Dudh Kunda Trek - Khumbu Region/ holy lake/ mixed cultures

The highlight of the Dudh Kunda Trek –

Dudh Kunda trail provides you the excellent stunning views of many Everest region mountains along with panoramic view of Mt. Number.
Hospitality provided by the many ethnic groups of this region like; Gurung, Magar, Rai, Limbu is unforgettable. Ethnic people with their own and unique traditions, languages, cultures, and beliefs. Exploring the main Dudhkunda (holy lake) lake explains, the beliefs that one can get relief from their sins by taking a dip into the cold water. Next, devotees also believe that the lake also blesses childless families with children.
Unique Sherpa villages, their culture, Buddhist monasteries and beautiful rhododendron forests are another main attraction of Dudh Kunda Trek.

Trip Summarize

Dudh Kunda translates to “Lake of Milk” in English. This lake is located in the Southern Solukhumbu and directly below the base of the Number Mountain Range. The trek follows an off-the-beaten-trail. If you want most of this trek, you should consider doing it during the month of August because during August in Janai Purnima (Full Moon Night of August)- a Huge flock of Nepali and Indian come here to worship the Lake. This holy lake is believed to cleanse ones and get blessed by the devotees. Besides that, you can enjoy panoramic Himalayan views of Mountains like Everest, Number, and other Everest Himalayan ranges. Massif scene of Khumbu icefalls is also next highlight of Dudh Kunda Trek.

Likewise, Dudh Kunda Trek possesses scenic flora and fauna and you can explore the vast culture of Tamang, Gurung, Sherpa, Magar, Khaling Rai. The hospitality you receive is unforgettable and the cooperation is undeniable. This region is still fresh and the tourists going in this region is pretty low. So, you can experience this peaceful & amazing place. This trek is mainly done in the month of August. Many Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimages come to celebrate and worship the lake in the festival of “Janai Purnima” (Full moon night of August). Trek to Dudh Kunda also known as sacred “Milk Lake” situated to the southern Solukhumbu region of Nepal under the range of Number Himal.

We start our trip from Kathmandu. First, we take the flight to Phaplu and visit Chewan Monastery once we reach Salleri. We trek to Takshindu from Salleri and pass through the world famous Sherpa settlement & in the evening enjoy the Cultural show. Moreover, we take a scenic path to Beni and along the way pass Yak farms and Monasteries. We reach our ultimate destination – Dudhkunda from Beni and here you can see the famous lake which is visited by Hindu pilgrims from India and Nepal yearly. For the day tour, you can enjoy Everest base camp helicopter tour.

Sunrise Adventure trek will make your trip memorable from your arrival to departure. We trek Ringo and take first taste of Alpine wine and Yak cheese. The next day, we hike to Phalpu and upon request, the Sherpa cultural show is available. Following day, we take a scenic flight to the civilization of Kathmandu. Although, his flight is one of the highlights of this trip as you can see stunning views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Langtang and other mountains. You can take rest for the day and in the evening, small cultural dinner show is held.

Overview

Itinerary

Includes/Excludes

Departure Dates

Useful Info

Outlined Itinerary:

Day1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m)

Day2: Sightseeing & trip Preparation – B

Day3: Fly Kathmandu – Phaplu (2469m) & Trek to Salleri (2438m) – 30 min & 3 hrs – B.L.D

Day4: Salleri to Takshindu (3060m) via Ringmo (2700m) – about 6 hrs – B.L.D

Day5: Takshindu to Beni (3972m) – about 6 hrs – B.L.D

Day6: Beni to Dudhkunda (4560m) – B.L.D

Day7: Dudhkunda to Ringmo (2700m) – B.L.D

Day8: Ringmo to Phaplu (2469m) – B.L.D

Day9: Phaplu – Kathmandu Flight – B.L.D

Day10: Departure/Farewell – B

(Note: B.L.D, Plan Including / B: Breakfast, L: Lunch & D: Dinner.)

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m)

Welcome to Nepal – the Land of Himalayas! Our airport representative picks you up from airport and transfers you to hotel. There we arrange a small meeting for your warm welcome. Then you can take rest while we make all the documents ready for your trip.

Day 2

Sightseeing & trip Preparation

After breakfast, do Kathmandu sightseeing with experienced guide and visit most important monuments and heritages of Kathmandu Valley. In the meantime, we make sure your necessary documents, clothing and other equipments are double checked and ready to move out for the upcoming journey.

Day 3

Fly Kathmandu - Phaplu (2469m) & Trek to Salleri (2438m) - 30 min & 3 hrs

We take 35 minute of scenery filled flight to Phaplu. Our first trek begins from here. Upon reaching, we trek to Salleri and visit Chewang Monartery and local market around here.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner and finally an overnight stay in trekking lodge.

Day 4

Salleri to Takshindu (3060m) via Ringmo (2700m)- about 6 hrs

We descend down from Slleri and walking couple of hours takes us to Ringmo. From here, we pass pretty Sherpa settlement and forests to reach Takshindu. In the evening, you can see cultural show of the locals.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner and finally an overnight stay in trekking lodge.

Day 5

Takshindu to Beni (3972m)- about 6 hrs

We leave Takshindu behind and hike toward Beni. We first hike to Sahasra (3972m) and follow scenery filled path to Beni. You can see mountains like Numbur,Khatang, Kayyolung and many other. The trail also passes some yak farms and mounastery.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner and finally an overnight stay in trekking lodge.

Day 6

Beni to Dudhkunda (4560m)

We reach our ultimate destination – Dudhkunda. The trail goes through glacier and every year in month of August during Janai Purnima, huge fair is held here. Many Hindu devotees from Nepal and India come here to worship the holy lake Dudh Pokhari. Birds migrate here during rainy season and they can be seen on the shores of Dhuh Pokhari.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner and finally an overnight stay in trekking lodge.

Day 7

Dudhkunda to Ringmo (2700m)

We walk for about 5 hrs to reach Ringmo and the walk is pleasant without any challenges. In Ringmo you can taste Alpine wine and yak cheese. Ringmo is settled by the world famous Sherpa people.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner and finally an overnight stay in trekking lodge.

Day 8

Ringmo to Phaplu (2469m)

We reach Takshindo and leave Ringmo. Our route passes through pasture land, which is rich in Himalayan Vegetation. In Phaplu, Sherpa cultural show is available upon request.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner and finally an overnight stay in trekking lodge.

Day 9

Phaplu - Kathmandu Flight

We take 30 minute of early morning flight to Kathmandu. The flight is very scenic with views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Langtang and other beautiful mountains. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the hotel and you can either take rest or visit around Kathmandu.
Meals included: Breakfast, and finally an overnight stay in hotel. Attend the evening dinner and cultural program provided by the company.

Day 10

Departure/Farewell

We believe, you had a wonderful time with us but you need to relocate yourselves in your home-country. Therefore, our airport representative drops you to the airport approximately 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight to make sure you don’t miss your flight to sweet home.

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Useful information

Trekking Group Size

We organize trekking in Kanchenjunga region for any number of people. If the group consists of more than 16 pax, we will split the group and arrange accordingly. We will assign one trek leader, one assistant leader for the group of four pax and porters (one porter between two members ) to carry members luggage. This arrangement ensures that the group can still go ahead as scheduled itinerary despite any member gets sick on the way in the trekking.

Experience and Health Requirements

Kanchenjunga trekking is considered a moderate trek suitable for those who can hike for 5 – 7 hours a day. Obviously hiking in the high altitude will not be so easy rather physically more demanding, however our itinerary is scheduled for the proper acclimatization while gradually gaining the altitude in the trekking. It will be advisable to have some walking and hiking or other outdoor activities for more than two weeks which will contribute to comfortable accomplishment in reaching Kanchenjunga No technical skills or use of crampons are required for this trekking. It is highly recommended for the trekkers to consult with the doctors before coming for this trekking. Trekkers who have asthma, allergy or any other diseases related to hurt, lungs should take more precaution for this trekking.

Travel Insurance

Trekkers need to have traveling insurance which covers the comprehensive expenses that might incur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and medical treatment costs). Insurance companies in Nepal do not provide travelling insurance for the foreigners and the trekkers need to get the travelling insurance from one of the international insurance companies. Sunrise Adventure Trek will have accident insurance for the trekking staff.

Accommodations

Accommodation in Kathmandu will be arranged on twin sharing basis on BB plan except the extra cost for the single supplement (depending on the room availability ) according to the choice of the standard of the hotels before and after the trekking. Accommodation during the trekking will be arranged at standard teahouses/ lodges with unheated rooms with wooden beds and foam mattresses on twin sharing basis. The trekkers will have to share washing and toilet facilities. If the trekker is a solo traveler, he/she will have to share a room with the trekker of same sex.

Meals

Trekkers are provided three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during Kanchenjunga trekking. They can enjoy wide variety of food from typical Nepali food, Tibetan food to all types of international cuisine (Continental, Italian, and Indian.). Unlike other trekking companies, Sunrise AdventureTrek allows trekkers to choose the food from the menu at the hotel / lodges in the trek. When the group is too big for the hotels/ lodges to provide individual dishes, set menu will be arranged in most places. We use the lodges / hotels which serve hygienic, nutritious and good food for the trekkers for them to get enough energy for the hiking.

Acclimatization

Any trekker can get altitude sickness while trekking in the high altitude despite strong physically fitness. What is important is giving enough time for the proper acclimatization for the trekking. Sunrise Adventure Trek has planned the itinerary with gradual altitude gain giving enough time for acclimatization for the trekkers. Hiking slowly specially in the high altitude help prevent AMS ( Acute Mountain Sickness ). If anyone feels dizzy, suffer palpitation or severe headaches and loss of appetite, he / she will be moved to the lower altitude immediately or arrange the helicopter rescue in the severe case of AMS and the client has to pay for it.

Equipment and Packing List

A variety of clothing is necessary for the Kanchenjunga trek. While choosing the equipment trekkers need give emphasis on two simple aspects: Lightweight and Functional. The items should be lightweight, dependable, and adaptable to a variety of extreme weather conditions. The quality of the trekking equipment you choose has a lot to do with how warm, dry, and safe you will remain. For this reason you have to be critical of quality and the proper fit of clothing.

Clothing and personal

– T – shirts
– Hiking shorts
– Undergarments
– Full sleeves shirts
– Long light weight cotton pants
– Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
– Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants.
– Insulated pants / nylon windbreaker
– Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
– Fleece jacket or pullover
– Waterproof shell jacket
– Down jacket
– Light warm fleece hat / woolen hat
– Sun hat
– Lightweight gloves.
– Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal).

Foot Wear

– Hiking boots
– Light and comfortable camp shoes
– Thin, lightweight inner socks.
– Thick, warm wool hiking socks

Accessories

– Down Sleeping bag
– Trekking bag / Duffle bag ( to carry for the porter )
– Day pack ( to carry with the trekkers to put the things required during the day time )
– Large plastic bags ( to keep items dry inside the trekking bag )
– Water bottle
– Head lamp with spare bulb and batteries
– Trekking poles
– Personal medicine box
– Sunglasses with UV protection.
– Books, dairy, pen, walkman and any other game instruments

Toiletries and Personal Hygiene

– Quick drying small towel
– Toothbrush / paste
– Soap
– Face and body moisturizer
– Sun block for lips
– Tissues / toilet rolls
– Wet wipes
– Feminine hygiene products
– Anti bacterial hands wash

Trek Leader(s) and Staff

All our trek leaders are well experienced who have led trekking in Kanchenjunga region for more than eight years. Their in-depth knowledge about culture, custom, the geological surroundings as well as their professionalism, sincerity, and their hospitality make your dream of successful trek a enjoyable, memorable event in your life. Although our trek leaders are not highly educated, they are well experienced, professionally trained and posses good leadership skills to operate the trip smoothly. Their smiling faces, loving and caring attitude will make your even a hard walking day a pleasant one. All trekking staff of Sunrise Adventure Trek are locally employed and have the adequate knowledge about culture, ecosystem, flora, fauna, geography, history and the safety measures in running the trips. Their attitude and the efforts will be always concentrated on the less impact of the trekkers to the local culture, custom, nature and the eco system.

Porter Care

We are strongly committed to the porters rights. We make sure that they are well paid and have the proper clothing, foot ware and shelter. We are aware that no porter should be asked to carry a load that is too heavy for their physical abilities and the weight limit should be adjusted for altitude, weather and trail condition. We request our members not to have more than 15 kg weight of luggage to give to the porters. Porters who become sick while in the trekking are treated with high priority just like the other trekking staff or the members. If needed helicopter is sent and rescued in case of sever condition of sickness or accident. All porters are insured for sickness and accident.

Season

Nepal, as a tourist destination is good for all seasons, however, the best seasons for trekking to Kanchenjunga region are Spring (March – May) and Autumn (mid Sept. – mid Dec. ). Trekking in autumn season is noted for clear weather and excellent views of silvery mountains against blue sky. It gets colder towards the end of December. This trek can be done in any month except January and February.