Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Our airport representative will welcome you and explain the program further. There are no planned activities for the day, so check into the hotel.

Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel.

Free day, explore around the city, trek preparation day.

We will start early in the morning from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Airport (also known as Chandragadhi Airport) in Jhapa. The flight takes around 50 – 55 minutes and affords views of the Himalayan ranges. After landing, we will head to Taplejung by car.

Taplejung is the gateway to the region and a lively place thanks to local trading and transport role. We will cross stops like Rakse, Phiddim, and Ghopetar before we finally reach Taplejung, our first stop at Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.

We will start our day with breakfast, then take a drive from Taplejung. We will pass by beautiful landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and terrace fields and reach Ranipul, which takes about 3 – 4 hours. From Ranipul, the road condition may be unpaved, which may become a potential challenge.

It is not a long distance, but the journey takes a bit too long due to some bad road conditions. Upon arriving in Shekathum, let's savor the serenity of this remote village, where every corner holds the promise of adventure and discovery.

Trekking from Shekathum to Amjilesa (often known as the starting point of Kanchenjunga Base Camp) is challenging. After crossing the suspension bridge outside Shekathum over the Ghunsa Khola River, we enter a dense forest of rhododendrons and bamboo, ascend the steep trail, descend, and cross the river again. We also climb a gorge from the bottom, pass by Solima village, and descend again to the river’s level. All in all, this day’s trekking is rather challenging.

Therefore, it is advisable to be very careful, especially while walking the trail that passes the gorge. We later follow a tricky path that goes both uphill and downhill until reaching Amjilasa, where we spend the night.

We start trekking from the riverbank of Gunsa Khola and pass through a dense forest of bamboo, fir, oak, and rhododendrons, eventually reaching a small stone house by the river.

We then climb uphill, crossing a few small bridges. Here, we get to enjoy the company of several stunning waterfalls that are often fed by glacial melt. If you are lucky, you can witness red pandas hanging over the trees or even Himalayan Black bears.

From Pangling Hill, we will cross some more suspension bridges; after a short while, we will reach Dhagnem or Thagnyam (2379m). Here, you can find houses that were made over a century.

After yet another short uphill walk in small bamboo forests, we reach the village Gyabla (highly influenced by Tibetan traditions), where there are limited facilities, limited teahouses, and no industrial development.

Today, we will gain a quiet altitude. We start from 2730m and end near a height of 3600, so it is necessary to ascend carefully.

We will start our trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa, setting off among the majestic Himalayan landscape. Along the trail, we'll ascend on stone-made ladders, cross pristine forests and meandering rivers, and visit charming Sherpa villages like Phale (which is at 3230m). From Phale, it takes around 3:30 hours to reach Ghunsa village.

You can visit a Tibetan monastery in Phale named Pholey Gumba, which is not widely known as other monasteries but still have importance for locals around. It is believed by the locals that the statue inside the monastery is found only in three places of the world: the Phale of Nepal, Dharmshala of India, and the last Lass of Tibet.

As we ascend, we'll be treated to breathtaking views of towering peaks and cascading waterfalls, soaking in the natural beauty that surrounds us. Upon reaching Ghunsa, nestled in the heart of the mountains, we'll be welcomed by its serene atmosphere and traditional Sherpa culture.

Here, we can explore the monasteries (Tashi Chhyoling), interact with the friendly locals, and replenish our energy for the adventures that lie ahead in this Great Himalayan paradise. Unlike villages like Amjilesa and Gyabla, Ghunsa has quiet facilities and lovely accommodations.

We take care to spend time acclimatizing around Ghunsa before continuing our next day’s trek. We recommend you stay active even on a rest day, as it is better than being idle while on a trekking journey. Therefore, we take a short hike towards the Laspsan La monastery through the lush green forest. Come back to Ghunsa by afternoon and relax.

From Ghunsa, we trek further north along the river bank, which presents us with magnificent mountain scenery. We pass through meadows full of beautiful wildflowers, rhododendrons, and Sal (Rakpa) forests and reach Sypchen (3541m) and Tartang (3583m) stops.

We will have Hajare odar (big stone), which has a long back story, mainly Kirant religious people worship. According to Legend, this big stone has the capacity to accommodate over 1000 people at once.

We cross a bridge at Rampuk Kharka, continue past the waterfall, reach Jaanu Phaktanglung's point, and cross the tricky section of the landslide and wooden bridges.

After crossing the landslide area, we begin to see the spectacular view of Mt. Jannu. Further exploring and tackling the challenging mountain trail, we finally arrive at Kambachen and spend the night.

We take yet another day for acclimatization at Kambachen, which is reserved to accommodate participants in high altitudes and observe if anybody in the group has any altitude sickness symptoms. This day’s overall idea is to relax- take a bath and explore the Nuphchu Khola Valley area. We spent yet another night at Kambachen. 

Today’s trek from Kambachen to Lhonak is challenging, so we start early. The trail passes through rocky fields and boulders along the hillside, with the Himalayas surrounding us. The first stop is Lumuchhemu (4,222m), followed by Ladam (4,291m).

We then cross a landslide section, which requires caution, before descending briefly to the river. Next, we pass the beautiful Khando Waterfall (4,281m) and climb a stony hill. The views become even more stunning as we ascend toward Ramdang (4,596m), where we rest at a teahouse.

From Ramdang, we head to Lhonak (4,780m), enjoying views of the Kanchenjunga Glacier and spotting blue sheep (Bharal) near the Lhonak River above the hillside. The trek ends at Lhonak village, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and breathtaking scenery.

On Day 12, we follow the Kanchenjunga Glacier, starting cautiously, especially through its rocky sections. Shortly after, we reach Syamjo (4,841m), a habitat for blue sheep. The trek then leads to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema Base Camp), a grassy and icy plain surrounded by stunning views of Jannu, Kanchenjunga, and Chang Himal.

The next stop is Thankpu (4,966m), just 1.5 hours from Lhonak. From Thankpu, the trail becomes more challenging as we ascend through a landslide section. Afterward, we reach Jorkyu (5,035m), and from here, we continue to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The altitude above 5,000m requires a slow pace, but the clear views of the third-highest peak in the world make it worthwhile.

At Pangpema View Base Camp, which leads toward the North Summit Camp, we take in the breathtaking scenery. The mantra here is to "take nothing but pics and leave nothing but footprints." After enjoying the views, we descend back to Lhonak to rest.

The journey from Lhonak to Ghunsa takes us through diverse landscapes, from rocky terrain and alpine meadows to lush forests. Along the way, we pass charming Sherpa villages, where we can experience their warm hospitality and taste local specialties like yak cheese and churpi. The route is adorned with cascading waterfalls, adding to the serenity of the trek.

As we approach Ghunsa, the vibrant culture and Buddhist heritage of the region become evident, with prayer flags and monasteries welcoming trekkers. Ghunsa offers a comforting stop with its traditional charm, making it a memorable part of the Kanchenjunga region adventure.

Today, we leave Ghunsa and trek toward Sele Le Camp, located on the South Base Camp side of Kanchenjunga. The trail takes us back into lush forests, where the greenery and mountain views create a soothing atmosphere.

We will enter the forest area again and trek a steep ascent along the rocky path made of stone. We eventually lead to a point where you can see the villages below. Here, we take a well-deserved rest and have a hot cup of tea.

As we continue, the landscape changes to grassy meadows interspersed with large boulders. After several hours of trekking, we reach SeleLe Camp (4,355m), a quiet and remote spot with limited teahouses. We spent the night in Sele Le. There are limited teahouses on Selele, so it is a good idea to book it in advance during peak season.

On Day 15, we begin our hike with breathtaking views of various Himalayan peaks. Early in the trek, we witness Kumbakarna from the southern side of Kanchenjunga. As we ascend the Sele Le ridge, panoramic vistas open up, including views of Makalu (the world’s 6th highest mountain) and Jannu Himal.

Crossing the Selele-La Pass (4,480m), adorned with prayer flags full of mantras fluttering in the wind, we are treated to a 360-degree view of the surrounding peaks. The trail continues along the side of a cliff, eventually reaching the Sinjon La Pass and Mirgin La Pass (4,646m), followed by Sinelapche Bhanjyang.

The route includes both steep descents and ascents, offering glimpses of a serene blue lake along the way. This section is a challenge, with yaks carrying loads navigating the rugged terrain. After the demanding trek, we make a steep descent to Cheram, where there are only three teahouses currently available. Additionally, three more teahouses are under construction, providing limited but cozy accommodation for trekkers.

Today’s trek begins as we leave Cheram and head towards Ramche, navigating challenging terrain with sharp stone paths and icy trails. The hike starts with an ascent along the Yalung Glacier, accompanied by the soothing presence of the Simbuwa Khola. The route passes through the Napsangla Pass, offering breathtaking views of the rugged Himalayan landscape.

At Ramche, trekkers are rewarded with stunning sights, including blue sheep grazing in the surrounding hills and the awe-inspiring southern face of Kanchenjunga. From here, we continue to Oktang, where panoramic views of the towering Himalayan peaks provide an unforgettable experience.

Return to Ramche to spend the night surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas.

We're heading on a trek downhill to Torongden. We'll walk through a mix of rocky paths, high-altitude meadows, thick forests, and cross rivers (Simbuwa Khola), and most of the time, it will be downhill.

During our journey, we'll pass through lovely villages like Cheram and Anda Phedi, taking in the local culture and beautiful scenery. Our day ends when we reach Torongden, where we'll spend the night resting after our adventure.

We're setting off on a picturesque trek from Torongden to Yasang (also spelled Yarsang), a journey that usually takes us about 5-6 hours. As we descend through lush forests and winding trails, we'll soak in the breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding us. With each step, we'll feel the tranquility of the Himalayan wilderness embracing us.

Today, our trekking journey ends on Hellok. Descending through lush forests and rocky paths, we'll relish the breathtaking views of the towering mountains embracing us.

Keep an eye out for local wildlife, adding to the thrill of our journey. As we reach Hellok, it marks the end of our trekking expedition, and we'll continue our adventure with a scenic jeep ride to Taplejung, reminiscing about the unforgettable moments of our hike along the way.

Scenic drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur, offering views of the rural landscapes of Nepal. Then, fly to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur and transfer to the hotel.

Reserve day in kathmandu. In case of bad weather or internal flight delay/cancellation.

Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a Nepal Hiking Team representative will take you to the airport.