About Kanchanjunga, Rolwaling and Makalu

Kanchanjunga-Rolwaling-Makalu

Kanchanjunga

The third highest mountain in the world it is one of the most inaccessible and formidable of the entire Himalayas. The trek in is a long and often an arduous one. Kanchanjunga's proximity deters all but the most avid mountain enthusiasts.

A journey, which takes you through scattered settlements of thatched farmhouses with colorful flower gardens, wild coniferous woodland and on to remote Buddhist settlements where people scratch a living from the barren land. The climax of this trek in both altitude and scenic splendor is undoubtedly the three days hike up the Kanchanjunga glacier where the views are quite simply overwhelming.

At 8598 m. Kanchanjunga, is the third highest peak in the world. It lies in a sensitive restricted area astride the Nepal/ Sikkim border, only a few miles from Tibet. Our trip will avoid the restricted area and head for the Yalung glacier immediately to the south of Kanchanjunga.

The journey starts with a trek over the Mahabharat Lek range with majestic views of both the Everest and Kanchanjunga massifs with the Arun Valley between them. We trek through richly cultivated hillsides, Rhododendron forests and yak pastures that lye below the glacier. The return route heading west passes through some delightful villages of Taplejung. The panoramic views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchanjunga are magnificent on our descent to the road head.

Rolwaling

West of the Khumhu, directly on the Tibetan frontier there is a wild, lonely high valley the "Rolwaling" which is called simply "the grave" by the indigenous Sherpa's on account of its location - buried down between steep ice-giants. Many mysterious stories have been passed on about this valley through which the forefathers of the present-day Sherpa's once came. It is here that the notorious and celebrated Yeti is supposed to make his home. Entire research expeditions have, so far unsuccessfully, attempted to find him.

There are three factors which have helped to preserve this splendid valley from the ravaging onslaught of tourists. First of all it is relatively arduous to get there at all, secondly there are neither lodgings nor food to buy, and third you need a special permit to be allowed to hike into Rolwaling. You must purchase - pro-forma - a climbing permit for the Ramdung Peak (5.925 m) regardless of whether or not you want to climb the mountain. Those who aren't scared away by these inconveniences will he richly rewarded for their efforts. Just the approaches to the Rolwaling Valley are worth your money: The trail leads you through a wealth of variety on one hand through Tamang and Chetri villages with their typical ter raced fields, on the other through dense, gloomy primeval forests and over broad ridgebacks with wonderful views.

Two variations are possible: The first is a four day hike from Jiri (1860 m) over the Chordung Ridge (3698 m), Suri (1,890 m) and Gonger (1040 m): the other is a six day hike starting from Barabise (819 m) via Tinsang La (3319 m), Bigu Gompa(25l9 m),Chilangka and Gonger.

Makalu

High in the heart of the eastern Himalaya, seven valleys radiate from mount Makalu, the world's thirth highest peak. These valleys, particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining pristine forests and alpine meadows of Nepal. From the bottom of the Arun valley, at just 435 m above sea level, the Himalaya rise to the snow-capped tip of Makalu- 8.463 m--within a 40 km distance. Within this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of the richest and most diverse pockets of plants and animals in Nepal, elsewhere lost to spreading human habitation.

Nestled in the lower reaches of these valleys are communities of Rai, Sherpa, and Shingsawa (Bhotia) farmers. Though economically poor and isolated, they retain a rich cultural heritage. They hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and cultural treasures of the Makalu Barun area.

The Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area was established in 1992 as Nepal's eighth national park and the first to include an adjacent inhabited conservation area as a buffer. A new park management approach encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon which their lives depend, and in conserving their own rich cultural heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened and low level technologies introduced where appropriate. Working in collaboration with an American NGO, Woodlands Mountain Institute, His Majesty's Government, Nepal is striving to improve local living standards through infrastructural, educational and income-generating activities.

The terraced hillsides seem to climb to the sky. Many interesting ethnic groups a mixed of lifestyle offer you a glimpse into real Nepali life and this gives visitors an opportunity to observe the rich Nepalese cultural tradition from the closest quarter and intermingle with locals, hence giving the visitor a sense of satisfaction.

Gorkha is situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old ancient place. There are two attractive temples of Gorakhanath and Kali inside the place precinct. Besides its, the area also offer you, an excellent habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals; 526 species of plants (including 40 species of orchids), and 300 species of birds. Other interesting wild animals are the Himalayan thar, gaur, many kinds of monkeys and musk deer.

There are interesting panoramic views destination points are called Singala pass, Dharka, Jasail Kunda, Jyamrung, Kasigaun, Khanchok and Gorkha offer you more than 35 mountains over 6000 meters (19'680ft) above sea level.

In the Eastern part of Nepal the main ridge of the Himalayas from the border with Tibet. The Ganesh Himal is the first massive range sharing borders with Tibet. Therefore it cannot be done as a circuit trek. Its proximity to the capital and its scenic value make it worth while trip. In spite of its friendly foothills, cultural interests, and majestic vistas it is an area rarely visited. The Ghorka Himal with Manaslu 8156m, Himalchuli7893m, and Ngadi Chuli7835 m, forms a very dominant mountain range in central Nepal. The gorges of the Buri Gandaki and the Marshyangdi mark its boundaries and lead the trekker behind the to dry valleys reminiscent of Tibetan culture. The great mountain forests in the high valleys are especially worth mentioning. The trekking circuit around the Manaslu is a more expensive adventure that requires hiring a liaison officer.