’ presents an incomparable and natural blend of cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity coupled with a breathtaking panoramic view of 400 km of the Himalayan and Mid Hills, including Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himala, Langtang, Jugal Rowling, Numbur Peak, Dhaulagiri, Everest, and Kanchunja Ranges.
The highlights of Indigenous people trail trekking are the cultural diversity of different ethnic groups living in that region, like Newars, Tamang Sherpas, Thamis, and Majhis, etc. You can experience the different traditions, cultures, and lifestyles of people closely. People following Hinduism and Buddhism, with the variety of gods and goddesses, temples, stupas, and monasteries, are also found in the Indigenous People trail trek. Far from the city area, this trail rewards homestays in the local houses of local people and enjoying their traditional way of living. You will enjoy folk dances and songs performed by local people wearing their traditional colorful dresses. You will get engaged with the activities of local people, like cooking, attending traditional marriage ceremonies, etc. The Indigenous People's Trail Trek offers you the opportunity to learn different countryside traditions and get involved in these traditions of Nepal.
Wilderness Excursion’s carefully designed 7-day Indigenous people trail trekking package; the number of days can be customized according to your convenience. We will provide you with an experienced guide who will take you to the countryside far from Kathmandu city to make you experience the real and undiscovered Nepal and Nepalese people, their traditions, and their culture. You will observe the urban area and people in Nepal so closely, and Incredible Himalayan Sherpa Adventure offers you Indigenous people trail trekking trips packaged at a very good price. This trek is perfect for everyone and more suitable for those people who want to know the culture and tradition of the Indigenous people of Nepal.
Key Highlights of the Trek:
- Location: Ramechhap region, accessible via a 130-km drive from Kathmandu.
- Cultural Diversity: Exposure to Newar, Tamang, Sherpa, Thami, and Majhi communities.
- Altitude: Treks below 3126 meters.
- Scenery: Panoramic views of 400 km of Himalayan ranges (Annapurna to Kanchenjunga).
- Experiences: homestays, local dances, traditional ceremonies, and insights into rural Nepali life.
- Spiritual Sites: Hindu and Buddhist temples, stupas, and monasteries.
- Focus: Cultural exploration, ideal for those seeking authentic Nepali experiences.
Pick up from the hotel by your guide and take a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Mudhe and then to Dhunge Village, which takes about 6 hours of driving. From Dhunge, we can walk up to Sailung if we arrive on time; local buses can be really slow. It is a short 90-minute climb to Sailung hilltop. Retrace back to Dhunge for an overnight stay in a cozy teahouse.
PS: Public buses leave at 5:15 AM. You can opt to hiring a comfortable private jeep at extra cost USD 240
Early morning walk to Sailung to catch a sunrise if the weather permits. Sailing at the altitude of 3,146 m, which offers resplendent views of the Annapurna, Manalsu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorje-Lhakpa, Rowaling, Everest and Kanchenjunga mountain ranges. The hillside village of Thulo Sailung is regarded by the Tamangs as home to their deity, Sailung Phoi Sibda Karpo, or “White Male Lord of the Earth.” Get an insight into their ancient ancestry and role as former border patrollers. Then a short trek to Kholakharka.
Today’s tour descends Sailung Forest to Surkey Village, where you will be invited to receive a blessing from the Lamas at Rajveer Monastery. Along the route you will pass through a Sherpa village and a Tamang village, each with their own Buddhist Gompas. Prayer flags, chortens and mani stones are scattered along the route. Native trees and birds will demand your attention. The trail continues to the spectacular 40-foot Thinghare Waterfall, then on to the beautifully terraced settlement of Surke. You will spend the night in one of five newly renovated Newari homestays and visit the endangered Thami Community. A local Thami band will be on hand to entertain, and visitors can sample the local Raksi, a traditional alcoholic drink. Overnight at Homestay.
Experience the Thami cultural program at Tinghare village before taking lunch at Deurali. You will trek through the Doramba Valley, where the trail traverses along forested hillsides to the terraced fields of Doramba. It is a leisurely hike that follows the contours of the valley, leading to the bustling Doramba Bazaar, where you can purchase cold drinks, snacks, and music cassettes of a local Tamang singer, Shashi Moktan. Doramba is one of the largest Tamang settlements in Nepal, and most of the Thangka painters found in Bhaktapur and Bouddha are originally from this remote village. Enjoy a superb evening of cultural performances before your overnight rest in a Tamang homestay.
Rise before dawn to catch the sunrise as you trek toward Hiledevi. The trail navigates through a thick and hilly pine forest. You will encounter birds and mammals, as well as the enormous rock that is adorned with an image of Shiva, before emerging at Dhonghme, an ancient Yolmo settlement. In the evening, you will climb to the summit of Sunapati. Here, amongst the Buddhist Chortens, you will enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Himalayas before returning to the monastery lodge for an evening of Yolmo culture.
After another magnificent sunrise, descend to the village of Lubughat on the golden Koshi River. You will be walking along one of the newly renovated eco trails to reach the Sunapati hilltop. In Lubughat you will meet the Majhi people, renowned for their fishing expertise. You will be invited to join them on a Majhi fishing adventure and barbecue, followed by a cultural demonstration—the short trek of 2 hours to Nepalthok.
We catch a local bus (a private Land Cruiser jeep can be arranged on request) for the return drive to Kathmandu, which takes 5 hours, and transfer to the hotel. Trip ends, farewell friend!
- An English-speaking local Indigenous trail trekking guide.
- One shared porter between two trekkers to carry your main pack
- Meals: 6 Breakfast 7 Lunches, 6 Dinner during the trek.
- Lodge and homestay accommodation on twin sharing basis.
- Kathmandu-Dhunge-Nepthok-Kathmandu by local transport.
- Guides and porters fee with all their expenses.
- Trekking permit for this hiking route
- All local government taxes.
- Transfer, accommodation, and meals in Kathmandu.
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu (we can arrange on request)
- Alcoholic and soft beverages such as coke, Fanta, and mineral water.
- Personal expenses such as laundry and toiletries, phone calls.
- Personal travel insurance and trekking gear
- Rescue operation charge in case of emergency.
- Tips for your guide and porter.
Check our published date! If it doesn’t match, we are happy to customize your tour perfectly to suit your interests and needs, creating a unique travel experience for you
Our guide, Rahul, is incredibly knowledgeable and effortlessly brings up fascinating topics throughout the journey, sparking a deep curiosity about the surroundings. Our conversations spanned a wide range of subjects—water resources, electricity, hardwood tree species used in construction, shifting government...

Thank Wilderness Excursion for making my dream come to true. I feel very lucky and blessed to be here. The Lapchi is the place where a great Tibetan saint is said to have achieved Buddhahood in one single...

An unknown trek I can highly recommend for people who are interested in cultural diversity and prefer to walk off the beaten track. Starting point: Mudhe or Dhunge - Endpoint: Nepalthok. Duration: 7days After a 6hrs drive from Kathmandu to...
