Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Trek Details

Trek to the Foot of the World’s Third-Highest Peak — Kanchenjunga Awaits

Price

$400

Duration

16 Days

Difficulty

Medium

Best Time

Oct-Dec March-May

Max.Altitude

5150 m

Overview

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is an exhilarating yet rewarding journey through Nepal’s remotest and unexplored landscapes. Mount Kanchenjunga, situated far east in Nepal, is the third highest peak at 8,5886 meters (28,169 feet). The trek to both North Base Camp (Pangpema) and South Base Camp (Yalung Glacier) offers breathtaking mountain views, cultural immersion experiences, and access to some of Earth’s last remaining wilderness regions.

The Kanchenjunga region remains relatively untamed compared to Everest and Annapurna, offering solitude and adventure to trekkers seeking off-path trekking experiences. Trekkers traversing Limbu, Rai, and Sherpa villages provide an opportunity to interact with indigenous communities of eastern Nepal while experiencing their way of life firsthand. Furthermore, the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area protects this unique spot featuring diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like snow leopard, blue sheep, red panda, Himalayan Monal, and Himalayan black bear.

Kanchenjunga trekking is for experienced trekkers who are looking for a less crowded trail, rare wildlife, and cultural immersion.

Experienced trekkers looking for an adventurous trek will find this journey fulfilling, offering high-altitude trekking, wildlife encounters, and cultural immersion as part of their itinerary.

Meaning of Kanchanjunga: ‘Five Treasures of Snow’

Kanchenjunga derives its name from Tibetan words that translate as “Kang-Chen-Dzo-Nga” or the Five Treasures of Great Snow, meaning five sacred objects; these may include gold, silver, gems, grain, and sacred scriptures that are protected by deities residing on Mount Kanchenjunga’s five peaks.

Kanchenjunga means “Five Treasures of the Great Snow,” which is a collection of 5 mountains standing at 8000+ meters. This includes Kanchenjunga Main (8,586 M), Yalongkang (8,505 M), Kanchenjunga West (8,420 M), and Twin Peaks (8,476 M).

For local Limbu and Sherpa communities alike, this mountain holds great spiritual meaning while trekking up or around; it is an unforgettable spiritual adventure offering spiritual journeying into hidden landscapes only revealed at special moments.

Best Time to Visit

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekkers should plan to undertake this adventure between March-May (the weather is stable and skies clear) and September-November. At these times, skies clear to provide beautiful views of its majestic peaks – spring is especially beautiful with blooming rhododendrons lining the trails; autumn offers crisp air and vivid post-monsoon greenery.

Winter (December-February) can bring harsh cold, snow, and blocked trails that make trekking challenging; and in monsoon season (June-August), heavy rainfall can turn paths slippery and hazardous, making trekking even more hazardous.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

As you arrive in Kathmandu, you will feel the vibrant energy of Nepal’s capital. Spend the day exploring its rich culture and iconic landmarks like Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Boudhanath Stupa. Make sure to finalize your permits and gear before heading off to the remote Kanchanjunga region.

Day 2 : Flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and Drive to Taplejung (1,820m)

Trek Duration: 45-minute flight, 6-7 hours drive A short flight to Bhadrapur brings you to the lush hills of eastern Nepal. From there, you’ll drive through scenic landscapes, passing tea plantations and small villages until you reach Taplejung, the starting point of your trek.

Day 3 : Taplejung to Mitlung (921m)

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours Altitude Gain: -899m Your trek begins with a gentle descent through terraced fields and traditional villages, following the Tamor River. As you hike, you’ll experience the tranquil beauty of rural Nepal. Mitlung is a peaceful spot to rest for the night under the starry sky.

Day 4 : Mitlung to Chirwa (1,270m)

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours Altitude Gain: +349m This section of the trek leads you through dense bamboo forests and across multiple rivers. As you climb higher, the vegetation begins to change, giving you a glimpse of the wilderness ahead. You’ll spend the night in Chirwa, a small village surrounded by forest.

Day 5 : Chirwa to Sukathum (1,576m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Gain: +306m Prepare for a more challenging day as you navigate narrow trails along the Ghunsa Khola. Several suspension bridges take you across the river as you make your way toward Sukathum, a remote village nestled in a valley

Day 6 : Sukathum to Amjilosa (2,308m)

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours Altitude Gain: +732m The trail becomes steeper as you trek through rocky paths and lush forests. Along the way, you’ll encounter beautiful waterfalls cascading down the mountainside. Amjilosa, a small settlement with limited teahouses, offers a quiet place to rest.

Day 7 : Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730m)

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours Altitude Gain: +422m As you climb higher, the landscape changes, and you’ll start seeing the first signs of alpine meadows and small Sherpa settlements. Gyabla is a quiet and peaceful place, providing a break before the high-altitude sections of the trek.

Day 8 : Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Gain: +865m The trek to Ghunsa is long but rewarding. You’ll pass through rhododendron forests and follow the Ghunsa River until you reach the village of Ghunsa, where you can experience the Sherpa culture firsthand. Ghunsa is known for its Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, which are worth visiting during your stay.

Day 9 : Acclimatization Day in Ghunsa (3,595m)

This day is all about acclimatization. You can explore the village, take short hikes, or visit the Lama Monastery. Rest is essential at this stage to avoid altitude sickness as you prepare to climb higher in the coming days.

Day 10 : Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Gain: +455m This section of the trek offers stunning views as you walk through alpine meadows and glacier moraines. Mount Jannu dominates the skyline, and the scenery becomes more rugged and dramatic as you approach Kambachen.

Day 11 : Kambachen to Lhonak (4,780m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Gain: +730m The trail gets steeper and more challenging as you trek past glacial valleys and rocky terrain. The remoteness of this part of the trek adds to its beauty. When you arrive in Lhonak, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most stunning mountain views you’ve ever seen.

Day 12 : Lhonak to Pangpema (North Base Camp – 5,143m) and Back to Lhonak

Trek Duration: 7-8 hours Altitude Gain: +363m This is the pinnacle of your trek, the day you reach Pangpema (North Base Camp). The views of Mount Kanchanjunga from here are nothing short of breathtaking. After spending some time at the base camp, you’ll return to Lhonak for the night.

Day 13 : Lhonak to Ghunsa (3,595m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Loss: -1,185m After the excitement of reaching base camp, the descent begins as you head back to the familiar terrain of Ghunsa. The path becomes easier as you lose altitude, and you can revisit the charming Sherpa village for another night.

Day 14 : Ghunsa to Sukathum (1,576m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Loss: -2,019m As you descend further, the air becomes warmer, and the lush forests reappear. The long descent takes you back to Sukathum, where you’ll once again be surrounded by the beauty of the lower forests and rivers.

Day 15 : Sukathum to Taplejung (1,820m)

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours Altitude Gain: +244m The final day of trekking takes you back to Taplejung, retracing your steps through charming villages and terraced fields. This is your last chance to soak in the beauty of the region before the trek concludes.

Day 16 : Drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur, Flight to Kathmandu

After completing the trek, you’ll drive back to Bhadrapur, where you’ll catch a flight to Kathmandu. Your adventure will come to a close with memories of one of the most remote and beautiful treks in Nepal.