Himalayan Flowers

Rhododendron treks
TripCode: NTH09
19 days trip
Country: Nepal

Trip Highlights

• Large verities (16 species) of Rhododendron found in Nepal
• Mount Kanchanjunga- the 3rd highest mountain in the world
• Unique culture and tradition of eastern Nepal
• Entirely on off the beaten trail

Nestled in the foothills of Himalayan, Milke Danda is located in the remote eastern part of the country. Milke Danda region hold up some of the world's most spectacular rhododendron forests. Over 16 species of Rhododendrons have been identified on the hiking area only.
Our treks are scheduled during the time, when the forests come in its full bloom in late April. These Himalayan flowers are very popular flowers and one of the species Rhododendron arboreum is the national flower of Nepal. This trekking area is also comparatively unexplored and untracked under the consideration to be declared as a national park of Nepal of Nepal soon. On this trek you will be exploring the numerous features of rhododendrons and cloud forests. The setting is dramatic with exceptionally inspiring settlements enroute

Trip Itinerary

Day01: Arrive Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel.

Upon arrival in hotel, trip briefing in afternoon free and welcome dinner in the authentic Nepali restaurant evening

Day02: Day in Kathmandu for nature hike and overnight Kathmandu

Day will be spent taking a nature hike to the nearest national park of Nepal – Shivapuri NP, located half and hour drive from Kathmandu city center. Its wonderful nature park rich in nature.

Day03: Day in Kathmandu for preparation

This is a free day to prepare self for the trip after a trip briefing

Day04: To Basantapur and overnight camp

After early breakfast, transfer to domestic airport and flight to Biratnagar. Arriving at Biratnagar, the eastern terai will be followed by a scenic drive to Basantapur. O/N camping.

Day05: Commence trek to Milke Danda

Today you begin the exciting trek to Milke Danda for wonderful east Nepal adventure with beautiful national flowers, Rhododendrons and amidst stunning eastern Himalayan peaks. Overnight camp

Day06 to Day15: Trekking days

Continue treks and overnight camping

Day16: To Tumlingtar

Return trek to Tumlingtar and overnight camping

Day17: Return flight to Kathmandu

From Tumlingtar return flight to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel

Day18: Day free in Kathmandu to relax. Overnight hotel

Free day in Kathmandu to relax. Overnight at hotel

Day19: Trip concludes in Kathmandu

Transfer to airport for flight to onward destination.

Tour extension

There is always a possibility to visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Researve or Chitwan National Park on the way to Kathmandu.

Trip Cost

US$ 2375/person on twins sharing basis (minimum 6 person required)

Inclusion in the cost

• All meals, tea/coffee and biscuits during the trekking period
• All camping equipments such as spacious sleeping tents, with sleeping mattress and sleeping bag, (though we recommend bringing your own and also a self inflatable mat for extra comfort), kitchen, dinning and toilet tents, simple camping chairs and tables
• An experienced tour leader/guide with nature knowledge with all the supporting staffs
• Well trained and experienced expedition cook with supporting staffs.
• Service of porter to carry your belongings
• Flight to Biratnagar from Kathmandu and to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar
• All private land transportation
• Day hike to Shivapuri national park
• Tourist standard hotel accommodations in Kathmandu on BB plan
• Porter equipments
• Fees for Kanchenjunga conservation area and other permits
• All govt tax etc.
• Staffs and porter insurance

What to expect!

Flowering season of Rhododendrons

Due to fluctuations in blooming time caused by a multitude of factors (bloom in varies from year to year, and within each year, due to species and altitude). We cannot guarantee they will be at peak bloom during the trek. We do our best to maximize time spent with species most in bloom, and this can lead to alteration in the itinerary, including additional rest and exploration days.

Useful Resource

Please carry the following - books on wildlife or birds, a pair of binocular, pen and note book, as its, such a nice experience to note down what you come across along the trail, a camera beside other essentials.

Level of grade!

This trip is categorized as moderate level, which involves walking on steep trails when crossing river valleys and some time getting very strenuous. The duration of walking is usually of 6 hour walk but varies. The highest camping ground is at an elevation of 11,200 feet. The altitude can be felt but itinerary is designed in such way to give minimum impact. Anybody can take this trip provided the person is comfortable staying in tents, being in remote areas, meeting local people and has no chronic health problem. Positive attitude is also a plus point!

Season

The best time or season is the summer of from mid-April to May, when there the flowers are in blooms, though general treks can be done during the monts of October and November in the fall and March to May during the spring and summer

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA)

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is named after Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) - second highest mountain in Nepal and the third highest in the world. Kanchenjunga was designated as a conservation area in March 1998. It covers an area of 2035 sq. km. in Taplejung district, lies in the northeast corner of Nepal.
Taplejung district is also renowned for high peaks (eleven peaks higher that 7,000 m) and glaciers. The conservation area with unique mountain ecosystems is envisioned as a tri-national peace park with Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China to the north and Sikkim, India, in the east. Sikkim already has Khangchenzonga National Park adjoining KCA whereas the extension of Qomolungma Nature Reserve in TAR, to cover the land bordering KCA, is in progress.
In April 1997, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal declared Kanchenjunga region as a Gift to the Earth as part of WWF’s Living Planet Campaign 2000.

Heritage Significance

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in the eastern Himalaya comprises some of the most stunning scenery in all of Nepal. Not only does this region host the third highest peak in the world (Mt. Kanchenjunga), but it is also a global hotspot for plant biodiversity. Botanists have identified twenty-three species of rhododendrons growing in the area. In this eastern Himalayan setting, glacial streams cut through high ridges creating remote and steep valleys where traditional farming practices are a way of life.
Tucked within these hidden valleys, one can encounter rich forests that support more than 250 species of birds and endangered wildlife. A few days of walking will lead you to high-elevation pastures where yaks graze languidly and colorful alpine flowers bloom. Throughout the KCA, you will encounter a medley of ethnicities that continue to practice traditional subsistence lifestyles, their cultural and religious practices adding to the area's rich cultural heritage.
Subtropical Evergreen Forest: 800-1,200m Evergreen tree species characterized by Schima wallichii, Engelhardtia spicata and Castanopsis indica. However, much of the original forests have been converted to agriculture land. Lower Temperate Forest: 1,200-2,500m. Also known as Lower Temperate Mixed Broadleaf Forest. Home to broadleaf deciduous trees represented by Quercus, Castanopsis, Rhododendron arboreum and some members of the laurel family.
Trees shed their leaves in the spring as a result of drought stress. Upper Temperate Forest: 2,500-3,500m. Also called Upper Temperate Mixed Forest or Temperate Cloud Forest. Floristic influences from both lower and higher zones. Here, deciduous oaks, maples, laurels and birches intersperse with evergreen firs, magnolias, junipers and rhododendrons. Most trees are deciduous. Trees are covered in mosses and epiphytic plants due to high moister content in this zone.
Daphne bholua (locally known as lokta) is harvested from these forests. Sub-alpine Zone: 3, 500-3,900m. Mostly evergreen conifers interspersed with few cold-hardy deciduous species. South-facing slopes are usually tree-less or contain pure stands of stunned rhododendrons. North-facing slopes have juniper, fir, willow, birch and rhododendrons. In Ghunsa valley, look out for extensive stands of the spectacular Himalayan larches (larix griffithiana) that turn the hillsides a golden-yellow in the fall.
Alpine Zone: 3,900-4,600m. Woody vegetation in this zone of moist alpine scrub consists of stunned junipers, roses and rhododendron, gentian and saxifrage abound. Hardy alpine grasses include Carex, Juncus and Poa. Look out for herds of blue sheep foraging on hillsides above tree line. Perhaps, you may see signs of snow leopard that preys on these sheep. Source: Departments of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal

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