Taplejung to Jiri via Lumba Samba Pass, Sherpani and West Cols, and Amphu Lapsta (October-November 2012):

1. Taplejung to Olangchun Gola (4 days)

 

image004

Back to Taplejung-to-Jiri-trek-2012 homepage

 

We drove (2 days) from Kathmandu to Taplejung, where we started our trek. From Taplejung we first hiked down to the Tamor Nadi river, which we followed up to Lelek. In Lelek we left the Kanchenjunga BC trekking trail and went straight north toward the remote village of Olangchun Gola. Most of this itinerary lies at relatively low elevation.

map-1

 

In the streets of Taplejung.

IMG_4577

 

IMG_4584

 

IMG_4586

 

Rice fields between Taplejung and Mitlung.

IMG_4591

 

Man along the trail between Taplejung and Mitlung. (Matt Scott photo)

Nepal Cols 2012 31

 

Approaching Mitlung.

IMG_4604

 

Limbu woman sitting at the entrance of her house in Mitlung. (On the right, Matt Scott photo)

IMG_4613

Nepal Cols 2012 49

 

Scenery between Mitlung and Chirwa.

IMG_4622

 

Street scene in Siwan.

IMG_4625

 

Tamor Nadi river between Siwan and Chirwa.

IMG_4634

 

Reaching Chirwa.

IMG_4651

 

In Chirwa.

IMG_4653

IMG_4655

 

On the trail between Chirwa and Lelep.

IMG_4669

 

Collecting cardamom pods (from dried cardamom). Cardamom (the third most expensive spice by weight, after saffron and vanilla) is a major source of income in this area of Nepal. Note also the cylindrical beehives against the walls. (Second, third, and fourth photos by Matt Scott)

IMG_4676

 

Nepal Cols 2012 99

Nepal Cols 2012 100

 

 

Nepal Cols 2012 109

 

Spectacular waterfall and bridge along the trail between Iladanda and Olangchun Gola (video). (Fourth photo by Matt Scott)

IMG_4684

IMG_4686

 

IMG_4688

 

 

image071

 

Crossing a steep landslide before reaching Olangchun Gola (video).

IMG_4699

 

Reaching Olangchun Gola (3190m), where we spent two nights for acclimatization.

IMG_4705

 

image004

Links to all sections of the trek:

1.    Taplejung to Olangchun Gola (4 days)

2.  Olangchun Gola (1 day)

3.  Crossing Lumba Samba pass (3 days)

4.  Tudham to Hongon (3 days)

5.  Hongon to Yangla Kharka (5 days)

6.  Yangla Kharka to Sherpani Col High Camp (4 days)

7.  Crossing of Sherpani and West Cols (1 day)

8.  Hongu basin to Namche across Amphu Lapsta (3 days)

9.  Namche to Jiri (5 days)

 

image004

Back to Taplejung-to-Jiri-trek-2012 homepage