The starting point of The Arun Valley Trek is Tumlingtar, in the remote far south east of Nepal. There is a small mountain airstrip connecting directly from Kathmandu and Biratnagar Airports is an ideal trekking spot which lies in unvisited corner of Nepal. Overland bus ride from Kathmandu to Hile (way to Basantapur) is also an option but it's really a long and strenuous journey. In case of bus ride, it will take twelve hours to reach the aptly-named hill town of Hile. We have to stay overnight and then get ready to travel by Land Rover which will take about 6 hours to Tumlingtar, the starting point of our trek. This lowland is situated in an elevation of 450 meters above the sea level, Tumlingtar is a small home of different ethnic groups and a trade center of the area. We continue our journey on foot from here going down to 250 meters to cross the mighty Arun Khola River on a long suspension bridge. We trek through fields of Wheat and maize; nevertheless, soon after crossing the bridge, we start head up and spend our first night in a small basic lodge at 975 m. The next day we continue going up over a ridge before dropping down and following the Chikhuwa Khola, initially to Dobani and then to Salpa Phedi where we will start the long climb up of Salpa La (La means pass in Nepali) at 3200m.
From Salpa La the path rush into another deep valley to cross another suspension bridge below 2000m before passing through the delightfully named Rai village of Bung where the weekly market happens selling from "fresh" buffalo meat to vegetables, and handmade household items to Chinese batteries and jeans. Then up again and over another 3000m plus Surkie La, then, yes, down again to well below 2000m to cross the Imukhu Khola on a vertigo-inducing suspension bridge. On leaving the lodge we will scale a ‘hill' that has been once described as "brutal" before crossing yet another La over 3000m, Pangkoma La. Then again down once more before crossing the final La, Kari La, which is also over 3000m. Then we will be able to meet where the Arun Valley route joins the main trail from Jiri. From here we follow the more popular trail, soon passing under the mountain airstrip of Lukla where 90 percent of trekkers take this route to head up to Namche Bazaar where we can take a rest and acclimatize for ourselves .The "rest" part being a hike to Thame Monastery which offers a first-rate view of Everest. One can continue this trekking to Everest Base Camp depending on the time interest and stamina. Moreover, Arun valley trekking is blessed with the amazing variety of natural beauty, cultural blend of ethnic inhabitants like Sherpa, Rai and Limbus. Isolated between two huge mountains Mt Everest and Makalu and hundreds of other small peaks, the Salpa Pokhari has a maximum altitude of 3414. It's an easy trekking of 15-16 days Ex. Kathmandu. Indeed, this trek has great combination of south east and North east Nepal starting from quite low elevation to the gateway of Everest - Namchebazaar.
Day 01: Kathmandu-Khandbari After flying to Tumlingtar we walk north to Khandbari. The trail crosses a plateau (45 minutes) then climbs gradually for about 3 hours. We camp above the village on large grassy fields.
Day 02: Khandbari-Chichira We walk through many small picturesque villages, occasionally on steep trails for 3 hours to reach Goure. Chichira is 3 hours further, still uphill.
Day 03: Chichira-Num The morning starts with wonderful views of Makalu and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The path, an ancient trading route, after a few up and downs, descends through forest to Num.
Day 04: Num-Navagoan we descend steeply for 1. 1/2 hours to the suspension bridge across the Arun River. It is a 2 hour ascent to Kerabari. We then continue upwards for 2 more hours to Navagoan (Shidda) and the police check post.
Day 05:Navagoan - Tashigoan Ascending through forest we pass the picturesque Sherpa village of Tashigoan, the last village en route to the base camp.
Day 06: Tashigoan - Khonpma We climb out of the forest to the grazing area of Khonpma, 5 1/2 hours away. We have a packed lunch because of the lack of the water in between Tashigoan and Khonpma.
Day 07: Khonpma - Mumbuk Above Khonpma we occasionally walk on snow (depending on the season) to Changse Danda. Two hours further on is Magar Chanse Danda. Makalu and the surrounding Himalaya is spectacular. We camp just over the Barun Pass.
Day 08: Mumbuk - Nehekharka starting early we take about an hour to cross some landslides. 4 hours further on over the higher river plains is Nahekharka.
Day 09: Pisang - Manang After crossing the wooden bridge over the Barun river we trek beside the river on grasslands to Mera . The mountain peaks here are inspiring.
Day 10: Mera-Makalu Base Camp We pass a small glacier with spectacular alpine scenery before reaching the base camp.
Day 11: Makalu Base Camp-Barun Pass Trek return to Barun pass.
Day 12: Barun Pass-Khongma Trek retrace to camp at Khongma.
Day 13: Khongma-Navagoan Trek return to Navagoan.
Day 14: Navagoan-Num Village Trek return to Num Village.
Day 15: Num Village-Bhote Bass Trek return to Bhote bass.
Day 16: Bhote Bass-Tumlingtar Trek return to Tumlingtar.
Day 17: Tumlingtar-Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu & transfer to hotel.