The Lumba Sumba Pass Trek is a challenging yet rewarding trek connecting the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) housing the world’s third-highest, Kanchenjunga (8598 m) and Makalu Barun National Park which is home to the fifth-highest peak, Makalu (8485 m). It is one of the new trekking routes that is first explored in 2012 and offers a wilderness trekking experience along the GHT (Great Himalayan Trail). 

This 20-day-long journey walk begins in the subtropical region and goes all the way to the alpine region. It is filled with many difficulties having you traverse through high mountain passes, untamed environments, and isolated valleys and terrains. Numerous floras and faunas are encountered on the routes. The major mentions are snow leopard and red panda. 

One of the many highlights of this Lumba Sumba Pass Trek journey is the stunning Nanga La Pass. The route offers extraordinary wilderness and mountain experiences. The wilderness experiences of the mountain are the reason we will find no settlement during the trek in several days along the path to Lumba Sumba pass. The Tamor and Arun river system is also another high attraction. These two rivers are the major tributaries of the mighty Sapta Koshi River. The route goes on through alpine grasslands, rocky outcrops, dense temperature and subtropical forests, and low river valleys.

Lumba Sumba Pass at 5160 meters above sea level is the major attraction of this off-the-trail trekking route but you will also be rewarded with spectacular landscapes, a breathtaking topography, and the culture of different ethnic groups like the Limbus, Rai, Sherpas, Magars, and Tamang. It delivers cultural aspect side by side with natural beauty. Monasteries, Chortens, temples, prayer flags, and numerous prayer walls add flavor to the trek. The culture and lifestyle is a thing of interesting aspects.

Major Highlights of Lumba Sumba Pass Trek: 

• Embrace the original path to Everest that is used by early mountaineers in Nepal
• Great opportunities to get the sights of the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and Himalayan Black Bear
• Pass through some of the most isolated Nepalese villages such as Olangchung Gola and Thudam 
• Breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Mount Kumbakarna 
• Experience the GHT (Great Himalayan Trail) trekking from east to west of Nepal
• Traverse past the least explored but one of the most beautiful mountain pass, Lumba Sumba at 5160 meters 
• Enjoy the unique culture, tradition, customs, and hospitality of the Sherpa people 
• Habitat for endangered species such as Snow Leopards and Red pandas
• Get one of the best camping trek experiences 
• Discover various kinds of floras, faunas, birds, and landscapes
• Come across beautiful waterfalls, small streams, and rivers

Difficulty Level of Lumba Sumba Pass Trek 

The Lumba Sumba Pass Trek is a lengthy and challenging walk, but it is not impossibly arduous that connect Kanchenjunga and Makalu trails. Many key factors, including high altitude, prolonged duration, unpredictable weather, off-the-beaten-path travel, and beautiful landscape, contribute to the difficulty level of a trek. This multiday trek also takes place in the high Himalayas and follows a difficult terrain with numerous ascents and descents. Due to the length of time required, this walk is also difficult. You will be trekking through rural communities for more than two weeks, which calls for extreme physical and mental stamina.

The walk starts at 2000 meters in Taplejung and gradually gains altitude until it reaches the highest point, Lumba Sumba Pass, at 5,160 meters. On the journey, you'll pass through a number of challenging high mountain passes. As a result, at such a high altitude, altitude sickness is a serious danger. One should be proactive when it comes to this sickness and alert the guide as soon as symptoms like a headache, nausea, fatigue, etc. develop. A helicopter rescue service is constantly on call to facilitate emergency evacuation in the event of a critical situation.

You'll need to walk for 6-7 hours every day in order to complete 10 to 11 kilometers. While regular fitness may help you build confidence while trekking, technical training is not required. So, months before leaving for the trip, we advise you to work out aerobically by running, jogging, backpacking, swimming, or going to the gym.

Best time for Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Autumn/fall is considered the best period to do the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek because of the stable weather and pleasant temperature. The autumn starts in mid/late September and lasts till November with bright, sunny, and warm days and crystal clear Himalayan views and landscape vistas. As the monsoon door closes and winter comes to an end, autumn ushers in an ideal trekking environment. Many wildlife can also be spotted during this time basking in the warmth of the sun. 

Another best time to go for this trek is during the spring season when the temperature is moderate. The first spring month March could be a little colder than the other spring months as it is the post-winter month. As the winter slowly concludes for the year, the vegetation also slowly comes to life with different blossoms. It's that time of year when lush forests, colorful rhododendrons, and an abundance of greenery line the trails in the Himalayan highlands. You may unwind and savor the peace and quiet of the mountains, the transparency of the sky, and the perfect climate. The paths will be drier during these months, and both the weather and the scenery are excellent.

Trekkers should not worry about crowds even if these are high seasons because this Lumba Sumba Pass trail sees very few tourists. 

Trekking to Lumba Sumba Pass Trail should be avoided during the rainy season because of the slippery pathways and impassable roads caused by the severe rains. Additionally, due to the heavy snowfall, impassable paths, and unfavorable weather, trekking is frequently impossible during the winter.

Permits required for Lumba Sumba Pass Trek 

Lumba Sumba trek is one of the diverse trekking destinations in Eastern Nepal. The trail expands through Kanchenjunga and Makalu restricted areas where a traveler needs a special permit to explore the trekking regions. The permits required for exploring Lumba Sumba Pass Trek are:

• Kanchenjunga Special Permit  
• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) Entry Permit
• Makalu Barun National Park Entrance Permit 
• Restricted Area Permit for Sangkhuwasabha District 
• Note: All the permits required for the Lumba Sumba Trek are included in the Himalayan Trekkers’ trek package.