- Length
- 9 days
- Highest point
- 4,153 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Starts
- Diktel Bazaar (drive via Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–10 People
- Sleeping
- Homestay / Tea House / Camp
A 9-day cultural trek through the Rai and Limbu heartland of eastern Nepal — rhododendron forests, hill homestays and big Himalayan views.
- Trek a newly opened community route through the Rai and Limbu Kirat heartland of eastern Nepal
- Stay in authentic village homestays and share traditional meals with local families
- Day hike to Silichung Peak (4,153 m) for panoramas of Makalu, Everest and Kanchenjunga
- Walk through blooming rhododendron and oak forests far from the crowds
- Discover the living Mundhum culture, Sakela dances and Kirat animist traditions
- Visit the historic khukuri-making bazaar town of Bhojpur
- Lower-altitude, moderate trekking ideal for cultural immersion
- Your spending directly supports remote hill communities
The climb, day by day
Day 1Kathmandu to Diktel Bazaar (1,650 m)1,650 m
Long but scenic drive east from Kathmandu through the middle hills to Diktel Bazaar, the administrative hub of Khotang district and the gateway to the Mundhum Trail. Overnight in a simple lodge.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- 9 hrs drive
- Meals
- Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Lodge
Day 2Drive to Chakhewa, trek to Dhotre (2,752 m)2,752 m
A short morning jeep ride to Chakhewa village, then the trek proper begins. Climb through farmland and forest to the Rai village of Dhotre, settling into your first community homestay.
- Distance
- 7 km trek
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs (incl. short drive)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Homestay
Day 3Dhotre to Maiyung Danda (3,122 m)3,122 m
Ascend through dense rhododendron and oak forest, passing Hans Pokhari, to the ridgeline settlement of Maiyung. On a clear day the eastern Himalaya begin to reveal themselves.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Homestay
Day 4Maiyung to Rawadhap (3,426 m)3,426 m
Roll along forested ridges and Limbu hamlets toward Rawadhap. This is one of the most culturally rich stretches of the trail, with chances to learn about Kirat Mundhum traditions.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Homestay
Day 5Rawadhap to Salpa Bhanjyang (3,348 m)3,348 m
A shorter day through rhododendron forest to Salpa Bhanjyang, the sacred pass near Salpa Pokhari lake. Acclimatise and rest ahead of tomorrow's high point.
- Distance
- 9 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Camp / Basic Lodge
Day 6Day hike to Silichung Peak (4,153 m), return to Salpa4,153 m
The highlight of the trek: an early acclimatised hike to Silichung Peak (4,153 m), the highest point of the journey, with sweeping panoramas of Makalu, Everest and Kanchenjunga. Return to Salpa for the night.
- Distance
- 12 km round trip
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Camp / Basic Lodge
Day 7Salpa to Hyakule (2,972 m)2,972 m
Descend the northern side of the pass through forest and pasture to the village of Hyakule, dropping back into the warmer middle-hill zone.
- Distance
- 13 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Homestay
Day 8Hyakule to Bhojpur (1,700 m)1,700 m
A long, mostly downhill day through terraced farmland and Newar and Rai villages to the historic bazaar town of Bhojpur, famed for its traditional khukuri knife craftsmen.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Lodge
Day 9Bhojpur to Kathmandu1,400 m
Return to Kathmandu by long overland drive, or optionally by short flight via Biratnagar. Trip concludes on arrival in the capital.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- 8–9 hrs drive (or flight)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- –
The price includes
- All ground transport (Kathmandu–Diktel and Bhojpur–Kathmandu)
- TIMS card and all local/municipal area permits
- Experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter support (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- All accommodation on trek (homestay, lodge and camp as per itinerary)
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guide and porter wages, insurance, food and lodging
- First-aid kit and government taxes
You pay separately
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Kathmandu hotel accommodation and meals
- Optional return flight Biratnagar–Kathmandu
- Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
- Tips for guide and porters
- Anything not listed under inclusions
The Mundhum Trail is one of eastern Nepal's newest community-tourism routes, winding through the ancestral homeland of the Kirat Rai and Limbu peoples across the Khotang and Bhojpur hills. Named after the Mundhum — the sacred oral scripture of the Kirat — the trail blends living indigenous culture with quiet rhododendron forests, terraced farms and panoramic views of Makalu and Kanchenjunga.
Far from the crowds of the Annapurna and Everest regions, this 9-day journey is built around village homestays where you share meals of dhindo and gundruk with Rai and Limbu families, learn about Sakela dances and ancient animist beliefs, and walk between ridgetop hamlets rarely seen by foreign trekkers. The highest point is Silichung Peak (4,153 m), reached on a memorable acclimatised day hike from Salpa Bhanjyang.
A genuine new-tourism experience
Because the route is largely homestay-based, your money flows directly to the communities you visit. The walking is moderate and the altitude is gentle by Himalayan standards, making this an ideal choice for travellers who want authentic cultural immersion without the extreme elevation of the classic high-mountain treks.
Best time to go
Spring (March to May) brings the rhododendron forests into bloom, while autumn (September to November) delivers the clearest mountain panoramas. Both seasons offer mild hill temperatures and warm village hospitality.