Lumba Sumba trek

Customize TripDownload and printTerms and Condition
Trip Facts
  • Duration 22 Days
  • Destination Nepal
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous +
  • Max Altitude 5200m.
  • Trip Start and End Kathmandu-Kathmandu
  • Best Season May and October

Lumba Sumba trek, off the beaten track in Eastern Himalaya Nepal

The Lumba Sumba section is one of the Great Himalayan Trail in Makalu- Kanchenjunga region

Lumba Sumba Trek is one of the new off the beaten track trekking routes identified and explored by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) in 2012. Lumba Sumba Peak (5200m) is the major attraction of this route. Offering some of the most spectacular Himalayan landscapes, this trekking route is home to different ethnic groups like the Limbus, Sherpas, Rai, Gurung, Magars, Newars and Tamangs. The trek runs through Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) and Makalu Barun National park in the eastern Himalaya. Trekkers can explore the traditional farming practices and see different birds and wildlife species, including the endangered snow leopard and red panda, En route you can be seen a number of high mountain lakes in Olangchung Gola. En route, one can also trek to the base camps of Mt Kanchanjunga and Mt Makalu.

The circuit comprises alpine grass lands, rocky outcrops, dense temperate and sub-tropical forests, and low river valleys.

Apart from natural beauty, trekkers can also explore cultural heritage like monasteries, chhortens, temples and prayer walls.

 

Itinerary

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  • Accommodation Hotel
  • MealsFree
  • Max Altitude1340m.
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • MealsB
  • Max Altitude1340m.

Morning flight to Bhadrapur or Biratnagar as per available of flight with good views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Thereafter drive about 85km to Ilam over night stay in a lodge/hotel

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude1700m.

Afterbreak fast at hotel then road to Taplejung about 5-6 hours drive (150km), meeting with trekking crew in Taplejung, after arranging all the stuff trek to Mitlung

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude900m.

Easy way alongside the Tamur river, the way becomes more zigzag through Ulnus and Schima wallachiana mixed forest to Siwa Bazar (950m), this is a good place for lunch. After lunch, the trek continue along the Tamor River until Tawa Village then the trek goes uphill from here until we reach the Kanchanjuga National park entrance Gate (1300m) at Thiwa Village. From here, the trek gradually descends towards Chiruwa.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude1246m.

We continue the trek along the Tamor river. The trek passes through Ulnus trees passes until we reach a big landslide that takes around half an hour to cross. After about walking two and half hours through beautiful cardamom gardens, we reach Tapethok (1340m) for lunch.
After lunch, it is a pleasing walk for about an hour until Pembu (1486m). From Pembu, it is an uphill climb for about two and half hours to Lelep

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude1695m.

After breakfast, the trek leads along the bank of Tamor River again through dense forest that offers good habitat for different wildlife species. You can see some wild species if you are lucky. We crossed 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). After a walk of around half hour from Gowatar, we reach a place that offers spectacular views of two waterfalls about 100 meters tall. After short walk crossing Tamor River, it is an uphill climb for about 1hour towards our camping site. The camp site offers panoramic view of snowcapped peaks including the Small Kasturi Peak and Tamor valley.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude2050m.

After breakfast our journey starts 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. If you are lucky, we might catch a sight of red panda from the trail itself. The trail passes through maple and Ulnus forest towards our camp site.  

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude2525m.

Our trek continuously leading along the Tamor River, after short walk we reach to flat land surrounded by snow capped hills and through rhododendron forest. After crossing a suspension bridge, we trek uphill to Ramite (2685m) where we stop for lunch. If you are lucky, you might be rewarded with the view of red panda during the journey. After a short climb about 40 minutes, we finally reach the camping site at Olangchung Gola (3208m). Olangchung Gola is a beautiful Sherpa village including an old monastery with golden manuscript.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude3208m.

The trek in the next three days will pass through complete wilderness. As the trek is in complete wilderness, it is better to hire a local Sherpa to avoid getting lost. However, piles of stones along the way act as sign posts, showing us our direction. The trek passes through pine and rhododendron forests.

After few hours walk, we reach arrive Jadak (3636m) fwhere we stop for lunch. A walk of three hours on snowy track will take us to our camping site at Upper Langmale (3893m).

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude3893m.

The trek becomes more interesting and wild. Our trek leads along the Tamor River and on the other side of the river lies dense rhododendron forest. After a walk of about three hours, we reach Tangchetar (4203m) for lunch. Another three hours walk after lunch will lead us to our camping site at Pass Camp (4747m).

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude4747m.

This would be the most 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 leads down. It is better to take packed lunch, as there are no good place for lunch break. 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.

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude5200m/4594m.

The trek is downhill from Chaurikharka as we come back to civilization after tiring walk for three days. After a walk of about three and half hours, we came across two roads – one to Lyasha in Tibet and the other toward Thudam. We stop her for lunch. A walk of about three hours takes us to Thudam for the night’s accommodation. Thudam (3500m) is a small Sherpa village

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude3500m.

Our trek runs along the Chujung Khola river. 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 again 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 reach Kharka (2877m) for the night’s halt.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude2877m.

We start our trek through the dense rhododendron forest. As there are no villages on the way and also there are numerous side trails, it is better to hire a local guide to avoid getting lost. After a walk of about three hours  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 (Tibet border). 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 again uphill for about an hour until Chyamthang

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude2229m.

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.  After few hours walk we arrive at Gimber Village (1585m),  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

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude1595m.

The trek on the 14th day 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.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude1180m.

The trek passes through paddy fields on the 15th day – 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. Gadhi is a small village market with a health post, a school and a police station.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude1180m.

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). As Num is linked with motorable road, we can hire a vehicle to Khandbari (1022m) – the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha district. A drive of around 4-5 hours on dirt road takes us to Khandbari and Tumlingtar airstrip

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsBLD
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • MealsBL
  • Max Altitude1340m.
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • MealsB

(Departure time from hotel will be fixed as per your flight schedules for the return)

 

  • MealsB

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Included
  • Transfer:  Airport / Hotel pick up & drop by private car/van as per group size.
  • Flight: Kathmandu/Bhadrapur, Tumlingtar/kathmandu
  • Grand transportation travelling by private reserve bus as per indication above programme
  • Full board basis during the trekking in tent, camping equipment will be provided such dining tent, foam mattresses and all cooking and kitchen gear, meals will be prepared by our kitchen staff (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea and coffee.),  (Except beverage).
  • An Experienced & Professional well-trained mountaineering  English speaking guide
  • Entry permit for Kanchanjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) & Barun National park
  • Special permit for Kanchanjunga restricted area
  • 4 nights in hotel Manaslu at Katmandu or Similar category on a twin sharing bed and BB basis
  • First aid kit will be available during the trek.
  • All personal gears and group equipments will be carried by porter
  • Staffs Insurance.
  • Domestic airport taxes.
  • Satellite phone
  • Re-confirmation of Int'l plane ticket
Excluded
  • Meals in Katmandu (Near about € 10 – 15 per day/person)
  • Nepal entry Visa Fee (You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Nepal ’s Airport in Katmandu).
  • International Airfare and Airport Taxes.
  • Entrance fees in the Historical site /Monument at KTM.
  • Any kind of Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks or bar menu.
  • Personal trekking/climbing Equipment, travel and medical insurance & helicopter in case for emergency Rescue evacuation, personal expenses,
  • Any expenses caused by reason beyond our control such as roadblock due to natural climates and accidents and unforeseen events etc…
  • Tips and Gratitude.

 

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