on November 20, 2024
The stage was set for an exciting adventure – a trek from Kanchenjunga to Makalu. Two teams embarked on their journeys at different times, with the plan to converge at Ghunsa, where they would transition to a camping setup and continue westwards towards Lumba Sumba, entering the Makalu Barun National Park.
My team, consisting of Daniel and Mingmar, started the trek from Taplejung. Opting for the higher route through Linkhim proved to be a wise decision, offering cooler temperatures and quieter trails compared to the busy road along the Tamor River. We enjoyed crossing suspension bridges, traversing through cardamom fields, and admiring the greenery post monsoon.
After leaving Sekathum we encountered a new trail built with logs as ladders, scraped steps out on a hillside with mini ups and downs. This side trail was constructed to circumvent a risky section on the other side of the river, which had a history of rockfalls. As we gained altitude, the Ghunsa valley gradually unfolded before us, culminating in a beautiful night under the stars at Amjilosa.
We spent two nights in the charming village of Ghunsa as part of our acclimatization plan. Unfortunately, our plans were disrupted when one of our team members experienced a medical emergency. After consulting with Dr. Pranav (our trip doctor), we made the difficult decision to leave the mountains early.
With our spirits somewhat dampened, we shifted our focus to the Kathmandu valley rim traverse. Although not a high-altitude trek, it offered a different kind of adventure with challenging navigation due to washed-out trails caused by the previous month’s heavy rains.
Over eight days, we covered 176.63 kilometers, experiencing a significant elevation gain. Jonathan and Srijan joined us for the final two days, adding to the camaraderie.
While the initial Kanchenjunga trek didn’t unfold as planned, the Kathmandu Valley Rim traverse provided a sense of adventure. Having said that, we know we will be back in Kanchenjunga again to make another journey westwards.
In 2023, Srijan and I spent nearly two months exploring parts of Kanchenjunga and Makalu over three different trips. You can read that trip report here.
Note: For those interested in running on the valley rim, I highly recommend checking out the Manjushree Trail Race, organized by our friends.
You can find more pictures from the trip in gallery below.
