Trek Difficulty
The Mundum Trail Trek is classified as a moderate level trek. It is a trek that requires a certain level of fitness and ability to trek days after days with long walking hours, but not likely to test one’s physical endurance. Although the trail does involve the usual Himalayan ridges and valley descents, the slopes are not too steep. As long as trekkers are able to maintain a consistent pace, there is no reason why they should not be able to complete the trail.
The average hours you have to walk in this Mundum Trail is around 5 to 8 hours daily and the ascent toward Maiyu Danda and higher part of the trek while approaching Salpa Base Camp will test your body more than an ordinary mid hill trek. Some parts of the trail are surrounded by thick forest and very confusion due to poor marking, so be smart enough to hire a local guide or you may get lost.
Altitude is another factor to its difficulty. To avoid this acclimatization day is included in Mundum Trail Itinerary including the hike to Silichung Peak to adjust to higher altitude, not as an extra sightseeing day that you can choose whether to skip or not.
That being said, this Mundum trail is best suited for trekkers who are comfortable with the concept of slow travel. It is for people who enjoy walking with curiosity and interest and who are comfortable with stories and place. It is not about the distance you cover but how you experience the place.
Preparation for the Mundum Trail
Being prepared at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead of time greatly benefits you. First focus on your physical condition with doing some training like running, stair climbing, cycling and hiking with a weighted backpack which will be helpful during the hike on the trails. Improve your leg strength and work your knees by doing squats, lunges and walking up the hill as the descending on the Mundum Trail is as challenging as the ascending.
Preparation of mind is equally important. The Mundum trail hike is not as simple as it seems. High altitude makes it all the more difficult. But patience and positivity on your part can make your journey very enjoyable.
Choose the equipment that you will need during the trail. Just don’t forget to brink a durable pair of boots, layered clothes, cold rated sleeping bag, stable poles and a waterproof jacket. The weather in the far easter changes unpredictably especially at high altitude, so bring enough clothes.
Last but not the least, make sure you manage your all document and permits beforehand to ensure smooth trekking.
Cultural Experience
What makes Mundum Trail Trek unique compared to any other trekking experience is not just its scenery, but the fact that the route passes through the heart of Kirant civilization. This is not a trail created for tourism. It’s a trail created by beliefs, history, and daily life over hundreds of years. The Kiranti Rai people don’t see this as a backdrop. They see hills, forest, river and mountains all are infused with history, stories and ancestors passed down through generations. When trekkers hike this route, they are not just travelling through scenery, they are travelling through a placed that has a very active meaning to people.
Along the way, trekkers will encounter sacred places and ritual areas that are respected by the local communities. There are hills that are only for seasonal rituals, while some forests are treated with specific kind of care. These practices are not done for show, as they are based on the beliefs of the Mundum, who treat nature as something alive that should be respected.
The best part is that this is a living tradition, not museum culture. These aren’t rituals performed for the people or costumes worn just to pose for a photograph. These ceremonies, whether to celebrate a birth, a harvest, or a milestone in a person’s life, are performed because they matter to these people. The elders still chant, families still gather to keep these traditions going, whether or not a trekker is around to witness it.
Walking the Mundum Trail is like being gently initiated into this way of life. Hikers may not be able to grasp the meaning of every symbol and every chant they come across, and that is perfectly all right. It is not about learning about a culture from a distance, it is about feeling the depth of a culture that is very much alive. This is what makes this journey so special.
Language and Communication
The official language of Nepal is Nepali, and it serves as a mother tongue through the most part of the country. Along the route you will pass through villages where local Rai community speak their own native language which include Bantawa, Chamling and other Rai language, all of which come from the oral Mundum Culture and differ from village to village.
Do not expect to hear English in this small remote village. In order to communicate with locals, use signs, learn some basic Nepali words like “Namase” (Greeting), “Dhanyabaad” (Thank You), “Kati ho” (How Much) or your guide will be there to break the language barrier.
At the end of the day, your guide will be the main factor for your trekking. Apart from acting as a bridge between you and the locals, he also serves as a navigator, interpreter, supporter and provide you will all sort of interesting cultural information and ensure you interact with the local properly and genuinely.
Mobile Network, Internet and Charging Facilities
The mobile network coverage in the Mundum trail area is very poor. There are mainly two sim cards available in Nepal: NTC and NCELL which provide network coverage all around Nepal. You will get some good signal at some places like Diktel and a couple of bigger places. Once you reach Dhotre, Deurali, Maiyu Danda and Salpa Base Camp, network signal just disappears.
So yeah, there is no way you can rely on connecting through mobile networks when you are trekking along this trail. It’s wise to make sure your family and other emergency contacts know about your itinerary before you leave Kathmandu. It makes more sense for them to follow an agreed plan for contacting you rather than expecting any immediate updates from you.
Internet is also pretty much non-existence after the first lower villages. You will find internet in few tea houses at lower village which may provide with few bucks, but that will be very slow and likely to disconnect all the time. Forget about the social media when you are doing this Mundum Trail Itinerary because here you are literally cutting off from the internet world.
It is also hard to charge your devices while you are on this trail. There will be some electrical outlets available in Diktel and the lower areas, but they start disappearing as you move towards higher elevations. Carrying a decent power bank for charging your devices is much better and consider bringing a portable solar charger for higher camps where there is no electricity.
Accommodation and Food on the Mundum Trail Trek
Accommodation on the Mundum Trail Trek are simple and comfortable. Most evenings, trekkers sleep in community lodges or simple teahouse with run by local families. There are no luxury just basic room focused entirely on the bare essentials like a bed, a warm blankets, and a window for watching views. Since shared spaces are common practices, you will find yourself eating or lounging in the same room as your host family. It’s a great way to feel like you are a welcomed guest in their home does not like just another tourist in a hotel.
Meals along the trail are just simple as the accommodation. Trekkers can look forward to traditional Nepali food prepared with locally grown rice, millet, fresh, leafy greens and seasonal vegetables. The basic diet on any Himalayan trek, of course, is Dal Bhat (Lentil Soup and Rice), which is actually the best source of energy. Apart from this, the teahouse also provides facilities for noodle, soup, momo, and even pancake or egg breakfasts. It is definitely not luxury food, but it is amazingly comforting and satisfying
But, of course, at the end of the day, this isn’t a trek for those in search of fancy food and five stars living. It’s an opportunity to live life to the same beat as the locals, even if it’s only for a week or two. Those simple rooms and meals are what make the Mundum Trail feel so real and authentic.
Guide, Porter and Community Support
One of the most special things about Mundum Trail Trek is the people who make this trek possible. The guides are not only in guiding you along the trail but also know the hills, forests, and villages. More than that they know the culture of Mundum and its rituals which helps trekkers know more about them. They know what is sacred and what is not. So, when you trek with them, you are not only trekking but also trekking through culture.
And then there’s the role of the porters and the community supporters. While theyβre certainly helpful with the supplies and the heavy luggage, the real reason for using the services of the locals is the positive impact it can have on the community. Supporting the culture by supporting the people is a big part of the Mundum Trail experience.
To be honest, having a good guide and porter team is not just some luxury. It’s what makes the trip safe, personal, and fun. They remove all the stress from the trek so that the focus remains exactly where it should be.
Visa and Permit Requirement
For every tourist, it is necessary to obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa before starting Mundum Trekking. You can obtain this at Tribhuvan International Airport after landing or just issue before landing through Nepal Immuration Department.
As for permit, you will be required to carry a few permits with you. The first is the TIMS card, which is basically required for almost all treks in Nepal. It is used to keep track of trekkers and ensure their safety.
Additionally, certain regions of the Mundum Trail fall under the jurisdiction of certain regions of the country. As such, you may also be required to carry a local trekking or conservation permit. This is issued by the district office, depending on the route you are taking. There is nothing to worry about because the process is very simple and is certainly not complicated.
Our agency, Epic Trek Nepal, can obtain all the necessary permits for you prior to the commencement of your trek. This saves you from any hassle of paperwork, queues, or delays. All you have to do is bring a copy of your passport and a few passport photos, and we will do the rest. This way, you can concentrate solely on the trek, villages, and the amazing experiences that the Mundum Trail has to offer.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory on the Mundum Trail, and there’s no way you can miss this out. The trail goes through one of the remote areas at a high altitude, which mean no hospital or any kind of emergency facilities is nearby. The only option is helicopter evacuation which is very expensive and to cover that expense travel insurance is necessary.
But before buying, make sure that your insurance covers emergency evacuation above 4,000 meters because many standard insurances package doesn’t include this. Another thing that it needs to cover is trip cancellation, medical cost, theft or loss of personal items.
All you need to do is purchase the insurance before leaving for Nepal. Purchasing it after arriving in Nepal will just create additional stress. It is important to have both the electronic and hard copies of your policy as well as emergency phone numbers while you enjoy the Mundum Trekking. Don’t forget to hand your guide or agency one copy as well for emergency cases.
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