Far Eastern Region (Kanchanjanga Region)
The kanchanjanga area in the eastern part of Nepal was closed until 1988 for trekking purpose, but recently it has been opened. Exploring these mountains and villages both towards the Kanchanjanga and Makalu base camp has a great potential. This vast and wonderful alpine area can be reached by a daily scheduled flight to Biratnagar and a drive to Dhankuta – Hile or drive from Kathmandu to Hile.
a) The Mike Danda Ridge
Grade: 3 Days: 12 – 17
This trek provides an excellent opportunity for those who do not have the time and wish to penetrate the hills and valleys of eastern Nepal as far as the Makalu (8463m) and Kanchanjanga base camp. The trek reaches up to 447m through Rai and Limbu villages, fine forests and high open grazing areas. The Milke Danda separates the two main river basins. The Arun River cuts through from Tibet leaving the Makalu massif and rushes down Tumlingtar. In the east, the Tamur drains the western and southern flanks of the mighty Kanchanjanga (8586m).
b) Makalu Base Camp
Grade: 5 Days: 16 – 30
Rising to 8463m on the Nepal Tibet border is the giant mass of Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak. To approach the seldom-visited base camp area, we have to begin with a flight to Tumlingtar in eastern Nepal. We follow a well-defined trail up the fertile Arun river valley. From the village of Nun (909m) we take the northwest trail through small settlements and begin the sustained ascent of the Barun La (4152m). On the way, there are views to the east of Kanchanjanga and Jamu Himal. This trek can be taken to be extremely remote in its upper reaches. From the Hillary and Makalu Base Camp (4848m), a side trip will offer excellent unobscured views of Makalu’s South face, an impressive landscape of the northeast faces of Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Baruntse (7220m) and Chamlang (7275m). This trek is best to be undertaken between October and late November before early winter snow cuts off access to the base camp area. The base camp is at an altitude of 5000m.
c) Kanchanjanga Base Camp
Grade: 5 Days: 16 – 30
The Kanchanjanga massif with its myriad glacier systems, high pass crossings and vast untracked foothills offers the opportunity for almost endless exploration. This trek is best in early autumn or late spring. The ascent from Hile through terraced fields and rhododendron forest to the high Milke Danda ridge (4500m) offers fine views of four of the world’s highest peaks: Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m) and Kanchanjanga (8537m). From Taplejung village, the route leads to the 3484m pass at Lashi, then to the remarkable view point, Kumbakarna and kabru (7310m), just a short distance away across the Yalung glacier. The peaks of the Kanchanjanga massif are the constant companions when they cross several passes to Gunsa village and descend the valley and take a westward trail back to tumlingtar and fly to Kathmandu.
The kanchanjanga area in the eastern part of Nepal was closed until 1988 for trekking purpose, but recently it has been opened. Exploring these mountains and villages both towards the Kanchanjanga and Makalu base camp has a great potential. This vast and wonderful alpine area can be reached by a daily scheduled flight to Biratnagar and a drive to Dhankuta – Hile or drive from Kathmandu to Hile.
a) The Mike Danda Ridge
Grade: 3 Days: 12 – 17
This trek provides an excellent opportunity for those who do not have the time and wish to penetrate the hills and valleys of eastern Nepal as far as the Makalu (8463m) and Kanchanjanga base camp. The trek reaches up to 447m through Rai and Limbu villages, fine forests and high open grazing areas. The Milke Danda separates the two main river basins. The Arun River cuts through from Tibet leaving the Makalu massif and rushes down Tumlingtar. In the east, the Tamur drains the western and southern flanks of the mighty Kanchanjanga (8586m).
b) Makalu Base Camp
Grade: 5 Days: 16 – 30
Rising to 8463m on the Nepal Tibet border is the giant mass of Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak. To approach the seldom-visited base camp area, we have to begin with a flight to Tumlingtar in eastern Nepal. We follow a well-defined trail up the fertile Arun river valley. From the village of Nun (909m) we take the northwest trail through small settlements and begin the sustained ascent of the Barun La (4152m). On the way, there are views to the east of Kanchanjanga and Jamu Himal. This trek can be taken to be extremely remote in its upper reaches. From the Hillary and Makalu Base Camp (4848m), a side trip will offer excellent unobscured views of Makalu’s South face, an impressive landscape of the northeast faces of Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Baruntse (7220m) and Chamlang (7275m). This trek is best to be undertaken between October and late November before early winter snow cuts off access to the base camp area. The base camp is at an altitude of 5000m.
c) Kanchanjanga Base Camp
Grade: 5 Days: 16 – 30
The Kanchanjanga massif with its myriad glacier systems, high pass crossings and vast untracked foothills offers the opportunity for almost endless exploration. This trek is best in early autumn or late spring. The ascent from Hile through terraced fields and rhododendron forest to the high Milke Danda ridge (4500m) offers fine views of four of the world’s highest peaks: Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m) and Kanchanjanga (8537m). From Taplejung village, the route leads to the 3484m pass at Lashi, then to the remarkable view point, Kumbakarna and kabru (7310m), just a short distance away across the Yalung glacier. The peaks of the Kanchanjanga massif are the constant companions when they cross several passes to Gunsa village and descend the valley and take a westward trail back to tumlingtar and fly to Kathmandu.
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