Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Inside Himalayas Issue 4 | Page 12

INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN Kanchenjunga Base Camp Lhonak . Photo: Denis Poulet. Itinerary 12 Day Altitude 1 Arrive Kathmandu 1300m 2 Kathmandu 3 Fly to Biratnagar 4 Drive to Phidim 1311m 8 hrs 5 Drive/trek to Taplejung 1798m 5 hrs 6 Dovan 850m 3 hrs 7 Mitlung 960m 4 hrs 8 Chiruwa 1040m 6 hrs 9 Hellok 1250m 5 hrs 10 Amzilasha 2240m 5 hrs 11 Gyabla 2810m 4 hrs 12 Ghunsa 3460m 4 hrs 13 Kambachen 4110m 5 hrs 14 Lhonak 4720m 4 hrs 15 Pangpema 5100m 4 hrs 16 Kanchenjunga Glacier Lonak 4720m 6 hrs 17 Ghunsa 3460m 6 hrs 18 Dolang Kharka 4210m 5 hrs 19 Lase Pokhari 4480m 6 hrs 20 Lase Kharka 3410m 6 hrs 21 Yamphudin 1800m 7 hrs 22 Pumpe 1930m 6 hrs 23 Bhanjyang 2200m 5 hrs 24 Lal Kharka 2370m 6 hrs 25 Taplejung 1798m 5 hrs 26 Fly Kathmandu 1330m 1½ hrs 27 Kathmandu 28 Depart Time Trek Grade: 4 Duration: 28 Days Trek style: Fully supported camping trek Best time to go: March - June / October – November Days 1-2: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Half-day city tour will introduce you to some of the highlights of Kathmandu. Days 3-4: Fly to Biratnagar and overnight hotel. Drive to Phidim on Day 4. Days 5-16: From Taplejung the trail descends to meet the Tamur River at Dovan. This beautiful valley of terraced hillsides is interspersed with forest and is largely populated by Limbu people. From the Tibetan settlement of Amjilassa, the trail passes through bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests, past waterfalls and offers views of Nango Ma. Ascending the Ghhunsa Khola, there are small gompas, chortens and mani stone walls. Above Gunsa, you catch sight of Jannu (7,710m). From Kambachen the terrain becomes harsher as you cross the moraine to where you see views up Kanchenjunga Glacier at Lhonak. Reaching base camp at Pang Pema, the panorama is spectacular and you have time here to venture into the surrounding glacial valleys. Days 17-25: Retrace your steps via Ghunsa to return to Taplejung via an alternative route of high passes and mountain lakes. Days 26-28: A short (though often delayed) flight brings you back to Kathmandu with plenty of time for further sightseeing, shopping and relaxation. Contact: Royal Mountain Travel-Nepal, Lal Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal, Tel: +977-1-4444378, [email protected], www.royalmt.com.np www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel | 2016 www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel | 2016 13