22 Days
5159M
Hard
If we are heading down to Kangchenjunga, then we have to start from Eastern Nepal which is naturally diverse in nature in many ways; ethnic communities such as the Rai and Limbu people, a productive range of flora due to a highly rainy monsoon period in the region and some of the most gracious mountain windows anywhere in the Himalaya. As we cling on to the glacial torrent of the Tamur and Ghunsa Rivers who define their roots by the North West side of the Kangchenjunga Himal, we find ourselves in an unknown world, even though we live on the same planet. Shortened by an alpine opulence in every direction that we can see, peaks such as Pyramid Peak, Jannu, with the Twins and for sure Kangchenjunga at (8586m) dominate the settings that we behold. When our journey does wrap up, there’s nothing less sublime as we return by way of the Mirgin La Pass at (4500m). The return experience takes us to another plain…the Kangchenjunga region is merciless, but its flora, fauna and landscapes are as soft and gentle as the petals of the lovely rhododendrons that we see glistening in the sunshine of a rainy monsoon day…
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. It rises from the earth up to an elevation of 8,586m (28,169 ft) through a chain of the Himalayas known as ‘Kangchenjunga Himal’ and is restricted in the west by the Tamur River and in the east by the Teesta River. Kangchenjunga is physically located on the boundary between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim.The Geological Survey of India estimates the summit of Kangchenjunga at 8,598m (28,209 ft). This is the highest peak in India and the easternmost of the peaks higher than 8,000 m (26,247 ft). The Kangchenjunga is also famously known as ‘Five Treasures of Snow’ after its five high peaks, and is religiously worshipped by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Among the five peaks, two are placed in Taplejung District, Nepal. The other three peaks – main, central, and south – are geographically placed on the border of North Sikkim and Nepal. Kangchenjunga central is the second highest peak in Nepal after Mount Everest.This colossal mountain was first climbed on 25 May 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band, who were part of a British expedition. They hauled up short of the summit as per a promise given to the Maharaja of Sikkim that the peak of the mountain would remain untouched. All who have attempted the summit has followed this tradition.
Some of the most fabulous views of Kangchenjunga are said to be found in the hill station of Darjeeling. The Darjeeling War Memorial is a central point from which Kangchenjunga is observed by tourists. On a lovely sparkling day of sunshine, that’s always in the autumn, the view of Kangchenjunga doesn’t look much of a mountain but more rather of a snow white wall dangling from the sky, or so it seems. The Sikkimese folks look up to Kangchenjunga as a sacred mountain. Permission to climb the mountain from the Indian side is a rare happening.
The villages down here seem to be wealthier than anywhere else in Nepal, but the higher you climb; the more remote are the chances of finding settlement. A cool way to develop friendships down here is to team up with the locals for a heart-warming drink of hot tongba, the fermented millet drink of the east…it sure kicks the fatigue from your weary body. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Lumba Sumba Pass Trek is recently discover trekking trail by Nepal government. The trail which was announced by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal. The trek begins from Phoomling, where we arrive after a 7 hour drive from Bhadrapur. We start trekking from Phoomling and passes through diverse ethnic groups, cultivated land and animal farms along the Lumba Sumba pass trek.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp sumba pass trek takes trekkers from Kanchenjunga to the Makalu region via the Lumba Sumba Pass. There are occasional sightings of the Snow Leopard and the Red Panda along Lumba Samba Pass trail. The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Sumba Pass at a height of 5,177 meter above sea level is the highest point of Lumba sumba pass trek. The three week trek ends at Num, from where we drive to Khandbari and then to the Tumlingtar Airport where the flight to Kathmandu awaits us.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Lumba sumba pass trek area is rich in flora and fauna and one can see different birds and wildlife species, including the endangered snow leopard and red panda along the route. There are a number of high mountain lakes in Olangchung Gola. The route goes through two of Nepal’s best preserved protected areas ? the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area and the Makalu Barun National Park. Through the route, one can also trek to the base camps of Mt Kanchanjunga and Mt Makalu. Similarly, the Tamor and Arun River systems can be the other attraction for travelers. These two rivers are the major tributaries of the mighty Sapta Koshi River. The route encompasses 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. And to add to the flavor, the festivals of different ethnic people living in harmony only serve to make the native culture livelier.
For more details
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Lumba Sumba Pass Trek
01 KATHMANDU TAPLEJUNG 1442M 1 HRS FLIGHT
02 Trek to Mithlung 921M 5.00 HRS WALK
03 Trek to Chiruwa 1270M 5.30 HRS WALK
04 Trek to Shekhathum 1660M 5.00 HRS WALK
05 Trek to Amjilosa 2510M 5.00 HRS WALK
06 Trek to Gyapla 2730M 5.30 HRS WALK
07 Trek to Ghunsa 3595M 5.30 HRS WALK
08 Rest day in Ghunsa 3595M REST DAY
09 Trek to Khambachen 4050M 6.00 HRS WALK
10 Trek to Lonak 4750M 6.00 HRS WALK
11 Trek to Base Camp and Lonak 5143M 7.00 HRS WALK
12 Trek to Ghunsa 3595M 8.00 HRS WALK
13 Trek to Yangma Khola 4820-3430M 9-10.00 HRS WALK
14 Trek to Olangchung Khola 3191M 6-700 HRS WALK
15 Trek to Kharka Camp site 4453M 6 HRS WALK
16 Lumba Sumba Pass and Thudam 5159- 3556M 9-10 HRS WALK
17 Trek to Chyantang 2187M 8-9 HRS WALK
18 Trek to Hatiya 3020M 5-6 HRS WALK
19 Trek to Makalu dovan 2980M 5-6 HRS WALK
20 Trek to Trek to NUM 3557M 5-6 HRS WALK
21 Drive to Tumlingtar 4870M 6 HRS WALK
22 Fly to Kathmandu 55 Min flight