Kanchenjunga Trekking
Imagine waking up to find yourself at one of the highest points on earth. Kanchenjunga region houses the Kanchenjunga Mountain, the third highest at 8586m. The establishment of the Kanchenjunga conservation has helped in keeping the beautiful and unique fauna and flora of this region pristine and alive. Located in the far eastern Nepal, near the border with Sikkim, this place is home to the famous Gurkhas and you will gain insight into people’s way of lives. The best time to do the Kanchenjunga circuit is in Mar-May/Sep-Nov as the weather is beautiful and the temperature is moderate. It is a demanding trek, particularly crossing the Sele La pass but with the mountain views and the satisfaction that lies ahead, crossing this pass will be something you will remember the rest of your life.
Day 1: Kathmandu
Today is the day where it all starts. You will meet the crew, your companions for the next couple of weeks, and they will help you do final gear checks. After relieving some of the jet-lag from the flight, you can walk around the city and do some shopping for the trek. Enjoy the lively ambience of the Thamel city.
Altitude: 1400 m
Overnight: 3 star hotel in Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu to Bhadrapur flight and a jeep ride to Taplejung
After breakfast, your guide will come collect you at the hotel and accompany you to the airport. The flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur will take you over the city, the green hills and some of the mountains in the north. This is an experience in itself for first timers. On arrival in Bhadrapur, we will drive to Taplejung. On the way, you get to see the amazing green tea manufacturing district (Illam). After hours of drive, you will finally reach (Suketar) Taplejung.
Altitude: 1442 m
Overnight: local lodge
Day 3: Jeep ride to Sekathum
Today is the final day of driving around of the trek. We drive to Sekathum from Taplejung.
Altitude: 1576 m
Overnight: Local lodge
Day 4: Sekathum to Amjilosa
Today is a banger of a start day. Put on your best boots as today’s trail is dramatic and one of the toughest. After breakfast in Sekathum, we cross the suspension bridge over the Ghunsa Khola and continue on steep narrow trail. Waterfalls cascade on both sides of the valley making the trail slippery and conversation difficult. There is a stone walkaway beneath the cliff face along the river’s waterline which is perfect for taking pictures but we need to be careful. Then after few hours of walking, we arrive at our first Sherpa Village, Amjilosa.
Altitude: 2308 m
Overnight: Local lodge
Day 5: Amjilosa to Gyapla
Leaving Amjilosa, we pass through oak, bamboo and rhododendron forests. You can notice the increasing influence of the Tibetan culture as we go in further. We will also see yaks, sheep and goats on the trail, not to mention rich bird life. All while we move forward, we are graced by the magnificent south Kanchenjunga. After numerous steep climbs and short descents, we cross a wooden bridge to Gyapla, our stop for the day.
Altitude: 2730 m
Overnight: Local Lodge
Day 6: Gyapla to Ghunsa
Today we see noticeable difference in the flora and fauna. As we continue on to the forest, we find ourselves amidst rhododendron, camellias and azaleas. On the way, we pass the Phale village, which was a Tibetan refugee camp but now a winter settlement. Here, you can buy handicrafts and homemade rugs from the locals if you ask around. We have time to explore the village for a while before getting back on the trail. Tonight, we stop at Ghunsa, the largest village in the area with telephone and internet services.
Altitude: 3595 m
Overnight: Local teahouse
Day 7: Ghunsa rest/acclimatization
Here we are at high altitude and planning to go higher, so we will take an acclimatization rest day. There is a monastery to explore and a ridge to climb. The Sherpa hospitality is legendary so you will feel right at home. You can choose to climb up to a ridge which offers exceptional views of the Jannu Peak which is worth the five hours round trip. If you are up for it, we can take a packed lunch and enjoy eating on the top. It is also wise to bask in the sun and relax.
Altitude: 3595 m
Overnight: local teahouse
Day 8: Ghunsa to Khambachen
After breakfast, we gradually climb along the south bank of the Ghunsa Khola, passing through Mani walls, colorful prayer flags and chortens along the way. And as we are deep in the Snow Leopard territory, we may be lucky to spot one! Soon, the trail climbs up to the Tibetan settlement of Khambachen with the north Jannu dominating the sky.
Altitude: 4050 m
Overnight: local teahouse
Day 9: Khambachen to Lhonak
The trail away from Khambachen is easy as we walk on scrubby lateral moraine. The next part of the trail is probably the hardest and most dangerous as we climb up a long section of landslide. Carefully, we move slowly and soon, we will be walking on grassy plains. On the far side, we can see the Lhonak khola. We cross North west of the Kanchenjunga and past large stones to the village of Lhonak offering impressive views of the Himalayas. Relax and explore the village for the rest of the day.
Altitude: 4785 m
Overnight: Local teahouse
Day 10: Lhonak to Pangpema Base camp and back to Lhonak (optional)
We start early towards the Kanchenjunga North side base camp at Pangpema (5143m) to catch stunning views of the Tent peak, Nepal peak, Twins and the Kanchenjunga itself. At the base camp, we are greeted by the fluttering prayer flags and cold gusts of wind. We can eat our lunch and have some warm drinks at the top and come back for the day. There is no proper accommodation so we will return back to Lhonak or we can camp for a different experience altogether.
Altitude: 5143 m
Overnight: Local Teahouse
Day 11: Lhonak to Ghunsa
We retrace our steps back to Ghunsa over the Kanchenjunga glacier and stop for lunch at Khambachen. Take it all in as you walk through the familiar trail. The vegetation and the terrain appears greener as come closer to Ghunsa.
Altitude: 3595 m
Overnight: Local Teahouse
Day 12: Ghunsa to Selele La
From Ghunsa, we climb thorugh a forest and along a grassy ridge from where we can see Ghunsa and Phale villages as well as Mt. Makalu in the distance. The trail climbs a steep 500 m to a high camp, for an overnight stay in a preparation for the trek to the Mirgin La pass.
Altitude: 4480 m
Overnight: Local Teahouse
Day 13: Selele La to Tseram
We continue our trek early after breakfast towards the Kanchenjunga south base camp. We continue trekking and reach the Sinion La pass which is not very far. Crossing the Sinion la pass, the trail takes us along a ridge to the Sinelapche la pass. From here the views of the Mt Kanchenjunga and its valley is fantastic. We descend for a while to Tseram, the only settlement we find on this route.
Altitude: 3870 m
Overnight: Local teahouse
Day 14: Tseram to Ramche
This is an easy day in the mountain paradise. The natural horseshoe of the valley gives us magnificent view of all the peaks to the east along the Nepal-India border, such as Koktang (6147m), Rathong (6679m) and many more above 7000m. we stay overnight at Ramche.
Altitude: 4580 m
Overnight: Local teahouse
Day 15: Ramche to Tseram
We retrace our steps back to Tseram and stay there for the night.
Altitude: 3870 m
Overnight: Local Teahouse
Day 16: Tseram to Tortong
Now we descend to go back home. Today, the trail is mostly downhill and we pass through oak, rhododendron and birch forests. There are no settlements until we reach Tortong; completely deserted.
Altitude: 2995 m
Overnight: Local Teahouse
Day 17: Tortong to Yamphudin
Our trail today has a few climbs today but majority is long descents to Yamphudin. We climb up through mossy forests to reach Lamite Bhanjyang where we will have lunch. Then, we begin with a steep descent to Imja Khola and continue downhill to a mixed community of Sherpas, Rais, Limbus and Gurungs. In the evening, you can walk around and notice the cultural differences and similarities between these groups.
Altitude: 2080 m
Overnight: Local teahouse
Day 18: Yamphudin jeep to Suketar
Now, we are going back home. We hire a private jeep to take us to Suketar.
Altitude: 2300 m
Overnight: local lodge
Day 19: Suketar to Bhadrapur (drive)
Our wonderful trek is at its end. We enjoy a scenic drive back to Bhadrapur. As we get closer to Kathmandu, we can see a noticeable change in the surrounding.
Altitude: 91 m
Overnight: Local lodge
Day 20: Flight to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur
Getting on a plane after days of walking and hiking through the nature gives us a different feel. After 45 minutes flight, we are back in Kathmandu. Once we check into the hotel, you can chill in your hotel room. We will have our final dinner together as a crew later in the day. You can share your experiences and thoughts about the trek. Here is where you will bid your goodbyes to your Nepali friends until next time. Your guide will help you book a ride to the airport for your flight back.
Altitude: 1400 m
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Activities
Cost Included
- Kathmandu arrival and transferred to hotel
- Kathmandu to Bhadrapur return by flight
- Bhadrapur to Taplejung by private bus or jeep
- All necessary permits and TIMS cards
- All ground transportation
- Guide and staffs wages and insurance
- All meal during the trekking (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- All trekking equipment (tents, tables, chairs, kitchen utensils etc.)
Cost excluded
- Bar bills, laundry and tips
- Rescue, insurance, souvenir shopping
- Items of personal expenses
- Nepal entry visa fees
- Personal rescue if needed
#Note above day to day itinerary. May be change depending on weather and flight.