KATHMANDU, MAY 3
The Mundum Trail in Khotang district is drawing increasing numbers of domestic and foreign trekkers this spring, with rhododendrons in full bloom painting the hillsides in white, red, and pink along one of Nepal's 100 designated tourist destinations.
The trail, beginning from Tawabhanjyang in Khimida of Sakela Rural Municipality-3, passes through high-altitude meadows and ridgelines on the border of Khotang and Bhojpur districts, reaching key landmarks including Temke Maiyung at 3,165 metres, Salpapokhari at 3,750 metres, and Silichung at 4,165 metres. Researchers have identified 18 varieties of rhododendron in the area around Maiyung meadow alone.
The trail takes approximately 13 days for foreign trekkers and 10 days for Nepali trekkers to complete. It connects communities of the historic Kirat belt spanning Khotang, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu, and Sankhuwasabha districts in the eastern hills. The trail is named after the Mundum - or Mundhum - the sacred oral scripture of the Kirat peoples including the Yakkha, Limbu, Rai, and Sunuwar communities, which encompasses the myths and rituals that define Kirat cultural identity.
Beyond trekking, the trail offers wildlife sightings including red panda, Himalayan tahr, and diverse birdlife. The traditional practice of transhumance remains active in the area, with local herders moving sheep, yaks, and horses to high grasslands including Maiyung, Merung, and Dhodre during the spring and summer months. Horse riding in the high meadows is also an established activity for visitors. Local cuisine featuring yak milk, buckwheat, millet, dhindo, and goth-stay experiences - where trekkers share meals with herders at cowsheds - add a cultural dimension to the trail.
Social media coverage from visitors has increased the trail's visibility in recent seasons, contributing to a rise in domestic tourist footfall during the rhododendron season.
(With inputs from RSS)
