Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek: 15 Days

Key Information

Duration:15 Days
Primary Activity:Trekking
Group Size:1-25 Peoples
Country:Nepal
Arrival on:Kathmandu
Trip Grade:Moderate

Meals:Meals included during the trek
Accomodation:Hotel/Lodges/Camping
Max-Altitude:4,880 m.
Transportation:Bus
Departure from:Kathmandu
Culture:Sherpa/Newari

Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek: 15 Days

Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek is a recently opened non-touristy area trekking route in the lap of Numbur Chuli. It’s an ideal trek for those who want to escape the regular tracks and explore an off beaten trail.

This recently developed trekking route lies in 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 gigantic peaks of Pathibarra and Numburchuli.

This trek provides awe-inspiring 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 stopover one of Nepal’s first cheese factories, established in 1957 and the famous Thodung monastery.

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,300m /4,264ft).
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative from Travel Society Nepal. After sorting out your custom formalities (Visa, etc) you will be then transferred to the hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel and give you some time to freshen up. After this, we will attend an orientation about your trek led by our Trekking leader over a typical Nepali welcome dinner that will include a cultural dance performed by the local women. You then return to your hotel for your first overnight stay at the hotel (D)

Day 1

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation (1,300m /4,264ft).
Kathmandu is the cultural heart of Nepal and has been a famous destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its borders to visitors. The city displays an interesting combination of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influences in the valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, the two important neighboring cities bear much cultural and religious significance to Nepal’s landscape. There will be a full-day guided tour to the historic sights such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and Buddhists shrine (Buddha Nath). In the evening, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we meet our trek leader and other stuff for your adventure trip. Stay overnight at hotel. (B)

Day 2

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Shivalaya – 1790m (8 hours by bus)
The drive from Kathmandu to Shivalaya will take around eight hours. During the journey, you will see beautiful views of hills, villages and snowcapped mountains. Shivalaya is the entrance to the Numbur Cheese Circuit, which is located alongside the picturesque Khimti River. Stay overnight in tented camp/lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 3

Day 04: 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 stop here for lunch. After lunch, we will travel to Panipakakha, the first campsite of our trek, from Shivalaya. It is situated midst the scattered Chauri sheds and lofty alpines. We will spend the rest of the evening exploring this beautiful place, observing the dazzling sunset in the mountains and taking photographs. Stay overnight in tented accommodation. (B, L, D)

Day 4

Day 05: 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. (B, L, D)

Day 5

Day 06: Trek Maanedanda to Panch Pokhari – 4515m (5 hours)
We will hike for about 5 hours today on a well-trodden track to reach Panch Pokhari. Panch Pokhari means five lakes.

There are five lakes here, considered to be very holy at the height of 4200m. We can also visit the religiously important temple of Lord Shiva guarded by the sharp iron tridents. The trail now ascents to Jata Pokhari. We walk across the high pastures and through the forest of Sunpati. Right before we reach Jata Pokhari, we will come across a beautiful waterfall where we can refresh ourselves with fresh mountain water.

Located in the lap of Mt. Numburchuli, Lake Jata Pokhari is a famous pilgrimage in Ramechhap. During the months of June and July, on full moon days, hundreds of Hindu believers come to worship Lord Shiva here. After a brisk walk, we will reach Panch Pokhari. Stay overnight at tented camp. (B, L, D)

Day 6

Day 07: Trek Panchpokhari to Tare – 4140m (7 hours)
Today, we will cross the pass at the 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.

This will be your first cheese-tasting experience as you try some local delicacies 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. Stay overnight at tented camp. (B, L, D)

Day 7

Day 08: 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, mountains and dwindling rivers. The views of the Himalayans are magnificent 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. The trek downhill from the Likhu glacier will lead us to Ngeju (3,690m). Stay overnight at tented camp. (B, L, D)

Day 8

Day 09: Trek from Ngeju to Lhachhewar – 2665m (5 hours)
Today, we head off from Ngeju to Lahaksewar, also known as Sewar, which is one of the most remarkable Sherpa communities of the upper Ramechap area. You will be welcomed by the stunning scenery and the 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. Stay overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay. (B, L, D)

Day 9

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. Here is where we will have lunch before reaching your homestay at Gumdel. Here, you’ll be able to be part of the unique Sherpa culture in the midst of mountainous valleys. Stay overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay. (B, L, D)

Day 10

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. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sub-alpine and temperate forest with Gauri Shanker and Numburchuli in the background. Spend your afternoon in Serding sampling the local yak cheese, learn about the cheese-making process and ask the cheese-makers any questions you may have. Stay overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay. (B, L, D)

Day 11

Day 12: Trek from Serding to Lapchane – 3150m (6 hours) via Thodung
Today we will leave Serding for Lapchane via Thodung. We will visit Thodung Monastery on our way back. We will further move downhill to Deurali from where we can see breathtaking views of the Gauri Shankar Mountain. On reaching Lapchane, we will 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 hike to Tamdanda – the tallest hill in Ramechhap, which is 30 minutes away from Lapchane. From Tamdanda, you can see colossal Dhaulagiri, Gauri Shanker, Annapurna, Numbur, Kanchenjunga and more. Stay overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay. (B, L, D)

Day 12

Day 13: Trek from Lapchane to Those – 1755m (4 hours)
After trekking a scenic, easygoing trail for four hours, we will spend a peaceful evening resting or exploring the wilderness in Those. This is the last day of trekking so we will celebrate together with local tea or beer! An early night will be suggested as we prepare for a long drive back to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at tented camp/Home-Stay. (B, L, D)

Day 13

Day 14: Drive from Those to Kathmandu via Jiri. (8-9 hours)
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. After lunch in Jiri, we reach Kathmandu. You will be invited for a farewell dinner with the locals before you depart. Stay overnight in Hotel in Kathmandu. (B, D)

Day 14

Day 15: Transfer to Airport for your Onward Travel
Our driver will escort you to the airport. We will send you on your way with good luck and gratitude that you chose us for your adventure of a lifetime. (B)

Day 15

Note: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Cost of Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek: 15 Days

Price Per Person: $1,500

(Contact us for Group Discounts!)

Note: Please feel free to ask us for a tailor-made itinerary that suits your interest, time, and budget.

Service Included

All airport transfer by private a/c car/van/bus
All transportation
Accommodation and breakfast in Kathmandu
Farewell Dinner.
Tea-house accommodation
Licensed English-speaking guide – First Aid trained
Necessary Porters
Meals during the trek
Sagarmatha Conversation Area Project Permits
Sleeping bags and other necessary equipment are available on hire
Staff insurance, medication, and equipment
All Govt. and Local Taxes
First Aid Kit

Service Excluded

Transportation by Flights (Kathmandu- Lukla- Kathmandu) /International airfares/ airport taxes
Travel/trekking insurance
Nepal entry visa fees
Mountain rescue charges or insurance
Tea/Coffee
Bottled drinks on trek (cold and alcoholic)
Lunches and dinners when not trekking
Additional food or drink on trek
Personal expenses, Emergency Expenses, road blocked, snakes, desert.etc
Special region permit and liaison officer fees (where applicable)
Tips