A short, scenic flight (about 35 minutes) takes you to Tumlingtar in the Arun Valley, with views of Makalu and Chamlang on a clear day. Meet your guide and porter and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore the village or visit nearby Khandbari, MAST’s home town
Tumlingtar Lukla Trek
12
Days
Overview
The Tumlingtar to Lukla Trek is a quiet, off-the-beaten-path route that links the Makalu region with the Everest region. In nine days of walking, you go from the warm, low Arun Valley over the forested Salpa Pass and across the hills of Solukhumbu to Lukla, the gateway to Everest.
From Tumlingtar you follow the Arun and Irkhuwa rivers through rice fields and Rai villages to Gothe Bazar and Phedi. A long climb through rhododendron forest takes you to Salpa Pass and Salpa Pokhari, a sacred lake of the Kirat people. On the other side you descend to Sanam and the large village of Bung, then cross Surke La, Pangum La and Khari La through Sherpa villages and monasteries, with views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Chamlang along the way.
You meet very few other trekkers until the last day. The trek ends in Lukla with a spare day before your flight back to Kathmandu. It also works well as a lead-in to the Everest Base Camp Trek, if you want to continue north.
You trek with a licensed guide, as required by Nepal’s trekking rules, and a local porter. Your trek supports the village families you stay with, and MAST’s profits fund schools and elderly care in the Makalu–Arun region.
Highlights
- Fly to Tumlingtar with views of Makalu, Chamlang and the eastern Himalaya
- Walk from the Arun Valley to Lukla, linking the Makalu and Everest regions on foot
- Cross Salpa Pass and visit Salpa Pokhari, a sacred lake of the Kirat people
- Stay in Rai and Sherpa villages such as Bung, Najingdingma and Pangum
- See Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Chamlang from the passes
- Trek a quiet trail and add the Everest Base Camp Trek at the end if you wish
Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
- Day 3 775m
- Day 5 2,880m
- Day 7 2,650m
- Day 9 2,850m
- Day 11 2,730m
| Day | Description | Altitude (Meters) | Net Gain/Loss | Trek Duration. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tumlingtar (457m) | 457 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Trek from Tumlingtar to Katike Pul | 300 | -157 | 5-6 |
| 3 | Trek from Katike Pul Gothe Bazaar Trek from Seduwa to Tasigaun | 775 | 475 | 4-5 |
| 4 | Trek from Gothe Bazar to Phedi | 1680 | 905 | 4-5 |
| 5 | Trek from Phedi to Sanam | 2880 | 1200 | 4-5 |
| 6 | Trek from Sanam to Bung | 2750 | -130 | 0 |
| 7 | Trek from Bung to Najingdingma | 2650 | -100 | 6 |
| 8 | Trek Najing to Pangum | 2850 | 200 | 0 |
| 9 | Trek from Pangum to Paiya | 2850 | 0 | 4-5 |
| 10 | Trek from Puiya to Lukla | 2730 | -120 | 0 |
| 11 | Lukla | 2730 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu | 0 |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 2 :
Tumlingtar to Kateke Pul (300 m)
Walk down the Arun Valley past Chewa Besi, cross a suspension bridge and follow the Irkhuwa Khola to Kateke Pul (5–6 hours). This is the lowest and warmest part of the trek
Follow the Irkhuwa Khola upstream through Baluwa Besi and Majuwa Besi, past rice fields and small villages, to Gothe Bazar (4–5 hours.
Day 4 :
Gothe Bazar to Phedi (1,680 m)
Cross a long suspension bridge over the Irkhuwa Khola and climb through villages and terraced fields to Phedi, at the foot of the Salpa ridge (4–5 hours).
The hardest day of the trek. Climb through Jaubari, Thulo Phokte (2,140 m), Bilbate (2,800 m) and Guranse through rhododendron forest to Salpa Pokhari, a sacred lake of the Kirat people, and Salpa Pass. Then descend to the village of Sanam (7–8 hours). Start early
Day 6 :
Sanam to Bung (1,900 m)
Descend through Tiu (2,470 m), Share and Gudel to Bung, a large Rai village surrounded by terraced fields. Pay the Makalu Barun National Park / buffer zone fee (NPR 3,000 per person) at the park office (4–5 hours
Day 7 :
Bung to Najingdingma (2,650 m)
Climb steadily through Khiraule Gumpa and Charakot and over Surke La (3,085 m) to Najingdingma, set in forest below the peaks (5–6 hours).
Day 08 :
Najingdingma to Pangum (2,850 m)
Descend to Gai Kharka (2,300 m), then climb through Sibuje and Tropki Kharka to Pangum La (3,173 m), with views of Everest and the Khumbu peaks, and down to the Sherpa village of Pangum and its monastery (5–6 hours).
Day 09 :
Pangum to Paiya (2,730 m)
Cross Khari La (3,145 m) and descend through forest to Kharte and Paiya (Chutok) (5–6 hours).
Day 10 :
Paiya to Lukla (2,860 m)
The last day of walking. Cross the Dudh Koshi side valley and climb gently through forest to Lukla, where you join the main Everest trail (5–6 hours). Celebrate the end of the trek with your guide and porter..
Day 11 :
Spare day in Lukla
A spare day in case of bad weather, which often delays Lukla flights. If flights are running, you can rest, walk to Chaurikharka, or visit the Lukla market
Day 12 :
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Take the morning flight back to Kathmandu (about 35 minutes). In peak season, flights may land at Ramechhap (Manthali), a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu
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 and Makalu Barun National Park / buffer zone fee (NPR 3,000 per person)
- Hotel room in Tumlingtar
- 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
- Flights Kathmandu – Tumlingtar and Lukla – Kathmandu
- Hotel and meals in Kathmandu; meals in Tumlingtar
- Food and accommodation on the trek and in Lukla (paid directly to tea houses and homestays, 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 political unrest
Tea houses: pay as you go
Food and accommodation on the trail are not included in our price. You pay tea houses and homestays 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; Lukla is more expensive.
Your Guide and Porter
Your trek is led by a licensed guide, as required by Nepal’s trekking rules. Our guides come from the Makalu–Arun region, know the villages and lodges on this little-used route, and can introduce you to Rai and Sherpa culture along the way.
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 Tumlingtar to Lukla Trek is moderate. The highest point is only about 3,400 m, so altitude sickness is rare, but the trail climbs and descends a lot – from 300 m in the Arun Valley to over 3,000 m on four passes. Day 5 over Salpa Pass is long and steep. If you walk regularly and are in good health, you can do this trek. Travel insurance with helicopter rescue is required.
Tumlingtar to Lukla Trek Map
FAQs
General
It’s moderate. Most days are 4–6 hours on village and forest trails, with many ups and downs. The hardest day is Day 5, a climb of about 1,700 m over Salpa Pass.
Salpa Pass, at about 3,350 m. Salpa Pokhari lake, just beside the pass, is at about 3,414 m
Yes. A licensed guide is now required for trekkers in Nepal. On this quiet route a local guide is also important for finding the way. All our treks include a licensed guide and a porter
Usually 4–6 hours. The Salpa Pass day is about 7–8 hours.
In simple tea houses and village homestays, and hotels in Tumlingtar and Lukla. Rooms are basic, with shared toilets
No. The last ATMs are in Tumlingtar and Khandbari, and the next are in Lukla. Bring enough Nepali rupees for the whole trek.
Yes, in most villages, sometimes for a small fee. Mobile data works on much of the route, but the signal can be weak in the valleys. Bring a power bank.
That is why Day 11 is a spare day. If your flight is cancelled, we rebook you on the next available flight. We still recommend 1–2 extra days before your international flight.
Yes. From Lukla you can continue straight onto our Everest Base Camp Trek. You will already be well prepared after 9 days of walking. Contact us for a combined itinerary and price
Travel in a group of two to share the guide and porter, eat local dal bhat (refills are free), and stay in homestays. Because you pay tea houses directly, you control your daily spending.
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.
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