Lumba Sumba Pass Trek takes you to the landscape of formidable peaks and meandering paths. Opened in 2012 the trek is raw, isolated, and rural. One of the least explored parts of the country, without much buzz of tourism, taking you to the side of Nepal that most travelers do not think while planning a trip.
The ravishing beauty of the various river networks keeps you enchanted throughout the trek. The mysterious and impenetrable woodlands, the unique biodiversity of the region, and frozen peak gleaming like stars. Where communities live in the middle of wild and unspoiled landscapes sharing work and harvest. Clinging to the mountainside, in the frozen peaks of the Himalayas.
A trek taking you from the Kanchenjunga region to the mysterious Makalu region. Traversing along lush woodlands to high alpine meadows, following various river networks and glaciers, crossing a high Himalayan pass. Apart from nature explore village frozen in time and learn about the rich culture and traditions of the people. Where you will be happy to share stories, discover new things, and meet new people.
Overview:
The Lumba Sumba Pass Trek starts with a scenic flight taking you from the central hills of Kathmandu to the southern low lands of Biratnagar. From Biratnagar head on a long drive towards Phidim. A town nestled in the Churia hills. The following day head on a short ride towards Taplejung. The starting point of the trek. Traversing across terrace farms and lush agriculture belts reach Mitlung Village. Next following the banks of Tamor River enter the vibrant Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project area and towards the tiny village of Chirwa.
From Chirwa following an uphill section across the lush deep wilderness reach the village of Lelep. Then ascending through the pine forest and following the rapids of the mighty Tamor River move towards Ela Danda. The next day gaining elevation through dense Rhododendron, Alder, and bamboo groves proceed towards Selep Kharka. A pasture land of the region. Thereafter the trail takes you to the village of Olanchung Gola. In the village visit the 465 years old monastery which houses a golden manuscript. From Olanchung Gola traversing mountain country, the trail takes you to the isolated and secluded village of Upper Langmale.
Next following the rapids of Tamar River reach Pass Camp. Thereafter cross the Lumba Sumba Pass and descend to the other side towards Chauri Kharka a high alpine meadow and pasture land. From the passing witness grander views of the Kanchenjunga at 8598 meters in the west, Mt. Makalu at 8485 meters to the east, and various other endless peaks.
Following the ancient trading, routes head towards Thudam. The next day traversing along the banks and crossing sections of bamboo groves reach the settlement of Kharka. Next following through an old-growth forest and riverbank move towards Chyamthang. Then the trails take you crossing mysterious woodlands towards Hatiya the entry point to the Makalu National Park. Following the Arun and Barun rivers reach the village of Gola. From Gola following tracks across sub-tropical and wet hill forests reach Gadhi. A short trek to Khadbari marks the end of your trek. Next head on a long drive towards Biratnagar and eventually catch a flight back to Kathmandu.
Exploring remote trails at the foothills of the Himalayas where mighty rivers enter enormous gorges while singing songs of harmony about the people. Hills and valleys have inevitably biodiversity. A secret territory where communities of rare beauty, great strength, and extreme fragility live side by side in one of the most isolated regions of the country clinging to the frozen peaks of the Himalayas. Be a part of this great adventure with the Alpine Club of Himalaya- A Walk of the Himalaya.
Entry fee and Permits:
The following permits are required for Lumba Sumba Pass Trek.
Kanchenjunga Trek Permit
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP) NRS 2,000 per person. There is no time limitation for the permit.
- Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP) USD 10 per person, per week.
Kanchenjunga Trek RAP Requirements
This permit must be processed through a valid local travel agency registered in Nepal. You will need a minimum of two trekkers in a group to obtain the permit.
You will need:
- Valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and a valid Nepal visa extending past the expiry date of your RAP.
- On the agency’s headed paper you need to supply details of
- Application
- Itinerary
- Insurance details for guide
- Online submission id (as provided by agency)
- Details of dollars
- E-copy of passport-sized photo
Makalu Barun National Park Permit.
- Makalu Rural Municipality is USD (2,000 NPR / USD 20)
- Makalu Barun National Park entry fee (3,000 NPR / USD 30)
Note: All the trekking permits are handled by the Alpine Club of Himalaya.
Accommodation:
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu. During the trek, we will be staying at lodges/ teahouses providing basic facilities. At some locations, you will be staying in makeshift camps.
Meals and drinking water:
Along the Trek, you will be provided with various Nepali and Tibetan ethnic cuisines. The region has several tea-house along the trail run by local inhabitants providing basic and minimal facilities.
However, drinking water taps are accessible with natural water supplies all along the trekking trail that are untreated. So direct use of the water is not recommended. You may refill boiling water or cold filter water from any of the teahouses along the trail.
If you buy a water purification tablet, chlorine drops or utilize SODIS (sunlight assisted) filtration procedures for further assurance, saving money, and reducing plastic pollution.
Best Time to Visit?
The best season for trekking in the Region is during autumn and spring.
The months of September, October, November, March, April, and May are the best time to visit. These months are better in terms of visibility and climate conditions.
During the autumn season, the months of September, October, and November are one of the best times for trekking in this region. The clear weather brings great visibility of the endless mountain ranges and lush green forest with warm temperatures. The nights are clear and are a perfect opportunity for stargazing.
The spring season of March, April, and May is also the best time to visit the Annapurna Region, the end of the winter season brings a change in the region, varieties of colorful blooming trees of the sub-alpine forest, high green pasture lands covered with wildflowers, mild temperatures, and clear weather. In this season you will witness herds of sheep and yaks grazing in the green high lands.
Monsoon season is not favorable as the weather gets harsh and it’s hard to get around the country, with frequent rainstorms and landslides. So, monsoon season is mostly avoided by trekkers.
In the winter season. Manaslu Region receives high snowfall covering most of the trails and making it impossible to travel for this reason.
Travel Insurance:
All clients participating in any activity must have travel insurance. Personal injury, death, hospital expenditures, repatriation fees, helicopter rescue. Any other disease covered by the insurance plan will be given. We highly advise you to acquire a comprehensive insurance plan from a trustworthy insurance company.
Passport and Visa:
Every client must have a valid passport from the return date with a 6 months prior validity by the Nepalese consulate in your country or immigration office at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Important note:
Your safety is of paramount importance to us at the Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.
Overview
Lumba Sumba Pass Trek takes you to the landscape of formidable peaks and meandering paths. Opened in 2012 the trek is raw, isolated, and rural. One of the least explored parts of the country, without much buzz of tourism, taking you to the side of Nepal that most travelers do not think while planning a trip.
Trip Highlight
- Traverse through the Kanchenjunga region and Makalu region.
- Trek through raw and isolated parts of the country.
- Visit rural and secluded villages.
- Explore several ancient monasteries and Gompas of the region.
- Learn about the culture and traditions of the locals.
- Witness never like before panoramic views of the greater Himalayan range.
- Witness high alpine meadows and glacier lakes.
- Traverse across extraordinary biodiversity and microclimates.
- Cross high mountain pass.
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