Duration
17 days
Max. Elevation
3173m
Group size
Min 2
Day
1
Welcome to Kathmandu! Our representative will be stationed outside the airport to receive you and transfer to your hotel. Keep an eye for a placard with your name on it outside the airport. After refreshment, you will visit our office and meet your trek guide. We’ll discuss the trek in detail and exchange the necessary documents. Your guide will help get the required permits such as TIMS card and national park entry. As there are no plans for today, you can choose to spend the rest of the day buying or renting any necessary gear. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day
2
Welcome to Kathmandu! Our representative will be stationed outside the airport to receive you and transfer to your hotel. Keep an eye for a placard with your name on it outside the airport. After refreshment, you will visit our office and meet your trek guide. We’ll discuss the trek in detail and exchange the necessary documents. Your guide will help get the required permits such as TIMS card and national park entry. As there are no plans for today, you can choose to spend the rest of the day buying or renting any necessary gear. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day
3
Leaving Kathmandu, you’ll embark on a short flight to Eastern Nepal. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll drive to the airport and embark on a 35min flight towards Tumlingtar. It is a small town located between Arun and Sabha Rivers in Sankhuwasabha District. Enjoy the beautiful aerial tour of snow-capped peaks, quaint settlements, pristine rivers, and green hills. Upon arrival, you’ll advance on a short trek towards Kartike village. Walk past Kumal Gaon and cross the Arun River to arrive at Bheteni. Enjoy lunch and continue hiking through Chyawabesi village en route to Kartike.
Day
4
Leaving Kartike, you’ll begin descending towards the village of Gothe. The scenic trail goes past the terraced rice fields along the Arun Koshi River towards Baluwa Besi (320m). Trek through the lush Sal forests towards Bharta village. A short hike will take you at Nepali Danda from where you can catch the first glimpse of the beautiful Arun valley. The trail rises through terraced fields towards Marduwa and then descends towards Gothe Bazaar, located beside Irkhuwa Khola.
Day
5
Going past Gothe, you’ll make your way towards another low-altitude village of Dhobane. A short trail leading through the terrace rice fields along the Irkhuwa Khola will take you to Dhobane. The entire trek may last 2-3hr. You can spend the day exploring the beautiful valley. Make a trip to the local paper factory, which produces the famous Nepali paper from the Lokta plant. You can witness the process in action. The small settlements around Dhobane are mostly inhabited by the indigenous Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa tribes.
Day
6
Trekking past Dhobane, the trail begins to rise towards Phedi village. Trek past the village of Tallo Phedi and climb along the terraces rice fields. The trail enters the damp patches of forests beside the Irkhuwa Khola towards lush farmlands at Irkhuwa valley. Cross the river and trek past Sanu Khola to arrive at Phedi. At Phedi, you can consider visiting the local Buddhist Stupa.
Day
7
The trail rises through a sharp steep climb along the spur that divides Irkhuwa Khola and Sanu Khola. A short ascent will bring you to Jaubire from where you’ll begin crossing the dense settlements of Thulo Fokte (2140m). The trail further rises through the forests of oak, birch, and rhododendron towards the ridge that offers the panoramic view of the Irkhuwa Valley. Continue trekking along the forested path and climbing down towards Bilbate village. A half an hour trek from Bilbate will bring you to the small settlement of Gurase.
Day
8
The elevation remains the same as you leave Gurase and trek towards Sanam village. Begin trekking through the lush rhododendron forest towards the large Mani walls and Buddhist Stupa. Witness the history of Buddhism through religious arts. Continue traveling for almost 2hr to arrive at Salpa Pokhari. The locals believe that the sacred pool or Salpa Pokhari fulfills the wishes of the adherents. Trek past Salpa Pokhari and continue through hemlock and fir forests towards Salpa Bhanjyang. A short descent through rhododendron forest will bring you to a path that leads towards Sanam.
Day
9
Leaving Sanam, you’ll begin trekking downhill through the forest of rhododendron, brown oaks, and chir pines towards Share village. En route, you will get to visit the local paper factory, which produces the authentic Nepali paper. Visit an old Monastery at Share village before heading downhill through the forested path towards the Rai village of Gudel (1900m). Witness the endemic whitewashed houses and kitchen gardens at Gudel. From here, you’ll begin crossing the Hongu Khola and walking past rice, millet and soybean fields towards Bung. Bung marks the entrance to Makalu Barun National Park.
Day
10
Leaving Bung, the trail begins to rise through small Rai settlements towards Surke La. The trail remains decorated with vibrant farm fields of beans, maize, and others. Climb towards the ridge that offers a panoramic view of the neighboring Hongu Valley. The trail climbs along the Mani walls and into the juniper forests. Walk past Khiraule Gompa and continue trekking through the scrubby, burnt forest towards Charakot. A short descent through a steep stone step will bring you to Surke La Pass
Day
11
Begin climbing towards the cliff wall and trek past lush bamboo forests towards Najindingma village (2650m). Enjoy a beautiful view of pastures and open grassland en route to the thick forest trail. An easy descend along the damp forested path will take you to Gaikharka. Overnight in Gaikharka.
Day
12
Leaving Gaikharka, you’ll begin trekking towards the highest point of the trek, Pangum (3173m). The trail rises through the humid and ferny forest towards the pristine Hinku Khola. Cross the 62m-long steel cable bridge and begin trekking along the massive waterfalls towards Sibuje village (2500m). Leaving Sibuje, you’ll start climbing through the pine forests towards the small village of Gompa. The final section of the trail goes past the rhododendron forest towards Pangum La pass. Enjoy the majestic sight of the nearby Khumbu Himalaya and Mera Peak from the pass. Climb towards the Pangum Gompa for the overnight stay.
Day
13
From Pangum Gompa, you’ll begin climbing down through a forested path. Cross the final pass at Arun valley and start climbing towards Kari La Pass (3145m). Enjoy your lunch, and resume trekking downhill through Arun Valley towards Puiyan village. You will find fertile terraced fields and forests around the lower valley. Puiyan connects major cities to the remote Arun valley. Spend the evening exploring Puiyan overlooking a small tributary of the Dudh Koshi River.
Day
14
Leaving Puiyan, you’ll begin trekking towards the Dudh Koshi Valley. The trail is decorated with lush forests and traditional Sherpa villages. Cross several small settlements and walk past Yak pastures to arrive at Lukla. The trek may last anywhere from 4hr to 5 hr. Upon arrival, you can relax and celebrate the completion of the trek with your guide and staff.
Day
15
Today is a free day in Kathmandu. You can choose to indulge in a sightseeing tour of the city and explore a few of the unvisited UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also visit the local massage center to enjoy a full-body trekker’s massage. Enjoy souvenir shopping and dining at Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu
Day
16
Today is a free day in Kathmandu. You can choose to indulge in a sightseeing tour of the city and explore a few of the unvisited UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also visit the local massage center to enjoy a full-body trekker’s massage. Enjoy souvenir shopping and dining at Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day
17
On the last day in Kathmandu, you can choose to do whatever you like. We’ll drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport approximately two hours before your flight time.
