A long but scenic drive (10–12 hours ⚠️) takes you from Kathmandu into the green hills of eastern Nepal, to Diktel Bazaar, the headquarters of Khotang district. Your guide and porter meet you here. In the evening, walk around the market and the old houses of the town.
Mundum Trek
11
Days
Overview
The Mundum Trek follows the Mundum Trail through the hills of Khotang and Bhojpur in eastern Nepal, the ancestral homeland of the Kirat Rai people. Mundum is the Kirat people’s sacred oral tradition - their history, rituals and beliefs, passed down by word of mouth - and this trail links villages, shrines and sacred places that are central to it.
From the hill town of Diktel you walk along a high ridge through terraced fields, rhododendron and bamboo forest, and Rai villages such as Chakhewa, Maiyung and Rawadhap, staying with local families along the way. The trail passes old mani walls and temples and reaches Salpa Pokhari, a sacred lake and an important pilgrimage site for the Kirat.
From Salpa you climb to the Silichung viewpoint (about 4,153 m). On a clear morning you can see a long line of the Himalaya, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kanchenjunga. You then descend through forest and farmland to the Irkhuwa Khola and follow it down to Tumlingtar, in MAST’s home district of Sankhuwasabha, for the flight back to Kathmandu.
This is a quiet, off-the-beaten-path trek: you will meet very few other trekkers. You walk with a licensed guide, as required by Nepal’s trekking rules, and a porter, both from the local area.
Highlights
- Walk the sacred Mundum Trail through the homeland of the Kirat Rai people
- Walk the sacred Mundum Trail through the homeland of the Kirat Rai people
- Visit Salpa Pokhari, a sacred lake and Kirat pilgrimage site
- See Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga from the Silichung viewpoint (about 4,153 m)
- Walk through rhododendron and bamboo forest, with birdlife and terraced hillsides
- Trek a quiet trail far from the busy routes, where your trip directly supports village families Itinerary
Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 1,650m
- Day 3 2,752m
- Day 5 3,426m
- Day 7 4,200m
- Day 8 775m
| Day | Description | Altitude (Meters) | Net Gain/Loss | Trek Duration. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive from Kathmandu to Diktel Bazar | 1650 | 0 | 12 Hours |
| 2 | Trek from Diktel to Chakhewa Village | 2300 | 650 | 5-6 Hours |
| 3 | Trek from Chakhewa to Dhotre | 2752 | 452 | 4-5 Hours |
| 4 | Trek from Dhotre to Maiyung | 3122 | 370 | 4-5 Hours |
| 5 | Trek from Maiyung to Rawadhap | 3426 | 304 | 4-5 Hours |
| 6 | Trek from Rawadhap to Salpa Bhanjyang | 3348 | -78 | 0 |
| 7 | Explore around Silchung Hill | 4200 | 852 | 6 |
| 8 | Trek from Salpa Bhanjyang to Gothe Bazar | 775 | -3425 | 0 |
| 9 | Trek from Gothe Bazaar to Tumlingtar | 460 | -315 | 4-5 |
| 10 | Flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu | - | 0 |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 2 :
Diktel to Chakhewa (2,300 m)
The trek begins. Walk through forest, quiet villages and terraced fields, climbing steadily onto the ridge to Chakhewa village, with views of the surrounding hills and mountains (5–6 hours). Overnight in a homestay.
Day 3 :
Chakhewa to Dhotre (2,752 m)
Continue along the ridge through mixed forest rich in plants and birdlife to the small settlement of Dhotre (4-5 hours).
Day 4 :
Dhotre to Maiyung (3,122 m)
A shorter, easier day. Cross the Chhimalung pass, pass the mani wall at Phokte and walk along Mattim Danda to the Baspani Devisthan temple before reaching Maiyung (4–5 hours).
Day 5 :
Maiyung to Rawadhap (3,426 m)
Walk through the Kirat Rai villages of Satdobato, Hyakule and Lauri Bina to Rawadhap. Your guide will explain local customs and the role of the Mundum in daily life (4–5 hours).
A short day past the mani walls of Nikasa and Handi Lake to the Salpa pass and Salpa Pokhari, the sacred lake of the Kirat. Overnight in a tent ⚠️ (3–4 hours).
Start early and climb to the Silichung viewpoint for a wide panorama of the Himalaya, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Kanchenjunga, and the deep valleys below. Return to Salpa Bhanjyang for a second night in tents ⚠️ (about 6 hours).
The longest day, with a big descent of about 2,500 m. Walk down through Guranse (2,880 m), Bilbate (2,800 m) and Thulo Phokte (2,140 m) to Gothe Bazar in the warm valley (7–8 hours). Trekking poles help on the descent. ⚠️ Consider an overnight stop at Thulo Phokte to make this easier.
Day 09 :
Gothe Bazar to Tumlingtar (460 m)
Follow the north bank of the Irkhuwa Khola past Majuwa Besi, Kateke Pul and Chewa Besi to the Arun Valley and Tumlingtar (4–5 hours). Overnight in a hotel
Day 10 :
Tumlingtar and Khandbari
A relaxed day in MAST’s home district. Visit Khandbari, see some of the school and community projects your trek supports, and celebrate the end of the trek with your guide and porter. This day also acts as a spare day if the flight is delayed
Day 11 :
Fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
Take the short flight back to Kathmandu (about 40 minutes). We transfer you to your hotel.
Cost and Price Details
The price includes
- A licensed guide: daily wages, food, accommodation and insurance
- A porter (one porter per 2 guests): daily wages, food, accommodation and insurance
- Shoes, socks and gloves for your guide and porter
- TIMS card
- Tents for the 2 nights at Salpa
- Transport Kathmandu – Diktel
- MAST service charge and government tax (VAT) confirm the 15% is included
- A contribution to our community projects
The price does not include
- International flights
- Nepal visa (currently $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days
- Hotel and meals in Kathmandu
- Flight Tumlingtar – Kathmandu
- Food and accommodation on the trek (paid directly to homestays and tea houses, see below)
- Sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp and personal first-aid kit
- Travel and medical insurance, including helicopter rescue
- Personal expenses: drinks, hot showers, charging, laundry, snacks
- Tips for your guide and porter
- Costs caused by events outside our control, such as flight cancellations, landslides, strikes or road closures
Homestays and tea houses: pay as you go
Food and accommodation on the trail are not included in our price. You pay your hosts directly, so the money stays with local families. Budget around US$50 per person per day for meals, a room and hot drinks (paid in Nepali rupees). Village homestays are often cheaper than this.
Your Guide and Porter
Your trek is led by a licensed guide, as required by Nepal’s trekking rules. Our guides come from eastern Nepal, know the villages and families on this route, and can explain Kirat Rai culture and the Mundum traditions as you walk.
For every two guests, a porter carries your main luggage (up to 20 kg in total so you only need a daypack. Both are fairly paid and insured.
Altitude and Fitness
The Mundum Trek is moderate. Most days are 4–6 hours on village and forest trails, with some steep sections. You sleep at up to about 3,400 m and reach about 4,153 m on the day hike to Silichung, so altitude sickness is rare but possible. The long descent on Day 8 is hard on the knees; trekking poles help. If you walk regularly and are in good health, you can do this trek. Travel insurance with helicopter rescue is required.
Mundum Trek Map
FAQs
General
The Mundum is the sacred oral tradition of the Kirat people (Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar). It covers their history, rituals and way of life. The Mundum Trail passes through Kirat Rai villages and sacred places such as Salpa Pokhari and Silichung.
It’s moderate. Most days are 4–6 hours on village and forest trails. The hardest day is Day 8, a long descent of about 2,500 m.
The Silichung viewpoint, at about 4,153 m, which you visit as a day hike from Salpa Bhanjyang (3,348 m)
Mostly in village homestays and simple tea houses. Two nights at Salpa are in tents as there are no lodges there.
Yes. A licensed guide is now required for trekkers in Nepal. On this remote route a local guide is also essential for finding the way and understanding the culture. All our treks include a licensed guide and a porter
By road from Kathmandu to Diktel (10–12 hours). At the end, you fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu, or you can finish in Bhojpur and take a bus.
Usually 4–6 hours. Some days are as short as 3 hours, and Day 8 is about 7–8 hours.
You can charge in most villages, sometimes for a small fee, but not at the Salpa camp. Mobile signal is available in parts of the route but not everywhere, and there is little Wi-Fi. Bring a power bank.
You pay your hosts directly, so you choose what you eat and the money goes straight to village families. It also keeps our price clear and fair.
Yes. We can add days, change the finish to Bhojpur, or combine the Mundum Trek with the Makalu region or the Arun Valley. Tell us what you’d like and we’ll send an updated itinerary and cost
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