SCENIC MUNDUM RIDGE & ARUN VALLEY TREK

Trip Facts

Duration 11 N - 12 D
Trip Grade Moderate to Adventurous.
Country Nepal
Maximum Altitude Rawa-Dhap 3,426 m/11,240 ft. Silichung Hill View-Point at 4,153 m/13,625 feet high.
Best Time spring, autumn/fall

Overview

High and Scenic Mundum Ridge Trek with the guidance of Dhan Kumar Rai.
An expert and veteran guide of the Nepalese company Kirat Society Adventure and Hiking.

High and Scenic Mundum Ridge Trek, leads you to exciting isolated corners of south-east Himalayas. In the close shadow of towering Mt. Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest with an array of snow peaks. One of the most hidden pockets around the southern ridges of Eastern Nepal within the areas of Bhojpur district.

The adventure follows the scenic ridges towards Salpa Pass, located at the edge of Bhojpur, Solu-Khumbu, and Khotang districts. Including the western rim of Sanka-Sabha district, situated within the lower warm regions of the famous Arun River Valley.

The High and Scenic Mundum Ridge Trek, takes you on high green hills on off-the-beaten-tracks. Away from the major villages and human settlements for some days, in complete harmony of mountain wilderness.

This trek is a combination of heritages cultures of Kirat the ancient hills
tribes of Nepal. Enjoying the warm traditional hospitality of the native people along the scenic walks on High and scenic Mundum Ridge.

An exciting journey of more than a week treks, leads you from the main town of Bhojpur. Continues towards rural farm villages and cattle herders shelter amidst beautiful forest covered with tall rhododendrons, oaks and pine trees.

The trek then reaches on an exposed ridge above the tree lines facing the grand vista of the Eastern Himalayan ranges. The walk contours around the high scenic ridge lines, enjoying overnight stops around sheer mountain wilderness.

Adventure takes you at the end of Bhojpur and Mundum Ridges at high Salpa Pass. The trek follows downhills through serene lovely alpine forest towards low, warm Arun Valley. Concluding the wonderful trek at Tumlingtar Town for a swift panoramic flight back to Kathmandu. After an overwhelming adventure and experience around the High and Scenic Mundum Ridge and Arun Valley Trek.

Highlights

An adventure on-off-the-beaten tracks, around scenic Mundum Ridges.
Breathtaking and striking views of the world’s highest mountain ranges.
Glorious panorama of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Explore the traditional hill villages of the ancient and indigenous Kirat tribes.
A virgin country facing unparalleled views of the Eastern Himalayan ranges.
Serene forest covered in tall rhododendrons, pines, firs and oak tree lines.

Itinerary

Day1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel.

On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal Intenational Airport, after visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Outside the exit terminal our staff and guide receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed at the hotel, then join with other members of High Scenic Mundum Ridge Trek for a briefing.

Briefing is done by our guide, group leader with full information of the treks, including hotels in Kathmandu. Local cultures with do’s and don’ts.
In the evening a lovely dinner and introduction to Nepali foods and culture.

Day2: Tour of Kathmandu heritage sites of great interest.
Moning after breakfast, our city guide takes you on a tour around thenworld heritage sites within Kathmandu city. After an exciting and interesting tour back to the hotel, preparation and packing for trekking. Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Kirat Society Adventure.
Day3: Fly to Bhojpur airport 1,600 m - 45 mins and a few hour drive to Chekwa Bhanjyang 2,300 m for overnight stop.

High Ridges Trekking & Mera Peak Climb adventure starts with a scenic flight of 45 minutes to Bhojpur town airport. While airbone, enjoy fantastic panorama of the Himalaya range with Everest, Makalu as far as Kanchenjunga.

On arrival at Bhojpur airport, received by our trekking crews get introduced among your fellow staff and guide. Includes camping cook, kitchen staff and all team members. Bhojpur is a moderate size town, populated by Rai Kirat and other tribes of easten Nepal. An interesting place to observe local life and culture. From Bhojpur board on a four-wheel drive, it leads towards rough hilly road, through farm village to reach Chekwa Bhanjyang village. Enjoy the ovenight stop in a simple lodge or Guest House. Located on a high ridge, from here onwards the air gets fresh and cool.

Day4: Trek to Dhotre 2,752 m -06 hrs.
From Chekwa Bhanjyang, our adventure starts around the Mundum High Trail walking past smaller farm villages. Heading through well-tended terraces of various crops wheat, barley to buck-wheat and seasonal vegetables. Trek continues towards the high ridges of Mundum facing grand scenery of surrounding beautiful landscapes with snow peaks. A pleasant walk leads uphill into the cool shade of pine and rhododendron forest to a high ridge,nThe route descends for an ovenight stay in a small farm village at Dhotre. Accommodation in tented camps, with all meals cooked and served by our expert camping cook and kitchen staff.
Day5: Trek to Maiyum 2, 962 m near Hans Pokhari -05 hrs.
Start the moning from Dhotre on a nice scenic path following the Mundum ridges and through lovely forest. From Dhotre village towards sheer mountain wildeness away from farm villages and human settlement for a few days. The route follows a few cattle herder temporary shelter around the summer grazing area to Maiyum for an ovenight camp. Located on an open grassy field amidst forest surroundings and close to Hans Pokhari, an hour walk from the camp.
Day6: Trek to Hykule 2, 972 m via Satdobato 3,122 m - 06 hrs.

After a pleasant ovenight stay at Maiyum around an isolated region with scenic surroundings. Moning starts with a short up to reach a small clear pond called Hans Pokhari. The trail follows Pakhuwa Bhanjyang, it is also an altenative route to Bhojpur town. The name Hans Pokhari means a place for migratory ducks, often making a temporary habitat.
After refreshing stop, climb a steep hill for a few hours to Satdobato at 3,122 m high. It falls on the midways of seven routes of Easten Nepal villages and towns. From here a short walk to Hykule for an ovenight camp on a nice grassy meadow.

Day7: Trek to Rawa-Dhap 3,426 m via Lauribina 3,185 m -06 hrs.

From Hykule with a pleasant ovenight stop, around the heart of Mundum high ridges. The moning walk leads close towards Salpa Pass or Bhanjyang as called by the locals. Climb to a high ridge within the cool shade of rhododendrons and pine forest. The walk leads past several temporary shelters of cattle herder camp to Rawa-Dhap. One of the highest spots for ovenight camping after walking past a small hill of Lauribina. The last phase of the hike leads ups and down to thenRawa-Dhap.

Day8: Extra free day hike to explore and climb Silichung Hill 4,153 m.

The most important and highlight of the Mundum Ridge trekking.
Enjoy the extra day at Rawa-Dhap with an early moning hike to the viewpoint of high Silichung Ridge. Also known as Salpa Peak, the view point at 4,153 meters. From the top's spectacular panorama of the Himalayas, the deep valleys, green hills with Himalayan Peaks. Facing the five world’s tallest peaks Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu. Includes views of Thamserku, Kangtiga, Ama Dablam, Dorje Lakpa, Kusum Khanguru, and Numbur with arrays of snow peaks.

Day9: Trek to Guranse 3,075 m -06 hrs.

Moning walk leads uphill most of the way into bamboo and rhododendron forest, on leaving the Mundum ridge westen rim. Climb above to a cooler area close on top of Salpa Pass. A short downhill through forested path and past cattle herder temporary camp. Finally, the day completes on reaching Guranse for an ovenight camp. The camp amidst rhododendron forest, the name Guranse for rhododendron flowers. The national flower of Nepal.

Day10: Trek to Salpa Phedi 2,415 m-05 hrs.

An easy downhill walk to the base of Salpa pass and Mundum ridge.
The walk leads through cool shade of dense rhododendron’s, pines, oaks,nand fir forest. After 4-5 hours of good walk reaching Salpa Phedi for ovenight camp or in a simple Tea-House/ Lodge. Salpa Phedi a small settlement, the local Kirat Rai and Sherpa people. The local produces Nepali rice paper from the local plants called Lokta (Dampne papaerius).

Day11: Trek to Gothe Bazaar 815 m-05 hrs.

From Salpa Phedi, walk on winding downhill with few ups through spread-out farm villages with rice terraces. The route leads to low and warm farm areas to Gothe Bazaar on entering the Arun Valley. After hours of good walking, you reach Gothe Bazaar for an ovenight either in a local lodge or tented camping.
A moderate size farm village, famous for Rudrakchhhaya (Hindu’s holy beads).

Day12: Trek to Kartike-Ghat 845 m-05 hrs.
Enjoying an ovenight at Gothe Bazaar, observing the local farm activities and cultures of easten Nepal. From here heading to the lower warm and sub-tropical area, walk through a small patch of cool Sal forest. Walking through many farm villages with citric trees of lemons, grapefruit and oranges. The walk then leads up and down to Kartike-Ghat Village, located by the Arun River. Our last ovenight in tented camping before reaching Tumlingtar Town for final stops before Kathmandu.
Day13: Trek to Tumlingtar Town 650 m-04 hrs.
Moning walk across a high suspension bridge above Arun River, the trail follows along the river banks. Then enters farm fields and into sub-tropical forest for a while and then towards more farm villages. Finally, the walk completes reaching Tumlingtar, a moderate town with a big airfield. Located on the shelf ofnArun River, at Tumlingtar transfers to a nice lodge for lunch and ovenight stops. The rest of the aftenoon at leisure to explore the town markets and local customs and activities.
Day14: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotels.

Enjoy the last breakfast around the hills of Easten Himalayas.
Moning a short walk to Tumlingtar airport for a smooth, scenic flight to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu domestic airport, a short transfer back to your hotel. Aftenoon free at leisure, for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

Day15: Free day in Kathmandu, contingency day. O/N Hotel.

Enjoy the leisure day, relaxing with fond memories of Easten Himalayan scenic ridges of Mundum. Interested people can join for another tour to Patan and Bhaktapur, worth a visit not to be missed.

Day16: International departure for homeward bound.

Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, get ready for final departure as per your intenational flight time. Our guide and staff transfer you to the airport.
Bidding farewell to the guide and staff as you depart for a homeward bound flight, after a wonderful experience and adventure around High Scenic Mundum Ridge Trek.