The “Numbur Cheese Circuit” trek is a recently opened non tourist area trekking route in the lap of Numbur Chuli. The ideal trek, for who wants to escape from the regular tracks and for who wants to touch up with the off beaten trails. This recently developed trekking route lies Ramechhap about 190 km east of the capital city of Kathmandu. The trek leads through deep river gorges, glacial lakes, terraced rice fields, subtropical forests and Sherpa villages to the Likhu Khola glacier, watched over by the towering peaks of Pathibarra and Numburchuli. This trek provides breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan peaks including Numburchuli (6959m), Sarmoche (5255m), Ramdung (5930m), Chukyima Go (6959), Parchamo (6273m), Bigphrea Go Nup (6666m), Paniyo Tippa (6696m), Paniyo Shar (6549m), Everest range, Annapurna South, Langtang, Jugal Himal and Gaurishankar. This trek follows the Likhu Khola valley up to the remote yak pastures of Ngeju nestled at the foot of the ice-fall tumbling from the sacred summit of Numbur. You walk passing the River gorge, Glacier Lakes, Rice terraced fields, subtropical forests and Sherpa Villages. You can also visit one of the Nepal’s first cheese factories, established in 1957 and the famous Thodung monastery.
Highest elevation: 4880m
Trek style: Camping Trek only
Major attraction: Ancient Buddhist monasteries, beautiful high altitude Lakes, Glaciers, high altitude pastureland, Cheese factory, panoramic mountain views, Gyajo-La Pass, socio-cultural practices, vantage view point, wildlife and attractive valley
Itinerary in details
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu,
Once you land at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), our representatives will kindly receive you and take you to the hotel, in a private car or a high-end tourist bus. After checking in, welcome drinks and short briefing about your trek. Later on you can either explore this vibrant and exciting city on your own or take a cozy rest at your hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour,
Your sightseeing of this ancient city begins at around 9:00am after breakfast. A specialized tour guide and a comfy private vehicle will be available for your assistance. First we will visit the biggest Hindu temple of Nepal, Pashupati Nath, which predates to Lichhavi period. Then, to Boudha Nath, and Swayambhu Nath, shrines of lord Buddha, uniquely built in Stupa style architecture. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Shivalaya 1790m/8 hours by private land cruiser,
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 snowcapped mountains. Shivalaya is the entrance to the Numbur Cheese Circuit, which is located alongside the picturesque Khimti River. Overnight in tented camp/lodge.
Day 4: Trek Shivalaya 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 5: Trek Panipakha 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 6: Trek Maanedanda to Panch Pokhari 4515m/5 hours,
We will hike for about 5 hours, today on a detailedtrack 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 7: Trek Panchpokhari 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 8: Trek from Tare 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 9: Trek from Ngeju 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 10: Trek from Lahaksewar 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 11: Trek from Gumdel 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 12: Trek from Serding 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 13: Trek from Lapchane to Those 1755m/4 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 14: Drive from Those to Kathmandu via Jiri.
Back on our private land cruiser, 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. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 15: Final transfer to Airport for your flight back to home.
The day has come to leave this remarkable country. Our representatives will transfer you to the airport from where you’ll board a flight to your next destination. Bid farewell to this country of Himalayans with plans to visit next time. Because once is never enough!