Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is less crowded but interesting trekking in Nepal. Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is the world’s third highest mountain in the world lies in eastern part of Nepal. Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking area is protected under the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, managed by local communities in partnership with WWF.

Highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking

  • Less Crowded trekking route
  • Ethnic Nepalese culture
  • Great views of Mountains
  • Wilderness nature experience

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is the part of great Himalayan Trails in eastern Nepal. It takes you to the base camp of world’s third highest mountain peak named Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m). The meaning of Kanchenjunga in Nepali language stands for crystal clear.

Kanchenjunga also known as the “Five Treasures of the Great Snow” i.e. Gold, Sliver, Precious Stones, Grain and Holy Scriptures. It is located in Nepal and India border to the north-east of India. Mount Kanchenjunga is possible seen from Nepal, India, Tibet and Bhutan. The major part of the mountain lies in Nepal.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking Information:

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking starts from Kathmandu after flying to Tumlingtar Aiport. The trekking route of Kanchenjunga passes through the beautiful Aurn Valley which is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. The area is protected under the Kanchenjunga Conversation Area. The total area of Kanchenjunga Conservation Area 2035 square kilometers. Kanchejunga base camp trekking route passes by many villages, farm lands, and jungle and high hills.

Flora and Fauna in Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga area is the home to many flora and fauna. There are many kinds of wildlife including Red Panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, snow leopard, wild boar and many others. There are many kinds of rare and endangered animals to see. There are various alpine grasslands to sub-tropical forests, low river valley, glacial moraine, and rocky scree slopes. Alpine vegetation of different kinds of flowers and trees are found. Many Himalayan birds, reptiles and small creatures available in these area.

Himalayan Views and Cultural Experience

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking offers the stunning views of great mountain peaks such as Everest (8848m),  Lhotse (8516m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Makalu (8481m), and many others. Similarly there are many high hills and peaks to see for great views of Himalayas and landscape of hills.

The eastern part of Nepal is inhabited by mixed of community of Rai, Limbu, Gurung and Sherpa. The Kanchenjunga region offers unique culture and lifestyle of ethnic people of Nepal. Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking package is full of cultural heritages. The area still protects the traditional culture and lifestyle of real Nepal. You will experience the live heritage of Nepalese life.

Best Time for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking

Trek to the base camp of Kanchenjunga is best in spring and autumn season. Spring season offers the great views of Himalayas with colorful flowers and vegetation all around the hills. Spring season falls under the months of March, April and May. Another best time to visit Nepal is autumn season. Autumn season fall under the months of September, October and November. Trekking in monsoon is not recommended because of heavily rain and steeply trekking trails. Trekking in winter season is also difficult one.

Who Can Do Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?

The trekking route is longer than two weeks in wilderness area of Nepal. So trekkers who want to do this trekking needs to be physically fit and having previous experience is the basis requirement for the trekking. It’s not much has altitude sickness problem but needs long days walking of 6 to 8 hours a day.

Outline Itinerary

DayProgramElevation
1Arrival to TIA airport. Pick up from there then check in to hotel in Kathmandu Upon arrival in Kathmandu.1440m
2Kathmandu to Biratnagar flight and drive to Hille1800m
3Hille – Shidua
4Shidua – Door Pani2780m
5Door Pani – Gupa Pokhari2890m
6
Gupa Pokhari – Nesum
7Nesum – Taplejung1442m
8Taplejung – Chirwa1190m
9Chirwa – Sakathum1640m
10Sakathum-Amjilossa2490m
11Amjilossa – Gyabla / kyapar2730m
12Kyapar – Ghunsa3410m
13Ghunsa –Khambachen4150m
14Acclimatization day in Khambachen
15Khambachen–Lhonak4790m
16Lhonak trip to Pangpema5140m
17Pangpema to Khambachen and to the Passes
18Rest day in High Pass
19High Camp –Ramche4620m
20Ramche – Tseram3810m
21Tseram – Torontham2990m
22Torontham – Yamphudin1960m
23Yamphudin – Phumphe1780m
24Phumphe – Phawa Khola
25Phawa Khola – Taplejung1442m
26Taplejung – Kathmandu1440m
27Final Departure

<p>Our airport representative will be waiting outside the airport terminal a few metres from the exit door. Please check your name at play card. He will bring you to hotel in kathmandu. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes</p>

<p>Today we take a flight to Biratnagar of about 30-40 min. Biratnagar is an industrial city in the lowlands of Eastern Nepal. From here we take a drive to Hille viewing all around the spectacular sceneries of lowlands. Hille is a Tibetan settlement valley which would be our first place for overnight camping.</p>

<p>We make an early trek to Buranse Danda, towards the Tamur River along a ridge. At the top of this ridge we arrive at Shidua. Here we camp for the night.</p>

<p>After breakfast today we’ll trek through a forest area to Chitre, observing the local wildlife along the route. The views of Mt. Makalu (8476m) and Chamlang area the main highlights along the trail. The trail climbs up through mossy rhododendron forests, with superb views over the valleys of Arun Koshi and Tamur koshi to the hamlet of Door Pani 2780m. Camping at night.</p>

<p>After gentle climb through more rhododendron forests to a mountain ridge Milke Danda and we drop down to the village of Tongise Phedi. The trail continues through pretty grassy fields with views of snowy mountains range and Mt. Makalu in a constant view. Soon the Kanchenjunga range appears and we come to Mongol Bharai pass, lined with Mani stones. The trail dips up and down before reaching two small lakes at Lamo Pokhari and another collection of mountain pools at Gupa pokhara for our camp.</p>

<p>This is a long day trail. Follow the trail uphill from Milke Danda ridge to a second ridge running northeast towards the Tamur koshi. Enjoy the shade of rhododendron until Akhar Deorali (3200m), and then follow an undulating path through mixed deciduous forests to Gurja Gaon, 2000m for lunch. The later part of the day is long and time tdious, descent through cultivated country to village of Chatrapati and finally drops down a rocky trail to Nesum (1620m) and set up camp for the night.</p>

<p>Below Nesum, the trail continues its descent to the Tamur Koshi, zigzagging down past scattered farms to a suspension bridge over the small river. Show your permit for inspection and cross Dobhan (640m), after three hrs leaving Nesum. At Dobhan, you cross the Tamur Koshi and make the step, testing ascent to Taplejung. This is the central hub of this region and also a useful exit route for any ill.</p>

<p>Follow the east bank of Tamur as the trail dips and rises along the riverside, striking rocky fields and landslides to a valley populated by the Limbus peoples, the descendants of the Kirati warriors who ruled Nepal at the dawn of Nepalese history. The valley narrows and descends to a wooden bridge across the Thiwa Khola at 1140m, then wind up and down along the riverbank of Chirwa. We camp near Chirwa, a pleasant bazaar with a few tea houses and shops.</p>

<p>Stroll north along the east bank of the Tamur River on a rolling trail to the Chhetri village Tapethok (1320m). This is a Kanchenjunga National Park checkpoint. From here cross the simbuwa khola, a river formed by the Yalung Glacier, along the Tamur to the Walunchung gola (3220m). Drop down to the Tamur and cross on a new suspension bridge, just above the confluence with the Ghunsa Khola. It’s a short walk along the steep to a riverside camp site near the Tibetan village of Sakathum.</p>

<p>Start on the narrow trail that wind along the north bank. After few ups and downs beside the river, you’ll reach some stone steps that scramble high above the river to a waterfall and the tiny hamlet of Ghaiyabari (2150m). Another climb from the gorge bottom passes by Solima. The trail passes along thegorge, hence be careful while walking. Then following the uphill and downhill tricky trial, we conclude our today’s hectic journey at Tibetan settlement Amjilossa.</p>

<p>This is relatively short day continues to climb along the Ghunsa valley. You’ll definitely feel the mountains are getting closer as you climb to a flat ridge and meander through a forest of bamboo, Rhododendron and gnarled brown oaks, passing scattered pastures and waterfalls. We climb steeply to Kyapart, perched in the middle of terraced hills about 350m up from the Ghunsa Khola. The trail begins a grinding climb to the Sherpa village of Gyabla or also called Kyapar.</p>

<p>The day begins with a day steep drop into a ravine, followed by an easy level stage through fir and rhododendron forests along the riverbank. It takes all mornings to trek to the yak pastures and potato fields of Phole (3210m). Above Phole, the valley widens and the trail improves through fields and larch forests, dipping down to the riverbed before crossing to Ghunsa Khola and crossing a bridge to the village of Ghunsa overnight camp there.</p>

<p>Heading north from Ghunsa, the trail makes a gradual ascent through a forest of larch and juniper along the east bank of the river. After crossing a sandy, boulder-strewn floodpain, the path crosses a rickety, wood and stone bridge to the west side of the river at Rambuk Kharka (3720m). We glimpse the Jannu Glacier, later on we get a view of Jannu (7710m) we descend the mountainside to our camp at Khambachen and overnight staying there.</p>

<p>This is a rest day to allow your body to adjust to the higher altitude. The views from here are superb- the peaks of Khabur (6332m) and Phole (6645m) and Jannu are lined up at the east, while the snowcapped ridges beyond the Kanchenjunga Glacier loom dramatically to the north. Alternatively you could try a bit of nature Photography. So deserve a rest today to collect our thoughts on how wild and wonderful everything has been so far.</p>

<p>Above Khambachen, the trail enters a desolate landscape gouged by the icy fingers of glaciers. The path climbs gradually across the slopes of landslides to pasture area Ramtang (4350m). The trail runs along the lateral moraine of Kanchenjunga Glacier, following the north bank of the river and cross over to the Lhonak Glacier. On the east side of the valley is the crown shaped Merra Peak (6344m). We arrive at our campsite at Lhonak. The village of Lhonak sits beside a wide, often dry lakebed, on an open, sandy plain.</p>

<p>To reach Pangpema, ascend through gradually across the plain and follow the line of the moraine. The most stable trail climbs onto the ridge before dropping to a pair of lonely-looking huts at Pangpema. We shall have excellent views of the towering peak of Kanchenjunga today.</p>

<p>The views are often crisp and clear in the early morning to hike up the ridge north of Pangpema for the kind of view that inspire religions. From a vantage point about 300m up the slope, you will have a panorama of Kanchenjunga, Taple Shikar and Gimmigela Chuli. We link to the Kanchenjunga south treks by crossing the Mirgin La (4663m) and the Lapsang La pass (5160m) depending on the weather conditions where both are of tough kind.</p>

<p>We shall have a rest today to make progress from the labors of the previous day. Have a beautiful glimpse around the pass of the spectacular snowcapped mountains and ridges.</p>

<p>It takes about seven hours Trek to Ramche. The view is wonderful as you ascend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier and into a series of ablation valleys. Explore around South base camp. Especially impressive is the east part of Khumbakarna Glacier.</p>

<p>A relatively short day walks to Tseram. The scenery is magnificent as we descend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier and into a series of ablation valleys. A frozen lake, crystal clear streams and views of Kokthan, Rathong and Kabru are the highlights of this walk. We will have a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga south face from a chorten at about 4500m. We descend later to Tseram for our over night camp.</p>

<p>Just after Tseram, the towering heights of Kabru and Rathong peep over the moraine. The trail is fairly downhill and as the day progresses, the trees become sparser and more stunted, giving us glimpses of the snow-capped giants ahead and of the massive snout of the Yalung Glacier. We steadily descend through the forests of mixed rhododendron and pine to Torontham.</p>

<p>A steep ascent takes us down into the valley of the Simbua Khola after crossing an interesting wooden bridge. We ascend across some fairly steep and exposed slopes after re-entering the forest. We pass through Lamite Bhanjyang (3410m) and Amji Khola ascending to a pass at Dhupi Bhanjyang (2540m). The path zigzags down through the fields of corn and barley. Reach Yamphudin crossing the ridge at 1690m. Yamphudin is a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais and Gurungs and the first real village since Ghunsa.</p>

<p>Following the west bank we cross the Kabeli Khola. Ascend rocky cliffs on the rubble of past landslides. Crossing on a fragile-looking suspension bridge, get down to the ridge. Passing through the dotted house of Pauwa of Mamanke (1780m) continue to ascend rice terraces up to Phumpha.</p>

<p>We climb to a ridge and descend through series of side valleys past Phun village to Kesawa. The trail continues to ascend to a Gurung settlement at Bhanjyang (pass). From here the trail traverses a ridge and descends to the Limbu village of Khunjari. We camp below on the banks of Phawa Khola at 1430m.</p>

<p>We descend from Phawa Khola to Taplejung for our overnight stay. This would be our last day of the trek. Enjoy the local customs and traditions at evening.</p>

<p>We fly in the morning back to Kathmandu via Biratnagar. At the evening you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying the Nepali cultural dinner show, taking some beautiful snaps and making up your mind for the returning journey. (Or you may stay longer for short tours such as drives at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain flight etc).</p><p>A huge range of Western, European and Nepali cuisine offers you very delicious taste all around in city. You can have a greetings exchanging among friends and buy some souvenirs.</p>

<p>We will drop you to the International airportto catch your flight back to your home. Wish you best of luck for rest of your life having very great experiences and adventures.</p>

Price Includes

  • Airport Pickup and Drop by private transport
  • Kathmandu –Biratnagar- Kathmandu Flight Tickets/ ground transport for Clients and Trekking Crews.
  • 1 nights hotel in Kathmandu at tourist standard hotel ( centrally located, attach bathroom, hot and cold shower)
  • Meals on full board (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) during trekking period.
  • Best available accommodations during the trek in Teahouse/tent camp.
  • TIMS CARD (Trekking Information Management System) - ( we need two photos each for permit
  • All the camping equipment such as sleeping tent, Dinning tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, sleeping mattress, Sleeping Bag and necessary Kitchen Equipment etc.)
  • An experience trekking guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), trekking cook, kitchen helper, Sherpa
  • Necessary number of porter’s their meal /accommodation / transportation / salary / insurance / equipment’s are included in price.
  • Trekking Permit for Kanchenjunga Trek.
  • Trekking poles, sleeping bag/duffle bag (we provide these if necessary).
  • Trekking Maps
  • Rubbish Disposal
  • Our Service Charge and Government Taxes

Price Exclude

  • All meals in Kathmandu
  • Extra nights hotel stay in Kathmandu.
  • Tips to guides and support staff.
  • Additional costs in case of emergency (You must have adequate travel insurance to cover any kind of emergencies, such as ground transportation & Heli recue/medical/hospitalization. Medical etc).
  • Your International flight ticket airfare
  • Energetic chocolate/energy drinks/alcohol/mineral water/cigarettes/packing food snacks etc
  • Additional medication for altitude sickness (Acetazolamide etc).
  • Personal expenses and any other unforeseen expenses, such as Laundry/WIFI on trek/phone call
  • Personal trekking equipment.
  • Nepal entry visa fees which can get up on your arrival in Kathmandu airport
  • Sightseeing tour and All the entrance fees of temple in Kathmandu
  • Services not mentioned herein

Permit & Entry Fees:

It is compulsory to pay Everest National Park entry fee and TIMS card to trek in this area.

Medical Support:

An emergency first aid kit is carried by the support staff at all times.

Accommodation and meals:

During tea house treks our guests pay for their food (breakfast/lunch/dinner) at the lodge while we provide guides/accommodation/necessary permit and transportation. It can be USD $25 per person each day for food (Lunch/dinner/breakfast)

Water:

Mineral waters are available at all stops during tea house treks. You can also use tap water if you choose to use water purification tablets.

Travel Insurance:

Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients who choose to trek or climb with us. The insurance should cover you in case of emergencies like accidents, altitude sickness and ambulance and helicopter rescue charges if required. Please carry a copy of your insurance papers while travelling in Nepal and do send us a copy as well. This will help us in making all the necessary arrangements in case of any sort of emergencies.

Best Season for Everest Panorama View Trek

  • Spring : March – May
  • Summer: June – August
  • Autumn: September – November
  • Winter: December – February

While there are no seasonal constraints on traveling to Nepal, different regions are best visited in different seasons. Once you inquire about any trekking itinerary we’ll email you regarding the best season for that particular trek.

Check-list of personal equipment:

  • Good standard trekking boots
  • Camping shoes/thongs
  • Socks-polypropylene
  • Down Jacket
  • Fleece
  • T-shirts
  • Trekking trousers
  • Shorts (both casual and for treks)
  • Swim wear
  • Sun Hat
  • Woollen Hat
  • Nylon Windbreaker
  • Gloves
  • Gaters
  • Strong Rucksack
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Water Bottle
  • Torch/headlamp (with spare batteries)
  • Toiletries/soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Sun block
  • Travel Towel
  • Wet-wipes
  • Medication (cough medicine, throat soothers, water purification tablets)
  • Sunglasses
  • Binoculars
  • Camera & lenses
  • Memory cards
  • GPS Tracking Units may be helpful
  • Altimeter
  • Compass
  • Book/music player/pack of cards
  • Padlock
  • A plastic bag for waste
  • Energy/snack bars

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Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking