ADVENTURE AROUND NORTH OF MT. KANCHENJUNGA
Trip Facts
Duration
17 N - 18 D
Trip Grade
Moderate
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
At Lumba-Sumba-La pass 5,160 m / 16,929 feet.
Best Time
spring and autumn/fall
Overview
Adventure around North of Kanchenjunga with the guidance of Dhan Kumar Rai.
An expert and veteran guide of the Nepalese company Kirat Society Adventure and Hiking.
Adventure around North of Kanchenjunga, takes you to a remote wilderness country of Far East Nepal Himalayas. The trek is more of an exploration rather than normal trekking destinations around the Himalayan regions.
One of the most exciting and scenic adventures of once in a lifetime to experience trekking on off-the-beaten trails. The route leads within the close shadows of
majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga has a massive range of snow peaks.
Adventure around North of Kanchenjunga for Trekkers and adventurers in search of fresh and new Himalayan destinations. The adventure leads you to scenic valleys and high hills towards a lovely traditional village at Olanchung Gola.
Olanchung Gola the ultimate destination of the adventure, located close en route
Nepal and Tibet, China borders. A mere distance west of the massive bulk of Kanchenjunga Mountain range and Mt. Makalu. The major 8,000 meters’ peaks of eastern Nepal, as well the world’s 3rd and 5th highest.
Adventure around North of Kanchenjunga, leads to scenic walks in the harmony of local immense cultures of Tibetan Buddhism. The adventure starts from the town of Suketar and Taplejung, the headquarters of the district itself.
The route follows through nice farm villages and seasonal crops terraces heading north east amidst beautiful landscapes. The trek progresses on leaving the main route of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp at Chirwa and Lung Thang villages.
The walk follows with a climb heading north amidst dense woods of rhododendrons, pines and oaks trees. Then reaching a large settlement at Olanchung Gola, inhabited by the Bhotia’s ethnic mountain tribes.
An interesting Olanchung Gola remote village, the native is engaged with farm works and livestock breeding and herding yaks. The locals also trade and barter across the border in Tibet. Olanchung Gola falls within the ancient Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Routes of Eastern Nepal to Tibet.
Enjoying time at Olanchung Gola with the happy and friendly natives, adventure continues towards Lumba-Sumba-La Pass. The highest points of the journey at 5,160 meters, offers a grand vista of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Makalu.
Slowly the trek leads south-west reaching warm mid-hills and around heavily farmed areas and lovely hill villages. After a week-long walk around sheer wilderness then reaches a nice farm town at Num.
Located en route Mt. Makalu Base Camp and Olanchung Gola, and the road to Tumlingtar Town Airport. At Num the trek ends with an exciting drive down towards Tumlingtar for the last overnight stops of the adventure.
Next morning a scenic, sweeping short flight brings you back to the hustle and bustle city in Kathmandu. After an amazing experience and adventure around North of Kanchenjunga, amidst world’s 3rd highest mountain ranges.
Main Highlights of the Adventure Around North of Kanchenjunga Trek
Adventure and exploration around the world’s 3rd highest Mt. Kanchenjunga.
An exciting remote country far from the maddening crowd of modern civilization.
Picturesque and delightful walks to enjoy on off-the-beaten serene tracks.
Trek on least visited regions around Nepal’s Far North Eastern Himalayas.
Enjoyable walks through lovely isolated traditional mountain villages.
Traverse over high and scenic Lumba-Sumba-La Pass from Olanchung Gola.
Itinerary
Day 1: 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 Adventure around North Kanchenjunga 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.
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: Fly Kathmandu to Bhadrapur drive to Ganesh Chowk - approx.1, 440 m -07-8 hour’s flight and drive. O/N local Lodge.
Transfer for moning flight to Bhadrapur airport, located Nepal Far Easten low-land of Terai belt. During flight enjoy the Himalayan panorama with an unparalleled series of peaks. The views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Makalu with Mt. Kanchenjunga. Finally, the plane lands at Bhadrapur airport, received by our guide and trekking staff. From the airport, on a four-wheel drive or similar vehicle. An exciting interesting drive leads through towns and farm villages, heading North East towards winding green hills. Reaching Ilam area, famous for its large tea plantation, lined with pine and fir tree lines.
The air gets cooler as the drive reaches a small town at Ganesh Chowk past Phidim for ovenight stop amidst tea-gardens. An exciting place to observe the local cultures of Easten Nepal, in the backdrop of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Day 4: Drive to Suketar 1,490 m and trek to Mitlung 921 m- 04 hrs.
From Ilam moning begins with an exciting drive towards hills past many farm villages and towns as drive continues on rough dirt tracks to reach around Taplejung areas at Suketar town with a small airstrip.
After getting organized then start walking towards the North East on a pleasant winding path full of neat farm terraces fields walking past interesting villages and patches of forest to reach ovenight at Mitlung, a farm village with scenic views of snow-capped peaks.
Day 5: Trek to Chirwa 1,270 m - 06 hrs.
Moning walk follows downhill to Tamur River with few short ups and downs to reach Sinuwa village. From here descends to Tawa village crossing several streams and walking past scattered farm villages, then reaching our ovenight camp at Chirwa. A moderate size village of mixed tribes includes mostly Rai (Kirat tribe) , some Magar, Tamang and Hindu Chettries, Brahmins with Dalits.
Day 6: Trek to Lungthang 1,576 m - 06 hrs.
From Chirwa walk to Sekathum village, on reaching the river bank of mixed terrains. Around the village outskirts witness a lush garden cultivation of cardamom in the shade of thick trees. The walk heads higher over farm fields with a short descent to ovenight camp at Lungthang. A small farm village with dramatic change of Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture. Ovenight in a tented camp close to the village suburb.
Day 7:: Trek to Holung / Olanchung-Gola 3,200 m - 06 hrs.
The walk leads to one of our destinations at Holung located en-route Tibet and Nepal borders. Walangchung - Gola also called Holung is a large village enclosed by high mountains. At this nice remote village for 2 nights, to explore its interesting and impressive culture and heritage.
Day 8:: Rest day at Olanchung - Gola.
A nice place for rest to explore around this isolated village, houses are built with stones. The natives of Bhatia’s tribe follow Tibetan Buddhism religion and culture. People around still trade with Tibet on this old caravan route exchanging and trading goods from both sides. Here visit the village and its old monastery.
Day 9:: Trek to Lumba Sumba 4,450m - 08 hrs.
Day 10:: Cross over Lumba Sumba la 5,160m - 08 hrs.
Starting the moning early for a long day takes nearly eight hours, following a faint trail heading South West. The walk leads to a stream; it flows from a high rocky cliff edge. After a few hours of pleasant nice walk reaching an icy pond, from here climb over a plateau. The climb then leads beyond to a ridge top of Lumba Sumba-la pass at 5,160 meters. The highest spot of the adventure offers views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kumbhakana Himal and massive Mt. Kanchenjunga range. From the top long downhill below 600 meters towards a wide valley and where our camp is set. Enjoy the ovenight camp on a large pasture field at 4,500 meters’ altitude. The highest camping spot of the adventure.
Day 11: Trek to Thudam 3,600m - 06 hrs.
Today, after being in isolation far from human settlement for a few days.
From the camp walk towards a warmer low area with gradual descent and a climb for a while. The walk is pleasant with few short ups within forest to Thudam for ovenight stop. A nice village with Tibetan style similar to Holung village built with stone and fine pine woods.
Day 12:: Trek to Kharka 2,850m - 05 hrs.
After a nice time around remote high country, moning walk leads into dense forest to camp at Kharka (Sheppard’s shelter). The route follows through thick vegetation of bushes and tall trees. The walk heads downhill to the river andnshort climb in between. It is more or less downhill walk towards an isolatednyak herder’s camp at Kharka for an ovenight stop.
Day 11:: Trek to Chyamtang 2,190m - 07 hrs.
Today another long day of hiking, starts with a short climb to a small village around the mid-hills. Located above the Arun River, from here three hours climb to a small pass. A long descent on a muddy / wet trail towards Arun River.
After crossing over a bridge, then a steep climb to our ovenight camp at Lhomi village and Chyamtang. These both interesting farm villages are situated close apart.
Day 14:: Trek to Hongoan 2,320 m - 06 hrs.
Moning walk leads on moderate trails with few short ups and downs.
The trail leads through scattered farm villages, towards a small village with a large old landslide section. The damage of many houses and primary schools in 2012. From here a nice walk leads to Hongoan for an ovenight stop.
Day 15:: Trek to Hatiya 1,585 m - 06 hrs.
From this village, moning walk leads to s warmer areas reaching sub-tropical climate. The jouney continues following Arun River downstream fed by the glacier of Mt. Makalu and Barun Himal. As it flows close around Tumlingtar, later joins Sun Koshi and at the flatland of Nepal Terai. The walk leads across many farm lands and villages. Finally, the day completes reaching the ovenight camp at Hatiya village. A popular village located en-route Nepal / Tibet trade route.
Day 16:: Trek to Gola 1,128 m - 05 hrs.
After Hatiya walk leads to many small farm villages and cultivated terraces with rice paddies. The trek continues on the main trail for five hours, then downhill with short ups to Gola. A nice farm village for an ovenight camp.
Day 17:: Trek to Gadhi-Danda 1,180 m - 06 hrs.
The trek onwards leads through villages of mixed tribes Kirat Rais, Magar, Gurung, Chettries, Brahmins and a few Dalits people. The walk gets interesting meeting friendly villagers along the trail. As the hike continues towards more villages to Gadhi-Danda for an ovenight stop. The camp offers views of Jaljala rocky peaks of Milke Danda ranges.
Day 18:: Trek to Num 1,560 m - 03 hrs.
Today is the last trek of the adventure to Num village. The walk leads past Gadhi-Danda village then descends towards a farm field for a few hours. Heading past many villages and then to Num village for an ovenight. Enjoying the comfort of a nice simple lodge, Num is en-route Makalu base camp, this farm village slowly developing into a town with the construction of a motor road.
Day 19:: Drive to Tumlingtar 448 - 04 hrs.
After a wonderful time around the high hills and mountains of easten Nepal. Moning from Num, enjoy an exciting drive on the rough road through villages with beautiful views of the surrounding hills. After few hours of drive reaching Khadbari, a major town and headquarter of Sanka Sabha district and Makalu region. From here downhill to Tumlingtar for last ovenight in the comfort of a nice lodge. The final ovenight stop around Easten Nepal before flying back to Kathmandu.
Day 20:: 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.
Day 21:: Free day in Kathmandu, contingency day. O/N Hotel.
Enjoy the leisure day, relaxing with fond memories of Adventure around North of Kanchenjunga. Interested people can join for another tour to Patan and Bhaktapur, worth a visit not to be missed.
Day 22: 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 north of Kanchenjunga Trek.
Essential Information
The best favored seasons are spring and autumn/fall. The spring begins from March to May, most days are longer with sunlight hours.
Normally the morning till mid-afternoon days are clear for views and scenic walks can get overcast late afternoon sometime.
Can expect snowfalls, cold mornings and in the nighttime, the mid-hills are covered with tall rhododendron, pine and juniper trees. A lively time with wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various colors.
The next high season is autumn/fall, starts from September and ends in November. Most days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, a pleasant time for scenic walks. Days are shorter due to limited sunlight hours, cold afternoons, and nights till morning time. Expect snowfall sometimes, but with a bright starry night sky.
