Snow Dragons Nepal Treks Pvt. Ltd.
Himalayan Explorers
Trip Name: Lumba Sumba Trek
Destination: Lumba Sumba
Difficulty: Difficult.
Activities: Trekking and Sightseeing
Max Elevation: 5117m
Walking duration: Between 5 to 7 hours, plus rests.
Style: Tea House Trek - incl. breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Support: Guide and porters.
Transportation: Local bus or own jeep (more expensive)
Duration: 20 days
Lumba Sumba Trek – Kanchenjunga to Makalu Trek- Part of Great Himalayan Trail – remote trekking into the wilderness of Himalayas
The Lumba Sumba Trek is perfect for those trekkers who have enough time and ultimate desire to endeavor into less trodden remote region of Himalayas beyond regular trekking routes. This trek combines quite but comfortable lodges accommodation with large back-country camping. Tucked away far in north-east region of Nepal, it is newly opened trekking route located between Mount Kanchenjunga (third highest peak in the world) and Mount Makalu (fifth highest peak in the world). The trail traverses Lumba Sumba Pass at 5117m and largely undiscovered and untamed landscapes connecting Kanchenjunga National Park and Makalu Barun National Park.
With spectacular grandeur of nature and Himalaya landscapes, the trekking trail to Lamba Sumba follows the alpine grasslands, rocky outcrops, dense temperate and sub-tropical forest and low-river valleys. Notable landmarks during the trek includes: the array of high mountain lakes in Olangchung Gola and the amazing river system of Arun and Tamor. As this trek offers good scope of exploration and discovery, trekkers encounter different species of birds and wildlife including snow leopard and red panda.
Beside the magic of nature, trekkers get privilege to perceive the cultural heritage sites- age-old monastery, chortens, temples, prayer walls and local festivals. Limbu, Sherpa, Rai, Gurung, Magar and Tamang are the major inhabitants of the region. Trekkers also witness the tradition way of farming along the trekking route.
Untouched by any effluence, the trail route supports a fine ecosystem that shelters numerous species of floral and faunal species. The weather remains clear during winter and tantalizing during the pre-monsoon season with astounding views around. The fragile ecosystem of the region is highly protected and trekkers can find no single tree unaccompanied.
Trekking in Lumba Sumba is strenuous and challenging in terms of distance to be covered in a day and remoteness. It is important to get proper acclimatization due to the huge change in altitude over small time period during the trek. This trek is prefect for passionate walkers with sound fitness and strong determination.
Day 01: Welcome to Nepal. Airport pick up and hotel transfer, trip planning (permits, equipment check etc.).
Day 02: After breakfast, we visit to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and gain a view of Kathmandu valley and city. The afternoon is free to explore and shop, with a quick trip-planning meet before bed.
Day 03: (1) Early morning flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (45 minutes). Upon here we take another flight to Suketar. Trek to Mitlang (909m).
Day 04: (2) Trek uphill to Chiruwa (1246m).
Day 05: (3) After breakfast, ascend to Pembu
Day 06: (4) Trek through rhododendron forests and bamboo groves to reach the village of Selep Kharka (2525m).
Day 07: (5) We continue through rhododendron woodland, to reach Ramite, lunch. Lunch in Ramite. Here there are stunning waterfalls and views of the mountains. We continue to the camp site at Olangchung Gola.
Day 08: (6) The trail now becomes more demanding, as we enter a wilderness of plants and boulders. Lunch at Jadak (3636m), before we continue to Langmale (3893m).
Day 09: (7) We are now treated to one of the finest days in Nepal, with peaks all around. The devious Snow Leopard is often sighted in the area, but will in all probability avoid us! We follow the Tamor River, with lunch at Tangchetar (4203m). Another three hours of walking leads us to Pass Camp
Day 10: (8) An early pre-breakfast, as this is a long day, and we wish to cross the Lumba Sumba Peak (5200m) before noon (as the weather often changes). Once crossed the trial is still demanding, and we eventually descend to our camp at Chaurikharka (4534m).
Day 11: (9) Today we continue downhill before we reach two 'roads' - one leads to Lyasha in Tibet and the other to the village of Thudam. We choose the latter as the day’s destination.
Day 12: (10) Today, we again descend, to reach the Chujung Khola, where we are treated to views of the Makalu range to the north. We enter the bamboo groves, the habitat of red pandas, although it is doubtful we will spy one, and reach our camping site at Kharka.
Day 13: (11) Today’s trail is quite tricky. There are no villages on the way and there are numerous side trails - and many people get lost. We eventually reach Chayamtang (2229m) and Ridha Village, and the road leading to Kimathanka.
Day 14: (12) We are now moving towards Hatiya (1595m), where we experience culture and warm hospitality of mountain peoples. With the added bonus, we can simply enjoy the magnificence of nature. After the previous hard days treking this is a tranquil route, one popular for bird enthusiasts. We enter the wilderness area of The Arun Valley. Lunch at Glimber village (1585m), then we continue to village of Hatiya, the entry point to the Makalu National Park.
Day 15: (13) Today we follow the Arun River for two and half hour to reach the confluence of the Arun and Barun Rivers. Lunch here, before we continue to Gola, a small village of 12 households.
Day 16: (14) We are back walking in the paddy fields. Our goal today is Pathivara (not the famous Pathivara Temple in Taplejung). Pathivara is small Gurung village with tea shops, groceries and some hotels. After lunch, we ascend to Gadhi.
Day 17: (15) Today we follow the Arun River, then have a strenuous ascent to Num village. Here we hire a vehicle to drive us to Khandbari, where buses are available to take us to Dharan or Biratnagar.
Day 18: (16) Fly back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free.
Day 19: Free day. Visit temples, shop until you drop - or just rest in the hotels garden.
Day 20: Depart.
