This hidden Himalayan valley “Shiva Dhara'' A large stone cliff which has a hole in its face and through which a 500 feet tall waterfall cascades Considered as the most sacred tap of Lord Shiva. According to ancient tales, it was Lord Shiva and Parbati’s playground, where they played and bathed during Spring. It is one of the most famous hidden pilgrimage sites situated at the base of the fifth highest mountain in the world, Ma...
This hidden Himalayan valley “Shiva Dhara'' A large stone cliff which has a hole in its face and through which a 500 feet tall waterfall cascades Considered as the most sacred tap of Lord Shiva. According to ancient tales, it was Lord Shiva and Parbati’s playground, where they played and bathed during Spring. It is one of the most famous hidden pilgrimage sites situated at the base of the fifth highest mountain in the world, Makalu (8481 m / 27,825 ft). Nestled in the Sankhuwasabha district, The Shiva Dhara “Barun Valley '' Well known as The Seven Shangri-La As mystical and spectacularly beautiful evergreen places where no one gets old. The trail is full of contrasting landscapes and still under the shade for most outdoor travelers and lovers visiting Nepal. Because of this, you will have much of the trail all to yourself as you walk for days on end through the pristine landscape and you will be fortunate enough to be among the first few to reach and explore the isolated villages and experience raw wilderness deep into the Makalu-Barun National Park. Shiva Dhara is covered in snow throughout most of the year. Pilgrims trek to the site to bathe in the holy waters on a full moon every year.
Our adventure starts with a 35 minutes flight or Via driving to Tumlingtar, a remote airstrip sitting above Arun Khola. Then drive north to Khandbari, The district administrative town of Sankhuwasabha (DAS) and stay overnight in a local lodge or hotel. Our drive continues further north to Num from where we start our walk.
NOTE: For the safety of our clients before starting or day before heading towards Shiva Dhara we will provide some knowledge of usages of climbing gear safety clips which will be a plus point and useful at the final few hours of technical cliffs you will be climbing through;).
History of Barun Valley: It is believed that this pristine land on earth was inhabited by the Mewahang, Kulung, Yamfu, Kirat and Rai communities in ancient times. You can still find Kirat and Rai communities around the area. You can also find about the Barun Valley in the ancient religious Buddhist book Seven Shangri-la (Nghe-Beyul Khimpalung). It describes Barun Valley as mystical and spectacularly beautiful evergreen places where no one gets old.
Makalu Barun National Park: Established as an eastern extension of Sagarmatha National Park in 1991. It covers an area of 1500 sq km. In addition, the buffer zone of 830 sq km was extended in 1999. The elevation range of this protected area starts from 435 m to above 8000 m. For this reason, Makalu Barun National Park is the world’s only protected area that comprises tropical forests as well as snow-capped mountains. The fifth highest mountain of the world, Mt Makalu (8,463 m) also lies in this protected area. Likewise, Mera Peak (6654 m), Baruntse (7,129 m) and Chamlang (7,319 m) are some of the peaks in the Makalu Region. The national park is also a part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape.
Climate: Makalu-Barun area falls in the eastern Himalayan climatic regime where monsoon starts early (June) and stays longer than in west Nepal (until late September). The climate is generally described as monsoon type, where more than 70% of the precipitation occurs between June and September. Pre-monsoon rain is common during the months of April and May, an important factor in biomes production. No reliable records of climatic data represent the entire area- Great variations in temperature and precipitation can be expected due to extreme differences in altitude, slope and aspect within the area.
Flora and Fauna: Recognized for its tremendous diversity of plants, animals and people, the area contains roughly 3,000 flower plants, including 25 species of Rhododendron, 47 types of Orchids, 19 species of bamboos, 15 varieties of oaks, 86 kinds of fodder trees, 56 rare and endangered plants foster in 27 types of forests. The protected area is a habitat for an array of fauna. There are 43 species of Reptiles, 315 species of Butterfly, and 16 species of Amphibians. The Ponds, Rivers, and Lakes within the park inhabit 78 species of Fish. In addition 88 species of Mammals and 433 species of Birds have been recorded in this naturally rich and diverse protected area. Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Wild Boar, and they are among the wildlife found here. Certain species are found here and nowhere else in the world, hence its designation by some scientists as a “Living lLaboratory” for scientific research.
How to get there: There are regular flights from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar or Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. It Can also be reached from Biratnagar/Dharan. It is a 6/7 hrs drive to Hile and a 3 day trek to Tumlingtar from there. You can also reach the Inkhu valley of Makalu Barun from Lukla and Phalpu.
Best Time to Trek: Each season has its perks but reaching Shiva Dhara or trekking through Barun Valley is possible throughout the year, but Spring (March to May) is a bit more colorful and the Rhododendrons are bloomans. Autumn (September to November) Skies are generally clearer and due to the festival season it adds extra color of joy and provides more flavor of religious traditions and local lifestyle. The Barun Valley Trek requires moderate fitness or acclimatization to avoid acute mountain sickness.
- Total program days: 17 Days
- Total Trekking days: 13 with porter guide.
- Transportation: Reserve jeep/ Regular jeep/ Plane
- Activity: Trekking
- Highest Altitude: Shiva Dhara 4310m.
- Trek Grade: Moderate
- Permits: TIMS card, MBNP permit.
- Walking Hours per day: 5-6 hrs.
- Accommodation: Local tea houses or Tented Accommodation as per program
- Best Season: July, August, September. October.
- A newly opened trek to the Makalu-Barun National Park
- Arun Valley and “Arun River” Is A Tributary Of Koshi River. The River Flows Through Tibet To Nepal. Similarly, It Has Different Names In Tibet, Phung Chu Or Bum-Chu. Furthermore, Arun Is The Largest Is A Trans-Boundary River That Flows Through Nepal. Likewise, The Length Of The River Is 250 Km.
- Barun Valley The Seven Shangri-la.
- Makalu Barun National Park is the world’s only protected area that comprises tropical forests as well as snow-capped mountains.
- “Shiva Dhara” The most sacred Tap of Lord Shiva
- Culture and lifestyles of remote Makalu villages and the major ethnic group includes Rais, Sherpas, and Bhotes.
- Wildlife and vegetation indigenous to the region
- Views of the world's highest Mt. Makalu, Chamlang Peak and many others
- Land Transportation: Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by Car / Jeep / Van as per group size.
- Welcome and farewell dinner: Welcome and Farewell Dinner will be organized by Xtreme Climbers.
- Hotels Accommodation: 2 nights accommodation with breakfast at 3*** 5***** hotel in Kathmandu as per your request.
- Optional: Kathmandu city tour as per itinerary.
- Air Transport (Domestic): Air Transport from Kathmandu-Tumlingtar and way back Tumlingtar-Kathmandu As per scheduled program and Itinerary.
- Land (Four Wheeler) Transportation During Trek: Tumlingtar-Khardbari-Num and way back Num-Khadbari-Tumlingtar via Four Wheeler Jeep drive as per scheduled program and Itinerary.
- Meals: 3 Times Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with Tea & coffee and hot water during the entire trek.
- Guide / Porters: Government Licensed guide and necessary porters during the trek.
- Communicatio: For Communication Thuraya SAT Phone will be provided for (Emergency use only)
- Insurance: Insurance of the entire local supporting team required during the Trek.
- Air (Domestic) Transportation: Flight ticket from KTM-Lukla and Tumlingtar-KTM.
- Supporting Staff: 1 experienced, helpful and friendly Trekking guide and required necessary Porters (2 members 1 porter ) 30.kg each. their food & accommodation, busticket, wages, equipment and insurance.
- Permit: TIMS Card and Makalu Barun National Park Permit permits.
- During Camping For members: VE-25 North Face Tents (Shearing Basis) will be provided.
- Kitchen and Camping Equipments: During the entire trek required necessary Kitchen, Dining, Toilet, Shower and local staff Tents including Chairs, Table and required necessary kitchen equipments will be provided as per required.
- All Office Service charges and government TAX.
- Air Fare: International flight airfare (from and to Kathmandu).
- Nepal entry Visa fee: Nepal Visa fee US$ 60 per person for 30 days (to be applied for 60 days (USD$ 120).
- Lunch & Dinner: Lunch & dinner during the stay in Kathmandu (also in case of an earlier return from Trekking / Expedition than the scheduled itinerary).
- Extra night in Kathmandu: Extra nights accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara. In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from Trekking / Expedition (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Insurance: Travel and high altitude insurance, accident, medical & emergency evacuation.
- Rescue Evacuation: Medical Insurance and emergency rescue evacuation cost if required. (Rescue, Repatriation, Medication, Medical Tests and Hospitalization costs.) Horse renting and additional porters during the trek.
- Personal Expenses: Telephone, Internet, battery recharge, Hot shower, Laundry, any Alcoholic beverages & soft drinks (during the trek and in Kathmandu but we will serve all kinds of beverages for members in base camp), and also Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking /Climbing Gears. Any costs which arise due to a change of the itinerary, because of landslides, political disturbance, and strikes etc.
- Filming: Special Filming, Camera and Drone permit fee.
- Internet Service: Internet services are not included in this cost.
- Tips: Calculate some tips for Base camp staff.
- Extra: Any other services or activities, which are not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Any other item not listed in the “Cost Includes” section.
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