Everest from the East

This trek is a hidden Himalayan gem. You probably won't see any other Westerners. You won't have to worry about flight cancellations and overbookings that plague other mountain airstrips. You will go back in time and experience Himalayan cultures little changed by the modern world.

The towering snowy peaks of Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga spread across the horizon as you trek along a ridgetop route high above the deepest valley in the world. Fly from Kathmandu into the Arun Valley which slices a gorge between the 27,000-foot-plus peaks of Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Trek through villages of eight different ethnic groups as you wind your way up onto a 13,000-foot ridge. Follow an old herder's path that once provided a route for Tibetan yak traders to bring their goods to the plains of India. Abandoned since the Chinese closed the border in 1950, this little-known ridge offers spectacular campsites with stunning views of the highest and least accessible peaks in Nepal within the Makalu-Barun National Park.

This high, remote, scarcely-populated, northeast corner of Nepal has the country’s greatest diversity of animal, bird, and plant species. New species are still being discovered in this area. Fall treks will observe the rice harvest and possible festivals. Spring trips may encounter spectacular rhodoendron forests in full bloom.  This trip’s flexibility allows you to reach altitudes above 15,000 feet, or you may choose to remain well below this elevation without losing the feeling of proximity to the highest Himalayas. Your expert guides and cooks will ensure your comfort as you take in unobstructed panoramas of the great peaks in Nepal, Tibet, and Sikkim.  Birders and naturalists will delight in this trek, as the climate and steep terrain has encouraged and sustained a natural diversity of plants and wildlife unlike any other area in Nepal. Towering rhododendrons grow up to 60 feet high. Your trek will also take you through hill bazaar towns during their weekly bazaar days, allowing you to enjoy the spirit of the market and see different cultural groups in their finest traditional dress. The mighty Himalayas serve as a backdrop for the Arun Valley’s distinctive culture, flora, and fauna, making this an unforgettable trekking experience for anyone up for the challenge. Average daily trekking time is 4-7 hours and daily trekking distance is 5-8 miles. No technical climbing experience or equipment is required.