Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking is one another the most popular and thrilling trekking destinations lying in the eastern part of Mt. Kanchenjunga, in the border of Nepal and Sikkim (India). Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) is the world’s third highest mountains in the world. Kanchenjunga Trekking was opened for trekking only in 1988 and therefore, it is one of the unspoiled trekking trails. Kanchenjunga Trekking offers a variety of landscapes, cultures and panoramic views of four highest peaks of the world including, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, along with Mt. Kanchenjunga. This trekking is protected by Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) which is spread in an area of 2,035 sq. km. The area is a rich in diverse wildlife including snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer red panda and others varies species of birds including Amphibian, pheasant, Red-billed blue among others. Therefore, during the trekking, you do not only explore unique lifestyles of Sherpa, Rai and various other ethnic groups inhibiting along the route, but also explore the unique landscapes, have perfect views of snow-capped mountains.

Highlights

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Highlights

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Trip Description

The trek begins at Taplejung which is a 45 minute flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, followed by a jeep to Birtamod and then to Taplejung. The broad itinerary for the whole trek is below, and we visit the north base camp first.

This walk around Mount Kanchenjunga visits both the North and South Base Camps. The route begins by approaching the North side of Kanchenjunga where you will have great views of Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, Cross Peak before the bulk of Kanchenjunga itself becomes visible.

From Pangpema on the north side the trek returns to Ghunsa and then crosses Mirgin La pass over to the south side of Kanchenjunga. Once over this pass, you follow the route through Ramche and Oktang where there are impressive views of the South West face of Kanchenjunga.

Trip Highlights

Explore the epic landscape of the Kanchenjunga conservation area, en route to the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
Trek in one of the few restricted areas of Nepal.
Take a journey through various landscapes, including valleys, rivers, jungle, and woodland, and of course, the amazing views of Kanchenjunga and its equally impressive surrounding peaks.
Experience a wide range of flora and fauna, including the world-famous Nepal Rhododendron bloom.
A chance to see some of the world's most endangered animals, such as the elusive Snow Leopard, Red Pandas, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Monal, and many more!
Cross mountain passes and thrilling suspension bridges.
Visit the North and South base camp of the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
Immerse yourself in Tibetan and Buddhist culture by visiting many monasteries along the way.
Discover the path less trodden, while traveling one of the lesser established trekking routes in Nepal, before it becomes overcrowded like many others.
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek by Road - Begin and End the trek with Bus Journey.

Day 01 :

Kathmandu Drive to Taplejung to Sekathum:

Day 02 :

Trek Sekathum to Aamjilasa:

Day 03 :

Trek Aamjilasa to Gyabla (2,750 m)

Day 04 :

Trek fAamjilasa to Ghunsa (3,430 m). Hiking day;

Day 05 :

Trek from Ghunsa to Khambachen (4,050 m):

Day 06 :

Trek Khambachen to Lonak (4,800 m). Hiking day:

Day 07 :

Trek Lonak to Pangpema/North Base Camp and return to Lonak (5,200 m):

Day 08 :

Trek Lonak to khambachen:

Day 09 :

Trek Khambachen to Ghunsa:

Day 10 :

Trek Ghunsa to Selele Kharka (4,480 m):

Day 11 :

Trek Selele kharka to Tseram:

Day 12 :

Trek Tseram to Ramche:

Day 13 :

Trek Ramche to Okatang veiw pint hiking:

Day 14 :

Trek Oktang to Tortong ding:

Day 15 :

Trek Torongding to King sher:

Day 16 :

Trek King sher drive to Taplejung:

Day 17 :

Trek Taplejung to drive in Kathmandu:

Day 18 :

Trek Kathmandu free day:

Day 19 :

Trek Departure day in home:

FAQS

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What makes the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek challenging yet rewarding?

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the more wild, unexplored treks in Nepal and trekkers will need to make their way through a variety of terrain, which can include snow, ice, rocky paths, mud, landslides, suspension bridges, and many ascents and descents. Although no climbing or scrambling experience is necessary, a decent level of fitness is required to complete the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in 18 days. But don’t worry, there is an option to make the trek longer or take extra rest days if necessary. There are multiple days of over 7+ hours of walking at high altitudes.
Due to spending time at high altitudes, there is always a possibility of developing symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness commonly known as altitude sickness). These symptoms can include headache, nausea, breathing problems, and loss of appetite. If you stick to our carefully created itinerary, this will reduce the chance of experiencing any symptoms. In the rare event of a trekker suffering from the symptoms of AMS, our guides are fully trained to handle the situation and will know what best to do to help you recover and continue your trek as safely as possible.
The teahouses on this trek are quite basic, especially as you get to the higher sections of the trek. This means that comforts such as a hot shower, electricity to charge during the night, comfortable bedding, and Western toilets are not always available. In our opinion, this makes the trek even more of an adventure!
Due to the remoteness of this trek, there will be no internet connection during the entire trek, and WIFI in the area is unreliable and quite often not available. Your guide will have a phone signal for 80% of the trek so in case of emergency, or even if you would just like to stay in touch with friends and family to let them know you are safe, then calls can be made to the office in Kathmandu and messages can be passed on to loved ones.
Physical Fitness & Preparations for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
As mentioned before the trek can be quite physically and mentally demanding, with many days spent at high altitudes over 4000m. A decent level of fitness is required, but the trek can be made easier by adding extra days onto the itinerary, or through the hire of a porter.
We suggest that if possible you do as many long walks or runs as you can, in the lead-up to your trekking experience. The main focus of your training should be on cardio and endurance but some strength is required as you will be carrying your bag (unless using a porter), and at high altitude, this can be tough, as you will find yourself running out of breath quicker than at sea level.

When is the best time to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?

The best time to enjoy the Himalayas is during the 2 trekking seasons. These are Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September – November). The weather is more stable during these 2 seasons so they have become popular for trekkers to come and enjoy the trails. Winter trekking is also possible but will require further planning and preparation.

If you wish to enjoy the Rhododendron bloom, then spring is your best choice for your trip, whereas autumn is best known for its good weather and crystal clear views. Of course with the mountains, the weather is always unpredictable, but this is the general rule for these seasons.

Why are we taking the bus ride instead of a quick flight of 55 minutes to Bhadrapur?

Our budget itinerary includes reaching the Kanchenjunga Trek Starting point, Taplejung by road. The main reason for this is to keep costs down for the customer. It also gives you the opportunity to see some of Nepal’s amazing countryside during your journey. If the road journey does not appeal to you, then flights can be arranged at added cost.

Can I make the Kanchenjunga circuit shorter than 18 days?

Yes, the trek can be made shorter by only visiting one of the 2 base camps, but if you wish to visit both base camps then 18 days is the shortest time possible, to allow time for proper acclimatization. We do not risk the safety of our clients and staff by trying to complete treks in faster times. Safety and health are top priorities for our company.

Can we fly directly from Kathmandu to Suketar?

Currently, flights in and out of Suketar operate very inconsistently. Nepal Airlines operates the flights according to the aircraft and crew availability. For this reason, our itinerary uses other ways to reach the Kanchenjunga region.

Permits Required for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, trekking to the restricted area requires two permits, which are as below:

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP): NPR 3000 per person
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (KRAP): USD 23 per person, per week
Some Regulations to be followed to get the special permits:

The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek must be done with a registered guide and through a registered trekking agency.
You must be in a group of at least two trekkers to obtain the Restricted Area Permit.
Our Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek package includes all necessary permit costs, which we will secure on your behalf.

How are the tea house and food along the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, and what can trekkers expect in terms of comfort and amenities?

he tea houses on the Kanchenjunga circuit are very basic and the facilities are very minimal. It is recommended that you bring a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner depending on the time of year, as it can quite often get cold in the mountains, especially at night. Buckets of warm water will be available for a small charge should you wish to wash up. Electricity can be very temperamental and mostly relies on solar power, so if the sun has not been out during the day, you may not be able to charge electronic appliances during the evening.

Menus are available in most places but can be very basic. For example, a typical menu will contain noodles, fried rice or dal bhat, and for breakfast porridge, omelet with chapati or Tibetan bread. We recommend that you eat a vegetarian diet whilst on your trek to avoid the risk of stomach upset. We also recommend that you eat at least 1 dal bhat a day, as this meal comes with free refills, and will provide you plenty of energy for the following day. As the saying goes ‘Dal bhat power, 24 hours!’