Olangchung Gola Trek lies in the Kanchenjunga region in eastern Nepal. Olangchung Gola is also known for Walung in the local language which is actually the name of the village lies in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality of Taplejung district, the last village before crossing the Lumba Sumba Pass. It is very close to Tibet's border of Tipla La which was a popular trading route between neighboring villages of Olangchung Gola like Ghunsa, Yangma, Lelep, and Phale with Tibet.
Trekking to Olangchung Gola and Yangma will offer you an opportunity to experience the less explore picturesque landscape of the Gola area and the best alternative of Kanchenjunga’s Base Camp. Typical villages and the huge appearing panoramic mountains will encourage you to complete your adventure trip. This will make you a sense of a real adventure trip of a lifetime. Every ups and down of the trek provide you endless views of terrace hills, stunning mountains, and unusual countryside villages of Nepal. Olangchung Gola trek is one of the challenging and wild treks where the Himalayan Wander Walkers organized and provide the services of veteran camping crew and trekking leader.
Route of Olangchung Gola Trek:
Olangchung Gola Trek starts similar to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek from Rani Pool. From Rani Pool, the trekking trail leads toward the west to Lelep village and gradually you will gain altitude toward the village of Olangchung Gola. From Olangchung Gola you will trek to Yangma, a settlement of yak herders in the north. Eventually, the route goes down to Phale and stays overnight in Ghunsa where you will have a cozy room and a perfect day for rest and relaxation. From there you will trek to Taplethok via Gyapla and Amjilosa. If you have enough time then you can extend this trek to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp and South Base Camp.
Arrival in Nepal.
Arrive in Kathmandu and welcome assistance by Himalayan Wander Walkers representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to hotel, rest at the hotel, and briefing about the trip.
Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.
Sightseeing and trek preparation.
Today after breakfast we will start the city tour to most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. These landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swyambhunath), and the world's largest Buddhist stupa, Bouddhanath. Briefing regarding the trek with two-way question-answer with the trip leader (The Guide).
Overnight accommodation is in the same hotel as the BB Plan.
Flight to Bhadrapur and drive to Taplejung. 7-8 hours.
Early morning, we will have our breakfast at the hotel in Kathmandu and then we will forward to the airport and catch the flight over Bhadrapur which will takes 45 minutes to reach. After getting off the flight we will drive to Taplejung.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Drive to Taplethok (1380m) and stay overnight.
You will have breakfast at Taplejunga and take a four-wheeler local jeep to Tapethok for 3 to 4 hours and lunch at Tapethok. The dirt road is dusty and suggests bringing a neck cover or handkerchief to cover your face.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek to Ela Danda (2050m)
Leaving the main Kanchenjunga trek route at Lelep, we ascend to corn and millet country, camping in the last village for a couple of days. Note, the road is under construction here, however how far it reaches in 2020 is a bit of an unknown, a year out.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek to Jongin (2600m)
Today you will trek to Jongin after your breakfast. It will take 4-5 hours at a slow pace. Your first camp away from villages.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek to Olangchung Gola (3200m)
It is a lunch camp to this historic trading village but yak trains are now being superseded as there is a rough "road" from here to the Tibet border.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Rest day at Olangchung Gola
Above 3000m/~10,000ft, we take a day to get acquainted with the village and gompa and acclimatize.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek Tasa (3600m)
Leaving, we see where we get to, however, our forest camp used on previous treks is good.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek Yangma (4160m)
In a remote village, the people are friendly but with less trade than 'Gola, and it shows.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek Sum Dokma (4550m) / pass camp
Crossing the Marsang La and the Phurlu La 4747m, we have a choice of camping spots, and the most ambitious is just over the Nango La itself.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Trek Ghunsa (3,595m) via Nango La (4800m)
Today you will trek down crossing the Nango la and again cross the Yangma Samba Khola which leads to Phale bridge and continue to Ghunsa.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Test-explore Ghunsa
For an easy exit, we can head directly down to Phale but with extra energy trekking up to Ghunsa is certainly possible.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2730m), 7 - 8 hours
As with other sections, we have a good itinerary however there are various options for overnight stops on the way out.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Amjilosa to Rani Pool and Drive to Taplejung (1820m) 7 - 8 hours
Today Trek to Rani Pool which will take about three hours and after lunch drive to Taplejung.
Overnight at tented camp.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Drive to Illam (800m) 6-7 hours
After breakfast, you drive to Ilam. En route the paved road you will spot some villages and beautiful scenery of fields. After arriving in Ilam you take a walk through a village and stay overnight in Ilam.
Overnight at Teahouse.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Drive Ilam to Bhadrapur (91m) – 2 ½ to 3 Hours and fly to Kathmandu – 35 to 40 minutes
Today we will drive to Bhadrapur in the morning which takes 3 hours approximately. Enjoy the last moment of driving through the tea garden of Illam and then descending down to Jhapa district. On arrival at Chandragadhi Airport, you will fly 40 minutes to Kathmandu. After arriving at Kathmandu, we will move towards the room of the hotel to take a rest for some time and can visit the town and the market area later in the day.
Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.
Final Departure
We are saying goodbye as your journey to Nepal comes to an end today. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Himalayan Wander walkers will take you to the airport for an outbound flight back to your home country. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
* The Price given here is per person based on a minimum of 2 pax. The price will be cheaper with an increase in the number of people.
* Single Supplement is applied (incase if you are single trekker)
CHECKLISTS FOR OLANGCHUNG GOLA TREK
Guiding, Food, and Camping
In Nepal, all trekking supplies - camping equipment, kitchen implements, food - are all carried by pack animals like mules, Yaks, and horses. Even Porters are common in Nepal. All trekkers are accompanied by a guide, a cook, and usually at least one horseman or yak herder. With the surest footing; they lead trekking groups across the passes. The horseman and cook will usually run ahead during a trekking day. They will have prepared a packed lunch for hikers and will go on to the night’s resting place to set up camp. They set up tents, cook dinner, and ready the area for arriving trekkers. When trekkers reach the campsite they are greeted with a hot cup of tea and biscuits in the dining tent. After six hours in the mountains, no drink will ever taste sweeter. For dinner, the cook will usually prepare a buffet of dishes that are as welcome as they are delicious.
DRESS CODE FOR VISITING MONASTERIES, AND TEMPLES
Note regarding itineraries
Although we generally adhere to the schedule, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions, suitable campsite availability, and the group's general fitness level. It is important to understand that our trek is logistically complex and it is not unusual that adjustments be made. Our guide will orient you each evening to the following day's plan; their good judgment is the key to the long history of successful treks that Himalayan Wander Walkers has led till now. Please remember that our ability to make adjustments as needed helps to ensure that your trek is successful.
Although trekking gear is available in Nepal you are advised to bring your own gear.
Trekking or running shoes Camp shoes or thongs Socks (polypropylene)
Down or fiber-filled jacket Jumper or piled jacket Hiking shorts Waterproof jackets, poncho or umbrella Hiking pants T-shirts or blouses Underwear Sun hat
Rucksack Self Inflating Sleeping Mattress (optional) Water bottle Torch, batteries, and bulbs
Kanchenjunga circuit or round trek is a popular trek in eastern Nepal which was opened for foreigners in 1988. For those who want to experience less crowded trekking destinations in Nepal then we recommend you trek in Kanchenjunga Area. Kanchenjunga is actually the name of the world's 3rd highest...