-
15 Days
-
130-160 kilometers
-
6-7 hrs
-
Spring/Autumn
-
Public/Private Vehicle
-
Hotel/Lodge/Tea House
-
Moderate
-
Milke Danda
-
3662 meters
Overview
Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek are situated in some of the country’s remotest areas. Foreign trekkers seldom visit the trekking trails here. The trails here are relatively new as a result. Therefore the area still preserves much of its cultural and natural beauty.
Arun valley and Milke Danda are situated along the base of the Kumbhakarna range in eastern Nepal. This trek gives you some spectacular views of the different mountains in the eastern part of Nepal such as Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Mt. Kumbhakarna.
This Arun Valley and Milke Danda trek start after a scenic flight to Tumlingtar that will give you the first glimpses of the mountains on Nepal’s eastern side. You will drive from Tumlingtar to Chinchilla, which is a quaint subtropical town. You will then walk along the river Arun passing through several farm villages along the way.
Finally, you should hit the higher Jaljala and Milke danda areas. You can get spectacular views of the Kumbhakarna Himal range and Mt. Everest from Milke Danda.
In this trek, you can go trekking through some rhododendron forests. These forests are home to a number of animals including Civet, Cat, Fox, Wolf, Antelope, Musk deer, Snow leopard, and Red panda. So, you will also have some chances to get some views of those creatures.
This trek which lies away from the busy hum of other famous Nepal treks. The friendly locals of this town, its unique climate, camping in these villages and the spectacular views of the mountains make this trek very enjoyable.
Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek Highlights
- A scenic 40-minute flight from Kathmandu back and forth to Tumlingtar.
- Trekking in the alpine woodland of Rhododendron.
- Have a chance to catch sights of rare animals such as Civet, Cat, Fox, Wolf, Antelope, Musk deer, Snow leopard, and Red panda.
- Trek in the less traveled, isolated, and off-the-beaten-path.
- Wonderful mountain views such as Makalu, Mt. Kumbhakarna and Mt. Kanchenjunga.
- Visit some small, isolated villages such as Jalaija, Mike Danda, Nundhaki, Dhap, Apung, etc.
- Create wonderful memories of friendly locals and make friends.
You may also like:
Itinerary
Today you will take a flight to Tumlingtar which is the first day of Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek. The Tumlingtar altitude is only 950 meters. This is 450 meters below the Kathmandu Valley Altitude.
You will take a bus to Kathmandu Airport’s domestic terminal and head out to Tumlingtar on an approximately 40-minute flight. Different snow-capped peaks can be seen from Langtang on the flight to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Tumlingtar Airport is located on a shelf over the Arun River. Our trekking crew and porters will meet you at the airport. Through the airport, you can see a distant view of Mt. Makalu.
You will be going out to a camp overnight in a Tumlingtar village. Also, you can go for a walk around the surrounding villages during the evening period.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
The second day trip to Chinchilla begins with a fun 5-6-hour drive along with the farm fields and village. This day you will gain an altitude of 900 meters as Chinchilla is 1800 meters above sea level.
When you leave Tumlingtar, a gentle uphill road leads to Khadbari. Along the way, you will be surrounded by the Sal (Shorea-Robusta) subtropical forests. Until you enter Khadbari you must pass a few more farm fields along the way.
Headquarters of Sankha Sabha is Khadbari. It’s a relatively large town village with a busy bazaar. The Saturday market is especially busy.
The path from Khadbari to Manebhanjan village has a couple of uphills and downhills. The road hasn’t pitched as you drive along the dirt road and climb a ridge to reach Chinchilla village.
There is plenty of fertile farmed land, lush green forest, thick undergrowth and a range of species of ferns. Chinchilla is a small farm village with spectacular views of Mt. Makalu 8,463 m and the Kumbhakarna mountain range. This village has roughly 10-12 houses roughly.
Time: 4 to 5 hours
The trek from Chinchilla to Mamakhe has some gentle climbs and downhills. This day you will cross an altitude of 1870 meters after 4-5 hours of trekking.
After Chinchilla, the trekking path leaves Makalu’s main road. This is not a path but very common among western trekkers. So the trail is pretty new. You must walk through farm fields and rural villages before arriving at Mamakehe’s overnight camp.
Time: 4 to 5 hours
On your way to Barabise, you will walk through a cool thick forest of bamboo. You can notice a variety of streams too. If you come here during the monsoon season the number of streams is higher.
The path has many downhills as you descend in Barabise to an altitude of 1200 meters. You can also visit farms before you reach Barabise.
The average trek would be 4-5 hours daily. Barabise is a wonderful small village with roofed houses with thatch. The village lies in a location more or less subtropical but next to a river.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
The Barabise route heads towards the north. You will be leaving the river behind at Barabise along the way. Almost all the way to Deorali, you can ascend gently across farm terraces.
This day you will achieve an altitude of 600 meters, as Deorali is 1800 meters high. After a 5-6 hour trek you will reach Deorali for an overnight camp.
In Deorali, a cool breeze blast because as compared to previous regions in the trek you can sense the temperature being cooler.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
The trek continues through more mountainous areas from Deorali to Apung. You are just going to meet a few farm villages. The walk takes place in a thick forest full of Rhododendron, Magnolia, and Oaks, as well as other alpine plants.
Apung has an elevation of 1930 meters. So, the walk has sloped very gently. After around 5-6 hours of trekking, you will just walk a few gentle uphills before entering your overnight camp Apung.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
Today you should come across quite a few uphills. You will trek alongside lush green fields that oversee the surrounding area’s magnificent landscapes. You will also get to see at a distance the snow-capped peaks of Kumbhakarna and Mt. Makalu.
You can travel across various pastures and meadows until you enter a cool forest shade. After 5 to 6 hours of trekking, you can finally reach Dhap. You will stay at this 2600-meter-altitude overnight camp in this location.
Time: 4 to 5 hours
After trekking through a cool, alpine, and dense forest, you will walk uphill to a high ridge of Jaljala. You can see the flourishing forest which has plants of great diversity.
The spicy fragrance of Dendrobium Paparius will charm you. In Nepali, this plant is known as Lokta. You can see a beautiful panoramic view of Mt. Kumbhakarna, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga towards the east after you reach the top of the mountain.
After a 4-5 hour trek, you can hit the overnight camp at Jalaja. All nature lovers and botanists are enamored by Jaljala’s beauty and tranquility. This region’s stability complements the majestic backdrop of snow-capped mountains seen from Jalaila (3440 meters).
Today is your day off at Jaljala. You can board an optional hike in the unexplored Jaljala area. International trekkers do not completely explore this area. Thus, the place’s rich natural beauty is intact.
You will go to a beautiful viewpoint that provides a perfect panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The place will also give you a perfect view of Sunset and Sunrise depending on the season you’re going to be trekking into.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
You will be going out to Mike Danda after spending some quality time at Jaljala. The trail takes you through a forest to a hill. Several views of the snow-capped mountains are also to be seen.
Since the trail can often be very complicated, you will have to allow the Sherpa guide to take the lead and show you the way.
Trekkers seldom use this trail. Shepards, woodsmen, and farmers are the only ones who use this path regularly. They use this trail mainly to gather Daphnia plants to make the rice papers.
You will then find yourself on top of another mountain. Eventually, you will arrive at your Milke Danda overnight camp. From Mike Danda, you can get serene views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains.
Milke Danda sits 3662 meters above sea level. It takes about 5-6 hours to get from Jalaja to Milke Danda.
During this journey, today is another of your leisure days in Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek. This free day at Mike Danda can be used for exploring this area’s unexplored zone.
You will have plenty of chances to see some of this region’s wildlife ranging from a Fox, Wolves, Antelopes, Musk Deer, Civet, Cat, Snow leopard, and Red Panda. You return to your camp for dinner in this tranquil setting after walking and seeing some of those wild animals.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
Your trekking trail will descend mainly after spending some lovely time with Jaljala and Milke Danda. You can walk through a cool forest shade for 2-3 hours and enter with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
You will even get expansive views of some snow-capped mountain range. The walk is mainly downhill from the dense forest.
Until entering the village of Nundhaki (1800 meters), you can pass through several huts, hamlets and farm terraces of Shepard. It takes about 5-6 hours to trek from Mika Danda to Nundhaki.
Nundhaki is a junction that allows easterly access to Kanchenjunga and across the border to Sikkim. You will spend the night in an overnight camp near Nundhaki village town.
Time: 5 to 6 hours
The trail runs gently from Nundhaki to Chainpur. This makes it very easy to trek along a gentle downhill. After trekking through some gently winding paths, you can reach the village of Chainpur(1400 meters).
From Nundhaki you get to Chainpur in around 5-6 hours. Chainpur was once a big area of SankhuwaSabha town, as it was the administrative capital.
But now the administrative offices have been transferred to Khandbari, a nearby city. Chainpur nevertheless has its fair share of beauty. It is renowned for its excellent metal, brass, and copper works.
It is also known for making Gurkha weapons which are also known as “Khukuri.” The village is multi-ethnic as here live Brahmans, Chhetries, Kirats, Tamang, Sherpas, and Newars.
Time: 4 to 5 hours
You can walk along a gentle downhill from Chainpur. As you descend along with the villages, you sense the gently rising temperature. The trek takes you into a semi-tropical climate.
You will find some citrus fruits, including mandarin oranges, as the vegetation changes. Certain fruits such as Guava and Papaya can also be seen planted.
You’re going to go downhill as your trail leads through a forest in Sal. You must walk for an hour through the forest until your final descent to Tumlingtar.
Overall trek duration this day is 4-5 hours. You will have your stay here overnight. The gap from the Tumlingtar camp to the Tumlingtar airstrip isn’t big.
Tumlingtar is situated above two rivers Arun and Sabha on a plateau above. This place houses over 100 homes spread around this large red plateau of earth.
Last day of Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek, you will return from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. The flight will reach Kathmandu in less than an hour. During the flight, you can get a panoramic view of the mountains.
When your flight departs early in the morning, you will have the whole day in Kathmandu to do whatever you want. When the weather is poor, or if there are other technical factors, the flight could also be delayed. Our staff will receive you after you arrive in Kathmandu and move you back to your hotel.
Best time to visit Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek
Spring seasons (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November) are the perfect time for trekking in Nepal. For Arun Valley and Milke Danda trek, this is no different.
Spring season has a temperature nearly ideal for trekking. The sun is not pounding hard. The blowing wind is also relatively mild. There is also a relatively small level of precipitation. All of these climatic factors make Arun Valley and Milke Danda an amazing spring trek.
Spring is also the season when forests of Rhododendron shine with its blazing red hue. So, walking through those woods in the spring season would be very exciting.
In addition to Spring, Autumn is also a very good time to complete the Arun Valley and Milke Danda trek. The temperature is pretty much the same as the spring season. However, you won’t be able to catch the stunning Rhododendron views in Autumn.
The mountain views like Makalu, Kumbhakarna, and Kanchenjunga will be amazing in the spring and autumn season.
Arun Valley and Milke Danda Trek difficulties
Arun Valley and Milke Danda trek is a fairly challenging one. You can just go trekking to the Kumbhakarna region’s mid-altitude hills.
During Arun Valley and Milke Danda trek you will have two days to acclimatize. You will spend the first day at Jalaija and the second day at Milke Danda. Both areas have altitudes of 3440 and 3662 meters, respectively.
So, it is a hike at fairly low altitudes. The trekking trails are therefore very isolated as the trails are usually used only by shepherds or local villagers.
So we strongly recommend getting a guide to complete the trek. While trekking for a total of 13 days you can walk across a few steep uphills.. You will hike for a total of 5 hours.
So, before embarking on this journey, it is extremely important that you train. There are various ways to plan that include jogging, hiking, swimming or cycling, or going to the gym.
Before doing Arun Valley and Mile Danda trek, we strongly recommend that you complete at least one trek or short hike. Upon your training, you will get a sense of how well you have adapted to trekking for long hours.
Real Stories from our TripAdvisor Page
Bradly W2025-04-21Verified Breathtaking Had an amazing time doing the Everest basecamp with our amazing guide Gokarna (Goku) he looked after us and his friendly and calm nature as well as experience in the mountains really made us all feel safe. I am adding Manaslu circuit to my bucket list and coming back to radiant treks! Alex Tsai2025-04-20Verified Incredible Experience on the Manaslu Circuit with Radiant Treks (March 2025) This was my second trek with Gokarna. I did the Annapurna Base Camp trek with him back in 2018, and recently completed the Manaslu Circuit in March 2025. Once again, it was an exceptional experience!Gokarna knows the Manaslu region inside out. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about the route, the villages, and the best places to stay. It was amazing to see how well-connected he is along the trail — locals would often greet him warmly, which added a really personal touch to the journey.He made sure we had the best possible accommodation each night by booking early, ensuring we were comfortable throughout the trek. His guidance was also key to avoiding altitude sickness — always reminding us what to do (and what not to do) to stay healthy and make the most of the experience.If you're planning a trek in Nepal, I can’t recommend Gokarna and Radiant Treks enough. Professional, caring, and deeply passionate about the mountains — you’re in the best hands.— Alex Philippe R2025-04-18Verified Fantastic experience with Radiant Treks We went with my girlfriend on a trek to Nepal in March 2025. We did the Manaslu and Tsum Valley tour. During our hike we had the chance to meet the Radiant Treks team. Gokarna is a great guide. He is very professional, he has a lot of experience in the mountains and his infectious enthusiasm will both distract you and motivate you to advance even on the most difficult climbs. Like us, you will have wonderful memories of the mountain landscapes and the Radiant Treks team! We strongly recommend it! Curiosity023657943332025-04-18Verified Ebc The founder Gokarna guided me and my friends on a EBC trek a few years ago and we got all the support we needed for doing this once in a lifetime hike. It was well organised and we both enjoyed ourselves seeing all the grand views of the Himalayas. Highly recommend this company for all your trekking needs in Nepal! Maryann G2025-04-09Verified Manaslu circuit and Tsum Valley We had the chance to rub shoulders with the Radiant Treks team during our tsum valley trek as well as the manaslu circuit. Gokarna is a professional and involved guide. He has experience in the mountains and will do everything possible to make your mountain experience as pleasant as possible and to keep you memorable.As a bonus his repertoire of stories and songs is inexhaustible and will make you laugh. Miguel L2025-04-07Verified À very best trek with Radiant treks We have been very lucky to book the Ganduk trek with Radiant treks and guided by the manager Godarka which without any doubt is a real professional with a lot of mountain experience. Godarka is taken care of the people, watching if everything is going well, giving his help if need be.So should you intend to go to Nepal for a trek, don't hesitate to book with Radiant treks, you will be fully satisfied. sylvie b2025-04-06Verified Discovery of the trek, Discovery of the magnificent landscape and especially view of Annapurna At the end of 2024 we had as a project a trek in Nepal.we searched for a guide. Gokama from Radianttreks was very quick to respond and the only one followed up our project.trek 3 days to ghandruck 4senoirs.He is young in the trade but professional, punctual, dedicated. Communicate in English. we advise you. Relax210793600382025-04-06Verified Trek inoubliable We are 2 French couples over 70 years old, and we did our 3 day trek with Gokarna. He had been very responsive to our request. It is a professional guide listening. Accommodation in Tolka and Ghandruk was of high quality with hot water.We are delighted , saw sunrise, Annapurna south, and made beautiful encounters with the locals. You could tell how rough life is in this country, but still smiling. We highly recommend the Ghandruk trek and our super guide Cape York Fishi... T2025-03-31Verified Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley , AMAZING!! Wow! What an amazing adventure start to finish! As a solo female traveller I had my reservations when trying to book a company but the service I received with Radiant Treks was second to none! From the fast responses back and forward from Nepal to Australia , to the arrival process all the way at through to the end of the hike, no detail was missed! You could tell my guide Gokarna was very experienced on the mountain, he has great character and provided everyone (not just me) with many laughs , mystical stories of the mountains, even pointing out different native plants that can be used as food sources by local villages. I always felt very comfortable and often Gokarna went out of his way at finding me a good room with ensuite toilet where possible , was always very aware of our surroundings and made sure I was comfortable at all times! I honestly can’t recommend this company enough, I saw several other guides providing a very substandard service and I felt very sorry for the guests. I can guarantee this won’t happen with Radiant Treks ! I hiked the Tsum Valley and Manaslu circuit , so amazing!! OnAir240194525002025-03-24Verified GREAT HIMALIYAN EXPERIENCE I went to EBC last year in September.it was my first trek. Gokarna was our guide. He is excellent. He was very patient with us.Under his guidance we conquered our EBCdream.Load more