Kanchenjunga to Makalu via Lumba Sumba Pass Trek (GHT)

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving Time: Approx. 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu or similar

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Our staff will accompany you and help you with the check-in at your accommodation. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Tour Duration:  8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meal: Breakfast

9:00 AM: After breakfast, you start a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Experience the numerous colors, sounds, and tastes of authentic Kathmandu and its surroundings. Our experienced tour guides will tell you all you need to know and answer all your curiosities regarding those sites.

Local Market Tour

Take a short drive to Ason. Then, start wandering Ason and Indrachowk marketplaces to get a glimpse of traditional Nepalese life. Witness the bustle of the market, see how locals purchase the products, and haggle for a bargain. Whilst walking around, enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere this local market has to offer. Observe first-hand the local produce people from Nepal actually purchase. You will also take in the sights and smells of the market. Your friendly tour guide will explain in full detail all the products and procedures you will see. There are lots of photo opportunities to capture with your camera.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Next, head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. This ancient site used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. It incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The prominent sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square are Kumari Ghar or the house of the living goddess.  Kasthamandap is a huge rest house that is said to have been built with wood from a single tree and is the source from which Kathmandu valley got its name. Other sites around Kathmandu Square are the ferocious Kal Bhairab – the red monkey God- Hanuman, hundreds of erotic carvings, temples, and statues dedicated to different deities.

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and center of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture, can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: Boudhanath

Thereafter, take a short drive towards Boudhanath.  From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. Boudhanath is one of the biggest stupa in Nepal, built in the 5^th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. The surrounding area is a central spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. Observe a beautiful dome-shaped structure stupa surrounded by brilliant colorful prayer flags. It is believed that prayer flags convey mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

Witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles. Moreover, it’s fascinating to see the people feeding grains and maize to hundreds of pigeons around stupa areas. The devotees turn the prayer wheels & chant, which is humbling to see such dedication to their beliefs.

Delight in the serenity as you hear the Buddhist mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ being chanted by devotees, alongside the echo of music streaming out from the nearby shops.

Pashupatinath

Moving on, visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of Bagmati River. The word Pashupati means “the king of animals” and the temple is famous for its monkeys. You will be visiting the Pashupatinath area to indulge in a spiritual journey.

Pashupatinath is more than just a religious destination. It is a combination of religion, art, and culture. The temple, spread across 246 hectares of land, abounds in temples and monuments. Hundreds of rituals are performed here every day. Witness people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burning at open-air cremation. Also, see elaborately dressed holy men meditating outside the temple and pilgrims placing offerings at the shrines. After touring around prominent sites, you will be transferred safely back to your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: 800 m

Flight duration: KTM- Bhadrapur 40 minutes approx.

Driving duration: 3 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

With an early wake-up call, you will get ready and be transferred to the airport, from where you will fly to Bhadrapur. Landing at Bhadrapur there will be a vehicle waiting for you that will drive to Ilam. It is a famous destination for natural scenery and landscapes, tea production, and a diverse agricultural economy. Stay overnight at Ilam and prepare yourselves for tomorrow’s trek.

Altitude above sea level: 921 m (Mitlung)

Driving duration: 5 hrs. Approx.

Trekking duration: 3–4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

You leave Ilam early in the morning and drive to Taplejung through the cardamom and tea cultivated area. The scenic drive offers you the first glimpse of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jannu.

Your first day of trekking starts from Taplejung with an easy downhill walk. During the trek, you come across several cardamom plantations, tropical forests, and local farmlands. Thereafter, cross the suspension bridge, and you have to walk along Tamor River to get to the small farming village of Mitlung.

Altitude above sea level: 1,246 m (Chiruwa) 

Trekking duration: 5 – 6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you leave Mitlung behind and head towards Chirwa. You follow the Tamor river for a while, then the trail climbs towards the Chautara and the picturesque village of Sinwa. Thereafter, you go uphill to reach Tawa village. Then, it is an easy downhill to reach Chiruwa. Get settled into your accommodations and spend your leisurely afternoon exploring this beautiful spot.

Altitude above sea level: (1,687 m) Lelep

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we rejoin our trail. Continue the trail along the beautiful Tamur River until we arrive at Olangchung Gola, the entry point of the Kanchenjunga National Park. The trail is a mix of uphill and downhill before crossing the Ghunsa Khola. After a few more hours from here, we reach Tapethok where we can stop for lunch. From there it is a pleasant walk until Pembu, and the trail goes more up and downhill until you reach Lelep. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCAP) headquarters is in Lelep. Here we have our permits checked before heading across a suspension bridge and ascending to Lelep.

Altitude above sea level: (2,051 m), Ela Danda

Hiking duration: 5–6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today you will have an early breakfast, and continue your today’s trek. The trail follows the Tamor River through a dense forest until you come across a suspension bridge. From here, you ascend through the pine forest. The forest is a good habitat for many types of species, so you might spot a few rare species through the trail. Then you reach a monastery, from where you trek a gradual descent to reach Gowatar for lunch.

From here you can see an amazing view of two waterfalls that are above 100 m tall. After lunch, continue passing through Phedi, crossing Tamor River, and through Chautaroo village. Once you cross the river, it is about an hour’s trek to Ela Danda campsite. This site offers splendid panoramic views of snow-capped peaks like the small Kasturi Peak.

Altitude above sea level: (2,525 m) Selep Kharka

Hiking duration: 5–6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast with a splendid view before getting back to the trail. Today’s trail is pleasant as it passes through Ulnus and Rhododendron forests. After crossing a suspension bridge, you come across a dense bamboo forest, which is a popular habitat for the red panda. Hope for the best to spot red panda through the trail.

For lunch, you will stop at Maguwa and continue through the maple and Ulnus forest. Before you reach Selep Kharka, you pass by a landslide area through the trail. You should be careful while trekking through this landslide trail. Soon after a few more hours of trekking, you reach Selep Kharka.

Altitude above sea level:  (3,208 m) Olangchung Gola

Hiking duration: 5–6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you trek along the Tamor River which takes you to a place Birdhungu Danda also called Jongim (2,641 m).  After a walk of about an hour, you reach a flat land surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Hiking a further 40 minutes through rhododendron forests takes you to a suspension bridge. You reach Ramite (2,685 m) for lunch after an uphill hike of about an hour from the suspension bridge. At Ramite, you can see mixed forests of Deodar and rhododendron. After lunch, you hike for an hour and come across a beautiful waterfall. You reach Olangchung Gola after a final ascent of about 40 minutes. Olangchung Gola is a beautiful Sherpa village with around 45 houses, and a 465 year old monastery with a golden manuscript. The village was facilitated with sub-health posts, a primary school, and a border police station.

Altitude above sea level: (4,203 m) Yangetar

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you start hiking flat trails for one hour and cross the suspension bridge. Thereafter, you follow the Dingsamaba Khola, passing beautiful meadows and bushes all the way to Yangetar.

Altitude above sea level: (4,747 m) Pass Camp

Hiking duration: 4–5 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, with an early breakfast, you follow Dingsamba River crossing the small streams. Then you take a gradual ascend to pasture land.  Further, take a steep climb from Langmale Kharka all the way to pass camp. We stay overnight camp in Pass Camp.

Altitude above sea level: (4,595 m) Yak Kharka, (5,177 m) Lumba Sumba 

Hiking duration: 7–8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

This would be the most difficult yet most memorable day of this trek. Today you will pass through the Lumba Sumba. You will start off early as it will be difficult to cross the pass in the afternoon due to the change in weather. The trail ascends in the starting phase until we reach at Lumba Sumba La. Before reaching Lumba Sumba La, you will pass three small ponds. In the local language, Lumba Sumba means three passes, where we cross 3 ridges in a Z shape. From the top of Lumba- Sumba Pass, savour a spectacular views of mountain peaks, which include Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Khambachen, Makalu, Hongku, Baruntse range, and several adjacent peaks. After enjoying the views, you descend to Yak Kharka.

Altitude above sea level: (3,500 m) Thudam

Hiking duration: 5–6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you hike along the trail that stretches on the right bank of Lapsi Khola and arrives at Thudam. Thudam is a Bhotiya Village, with few houses.  The people from this village are the descendants of Tibetans. You can observe the authentic Tibetan culture at Thudam.

Altitude above sea level: (2,877 m) Kharka

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you hike along the bank of Chujung Khola. The trail provides a panoramic view of peaks in the Makalu range. Along the trail, you can see small bushes and bamboo groves – the best habitat for a red panda. Further, you trek through the bamboo forest all the way down to Yak Kharka

Altitude above sea level: (2,229 m) Chyamtang

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you pass through a dense rhododendron forest. You pass through numerous side trails as there are no villages on the way. You reach a place called Chaurikharka for lunch after a hike about three hours from Kharka. From here, we can clearly see Chyamtang, Arun River, Ridha Village, and the road that leads to Kimathanka. After lunch, the trail drops to the Arun River. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Arun, you hike uphill all the way to Chyamthang. Chyamthang is a small yet picturesque village with stone houses. Sherpas are the dominant population in the village.

Altitude above sea level: (1,595 m) Hatiya

Hiking duration: 7–8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you hike through the rhododendron forest leading to the village of Gimber for lunch. If weather permits, amazing views of Makalu range can be seen from here. From Gimber, the walk is easy and after a trek of about three hours, you reach Hatiya. Hatiya – a small village of Bhote people is the entry point to the Makalu National Park.

Altitude above sea level: (1,128 m) Gola

Hiking duration: 5–6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you trek along the bank of the Arun River. You reach the confluence of the Arun and Barun Rivers after a hike of about 2.5 hrs from Hatiya. You take a break to enjoy your lunch in this beautiful spot. After having lunch near the river confluence, the trail heads towards Gola.  It is a small village of Sherpa, Rai, and Tamang people only with 12 houses.

Altitude above sea level: (1,179 m) Hedanga Gadi

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail goes through a series of gradual up and down. You hike through forests and villages all the way to Hedanga Gadi. Gadhi (that means fort in Nepali language) is a place of great historical significance as Nepali Army fought bravely by invading Tibetan Army at this place and chasing them away. Gadi is a small village market with a health post, a school, and a police station.

Altitude above sea level: (1,500 m) Num

Hiking duration: 4 hrs. Approx.

Driving duration: 3–4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today’s trek is relatively shorter and easier. After breakfast, the trail goes downhill to the Arun River. After crossing the river, there is a steep ascent that leads you up the village Num. Num is the end of a motorable road from where you drive all the way to Tumlingtar.

Flight duration: 45 minutes approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Today we will take a flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. After check-in at the hotel, spend your afternoon at leisure. You can spend the day resting or catch up on some last-minute shopping or shop for some locally made handicrafts and souvenirs.

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.