EAST Nepal’s rich culture, flourishing birdlife, lush forests and rugged mountain landscape add up to an ideal yet vastly underutilized trekking destination. There are no apple pie shops in this area, but some delicious locally brewed treats to sample. The Rai and Botia cultures practice ancient religions based on nature-worship, and uphold traditional handicraft skills evident in their clothes, art, and household crafts.

• Makalu Base Camp Trek
  23 days trekking. Challenging. Camping Trek. Min/Max: 390-5,5000m.
  Mount Makalu (8,463m/27,766ft), fifth highest peak in the world, stands guard over the upper Barun Valley, an area of remarkable biological diversity and religious importance. Here lie Tibetan Buddhists’ legendary “hidden valleys,” caves with holy powers, and home of the Yeti. The trek begins with a flight to Tumlingtar, and spends the next week among villages of Rai, Sherpa and Bhotia peoples. Once inside Makalu-Barun National Park, the trail leaves civilization behind and winds upward through dense forests rimmed by soaring granite cliffs. From Shipton La and Barun La (passes, at 4,400+m/14,440+ft) sweeping views of Everest, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga open up. Base Camp touches the Barun glacier, inviting exploration among the towering peaks. The return route descends the gigantic Arun Valley, a living museum of colorful birds, bamboo craftsmanship, and traditional lifestyles, ending back in Tumlingtar.
  
  
• Kangchenjunga North and South
  21 or 28 days trekking. Challenging. Camping Trek. Min/Max: 1,800-5,000+m.
  Kangchenjunga (8,586m/28,169ft), third highest in the world, marks Nepal’s eastern border with its massive yet graceful outline. This trek takes you to both its north and south base camps (28 days); or to one or the other (21 days). The trek begins with a flight to Taplejung, and follows the Tamur Kosi (river) northeasterly through rhododendron and larch forests and Sherpa villages to Pangpema (5,000m/16,404ft), set at glacier’s edge. Day hikes to the base camp bring you to the foot of the mountain. The return route crosses Sinion La (4,800m/15,748ft) and climbs again to the southern base camp at Yalung, for even better views of Kangchenjunga. You’ll return to Taplejung for a scenic flight to Kathmandu.
  
  
• The Rhododendron Ridge Milke Danda
  12 days trekking. Moderate. Camping Trek. Min/Max: 890-4,700.
  This is a favorite among veteran trekkers, with the best of culture, wildlife, and wilderness in a short time. It begins with a flight to Tumlingtar, and climbs the first day to Chainpur, an attractive village where brass workers spin out molds for their traditional brassware. The trail continues eastward through picturesque villages, and then ascends steeply to the Milke Danda ridge (4,700m/15,420ft), from where four of the five highest Himalayan peaks are visible. During spring the rhododendrons are equally breathtaking. The return route picks up a major trade corridor from Gupha Pokhari to Basantpur from where you’ll drive to Biratnagar for a flight to kathamandu.