How difficult is the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek?

It is a strenuous, remote trek that crosses a 5,160 m pass and involves several long days of 6 to 10 hours, much of it camping above the lodge circuit. Good cardiovascular fitness, prior high-altitude trekking experience and proper acclimatisation are essential.

What permits do I need for this trek?

You need a Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (USD 20 per week), the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (about NPR 3,000), and the Makalu Barun National Park entry permit (about NPR 3,000) for the descent side, plus local rural-municipality fees. We arrange all of these for you.

Do I need a licensed guide?

Yes. Because the route passes through restricted areas around Olangchung Gola, a government-licensed guide is legally mandatory and restricted-area permits can only be issued through a registered trekking company such as ours.

Is this a tea-house or camping trek?

It is mostly a camping trek. There are simple homestays and basic tea houses in a few villages such as Olangchung Gola and Chyamthang, but for much of the high traverse we camp with a full crew of cook, kitchen staff and porters.

What is the best time to do this trek?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are best. Spring brings rhododendron blooms and milder temperatures, while autumn delivers the clearest mountain views. The pass can be blocked by snow in winter and the trail is leech-prone and wet during the summer monsoon.

How do we get to the trailhead and back?

We fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (or Suketar) and drive to Taplejung to begin. The trek finishes on the Makalu side, from where we drive to Tumlingtar and fly back to Kathmandu, making this a true point-to-point traverse.

Trek

Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

18 days5,160 mFrom Taplejung (fly via Bhadrapur)Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Photo by J. Knappitsch on Pexels

01 / 09

Fixed departures

Join a scheduled group

Locked-in dates on this exact route, a guaranteed guide, and fellow trekkers from around the world — often at better value. Seats fill fast.

Join a group departure

Fixed group dates · 18 days Instant confirmation

Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Oct5

Oct 5 → Oct 22

0 going12 left

$2,690

$2,150

Oct19

Oct 19 → Nov 5

0 going12 left

$2,690

$2,150

Nov2

Nov 2 → Nov 19

0 going12 left

$2,690

$2,150

Prefer your own dates? Book a private trek.

Duration

18 days

From

$2,690/person

Max Altitude

5,160 m

Difficulty

Strenuous

Starts

Taplejung (fly via Bhadrapur)

Group Size

2–10 People

Stay

Tea House / Camp

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Best Season

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later

Trip Highlights

Cross the remote 5,160 m Lumba Sumba Pass on the Great Himalaya Trail

Link two of Nepal's greatest sanctuaries: Kanchenjunga and Makalu Barun

Panoramas of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse and Cho Oyu from the pass

Visit the ancient Tibetan-Buddhist trading village of Olangchung Gola

Trek through pristine red panda and snow leopard habitat

Follow the wild Tamur and Arun river valleys far off the tourist trail

Authentic Limbu, Sherpa and Bhote cultural encounters

A genuine camping expedition with almost no other foreign trekkers

A remote Great Himalaya Trail traverse linking the Kanchenjunga and Makalu regions over the 5,160 m Lumba Sumba Pass, through Limbu and Sherpa villages, Tamur and Arun valleys.

Day-by-Day Itinerary(18 days)

Altitude Profile

Peak: 5,160 m · Day 11

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Trek briefing, gear check and permit formalities with your guide in the evening.

1,400 m–––Hotel

The Lumba Sumba Pass Trek is one of eastern Nepal's last true wilderness journeys, a high traverse along the Great Himalaya Trail that links the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area with Makalu Barun National Park over the wind-scoured 5,160 m Lumba Sumba Pass. This is camping country for much of the route, far from the lodge circuits, where the trail threads through Limbu farming hamlets, the Tibetan-Buddhist village of Olangchung Gola, and the deep gorges of the Tamur and Arun rivers.

From the pass, weather permitting, the panorama sweeps across the Kanchenjunga massif, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and a wall of unnamed glaciated summits. The lower valleys are corridors for red panda and snow leopard, and the forests shelter rhododendron, fir and a rich birdlife. Because the route crosses restricted territory and demands strong fitness at altitude, every group travels with a licensed guide and full logistical support.

Why this trek

You will walk for days without seeing another foreign trekker, sleep under canvas beside glacial streams, and cross a genuine Himalayan pass that connects two of Nepal's greatest mountain sanctuaries. It rewards experienced trekkers who want solitude, cultural depth and a real expedition feel rather than tea-house comfort.

Best time to go

Spring (March to May) brings rhododendron blooms and stable weather, while autumn (September to November) offers the clearest mountain views and crisp, dry trails. The pass can hold snow into early spring and after autumn, so timing and acclimatisation are essential.

What's Included

Included

Airport transfers in Kathmandu on a private vehicle
2 nights hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
Kathmandu–Bhadrapur and Tumlingtar–Kathmandu domestic flights
Ground transport Bhadrapur–Taplejung–Tapethok and Tumlingtar transfer
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, KCAP and Makalu Barun National Park permits
Government-licensed, experienced trekking guide and required staff
Porters to carry trekking gear and camping equipment
Full camping setup: tents, kitchen, dining and toilet tents
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on the trek with hot drinks
Tea house and homestay accommodation where available, camping elsewhere
First-aid kit, oximeter and staff insurance
All government taxes and service charges

Not Included

International airfare to and from Nepal
Nepal entry visa fee
Travel and high-altitude rescue insurance (mandatory)
Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
Personal trekking gear and clothing
Drinks, bottled water, hot showers and battery charging where chargeable
Tips for guide, porters and crew
Personal expenses and any costs from early descent or itinerary changes due to weather

Best Time to Go

Spring (Mar–May)

Rhododendron forests in bloom, stable weather and good visibility; the pass is usually open by mid-spring.

Low: -12°C High: 15°C Lingering snow on the pass in early spring, generally clearing through April–May.

Summer / Monsoon (Jun–Aug)

Heavy rain, leeches, slippery trails and cloud-covered peaks make this the least suitable window.

Low: 3°C High: 18°C Little snow but persistent rain and landslide risk on access roads.

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

The prime season: crisp, dry air, the clearest mountain views and settled conditions for the high crossing.

Low: -14°C High: 13°C Generally clear early; fresh snow possible on the pass from late November.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Bitterly cold with deep snow that frequently closes the Lumba Sumba Pass; only for very experienced, well-equipped teams.

Low: -22°C High: 6°C Heavy snow on the pass; crossing often impassable.

Permits Required

Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

USD 20 per week

Mandatory because the route passes restricted areas around Olangchung Gola; a licensed guide is required.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)

NPR 3,000 (approx. USD 25)

Required for the Kanchenjunga side of the traverse.

Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit

NPR 3,000 (approx. USD 25)

Required for the descent through the Makalu Barun side; SAARC nationals pay a reduced fee.

Local Rural Municipality Fee

NPR 1,000–2,000

Local development fee charged on parts of the route.

All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

$2,690

/ person

all-inclusive · permits included

Groups save up to 26% — from $1,990/person for 8++ pax

Guide-only option from $1,990

Price calculator

Guests

$2,390 × 2 people· 2–3 pax rate$4,780

Guide-only: $1,990 × 2$3,980

All-inclusive · permits included

Price by Group Size

per person · all-inclusive

Book via WhatsApp Chat About Your Trek (Free)

Travel Insurance Recommended

World Nomads covers altitude sickness, evacuation & trip cancellation.

Get a Quote

Duration18 days

DifficultyStrenuous

Max Altitude5,160 m

StartsTaplejung (fly via Bhadrapur)

Group Size2–10 People

AccommodationTea House / Camp

Best SeasonMar–May, Sep–Nov

Your Guide

NMA-Licensed Senior Guide

Travel Himalaya Nepal · Est. 1998

15+ yrs experienceEnglish speakingFirst Aid certifiedZero fatalities

All guides are NMA-certified with 10–20 years in the Himalayas. You will be briefed personally before departure.

Meet all our guides

NMA Certified Agency

Licensed by Nepal Mountaineering Association · Est. 1998

From the trail · Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Taplejung District on the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek trek, Nepal — Taplejung District, on the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Taplejung on the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek trek, Nepal — Taplejung, on the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Reels from the trailtap for sound

🔊 tap

Taplejung District, on the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

🔊 tap

On the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

🔊 tap

On the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

🔊 tap

Taplejung District, on the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

🔊 tap

On the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

🔊 tap

On the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

On the Trail

See it in motion

Your Himalaya Awaits

Ready to walk Lumba Sumba Pass Trek?

Private departures on any date, a hand-picked NMA guide, and an itinerary built around you. Tell us your dates — we usually reply within a few hours.

From$1,990/ person

Ask on WhatsApp

★ 4.9/5Est. 19985,000+ treks ledZero fatalitiesReserve now, pay later

From the Blog

Plan Your Trek

Trek Selection

$2,690

/ person · all-inclusive

Annapurna Region

Sightseeing & Culture

Trek Guides

Company

Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Join a scheduled group

Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Trip Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary(18 days)

Altitude Profile

Why this trek

Best time to go

What's Included

Included

Not Included

Best Time to Go

Permits Required

Frequently Asked Questions

Price by Group Size

See it in motion

Ready to walk Lumba Sumba Pass Trek?

Plan Your Trek

Best Treks in Nepal 2026: Top 12 for Every Trekker

Do You Need a Guide to Trek Nepal in 2026?

Nepal Trek Packing List 2026

Best Time to Trek Nepal 2026