'Northern Treasures' Trek: Eastern Nepal
November 12 to December 2, 2024 |USD 6900 pp
First things first. This trekking adventure is one of Whistling Arrow's signature treks, and leverages our longstanding relationship with the villagers of Olanchung Gola (which we first visited in 2015); a traditional weaving community in the wild Tibetan borderlands of northeastern Nepal, tucked away between the world's two most easterly 8000m+ peaks, Kanchenjunga and Makalu. Our bonds here are deep-rooted, giving us behind-the-scenes admission to the villagers' community-based festival, and full consent for us to explore one of the most spectacular sacred lakes in Nepal.
In short, the trip is a wilderness adventure designed for relatively experienced and intrepid trekkers who are keen to avoid the crowds that clog the well-trodden routes to Everest and Annapurna. But that's just the half of it. The village and surrounding peaks shelter a number of cultural gems. Foremost among them is Deki Chholing, a 450 year old Nyingma-sect monastery that houses a treasure trove of ancient Buddhist texts and hosts the annual Tibetan Buddhist festival, in the Dzogchen 'Northern Treasures' tradition. So, fully immersing ourselves in the festivities, we will also participate in fascinating tantric rituals, experience fierce-looking masked deities and witness the secretive 'Black Hat Cham dance, usually only performed by monks, but here, because of the small size of the gompa, lay people are also involved.
And all this cultural immersion, preceded by a pioneering trek up to the snowy abode of the snow leopard (where up to eight cats are believed to roam), hidden away in the upper reaches of Yangma Valley, where we will explore a sacred lake that is very rarely visited by outsiders, and survey the toe of the Nupchu glacier, that flows down from the western flank of the far-flung Chulima range.
* THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL. PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR 2025 DATES *
Please note that you can also view additional images from our 2018 expedition to the Olanchung Gola region of Nepal in our Adventure Diary. This adventure however is uniquely-designed, and includes a pioneering exploration of the upper Yangma Valley, rather than a traverse of the Lumba Sumba Pass.
Why This Trip?
Participate in a uniquely-designed expedition to explore the 'hidden' Tibetan borderlands of eastern Nepal.
Enjoy immersive access to an authentic community-based festival with its esoteric Tibetan Buddhist rituals.
Explore a secluded mountain sanctuary, and discover one of the most spectacular sacred lakes in the Himalayas.
A Tibetan Buddist monk initiates the fire ceremony at the 'Northern Treasures' tantric festival in the grounds of Deki Chholing Gompa.
Expedition Plan
This is a pioneering route through a remote region of eastern Nepal that will require a considerable amount of flexibility and self-reliance from the team. The following is only the outline daily plan.
November 12, 2024
Fly to Kathmandu (IATA: KTM). Transfer to our garden lodge in Boudenath. Enjoy an introductory team dinner and drinks.
November 13, 2024
Explore the Tibetan enclave with a morning circumambulation of Boudenath stupa. The afternoon is free to relax, soak up the atmosphere, make final preparations, and shake off any jet lag.
November 14, 2024
Catching a morning flight to Bhadrapur. Meet our jeeps and drive up into the Himalayan foothills to Kanyam. Overnight in a local hotel.
November 15, 2024
First drive to Taplejung, before taking another jeep to the village of Lelep where we will overnight in a local guesthouse (1695m).
November 16, 2024
Trek for about 7 hours up the Ghunsa Valley, through classic Himalayan foothills, to our first campsite at Gyabla by the Ghunsa River (2730m).
November 17, 2024
Today we will trek onwards for about 5 hours to the sherpa village of Ghunsa, where we have the option of setting up camp, or staying in a local tea house (3430m).
November 18, 2024
A spectacular days trekking (about 6 hours) up the Ghunsa Valley to the Tibetan hamlet of Kambachen, where will set up camp for two nights surrounded by a plethora of majestic peaks (4050m).
November 19, 2024
An exploratory day's trekking up to a spectacular mountain sanctuary: a milky blue lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks, with stupendous views back towards the Kanchenjunga range. It should take us about 6 hours there and back.
November 20, 2024
Trek up to a stunning lookout atop the terminal morraine of Mt Jannu itself, with jaw-dropping views of the stately-looking peak. Return to the valley floor, and hike back down to Ghunsa (3430m). Today is about 6 hours trekking in total.
November 21, 2024
Trek for about 6 hours up to our basecamp at the base of the Nango La. We will pitch our tents in a grazing meadow used by the villagers of Ghunsa (4160m).
November 22, 2024
Trek over the panoramic Nango La Pass (4770m), before descending into the Yangma Valley and setting up camp by the banks of the river (3430m). Again today is about 6 hours trekking.
November 23, 2024
Trek for about 6 hours to the head of the main valley near the village of Yangma where we will set up camp (4200m) near the confluence of two smaller upper valleys.
November 24, 2024
Exploratory trek (about 5 hours) up to the first of two sacred lakes. Here we will set up camp by the lake shore for the next two nights (4900m).
November 25, 2024
Today we will trek up to and explore a second sacred lake located at around 5000m. There is also the possibility of climbing a non-technical peak (5525m) that overlooks the crystal clear waters. Return to camp. Today should be around 6 hours trekking there and back.
November 26, 2024
Trek (for about 6 hours) back down to Yangma, and then along the beautiful Yangma Valley to set up camp at Jaritar (3700m).
November 27, 2024
Trek to Olanchung Gola village where we will meet the family of my old friend Tashi, and stay in their tea house (3200m). This afternoon we can join the villagers at a community blessing in the gompa.
November 28, 2024
Join the villagers at Deki Chholing gompa, and immerse ourselves in the festival. Today, there are a variety of cham dances to experience. Overnight at the tea house.
November 29, 2024
Trek back down Illadanda where we will stay in a tea house run by a lovely young couple. Today will take about 8 hours trekking.
November 30, 2024
Trek back down to Lelep and then take a jeep to drive back to Taplejung. Overnight in a local hotel.
December 1, 2024
Drive back to Bhadrapur, and catch a late afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight in the same lodge back in Boudenath. Enjoy a final dinner, and a few cold Gorkha beers.
December 2, 2024
Transfer to the airport to catch our flights home. Big hugs all around, and see you next time.
Expedition Location
Practical Information
Rest assured we will be here to advise you on all aspects of preparing for, and participating in, this trip. Here are a few obvious places to start.
Accomodation
Will be in a good quality lodge in Kathmandu, and a local hotel in Kanyam and Taplejung. On the trek itself we will be largely camping with 2 or 3 nights in tea houses.
Altitude
The maximum altitude en route will be approximately 5000m. Our maximum camping altitude will be around 4900m although we will be well acclimatized by then.
Communication
On the trek there will be no phone coverage but we carry a two-way satellite email and texting device for emergency communication. (Garmin Inreach).
Difficulty
The trek will be challenging so everyone will need to be properly prepared both mentally and physically.
Equipment
We will supply all (rigourously cleaned) camping equipment, although we recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag. Please refer to our typical kit list for a guide to what else to bring.
First Aid
We carry a comprehensive medical kit, including Diamox and Dexamethazone to treat any signs of altitude sickness. Please note that Diamox may also be a useful preventative on this trip.
Food
Mainly Nepali and Western food prepared by our expedition cook. We also will include plenty of snacks etc
Flights
The trip begins and ends in Kathmandu (IATA: KTM). All guests to arrive in Kathmandu by the evening of November 12.
Insurance
All guests must have a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes emergency medical evacuation, and trekking up to 6000m. World Nomads is one possible option.
Support
Your large rucksacks or duffell bags will be transported by porters so you only need to carry your day pack while hiking. We will try and limit baggage weights to 20 kg.
Temperatures
Typically will range between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius during the day, but will fall to below freezing at night when higher up (possibly as low as minus 10 degrees). In November, the weather should be stable and sunny during the day.
Toilets & Washing
On the trek itself we will be camping, so washing and toilet facilities will be fairly basic, although we will carry a toilet tent, and a camping shower.
Visas
Nepal visas can either be applied for in advance, or purchased and processed on arrival at Kathmandu airport.
