Kanchenjunga and Lumba Sumba Trek 22 Days
Introduction:
Kanchenjunga and Lumba Sumba Pass trekking adventure take you around nearly forgotten areas of far eastern corners of Nepal’s Himalaya range of the world’s 3rd highest Mt. Kanchenjunga, the 5th Mt. Makalu and Kumbhakarna. Kanchenjunga and Lumba Sumba Pass trekking lie beyond Kanchenjunga and Makalu Mountain range, in the hidden corners of Olung and Olungchung Gola areas, on the ancient trade route of Nepal and Tibet where the caravan of good exchange still exists.
The adventure leads you far and away from the main trekking route of Kanchenjunga, heading due north beyond warm paddy fields and within an enchanting mist-filled forest of lovely tall rhododendron, magnolia, pines, oaks and fir tree lines. This naturally isolated country, north of Kanchenjunga to Olung and Olunchung Gola, with high and scenic Lumba Sumba pass at 5,160 metres, finds in full bloom in springtimes from March to May. The high rolling green hills region is also beautiful in Autumn and Summer.
Kanchenjunga trekking package is valid for 2022 and 2023
Kanchenjunga trekking package is valid for 2022 and 2023
Kanchenjunga and Lumba Sumba Pass trekking begin with a short flight to Bhadrapur and a beautiful drive to Ilam, the low land of Nepal, where the journey leads to high scenic hills to start our walk from the Taplejung area. Walking is always of great interest since it allows visiting rural farm villages of immense mix culture of Hindu and Buddhism and entering into the lovely forest to mountain villages of Olung/Olunchung Gola, unexplored areas by other main flow of trekkers. The Olung village falls on the old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Eastern Nepal to Tibet, an impressive village for a rest day. From Olung, the trekking leads to crossing over Lumba Sumba Pass to reach back into low, warm areas of paddy farms and villages.
Walking around lovely hill villages on almost forgotten trails by other travellers leads to the Makalu and Lumba Sumba trekking trail at Num village to end our marvellous trekking. From Num, a drive takes us around the warm low country of Arun valley at Tumlingtar to catch a short scenic flight back to Kathmandu after a beautiful experience and adventure on Kanchenjunga and Lumba Sumba Pass trekking.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy walking in the hidden areas of far eastern Nepal in the shade of Mt. Kanchenjunga
- Enjoy the most fascinating views of the Kumbakarna, Makalu and Kanchenjunga mountain ranges.
- Enjoy crossing and traversing high Lumba-Sumba-La from Kanchenjunga to Makalu region.
- Enjoy walking from low, warm paddy fields to cooler alpine high hills within the protected dense forest.
- Enjoy exploring mountain villages of great interest around Holung / Walungchung- Gola.
- The best way to observe Nepalese rural and traditional village life and cultures of the eastern Himalayan shades.
Trip Profile
- The total length of the trip: 22 days from arrival to the day of departure.
- Number of the night in Kathmandu: 3 or 4-nights / visit UNESCO sites.
- Trek starting point: Simikot.
- Trek ending point: Simikot.
- Daily Walk: From minimum 4 hrs to a maximum of 8 hrs.
- A domestic flight in: Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Simikot.
- A domestic flight out: Simikot – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu.
- Highest elevation achievement: 5,160 metres Lumba Samba-La.
- People/Culture: Higher area Sherpa and Bhotia people of Buddhist religion with traditional farm life, lower region is inhabited by mix tribes - Rai, Limbu, Magar, Tamang, Newar with Brahmin and Chettries of both Hindu and Buddhism religions with age-old heritage traditional farm life.
- Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu, hotel on full board in Illam, and tented camps on full board basis on the trek.
- Meals: Each day a wide variety of complete meal will be prepared and served by our mobile cook and kitchen staff.
- Trip grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
- Best season to trek: from the end of February to the mid-June and from the first week of October to mid-December.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Rest and visit UNESCO sites
Day 03:Fly to Bhadrapur airport and drive to Ilam, 420m
Day 04: Drive to Sukhetar 1,490 m and trek to Mitlung 921m
Day 05: Trek to Chirwa 1,270 m
Day 06: Trek to Lung Thang 1,576m
Day 07: Trek to Holung / Walangchung-Gola 3,200m
Day 08: Rest day at Walangchung Gola
Day 09: Trek to Lumba Sumba base at 4,450m
Day 10: Lumba Sumba la 5,160m and to the base 4,550m
Day 11: Trek to Thudam 3,600m
Day 12: Trek to Kharka 2,850m
Day 13: Trek to Chyamtang 2,190m
Day 14: Trek to Hongoan 2,320m
Day 15: Trek to Hatiya 1,585m.
Day 16: Trek to Gola 1,128m.
Day 17: Trek to Gadhi Danda 1,180m
Day 18: Trek to Num 1,520m
Day 19: Drive back to Tumlingtar
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 21: A contingency day
Day 22: Departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Our personnel will be waiting at the Kathmandu international airport (TIA) to receive you with a traditional welcome. After checking into the hotel and refreshments, your circuit guide will update you about the necessary formalities for your proposed trek. Then, depending on arrival time, you will have the choice of either nearby visiting shrines or resting back in your room.- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 02: Rest and visit UNESCO sites
Free day in Kathmandu preparation for the trek, or one can join in our tour around Kathmandu at places of interest as Kathmandu city and the valley steeped with world Heritage Sites.- Breakfast.
- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 03:Fly to Bhadrapur airport and drive to Ilam, 420m
A 45 minutes flight and 4 hours drive.In the morning, we take a short and scenic flight to Bhadrapur, a low, warm area of Nepal's far southeast Terai belt; during 1-hour flight, we can see a grand vista of the Himalayan range, including Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. On landing at Bhadrapur, we take an exciting drive past farm villages and towns to reach Ilam, a colder hill country, facing views of Kanchenjunga within its vast garden of tea. The Ilam area is famous for its tea and beautiful country facing the eastern Himalayas in the backdrop of the pine tree and beautiful tea plantations.
- Breakfast.
- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Sukhetar 1,490 m and trek to Mitlung 921m
A 6 hours trek.In the morning, drive for a few hours to reach Suketar, the starting point of our trek located close to the main town of Taplejung. From Suketar, the walk starts further north to reach a small farm village at Mitlung for the first overnight camping.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 05: Trek to Chirwa 1,270 m
A 6 hours trek.The morning trek follows a long downhill to Tamor River with a few short ups and downs to reach Sinwa village. From here descends to Tawa village, crossing several streams and walking past scattered farm villages, we reach the overnight camp at Chirwa. A moderate-sized village of mixed tribes includes Rai (Kirat tribe), some Magar, Tamang and Hindu Chettries, and Brahmins with Dalits.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 06: Trek to Lung Thang 1,576m
A 6 hours trek.From Chirwa, the morning walk takes you to Sekathum (Sukathum) village. We pass through a riverbank full of cardamom cultivation in the cool shaded areas of trees. From here, the trail climbs high over farm fields and with a short descending to overnight camp at Lung-Thang, a small farm village having a colder climate zone and cultural border changing from Hindu to Tibetan Buddhist.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 07: Trek to Holung / Walangchung-Gola 3,200m
A 6 hours trek.Today, the trekking reaches Olung village, also known as Olangchung Gola, located on the Nepal and Tibet border trails, one of the region's largest villages. Situated on Old Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan Route to Tibet, the trade still exists among the locals of this high region.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 08: Rest day at Walangchung Gola
Olung is a nice place for resting and exploring around. The native is known as Bhotia, and they are Tibetan natives practising Buddhism and culture. The locals still trade and barter on the Tibet border, exchanging goods from both sides. We will mainly visit the village and a monastery.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 09: Trek to Lumba Sumba base at 4,450m
A 6 hours trek.After a great time at Olung village and Ongchung Gola, morning walk to Tamor Khola and at the confluence of Dinsangba River, which later joins Tamor river downstream. Cross a small wooden bridge with a climb for three hours to reach the Lumba Sumba ridge top, into rhododendron, pines, oaks and magnolia forest. From the top downhill to Dinsangba Khola, climb, passing several yak pastures with Kharka (cow shades) to reach a broad green valley. Continue to walk over the black rock to another valley and complete the day with an overnight stop in the grazing meadow.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 10: Lumba Sumba la 5,160m and to the base 4,550m
An 8 hours trek.Today we start the day to cover a long day trek of about eight hours. First, a faint trail heads northwest to a stream flowing from the high rocky cliff edge, after a few hours of nice walk reach an icy pond, from here climb over a plateau beyond to the ridge top of Lumba Sumba-la pass at 5,160 meters, the highest pass of our trekking. The pass offers views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kumbhakarna Himal with Mt. Kanchenjunga range. From here, we take a long downhill of 600 meters to reach a wide valley and to camp on a large pasture field at 4,550 meters, the highest camping spot of the trip.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 11: Trek to Thudam 3,600m
A 6 hours trek.We walk towards the warmer area from the camp with a gradual descent. Enjoy a pleasant walk with a few short ups into the forest to reach Thudam, a beautiful village with Tibetan style houses as of Olung village built with stone and beautiful pine woods.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 12: Trek to Kharka 2,850m
A 5 hours trek.The morning trek leads through a dense forest to a Yak herder's temporary shade and shelter. Then the trail leads into the thick bushes and tall trees, downhill to the river with an isolated yak herders camp for an overnight stop.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 13: Trek to Chyamtang 2,190m
A 7 hours trek.Today is another long day walk of about seven hours. The trail starts with a short climb to a small village above a hill, high above the Arun River. From here, a few hours of climbing to a low pass and then a long descent on muddy/wet trails to reach the Arun River. Finally, cross a bridge and lead to a steep climb to overnight camp at Lhomi village and Chyamtang both villages are close to each other.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 14: Trek to Hongoan 2,320m
A 6 hours trek.Morning walk on a moderate trail with few short ups and downs past scattered farm villages then reaching a village around large old landslides section of 2012 that damaged many houses and primary schools. From here, a pleasant walk leads to Hongaon for an overnight stop.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 15: Trek to Hatiya 1,585m.
A 6 hours trekThe walk leads to a warmer area in the sub-tropical climate zone and downstream following the Arun River fed from the glacier of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse Himal. Finally, the walk leads across farmlands, and villages reaching the overnight campsite at Hatiya village, a popular village located on the Nepal / Tibet trade route.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 16: Trek to Gola 1,128m.
A 5 hours trekAfter Hatiya, the trek leads through many small farm villages with beautiful terraced rice fields until Gola with several minor ups and downs.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 17: Trek to Gadhi Danda 1,180m
A 6 hours trek.We are again back to a cultural and racial bridge, back to the villages of mixed tribes Kirat Rai, Magar, Gurung, Chettries, Brahmins and Dalits peoples. We then continue trekking through the villages full of life until we reach Gadhi Danda, where we will camp for our overnight stay. We get to enjoy the views of Jaljala and the rocky peaks of the Milke Danda area.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 18: Trek to Num 1,520m
A 3 hours trek.The last day of our trek! The trail descends to farm fields for a few hours through many lively villages and low land farm fields to Num village, located on the Makalu basecamp route. It is a big village, recently connected by a motorable road.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 19: Drive back to Tumlingtar
A 4 hours drive.We leave the hill farm village, take a drive to a high ridge at Chinchela village, and continue descending to the Khandbari, the headquarters town of Sankhuwasabha district of Makalu region a warmer zone. It continues further downhill to Tumlingtar, where we end our beautiful trekking to the far-eastern part of Nepal.
- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
After breakfast, a short walk to Tumlingtar airport and board a flight to Kathmandu in the morning. Land at Kathmandu airport and get picked up to transfer to the hotel. Get distributed rooms - the rest of the day is free for you to rest and relax or if you wish, you could stroll around the high street of Kathmandu or spend time doing things of your choice, or you can also go shopping for your friends & family as a souvenir from Nepal.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 21: A contingency day
This is a reserve day to avoid possible delays and cancellations; if all goes well, as per the plan, this contingency day gets used with a guided city tour to see some of the amazing UNESCO sites of Kathmandu valley.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 22: Departure
Have breakfast and have some relaxing free time for yourself. Our office representative and vehicle will arrive at your hotel to escort you to the airport at the indicated time. Drive to Kathmandu international airport (TIA); see off formalities, you will go through the immigration and departure.- Breakfast.
What is included
- Airport pick up and departure services as per itinerary
- 3 or 4-nights of hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis, breakfast included
- Kathmandu to Badrapur airfare (Tax included). Badrapur to Illam drive by Jeep
- 1 Night Hotel in Illam on full board basis.
- Guide, cook, kitchen boys, Sherpa helpers and the necessary number of porters/mules for entire trekking.
- All required permits.
- All camping equipment such as a two-men domed tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, staff tent, toilet tent, hard and soft mattresses for each member and kitchen equipment for common use
- All necessary food and beverages for trekking
- A good sleeping bag for each member (if one requires)
- A pair of a trekking pole for each member (if one requires)
- A trekking duffel bag for each member (if one requires)
- A satellite mobile phone for communication in an emergency
- A kit box for first add medical purpose.
- Num to Tumlingtar transportation.
- A medical kit box for first aid medical purpose.
- Tumlingtar to Kathmandu airfare (tax included).
- Insurance and expenses of all local staff.
What is not included
- Travel insurance (Should include helicopter evacuation and cancellation eventualities as well)
- International air tickets.
- Nepal entry visa and visa fee (One can apply on arrival to Kathmandu airport).
- Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal expenses.
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages during the trek.
- Other charges such as usage of internet, telephone, laundry services.
- Tips for Nepali staff/porters and those not mentioned in the above price includes section.
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