Kanchenjunga Trek

Our representatives will pick you up from the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) after clearing the customs and you will head towards your hotel with him/her. You can get the first-hand experience of culture and lifestyle in Kathmandu through a short walk from your hotel. Rest for the day in the hotel. Overnight at Kathmandu.

After breakfast, you will meet with your trekking teams and guides at the Himalaya Trip office near your hotel. Following a quick orientation session, you will have the day to prepare for the Kanchenjunga trek. Meanwhile, we will arrange the necessary permits for the Kanchenjunga. With your guide put together the gears and equipment and rest for the day. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.

After enjoying a satisfying breakfast, we make our way to the airport to embark on the next leg of our journey. Boarding our flight in Kathmandu, we head eastward, ultimately reaching Bhadrapur, a significant trade transit city in the southeast. With an elevation of only 91 meters above sea level, you'll notice variations in temperature and air humidity here. Upon landing at Bhadrapur airport, our vehicle awaits us to transport us northward to the picturesque town of Illam, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. You can rest at your hotel for a while before venturin to explore the vast tea garden at Illam. Illam is particularly renowned for its vast tea state spread all across the area. Our accommodation for the night will be at a hotel in Illam, where you can unwind and settle in.

The drive today is a short one but through the rural landscape of typical Nepal. You drive through terraced farms, rural villages, dirt paths, lush forests for about 6-7 hours to reach the mountainous town of Taplejung. The distance between Illam and Taplejung is about 150 kilometers. Predominantly inhabited by Buddhist people, Taplejung preserves several Buddhist monuments which you will observe upon reaching there. On that note, there is a monastery here wherein you will find a lamp that has been continuously being lit for over 400 years. Taplejung depicts a sacred vibe with several Buddhist mani walls, prayer wheel, monasteries and Chhortens. You will be staying at a hotel here for the night.

Your trekking adventure begins with the trail meandering through villages alongside the Tamor River. The altitude gradually ascends by more than 300 meters, offering an easy-going path. Starting with a slight descent from Taplejung to the riverbank, you then head north, passing through small hamlets. About 2 hours into the journey, as you approach Siwan, you'll witness the convergence of two rivers, Methang and Ima, into the Tamor River. Subsequently, a steep uphill climb through a narrow gorge awaits, with rocky cliffs adorned by visible wild bee hives. Arriving in Chiruwa in the evening, we settle in for the night.

After enjoying a satisfying breakfast at the teahouse, you'll commence today's trek, which proves to be relatively easy as the trail winds its way across the Tamor River multiple times. En route, you'll pass through various villages, including Taplethok and Tamewa, before crossing a suspension bridge over the Tamor River to reach Lelep. This small, inhabited hamlet is predominantly home to Rais and Limbus. Continuing for about an hour from Lelep, you'll arrive at Sekhathum, today's final destination. Sekhathum serves as a pivotal point, marking the intersection of the Kanchenjunga and Lumba Sumba treks. Additionally, this village is situated at the confluence of the Tamor and Ghunsa rivers.

Starting from Sekhathum, our journey takes an eastward direction, following the course of the Ghunsa River basin. This river serves as our guide, leading us to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp and originating from the Kanchenjunga glacier. The majority of today's trail takes us deep into tropical forests, where you'll encounter a rich variety of flora, including Rhododendron, Juniper, Birch, and Pine. With an ascent of over 800 meters, the climb may leave you breathless. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Ghunsa River, the trail continues along a cliff wall. After approximately 5 hours of traversing, we'll reach the hilltop village of Amjilosa, where we'll spend the night.

Today's trek is a relatively straightforward path that winds through dense forests and alongside flowing streams. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The trail predominantly follows the Ghunsa River, requiring multiple crossings. The midpoint of this stretch is the village of Thyanani, situated at an elevation of 2405 meters. Here, we pause for lunch before continuing our journey. After three hours from Thyanani, you'll reach Gyabla, where you'll spend the night.

Today's stretch demands for a challenging climb, ascending steeply for the majority of the day towards Ghunsa, situated at an altitude of 3595 meters—an elevation gain of over 800 meters in a single day. The initial two-hour stretch from Gyabla takes you through a dense forest located in the riverbed, offering encounters with various floral species along the trek. As you reach Phere, Buddhist monuments, including Chhortens, Mani Walls, and Monasteries, grace the path. Ghunsa is just a two-hour walk from Phere and stands as the largest settlement in the Kanchenjunga area. At the village's end, you'll find essential facilities like a police station, the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area check post, and a hospital. Moreover, telephone and internet services are available in Ghunsa.

The path leading from Ghunsa is brimming with natural wonders. As you traverse on this segment, you'll encounter numerous enchanting water bodies awaiting your exploration. The initial part of the trek follows a straight pathway along the riverbed, with several captivating waterfalls originating from the Yamatari Glacier and Temachhungi Peak (6044m). After three hours of traversing, a suspension bridge at Rampuk Kharka marks a key crossing point. From there, the trail ascends steeply on the opposite side of the Kumbhakarna Glacier. Another two hours of trekking will bring you to your overnight stop at Khangbachen.

A crucial acclimatization day is set aside in Khangbachen, offering various options for engagement. The village exudes a unique ambiance with its ancient Buddhist heritage, inviting exploration of the nearby monastery and a leisurely stroll through the village. Alternatively, many trekkers opt for a hike to the Jannu Peak viewpoint along the ridge, a round trip taking approximately 5 hours. Those choosing this option should bring a packed lunch for the Jannu Peak viewpoint hike. The overnight stay is in Khangbachen.

As you ascend in altitude, the landscape of your trekking trail undergoes a transformation. The vibrant forests give way to expansive glaciers and semi-arid terrain, marking a significant change in the topography. Today's journey is notably more challenging than the preceding days due to the gained altitude, requiring a slow and steady pace. This stretch is renowned for rare sightings of the elusive Snow Leopard. Traversing through icy scree and moraines, you'll have panoramic views of the Mera Glaciers and Romdeng Glacier. The trail eventually leads to the small settlement of Lhonak in the evening. Lhonak is situated alongside the Kanchenjunga Glacier, offering a breathtaking perspective of the Kanchenjunga massifs.

The path from Lhonak to Pangpema begins with a gradual ascent in the initial stretch. As the trail winds through deep valleys, it unveils breathtaking mountain vistas on all sides. Upon approaching a sizable glacial moraine, the terrain transforms, leading you through a series of steep climbs. This section of the journey is characterized by debris, rocky boulders, icy patches, and glacial deposits. Multiple river crossings add to the challenges of the trek. Then unveils the staggering beauty of Kanchenjunga North which will leave you spell bound. The actual base camp sits at the confluence of two huge glaciers: Pathibhara (Pyramid) Glacier and
Kanchenjunga Glacier.

The base camp allows for an astounding views of Mt.Kanchenjunga(8,586 m), Mt.Yalung Kang (Kangchenjunga West)(8505m), Mt.Kumbhakarna/Jannu (7710m) and Mt.Pandim(6691m). After spending some worthwhile moments at the base camp, we begin the descent towards Lhonak for overnight stay. The trekking duration of todays’s stretch can take 6-7 hours depending upon your pace.

The descent from Lhonak to Ghunsa follows a scenic and mesmerizing trail. This stretch of the trek treats you to awe-inspiring views of Chang Himal (6750m.), Ramtang Peak (6700m.), Lupche Peak (6044m.), and Dango Peak (6250m.). Moreover, the region features expansive yak pastures, adding to the beauty and charm of the surroundings.

Our journey takes a different course from Ghunsa as we now follow the southeastern route, diverging from the path of our ascent. The route is relatively straightforward, featuring a gradual climb approximately 2 hours from Ghunsa. Along the way, we cross the Yamtari River and encounter small ascents before reaching Sele La Base Camp after 6 hours of traversing. Positioned at the base of Boktoh Peak at 6114 meters, Sele La Base Camp will be our overnight stop for this leg of the trek.

The trek to Tseram is a lengthy but relatively straightforward journey, taking you through the remote and untouched sections of the Kanchenjunga trail. Along the way, you'll encounter high mountain passes, including Simon La (4440m), Mirgin La (4480m), and Sinelapche Bhanjyang (4646m). Following these passes, the trail gradually descends, offering an easy walk through rocky cliffside terrain leading to Cheram. Cheram village serves as a pivotal junction for both the Kanchenjunga and Yalung Base Camp treks. Overnight at Cheram.

You will take the northeastern trail from Cheram towards Yalung Base Camp, our path aligns with the Simbuwa River, sourced from the Yalung Glacier. After approximately 2 hours of traversing, the journey advances into a technical trail along the Yalung Glacier. Upon reaching Ramche, we indulge in the mesmerizing views of Kabru I (7412m), Kabru II (7339m), Kabru III (7338m), Kanchenjunga West (8505m), Kanchenjunga Central (8482m), and Kanchenjunga South (8476m). . After reaching Ramche, we unwind for a while and venture on the second leg of our journey towards Oktang. The hike to Oktang takes about 3 hours andthis place stands as one of the prominent vantage points of this trek. Overnight at Ramche.

Commencing our return journey from Ramche, we trace the course alongside the Sibuwa River, immersing ourselves in the deep, verdant forests and wilderness of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The trail, characterized by multiple ascents along the way, offers a relatively straightforward path. During this stretch, you'll traverse through a vast expanse of Rhododendron forests, adding to the scenic beauty of the journey.

The trek for today is characterized by a series of undulating ascents and descents. Initially, the path gradually ascends towards Lasiya Bhanjyang (3310m) before descending towards Yamphudin. Along the trail, you'll come across vegetation typical of hilly areas. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, leading you to Yamphudin, where you'll spend the night.

Today's journey follows a gentle and straightforward path through the rural landscape of Taplejung district. The trek takes you through hilly areas adorned with rural villages, terraced farms, and lush greenery. Upon arriving at Khebang, the Tawa River becomes your guiding companion for the continuation of the journey. Traversing through the river basin, you reach Khebang by evening.

Today's trail leads us to the plains of the Terai region. We trek towards the vibrant city of Birtamod, situated along the east-west highway. After weeks of traversing the Himalayas, you'll indulge in a night of luxury at a hotel in Birtamod, complete with a delicious meal.

A morning flight from Bhadrapur will be arranged for your return journey to Kathmandu. A short 20-minute drive from Birtamod brings us to Bhadrapur airport. Taking off from Bhadrapur, the 45-minute flight heads westward, offering stunning views of the Himalayan vista to the north. Upon landing in Kathmandu, our representative will be there to greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore or relax at your leisure.

Our representative will provide transportation to the airport for your departure. We say our goodbyes, looking forward to the next time we meet. Safe travels!