Lumba Sumba Pass Trekking (5200m) - 24 days

Lumba Sumba Pass trekking (5177m) lies in the eastern part of Nepal and it is a unique trekking experience where one can enjoy the real beauty of untouched Nepali culture, different ethnical people, amazing landscapes, beautiful forest and stunning views of Panoramic Himalayan ranges including the Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m) third highest in the world, Mount Janu (7710m), Mount Kangbachen (7903m) and many more. Lumba Sumba pass trekking is recently discovered trekking trail, which also connects the Kanchenjunga region with Makalu region via the Lumba Sumba high pass. 
Lumba Sumba pass trekking is rich in wildlife and vegetation. During the trek, one can even encounter rare and endangered snow leopard, Asian black bear, red panda, snow cock, blood pheasant and many more, whereas on the low land one can see the beautiful garden of black cardamom, cultivated lands, forests, and pastures. As we trek to the high lands the vegetation is rare due to the altitude and cold temperature but mostly we can find shrubs. The trek starts from Suketar, Taplejung district then to mitlung via fungling and trek through the bank of Tamor River and passing through many remote Nepali villages. The Trek consists of Nepal's best-protected areas, initially through the Kanchenjunga conservation area and to the Makalu Barun national park via Lumba Sumba pass, this pass is also the highest point of our trek where we will be at the elevation of 5177 meters from Sea level. Lumba Sumba trekking also can be combined with the Kanchenjunga base camp south and north trek as well as with the Makalu base camp trek, so trekkers who would like to combine, Himalayan Icefall trekking can arrange you the best itinerary as your choice. The best time to trek Lumba Sumba pass is during the month of March to May and September to November.

Trip Hightlight

• Arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport, Then welcome by our office representative and transfer to the respective hotel. After checking in to the hotel, meet our experienced trekking guide then detail briefing about the Trekking. Trekking permit collection as well as other required documents for the trekking. Finally, settle down all the payment procedures.

• After the morning breakfast, briefing about the Kathmandu full day city sightseeing. i.e Swoyambhunath, it is one of the holiest pilgrims for Buddhist and Hindus, and it is located at the hilltop in the Kathmandu also popularly known as the monkey temple.  
  Then after we drive to Bouddhanath stupa, which is also the main important shrine for Buddhist around the world. Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest spherical Stupa of Nepal and one of the largest Stupa in the world. Then finally we drive for Pashupatinath.
  Pashupatinath is located nearby Boudhanath, this temple is one of the major important sacred pilgrim sites for the Hindus around the world. And not to forget all the above three shrines are enlisted in UNESCO world heritage site. Finally drive back to the hotel, then have some rest, prepare for trekking which starts from tomorrow. Overnight.

• Morning breakfast then drives to domestic Airport, fly to Bhadrapur which is located at eastern part of Nepal, the flight takes around 45 minutes. After landing at Bhadrapur Airport, drive to Illam by a reserved vehicle which takes around 3-4 hours, popular for its abundant tea garden, this place is also known as the tea garden of Nepal. During our drive to illam, we can see beautiful tea gardens on our way and beautiful hills. Illam is also famous for viewing stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga (3rd highest peak in the world, 8586m) and Mount Janu/ Kumbhakarna (7710m). Illam is mostly inhabited by Limbus, Rai’s, chhetri and Brahmins having their own distinctive culture and tradition. Finally, check in to the hotel at illam and rest.

• After the morning breakfast, drive illam to Taplejung, which takes around 6-7 hours. On our way to Taplejung we can view beautiful typical Nepali villages, and landscapes. We will take lunch in between at one of the fine restaurants. Then continue our journey to Taplejung, by the time we arrive at taplejung it will already be in the evening, and then check in to the hotel at taplejung (1720m). Rest and prepare for walking which actually starts from the next day.

• After breakfast, we start our actual trekking from Taplejung to the beautiful village of Mitlung (921m) which takes around 6-7 hours of walking. On our trek to Mitlung village from Taplejung, there won’t be many difficulties this day because the trekking trail will be the gentle trail, not much steep. On this trekking day we will see beautiful villages, agricultural land, and besides, we will also see the villages of brave Gurkhas. After the gentle walk for several hours, we will finally arrive at the Mitlung village, where our camps will be waiting for us. Overnight at camps.

• After breakfast, we trek Mitlung to Chiruwa which takes around 5-6 hours of a gentle walk with lesser steeps. During our trek on this day, we pass through typical Nepali villages, and this is also a good opportunity for observing Nepali culture, tradition, and pure Nepali house architecture. Then we will reach finally at Chiruwa village for our camping overnight.  

• This day the trek runs along the mighty Tamor River. At the start of the trek, there are two big stones with religious importance. The trek passes through Ulnus trees passes until we reach a big landslide area that takes around half an hour to cross. After a walk of two and half hours from Chiruwa through beautiful cardamom gardens, we reach Tapethok (1340m) for lunch. Tapethok is a small market with some tea shops. There is also a KCAP checkpoint at Tapethok. After lunch, it is a wonderul walk for about an hour until we arrive at Pembu (1486m). From Pembu, it is an uphill ascend for about two and half hours to reach Lelep (1687m) – our destination for the day. The KCAP headquarters is in Lelep.

• From Lelep, the trek goes along the bank of Tamor River through dense forest that offers good habitat for different wildlife species. You can see some wild species if you are lucky. We will cross a suspension bridge after a walk of about an hour from Lelep. After crossing suspension bridge, it is an uphill climb through pine forest for about half an hour until we reach a monastery. From there, the trek gradually descends after about half an hour and we reach Gowatar (1800m) for lunch. Gowatar is a small settlement with a few houses. Near the village, there is a big stone and it is believed that only the religious people can move them. After a walk of around half hour from Gowatar, we reach a place that offers amazing views of two waterfalls about 100 meters tall, where we can take a rest for a while. A walk of about half an hour form here takes us to Phedi. After crossing Tamor River, it is an uphill climb for about 45 minutes until we reach a resting place known as chautaro, a tree shade in local dialect. Another 30 minutes' walk will take us to our camping site at Ela Danda (2051m). The place offers panoramic view of snowcapped peaks including the Small Kasturi Peak and Tamor River.

• The trek on this day is pleasing as it passes through Ulnus and Rhododendron forest for about an hour until we reach a suspension bridge. After crossing the suspension bridge, the trek passes through dense bamboo groves (spread over around 5 hectares). This place is popular among trekkers as the habitat of red panda. If you are lucky, we might catch a sight of red panda from the trail itself. After a total walk of around four hours from El Danda, we reach Maguwa (2435m) for lunch. After lunch, the trail passes through maple and Ulnus forest. There is a big landslide on the way and trekkers must be careful while crossing it. After a walk of around two hour, we reach Selep Kharka (2525m) – our destination for the day.

• The trek goes along the banks of Tamor River leading to a place called Jongim (2641), a flat land surrounded by snowcapped hills, after a walk of about an hour. Another one hour walk through rhododendron forest from Jongim, takes us to a suspension bridge. After an uphill walk of about an hour from the suspension bridge, we reach Ramite (2685m) for lunch. At Ramite, we can see mixed forest of Deodar and rhododendron. We see a beautiful waterfall after a walk of about an hour from Ramite. If you are lucky, you might be rewarded with the view of red panda from here. We caught the first glimpse of Olangchung Gola after a walk of around 50 minutes from the waterfall. After a climb of about 40 minutes, we finally reach the camping site at Olangchung Gola (3208m). Olangchung Gola is a beautiful Sherpa village with around 45 houses, a 465 years old monastery with golden manuscript and KCAP office. There is also a sub-health post, a primary school and a border police station at Olangchung Gola.

                                  (Olangchung gola Village)
 

• From Olangchung gola, the next three days will pass through wilderness. As the trek is in complete wilderness. The trek passes through pine and rhododendron forests. After a walk of two and half hours, we reach a place called Jadak (3636m) for lunch. A walk of three hours on snowy track will take us to our camping site at Upper Langmale (3893m). Overnight Langmale.

• The day of trek can be interesting as snow leopards can be sighted numerous times from this trek. The trek runs along the Tamor River and on the other side of the river lies dense rhododendron forest. After a walk of about 3-4 hours, we reach Tangchetar (4203m) for lunch. Another three hours walk after lunch will lead us to our camping site at Pass Camp (4747m).

• This may be the difficult yet most memorable day of this trek. This day the trek will pass through the Lumba Sumba Peak (5200m). It is better to start early as it will be difficult to cross the peak after noon. The trek climbs a bit up and again runs down. It is better to take packed lunch, as there are no good camping sites around. After a walk of about four and half hour from Pass Camp, we climb the Lumba Sumba Peak and descend down to Chaurikharka (4594m) for night’s stay.

                                         (At Lumba sumba Pass)
 

• This day is for rest. Free and easy day and escursion nearby places.

• The trek descends from Chaurikharka as we return back to civilization after tiring walks. After a walk of about three and half hours, we come across two roads – one to Lyasha in Tibet and the other toward Thudam. We prepared our lunch at this place. A trek of about three hours takes us to Thudam for the night’s accommodation. Thudam (3500m) is a small village with around 30 houses of Sherpa people.

• The trail offers panoramic view of peaks in the Makalu range. On the way you see lot of small bushes and bamboo groves – the best habitat for red panda. If you are lucky, you can see this endangered species. It is better to carry packed lunch, as it is difficult to find drinking water along the trail. After a walk of about six-hours from Thudam, we arrive at Kharka (2877m) for the night’s halt.

• After a walk of about 3-4 hours form Kharka, we reach a place called Chaurikharka for lunch. From Chaurikharka, we can clearly see Chyamtang (2229m), Arun River, Ridha Village and the road that leads to Kimathanka. After lunch, the trek is all downhill for about three hours until we reach Arun River. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Arun, the trek is uphill for about an hour until Chyamthang – our destination for the day. Chyamthang (2229m) is a small yet beautiful village with stone houses. Sherpas are the dominant population in the village.

• The trail on the day passes through rhododendron forest. The walk is easy as chirping of birds make you feel refreshed. The trail is one of the popular places for birding as we are entering Arun Valley that is home to several bird species. A walk of about two and half hours from Chyamthang takes us to Gimber Village (1585m) for lunch.  Gimber Village offers spectacular view of snowcapped peaks in the Makalu range. From Gimber, the walk is easy and after a trek of about three hours we reach Hatiya (1595) for the night’s stay. Hatiya – a small village of Bhote people – is the entry point to the Makalu National Park.

• The trek runs along the banks of Arun River. After a walk of about two and half hours from Hatiya, we reach the confluence of Arun and Barun rivers. After having lunch near the river confluence, the trek progress toward Gola – our destination for the day. A walk of around two and half hours after lunch takes us to our camping site at Gola.  Gola is a very small village with only 12 houses. Sherpa, Rai and Tamang people reside here.

• The trek passes through paddy fields, a sign that we are at lowlands now. The walk is pleasing as the trail makes a short descent, but again makes a short climb. After a walk of about two and half hours from Gola, we reach Pathibhara (not to be confused with the Pathibhara temple in Taplejung district) for lunch. Pathibhara (1524m) is a small Gurung village with tea shops, groceries and some hotels. The trail, after lunch passes through agricultural land and we can find plenty of water sources and small settlements along the way. We reach Gadhi (1800m) – our destination for the day – after a walk of around three hours from Pathibhara. Gadhi (that means fort in Nepali language) is a place of great historical significance as Nepali Army fought bravely with invading Tibetan Army at this place and chased them away.

• This is the last day of our trek. A walk of about two and half hours from Gadhi takes us to Num. From Gadhi, the trek is about an hour downhill till the Arun River. After crossing the river, an uphill climb of about one and half hour takes us to the Num village (1572m). From Num we drive to Tumlingtar, which takes around 3-4 hours. Overnight Tumlingtar.

• After breakfast, fly back to Kathmandu. Free and easy day

• Typical Nepali farewell dinner