Upper Arun Valley Trek, one of the most interesting cultural treks, in the East of Nepal. Situated in the of Makalu + Bhotkhola rural Municipality, this 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 motorable road has been built from Khandbari to Gola, it has been broken down in different places as a result of heavy rainfall. It may take some time to reconstruct the road. So, for some months no buss or jeeps will be running between Num and Gola part of the road.
While enjoying trekking on this route you drive from Khandbari up to Num. Your real trekking starts from Num. From there 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.
This 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.
Buddha Air 30 minutes flight from Kathmanmdu to Tumlingtar. Reception and welcome by MAST company staff at the airport. Fifteen-minute travel by autorickshaw or jeep from the airport to Khandbari. Check in a prebooked Hotel Room. Meeting and introduction with your guideand porter. Pack necessary goods and prepare the trek which is going to start from the next day
After your breakfast at about 7.30 am get into the prebooked jeep and travel for about four 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.
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
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.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. 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.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST)
Khandbari 7, Sankhuwasabha.
Eastern Nepal.
Phone: +977 29562716
Mobile: +9779842084078
WhatsApp: +9779861714199
Email: makaluaruntreks@gmail.com
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