Day 1: Jiri - Shivalaya

The first day of your trek is always filed with anticipation and wonder. The trail is not well marked in the lower sections until after Junbesi on day 4-5. There are several side trails leading in various directions so it's best to have a guide unless you plan on getting lost a few times. Leaving Jiri (1935 meters), walk the road about 5 minutes out of town towards Shivalaya and take a left up the hill. You pass some liter your first view days of the trek. Nepal has poor infrastructure and the locals mostly burn their garbage as they do not have access to trash removal services as there are no usable roads past Shivalaya. You can help out by picking up liter and disposing when appropriate.  After 1 hour look back to at the wonderful panorama of the Jiri and the surrounding hills. Continue to walk through mostly pine forest up a wide dirt road unused by vehicles and through various small farms growing leafy vegetables, herbs, cardamon, and bananas. You will pass Chitre, & a primary school climbing over a saddle around 2400 meters before arriving in the tiny hamlet of Mali.  Descending you will pass a couple of trail side rest stops to re-fuel in addition to various terraced fields. Cross a small suspension bridge past a small a terraced farm before you see Shivalaya in the distance. Walk 20 more minutes further and cross a larger suspension bridge over the Khimti River and enter the small town of Shivalaya (1800 meters).  
***Note: If you did not purchase a Gurushankar Conservation area fee in Kathmandu (2000 Rs) you may have to purchase this in Shivalaya as they will check your TIMS card and passport anyways.