Eastern Nepal

The eastern side of the Everest Region is isolated but has some of the best trekking in Nepal. The most popular areas for the trek are the Makalu Barun National park and the Kanchenjunga massif. The treks to the remote Makalu (8475 m) and Kanchenjunga (8598m) base camps are two of the finest in Nepal. This area is rarely visited by trekkers though it is rich in wildlife. The area has hot rice-growing districts and encompasses the Ilam’s cooler tea-growing region. The heavily populated Middle Hills are gouged by the mighty Arun Koshi. It is flanked by the massifs of Kanchenjunga and Makalu.

Kanchenjunga is the world’s third-highest mountain and is on the Nepal-Sikkim (India) border. It is possible to trek to both the south and the north side of Kanchenjunga by crossing the Mirgin La (4,500 m). Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world. And you can reach there by walking up the beautiful and lush Arun Valley and crossing Shipton La (4,127 m). At the Makalu Base Camp, you can have great views of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse, and Peaks 6 and 7.

Treks here tend to be expensive because of their remoteness. You can only access eastern Nepal by bus or plane. The trek is also long because it requires two weeks to travel from most trailheads to the high mountains. Flying to short take-off and landing airstrips at Tumlingtar can shorten the time, but increases the expense.