Olangchung Gola Trek - 17 Days

Kanchenjunga · 17 Days

Olangchung Gola Trek - 17 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,160m (16,929 ft) on the Nango La / pass section · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

17 Days

Max Altitude

5,160m (16,929 ft) on the Nango La / pass section

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Tented camping (full crew) + Kathmandu hotel

Overview

Olangchung Gola, also known by its Tibetan name Walung, is an old salt-trading village at 3,200m near the Nepal-Tibet border in the upper Tamur valley. The trek to reach it is one of the most remote camping treks in eastern Nepal, crossing two high passes (Marsang La and Phurlu La) and the 4,800m Nango La before dropping into Ghunsa and the standard Kanchenjunga north route for the exit.

This is a 17-day fully-supported camping expedition. There are no teahouses above Ela Danda - you sleep in tents, eat from a kitchen tent, and walk for days without seeing another trekking group. The route visits Yangma, one of the highest permanently inhabited yak-herding settlements in eastern Nepal, and the centuries-old Diki Chhyoling gompa in Olangchung Gola itself. For trekkers who want the Kanchenjunga region without the (relatively) busier Pang Pema trail, this is the alternative.

Highlights

  • Camp in the medieval trading village of Olangchung Gola (3,200m) on the Tibetan trade route
  • Visit the 400-year-old Diki Chhyoling monastery in Olangchung Gola
  • Cross the Nango La (4,800m) with views back into the Walung valley
  • Sleep at the remote yak settlement of Yangma (4,160m)
  • Cross two side passes - Marsang La and Phurlu La - in a single day above Sum Dokma
  • Drop into the Ghunsa valley and join the classic Kanchenjunga north corridor
  • Walk one of the least-trekked sections of the Great Himalayan Trail
  • Tea-garden drive out via Ilam
  • Full camping crew - cook, kitchen, porters, guide
  • Restricted-area and conservation permits arranged in advance

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup, hotel transfer and trek briefing.

Day 2

Fly Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, drive to Taplejung

↔ 45-min flight + 7-8 hour drive 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early flight east, then long drive into the hills. Overnight hotel.

Day 3

Drive Taplejung to Taplethok (1,380m)

⏱ 4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dusty dirt-road drive into the upper Tamur. First night under canvas.

Day 4

Trek to Ela Danda (2,050m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb through corn and millet farms past the last permanent village on this side of the valley.

Day 5

Trek to Jongin (2,600m)

⏱ 4-5 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A leisurely day to the first wilderness camp.

Day 6

Trek to Olangchung Gola (3,200m)

⏱ 6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final climb to the historic trading village.

Day 7

Acclimatisation day at Olangchung Gola

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the gompa, walk the village, take a short hike higher up the side valley to acclimatise.

Day 8

Trek to Tasa (3,600m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb into the alpine zone for a mountain-forest camp.

Day 9

Trek to Yangma (4,160m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reach the remote yak-herding settlement of Yangma.

Day 10

Trek to Sum Dokma (4,550m)

⏱ 6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross Marsang La and Phurlu La in a single day. High-altitude exposed camp.

Day 11

Cross Nango La (4,800m), descend to Ghunsa (3,595m)

⏱ 8-9 hours ▲ 4,800m 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The biggest pass day. Cross Nango La, descend via Yangma Samba Khola to the Phale bridge and continue to Ghunsa.

Day 12

Rest and explore Ghunsa

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Recovery day. Optional walk higher up the valley for views of the Kanchenjunga massif.

Day 13

Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2,730m)

⏱ 7-8 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long descent. Camp at Amjilosa or a flexible site along the route.

Day 14

Amjilosa to Rani Pool, drive to Taplejung

⏱ 3 hour trek + 7-8 hour drive 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk to the road head and jeep back to Taplejung.

Day 15

Drive Taplejung to Ilam (800m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Scenic drive across the tea hills. Evening walk in Ilam.

Day 16

Drive to Bhadrapur, fly to Kathmandu

⏱ 3-hour drive + 40-min flight 🍽 Breakfast

Through tea gardens to Chandragadhi airport, then back to Kathmandu.

Day 17

Final departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for international flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Kathmandu-Bhadrapur return flights
  • Private jeep transfers to Taplejung-Taplethok and exit via Ilam
  • 2 nights' Kathmandu accommodation (3-star, BB plan)
  • Full camping setup - sleeping tents, kitchen tent, dining tent with table and chairs, toilet and shower tents
  • All meals, snacks and hot drinks during the trek
  • Government-licensed English-speaking guide
  • Cook and assistant cooks
  • Sufficient porters to carry camp equipment and personal duffels
  • Insurance and meals for all crew
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) permit
  • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit
  • Group first-aid kit and oximeter
  • HHT company duffel bag
  • All applicable government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal entry visa
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,500m with helicopter evacuation (mandatory)
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Bottled drinks and alcohol
  • Phone and internet charges
  • Tips for crew and drivers
  • Costs from weather or flight delays

Trek guide

The Walung Trade Route

Olangchung Gola sat on one of the most important historic trade routes between Tibet and the Indian plains, exchanging salt, wool and silver for grain, sugar and cotton. The Chinese closure of the Tibetan border in 1960 ended most of that trade, but the village survives - inhabited largely by ethnic Walung people whose language and Buddhist tradition are closely tied to Tibet.

Diki Chhyoling Gompa

The village monastery dates from the early 17th century and houses an unusually complete collection of Tibetan-Buddhist texts and statues. The acclimatisation day at Olangchung Gola includes a visit.

The Pass Sequence

The trek crosses three named passes above 4,500m in a 48-hour window: Marsang La, Phurlu La and the bigger Nango La (4,800m). This is the most demanding section of the route. Camp at Sum Dokma (4,550m) and the Nango La camp are exposed - good sleeping bags essential.

Restricted Area

The Kanchenjunga region is restricted - permits require a licensed guide and minimum group of 2. We process permits in Kathmandu before departure.

Climate Zones

  • Days 1-4: Sub-tropical to temperate. Corn, millet, cardamom.
  • Days 5-6: Temperate forest. Oak, magnolia, rhododendron.
  • Days 7-10: Sub-alpine to alpine. Juniper, dwarf rhododendron, yak pasture.
  • Days 11-13: Re-enter the standard Ghunsa-Tamur forest sequence.

Acclimatisation

Rest day at Olangchung Gola (3,200m) and a flexible rest day at Ghunsa (3,595m). The pass days require fitness - the Lumba Sumba and Sherpani routes are technically harder but Nango La is the high point here.

Best Season

  • Spring (April-May): Warmer nights at altitude, rhododendrons in bloom
  • Autumn (October-November): Driest skies, coldest, most stable weather

Winter not advised - the high passes are routinely snowed in. Monsoon (June-September) brings impassable roads and leech-heavy forest.

Fitness

Strenuous. Real altitude, full camping for 14 nights, multiple high pass crossings. Prior 4,000m+ experience strongly recommended. 4 months of cardio and leg work before departure.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -15C, fleece mid-layer, waterproof shell, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, base layers, 6 pairs hiking socks, beanie, sun hat, buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Waterproof high-ankle trekking boots, gaiters, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 65L porter duffel, -15C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank, adapter

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox 250mg, painkillers, antihistamines, antibiotics (per doctor), blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, rehydration salts

Frequently asked questions

Why camping instead of teahouses?
There are no teahouses on the Walung side of the loop above Ela Danda. Camping is the only way to walk this valley.

How does this compare to the standard Kanchenjunga Circuit?
The Circuit links north and south base camps via Sele Le and stays on the better-known trail. Olangchung Gola visits a completely different valley (Walung) and crosses Nango La instead of Sele Le. Far quieter.

How fit do I need to be?
Strenuous. Three passes above 4,500m, full camping, real altitude. Prior 4,000m+ trekking experience strongly recommended. 4 months of dedicated training.

Is solo trekking allowed?
No. The Kanchenjunga region is restricted - minimum group size 2 with a licensed guide. We arrange both.

How cold does camping get?
-10 to -15C at Sum Dokma and Nango La camps in autumn. A -15C bag is essential.

What permits are required?
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) permit. Both arranged in Kathmandu.

Is there mobile signal?
Limited at Ghunsa and Olangchung Gola, none on the pass days. Wi-Fi at lodge stops only.

Are the camping facilities comfortable?
Four-season tents, insulated mats, kitchen with hot meals, toilet and shower tents. Comfortable for an expedition camp - not a glamping operation.

Can I combine with Lumba Sumba?
The 18-day Lumba Sumba Pass route goes the other direction from Olangchung Gola - over the Lumba Sumba pass to Makalu Barun. We run that as a separate trek.

Is there a flight option to skip the long drive?
No reliable scheduled service to Taplejung. Bhadrapur is the practical airhead.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $2500

per person

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