18 daysExtreme6,189 mIsland Peak Climbing — 18 Days
From / person
$3,600
Trek
Lumba Sumba Pass Trek
18 days5,160 mFrom Taplejung (fly via Bhadrapur)Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Photo by Sagar Neupane on Pexels
01 / 08
Duration
18 days
From
$2,690/person
Max Altitude
5,160 m
Difficulty
Strenuous
Starts
Taplejung (fly via Bhadrapur)
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House / Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Best Season
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later
Trip Highlights
Cross the remote 5,160 m Lumba Sumba Pass on the Great Himalaya Trail
Link two of Nepal's greatest sanctuaries: Kanchenjunga and Makalu Barun
Panoramas of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse and Cho Oyu from the pass
Visit the ancient Tibetan-Buddhist trading village of Olangchung Gola
Trek through pristine red panda and snow leopard habitat
Follow the wild Tamur and Arun river valleys far off the tourist trail
Authentic Limbu, Sherpa and Bhote cultural encounters
A genuine camping expedition with almost no other foreign trekkers
A remote Great Himalaya Trail traverse linking the Kanchenjunga and Makalu regions over the 5,160 m Lumba Sumba Pass, through Limbu and Sherpa villages, Tamur and Arun valleys.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(18 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 5,160 m · Day 11Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Trek briefing, gear check and permit formalities with your guide in the evening.
1,400 m–––Hotel
The Lumba Sumba Pass Trek is one of eastern Nepal's last true wilderness journeys, a high traverse along the Great Himalaya Trail that links the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area with Makalu Barun National Park over the wind-scoured 5,160 m Lumba Sumba Pass. This is camping country for much of the route, far from the lodge circuits, where the trail threads through Limbu farming hamlets, the Tibetan-Buddhist village of Olangchung Gola, and the deep gorges of the Tamur and Arun rivers.
From the pass, weather permitting, the panorama sweeps across the Kanchenjunga massif, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and a wall of unnamed glaciated summits. The lower valleys are corridors for red panda and snow leopard, and the forests shelter rhododendron, fir and a rich birdlife. Because the route crosses restricted territory and demands strong fitness at altitude, every group travels with a licensed guide and full logistical support.
Why this trek
You will walk for days without seeing another foreign trekker, sleep under canvas beside glacial streams, and cross a genuine Himalayan pass that connects two of Nepal's greatest mountain sanctuaries. It rewards experienced trekkers who want solitude, cultural depth and a real expedition feel rather than tea-house comfort.
Best time to go
Spring (March to May) brings rhododendron blooms and stable weather, while autumn (September to November) offers the clearest mountain views and crisp, dry trails. The pass can hold snow into early spring and after autumn, so timing and acclimatisation are essential.
What's Included
Included
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu on a private vehicle
- 2 nights hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Kathmandu–Bhadrapur and Tumlingtar–Kathmandu domestic flights
- Ground transport Bhadrapur–Taplejung–Tapethok and Tumlingtar transfer
- Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, KCAP and Makalu Barun National Park permits
- Government-licensed, experienced trekking guide and required staff
- Porters to carry trekking gear and camping equipment
- Full camping setup: tents, kitchen, dining and toilet tents
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on the trek with hot drinks
- Tea house and homestay accommodation where available, camping elsewhere
- First-aid kit, oximeter and staff insurance
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and high-altitude rescue insurance (mandatory)
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
- Personal trekking gear and clothing
- Drinks, bottled water, hot showers and battery charging where chargeable
- Tips for guide, porters and crew
- Personal expenses and any costs from early descent or itinerary changes due to weather
Pickup
Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?
This trip begins in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside trekking town. Most international flights land in Kathmandu, about 200 km away (25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus), so you can either make your own way to Pokhara or let us collect you in Kathmandu.
Pickup in Pokhara
Already in Pokhara? We collect you from your hotel at no charge.
- Pokhara hotel pickupFrom any hotel in Pokhara, Lakeside included.Free
- Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
- Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Pickup in Kathmandu
Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.
- Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Included
- Kathmandu domestic airportIncluded
- Kathmandu hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Hotel in the city
- Kathmandu: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)Included
- Kathmandu: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Kathmandu: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.
Best Time to Go
Spring (Mar–May)
Rhododendron forests in bloom, stable weather and good visibility; the pass is usually open by mid-spring.
Low: -12°C High: 15°C Lingering snow on the pass in early spring, generally clearing through April–May.
Summer / Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Heavy rain, leeches, slippery trails and cloud-covered peaks make this the least suitable window.
Low: 3°C High: 18°C Little snow but persistent rain and landslide risk on access roads.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The prime season: crisp, dry air, the clearest mountain views and settled conditions for the high crossing.
Low: -14°C High: 13°C Generally clear early; fresh snow possible on the pass from late November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Bitterly cold with deep snow that frequently closes the Lumba Sumba Pass; only for very experienced, well-equipped teams.
Low: -22°C High: 6°C Heavy snow on the pass; crossing often impassable.
Permits Required
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
US$20/week for the first 4 weeks, then US$25/weekMandatory because the route passes restricted areas around Olangchung Gola; a licensed guide is required.
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)
NPR 2,000 (about US$15)Required for the Kanchenjunga side of the traverse.
Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)Required for the descent through the Makalu Barun side; SAARC nationals pay a reduced fee.
Local Rural Municipality Fee
NPR 1,000–2,000Local development fee charged on parts of the route.
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Merino or synthetic base layers — two sets, one worn one drying
Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
Waterproof shell jacket
Trekking trousers (not jeans, not cotton)
Sun hat and sunglasses — UV is fierce above the treeline
Warm hat and gloves for early starts and evenings
Down jacket for the evenings — rent one in Kathmandu or Pokhara for a couple of dollars a day rather than buying
Thermal bottoms for sleeping
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
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