Kanchenjunga Trekking

After morning breakfast, a free day for trek preparation. OR, you can do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley with visiting into fascinating heritage and cultural sites. There are a few places that are worth visiting, such as the holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square ( One is in Kathmandu, in Patan, and also in Bhaktapur), the Museum,  monasteries, old historical Palaces, and Gardens. Note:  this tour is optional, so you can visit the place of your interest & pay locally. 

Morning depart hotel for the most adventurous trip to Kanchenjunga, on reaching at Kathmandu domestic airport, board on the plane for a super scenic flight towards Far South East of Nepal near India border at Bhadrapur, overwhelming views of mountains from Ganesh, Langtang, Jugal Himal to Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga range, after 45 minutes of pleasant flight reaching the warm sub-tropical area at Bhadrapur and then an interesting drive towards mid hill around cooler area at Ilam town for overnight stop in local simple hotel/lodge, this area is famous for tea and its plantations. 

Another good drive leads in the morning from Ilam town to begin this adventure at Sukhetar in Taplejung area. This interesting and scenic drive leads over hills and through valley on a rough dirt road following the Kabeli River all the way to Sukhetar after a 3-4 hour drive.

From Suketar, the first day walk starts heading downhill with short ups in between to reach a small farm village of Mitlung at 921 m-3,021 ft. Here the temperature is quite warm with rice paddies growning st this low altitude. Experience excellent views of Kanchenjunga. 

Our morning walk leads to a long descent along the Tamor River with a few ups and downs to reach Sinwa village. Continue descent to Tawa village. Cross a few smaller streams to reach a green valley. Pass through the spread-out farm villages to conclude the second day of the walk at Chirwa. Chirwa is a moderate-sized village inhabited by Rai, Limbu known as Kirat, and a few Magar, Tamang, Chetries, Brahmins, and Dalits. 

After a nice overnight stop at Chirwa, a morning walk heads towards Sukathum village. Walk by the riverbank through a small patch of forest. See mix landscapes around this area, such as a nice cultivation of cardamom in the shade of trees.  Cardamom is one of the main products, and trading in this area fetches a good price and income for the villagers. The walk continues leading downhill to reach Lungthang for an overnight camp. Lungthang is a small farm village. From here, the air starts getting cooler.

Our morning walk leads higher to reach Holung and Walangchung Gola,  one of the many highlights of this beautiful cultural journey. The villages are located on the route to Tibet. The walk leads through mixed variations of terrain with a gentle downhill slope followed by a steep ascent to reach a serene alpine woodland with exotic rhododendron, oaks, and pine trees.

The walk progresses heading downstream to the Yangma Khola. Our route diverts heading North following Tamar Khola at 2,800 m-9,186 ft. Follow a wide trail winding up to reach Walangchung - Gola, also known as Holung. This is an ancient caravan route to Tibet or the Trans-Himalaya Salt Trade Route. In these nice and impressive villages with a two-night stopover, explore this fascinating, remote, and isolated village and its area. The villagers exhibit an old culture, with religion having a strong connection to the Tibetans across the border.

A wonderful and ideal place for rest to explore this least visited area by other trekkers and foreigners. The houses are built of stone. The people are of the Bhotias tribe, with main occupations being farming, cattle breeding, and raising livestock. They have also had good traders since ancient times between Nepal and Tibet.

This old route to Tibet is still active with trade exchanging goods on both sides of the border. Trading commodities include rock salts, Tibetan / Chinese goods, rice, spices, and other foodstuffs from Nepal. Visit the village and its old monastery. 

After a great time with rest and exploring this remote, cultural village, the morning trek heads towards the junction of the Tamor Khola and the Dinsangba river. Here they join the big Tamor River. Way downstream, after crossing a wooden bridge, climb for 3-4 hours to Lumba Sumba. This is a high hill ridge heavily wooded with rhododendron, pines, oaks, and magnolia trees. Head back downhill to Dinsangba Khola. Following the same river upstream for some time into the woodlands. Come to an uphill trail and pass yak grazing fields and pasture, a kharka in Nepali. Reach a wide green valley. The walk continues over a black rock band, then enters another valley to complete this hard and interesting walk to camp in the beautiful meadows. 

Getting ready, for the Big Day! of this adventure by crossing over the highest point of this tip at Lumba Sumba-La at 5,160 m-16,929 ft.

In the early morning, start for a long day trek on a vague path leading towards the North West near an icy stream flowing from a high rocky cliff edge. After a few hours of good trekking, reach a frozen pond. Climb to a plateau ridge top at Lumba Sumba-la pass of 5,135 m-16,847 ft high, the highest place. This high point offers a grand vista of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Khumbakarna Himal with the huge and massif Mt. Kanchenjunga range with adjoining peaks.

After a great achievement, reaching the highest point of this adventure, the walk to encounter another adjoining ridge.  Encounter the Lumba Sumba La ridges with views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Jannu Himal, and Mt. Makalu at close distance.

This long walk finally heads downhill (600 m-1,968 ft). Come to an open wide valley to camp at about 4,500 m-14,764 ft, this will be the highest camp of this trip.

Feeling fresh in this complete wilderness, isolated from villages and human settlements for many days, I walk to a warmer area with a gradual downhill with a few ups and then back onto a normal path. Heading to the alpine woodland and finally complete this walk at  Thudam with Tibetan culture and religion similar to that of Holung and Gola.  Thudam is a moderate-sized village of  20 houses or so, built with stone and fine pine woods.

Upon leaving this interesting and remote traditional mountain village, our morning walk leads into thick forested area to camp at Kharka, a Sheppard place. The trail follows through tall tree lines. Walk downhill to a river and take a small uphill. Then walk downhill to reach an isolated yak pasture at Kharka for overnight camp.

Today, a long walk of nearly seven hours to reach Chyatang for an overnight stop. Starting a climb to a small village above the Arun River. Climb for another three hours to reach a small pass. Proceed on a downhill path, walking through muddy and wet areas to reach the Arun River. The Arun River flows from the Makalu and Barun valley area. Walking into a dense vegetation of bamboo stalks and bushes. Cross a bridge leading on a long, steep climb to reach our overnight camp at Lhomi and Chyamtang, both adjoining villages.

Take a gradual walk with short ups and downs. Upon a main path, pass through several scattered farm villages near a big landslide. In monsoon time around 2012, this landslide caused damage to many houses in this area, including a primary school.  After a good trek of nearly six hours, reach at Hongaon for an overnight camp. 

From here, head downhill to a warmer area as the walk continues, following the raging Arun River downstream all the way below Tumlingtar. The Arun River joins the big Sun Kosi River. Walk through the Terai area (Nepal's flat land). The walk continues passing through farmland and villages.  Day ends at  Hatiya village for an overnight camp, a popular village with markets on the route to Tibet. 

After a nice stop at Hatiya village, the morning walk heads to a much warmer climate. Walk through small farm villages with cultivated farm fields growing rice. The walk continues following a gradual path for five hours. Take a downhill slope to reach Gola for an overnight stop in this small, nice farm village. 

Morning trek leads towards more villages as the altitude drops rapidly. These villages are inhabited by a mixture of people with Kirat Rais, Magar, Gurung, Chetries, Brahmins, and Dalits.  The walk gets interesting as the villagers often see a few foreigners passing this way. With a slow and steady pace, concludes for the day at Gadhi-danda village for an overnight camp, with super views of Jaljala and other snow peaks. 

The walk today comes to an end at Num village, which is on the route to the Makalu area. Upon leaving Gadhi-Danda village, start with a long descent through farm fields and terraces for a few hours. Reach the mid hills at Num village, where the motorable road has reached, and this small village is slowly developing into a town after the construction of the motor road over the past few years.

After a great experience and enjoyable time in the high hills North of Kanchenjunga, take a morning drive on the country dirt road. Drive uphill to reach the ridge near Chichelle village and then downhill towards a warmer area leading past the big town of Khadbari and to Tumlingtar. Tumlingtar is a moderate place located on the shelf of the Arun River. Tumlingtar is of moderate size plateau with a sub-tropical climate.

Here in Tumlingtar, the end of the camping and relaxing in the comfort of a nice, simple local lodge for the last overnight in this interesting town with an airfield close by. 

Take a short morning walk to the airport for the scenic flight of 40 minutes back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotels after an overwhelming time high up in the mountains.

Free day in Kathmandu for sightseeing on your own.

Breakfast in the Hotel, Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for departure towards your next destination.