NUMBUR CHEESE CIRCUIT TREK
If you want to escape the congestion of commercialized trekking trails and get off-the-beaten track then plan your trek to the recently developed trekking trail, the NUMBUR cheese circuit(NCC). Situated in Ramechhap, some 190 km east
of capital city Kathmandu, NCC is a 14 to 16-day circuit trail connecting two beautiful river valleys; Khimti and Linkhu in the lap of Everest and Rolwaling region. Named in honor of the virgin peak Numburchuli (6959m) and one of Nepal’s first Cheese factories, established in 1957; the NCC trail offers visitors the superb and breathtaking view of majestic Himalayan peaks including Everest range, NUMBURchuli, Gaurisankar, Jugal, Langtang Himal gange combined with the still virgin and virbrant Sherpa cultural attractions. NCC is primarily an eco-lodge camping trek combined with unique home-stay experience among Sherpa communities. NCC is equally potential for both domestic and international visitors.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS & MEMORABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES
The ‘NUMBUR Cheese Circuit boasts breathtaking views of majestic Himalayan peaks including Numburchuli (6959m), Sarmoche (5255m), Ramdung (5930m0), chukyima Go (6259m), Parchamo (6273m), Bighrea Go Nup (6666m), Paniyo Tippa (6696m) and paniyo Shar (6549m). Its is also home to beautiful glacier and moraine such as Linkhu Nup Glacier, Bigphere Go Glacier, Sumoche Glacier, Linkhu Glacier and other Various tiny glaciers in the surrounding. The folded mountain range towards Gumdel, Rocky Mountains in and around Panchpokhari and Tare areas and glaciated landscape at Tare Kharka are some of the most scenic landscape in NCC. High Himalayan lakes, revered bye pilgrims and rich in biodiversity including Panchpokhari, Jatapokhari, Bhalepokhari, Dudhpokhari are also among the prime attraction of the NCC for visitors.
The circuit also provides ample opportunity to observe the rich biodiversity along the khimti and Linkhu river valleys, ranging from temperate to alpine vegetation that comprise folded pine forest, blooming rhododendrons, scattered bamboo patches and colorful pastures providing a suitable habitat for endangered wild animal and birds species such as Red Panda, and Musk deer, Himalayan thar various species of pheasant including Danfe, and if you are lucky, the elusive Snow leopard. The NCC also comprises still vibrant culture and traditional lifestyle of Sherpa including mountain pastoralism, traditional Yak cheese production and terraced agriculture practices. Beautiful monasteries lie along the trail in Lhachhewar, Kyama, Gumdel, Bhandar and Thodung offers visitors the spiritual and meditation experiences.
The NCC is a true choice for visitors seeking virgin trekking areas in Nepal. Unique tourism activities in the NCC trail include soft to adventurous eco-camping Experience, rock climbing, exploring high altitude lakes, wilderness walks through the mountains forest, glacier walks, and Base-camp treks. High pastures and Yak cheese making Sherpa cultural experiences, spiritual and meditation visits at Monastery, biodiversity and climate change study, interaction with rural Sherpa people. The mountain views are sensational and the Panchpokhari pass (4605m) and Gyajo la (Thulo lapcha) pass at 4880m and most dramatic adventurous passes with views extending north into Tibet and south to p-key and Tabe Danda.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Primarily designed for eco-camping experience, the NCC is a 14 to 16 days circuit trek starting at Shivalaya and ending at Those in Ramechhap district. Highly experienced and short duration visitors can customize NCC package up to 12 days. Various customized packages can also be developed for short duration trekkers, and domestic visitors including college/ university students and researchers.
Interesting side treks off the ‘NUMBUR Cheese Trek’ include Baula Pokhari, the isolated valley of Khola Cire, and the natural Buddhist shrine at Kau Chorten up. NCC could also be the appropriate gate way extending trekking to Rolwaling region via Likhu Nup placier and to Everest region via Tashi Tapcha La or Kalla Pass. Some highlight of the day to day tourist activities are provided below.
DAY 1: KATHMANDU-SHVALAYA (8-9 HOURS)
Drive to Jiri/Shivalaya (187 km from Kathmandu) through the mountain terrain following the traditional approach march for Everest. Enjoy fresh water fish and refreshments at Shivalaya. Arrange porter, local guides and other logistics at Shivalaya.
DAY 2: SHIVALAYA-KHAHARE (3-4 HOURS)
Enjoy soft trekking along the Khimti River and enjoy lunch at Garjyang. Enjoying Sherpa culture and home-stay accommodation at Khahare. Don’t forget to taste of NCC fresh yak Cheese.
DAY 3: KHAHARE- PANIPACKA (3-4 HOURS)
Be prepared for adventurous trekking and eco-camping. Enjoy wilderness trekking along the Khimti River and up to the panipakha where you will find your first Eco-camping site amidst the scattered chauri sheds and the towering alpines.enjoy rare sunset views from Panipakha.
DAY 4: PANIPAKHA-MAANEDANDA (3-40 HOURS)
Continuing to snake you way up, the trail as it ascends through the conifer and rhododendron forest before reaching maanedanda offering spectacular views of thick green forest with numerous steep waterfalls.
DAY 5: MANEDANDA- JATAPOKHARI/PANCHPOKHARI (4-5 HOURS)
The trail traverses alongside the mountain before a dramatic waterfall heralds your arrival at Jatapokhari (4206m), a holy mountain like in the lap of Mt. NUMBUR. Over 3000 pilgrims, both Buddhist and Hindu followers, make their way here to celebrate Janiapurnima in August. Just short climb above Jatapokhari are the five sacred lakes known as Panch Pokhari (4508m) within a huge glacial, moon like cirque. Sidewalks around Panchpokhari and Panch Pokhari pass offers spectacular panoramic views of the Rolwaling, NUMBUR and Everest Range.
DAY 6 & 7: PANCHAPOKHARI-TARE (4-5 HOURS)
The trail takes you to Khola Kharka and further downhill to Nupche river via thick bamboo forest. Enjoy fresh cheese making in green pasture alongside the Nupche River before you reach to your eco-camping site at Tare. For anyone with an extra day, a side trip to Bigphera Go Nup base camp/Glacier, Khola Cire (4469m), Linkhu Nup Glacier and impressive Lhasa Lake (4469m) is recommended.
DAY 8 & 9: TARE- GYAZO LA PASS-NGEJU (4-5 HOURS)
The most strenuous section of the NCC, the trail from Tare to the Likhu Khola valleys is one that is both challenging and rewarding. The mountain views extending north into Tibet ad you cross the Gyajo La (Thulo Lapcha) at 4880m (traditionally used by local Sherpas to bring yaks across the mountains to Rakhidanda and Ngeju) are sensational. “Wilfrtnrdd” is the only apt term for the wild and rugged basin of the Likhu River valley, Dudhapokhari Lake, Likhu glacier at the base of towering tumbling glaciers and large moraines. The trek down from the Likhu glacier takes you to Ngeju (3690m) nestled against the river. A short side trip up form Ngeju is the ancient Buddshit Shrine of Kau Gumba.
DAY 10: NGEJU- LHACHHEWAR (4-5 HOURS)
From Ngeju the trail weaves through thick ancient forests alongside the Likhu Khola re-emerging to Lhachhewar (2665m), one of the most beautiful Sherpa villages with its astonishing landscapes, cultural wealth, prominent monastery, and the hospitable Sherpa people. Lhachhewar offers untouched Sherpa culture where people have maintained the traditional way of life. In Lhachhewar and onwards, the camping facilities can also be combined with the home-stay accommodation maintained at traditional Sherpa houses.
DAY 11: LAHAKSEWAR-KYAMA (3-4 HOURS)
The trail goes through the river valley, passing one of the still hidden Hindu pilgrimage site, ‘UMATIRTHA TEMPLE’ regarded as the KASHI of Himalayas at the confluence if Likhu and Nupche River; descending through deep forest to Kyama (2380m) with good views along the way of Bigphera Go Nup (Pathibara) and NUMBURchuli. Enjoy Monastery, Sherpa lifestyle and home-stay at the serene village environment.
DAY 12: KYAMA-GUMDEL (2 HOURS)
With the gleaming NUMBUR Chuli at the backdrop, Gumdel is a tiny hamlet gathered around a large Buddhist Stupa. The Gumdel home-stay offers the best of Sherpa hospitality and cultural traditions amidst luxuriant landscape and spectacular mountain scenery.
DAY 13: GUMDEL-SERDING OR BHANDAR (4 TO 5 HOURS)
From Gumdel the trail either descends through the mountain terrace along the Likhu River finally meeting the Everest trail at Bhandar or ascends through the dense forest finally reaching the beautiful Serding (3360m). enjoy folded temperate and sub alpine forest at the backdrop of NUMBURchuli, Bigphera Go and Gaurisankar Himal range from Serding and Punnasa Danda. Enjoy fresh Yak cheese and cheese making process.
DAY 14: DERDING/BHANDAR-THODUNG-LAPCHANE (4-5 HOURS)
Descend gently to observe one of Nepal’s first Yak Cheese factories, established in 1957 on the Thodung.visit Thodung Monastery and get warm blessing from Lamas. Get your lunch with Lamas at Thodung or stroll back down to Deurali on the way to Everest trek, with good views of Gaurisankar before trekking your penultimate NCC home-stay village at Newari houses, Lapchane. Tamdanda, thirty minutes above the Newar village of Lapchane, is one of the tallest hills in Ramechhap. From Tame you can see most of the central and eastern Himalayan peaks Dhalguiri, Annapurna, Gaurisankar, NUMBUR, Makalu, Kanchenjunga.
DAY 15: LAPCHANE-THOSE (3 HOURS)
Enjoy sunrise views of mountains from Tame and gradually descend down to your last stay Those.
DAY 16: THOSE-KATHMANDU (8-9 HOUR BUS)
Drive back to Kathmandu via Jiri.
BEST SEASON
September to December and March to May are the best season for making trekking at NCC. However, various short packages can also be operated throughout the year.
If you are interested on this tour, please contact us at sales@trailblazertrekking.com.
