Ramechhap, only 100km east from Kathmandu, offers a trekking experience unequalled anywhere in Nepal. Sandwiched between the high Himalayan range to the north and the rolling Maharbhata range in the south, trekking in Ramechhap offers magnificent Himalayan panoramas, lush rhododendron forests and unique cultural experiences. The elevation ranges from 488m in the Sun Kosi River valley to Numburchuili peak (6909m) along Everest Himal range. Rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities, rhododendron forests and bamboo groves crowned by an array of snow peaks is bound to leave you breathless. The cultural rituals around Buddhism and Hinduism are perhaps a major attraction. But the foremost prize of the whole experience is the chance to meet peoples from 6 different Indigenous communities, learn about them and their culture- yes all in one trek. You'll feel better knowing that your visit is genuinely helping your hosts. And what’s more, simply lie on one of the best beaches in Nepal!!

Fact of the Trekking

Day 01 :KATHMANDU- SHIVALAYA
A 8-9 hours drive from the capital city Kathmandu reaches you to Shivalaya, the gateway for the Everest region as well as the NCC. Shivalya lies on the Khimti Khola River valley and hosts lodges and trek info center. Local trekking guides and assistants are available along with tent and camping equipment from Tourist Guide and Assistant Centre. The town has a busy and well-stocked bazzar for trekking supplies. Enjoy a cold river-cooled beer and Yak cheese on the lodge verandahs before your trek. The trail from Jiri to Shivalaya on the other hand is the classic Sir Edmund Hillary route.

DAY 2: SHIVALAYA-KHAHARE
Day two is a leisurely four-hour trek northwards along the Kimti Koala River to Khahare village. Just beyond Shivalaya, the valley opens up to the first snow-capped peaks of the Rowaling Himal Range, whose visibility becomes more clear and crystal in the next 6 to 7 days. The trail runs up and down through terraced fields, crisscrosses the river and then snakes steeply up the cliff. Khahare village comprises of less than 5 houses, inhabited only during the winter by herders who spend their summer on higher pastures tending their Yaks. Enjoy your night at a home-stay with a Sherpa family tasting variety of dishes made of Yak cheese, potato and barley.

Day 03 :KHAHARE –PANIPAKHA (3-4 HOURS)
Be prepared for adventurous trek and eco-camping ahead. Enjoy wilderness trekking along the Khimti River and at Panipakha find your first eco-camping site amidst scattered Chauri sheds and towering alpines. Enjoy majestic sunset views from Panipakha.

Day 04 :PANIPACKA- MAANEDANDA (3-4 HOURS)
Continue to snake your way up as the trail ascends through conifer and rhododendron forest before leveling out in the summer pastures of Maanedanda. A flattened ridge, Maanedanda offers spectacular views of thick green jungle carved by numerous steep waterfalls on both sides.

Day 05 :MANEDANDA- JATAPOKHARI & PANCHPOKHARI
Next the trail makes a climb towards Jatapokhari and as altitude increases alpine pastures give way to scrubby forests of Sunpati, a rare mountain herb. The path trails by the river coming to a dramatic waterfall that signifies our arrival at Jatapokhari, a holy mountain lake perched in the lap of Numburchuli. The lake is a popular pilgrimage destination where over 3000 pilgrims gather to celebrate Janaipurnima every year. It is believed that taking a dip in its holy water will fulfill one's wishes. An overnight stay here is recommended to allow for acclimatization. Take a side trip to Baula Pokhari or "Mad Lake" but don't disturb the spirits within or your wishes may not come true! There are five small lakes, known collectively as Panchpokhari, within this huge glacial cirque regarded as precious high altitude wetlands. Sunset views of Himalayan mountain peaks of Number and Parchemo peak from here is not to be missed. Enjoy campsite accommodation at Panchpokhari.

DAY 6 and 7: PANCHPOKHARI-TARE & AROUND KHOLA SEER
The morning trek will be a challenging one as you cross over the Panchpokhari Pass at 4,605m and up to the base camp of Bigphera Go Nup (Pathibarra peak). This is followed by a glacier walk to Tare. The Panch Pokhari pass offers spectacular panoramic views of the Rolwaling, Numbur and Everest ranges. The trail and views of the Himalayan peaks, glaciated valleys and folded hills to the south are breathtaking. Enjoy scenic landscape at Kholakharka or do some rock climbing. Over the white river (Nupche) cross the yak pasture and enjoy fresh cheese. Observe the golden Bigphera Go Nup (Pathivara) during sunset before setting into wilderness camp.

For anyone with an extra day, a side trip to Bigphera Go Nup base camp and glacier, Khola Cire (4469m) and Linkhu Nup glacier is worthwhile. Next day, plan your trek to visit beautiful Luikharka, Linkhu Nup Glacier, Bigphera Go Nup glacier and Panga Dinga glacier. If you are lucky enough, you will see Himalayan tahr, and snow leopard.

Go up to the base camp or see the up-close view of Ramdung, Chukyima Go and Bigphera Go Nup peaks. Horses can be rented during the grazing season to take you further up the pastures and into Khola Cire where the impressive Lhasa lake (4469m) remains hidden. This vast, remote lake boasts an amazing Tibetan panoramic backdrop that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

DAYS 8 and 9:  TARE- RHAKIDANDA-NGEJU
The most strenuous section of the Numbur Cheese Circuit, specifically the trail from Tare to the Likhu Khola valley is one that is both challenging as well as rewarding. The mountain views extending north into Tibet as you cross the Gyajo La (Thulo Lapcha)  at 4880m, traditionally used by local Sherpas to bring yaks across the mountains, are sensational.  A gradual decent to Thulo Lapcha brings you to the seasonal Kharkas of Rhakidanda (4315m) in the Likhu Khola valley.

"Wilderness" is the only apt term for the wild and rugged basin of the Lhiku River valley where you could catch a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard From Rakhidanda take in striking views of Dudkpokhari or 'Milky Lake' surrounded by tumbling glaciers like Surmoche and Likhu glacier and large moraines. The trek down from the Likhu glacier follows the intense Likhu Khola River until you reach the remote yak pastures of Ngeju (3690m) nestled by the river. Here you`ll find two more cheese factories and numerous chauri sheds dotted alongside the river. A short side trip up from Ngeju is the ancient Buddhist Shrine of Kau Gumba lying above the tree-line in the upper Likhu Khola Valley enclosed by a great sweep of high rock and snow peaks

DAY 10: NGEJU-LAHCHHEWAR
From Ngeju the trail weaves through thick ancient forests alongside the Likhu Khola re-emerging into remote civilization of Sherpas in Lhachhewar. Lahchhewar 'Sewar' is one of the most beautiful Sherpa villages in the Upper Ramechhap region, with its astonishing landscapes, cultural wealth, and the hospitable Sherpa people. 'Sewar' offers unspoiled Sherpa culture where people still maintain their traditional way of life. Enjoy again the home-stay accommodation amidst Sherpa culture.

DAY 11: LHACHHEWAR-KYAMA
The trail follows the Likhu Khola River valley, descending through deep forest to Kyama with good views along the way of Bigphera Go Nup (Pathibarra) and Numburchuli. Just at the confluence of Likhu and Nupche River, you will find Umatirtha temple, widely regarded as KASHI of HIMALAYAS. Enjoy the chanting of deer and varieties of birds towards Kyama. Again visit monastery and experience Sherpa culture

DAY 12: KYAMA-GUMDEL(2 HOURS)
With the glistening Numberchuili as 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 subalpine forest with the backdrop of Numburchuli, Bigphera Go and Gaurishankar Himal range. Enjoy fresh Yak cheese

DAY 14: SERDING/BHANDAR- THODUNG-LAPCHANE(4-5 HOURS)
Descend gently to observe one of Nepal’s first Yak Cheese factories, established in 1957 along the way to Thodung. Thodung Monastery is a large active monastery surrounded by aromatic pines, a variety of flora that enhance the serenity of the monastery and its surroundings. Visit monastery and get warm blessing from the Lamas. Have your lunch with Lamas at Thodung or stroll back down to Deurali on the way to Everest trek, with good views of Gaurishankar to reach Lapchane. Enjoy home stay facility and Newari culture at Lapachane.

Tamdanda (3105m), thirty minutes above the Newar village of Lapchane, is one of the tallest hills in Ramechhap from where you can see most of the central and eastern Himalayan peaks like Dhalguiri, Annapurna, Gauri Shanker, Numbur, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga. The peak also offers breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. The variety of flora and fauna, with 65 species of birds, makes it the place to head off to for nature lovers.

DAY 15: LAPCHANE-THOSE (3 HOURS)
Enjoy sunrise views from Tame and gradually descend down to your last day at Those. Before the construction of the Jiri Road, Those was the busiest market town on the trade route between Namche and Lamosangu. Sit back and relax by the river and look through your photos with your guides

DAY 16: THOSE-KATHMANDU
Drive back to Kathmandu through the mountain terrain.

Contact us for detail itinerary

BEST SEASON AND EVENTS
March to June and September to December are the best seasons for trekking in NCC. However, Shivalaya, Serding, Thodung, Gumdel, Deurali and Lapchane can be visited throughout the year. Lhosar (During February), Buddha Purnima (During May) and Janaipurnima Festival (Full moon during the end of August) are some important events to observe local culture and traditional rituals.

TOURIST FACILITIES

ACCOMMODATION
NCC is primarily an eco-camping trek. Accommodation on the ‘Numbur Cheese Circuit’ ranges from a few well-established lodges at Those, Shivalaya, Deurali, Serding  and Bhandar on the Everest Base Camp route, to newly developed eco-camping sites combined with the family home-stays in magnificent Sherpa and Newari homes.

ECO-CAMPING
One of the many exciting experiences for visitors to NCC is without a doubt Eco-camping. Visitors can enjoy 5 to 7 nights at the designated camping sites at Panipakha, Manedanda, Panchpokhari, Tare, and Ngeju. Eco-camping sites are equipped with safe drinking water, kitchen cum shelter and drainage facilities. However, visitors need to manage the camping gears like tents, sleeping bags, mattress, kitchen kits, all food items and energy (kerosene) by themselves. Experienced assistant and trained local guides are available at Local Tourist Guide and Assistant Centre (LTGAC) at Shivalaya. If you need, you can avail some trekking gears at Local Tourist Guide and Assistant Centre on a rental basis.

HOME-STAY ACCOMMODATION
Home-stay facilities can be enjoyed at Khahare, Lhachhewar, Kyama, Gumdel and Lapchane. Visitors can enjoy the basic accommodation and lodging facilities at the traditionally managed home-stays of Sherpa and Newar community. Boiled and filtered drinking water and hygienic toilets are available at all accommodations. Bucket hot shower can be available upon request.

HOTEL AND LODGES
A few well-established lodges are available at Those, Shivalaya, Deurali, and Bhandar. Serding has a few hotels and lodges with very basic facilities. You can select items from simple menu as is common in other popular trekking routes in Nepal. Bucket hot shower can be available upon request.

OTHER FACILITIES AND SERVICES

GUIDES AND PORTERS
Experienced assistant and some trained local guides are available at Tourist information and service centre at Shivalaya. You/your trekking company can confirm in advance the availability of local guides by inquiring at the centre from Kathmandu. If you like to enrich your trek, don't forget to hire additional local tourist guide besides your professional trekking guide from Kathmandu.

ACCESSIBILITY
Shivalaya and Those in northern Ramechhap are the starting and finishing points of the Numbur Cheese Circuit located at 8-9 hrs drive from Kathmandu. Super express bus service to/from Kathmandu's old Bus Park, near Nepal Tourism Board (6-7am daily). The road is very well paved offering unobstructed fine mountain views. The route follows the Arniko Highway before turning right at Lamosangu for a climb on the Swiss-built Lamosangu-Jiri Road through Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha Districts. Buses often make a lunch stop at Mude Bazaar, famous for the largest potatoes in Nepal.

COMMUNICATION
Local landline (STD) is available in all villages except in the remote areas of Panipacka, Maanedanda, Tare, Rhakidanda, and Ngeju. International connections (ISD) are limited to Those, Shivalaya, Deurali, and Bhandar. Internet is still not available in the area so Jiri could be the nearest point for internet access. Mobile telephone facilities are available at Shivalaya, Khahare, Lhachhewar, Kyama, Gumdel, Serding, Deurali, Lapchane and Those. Police posts at Shivalaya and Bhandar can be useful for any security related arrangement and emergency communication.

HEALTH FACILITIES
Local health posts with basic medicine are available at Shivalaya, Garjyang, Bamti Bhandar and Those. Some more advanced facilities can be expected in Jiri hospital on the way.

TREKKING SUPPLIES
Local bazaars selling basic trekking supplies can be found in Shivalaya, Gharjeng, Those, Deurali, and Bhandar. Only a few local markets selling local produce and a limited range of drinks and candies are available thereafter. As the trail being recently opened, visitors are kindly advised to bring some first aid kits, fruits and dry food like chocolate. Visitors are also requested to bring cotton hats, cotton outfits, sunglass, sun cream and lotion with them.

TREKKING MAP