Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek an adventure trekking in Nepal visiting both south and north base camps of world third highest mountains and second highest in Nepal that rises at the height above 8,586 m and 28,169 ft high, the first ascent by British Expedition on May 25th, 1955 using the south base camp route from near Tseram and Okthang through Yarlung glaciers. Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek where the journey leads to more than three weeks duration, but rewards you perfect tranquillity, a scenic panorama of high peaks of Makalu-Kanchenjunga range of peaks with Mt. Jannu and Khumbakarna Himalaya encountering nice farm villages full of an active culture of ancient traditional farm life.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek will be a rewarding adventure within Far Eastern region and the last Himalayan range of Nepal, where Mt. Kanchenjunga also straddles the border with Sikkim (small state of North East India), where the original name pronounced as ‘Kanchendzonga’ means five jewels of peaks in Tibetan languages, where you will notice the people of higher Kanchenjunga area of Tibetan origin with similar culture interwoven to Buddhism religion. Our marvelous journey Kanchenjunga base camp trekking begins with a swift scenic flight to land at Nepal Far South East around Terai belt the flatland of the country with a sub-tropical climate, the heading towards cooler alpine hills of Ilam town and its famous Tea-Garden and then reaching the start of the walks at Sukhetar around Taplejung district.
Where our adventurous walks lead on scenic trail visiting many farm villages then entering into the dense coniferous forest of tall rhododendron and pine trees which soon disappears as walk leads at Tseram near Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, with time for sidewalk and hike around then crossing the high scenic pass of Tselele to reach on the other north side of Kanchenjunga. As walk advance entering into nice farm villages of Ghunsa-Kambachen and Lhonak where our route leads to Pang-Pema around Kanchenjunga North Base Camp within massive bulk of Kanchenjunga mountains, exploring and enjoying time around as walk leads downhill to warmer farm areas for the drive to the southern belt of Terai for the amazing and scenic flight back to Kathmandu, after a most mesmerizing adventure on Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking.
“Adventure within Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya around Kanchenjunga massif
Explore beautiful high country around Nepal Far East facing marvelous scenery
Amazing views on daily walks with constant scenery of Kanchenjunga and Makalu peaks
Within enchanting rhododendron-magnolia-pines-oaks and fir forest to arid, arctic zone
Sweeping flights both ways with a breath-taking panorama of a Himalayan chain of peaks
Enjoy walk visiting both base camps of Kanchenjunga the South and Northern sides
Crossing high and scenic passes with incredible scenery of peaks and landscapes”
Mode of accommodation: Hotels – local Lodge with camping on treks.
Trek Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest spot on treks: 5,065 m high, at Pang-Pema -Kanchenjunga North Base
Camp.
Trek Duration: 20 Nights and 21 Days (with flights and drives both ways).
People and Culture: Populated by Kirat people of Rai and Limbu tribes of eastern Nepal, a higher area dominated by Sherpa and Bhotia tribes of Tibetan origin with Buddhism colorful culture of age-old heritage and custom.
Best Seasons: March to May and September to November months. March to May lively with wildflowers and rhododendron (Nepal national flower in bloom, where days are clear for views, October to November another best months for clear views but with short lights, cold in the morning and night times with chances of snow on route walks.
Total Trip: 22 Nights and 23 Days (arrival to final departure)
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur 350 m and drive to Ilam Town 1,360 m – 45 mins flight and 4 hrs
drive with an overnight stop at Ilam town.
Day 03: Drive to Sukhetar 1,490 m and start trekking to Lalikharka 1,900 m-04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek from Kande Bhanjyang 2,100m -07 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Phompe Danda 1,850m -06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Yangphudin 2,150m at Sherpa Gaon – 07 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Dorongding 2,880 m – 07hrs (Cross Lashe Tham, 3,800m Pass)
Day 08: Trek to Tseram 3,770m – 05 hrs.
Day 09: Rest day at Tseram, hike to Oktang near Kanchenjunga South BC.
Day 10: Cross Tselele pass 4,250m and camp at Tselele bottom 3,700m – 08 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Ghunsa 3,480 m – 04 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Khambachen 4,000m -06hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Lhonak 4,780m – 06 hrs.
Day 14: Hike to Pang Pema at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp 5,065m – 5 hrs round trip.
Day 15: Trek to Ghunsa, 3,480 m – 08hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Gyapla Phedi 2,300m – 07hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Sekathum / Japantar 1,350m – 07 hrs.
Day 18: Trek to Chirwa 1,250 m – 06 hrs.
Day 19: Trek to Phurumbu School 1,500 m -07hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Sukhetar 2,440 m -04 hrs.
Day 21: Drive back to Ilam town or beyond-05 hrs.
Day 22: Drive to Bhadrapur airport and fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 23: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu international airport get transferred to hotels after received by our guides and staff, at hotel check-in and join in for group briefing regarding treks and other useful information, with welcome dinner.
Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur 350 m and drive to Ilam Town 1,360 m – 45 mins flight and 4 hrs drive with an overnight stop at Ilam town.
As per flight time to reach an eastern sector of the country, where scenic flight takes you to Nepal Far East within flat and warmer areas, and then exciting drive towards alpine hills past farm villages and town to reach Ilam town for an overnight stop.
Ilam town and its surrounding country famous for Tea and its vast tea-garden located on a hill ridge with views of Kanchenjunga range of mountains.
Day 03: Drive to Sukhetar 1,490 m and start trekking to Lalikharka 1,900 m-04 hrs.
The morning after Ilam town, drive for few hours to reach Sukhetar to start the trek this village located within Taplejung district.
From Sukhetar walk starts further east to reach a small farm village at Lalikharka for overnight stop and camping.
Day 04: Trek from Kande Bhanjyang 2,100m -07 hrs.
A long walk to reach Kande Bhanjyang on the downhill into farm villages, dominated mostly by Hindu tribes mixture of Brahmins, Chettries with Kirat people of Rai and Limbu, practice Hinduism along with their own ancient deities of nature spirit.
After walking past Tembawa village descend to Phawa Khola towards Pokora village, walk from here takes you to farmland as route leads to climbing up at Kunjari village, from here into the forest with a climb to reach overnight stop at Kande Bhanjyang, a small farm village with grand views of Kanchenjunga and Yalung Kang peaks.
Day 05: Trek to Phompe Danda 1,850m-06 hrs.
The morning begins with a steep downhill to nice rice and millet fields, and into forest, crossing river, as our route leads to high hill into the forest to reach Loppoding village.
After Loppoding walking ups and down-hill to Yangpang, and then along the upper edge of a ridge with a slow climb for an hour towards Pompe Dhada, located on a crest of a scenic hill for an overnight stop with a view of Mt. Jannu.
Day 06: Trek to Yangphudin 2,150m at Sherpa Gaon – 07 hrs.
From Phompe Danda on downhill past farm areas within terraced fields to Khesewa Khola, as path climb for an hour within terraced fields, towards Mamankhe village.
On walks facing views of peaks with stone paved steps to reach Kabeli Khola, on leaving the river climb to a splendid ridge through villages and farm fields to reach at Yamphudin from here uphill towards Sherpa Gaon for overnight stop, the last permanent human settlement inhabited by Sherpa tribe till walk leads on the other side at Gunsa.
Day 07: Trek to Dorongding 2,880 m – 07hrs (Cross Lashe Tham, 3,800m Pass)
After Sherpa village trek to Chitre along Kabeli Khola, crossing streams then climb a steep up to reach Dhupi Bhangyang then at open grassland.
From the top leading to a steady descent through the deciduous forest to Omje Khola, after a tough climb reaching at the top of Dorongding for an overnight stop, located beyond Chitre with views of snow-capped peaks.
Day 08: Trek to Tseram 3,770m – 05 hrs.
From the camp head towards Ramite Bhanjyang (3,430m.), on steep climb for short hours within magnolia, rhododendron and bamboo forest to reach Ramit a place with only a single hut, from here climb into rhododendron forest and past a small pond to reach a stream as walk continues on gravel ground, leading to a shrine within a big boulder shaped like a serpent.
Walk past forest area as our route leads to a riverbed, and then uphill to a terrace for an overnight stop at Tseram, a place with roofless bivouac caves, facing views of terminal moraine fed from Yalung glacier and behind looking at Kabru 7,353m and Talung peak 7,349m.
Day 09: Rest day at Tseram, Excursion to Oktang near Kanchenjunga South BC.
Rest day at Tseram for a day hike to Oktang which is near to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, where British expedition established a base camp for the climb of Kanchenjunga summit in 1955.
The hike leads with a close view of Yalung Glacier and south wall of Kanchenjunga, the hike takes for nearly three hours with views of Talung Peak and Kabru. After a scenic and exciting hike back to Tserem for an overnight stop.
Day 10: Cross Tselele pass 4,250m and camp at Tselele bottom 3,700m – 08 hrs.
Today, descend via Yalung Bar with fifteen minutes of steep up, crossing a river and then on a gradual path through the forest, and then a steep climb for an hour and half towards two small ponds. From here cross three passes, Miring La, Tamo La and Selele pass.
The first part of the trail uphill climbs for 1 hour to the top of the pass with the great view of Kabru and Kanchenjunga. From Miring La, the trail goes gently down and then up to Selele La (4,250 m). From the top of the pass magnificent views of Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang and then descend gently to the base of the pass for an overnight stop.
Day 11: Trek to Ghunsa 3,480 m – 04 hrs.
The first part of the walk is on gentle downslope and then leads to a steep descend for an hour into forest of rhododendron and pines as the walk reach a level ground near Ghunsa river, from here on a gradual path to Ghunsa village for overnight in a village inhabited by Bhotia tribe (Tibetan origin) with community stone houses a neat and tidy small farm.
Day 12: Trek to Khambachen 4,000m -06hrs.
Walk from here leads to climbing following a river with views of waterfalls along the walks, Yak herders may be met along the trail depending upon grazing season.
The trail goes from the right bank of river Ghunsa, and through rhododendron and pine forest, a walk leads to a gradual ascend to Rambuk Kharkas and then crossing a small glacier landslide.
The trek continues with excellent views of Khumbukarna and Janu and other high snow-capped peaks.
On leaving tree lines behind, heading into the barren country with few short bushes and scrub of juniper, after Rambuk Kharka climb, and then trail leads to a gentle down to Khambachen after crossing a landslide section to camp at Khambachen.
This scenic valley dominated by peaks of Sharp (7,070m.) with the north face of Mt. Janu and Wedge peak.
Day 13: Trek to Lhonak 4,780m – 06 hrs.
From here our route follows above river for an hour and then heading further east, as our walk heads down to a river, as climbs reach rocks and boulder areas leading to a terminal moraine of Kanchenjunga glacier, on leaving Ramtang Kharka (a Sheppard place) where trail joins Kanchenjunga glacier and then crossing at a junction of Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glacier overlooking grand views of Mera, Nepal Peak and Wedge Peak.
Day 14: Hike to Pang Pema at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp 5,065m – 06 hrs round
the trip back to Lhonak – 08 hrs.
Today rest and spare day for a hike towards Pang Pema lead to our main highlights of the adventure reaching Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, where walk leads to a climb high up from the river with grand views of Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, Table Sikhar, and Givegela Chuli. The first part of the climbs is gentle and then heading through a boulder on a rocky trail. Walking to a glacier path all the way to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp where you will be surrounded within giant peaks and then head back to Lhonak for overnight after a marvelous and exciting walk to Kanchenjunga Northside base camp.
Day 15: Trek to Ghunsa, 3,480 m – 08hrs.
Retrace the journey back by the same way past Kambachen to camp at Ghunsa after a long daily walk.
Day 16: Trek to Gyapla Phedi 2,300m – 07hrs.
From here walking on an alternative new route which allows you to see more of this beautiful country with views of mountains and walking past several scattered cattle herders summer camps to reach at Gypla Phedi, on lower alpine areas for an overnight stop.
Day 17: Trek to Sekathum / Japantar 1,350m – 07 hrs.
With pleasant easy morning walking towards warmer areas back into farm fields and terraces within nice rural villages to reach Sekathum or near to Japantar for an overnight stop, where walks lead into much lower areas within farm villages growing much better crops and citric fruits.
Day 18: Trek to Chirwa 1,250 m – 06 hrs.
Enjoy the walk heading much lower and warm areas, as morning trek progress into several scattered farmhouses and fields, where you will be greeted with friendly cheerful smiles as walk leads through villages and patch of cool forest areas to reach at Chirwa for overnight stops.
Day 19: Trek to Phurumbu School 1,500 m -07hrs.
Return route on the downhill with a short climb then heading towards the warmer area on the foothills of Kanchenjunga, slowly walk reaches a small place at Phurumbu School premises.
Day 20: Trek to Sukhetar 2,440 m -04 hrs.
Last day of the adventure takes you back at Sukhetar in Tapeljung, walk leads across farm villages to reach Sukhetar, a small town with an airstrip that fly to Kathmandu via Biratnagar city.
At present due to unpredictable flight timing of local flight, which gets delayed leading to cancellation, to avoid many hassles we have taken the safe and best route from Bhadrapur to fly in and out to Kathmandu.
Day 21: Drive back to Ilam town or further – 05 hrs.
From Sukhetar where our walk ends taking a drive as far to Ilam town or further to make it easier for a flight to Kathmandu, as time permits overnight in Ilam town.
Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Early morning with an interesting drive from Ilam town or further to reach warm area at Bhadrapur town and the airport, where scenic flight reaches you at Kathmandu during flight enjoy views of Makalu-Kanchenjunga and Everest, as the plane slowly at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel, with time for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.
Day 23: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.
Last day in the land of Himalayan Wonders, as per your international flight time depart from the hotel for the airport for your international flight back to home countries or other respective destinations.
I have done 3 treks with Anjan and Nepal High Trek & Expedition Langtang gosainkund Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and Island peak climbing and Annapurna circuit Trekking 5 years before in Nepal. That’s was wonderful and lifetime trip in my life. Due to weather conditions, we had to change our plans and return to Besi chair and then do the Annapurna Base Camp with a few extra places along the way. My guide was Anjan and he was so helpful. When our itinerary had to change he was helpful, suggested other options and did what he could to make the best of a situation beyond all human control. Anjan is very proud of his country and willing to share all his knowledge and experience with his clients. Nepal High Trek & Expedition is trustworthy, takes all responsibility and all problems The staff at Nepal High Trek are very helpful and willing to help you with any information or anything else you may need. I would highly recommend this agency as they are professional, competent and helpful! I will definitely be back and trekking with them in the future.
Ghorepani poon hill trek “Lieber Anjan, das Trekking mit dir war super! Es hat uns sehr viel Spaß gemacht! Die Kombination aus Abenteuer, Natur und Wandern ist ideal zum Abschalten! Du bist ein großartiger Führer!!!”
In 2010, my son, husband and I did the Langtang Valley Trek with Anjan as our amazing guide. His knowledge of the area was extensive, including walking expectations, weather and terrain conditions, and the best places to stop, rest, eat and sleep. So much so, that other Trekkers called on his advice despite having their own guides. He was a very acknowledges an expert mountain guide. On the trek, Anjan was nurturing, fun and extremely amicable with everyone. He had a very endearing personality, and over the two-week trek, he became a member of our family. I highly recommend Anjan to anybody considering undertaking any trek in Nepal.