ARUN VALLEY AND PIKE HILL TREKKING

On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, received by our guides and staff for short transfer to your hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city.

Checking your lovely room, and after a refreshing rest join with other members of Arun Valley & Pike Hill Trekking. Our guide or group leader brief you about the treks, do’s and don’ts, local culture, as well camping, foods and of lodges on route trek.

A full good information which will help to enjoy your adventure with us, followed with welcome group dinner in a Nepalese restaurant with folk-culture program as entertainment while you enjoy the dinner.

Morning after breakfast at given time, our city guide will meet for interesting sightseeing of best world heritage sites around Kathmandu.

Tour includes old Durbar (royal palace and courtyard) square, with Temple of Kumari (Living young virgin Goddess). Visit famous Nepal landmark Swayambhunath Stupa a 2,500 years old, a Buddhist Stupa with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Afternoon tour of holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath and visit Bouddhanath, Asia’s largest Stupa with four cardinals eyes of Buddha surrounded with prayer wheels and small market, this place is also known as Little Tibet due to strong Tibetan influence.

After an exciting day tour back to hotel for Arun Valley & Pike Hill Trek preparation and last minute briefing from your leader and guide.

Arun Valley & Pike Hill Trekking starts with scenic flight of 45 minutes to land at Tumlingtar town airport, during air enjoy fantastic panorama of Himalaya range of with Everest, Makalu as far towards Kanchenjunga.
On arrival, at Tumlingtar airport, received by our guide and trekking crews a short walk to the lodge, with time to introduce among your fellow staff of guide, cook, kitchen staff and all team members.
Tumlingtar a moderate size town, populated by mixed tribes of eastern Nepal, an interesting place to observe local life and culture, located on a warm low land above Arun River of sub-tropical climate.

After first overnight in Tumlingtar, morning after breakfast walk starts towards west following the Arun River to our first overnight stop at Khartike-Ghat, a small rural farm village in the midst of sub-tropical forest with Sal trees (Sorea-Robusta) within farm fields, camp is set by the bank of Arun River, crossing over suspension bridge before reaching to the camp.

Having good breakfast in the camp, morning on leaving Arun River valley climb starts for few hours as walk meanders on gradual winding path to enter forested area and the walk past Baluwabesi village, populated by mostly Hindu Brahman, Chettries and Rai the mid-hill tribes. Journey continues past farm fields and hamlets to reach our overnight camp at Gothe Bazaar. A small farm village is famous for genuine sacred beads called ‘Rudrakchhhaya’ (Hindu’s holy beads) found in abundance around this mid-hill region of warmer mild climate.

From this rural farm areas, morning starts walking past cultivated terraces with paddy fields, growing Citrus fruits, Bananas etc. Populated by Rai and Sherpa people, here Nepali (rice) papers is made with local plants Lokta (Dampne paparius). Adventure continues heading uphill, imperceptibly gaining elevation, through rice fields, crossing numerous bamboo bridges, flimsy and substantial and re-crossing rivers with many clear small pools enough for a refreshing dip.

After completing the walk on reaching to the base of Salpa pass called Phedi / bottom, a place with few small tea-shops and simple local lodges to offer.

Morning walk leads uphill most of the way into bamboo and rhododendron forest, on leaving the very end of Arun valley as climb head above within cool area close to Salpa Pass. Climb continues into forested areas past cattle herder temporary shades then end the day at Guranse for overnight stop.
The camp amidst rhododendron forest, the name Guranse for rhododendron flowers in Nepali, the national flower.

After overnight around tranquil surrounding of dense forest, start the morning walk with short climb to the top of Salpa pass at 3,349 m high, the pass is marked with a large Chorten, a Buddhist monument. Enjoy views of Numbur snow peaks and Khumbu Himal. From the pass a short walk take you to glacial pond, and then continue downhill to Sonam village, inhabited mostly by Sherpa tribe.
As walk continues on gradual winding path to a large farm village at Guidel for overnight stop. From here onward entering within the district of Solu-Khumbu the southern area of Everest, this village populated by Rai people of Kirat the mid-hill tribe of eastern Nepal.

From Guidel a large farm village, morning walk to a bridge and climb to reach another large village of Bung as climb continues through rice terraces, exclusively populated by Rai people. On leaving Bung an hour climb to Khiralule for overnight camp looking down towards Guidel and Bung villages.

After a pleasant stop at Khiraule, walk leads with uphill climb away from villages and into cool forested areas of rhododendron, pines, oaks and hemlock then reaching Surkhe-La or Ghai-Kharka pass within small narrow gorge in dense green vegetation. From the top a steep descend to Ghai-Kharka for overnight camp around small farm area, at present few simple huts exists serves as lodge and tea-shops.

Morning after breakfast a short descend to cross Hinku Khola and then steep ascent to Kharte, a small village populated with Sherpa. From here on gradual winding path all the way to a large Sherpa village at Pangbung for overnight an interesting village steeped with Buddhist culture.

From Pangbung village a long downhill to reach a large village of Khare-Khola, where route of lower Solu and Jiri trail meets. A village of mixed tribe of people with mostly Sherpa, Magar and Rai, as walk continues down past a small nice Rai village at Jubing to reach Dudh Kosi River, flowing from the glaciers of Khumbu Himal and Everest. From the river on winding uphill into forest and farm areas to
Nunthala a large village, with many nice lodges and shops.
End the long day walk on this lovely village for overnight in the comfort of nice lodge or camp on backyard of the village.

Morning walk from Nunthala village, on gradual path for short while and then start climb into forested path for more than two hours to Takshindo a nice small village of Sherpa with an old monastery. After a refreshing stop climb continues to
The top of Takshindo-La pass at 3,070 m, adorned with Buddhist Chaitiya or Stupa, a place with number of shops and small tea-house. Enjoy views of Khumbu Himal range with rolling green hills, and then an hour downhill walk to another lovely village Ringmo for overnight stop.

After a pleasant overnight stay in Ringmo nice village, morning walk to short downhill to cross a bridge, and then on undulating uphill trail of more than few hours to Sailung Danda, a place with some shops and tea-house facing views of
Mt. Everest with adjoining peaks of Khumbu region.

From here on winding downhill into pine and rhododendron forest with short climb to a beautiful Sherpa village at Junbesi for overnight stop in the comfort of nice lodge. Junbesi one of major village of Solu area situated on the trail to Jiri and Everest base camp.

From Junbesi village morning starts with climb above the village facing views of Number Himal, and then on long winding path to Toc-Toc village, located on the bottom of Lamjura-La Pass. Having a refreshing stop or for lunch break as time permits, afternoon walk continues with long climb into dense rhododendron, pine, oaks and fir tree forest then on top of Lamjura-La. The last pass of the adventure amidst lovely forest surrounding, a short walk to a small settlement with few small lodge for overnight stop.

Staying overnight near Lamjura-La pass on one of the highest spot, start early morning with pack lunch for the day walk to reach our final highlight and the highest point of the adventure at Pike Hill top. Morning walk on faint path, as this route is seldom used by only few interested trekkers, besides local cattle herder and farmers. As walk climb into deep forest and then down to a small stream, after short stops, and then continue for last few hours to the top of Pike Hill.

A scenic Hill top, offers wide panorama of Central and Eastern Himalaya mountain range from Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang Himal towards North-West with Jugal Himal and Gaurishankar, Melung Tse in the north with Mt. Everest and Makalu in the north-east direction. A beautiful spot amidst lovely forest surroundings, after an hour of wonderful moment, walk down to overnight camp at the base of Pike Hill, a place with few simple huts serving as lodge for travelers and trekkers.

From the base of Pikey hill within beautiful forest surrounding, morning walk on gradual downhill as route leads past forested area towards more farm area and isolated villages. Walk continues on gentle winding path then finally end the day walk on reaching at Jampre, a moderate size farm village.
An interesting place for overnight as the villages and around the area seldom visited by trekkers once in a while. Here with time to explore the village and observe the farm life, culture and custom of Solu villagers.

Last day walk of the adventure, from Jampre walk towards farm villages and crops fields and terraces, as trek heads east on winding trail within the heart of Solu region, then end the wonderful walk on reaching at Phaplu for overnight stop.
A nice place on a green valley near on route to Salleri headquarter town of Solu-Khumbu district located southern part of Everest.
At Phaplu in the comfort of nice lodge, around this area populated with mostly by Sherpa tribe, a moderate size village with lovely Sherpa or Tibetan style houses.

Morning short walk to Phaplu airport with a small short airstrip suitable for STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) aircraft. As plane arrives from Kathmandu or Lukla, then board on the airplane for exciting flight of less than 30 minutes.
During air-borne enjoy grand panorama of Himalayan range, as plane lands at Kathmandu airport. On reaching Kathmandu airport transfer back to your hotels with afternoon free at leisure for shopping souvenirs and handicrafts.

A free day as contingency, in case of unfavorable bad weather that might lead to delay or cancellation of flight. As Himalayan weather can be unpredictable sometimes even in best time of the year. If all goes well as per our standard itinerary, one can relax or join or join in for another tour around Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur or enjoy individual activities.

Last day in Nepal as per your international flight time, our staff and guide transfer you to the airport for homeward bound. After a great time and adventure around Arun Valley and Pike Hill Trekking.