Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu International airport at TIA, pick you up with a private car and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you’re fully prepare for your camping adventure. Likewise, we make your all necessary permits and answer of your last minute questions you may have.

If you have extra time, you can also enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites with one of our professional private guides (available at an additional cost). Starting around midday, the tour takes you to iconic landmarks such as Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. In the evening, our representative will provide a detailed briefing about your upcoming Lumba Sumba Pass Trek program.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide and transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic terminal for your flight to Suketar Airport in Taplejung district. Suketar Airport, also known as Taplejung Airport, is a small domestic airport in eastern Nepal that serves as the primary gateway to the Kanchenjunga region.

It is popular among trekkers and pilgrims alike, providing convenient access to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trails as well as the revered Pathibhara Devi Temple. It has strategic location makes it an important starting point for both cultural and adventure journeys in this remote Himalayan area.

Upon arrival in Suketar, a short walk takes you to the campsite, where you will settle in for the night. Meanwhile, your guide and cook will organize the camping crew and prepare all necessary provisions for your upcoming Lumba Sumba adventure.

Your trek begins with a scenic start from Suketar Airport in Taplejung, gradually descending through terraced fields and lush hillsides toward the lower valleys. You’ll pass across the charming villages and farmland that presents an authentic glimpse of rural life in eastern Nepal.

After about four hours of gentle walking, you arrive at Mitlung at 909 meters, a peaceful riverside settlement that makes for an ideal first overnight stop. This section of the journey sets the tone for the adventure ahead, combining natural beauty with cultural encounters.

A trek today to Chhiruwa Village provides an immersive journey through verdant forests, traditional villages, and serene river valleys, making it a perfect introduction to the untouched beauty of eastern Nepal. Over approximately 6 hours, you’ll ascend gradually along the popular trails, passing local farmlands and friendly Himalayan communities.

Chhiruwa Village, with its authentic cultural charm and stunning natural surroundings, provides a welcoming stop for the night and a true taste of rural Nepalese life. This stretch is ideal for travelers seeking an wilderness unique path trekking experiences and breathtaking scenery.

Follows the majestic Tamor River, passing by two large stones revered for their religious significance. Winds through dense Ulnus forests before reaching a substantial landslide that takes about half an hour to cross. Continuing from Chhiruwa, the trail meanders through fragrant cardamom gardens before arriving at Tapethok (1,340m), a small market with tea shops and a KCAP checkpoint.

Leads your path unique path to Pembu (1,486m), provides panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. From Pembu, a steady uphill climb brings you to Lelep (1,687m), the day’s destination. Lelep hosts the KCAP headquarters, along with a police station, tea shops, grocery stores, and hotels with campsites, providing a comfortable stop for trekkers.

Walk along the bank of the Tamor River through dense forest, providing a habitat for various wildlife species. You can spot some wildlife and cross a suspension bridge. Climbs uphill through pine forest to a monastery before descending to Gowatar, presents a splendid views of two 100 meters tall waterfalls.

Continuing across the Tamor River, you’ll ascends to Chautaro. Ela Danda, situated at an altitude of 2,051m, offers interesting sights, including views of the snowy Kasturi Peak and the Tamor River.

Today, you will follow the scenic banks of the Tamor River, leading to Jongim (2,641m), a serene plateau framed by snowy mountains. From here, ascends through vibrant rhododendron forests to a suspension bridge before reaching Ramite (2,685m), the gateway to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp route.

At Ramite, trekkers can admire a mixed forest of Deodar and rhododendron, a picturesque waterfall, and may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Red Panda. 45 minute walk from the waterfall and a short 40 minutes climb, you arrive at Olangchung Gola (3,208m), one of the finest camping spots in the region.

Its a charming Sherpa village boasts around 45 houses, a 465 years old monastery with a golden manuscript, a KCAP office, a sub-health post, a primary school, and a border police station, offering both cultural insights and essential amenities for trekkers.

It’s a wilderness trek today that passes through pine and rhododendron forests. It connects with multi tiny trails created by Yak thus its always worth to walk with a Guide to avoid getting lost. However, piles of stones along the way act as signposts, showing us our direction. Reaching Jadak (3636m) we take a lunch and three hours rough journey takes you to the campsite at Upper Langmale.

Hike today is very interesting as snow leopards have been sighted numerous times in this territory in the past. Walk along the Tamor River and on the other side of the river placed a dense rhododendron forest. Lunch at Yangetar (4203m) and walk a couple of hours further, we reach the Pass Camp site.

Today marks the most challenging and unforgettable day of the Lumba Sumba Trek, featuring the ascent over the iconic Lumba Sumba Peak. Starting early is crucial, as crossing the peak becomes significantly harder in the afternoon. After pausing at a dependable water source for a short rest, we continue our descent toward Yak Kharka (15,076 feet). At here, we establish our overnight camp, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan landscape.

As you walk three hours, we came across two roads – one to Umbak La (Lhasa in Tibet) and the other towards to Thudam village. Prepare the lunch at Miduxchhure place and continue for 3 more hours trek to take us to Thudam for the night’s accommodation. Thudam is a tiny village situated at an elevation on 11,716 feet with around 30 houses of Sherpa people.

Start to walk along with the banks of Chujung Khola with a panoramic view of the Makalu range. On the way, you would have chance to explore a lot of small bushes and bamboo groves – the best habitat for the red panda.

For the first section of the journey, you need to walk through the lush dense rhododendron forest including multiple tiny trails to reach Yak or Chauri kharka. From Chaurikharka, we can clearly see Chyamtang, Arun River, Ridha Village, and the road that leads to Kimathanka.

After lunch, the trail descends steadily toward the Arun River, where we cross a suspension bridge before continuing for about an hour to reach Chyamtang, our destination for the day. This picturesque village, dominated by Sherpa culture, features traditional stone houses and offers an authentic glimpse into local Himalayan life.

Arun Valley is a popular place for birds as it is home to several bird species. It’s an easy day hike that passes through the rhododendron forest with the chirping birds makes you feel refreshed.

Lunch at Gimber Village that presents a spectacular view of snow topped peaks in the Makalu range. From Gimber, about two to three hours takes us Hatiya where we stay overnight. Hatiya is a tiny settlement of Bhote people where you can see a entry point to the Makalu National Park.

Continue to reach the confluence of the Arun and Barun rivers. After having lunch near the river confluence, walk some hours further takes us to our camping site at Gola. Gola is a tiny hamlet with only 12 houses belonging to Sherpa, Rai, and Tamang people.

Stroll through the paddy fields, pleasing as the trail makes a short descent, but again makes a short climb. Pathibhara (1524m) is a small Gurung village with tea shops, groceries, and some hotels.

Walk through the agricultural land with enough water sources and small settlements along the way. We reach Gadhi (1,800m) – our destination for the day – after three hour walk from Pathibhara.

Gadhi (that means fort in the Nepali language) is a place of great historical significance as the Nepal Army fought bravely with invading the 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.

Its your final night of the Lumba Sumba Pass trek, it’s a thoughtful gesture to tip your crew in appreciation for their hard work and dedication in making your journey safe and memorable.

Your guide will arrange a local jeep transfer from Hedanga Gadhi to Tumlingtar Airport, a scenic drive of about 80 km (50 miles) that usually takes 4 to 5 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. Along the way, you’ll experience winding mountain roads, riverside landscapes, and charming glimpses of rural village life.

Tumlingtar Airport, one of the oldest domestic airports in eastern Nepal, serves as a vital gateway to the remote Kanchenjunga and Arun Valley regions. If flights are available, you’ll return to Kathmandu directly from Tumlingtar. Otherwise, the journey from Tumlingtar, you’ll continues by Bus to return to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, Guide will arrange you a private taxi transfer to your hotel in thamel, trip ends.