Tailor-made Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan journeys
Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La is one of the best off-the-beaten-path trekking adventures in Nepal, join this trek today!
From
3,990
Trip duration
22 Days
Duration
Rating
From group price
Private price
Trip guide
Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La
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Trip overview
A quick read on the route, the comfort level, the pricing rhythm, and the details most travelers want before they get in touch.
Quick route highlights
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The area between Kangchenjunga and Makalu to the east of Everest contains the two most important conservation areas
There is a huge variety of spectacular scenery along the way. After a short flight to Bhadrapur on
We cross the Lumba Sumba Himal, the watershed between the Tamur and Arun river valleys, after spending a
The area between Kangchenjunga and Makalu to the east of Everest contains the two most important conservation areas in the Nepal Himalaya, home to an incredible variety of birds as well as the endangered red panda and snow leopard. Few trekkers visit this area, which is also home to several ethnic groups in Nepal, including the Limbu, Sherpa (Bhotia), Rai, Gurung, Magar, Newar, and Tamang. This is a fantastic trekking vacation from Kangchenjunga to Makalu, following part of the Great Himalaya Trail and crossing several high and remote passes.
There is a huge variety of spectacular scenery along the way. After a short flight to Bhadrapur on the Terai plains, we drive to Taplejung through the Himalayan foothills. We begin our journey here, trekking through a landscape of deep folded river valleys with subtropical forests and hillsides dotted with small villages and emerald lines of rice terracing. As we gain altitude, we pass through barley zones and forests of rhododendron, juniper, and pines to enter an alpine world of rough yak pastures surrounded by the Himalayas' snowy peaks.
We cross the Lumba Sumba Himal, the watershed between the Tamur and Arun river valleys, after spending a day at the otherworldly settlement of Olangchung Gola, with spectacular mountain views from the several high passes that must be negotiated. The trek concludes with a gradual descent of the Arun Valley, bringing us back to warmer climes and an agricultural landscape. Finally, we fly back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar. This is an uplifting trek that is ideal for those looking to experience a remote trek in Nepal.
Group pricing tiers
The public “From” price uses the lowest available group tier. Member pricing applies to the selected tier, not on top of another discount.
2-10 pax
2 min pax • 10 max pax
Group rate
US$ 3,990
Private rate
US$ 3,990
Why travelers choose Amigo for this route
Itinerary
Open each day to see the route notes, overnight rhythm, altitude cues, and the small details that help you understand how the journey actually flows.
Route notes
At the Tribhuvan International Airport, a company representative will greet you. You can get to your hotel by taking a short drive through the City of Temples. You can rest and unpack your belongings at the hotel. You can also choose to explore the surrounding areas as the day draws to a close. Meal Included: Dinner
Route notes
The trek preparation day follows the basic trek preparation. Your guide will inspect your equipment and gear to see if it is up to standard. You can choose to buy any necessary gear or equipment, including trek accessories and snacks, at a nearby store. Your guide will organize trek permits and national park permits. Spend the night in Kathmandu. Meal Included: Breakfast
Route notes
After breakfast, we will drive to the airport and fly across the country to the south-eastern corner of Nepal. After the short flight, we will drive for an hour to Kanyam, which is a good place to stop for our packed lunches because it has good views of Kangchenjunga. After lunch, we continue driving for another 4 hours through a fascinating landscape of rural fields and small towns, becoming slightly hillier as we travel north. As we begin our ascent into the foothills to our basic hotel accommodation in the town of Phidim. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
The scale of the terrain is stunning as we proceed down the river basins of the Himalayan foothills, where farm terracing extends to seemingly unimaginable heights. There are new sights and glimpses of pure white giants at every bend, a promise of what is to come. We then began our hike, primarily downhill at first past little towns with cardamom farms to the Hangdewa Khola, which we crossed on a suspension bridge. After a couple of hours, we stop for lunch and then follow this river down to a confluence with the major Tamur River, which leads us to our first night's stay and first camp at Mitlung (900m). Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
The day begins with a stroll along the Tamur River for about an hour, undulating slightly and passing through some fragrant forest stands to Siwa Bazaar. We then continue along a trail on the river's true left bank to our lunch stop at Tawa Village (1146m). We cross a suspension bridge over the Tamur and walk for about a kilometer before returning to the true left bank. After a long and sometimes hot day's walk, we arrive at our camp in the small market village of Chiruwa (1245m) Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We continue along the Tamur River, passing through small villages and individual farms with terraced rice fields and cardamom gardens. We arrive in Tapethok (1340m) after a little more than an hour, where there are some shops and tea houses as well as a checkpoint for the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCAP) where we must show our permits. We cross the Tamur again on a suspension bridge and continue along the riverside to Phembu, where we stop for lunch. It takes about an hour to get to Lelep, another village with some shops and lodges. We are now deviating from the trail up to Kangchenjunga Basecamp (at Pang Pema) and heading north along the Tamur River towards Olangchung Gola. Our journey now takes us through dense pine forest and cardamom fields, steadily ascending to Lumthang (1800m) and our camp in a clearing at Goatar. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We continue upstream on the Tamur River, passing two impressive (100-meter-high) waterfalls, crossing the tributary Phedi Khola, and climbing to the small Sherpa village of Ela Danda, where we have good views of snow-capped peaks. We then gradually descend to Sukepani and a possible early lunch stop. We then cross a second suspension bridge, this time over the main river, and hike steadily uphill for the majority of the way through the bamboo forest, which is home to the rare and elusive red panda Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
A shorter and easier day, continuing our trek north into the main Himalayan chain and passing through Jongim (2641m), a big clearing with views of the snowy peaks. We reach another rhododendron forest and cross the Tamur River on a suspension bridge before climbing for an hour to Ramite (2685m) for lunch. This area has more opportunities to see red pandas, and we cross another gorgeous waterfall. Our overnight stop is at the Sherpa community of Olangchung Gola (3200m), a charming village with 45 wooden dwellings and a 465-year-old gompa perched above the village. This is a vital commercial hub for products crossing the passes from Tibet and up from India's plains. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
Olangchung Gola is an excellent place to recover and acclimate in preparation for the higher terrain ahead of us. We may spend the day seeing the hamlet, meeting the locals, and visiting the 3-story Gompa, which is thought to be one of the oldest in Nepal. Olangchung Gola is the last civilization we will see until we reach the Arun Valley, and it is only a day's walk from the Tibetan border. Because of its proximity to Tibet, the area was previously off-limits until recently. We stay another night in the village. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
Another short day as we try to maintain a moderate rate of elevation between camps. We set off, following herders' and Tibetan traders' trails and trekking alongside the tumultuous Tamur River to its confluence with tributary Dinsamba Khola. We arrive at 'Junction Camp' around lunchtime after crossing the river a little beyond the confluence of the rivers. The main trail separates here, with one branch traveling north towards the Tibetan border and the other branch turning west towards the Lumba Sumba mountains. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We've turned away from the Tamur River and are now following the Dinsamba Khola west, then north-west. This route (which is part of one variation of the Great Himalaya Trail) has been traversed by very few outsiders. We travel through some rhododendron forest, and the peaks of the Lumba Sumba Himal appear ahead of us. We conclude our day's journey before noon and set up our streamside camp in Tangchetar (4200m). During this leg of our journey, we'll be on the lookout for snow leopards, which are frequent visitors to this high valley. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
Another short day as we make our way down a large valley to the Lumba Sumba La. Few trekkers come this way, and the sensation of isolation is palpable. Our trail goes up over a black granite band at the valley's end into another smaller valley where we camp. We are now well above the tree line, and looking down the valley, we can see Jannu (7710m), one of the Kangchenjunga Massif's outliers. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We get an early start and hike up for an hour to another probable camping spot at 4770 meters. Lumba Sumba High School is located here. Half an hour beyond this point, we get our first good views of Kangchenjunga's five summited ridge, the world's third highest peak, while the rocky Lumba Sumba Peak is considerably closer to us. We can now see the pass ahead of us, and we make our way up through the boulder-covered ground and possibly old snow patches. The first pass, at 5150 meters, is draped with colorful prayer flags. At this pass, our 2016 group discovered numerous recent snow leopard footprints on the snow. Another 30 minutes brings us to the highest point of the Lumba Sumba La, at 5180 meters. The views from here are spectacular, stretching east to Kangchenjunga and Jannu and west to Makalu and the sight of Everest. This is a truly special area, and weather allowing, we will want to stay and even have our packed lunches here. After lunch, we descend for about 2 hours on a steep track that eventually leads to a more open valley and the first decent camping place. Selele is a camp on a rugged yak pasture at an elevation of roughly 4500 meters. This is, without a doubt, the most unforgettable day of the journey. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We set off again from our overnight halt, traveling west through a rocky landscape, with great views of Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, and Lhotse ahead. We have to cross several streams today, and when we reach the Chejung Khola, we are on another trade route, this one leading down from the Umbak La (5200m), which connects Tibet and Nepal. We bridge this stream and continue our descent, more steeply for the last half hour, to Thudam's scattered wooden dwellings (3500m). This is a Sherpa (Bhotia) community of about 30 wooden dwellings with significant commercial and cultural ties to Tibetan settlements over the border. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We'll be crossing some tough terrain with possibly exposed paths today, and we'll be carrying packed lunches because there won't be somewhere for the cook crew to set up for a cooked lunch. We return to the forests below Thudam. There is much evidence of felling here, and wood from these forests is used for fuel in Thudam as well as traded with Tibet via yak caravan across the Umbak La. We travel west through a steep-sided valley, navigating multiple landslides before steadily ascending to a pass (3370m). Makalu and its satellites provide breathtaking vistas. Weather permitting, this is an excellent spot to pause and enjoy our packed lunch before returning to the forest. Much of this woodland is bamboo, and there is a potential of seeing red pandas. We continue our descent to a little clearing known as Yak Kharka wooden dwellings with significant commercial and cultural ties to Tibetan settlements over the border. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We begin the day with a brief forest climb to a crest, followed by a 2-hour (1000-metre) descent through dense woodland with rhododendron trees. We get our first glimpse of the Arun River in the valley below at Chaurikharka, and here is a wonderful location to pause for lunch before continuing our descent to a suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, we climb steeply for about an hour and a half, passing past millet fields on our way to our overnight camp in the Bhotia village of Chyamthang (2250m). Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We're back in warmer weather today, and the woodland is alive with birds singing as we circle above the Arun River's north bank. We pass through various small villages in the Chepuwa district, which are populated by Rai and Bhotia people. We also cross many tributary rivers on suspension bridges and obtain views of Makalu to the northwest in one or two spots. More beautiful views of the Makalu range await us at our lunch halt in Gimber. The afternoon hike to the Bhotia settlement of Honggong is very short and pleasant along a decent track (2100m). Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
After 3 hours of trekking south over the river and progressively decreasing, we arrive at Hatiya (1570m), the entry point to the Makalu-Barun National Park. There are Bhotia and Gurung residents here, as well as a hospital. We have a quick look around this interesting settlement before heading back down the river to its junction with the Barun River, which transports meltwater from Makalu's glaciers. A road is being built into this valley, but we can escape it by staying on the original track. We spent the night at Barun Bazaar (1100m). In the early part of the year, a religious festival is held here. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We'll take the newly constructed dirt road through Gola to Thado Khola for the first hour and a half today. We leave the road and follow a trail that climbs above the Arun River through farmland to a lunch halt at Pathibhara (1550m), a tiny Gurung settlement with a variety of tea houses, shops, and lodges. The trail continues beyond Pathibhara, descending through lush agricultural terrain to Gadhi (1170m), which means "fort" in Nepali. This is where the Nepalese Army met an invading Tibetan force, eventually forcing them back over the passes. Gadhi is now a vibrant market town with shops, hotels, a health post, a school, and a police station. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
Our final morning of walking takes us across the river to Num (1560m), which is only 3 or 4 kilometers away as the crow flies. After crossing the river via a suspension bridge at Chauribas, we begin a long climb up the steep hillside above the river to the ridge-top village of Num on a decent track. After refueling at one of the nearby tea houses, we boarded our waiting vehicles for the 4-hour drive down the ridge to Tumlingtar (450m). We spent our last night on the trail in Tumlingtar. Meal Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Route notes
We take a flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. This is usually done in the morning to take advantage of the clear weather, but there is no set schedule for these flights and it is impossible to predict when we will fly. We get into our hotel in Kathmandu and have the rest of the day free. Meal Included: Breakfast/Dinner
Route notes
As the journey comes to an end, you prepare to leave the country and travel to your next destination. A company representative will help you with all of the necessary procedures and will accompany you to the airport before your flight. Meal Included: Breakfast
Ask about dates, pricing, rooming, route changes, or whether this trip suits your pace. We keep the reply practical and specific to this route.
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Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La
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FAQs
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Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La is best for travelers who want an active Himalayan route and are comfortable with the walking pace, terrain, and day-to-day movement this trip requires.
The best timing for Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La depends on route conditions, visibility, transport reliability, and the style of journey. We use the current route plan and season to help you choose the strongest travel window.
22 Days is the standard planning window for Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La. The pacing is shaped around the route flow, acclimatization, transport windows, and overnight stops rather than simply covering distance as fast as possible.
Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La is planned as a active trek journey, so the experience is paced around that level of movement and stamina.
The trip is positioned at the Amigo Essential service level. Final room style and amenities can vary between cities, trail stops, and more remote sections of the route.
Permit, entry, and route-document requirements depend on the destination, route, and the final version of your trip for Nepal. We confirm exactly what applies before departure rather than asking you to guess from generic lists.
Packing for Kangchenjunga to Makalu via the Lumba Sumba La should focus on layering for changing temperatures, reliable footwear, and route-specific essentials for sustained walking days. We refine the final packing advice once your route, season, and service style are locked in.
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4 most recent approved reviews from real Amigo travelers.
T Saavedra
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After years of exploring various destinations, Everest Base Camp remained on our bucket list as that one intimidating challenge. The logistics alone seemed overwhelming, and we wondered if we could handle such a demanding trek at this stage of our lives. When we discovered Amigo Treks and Expedition's "Ultimate Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek," we were intrigued by the possibility of experiencing this legendary destination without sacrificing comfort. Arriving in Kathmandu: First Impressions Matter The moment we landed in Kathmandu, we knew we had made the right choice. After a lengthy international flight, the last thing anyone wants is confusion at the airport. The Amigo team was waiting with clear signage and immediately took care of our luggage and transportation to a well-appointed hotel in the city center. This attention to detail set the tone for what would become a consistently well-managed experience. Our exploration of Kathmandu Valley unfolded at a comfortable pace in a private vehicle, allowing us to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites without the usual tourist rush. The welcome dinner featured authentic Nepali cuisine and traditional cultural performances, providing meaningful context for the adventure ahead. These initial experiences demonstrated the company's understanding that a successful expedition begins long before reaching the mountains. The Journey Begins: Helicopter Transport to Lukla Rather than taking the standard commercial flight to Lukla, we traveled by private helicopter directly from Kathmandu. This decision proved transformative, offering unobstructed views of the Himalayan range and eliminating potential delays from weather-related flight cancellations. The helicopter approach also provided our first comprehensive view of the terrain we would be traversing, creating anticipation rather than anxiety about the challenge ahead. Upon landing in Lukla, our guides and support team were prepared and organized, facilitating a smooth transition from air travel to the beginning of our trek. This seamless coordination became a consistent theme throughout our expedition. Trekking with Professional Support The trek itself exceeded our expectations for both adventure and comfort. Our experienced guides managed all logistical elements, allowing us to focus entirely on the experience rather than worry about daily arrangements. The route through villages like Phakding and Namche Bazaar was carefully planned with appropriate acclimatization stops, demonstrating genuine concern for trekker safety and comfort. The accommodation selections along the route proved exceptional. Properties such as Yeti Mountain Home, Everest View Hotel, and Culture Home provided comfortable lodging with amenities rarely found at such altitudes. Features like heated rooms, quality bedding, and well-prepared meals addressed the practical challenges of high-altitude trekking while maintaining the authentic mountain experience we sought. These accommodations served a crucial function beyond comfort. After demanding days of trekking, proper rest and nutrition became essential for maintaining energy and enjoyment throughout the journey. The thoughtful selection of lodging directly contributed to our ability to complete the trek successfully. Reaching Our Destination: Base Camp and Kala Patthar The approach through Lobuche and Gorakshep built anticipation for the final objectives. Witnessing sunrise from Kala Patthar over Mount Everest provided the emotional highlight of our expedition. The following day's arrival at Everest Base Camp fulfilled a long-held goal and created a lasting sense of personal accomplishment. The consistent support throughout these final stages allowed us to remain present and engaged with the experience. Rather than managing fatigue or logistics concerns, we could appreciate the significance of reaching these iconic destinations and the remarkable landscape surrounding them. Efficient Return Journey The helicopter return to Kathmandu proved as valuable as the initial flight to Lukla. This approach avoided the lengthy trek back through familiar terrain and provided a final aerial perspective of our entire route. The efficiency of this return allowed more time for reflection and recovery before our departure from Nepal. Overall Assessment This expedition with Amigo Treks and Expedition successfully combined adventure with practical comfort. Several elements distinguished this experience from standard trekking packages. The inclusion of buffer days in the itinerary demonstrated realistic planning for mountain weather conditions. The quality of guides and support staff ensured both safety and cultural education throughout the journey. The comprehensive service approach eliminated routine concerns about meals, permits, and transportation. For travelers seeking a challenging adventure without compromising on service quality, this approach to Everest Base Camp proves highly effective. The experience delivered both the personal satisfaction of completing a demanding trek and the comfort level necessary for full enjoyment of this remarkable destination. The investment in professional planning and quality accommodations transformed what could have been an endurance test into a memorable and enriching travel experience. Our journey to Everest Base Camp will remain a highlight of our travel experiences, combining personal achievement with the discovery of Nepal's extraordinary mountain culture.
