The Lumba Sumba pass trek is a challenging trek connecting Kanchenjunga to Makalu. The trek gives you a unique opportunity to travel through a remote part of Nepal. You can extend this trek with a visit to Kanchenjunga North and/or Makalu Base Camp. You leave Kathmandu with a drive from Kathmandu to Taplejung. The trail starts through the tropical part of Kanchenjunga with tropical forests. After Ghunsa you leave the common trail and trek to Olangchun Gola. From here on it is a few days of remote trekking. At the Lumba Sumba pass you have the unique mountain view of Makalu in front of you, and Kanchenjunga literally behind you. At Chyamtang you are back in the inhabited world for a resting day. After this well-deserved break, you will trek from village to village ending in the Makalu region at Num. A flight will take you back to Kathmandu. The first two days you travel by car to the starting point of this trek. Unfortunately flying is not a faster or easier option. The Lumba Sumba trek starts in the tropical rhododendron and bamboo forests. At Ghunsa you can enjoy a well deserved resting day. This Sherpa village is nice to walk around. Soon after you have left Ghunsa you will continually climb towards the Nango La pass. After the crossing, the trail goes through local mountain streams. However, crossing the streams is easy, and fun. The campsite at Yangma Khola is situated in the valley towards Olangchun Ghola with beautiful views. Olangchun Gola monastery is an impressive structure to see and well worth a visit. Once you climbed to the monastery hilltop you have a good look at the village and its surrounding area. From here on it will be a few days of remote trekking and camping. These days you slowly climb towards the Lumba Sumba pass at an altitude of 5159 meters. From the pass, it becomes obvious that the Lumba Sumba pass is a connecting pass from Kanchenjunga to Makalu. The views of this pass are very special. If you look behind you, you will see the mountain Kanchenjunga. If you look in front of you, you can see the characteristic mountain of Makalu. After crossing the Lumba Sumba pass it is easily descending to the hidden village of Thudam. Continuing the trek after Thudam is not easy because the small trail is soon hard to find due to the fact it is overgrown by bamboo brushes. During this part of the Lumba Sumba pass trek finding a campsite is challenging. Suitable campsites are scarce and only a few small kharka’s are available. Once you have left this overgrown trail behind you, you will enter the small village of Chyamtang. In the coming days, you will trek from village to village on a non-tourist trail towards the Makalu region. Lumba Sumba pass trek ends at the village of Num where a jeep will bring you to the airstrip of Tumlingtar. And at Tumlingtar you will take a plane back to Kathmandu. You can extend this trek with a visit to Kanchenjunga North and/or Makalu Base Camp.

Also in Bhojpur, Nepal

Alpine Climbing Difficult

Distance

259 km

Ascent

12 km

Descent

13 km

Low Point

397 m

High Point

5.2 km

Gradient

15˚