Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. In Kathmandu (BB)
Upon arrival our office representative will meet and transfer you to your hotel. Free day.
Day 02:In Kathmandu (BB)
Full day sightseeing tour of Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Patan and Swayambhunath
Day 03: Fly to Biratnagar (45 min). Drive to Basantapur (125 km) – 4 hour drive. Overnight in Basantapur
Transfer to domestic airport. We take a flight to Biratnagar. The scheduled flight leaves in the morning at about 9 am. We arrive at Biratnagar at 9.35 am. Our trek guide and staffs will be at the airport to meet us and travel together to Basantapur – a 3-hour drive. First, we stop at Dhankutta (100 km) and continue to drive to Basantapur (50 km). We should arrive at Basantapur at about 4 pm.
The highway from Biratnagar turns north at Itahari. It is a big town located on the crossroad that leads to Dharan and then an uphill drive to Dhankutta. After Dharan, we drive on the mountain road. Dhankutta is a large town with many administrative offices in the region. It is a pleasant drive. The weather becomes cooler. As we drive we get to see the view of the eastern Himalayan range and drive through thick rhododendron forest on way to Basantapur. Rhododendron flower that blooms in spring is a beautiful sight to see on Milke danda. Basantapur is 25km from Dhankutta.
Day 04: Trek day Chowki (2750 m) - 6 hour walk
The trail is moderate uphill walking to Milke Danda ridge (2 hour). We go through a dense forest of rhododendron and coniferous trees, mostly covered with hanging moss. There is a beautiful view of terraced hills rolling down the valley far below. The hills are dotted with villages. The route continues along the ridge and then descends to Chowki – 2 hours. At this point Kanchenjunga and other high peaks are visible.
Day 05: Trek Gupha Pokhari (2980 m) - 6 hour walk
We walk along the ridge through fir, rhododendron and bamboo forest. It is an enchanting area. There we get to see Mt. Makalu and Chamlang. The trail passes through small ponds and scattered houses on the way to Gupha Pokhari – 3 hours. There were small stone houses at the Pokhari and Tibetan prayer flag flirting in the wind. We pass through several Limbu and Rai villages. The trail continues to wind around the ridge that goes up and down the mountain path. Finally, we climb to a pass at 3025 meters and then descent towards Dhoban (confluence of rivers). After the pass we descent further to Gurja Gaon. Our camp will be before Gurja Gaon. As we descent, we can see the view of Jannu and Kanchanjunga.
Day 06: Trek day 4 Mitlung (970 m) - 7 hour walk
We continue to descent the steep trail. The trail passes through beautiful terraced hills and pasture land to Gurjagaon. The walk up to the steep ridge is quite taxing at times. Descent further to Nesum and reach the confluence of Tamur river at Dhoban (730 m) – 3 hours.
We cross the suspension bridge across the Tamur river and walk along the river. The trail goes up and down the hill through the scattered forest. At the end of the day, we make a steep ascent for about half an hour and reach a rocky hillside at the top. From here the trail is level – 4 hours.
Day 07: Trek to Chirwa (1240 m) - 6 hour
The trail follows the Tamur river. The winding trail goes up the hill and descends to rice fields. We walk along the river. During the day we pass through some beautiful sights and small Buddhist villages. There are many bird species in this area. We make camp at Chirwa.
Day 08: Trek to Sakathon (1650 m) - 5 hour
The trail continues to follow the river. We climb up and down the hills and pass through forests and streams that flow down the hills. You will notice several bamboo bridges across the river. They are made by local villagers. We cross a small village at Helok and walk further upstream to Sakathom for our overnight camp.
Day 09: Trek to Amjilasa (2430 m) - 5 hour:
The trail though steep and long is quite good. We climb from the basin of the river and walk a steep but gradual trail that comes out on a ridge top. There we get a beautiful view of the river valley far below and snow peaks of the Himalayan at a distance. There are sparkling clean streams and several yak-pasture at Amjilassa.
Day 10: Trek to Kyapra (2820 m) - 5 hour walk
We climb a steep but moderate trail along the ridge for about an hour and descend to Tangep. And then continue on to walk through dense bamboo, fir and rhododendron forest. Along the way, there are several waterfalls and deep blue water pools that can tempt you for a swim. On this day we walk on the trail that is not more than 100 meters above the river. We reach Kyapra village located on the hillside, a little above Gunsa river.
Day 11: Trek to Gunsa (3480 m) - 5 hour walk
The main trail follow Gunsha river to its source. We pass through cultivated land that is along the river banks. There are dense bamboo, fir, and scattered rhododendron forest on the side of the hills. We pass through beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear pools and rhododendron forest. The steep but moderate trail is pleasant to walk. We reach Phere in about 3 hours and then descend to Gunsha Khola (river). And again climb the steep trail to Gunsha village. It is quite a large Bhotia (Tibetan) village with small and neat farmland.
Day 12: Acclimatization day at Ghunsa (3480 m)
We take rest at Gunsha to acclimatize to higher elevation. We will visit the Buddhist Gompa of the village. Take a half-day walking tour of the village to see how Tibetan women making carpet by using handlooms. Ghunsa has a large Bhotia community. There are neat and small farms around the village. Their house built in stone slabs is something that will remain as part of your experience.
Day 13: Trek to Khambachan (3960 m) - 5 hour walk
We walk on quite difficult trail on this day. The trail climbs up alongside the river. There are several magnificent waterfalls along the trail. We may meet yak herders on the way. There are excellent views of Kumbhakarna (Jannu) and other high snow peaks and glacier. The snow glacier begins to unfold as we approach higher elevation. The vegetation starts getting sparse and the terrain becomes rocky and barren. We will camp at Kangbachen.
Day 14: Trek to Lhonak (4780 m) - 5 hour walk
We follow the route above the river for about an hour and then descend to the river. And cross large boulders to reach the terminal moraine of the Kanchanjunga glacier. The view from the lateral moraine is incredible. We get an awesome view of Kanchanjunga (8586 m) and its glacier at close range. There are many high peaks jutting toward the blue sky. It takes about 4 hours to reach the viewpoint. Return back to camp at Lhonak.
Day 15: Trek to Pangpema (5150 m) - 3 hour walk
As we gain elevation it is important to slow down and do gradual climb to Pangpema (5150 m). At Pangpema we have the opportunity to hike nearby hills to get a better view of the surrounding mountain. Take time to explore the glacier. There is an incredible view of Yalung Kang and North Col of Kanchanjunga. There are possibilities to see blue sheep, musk deer, and Lamorgiers (a big bird with its wingspan of 3 meters). The surrounding view and main peak of Kanchanjunga are very overwhelming.
Day 16: Retrace the trial back Ghunsa (3480m) - 5 hour walk
Descend to Kangbachen (3960m) and to Gunsa. Retrace the trial back to Gunsha river and descend further to Hambuk.
Day 17: Trek High Camp - 4 hour walk
We climb to the high camp at Lumba Sumba Kharka. We cross glacial moraine of Yamatori glacier and make gradual ascent. Stay overnight at the high camp before the pass.
Day 18: Cross Lapsang la (pass at 5183 m) and descend to Lapsang - 6 hour walk
Climb through the rocky ridge and cross the Lapsang La. After the pass we make steep descent to Lapsang
Day 19: Trek to Yalung glacier (4890m) - 5 hour walk
As we descend we pass a small pond and skirt around a ridge and make further descent to open wider glacier area. There we get to see a sweeping view of Rathong (6678 m), Kabru South (7317 m), and Kokthan (6147 m) peaks. In about an hour we reach Ramze. After Ramze as we enter the Yalung glacier, there is a magnificent view of Kanchanjunga. It looms large in front of us. The up and down trail to our campsite at Yalung are steep at several points. There is a view of Jannu and several other peaks. At the campsite, we get overwhelmed by the huge mountain that engulfs us. From the campsite, we can climb some of the hills. It has vantage points to see fantastic views of the huge mountain all around us.
Day 20: Return Trek to Ramje (4560m) and onward to Tseram - 7 hour walk
We retrace the trail back to Ramje and pass by several stone huts and then descend to Simbua Khola (river). Then climb to Tseram (2770m)
Day 21: Trek to Torontan (3080m) - 6 hour walk
We leave behind the terminal moraine of Yalung glacier and loose gravel trail. The view of Kabru (7353m) and Talung peak (7349m) are behind us. We reach a small hut at Whata in about 2-hour for lunch. Continue our walk to Torontan.
Day 22: Trek to Chittre (3000m) - 3 hour walk
We are now back on the main trail to Torontan (3080m). The trial is high above Simbhua Khola through thick pine and rhododendron forest. There are several up and down gradual hill walk to Simbhua Khola. We climb up to cross a pass at Lamite Bhanjyang (3430 meters). The view from Laminate Bhanjyang (pass) reveals low hills in the south. At this point, we can still see the views of Jannu and Kanchanjunga Himal. We reach Chittre after climbing a steep trail through bamboo trees.
Day 23: Trek to Yamphudin (2150m) - 5 hour walk
The trail from Chittre descent to Omje Khola (river). It climbs again to Dhupi Bhanjyang (3360 m) pass, then descent to Yamphudin. This is the last remote village on the trail to and from Kanchanjunga. You continue to walk through the thick rhododendron forest. At several places, the trail is quite rough.
Day 24: Trek to Kedan - 7 hour walk
The hard part of the trail in this Kanchanjunga trek is over. We follow several up and down winding trials. We pass through mountain ridges, huts, rice fields and several streams. Finally descend to the bridge at Kabeli Khola and climb up again to the ridge and descend to Kedan.
Day 25: Trek to Ambegudin (1340m) - 6 hour walk
After we have had experience in the raw and wild natural environment. After our amazing journey in the wild, we are back in the thick settlements of Limbu villages. We start meeting villagers. It is interesting to meet them and see their culture. Depending upon the time you are travelling we see and experience a lot of activities. We come across several large villages and terraced rice fields. We make a gradual descend to Pedang (1340m). Cross Kabeli Khola on a suspension bridge and climb up and down several ridges. We cross several streams and finally climb through the rice field to Ambegudin.
Day 26: Trek to Kabeli Khola - 6 hour walk
As in the previous days we continue to climb up and down the trail to Shinam (1110 m). We see more villages and cultivated rice fields and descend to Kabeli Khola. Cross a suspension bridge at Pa Khola and climb to the ridge high above and descend to Tambawa.
Day 27: Trek to Gopetar and drive to Ilam (40 km) - 4 hour drive
Today we are on the main trial to Gopetar. The trail goes several up and down until we reach Gopetar. It is a pleasant walk through the rhododendron forest. We board a bus at Gopetar that takes us to Ilam – a 4-hour drive. Though the distance is 40 km the road is winding. Ilam is a large town situated on a beautiful ridge. Tea garden covers the entire rolling hills of Ilam. It is a pleasant and beautiful sight to see. Overnight in Ilam.
Day 28: Drive to Biratnagar (190 km) - 5 hour drive & Fly to Kathmandu (45 min). In Kathmandu (BB)
Leave Ilam after breakfast. We drive through beautiful hills covered with tea garden. The road descent to Char Ali and drive further to Biratnagar. Fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Evening free
Day 29: In Kathmandu (BB)
Day 30: Depart Kathmandu
Transfer to airport. Fly home
The area east of the Arun river is well known for the recruitment of Gorkha soldiers in the British and Indian army. Most preferred are from Rai and Limbu ethnic people. Young lads from these indigenous people have been recruited in the British and Indian armies since the 1st world war. They are part of a larger Kirat ethnic group. The entire area east of the Arun river was under Limbuan or Pallo (other side). Their territory was extended into present-day Sikkim (India). After the first king of the Shah dynasty was expanding he made an agreement with Limbus for passage to expand their kingdom to Darjeeling and Sikkim. The arrangement for Kirat autonomy within Nepal lasted for 300 years until 1960 when King Mahendra deliberately abrogated in the pretext of land reform in Nepal.
According to the history of Nepal there was the Kirateshor dynasty in Kathmandu valley. The ancestors of present-day Kirat were first to establish a kingdom in Kathmandu valley in the 7th century BC. They ruled for 1000 years. They have mongoloid feature; their language is from Tibeto-Burman. They worship nature and their deity is their ancestors.
