Lumba Sumba Pass Trek - 20 Days

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by one of the Himalayan Trekkers’ representatives. Then you will be transferred to your designated hotel and escorted through your hotel check-in process. After you have freshened up and rested for a bit, you will have a short briefing session regarding your Lumba Sumba Pass Trek at your hotel lobby. Later, if you are interested, we can have a short strolling time around the Thamel market. You will be introduced to the local lifestyle and surroundings. During our Thamel street exploration, we will come across many small Hindu and Buddhist temples, shrines, and stupas. 

Note: If you arrive in Kathmandu by noon and you do have jet lag, you can opt for the half-day Kathmandu sightseeing where you will be taken to one or two of the UNESCO-enlisted heritages of Kathmandu depending upon the time and your interest.

After breakfast, we will start your guided sightseeing of Kathmandu heritages. We will first drive to Boudhanath Stupa, the biggest stupa in Nepal and one of the biggest in the world in terms of size and value. It is a Tibetan Buddhism Stupa built in a dome/semi-circled shape in the center of the giant mandala. It is believed that the stupa houses the relics of Lord Buddha. The environment around the stupa is vibrant yet peaceful with monks and pilgrims making a holy circuit (kora in the Tibetan/local language) of the stupa, shops selling authentic Himalayan incense, hand-painted Thangkas, visitors lighting butter lamps, children feeding pigeons, and the monasteries holding ceremonies. 

After Boudhanath, we will drive to another UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Pashupatinath Temple. It is one of the most significant Hindu sites in Nepal. In fact, it is one of the 4 important Hindu Pilgrimage Sites in the world.  The temple complex is very big with hundreds of temples, monuments, and shrines dedicated to many Hindu gods and goddesses. However, the major temple in the complex is known as Pashupatinath which is only open to Hindu followers. Pashupati is also the site where almost every Hindu cremation ceremony is done in Kathmandu. You might get to witness this sight when we roam around the temple. 

We return to Thamel after exploring these important places and do last-minute shopping for your Lumba Sumba Pass Trek if required. 

We will take the earliest flight to Bhadrapur from Kathmandu today. After a 45 minutes flight above the diverse hills and terrains, we land at Bhadrapur Airport where you will meet your supporting crew. From the airport, we will drive directly to Taplejung for the night. The drive on the blacktop road goes past the vast landscapes, high hills, and small mountains passing through the beautiful lush tea garden of Kanyan and Fikkal in Ilam. As we approach our guesthouse in Taplejung we are welcomed by the black/big cardamom forests. Taplejung is the biggest producer of the spice called black/big cardamom in the world. Once at our lodging, we rest and look forward to the trip.

(Note: If the flight gets delayed, we will stop at Bhadrapur for the night. If so, our Taplejung drive will be scheduled tomorrow morning extending the trip days.)

Today marks the beginning of our trekking days towards the Lumba Sumba Pass. The trek begins alongside the Tamor River with a moderate walk to Furumba then a climb up then descent to Siwa Bazaar. The trail leads uphill till the checkpoint of Kanchenjunga Conservation then gradually descend to Chiruwa. The freshwater and presence of fertile land make this region crucial farmland of the valley. After 5-6 hours of trek, we will enjoy the beauty of Chiurwa

Today as well trek rungs along the mighty Tamor River. You will encounter two big stones with religious significance at the start of the trek. The trek passes through Ulnas trees. After a walk of two and a half hours through beautiful cardamom gardens, we reach Tapethok. It's a small market with local tea shops where you rest a bit. You cross the checkpoint and start walking uphill to reach your destination today. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area headquarter is also in Lelep which we will be exploring upon reaching there and a bit of freshening up. There are also groceries, tea-shops where you can enjoy.

After breakfast, we move our way towards Ila danda through a dense forest that offers good habitats for different wildlife species. You need to be highly lucky to witness snow leopards. We cross the beautiful suspension bridge and climb uphill through the pine forest until we reach the monastery. After paying a visit and resting bit in the monastery, we start descending until we reach Gowatar, a small village settlement. After a half-hour walk from Gowatar,

We reach a place that offers breathtaking views of two waterfalls about 100m tall. Enjoying the view and bidding farewell to waterfalls we continue our hike crossing the Tamor river we reach Chautaroo (Chautaroo is the traditional place where people rest). Another half an hour’s walk leads to our destination, Ila danda. The place offers a majestic view of snow-capped peaks. Overnight stay at Tented Camp

Today after breakfast, we pass through a lush rhododendron forest. After an hour of walking, we reach the suspension bridge from where the dense bamboo forest starts. The place is popular for Red Panda. If you are lucky you might witness Red Panda. After walking for about 3 and a half hours, we reach a place Maguwa. The trail passes through maple and Ulnus forest. Walking through woods for about one hour from here, we reach our destination today. O/N at tented camp. 

After breakfast early in the morning, we head towards Jongim along the bank of the Tamor River. Jognim is a flat land surrounded by snowcapped hills. The trail passes through a rhododendron forest and a suspension bridge. After an uphill walk of about an hour, we reach Ramite. Here, we can see a mixed forest of Deodar and rhododendron. We see a beautiful waterfall after a walk about an hour onwards from Ramite. We will catch a faraway view of beautiful Olangcgung Gola village after 45 mins walk from the waterfall. Upon reaching Olangchung Gola we can explore the monastery with the golden manuscript and KCAP office. It's a beautiful Sherpa village.  We spend overnight at a tented camp. 

Today after breakfast we start our trek through the wilderness of this region. However, piles of stones along the way act as signposts, showing our direction. The trail passes through pine and rhododendron forests. After a walk of two and half hours, we reach a place called Jadak where we rest a bit and walk onwards through the snowy track until our destination arrives. 

Today after breakfast, we start our trek through the wilderness of this region. However, piles of stones along the way act as signposts, showing our direction. O/N at tented camp. 

Today, the trek runs along the Tamor River, and on the other side of the river lies a dense rhododendron forest. After a walk of about 3 hours, we reach a place called Tangchetar. Another 3 hours of walk until we reach our destination today. O/N at tented camp

Today is exciting day since we are about to explore Lumba Sumba Pass (5177 M). This would be difficult yet rewarding. The trail today climbs upwards and downwards. We pack lunch for today. After a challenging about 5 hours of walk from pass camp, we reach Lumba Sumba Pass. We tackle the altitude with no rushing steady walking and staying hydrated. We descend towards Chaurikharka overnight after the exploration of the Lumba Sumba Pass. O/N at tented camp. 

We descend towards Thudam after breakfast today. End of the complete wilderness we start seeing civilization. After a walk of about three and a half hours, we come across Dobato (which is generally a junction of two roads/ways/trails). One leads us towards Lyasha in Tibet and another to our destination. We walk onwards until we reach Thudam village. O/N at tented camp.

Today, we walk along the Chujung Khola. The trail today offers a panoramic view of the Makalu range. The trail follows by small bushes and bamboo groves. It is also famous for Red Panda. If you are lucky enough you can see endangered Red Panda grazing in the bamboo. We carry a full water bottle today since there is less water facility available. After walking six hours and getting lost in the woods for six hours, we reach our destination today. O/N at tented camp. 

Today after breakfast early in the morning, we start our journey toward Chyamtang. The trail passes through dense rhododendron forest. After a walk of about three hours from Yak kharka, we reach a place called Chaurikharka from where we can see the faraway view of beautiful Chyamtang. We continue our journey downhill until we reach the Arun River where we cross a suspension bridge over the Arun and the trek is uphill until we reach our destination today. Upon reaching Chyamtang we can see Sherpa culture and lifestyle. O/N at tented camp. 

After breakfast early in the morning, we walk through rhododendron forests with birds chirping pleasant sounds. The trail is one of the most popular for bird watching as we are entering ARUN VALLEY which is home to different species of birds. A walk of about two and a half hours leads us to Glimber village where we rest a bit overviewing snow-capped mountains in the Makalu Range. Onwards from Glimber, it is an easy walk of about three hours to reach Hatiya (a small village of Bhote people). Hatiya is also the entry point to the Makalu National Park.  O/N at tented camp. 

Today we complete 2nd week of trekking collecting and making memories. We memorize the memories created together and walk along the bank of the Arun River. After a walk of about two and a half hours, we reach the confluence of the Arun and Barun rivers. Sightseeing this beautiful place we head towards Gola. In about two and half-hour we reach Gola. Upon reaching Gola we can experience the culture, and lifestyle of the Rai, sherpa, and Tamang people. O/N at tented camp.

The trek passes through paddy fields - a sign that we are on lowlands. After a walk of about two and a half hours, we reach Pathivara where we see Gurung village with tea shops, groceries, and some hotels. The trail offers agricultural land and human settlements. After walking for three hours we reach our destination today. Gadhi is a historically significant place where Nepali Army fought with invading Tibetan army in the past. O/N at tented camp. 

Today is the last day of our trek. We stop hiking until the next journey after two and half hours of walking from Gadhi. The trek is downhill till the Arun River. After crossing the river, an uphill of about one and a half hours takes us to Num village. Here we pack the bag tied and load it into the jeep and make our way toward Tumlingtar. The drive offers colorful terraced fields. A 4-5 hour scenic drive takes us to Tumlingtar. O/N at guesthouse/hotel. 

We transfer you to the Tumlingtar Airport for the flight to Kathmandu after breakfast. You will again get to enjoy a magical aerial view of giant hills and landscapes. Once in the capital and at hotel check-in, you are on your own. You can opt. for the guided Kathmandu Heritage Sightseeing or visit one of the spa centers in Thamel to unwind from the long trekking days. In the evening, we will have authentic Nepalese cuisine as a farewell dinner with the team. 

You will be transferred to the airport after breakfast or 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight back to your home country or onward destination.