Olangchung Gola
In Nepali: ओलाङचुङगोला · Also known as: Walangchung Gola · ओलाङचुङगोला
Olangchung Gola sits in the upper Tamor valley close to the Tipta La pass into Tibet. For centuries its Walung traders carried salt, wool and grain across the border, and their prosperity shows in the big stone houses and in the Dechen Chokhorling monastery, which keeps old texts and images.
Few outsiders reach it: the village lies inside the Kanchenjunga restricted area and is several days' walk from the nearest road. Those who do find a small, proud community and some of the most unspoiled mountain culture in the east.
What to see and do
Walk the village's stone lanes between two- and three-storey houses built of stone and timber, with carved windows and prayer flags on the roofs. The monastery, Dechen Chokhorling, holds old statues, thangka paintings and scriptures and is the centre of village festivals. The Walung people speak a Tibetan dialect and keep close links with communities across the border.
From the village, trails lead north toward the Tipta La pass and the old trade route to Tibet, and south-east toward Ghunsa and the Kanchenjunga trail.
Good to know
The village is inside the Kanchenjunga restricted area, so a special permit and licensed guide are required. Accommodation is in simple homestays or lodges. Be respectful in the monastery — walk clockwise, ask before photographing people, and remove shoes where asked.
Quick answers
- Where is Olangchung Gola?
- Olangchung Gola is in Taplejung district, Koshi Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Olangchung Gola?
- About 3,200 m (10,499 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Olangchung Gola?
- For a 13-day trip from Biratnagar, about NPR 80,000 (≈ US$595) per person on a budget, or NPR 117,500 (≈ US$870) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees, permits, a guide and porter. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 38,000 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Olangchung Gola?
- Plan 10 nights there for the trek; with travel from Biratnagar and back, about 13 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Olangchung Gola?
- Yes. Foreign visitors need a restricted-area permit of about US$20 per person per week, issued only through a licensed trekking agency. You also pay about NPR 3,000 / US$22 to enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- Do I need a guide for Olangchung Gola?
- Yes. Restricted areas can only be visited with a licensed guide, in a group of at least two.
- When is the best time to visit Olangchung Gola?
- April–May; October–November
- How do I get to Olangchung Gola?
- Trek up the Tamor valley from the Taplejung roads; restricted-area permit required. It is about 145 km (straight line) from Biratnagar.
- What is Olangchung Gola called in Nepali?
- ओलाङचुङगोला
