Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek - 15 Days

Today is your free day in Kathmandu! This means while you explore the city or visit cultural sites such as Pashupatinath Temple or Boudhanath Stupa, our team works in the background to arrange your GCAP.

Later, in the evening, you can do a final gear check and last-minute shopping in Thamel. Be sure to enjoy the nightlife too, but don't stay out all night as we have a drive to catch up in the morning.

An early departure takes you on a 7 to 8-hour drive to Jiri, Dolakha. The road winds east from Kathmandu through terraced hills, riverside towns, and mid-hill farming settlements before reaching Jiri by evening.

The landscape shifts steadily from valley floors to terraced hillsides as Jiri comes into view. It's honestly a natural highlight in itself!

Your trek begins today with a sustained uphill climb through traditional farming settlements where agricultural systems and community life have changed little over generations.

The trail covers approximately 4.5 km of mostly uphill terrain and takes 5 to 6 hours to reach the campsite at Kyangtse Pokhari.

The day starts with an early push to Cherdung Viewpoint at 3,600 m, covering approximately 4.5 km from the camp. The trail descends from the previous night before climbing again to the ridge.

In Cherdung, you'll also find one cheese factory, your first on the trail, so be sure to enter inside! Also, Gaurishankar and the Numbur range dominate the view from the top.

After time at the viewpoint, the trail descends toward Monane, or sometimes called Homane. The full day covers 6 to 7 hours. Be cautious on descent sections, which can be slippery after rain!

Dense mixed jungle covers almost the entire day's trail, broken only by occasional open clearings with brief views. The terrain mixes uphill and flat sections through a thick forest floor.

This is one of the wilder days on the route! So, walk at a steady pace and watch the trail carefully. The campsite at Dhupi Kharka sits in a pasture clearing inside the forest zone. Total walking hours are 5 to 6 hours approx. today.

The trail starts with a short uphill before easing into a mix of ascent and descent. After lunch, the route arrives at the dairy factory area near Yale Kharka, another local cheese production centre of the Numbur region! 

Spend the afternoon getting your first look at the cheese-making operation before the full rest day tomorrow. The walk takes about 6 to 7 hours this day!

Today, it is going to be a full rest and research day! The cheese factory here at Yale Kharka is the centrepiece of this trekking journey.

You get to watch the complete process from milk collection to finished product, taste the organic cheese on-site, and spend time with the herder families in the surrounding kharkas. The factory runs on solar and battery power and uses modern processing equipment alongside traditional handling methods.

Large chauri herds graze across the wide pastures in Yale Kharka, which is exactly what its name suggests. And in the afternoon, you can head out to explore the animal huts and understand how the multi-community herding system operates through the summer months.

Today involves significant climbing through a malimbu bamboo forest before the treeline thins and the terrain opens toward the upper pastures. Take regular breaks on the steep uphill sections (you really don't require hurrying).

You'll reach Danda Kharka, also called Chauri Kharka, a place that sits above the forest in open grazing land with wide ridgeline views. Today's hike shall be 5 to 6 hours long.

Today, you'll reach the highest elevation of the entire trek! The trail climbs steadily for the first three hours before crossing a small pass and descending slightly toward the lake basin, and the five sacred lakes of Panch Pokhari come into view as the valley opens ahead.

Note that each lake is separate and distinct. You'll even find some trishuls in different ponds/lakes that symbolize Lord Shiva. You'll even get to meet Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims who make the journey on foot up to here, especially during this monsoon time.

After setting up camp, you can go and explore the viewpoints at different elevations for a panorama of mountain views (only if the weather is clear, which is little difficult during the monsoon time).

Today's full day covers over 6 to 7 hours. Remember not to rush the final climb, take it slow, and drink water regularly!

The descent from Panch Pokhari starts sharply before easing into a more gradual downhill. The trail then rises in steady climbs through thick pine jungle to reach Mane Danda!

Today's trail passes through a series of goth (herder sheds) areas, some occupied and some quiet, depending on the week. It's going to be 7 to 8 hours of walking as the terrain shifts from open alpine groundback into dense forest.

On this final day of the trek, you'll descend from 3,900 m to 2,100 m (a long one, indeed) through mostly temperate forest. The trail is mostly downhill throughout the day and you'll reach Gorjyang (also called Garjang) in Ramechaap district, which happens to be a traditional Sherpa and Buddhist community with a distinctive stone park.

After many days in remote high terrain, arriving in a settled village after a total of 5 to 6 hours of hiking feels like a significant transition, and you'll also sleep well before tomorrow's drive back to the capital. 

An 8 to 9-hour drive by local bus takes you back to Kathmandu. You'll arrive here in the city by evening with time to rest and have a proper dinner after so long days.

Your evening is free, but you can surely come to meet our team. We'd love to hear your Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek story.

This day acts like a buffer in this itinerary and can be used anywhere on the trail or after coming to Kathmandu as a rest. You may head out to explore more of Kathmandu, or go further to Patan and Bhaktapur, which are all worth a visit!

If you prefer to rest, the hotel is yours for the day. Our team is available for any last arrangements, including extra activities or guided sightseeing.

Depending on your flight time, our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport. Hopefully, this isn't our final goodbye. We'll be happy to serve you if you plan to visit Nepal again!