Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek – 20 Days
(ETNNP101)  Nepal

Overview

The Numbur Cheese Circuit is a new trek in the Ramechhap District of Nepal. The starting point of the trek is Shivalaya, also the start of Everest Base Camp trek for those who don’t fly to Lukla. This route has a recommended itinerary of 14 days trekking, although at a push it can be completed in up to 10 days by combining some of the shorter days. It can also be extended several days for those who wish to visit some of the nearby glaciers, peaks or lakes.

The trek offers visitors superb views of major Himalayan peaks including Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishankar and Numburchuili and many more. Walk through deep river gorges, glacial lakes, terraced rice fields, subtropical forests and Sherpa villages to the the Lhiku Khola glacier, watched over by the towering peaks of Pathibarra and Numburchuili.

Visit one of Nepal’s first cheese factories, established in 1957 and the famous Thodung Monastery on the way.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Shivalaya (1790m) from Kathmandu , 8 hours.

The drive will take around eight hours. Early in the morning, after break, from the hotel, we will go on a scenic drive to Shivalaya. Along the ride, you can relish the beautiful view of hills, villages and snow capped mountains. Shivalaya is the entrance to the Numbur Cheese Circuit, which is located alongside the picturesque Khimti River. Overnight in tented camp/lodge.

Day 2: Trek Shivalaya to Khahare (2175m). Overnight at homestay.

The trail today moves ahead from Shivalaya to Khahare rising and falling all along the valley side via terraced pastures and falls to go across the river and then turns steeply up the cliff on the other part. Khahare is a tiny settlement resided only in winters by the house owners while during the summer they move to livestock pastures which borders Tibet. Home stay at Khahare for spending night.

Day 3: Trek to Panipakha (3105m), 6 hours.

Today, the trail moves onward from Shivalaya to Khahare, escalating and dwindling all along the valley side. You will be able to enjoy the view of terraced pastures and falls to go through the river, and then turns sharply up the cliff on the other part. Khahare is a small village populated only in winter, by residents of higher altitude, who move up with their cattle in the summer. We will make lunch break. After lunch, we will travel to Panipakakha, first campsite of our trek, from Shivalaya. It is a temperately plain camping area midst the scattered Chauri sheds and the lofty alpines. We will spend the rest of the evening exploring this beautiful place, observe the dazzling sunset in the mountains and take photographs. Restful night will be spent in one of the tented accommodation. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 4: Trek to Maanedanda (3940m), 5 hours.

Today the track goes through a tiny Sherpa settlement called Phokte. The path mounts through the majestic rhododendron forests to the summertime fields of Maanedanda. We will fix our tent at Maanedanda, which has a rudimentary cookery shelter and space for shelter tents. On a clear day, the view from here is truly splendid. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 5: Trek to Panch Pokhari (4515m), 5 hour.

We will hike for about 5 hours, today on a detailed track to reach Panch Pokhari. Etymologically, Panch Pokhari means five lakes. There are five lakes here, considered to be very holy at the height of 4200m. We can here visit the religiously important temple of lord Shiva guarded by the sharp iron tridents.The trail now ascents to Jata Pokhari. Along the high altitude, we walk across the high pastures to meagerforest of Sunpati, arare mountain herb. Right before we reach Jata Pokhari, we will come across a beautiful waterfall where we can play with the fresh mountain water. Located in the lap of Mt. Numburchuli, Lake Jata Pokhari is a famous pilgrimage in Ramechhap. On months of June and July, on full moon days, hundreds of Hindu believers come to worship the lord Shiva. The path nowmovessome more and after a brisk walk we will reach Panch Pokhari. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 6: Trek to Tare (4140m), 7 hours.

Today, we will cross the pass at height of 4600m and move downhill to reach Thare. On our way, we will walk through Khola Kharka and hike further downward to Nupche River passing overdense bamboo woods. You can have some fresh and yummy cheese here and observe the cheese making process in this part of the world. We can rest in the green pasture on the bank of the Nupche River before heading to our eco-camping spot for the night. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 7: Trek to Ngeju (3690m), 6 hours via Gyazo-La Pass (4880m).

Today we will hike from Thare to Linkhu Khola valley. The hike is a bit challenging but extremely rewarding. You can enjoy the view of the beautiful hills and mountains, dwindling rivers. The views of himalayansmagnify from north into Tibet as we go through the Gyajo La, also known as Thulo Lapcha at 4880m, a path normally used by native Sherpas to get yaks through the peaks to Rakhidanda and Ngeju. We will now continue our trek further down from the Likhu glacier and vastdebris. The trek downhill from the Likhu glacier will lead us to Ngeju (3,690m). Overnight at tented camp.

Day 8: Trek to Lhachhewar (2665m), 5 hours.

In this day, we head off from Ngeju to Lahaksewar, also known as Sewar, which is one of the most remarkable Sherpa community of the upper Ramechap area. You will be welcomed by the implausible scenes, and warm hospitality of the Sherpa people. The Sewar people here still live in harmony with age-old culture and tradition, which will be very eccentric and mystical to us. Overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay.

Day 9: Trek to Gumdel (2255m), 6 hours.

We will now move forward from Lahaksewar uphill to Kyama. On our way, we slope down across the thick jungles of Kyama. The journey offers us majestic views of Numburchuli and Pathibhara. Leaving the shiny Numburchuli in the background, we will now bid goodbye to the mountains as we depart from Kyama to reach home stay at Gumdel. Here, you’ll be able to be part of unique Sherpa culture in the midst of mountainous valleys. Overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay.

Day 10: Trek to Serding (3360m), 4 hours.

From Gumdel we will move forward crossing the thick and beautiful forest to arrive at Serding. One can enjoy the beautiful scenery of sub-alpine and temperate forest with the Gauri Shanker and Numburchuli in the background. We can relish on some yak cheese here as well and go through the process of making it. Overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay.

Day 11: Trek to Lapchane (3150m), 6 hours via Thodung.

Today we will leave Serding for Lapchane via Thotung. We will visit Thodung Monastery on our way back. We will further move downhill to Deurali from where we can see the breathtaking view of the Gauri Shankar Mountain. On reaching Lapchane, We will Homestay at a local Newari house where you will be able to be a part of the renowned Newari culture. We can go for a brisk from hike to Tamdanda, which is 30 minutes away from Lapchane. It is famous as the tallest hill in Ramechhap. From the hill you can observe colossal Dhaulagiri, Gauri Shanker, Annapurna, Numbur, Kanchenjunga and more. Overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay.

Day 12: Trek to Those (1755m), 4-5 hours.

In this day we will trek to Those where we will spend a peaceful evening, resting or exploring the wilderness once again. We will bid goodbye to this wonderful trek and prepare for a long drive to Kathmandu for next day. Overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay.

Day 13: Final Departure

We drive back to Kathmandu, we will leave for Kathmandu early. It will take around 8-9 hours. Once again, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful view of villages, hills and mountains, dwindling rivers on your way back. A private land cruiser jeep can be arranged if you would like to. Overnight in Hotel.

Tour Cost & Schedule in 2022 & 2023

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Value Added

We are ready to welcome you with all the necessary safety measures (Post -19 Pandemic Halt). Hence we assure you of safety and security by following the optimal precautions.

Safety Assurance from Us (Tour/Trekking Operator)

• Vehicles fully cleaned and disinfected
• Foot bath mat available at entrance
• Extra masks available (if required)
• Safe distancing
• We carry limited number of passengers
• Our crew wear full PPE while disinfecting the vehicle
• Temperature screening available
• Our crew tested fit to travel
• Sanitizers available
• We carry additional deep wipe down cleaning of high touched areas
• Hygiene kit available for sale
• Our crew wear face mask and face shield

Safety Rules for Travelers (You)

• Namaste over handshake
• Do not travel if unwell
• Wear face mask all the time
• Maintain safe distancing
• Use foot mat while boarding
• Undertake temperature screening
• Ventilators over air conditioning
• Avoid unnecessary surface touching
• Wash/Sanitize hands regularly
• Follow sneeze etiquette
• Follow safety instructions (from local authority)
• Carry your personal hygiene all the time

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