Around Kanchenjunga Trek near Tibet

As per the flight time to our destination transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for the super scenic flight to Bhadrapur with awesome panorama views array of snow capped mountains from Ganesh-Langtang-Jugal Himal, Gaurishanker, Numbur and Mt. Everest with Nuptse, Lhotse and as far to Kanchenjunga and Makalu range, after 40 minutes reaching at Bhadrapur on the far south east of Nepal close to India border and in sub-tropic climate, from here join our trekking staff for the drive to a nice Tea Garden town at Ilam Bazaar for overnight stop on this mid hills area, where its cooler.

After an interesting time at Ilam with its sea of tea garden, morning few hours of scenic drive leads to many farm villages and towns and then crossing the Kabeli Khola (Small River) on the jeep rough road reaching at

Sukhetar village in Taplejung after a drive of four hours, from Suketar starting the first walk of this wonderful journey heading downhill with short ups in between to reach a small farm village of Mitlung at 921 meters, where temperature is quite warm with rice paddies grown around this low altitude.

Following long downhill path along Tamor River with few short ups and downs to Sinwa village, from here continue descends to Tawa village and then crossing several streams to reach a small green valley after passing few scattered farm villages and reaching at our overnight camp at Chirwa which is a moderate size village with mix tribes of Rai (Kirat tribe) Magar, Tamang and Hindu Chettries, Brahmins and dalits.

From Chirwa morning walk heading towards Sukathum village, on reaching a small woodland by the river bank with mix terrains landscapes and cultivation of cardamom fields in complete shade of a dense tree lines, then leading higher on cultivated farm fields and short descend to overnight camp at Lungthang a small farm village, from here the air gets cooler and change in people culture and custom of Tibetan influence.

Today walk leads to one of the highlight of this trip at Holung located on the trail to Tibet, and a large village of this surrounding high mountainous cold area, although a long walk of mixed variations with gentle slope to downhill and steep ups and into a lovely alpine forest of beautiful rhododendron, oaks and pine trees, the walk leads downstream to Yangma Khola and then our direction changes heading towards North West into Tamar Khola at about 2,800 meters to follow a wide trail on the winding up to reach at Walangchung - Gola also known by Holung name, here we will have 2 nights stops to explore this interesting and impressive high remote village.

A place for rest and optional walk around this impressive village of stone built houses and farms, the people here are of Bhotia’s tribe with strong Tibetan influence in al nature, from Tibetan Buddhism religion, culture and way of life. The villagers do trade and barter with Tibet still as this was a caravan route bringing goods from both side in exchange for salts and Tibetan / Chinese goods to rice, spices and pulses and other food stuff from Nepal. Here visit the village and explore the local old monastery.

Enjoying the time at Holung village around Wangchungo-la area, morning walk leads to Tamor Khola and reaching a river confluence of Dinsangba river which later joins the big Tamor river way down, after crossing a small wooden bridge with a climb nearly half day of 3-4 hours to Lumba Sumba ridge top through forested area of rhododendron, pines, oaks and magnolia trees and then heading back with downhill to Dinsangba Khola again following upstream into woodlands and with a climb again passing several yak grazing pasture known as kharka and to large green valley, and continue over a black rock band to reach another valley to end the day walk with overnight stop on the meadows.

Starting the morning walk earlier as today a long day trekking of nearly eight hours on the faint trail heading North West of a stream flowing from a high rocky cliff edge, after few hours of nice walk coming to an icy pond and then leading to a climb of this plateau northern side to head beyond to ridge top of Lumba Sumba-la pass at 5,135 meters the highest spot of this remarkable journey and a wonderful experience to achieve this high elevation. From the top looking around eastern Himalayan panorama from Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Khumbakarna Himal with massive range of Mt. Kanchenjunga, after a grand time heading to another ridge that line this high hills contouring to reach Lumba Sumba La again but different to offering same views of snow clad mountains of Mt. Kanchenjunga & Jannu Himal to the east with Makalu towards North West.

Finally on the long downhill loosing at about 600 meters descend to reach a wide valley and to camp on the large pasture field at 4,500 meters altitude the highest camping spot of this trip as well.

A nice feeling to be in complete wilderness away from villages and human settlement for few days, from here walking to much warmer area on the gradual descend and then with a climb for a while and back to normal walk with few short ups on route and then into a alpine woodland and finally ending the day walk of near five hours at Thudam a nice village with Tibetan influenced villagers as in Holung village, a moderate size village of more than twenty houses built with stone and fine pine woods.

After an interesting and nice time in this remote village, walk starts back into dense forest to camp at Kharka (Sheppard’s shelter), at first following the path through thick vegetation of bushes and tall tree lines and then heading downhill to a river and with small climb in between but more or less on the downhill walk to reach an isolated yak herders camp at Kharka for overnight stop.

From here another long day walk of near seven hours, morning starts with a short climb to a small village on the mid-hills just above Arun River from this place another three hours leading to climb to a small pass and then a long descend on the muddy and wet trail to reach Arun River with thick vegetation of bamboo stalks and prickly bushes, and then walking across a bridge, and then a steep uphill walk of about 500 meters long climb to reach the overnight camp at a nice village of Lhomi village and Chyamtang which is close together.

Morning walk on moderate terrain with few short ups and downs (which is famous and popular word in Nepali) walking on main path passing many scattered farm hamlets and villages and reaching near to this village a large landslide which damaged many houses and primary schools in monsoon season in the year 2012, after a nice trekking of about six hours reaching at Hongaon for overnight stop.

From this small neat village, morning walk leads to much warmer places entering sub-tropical country zone, journey continues following the Arun River downstream which is fed by the glacier of Mt. Makalu and Barun Himal flowing right near Tumlingtar to join Sun Kosi near the flatland of Nepal Terai, walk leads across many farm lands and terraces, villages and reaching our overnight camp at Hatiya village, a popular village located on Nepal / Tibet trade route.

After this interesting village of Hatiya walk leads to more warmer area which is pleasant to trek on shorts and T shirts, encountering many small farm villages and cultivated terraces with rice paddies depending upon the season as rice is planted in wet monsoon season and harvested in autumn season, walk continues to follow the main trail for about five hours on good nice path following for sometime upper Arun River and then on the downhill with short ups to reach the overnight stop at Gola farm village.

From here onwards villages of mixed tribal people of Kirat Rais, Magar, Gurung, Chettries, Brahmins and few Dalits people, the walk is interesting meeting friendly villagers along this nice pleasant walk passing many rural and nice villages and finally arriving at Gadhi-danda village for overnight stop offering grand views of Jaljala rocky and snow peaks near Milke danda area.

Today the last leg and the final trek of this trip to Num village, after leaving Gadhi-Danda village leading to a descend into farm fields and terraces for some hours and passing many villages on this morning walk, and then ending the day with the final trekking at Num village slowly developing into town with the construction of motor road during this past few years.

Num a fine large village situated on a ridge top overlooking views of hills to Makalu area and of Jaljala Himal towards north.

After a wonderful time in the high hills and mountains and in rural villages, from here with a drive on rough jeep road, but interesting going through many farm villages and with beautiful scenery of surrounding green landscapes and snow capped peaks in the distance, after few hours of drive reaching at a large town of Khadbari the major town and headquarter of Sanka Sambua district in Makalu region. From here an hour of descend brings back to Tumlingtar in the comfort of nice simple lodge.

As per the flight time to Kathmandu, a short walk to Tumlingtar airport terminal in the morning, on boarding the plane 40 minutes of sweeping flight with parallel views of mountains all the way to Kathmandu, at Kathmandu transfer to hotel after a short drive around Thamel area, with whole day free as per the time of return flight from Tumlingtar.