Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek -18 Days

The guide will come to pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for the flight to Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi Airport) from Kathmandu,TIA . The flight takes about 50 minutes of scenic flight over Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills, as well as through amazing mountain views. We drive via Mechi Highway from Kanyam, viewing the tea cultivations on the way toward Taplejung, from where the trek to Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek begins.

After morning breakfast, we take a local jeep and begin our second-day ride to reach our destination for the day, Sekathum. Usually, trekkers prefer to trek from Taplejung to Sekathum as well, but by making our itinerary short and utilizing the available drive services on our send day. The drive will take us through Mitlung, Chirwa, Thapethok, Lelep, and several other villages along the Tamor Nadi. There is the Kanchenjunga National Park entry point on our way, where our permits are checked and we are allowed to move forward to Sekathum.

After two days of the drive, we start our walk from Sekathum to Amjilosa after breakfast. The trekking path follows Ghunsa Khola and climbs through thick bamboo and rhododendron forests. The path has several suspension bridges and narrow cliffside sections that require careful foot placement. This is one of the more physically demanding days, especially for first-time trekkers. Human settlements are few but you may see Tibetan yak herders, langurs, red pandas and Himalayan monals inhabit and temporary shelters used during grazing seasons. This is the start of higher elevation trekking, and early signs of altitude sickness (fatigue, short ness of  breath) may appear.

Amjilosais a very small village with just a couple of teahouses. Rooms are basic –often wooden cabins with no insulation. Evening temperatures can drop significantly even though it’s still below 3,000 meters.

After breakfast, we walk to Gyabla which is also known as Kyapra from Amjilosa. We continue to move in our path through a dense forest and mountain people settlement and different forests of pine, bamboo, rhododendron, and oak. If we are lucky we may spot red pandas too. After the uphill climb, we get to view the magnificent scenery of the mountains and several waterfalls on the way. We also see yaks, sheep, and goats and a good variety of birdlife. After lunch the trail takes us up through dense forest cover and over a wooden bridge on to Gyabla where we spend the night.

Today the trail continues on through forests and passed Phale Village, which was a Tibetan refugee camp started decades ago when Tibetans started fleeing from the communist regime in China.The walk through the woodlands with a wide range of flora and fauna leads us to the Phale village. Continuing the trek at a pace, we will reach Ghunsa village. Gunsa is the largest village in the area and one with a police station, health post and a Kanchenjunga Conservation Office. Telephone and internet services are available here.

Today is our acclimatization day. We take the opportunity to relax and acclimatize in Ghunsa. There is a monastery to explore and a ridge to climb where we can see the great view of Jannu Peak. If you wish to climb up the ridge – and we recommend this as it helps acclimatize your bodies at higher altitude and aiming to go higher. We will take a packed lunch with us.

We will have our breakfast and begin the gradual ascent through an open pine forest and also we may be lucky to spot blue sheep and snow leopards. The trail passes through waterfall to a landslide-prone area where we take particular care. We see the spectacular view of Mt. Jannu, encounter the green glacier valleys, and finally reach Khambachen village.

Today is another acclimatize day before we get into higher altitude or our visit to the North Base Camp. We will have a short hike to nearby glaciers, viewpoints, and lakes. We can climb another ridge today where we get stunning views of Kanchenjunga.

After breakfast, we move ahead to the trail of the Kanchenjunga glacier. We can meet the trekkers in the main trekking season walking toward and returning from the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp on this track. We move through the Ramdang and come across the Ramdang Monastery also an area of summer yak pastures but there are no settlements on the route. We are on the difficult trail, now at the junction of the Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glaciers. Walking forward, we reach the tiny settlement of Lhonak with a few teahouses.

Today, we will hike to the north base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga, which is also known as Pang Pema. We will climb gradually, following the moraines through the trail, and reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Sitting at an altitude of approximately 5,143 meters (16,873 feet) around prayer flags and offers breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), the world’s third-highest mountain, along with other towering peaks like Tent Peak and Chang Himal. The route to the base camp passes through remote villages, dense forests, high-altitude meadows, and glacial moraines, making it one of the most adventurous treks in Nepal. We will return to Lhonak for an overnight stay.

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: Since this trek reaches extreme altitudes, proper acclimatization and physical fitness are essential. Reaching Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is a challenging but rewarding experience, offering some of the most pristine and untouched mountain scenery in Nepal.

Retracing our steps through stunning alpine terrain. The views of the Himalayas and leaving behind the Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The trail passes Ramtang and Kambachen, with continued views of Kanchenjunga’s north face. Wildlife such as blue sheep and signs of snow leopards are often spotted in this remote valley, adding to the experience. As we drop nearly 1,600 meters (over 5,200 feet) in altitude, the landscape softens into lush forest. By late afternoon, we arrive in Ghunsa, a welcoming Sherpa village with wooden houses, prayer flags, and a tranquil monastery.

We arrive at Sele Le, leaving the trail to Gyabla. Today the trail takes us through a forest and along a grassy ridge from where we can see Ghunsa and Phole villages as well as Mt. Makalu in the distance.There is a chance to see the snow leopards as we pass through the dense forest. There are isolated human settlements with few teahouses which are open only in the main trekking season. When there is heavy snowfall there is no other way connecting the pathway to reach South Base Camp until Sekathum. 

We start out early this morning towards the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Crossing the Sinion La (4440m./2758ft.), then Mirgin La (4480m./2783ft.) and Sinelapche Bhanjyang (4645m./2886ft). We will see the spectacular panoramic view of Mt. Jannu, Everest, Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, and Kanchenjunga during our ascent. We descend along a small trail to Cheram, the only settlement we find on this route. We overnight here.

Today, after early morning breakfast, we head forward through the Yalung glacier getting higher and close to the vistas. Passing by the Yalung which provides views of Rathong (6682m) and Kabru (7412m), we will stop for lunch at Ramche. We will hike to Oktang/ Okhordung the viewpoint of Yalung Base Camp or Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Enjoying the closer view of three summits of Mt. Kanchenjunga 8420m, 8586m, and 8474m, and other towering peaks, exploring this untouched, unexplored by many trekkers, Kanchenjunga Base Camp, we will return to Cheram.  

The elevated snow-capped mountains behind us and the walk through the rhododendron forests give us tranquility. The trail descends steeply from the alpine zone to temperate forest. You retrace part of the trail past Cheram and then turn west into dense rhododendron and pine forests. This area is within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and wildlife sightings are possible – look for Himalayan monals, barking deer or even red pandas. Tortong is a quiet settlement with limited teahouses and minimal amenities.

This day is continuous downhill walking through a lush and humid environment. The trail goes through bamboo groves, cardamom plantations, and subtropical forests. Leeches are common in this region especially after rain so recommend to wear leech socks or gaiters if you are on late spring season and beginning of Mansoon season trek. We will pass through some ethinic group settlement such as Chhetri and Limbu. We’ll reach Rani Pul by afternoon – a small roadside settlement with jeep access and a few roadside eateries or guesthouses.

After breakfast, we star our drive from Rani Pul by local 4WD jeep (usually a Mahindra Bolero or Tata Sumo) takes us back to Taplejung. The drive follows the Kabeli River and ascends through green ridges and farmland. This region is famous for cardamom cultivation, which is the main source of income for local communities. Roads can be blocked during monsoon (June to September) so flexibility in the itinerary is necessary. In Taplejung you’ll find hotels with private rooms, electricity, Wi-Fi, ATMs, pharmacies, local shops and hot showers. We enjoy our last night before flying back to kathmandu.

This long drive brings you back to the lowlands of Nepal. We will have a 2-3 hour drive to Bhadrapur passes through Phidim, Ilam and Fikkal. The road is mostly black-topped after Phidim though some stretches are rough. You’ll reach Bhadrapur in the late afternoon or evening to catch up the flight back to Kathmandu.