Kanchenjunga Trek

Kanchenjunga Trekking is one of the most gorgeous trekking trails in Nepal. The trek takes you to one of the peak massifs in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga. Kanchenjunga means ‘Five Treasures of the Great Snow’ in the Tibetan language. They denote the five summits that makeup Kanchenjunga range. Kanchenjunga Trekking is an unspoiled trekking trail in eastern Nepal. It is a restricted trekking territory. You must trek with a local guide and at least 2 trekkers. This is the most followed rule set by the Government of Nepal.

The trail to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is less crowded. The trek plunders the trekkers with a unique insight into the remote part of Eastern Nepal. Also, you can observe the rural lifestyles in the region. Trekking in Kanchenjunga tenders the most beautiful Himalayan scenery. You will perceive the best outlook of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Makalu, and Jahnu Himal. You will also see gigantic heights of Mt. Rohtang and Kabru above a moraine on the Nepal-Sikkim border. During the trail, you will see the regular changes in the landscape. The trek offers diversified flora and wildlife. On the trek, we will pass through the cosseted areas of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. We can observe numerous wildlife and birds like pheasant, dragon, snow leopard, black bear, red panda, etc.

Trip Highlights of Kanchenjunga Trekking

  • Magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Jannu, Mera Peak, and many others.
  • The beautiful remote villages in the Kanchenjunga region.
  • Exploration of both Kanchenjunga Base Camps.
  • Experience of walking over the glaciers.
  • Pristine Rhododendron forest and the high alpine passes.
  • The settlements of Tibetan refugees on the Kanchenjunga Trekking Routes.
  • Wildlife species in Kanchenjunga region like musk deer, snow leopard, blue sheep.

Best Time for Kanchenjunga Trekking

Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November) are the finest time for Kanchenjunga Trekking. During these times, the weather and temperature are more favorable for travel. Kanchenjunga Trekking is possible throughout the year. But in monsoon, the recurrent rainfall adds complexities to the trek. In winter, the expanse is very cold. So, Kanchenjunga trekking in off-seasons is doable, but it is very difficult.

Trek Difficulties during Kanchenjunga Trekking

The Kanchenjunga Trekking is a long period trek. Trekkers often feel fatigued in the middle of the trek. So, be mentally prepared before you start the trek. The trek isn’t easy. There are recurrent ups and downs. Some are very steep and risky. During the trek some days, you will have to walk for 8 to 9 hours.

For that, you will need a healthy body and a vigorous mind. You can get some physical training before you go. Make sure that you can walk for 7 to 8 hours a day. There are different sections on the trail with the possibility of landslides. Mainly in the rainy season and in winter, you must have trepidation of landslides and avalanches. While walking through harsh sections, you might feel low in energy. Many trekkers feel that. So, get some energy bars or chocolates. Always be careful while ascending or descending over the glaciers, and other uneven sections.

Overview

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 02: Permit Preparation and half day sightseeing

Day 03: Flight to Bhadrapur (40 – 45 min) and drive Phidim (4 hrs), Tea House Accommodation.

Day 04: Drive to Taplejung (1,820m/5970ft) 8hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 05: Trek to Chirwa (1,270m/4166ft) 6 -7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 06: Trek to Amjlosa (2,520m/8266ft) 8-9 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 07: Trek to Gyabla (2,730m/8955ft) 4 -5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 08: Trek to Ghunsa (3,595m/11791ft) 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 09: Acclimatization Day at Ghunsa.

Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (4,050m/13286ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 11: Trek to Lhonak (4,780m/15780ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 12: Trek to Pangpema (5,065m/16615ft) 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 13: Exploring Pangpema Area

Day 14: Trek Back to Ghunsa (5,140m/16860ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 15: Trek to Sele le (4,290m14073ft) 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 16: Trek Sele la, Sinion La Pass, Mirgin La Pass, Sinelapcha La Pass and Tseram (3,870m/12695ft) 8 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 17: Hike to Oktang Base Camp (5,364m/17559ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 18: Trek to Torangden (2,995m/9825ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 19: Trek to Yamphudin (2,080m/6824ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 20: Trek Down to Khebang (1,910m/6266ft) 7-8 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 21: Trek to Khandembe (1,420m/4658ft) 8-9 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 22: Trek to Tharpu (1600m/5248m) 4 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Day 23: Drive to Bhadrapur by Bus ( 8 -9 HRS) Hotel Accommodation

Day 24: Fly to Kathmandu (40 – 45 minutes) Hotel Accommodation.

Day 25: Final Departure

 
 

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1365m/4478ft)

Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival, our representative will greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transport you to the finest hotel at Thamel. After some rest at the hotel, you’ll join our team meet-up in the office. During this program, you will meet and greet with your guide and other trekkers. In the evening, you can stroll around the main tourist area of Kathmandu.

Day 02: Permit Preparation and half day sightseeing.

After breakfast, you’ll go for a half day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You’ll visit Pashupatinath Temple on the bank of the Bagmati river. In addition, you can also visit Swayambhunath Temple, a famous Monkey Temple, and Boudhanath. On the way back to your hotel, you’ll also visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a place that holds the history of the valley. In the evening, you’ll get plenty of time for trek preparations. If you’ve missed anything, then you can do short shopping at Thamel or Durbar Marg. Overnight stay at Kathmandu. will help you process the trekking permits. You need Conservation area permits and the special permits.

Day 03: Flight to Bhadrapur (40 – 45 min) and drive Phidim (4 hrs), Tea House Accommodation.

You will take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. The Bhadrapur airport is about 621 km on road from Kathmandu. The flight will be yet another bird eye view of rural and urban habitation of Nepal, whilst you are enjoying the view from sky you will reach Bhadrapur in time between 40 to 45 minutes. “Chandragadhi Airport” is another name for Bhadrapur Airport.

Day 04: Drive to Taplejung (1,820m/5970ft) 8hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

On this day you will drive till Taplejung (1,820m) through Mechi Highway which will take you through the temperate climate and low green hills of Illam commonly called “Queen of Hills.” You will just get mesmerized by the natural beauty of Illam and Phidim. The low hill tea cultivation over Illam will steal your heart, it will look like nature has its own kind of expensive carpet over a vast area of land and is beyond comparison of any man made carpets in any part of the world. You will gradually ascend and finally reach Suketar (Taplejung) which actually happens to be your actual trekking start point.

Day 05: Trek to Chirwa (1,270m/4166ft) 6 -7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

You will set off for the trek on foot from today where trek is actually downhill till Mitlung. The trail proceeds through small villages and pastures on and off the east bank of Tamur River. Mitlung is subjugated by the Limbu community who are extremely courteous and seen smiling most of the time. Further you will trek through Sinwa ascending and descending till you reach Tawa from where the trail ascends till Chirwa.

Day 06: Trek to Amjlosa (2,520m/8266ft) 8-9 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Today will be a long day trek as you will proceed to the north of the village by the bank of Tamur River will lead you to a Chettri village (1320 m) which happens to be the Kanchenjunga National Park Check Point. You will have your permits checked stamped and continue the trail crossing the Simbuwa River. This is the very river where Yalung Glacier starts at. When you ascend the trail you will come across many small villages like Sakathum, Amjilossa, Ghaiyabari, Solima.

Day 07: Trek to Gyabla (2,730m/8955ft) 4 -5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

After the long trek, you will be happy and relaxed today as it will be an easy trek today. You will gradually ascend through the Ghunsa Valley. The trail is away from human settlement so will not pass through any villages today. Most of the day your trail will pass through the dense forest feeling like you actually belong there with the beautiful and stunning forest of Bamboo, Gnarled Oaks and Nepal’s National flower Rhododendrons. You will then walk through a flat ridge from where you will be able to have the captivating views of mountains. Enjoying the view and gradually ascending to terraced hill you will reach a small Gyabla where you will halt for the night.

Day 08: Trek to Ghunsa (3,595m/11792ft) 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Today, we will cross the 3000m elevation threshold. The day begins with a steep descent into a gorge. After the descent, we will walk through the forests of Rhododendrons and Firs. The walk becomes easier now. Following the riverbank, we trek to the beautiful Yak pastures in Pholey, 3210m. Pholey is a Tibetan village with beautiful potato cultivations. After crossing the bridge over the Ghunsa Khola, we will enter Ghunsa village. An overnight stay at Ghunsa inside a tent.

Day 09: Acclimatization Day at Ghunsa.

We have been traveling for 9 days already. It’s now time for us to take rest. Today is our acclimatization day in Ghunsa village. During high altitude treks, we must get our body adapted to the changing atmosphere. The amount of oxygen in the air reduces as we trek to the higher elevations. So, we are prone to acute mountain sickness. So, we schedule an acclimatization

Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (4,050m/13286ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

The trail from Ghunsa all the way to Kambachen is prone to landslides. The trail passes through the off beaten trails of Kanchenjunga North. Heading north from Ghunsa, we will trek through the spectacular terrain. The trail makes a gradual climb through a forest of larch and juniper. We will walk along the east bank of the river. We will also encounter some beautiful meadows along the trail.

We will walk over the sandy, the boulder-strewn riverbank path. We will cross a wood and stone bridge over a river to reach Rambuk Kharka, 3720m. Right after Rampuk Kharka, the trail passes through a waterfall and landslide section.

Day 11: Trek to Lhonak (4,780m/15780ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

The trail now enters a deserted landscape. We will make our way above the terrains carved with icy blades of the high altitude glaciers. There are no villages or houses on the trail. The trail climbs gradually through moraine debris. Be careful! Your feet may slip over the iced stones. We will reach the beautiful meadow area in Ramtang, 4350m. The Kanchenjunga glacier starts around Ramtangat. We will come across the beautiful Ramtang Monastery. The Monastery sits next to the bridge after a waterfall. The vista is amazing.

After a while, we will see the settlement of Lhonak. Lhonak is a tiny completion with only three or four small stone teahouses. After walking further, we will arrive at our campsite at Lhonak. Lhonak sits beside a wide and open sandy plain. We may see the blue sheep, mountain goats or smaller animals in the rocks like hyrax and marmots. We will also see the eagle, kites, and falcons.

Day 12: Trek to Pangpema (5,065m/16613ft) 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Pang Pema is the local given name of the Kanchenjunga north base camp. Today, we will visit the north base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Hiking to the base camp is the best experience. We will climb gradually through the trail. We will follow the row of the moraine. There are some portions on the trail that are smooth to landslide. Be careful while walking. Using the trekking poles will make the walk easier. After all the rocky sections are the flat grassy plain basin of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Enjoy the views of the towering peak of Kanchenjunga.

Day 13: Exploring Pangpema Area

Today, we will explore the Kanchenjunga base camp area. We will hike to the nearby ridge to see the beautiful Himalayan views. We will see the best of Mt. Jannu, the North Face of Kanchenjunga and the Chang Himal. The area is less visited. So, you can enjoy the serene and tranquil atmosphere. Explore the jaw-dropping vista of the glaciers.

Day 14: Trek Back to Ghunsa (5,140m/16860ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

It’s now time to say goodbye to the north Kanchenjunga Base Camp. repeating our previous days, we will trek to Ghunsa. On the way, we will celebrate the splendid Himalayan panorama. Enjoy the amazing scenery around, we will trek back. Leaving behind the impressive views of Mt. Jannu, we will trek back. From Pang Pema, we will trek down to Lhonak, Kambachen, and to Ghunsa

Day 15: Trek to Sele le (4,290m/14072ft) 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

From Ghunsa, we divert towards the right-hand side leaving the trail to Gyabla. The trail is a steep uphill trek to Sele Le. This section is also isolated from human settlements. Most of the trail passes through the dense forest of Rhododendron and Juniper. At Sele Le, there are only one or two small teahouses made up of stones. Lots of travelers claim that they see snow leopards in this section. Do not go far from teahouses at night. Stay warm, stay safe.

Day 16: Trek Sele la, Sinion La Pass, Mirgin La Pass, Sinelapcha La Pass and Tseram (3,870m/12695ft) 8 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

The views are often crunchy and clear in the early morning. We will hike up the ridge north of Pangpema. Enjoy the panorama of the enchanting Himalayas. You will experience an exciting trek today! We will climb 400m to the Mirgin La Pass. During the climb, we can see the magnificent view of Mt. Jannu along with Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, Kangchenjunga, and Kabru. We will also see the Himalayan range along the Sikkim border.

We will then trek to the Mirgin La pass and Lapsang La pass, 5160m. By doing so, we will join our trek to the Kanchenjunga south treks. These passes are the high altitude passes. The weather conditions may bring several difficulties here. Rejoice the surrounding views. They will enhance you for further trekking.

Day 17: Hike to Oktang Base Camp (5,364m17595ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Today, we will walk around the Yalung glacier and the Oktang Base Camp. We will gain an elevation of 300m. Enjoying the beautiful glimpse of snow-white mountains and ridges, we will trek elevated. The perspective of Kangchenjunga is amazing. We will see stunning views of Mt. Rothang and Kabru on the Nepal – Sikkim border. We will walk through a sequence of ablation valleys. We will see magnificent views of the Kanchenjunga south face. Also, beautiful views of the frozen lakes and crystal clear streams appear on our way while we trek. The views of Kokthan, Rathong, and Kabru are today’s highlights.

Day 18: Trek to Torangden (2,995m/9825ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Starting from Tseram, we will perceive the impressive view of towering peaks Kabru and Rathong. Today, we will descend downhill to the lower altitudes. Enjoy the glimpses of the snow-capped enormous mountains ahead of you. We will see the imposing view of the Yalung Glacier. We follow the effortless trail along the Simbua Khola. Walking through the jungles of Pine and Rhododendrons, we will make our way to Torangden.

Day 19: Trek to Yamphudin (2,080m/6823ft) 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Today is a tough day. The trek comprises hard sections. We will trek through the landslide-prone sections. Along the way, there is a 600m climb to Lamite pass, 3500m. This climb is also tough. After a steep climb we will reach the valley of the Simbua Khola. We persist ascending the steep and exposed slopes on the way. We will walk into the forest of Pines and Rhododendrons. Walking across Lamite Bhanjyang and Amji Khola, we climb again. There we came across a pass at Dhupi Bhanjyang, 2540m. Furthermore, the path contours down through the cultivable fields. People are seen growing Corn and Barley there. We will cross a ridge and reach Yamphudin. Yamphudin is a assorted community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais, and Gurungs

Day 20: Trek Down to Khebang (1,910m/6265ft) 7-8 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

The trek passes through the rural community of Chhetri and Brahmins. Walking into the human settlements after an isolated trek is a wonderful experience. Walking through the gorgeous trail, we will witness the breathtaking landscapes. We will walk into diverse villages of different ethnicities. We can see their varying lifestyles and cultures. Walking ups and downs through the splendid trail, we will trek to Khebang..

Day 21: Trek to Khandembe (1,420m/4658ft) 8-9 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Today is a long day trek. Opening from Khebang, we will drop 1000 meters in about 6 kilometers. Dobhan is 6 kilometers from Khebang. Dobhan is a beautiful place. After a substantial lunch there, we will set off towards Khandembe. From Dobhan, it is another 8 kilometers trek to Khandembe. Taking minute water breaks at some places, we will trek constantly. Following the straight village path, we will finally arrive at Khandembe.

Day 22: Trek to Tharpu (1600m/5248ft) 4 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.

Today is our last day of actual trekking. On this day, we will climb 1200 meters up to Tharpu Village. You will miss all these memories someday. Recalling the reminiscences of the entire trek, we will reach the Tharpu village. Tharpu is a beautiful village. We will stay here overnight. Enjoy the last outlook of the Kanchenjunga range. You won’t be seeing the mountain sunsets for a long time from now. There is a perfect vantage point at the Tharpu village. Spend a cheerful evening at the village.

Day 23: Drive to Bhadrapur by Bus ( 8 -9 HRS) Hotel Accommodation

Bhadrapur airport is 190 kilometers from Tharpu. But the road cuts through many twists and turns. The endless windings are frequent. It takes almost 9 hours to reach Bhadrapur. The ride is tiring, yet rewarding. We will stay at Bhadrapur in a hotel. Prepare for your flight tomorrow.

Day 24: Fly to Kathmandu (40 – 45 minutes) Hotel Accommodation.

Today is our last day on this journey. We will fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. The flight is a scenic flight. In clear weather, we will see the airborne views of some snowy peaks. The views are impressive. We will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your hotel. You can meander around some popular streets in the afternoon.

Day 25: Final Departure

Time for goodbye! This is your final day with us. Depending on your flight scheduled time, our representative will see you off to the airport. We wish you a safe journey and hope to see you soon!

  • Pick up from the airport and drive to the hotel.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast ( 3-star level hotel.)
  • A  professional Sherpa Guide with Government License.
  • Sherpa porter who will carry your baggage(2 people 1 sherpa porter max 20kg)
  • All Accommodation during Trekking (guest House/lodge)
  • Food during Trekking (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  )
  • Kanchenjunga National Park Permit
  • Food, salary Transport, clothing for Guide and Porter
  • First aid kit from The Great Adventure Treks and Expedition.
  • Insurance for Guide and Porter
  • Rescue Help in case of emergency (paid by your travel insurance)
  • Airport to hotel by car
  • Government tax and service charge
  • Airport departure to your sweet home
  • All programs as per Itinerary.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Any kinds of Drinks  (soft and Hard Drinks)
  • Visa, international flight ticket
  • Personal Nature expenses
  • Tips for Staffs
  • Trekking Equipment
  • Rescue and Evacuation cost
  • Kathmandu Monuments fees
  • shower during the trek
  • Bar bills
  • If you use high level accommodation.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Kanchenjunga Trek

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