Numbur

Understand

This route has a recommended itinerary of 14 days trekking, although at a push it can be completed in up to 10 days by combining some of the shorter days. It can also be extended several days for those who wish to visit some of the nearby glaciers, peaks or lakes. A rest day on the trek is also a good idea. The trek can offer visitors superb views of major Himalayan peaks including Annapurna South, Langtang, Gaurishankar and Numburchuili and many more. Walk through deep river gorges, glacial lakes, terraced rice fields, subtropical forests and Sherpa villages to the Lhiku Khola glacier, watched over by the towering peaks of Pathibarra and Numburchuili. Visit one of Nepal's first cheese factories, established in 1957 and the famous Thodung Monastery on the way.

Getting there

Shivalaya and Those are the start and finish points of the Numbur Cheese Circuit and are 8-9 hr drive from Kathmandu. Seasonal Super express bus service goes to/from Kathmandu's Old Bus Park, near the Nepal Tourism Board (07:00 daily). Kathmandu to Jiri/Shivalaya takes 6-8 hours (Rs 450). The winding road is very well paved with fine mountain views. The route follows the Arniko Highway towards Tibet before turning right over the Sun Koshi at Lamosangu for the climb on the Swiss built Lamosangu-Jiri Road, the "gateway to the Solu Khumbu", through Sindupalchowk, Dolahka Districts to Ramechhap. Buses make a lunch stop after 4 hours at Mude Bazaar, famous for the largest potatoes in Nepal. During the monsoon season (June to mid-September) the road is usually closed to Shivalaya, so it is necessary to walk from Jiri to Shivalya - adding an extra day to the trek. The buses will also not run as far at Those (the end point) so it is necessary to return to Jiri. Interesting stops along the way are Charikot, where you can stay at the luxurious Charikot Panorama Resort, run by friendly hosts Judith and Top Thapa, or continue on to Jiri.

Go next

From the trek's start and end points, you can connect to other destinations:

The Everest Base Camp trek can be started directly from Shivalaya, following the traditional "pioneers' route" used before the airport at Lukla was built. This is an excellent way to extend your time in the mountains and properly acclimatize. For treks in other regions, you will need to return to Kathmandu. From the capital, you can arrange travel to other world-class trekking destinations like the Annapurna Circuit or the Langtang Valley Trek.