A relatively new trekking route, this trek begins west of the Rolwaling and Khumbu trekking regions, to the east of the capital, Barahabise being the take-off point. This five-six days’ trek ends at Charikot of Dolakha district, which is nestled on Gauri Shanker Himal’s southern slope. Gauri Shanker (7, 134 m) is a revered peak, as is obvious from its name itself. If you have a week of free time at hand, you should go on this trek, one that is easy to reach. You drive on the Arniko Highway, heading northeast from Kathmandu, to reach Barahabise in just about two-and-a-half hours.

Then, you start trekking on the trail along the Sunkosi River watershed, going east up to the Tamakosi river valley. The first day is easy, and you’ll reach a village called Karthali soon enough, then, it becomes more of a regular hiking trail, one that’s dusty and rough. And, you won’t find any shade for quite a few miles, so, hat on, folks! Karthali village, lodged between two ridges, can provide comfortable dormitory-type accommodations in a lodge operated by an organization called Eco-Himal. From here, you can see the Sunhkosi River far below, its flow tranquil and serene. All around are huge mountain ranges. The following day, you hike to Dolangsa, a Sherpa village, at a height of some 2,500 meters, where houses are built all over the hillsides. Here, there’s a lodge propped up near the monastery located at quite a height. The trail carries on to Bigu, and getting there is pretty challenging. The trail is pretty narrow, and it’s cut into the rock face, and what’s more, it’s steeply uphill to the Tingsing La pass (3,300 m). However, your strenuous efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular view of Gauri Shanker peak. You’ll also see Chhoba Bhamare to the west and Pigpherago and Numbur Himal to the west if there are no clouds. The descent is easy enough on a winding trail down the hillside. On the way, you’ll see some chalets decorated with carved windows. Soon, however, you got to undertake a sharp climb up the hillside on a dusty path before arriving at Bigu.

Sleep well here, you’ve deserved it, and there’s comfy arrangements at the Bigu Lodge, which is near the Bigu Gompa, a 75-year-old Kargyapa-sect nunnery that has many marvelous images of Avalokiteshwara, a multi-armed, multi-headed deity, along with rows of elaborately embossed chortens. The next day, you hike to Loting, passing through Laduk, on a trail leading to the river. A night-halt is called for at Loting, and the following morning you trek on to Sinagti on a trail that descends steadily. You get to walk across a swaying suspension bridge before you come to Solung Khola. Then on, the trail goes along the left bank of the river, and finally reaches Singati, from where you can get a bus ride to Charikot, a rough one, it must be said! The final part of your adventure sees you on a bus back to the capital.