13-Day Upper Arun Valley Trek: Explore Remote Himalayas

Upper Arun Valley Trek

13 Days
  • Jeep, Airlines, Auto Rickshaw
  • Tea House, home Stay, Lodge
  • Kimmathanka (2800m)
  • Tumlingtar
  • September to November, March to May
  • Sacred bath at the Barun River, hot water spring at Hatiya ,Trekking , Volunteering, Sightseeing.
  • Food and Accommodation Cost Excluded
  • English.
  • Moderate
  • 2-6
  • 12
  • 65

Upper Arun Valley Trek Overview

Upper Arun Valley Trek is one of the most interesting cultural treks situated in the of Makalu + Bhotkhola rural Municipality in the    eastern part of Nepal.  The trekking route which goes through restricted area of Sankhuwasabha district offers a rare insight into the local culture of the indigenous Bhotes, a tribe with deep-rooted ties to Tibet.

Although a motor able road has been built   from Khandbari to Gola, it frequently breaks in the  different places as a result of heavy rainfall. So, no buss or jeeps are   running between Num and Gola part of the road in the rainy season.

For enjoying Upper Arun Valley Trek, you travel by   bus or jeep from Khandbari up to Num. From Num you trek up to Kimmathanka through Hadangna village, Ekuwa, Gola, Hatiya and  Hungung .  But while coming back you follow the different trekking route from Kimmathaka – Chumusur- Chyamtang- Chepuwa, Rukuma, Gola to Num.

Upper Arun Valley Trek which is 13 program days with 11 trekking days with a porter and a guide.   Since there are teahouse along the trekking route you can enjoy teahouse trek at a reasonable price.

Upper Arun Valley Trek Highlights

  • Off-the-beaten path journey, away from crowd of people.
  • Pristine landscapes, untouched herbal surroundings, and tranquil environment.
  • Spectacular panoramic view the mountain peaks, including Mt Makalu, Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Chamlang
  • The Arun the Barun River with lots of streams
  • Visit Kimmmathanka village – Nepal China Border.
  • Hot water Spring at Hatiya village.
  • Arun III Project Damp Site.
  • Cultural exchanges with the nearby Bhote groups inhabiting the location.
  • Rich biodiversity of the location, characterized via its diverse flora and fauna, including a lot of plant species, natural world
  • Picturesque valley landscapes, lush forests, and terraced farmlands

Upper Arun Valley Trek Detail Itinerary

Day 1 :
Khandbari

Buddha Air 30 minutes flight from Kathmanmdu to Tumlingtar. Reception and welcome by MAST company staff at the airport. 15 to 20 minute  travel by auto rickshaw or jeep from the airport to Khandbari pre booked Hotel Room. Meeting and introduction with your porter guide. Pack necessary goods and prepare  for the trek.

After your breakfast at about 7.30 am  catch a  pre booked jeep and travel for about 4 hours and get Num. Your jeep travels from Khandbari – Chichila (20km), Hururu, Mude and finally gets Num (38 km) from Khandbari. After having some rest at Num, you trek down to the Arun River. Cross the river and get Hedangna Gadi for your overnight stay at a tea house there

After your morning meal at your teahouse, you start this day trek. Follow the path along the Hedangna Village pass Pathivara Danda, Ekuwa and finally reach Gola in the evening.

After a hearty breakfast at Gola Tea House, start your trek. Take the footpath along the River Arun. Keep walking until you reach the Barun River. To reach Hatiya, you have to trek for four to five hours after crossing the suspension bridge over the Barun River (1585m). Choose a tea house to spend the night and relax after your travels

After your big breakfast hike Hungung village. Remember that this is a village where teahouses are not easy to find, so it is important to work with a local porter guide to choose a homestay that is suitable for an overnight stay.
Important: Connect with the locals and enjoy their culture

Start the trek around 7:00 AM after breakfast. Follow the trail towards Kimmathanka village., it will be a long difficult trek so drink plenty of water, food and other essentials. You can also pack a lunch to eat while you are walking on this route.
During the trek you will see the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains, streams and forests. After walking all day, you finally reach Kimmathanka in the evening. Look for one of the best teahouse for your overnight stay there.

You can also learn about the unique culture and traditions of the Bhote tribe, which originates from Tibet. Try to interact with the locals, ask them about their lives and learn about their customs and beliefs. You can also visit some sacred shrines and monasteries nearby if you are interested.
Return to your home in the evening and spend the night there.

This day you will return after the trek. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the tea room, pack your food for the trek and hit the road around 7:00 am. Today you will take a different route and head towards Chhumusur which is your destination for the day. Take time to explore the local area and look for a homestay

As you start your day with a big breakfast at 7am, don’t forget to pack some food for lunch to eat along the trek route. Your trek today will take approximately 5 to 6 hours and will take you to Chepuwa village. Take your time to explore the area and find one of the best lodges to stay the night. Make sure you are well rested for the next day of travel

Have breakfast at 7am, pack your lunch for the trek and start your journey from Chepuwa. The trek involves a descent to the Arun River and then an ascent to Mapalungdanda, passing through the village of Rukuma. Continue along the trail passing through the villages of Namase and Sibrung before descending and crossing the Arun River to Gola. After a long day of trekking, spend the night at a local tea house in Gola.

After your morning breakfast commence your this day trek. You follow the route along the Arun river. You pass Lama Bagar, Ekuwa, Pathivara Danda, Simma Gaun , Hedangna Gadi and arrive Num in the evening for your overnight stay there

After your breakfast at about 7.30 am get into the prebooked jeep and travel four hours from Num to Khandbari. Your overnight stay a hotel in Khandbari. Say goodbye to your porter guide..

Have breakfast at your hotel in Khandbari. Then take a jeep and drive about 20 minutes to Tumlingtar airport. Get ready for your flight to Kathmandu. Say goodbye to the MAST staff and board the plane and fly to Kathmandu.

The price you pay us includes:

  • A guide daily salary including his food and accommodation.
  • A guide trekking insurance.
  • A Porter daily salary including his food and accommodation cost.
  • A porter trekking insurance.
  • Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card
  • Restricted Area Trekking Permit
  • Makalu Barun National Park Entrance Fee
  • Jeep Reservation.
  • Support for MAST community Projects
  • Company service charge cost including government Tax, VAT as well as miscellaneous cost.

The following are not included in the price:

  • Nepal entry visa fees are USD 30 for 15 days and USD 50 for 30 days
  • Kathmandu hotel room charge including breakfast, lunch dinner.
  • Local tea house or homestay food and accommodation cost throughout the trekking route has not been included in the total trekking pckage cost. Your meals and accommodation will be your responsibility. You pay directly to your service providers from your pocket.
  • Kathmandu -Tumlingtar -Kathmandu Airfare cost
  • Khandbari Hotel breakfast, Lunch, Dinner charge.
  • Personal expenses include laundry, telephone calls, sweets, snacks, beverages, bar bills, and camera battery charging
  • Personal trekking gear and equipment cost like a robust sleeping bag, trekking pole, headlight, eyeglasses, medical kits etc
  • Travel and medical insurance for the guest.
  • Emergency rescue for the guest.
  • Other personal expenditure like laundry, alcoholic cold drinks, hot showers, etc.
  • Other unforeseeable expenses incurred due to accidents, strikes, natural calamities, political unrest, etc.
  • Tips for a porter guide.

Trekking Map

FAQs

Question 01: Can I customize this trek program as per my requirement?

Yes. You can if you need. No problem. For your customization facilitation we send you a spreadsheet file to your email id. There you add or remove some days or your activities or more service you need and send us for our information. After we finalize the detail itinerary, we calculate the total cost you need to pay us and send you for your consideration.

Question 02: How long do we walk every day when doing Uppr Arun Valley Trek?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

Question 03:What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is Kimmathanka (2800m). The village is situated on this elevation from the sea level.

Question 04: What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries at the teahouses where you stay.  But you  my  have to pay some money for charging. There are no hot shower facilities along this trekking route.  

Question 05: Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs available on this trek route away from Khandbari area. You will have to draw enough cash in  Kathmandu or in Khandbari. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So, money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

Question 06: What about internet access?

The Internet cannot  be accessed  away from Khandbari Area.However the  mobile phone can  work  up to Kimmathaka. 

Question 07: Is it necessary to hire Guides from trekking agency for Upper Arun Valley Trek?

Yes it is extremely necessary.  Since this is a restricted area trekking, you need a special trekking permit. The government of Nepal issues such a permit through only a registered trekking agency in Nepal.

Question 08: How much do guides and porters cost?

Generally a guide    daily salary is $25 to $30 per day, and porters take $20 to $25 per day.

Question 09: Why has food and accommodation cost not been included in Makalu Arun Social Trek's trekking package cost?

At MAST  trekking packages cost  we have not included  food and  accommodation cost  for our guest along the trekking route.

Since we want  to provide you freedom to choose whatever food and drink and accommodation you  like and  pay yourself directly to your service providers. 

Although we can offer all-inclusive packages, we think it is cheaper and better way for you to pay for your food and accommodation cost along the trekking route.

Question 03: What things should I consider while planning Upper Arun Valley Trek?

Micro spikes, Steripen or Water Filter, Power Bank or Solar Charger, Lightweight Tent, Warm Sleeping Bag, Tea Bags & Coffee, Trekking Boots, Snacks & Toilet Paper

Question 10: Why has food and accommodation cost not been included in Makalu Arun Social Trek's trekking package cost?

Makalu Arun Social Trek does not include   cost for food and accommodation   for along the trekking  route.
We would like to provide  freedom to guests to choose whatever food and drink and accommodation they  like  and pay themselves directly to their  service providers.

Your porter guide pays for his own food and accommodation, and you pay for your part.
Although we  can offer all-inclusive packages, we think it is cheaper and better for you to pay for your own food and accommodation along the trekking route.

Question 11: My flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar cancelled because of bad weather. And I could not find a flight ticket for the next day. What Can I do to travel from Kathmandu to Khandbari?

Fly to Biratnagar from Kathmandu at 7am, 11 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm (a 30 minute flight). Upon landing at Biratnagar airport, head to the main road and take an express bus to Dharan (fare of Rs.120 per person, 1 hour of travel time). From the Dharan bus station, go to the Dharan-Khandbari jeep counter. You can call us from there if necessary, but keep in mind that a jeep will only leave Dharan once it is fully loaded with 10 passengers. To ensure your travel, consider reserving a jeep to Khandbari (Rs.10000). Otherwise, you will have to spend the night at a hotel in Dharan and take a bus or jeep to Khandbari the next day (6-8 hours of travel time, Rs. 1000 for jeep/bus fare).

Question 12: What will happen if I add some extra day in my itinerary?

If you are interested you can add  some more days in the itinerary, we welcome you to do it. But you will have to pay us for the additional days salary for the porter guide after you come back from your trek.

Question 13: Can I hire a porter guide through your company?

Sorry! You cannot hire any porter guide only through our company. If you choose our company to enjoy trekking socially  in Nepal , you have to book our Trekking package. We do not  sell you our porter guide service only.

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Upper Arun Valley Trek
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    What Do We Offer?

    • Off-the-Beaten-Path trekking in Nepal
    • Customized Travel Itineraries.
    • Teahouse Accommodation
    • Service based Pricing
    • Book Now pay later.
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    • Support for Local Community
    • Sustainable Tourism Practices

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