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Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

  • Duration: 26 Days
  • Trip Grade: Moderate
  • Max. Altitude: 5,143m
  • Group Size: 1-16 Persons
  • Activity: Trekking and Hiking
  • Best Season: March-May and September-November
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Highlights

  • Trek to the base camp of the third highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga
  • Traverse in far eastern Nepal within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, a restricted area
  • Undiscovered and unspoiled trekking route full of natural wonders like waterfalls, streams, terraces, lush hills, moraines, gorges, etc
  • Witness stunning mountain panorama and undisturbed landscapes
  • Spend time with mountain communities like Limbu and Rai
  • Cross passes like Sele La and Mirgin La

About Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is a very unpopular trek in the Himalayas that traverses far eastern Nepal. Kanchenjunga base camp trekking is a demanding trek and may need camping at some places. It is also a restricted area trekking within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. This 26-day trek in Nepal is very rewarding, challenges your mind & body, and allows trekkers to completely escape from the digital chaos. The trail goes through remote villages of the Limbu and Rai communities.

The Kanchenjunga base camp trekking follows the torrent of the Tamur and Ghunsa rivers. You'll walk by beautiful valleys and deep gorges. The trail ascends to Kanchenjunga's north base camp, relishing views of mountains like Jannu, Twins, Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, etc. You'll be walking close to the Indian border, Sikkim. The unique mountain lifestyle along the way and the kind locals will win your heart. Likewise, the stunning landscapes will keep you motivated to walk further.

Some part of the Kanchenjunga base camp trail is completely isolated. You may not come across any humans too. Similarly, the trail crosses mountain passes like Sele La and Mirgin La. The initial section of the trail goes through dense forests of bamboo, rhododendron, pine, fir, oak, etc. You may come across wildlife and exotic birds while trekking. The overall trekking experience during the Kanchenjunga base camp trek is strenuous but very rewarding.

Itinerary

Our team will pick you up from the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, we’ll meet you over a welcome dinner.

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Dinner

We take an early morning flight to Bhadrapur from Kathmandu. Then a comfortable and beautiful jeep ride will take you to Birtamod, Illam. Illam is the tea capital of Nepal.

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After having breakfast, we’ll begin our drive from Birtamod Bazaar to Taplejung. The route is very impressive and offers beautiful countryside panoramas. Passing by Phidim and Limbu village, we reach Taplejung.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We begin trekking through lush hills and remote villages. The trail passes by paddies & rice fields. We can see mud-brick homes on the way. Following the Tamor river, we reach Mitlung for a night's stay. 

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail passes by a few Tamang and Limbu villages like Sinwa, Tawa, and Porke. Further, we walk past landslide debris and boulders. The trail descends to Thiwa Khola and crosses a wooden bridge to Chiruwa.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail from Chiruwa ascends to a valley, offering excellent landscapes. We'll be walking via a boulders-filled area to Tapethok village. From here, walk past the landslide area and cross a bridge over the Tamur river. We then continue trekking, crossing several bridges to Sukathum.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail today gets very narrow. Following the Ghunsa river, we walk very carefully. The trail passes by a small Sherpa village and steeply to Amjilosa, a Tibetan settlement.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we begin walking through dense forests and walking past many beautiful waterfalls. The trail has no settlement area. We'll be enjoying true wilderness until we reach Gyabla.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Following a narrow trail, we walk through dense forests and take a lunch break at Phole village. From here, we walk to Ghunsa. We can see yaks and locals weaving carpets.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We have a rest day in Ghunsa. As per the weather, we'll go on a hike to Ghunsari. We also have the optional hike opposite the village to Khanso Thanso (river).

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail gets even more isolated. We may not come across any humans today apart from some yak herders. The trail presents landscapes, unlike any place. Walking past sheer cliffs, we cross loose scree and glacial valley. The trail is very steep and rugged in some sections. We may see wildlife on the way.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Kambachen, the trail ascends following rocky fields to Ramtang. We then walk across moraines northwest of the Kanchenjunga glaciers. Lhonak is situated near a dry lake in an open sandy plain.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we have an acclimatization day in Lhonak. We'll walk to Kanchenjunga base camp, following a glacial trail on the northern ridge. The base camp is also known as Pangpema. We get to see a skyline dominated by huge mountains.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we begin the day retracing the trail back to Ghunsa. On the way, we can see spectacular mountain views. It's a downhill walk mostly via glaciers, moraines, and isolated settlements.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

It's important to frequently take rest days in between the trek to avoid altitude sickness. We take this day off and explore the nearby areas.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Leaving Ghunsa, we ascend along a trail used by the Shepherds. Passing by a dense forest of rhododendron and pine, we hike to the Sele La High camp. The views of Jaanu, Nyukla Laching, etc are stunning from here.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We'll cross the Sele La pass today. For the first two hours, we’ll ascend steeply to Mirgin La pass and continue climbing towards Sele La pass. We can see Mt. Makalu, Mt. Chamlang, and Baruntse in the distance. Walking along the ridges, we descend to Tseram.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We begin walking early in the morning on this day. The trail goes to Octang, a beautiful viewpoint. From here, we ascend into a valley alongside the Yalung glacier moraine. We then walk past junipers and a few lakes. The final hike involves walking over a meadow to Ramche.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail goes through lush pine and rhododendron forests. We descend and walk alongside the Simbua Khola to Torongding.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Torongding, we follow a challenging trail to Sherpa Gaun, also known as Yamphudim. We'll be walking through landslide areas. After 3 hours of steep climbing, we descend for a few hours to reach this village.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Leaving Sherpa Gaun, we’ll walk to Keshwa. It's a forested walk and also goes by terraced fields. The mountain views will keep motivating us to walk further. Today, it's a relatively small walk, so we'll get a lot of time to rest.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After having a warm breakfast, we'll begin walking towards Yakukhola. The trail goes through lush rhododendron forests and small villages. We can see locals doing their daily activities on the way.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Following lush green hills and rivers, we'll walk to Illam. The trail offers breathtaking mountain scenery.

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We’ll drive to Bhadrapur today in the early morning. From here, we'll fly back to Kathmandu. The team will drop you at the hotel. The remaining day is leisure.

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Today, you have a full day free in Kathmandu. Go to the spa and do window shopping. We recommend you visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan. In the late evening, there will be a farewell dinner.

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

Time to say goodbye. Our airport team will drop you at the terminal gate as per your flight departure time.

    Cost Details

    Includes

    • All ground transports as per itinerary
    • Three-star twin sharing hotel in Kathmandu and lodge/guesthouse during the trek
    • Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during the trek
    • Welcome and farewell dinner
    • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
    • Entrance fees for monument visits as per the itinerary
    • Domestic flights and airport departure taxes (carry a maximum of 15 kg luggage including both a backpack and day bag)
    • Professional English-speaking mountain guide and porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) 
    • Expenses of guide and porters including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging
    • Down jacket, sleeping bag, and trekking map will be provided by the company (to be returned after the accomplishment of trek)
    • All necessary paper works such as National park permit, TIMS
    • A Medical kit with all necessary medications and  supply
    • All government and local taxes

    Excludes

    • Nepalese visa fee 
    • Excess baggage charge(s)
    • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu (due to early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
    • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
    • International flights
    • Travel and rescue insurance
    • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower)
    • Tips for guide(s), porter(s), and driver(s)

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