The far-east region of Nepal provides unique treks along rarely visited trails. One of the main attractions is the spectacular scenery of rhododendrons in bloom on the hills and ridges along the way. Deer and wild sheep are often spotted in the area and birds are found in abundance. The region is home to ethnic groups of Kirant, notably the Rais and Limbus. The popular trekking areas in this region are Kanchenjunga area, Milke Danda and Jaljale Himal. In general, the region has not been developed to carter to independent trekkers so groups must be fully self-sufficient.
Getting there:
The starting points for treks in the far east are at Basantapur, Taplejung and Tumlingtar. Basantapur needs minimum of sixteen-hour drive from Kathmandu. There are no tourist bus services so trekkers must either use scheduled bus services or arrange private transport. Another option is flying to Tumlingtar or Taplejung from the capital. The flight takes approximately forty-five to fifty minutes from Kathmandu, and about 20 minutes from Biratnagar to Taplejung.
Permits and fees:
Much of the trekking area lies within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and a permit fee is required for entry. Trekkers arriving via Kakarbitta border point must first travel to Kathmandu to obtain trekking permits as the government immigration office at Kakarbitta does not issue required permit. The best time to trek in the region is between September and May.
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