Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking - 24 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, a representative from Trekking Planner Nepal will be waiting for you at the arrival section with a placard for easy identification. Upon meeting, the representative will direct you towards the vehicle, load the luggage, and officially welcome you to Nepal. With a short photographic session, the representative will escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle.

When you reach the hotel, the representative will help you check in. After that, you can rest in your hotel room. Similarly, further details about the day will be given to you during the check-in process. The representative will also provide you with information about the restaurant's breakfast, lunch, and dinner times. Any further information can be obtained at the reception.

Likewise, you will meet the company owner later in the evening, who will give you a detailed trek description. The company owner or your trip guide will answer any questions, confusion, or queries in the meeting. Later, after the conclusion of the meeting, a representative will take you to an authentic Nepalese restaurant for a welcome dinner on behalf of the Nepal Trekking Planner. You can enjoy local food with music and dances in traditional costumes.

After dinner, a representative will transfer you to the hotel, where you will spend the night. The representative will give you all the information for the following day.

The day begins with a heartful breakfast in the Kathmandu Hotel. After breakfast, prepare for the sightseeing tour around the Kathmandu Valley. Your tour guide will pick you up in a private vehicle from the hotel lobby and take you to some of the popular locations of Kathmandu city for a tour. All of the places in the Kathmandu tour are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You initiate the tour by visiting the Swayambhunath temple, also known as Monkey Temple. The temple is a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism, located on a hilltop region of Kathmandu. After visiting the Swayambhunath temple, the tour moves to the Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Durbar Square is a large courtyard that showcases Newari art and architecture.

Several monuments inside the square are worth a visit. Some notable places include Kumari Bahal, Kala Bhairav statue, Shiva Parvati temple, Taleju temple, Nasal Chowk, Kumari Chowk, and Mohan Kali Chowk.

When your visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square concludes, you will move to Boudhanath Stupa. This white dome-shaped stupa holds great religious significance for Tibetans and Buddhists. You can circumambulate the stupa, observe Thangka paintings, and try Tibetan cuisine. Boudhanath is your lunch stop for the day.

Finally, on your city tour, you will visit the Pashupatinath temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can see the open cremation ghats on the bank of the holy Bagmati River or the sadhus and gurus who wish to escape the cycle of life. Other attractions include Mukhalinga, Shiva Parvati temple, Guhyeshwari temple, Gorakhnath temple, and many more.

With a splendid day, the tour comes to an end. Your guide and driver will take you back to your hotel, where you can have dinner. After dinner, you can prepare for the trek beginning the following day. Then, rest and stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, you have to wake up early in the morning to catch a flight to Bhadrapur. So, take a moment to refresh, have breakfast, and get ready to head towards the airport. Your trekking guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you towards the domestic section of Tribhuvan International Airport. You will then board a 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur. The flight will take about 45 minutes, and you can see the mesmerizing mountain view from an aerial perspective. 

As you land in Bhadrapur, you will board a comfortable bus or jeep for the drive to Taplejung. The drive from Bhadrapur to Taplejung will take about eight to nine hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions. The road is pretty good, with some bumpy sections. You will follow alongside the river, with occasional views of the waterfall, traditional village, and hilly landscape. Lunch will be served along the highway at suitable locations. 

As you reach Taplejung, your guide will take you to a local guest house or lodge, where you will be staying for the night. You can explore the area if you have time and energy. If not, you can take a rest. Later in the evening, you will have dinner at the guest house or lodge. After dinner, rest and spend the night in Taplejung.

After waking up, refresh and have a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, prepare to leave Taplejung and head towards Sekathum, your destination for today. Moving past Taplejung, you will take a bus or jeep to Sekathum. It will take about five to six hours to drive to Sekathum. The remoteness of the drive has increased compared to yesterday.  

You will drive along the narrow road where trucks and jeeps regularly move. You can enjoy the lush scenery while the bus overtakes one vehicle after another to reach Sekathum. Upon reaching Sekathum, settle into your accommodation. Later in the evening, you will be served a delicious, warm dinner by the guide at the accommodation. Enjoy your dinner and rest. Stay overnight in Sekathum. 

As you wake up and refresh today, a delicious breakfast will await you. After breakfast, prepare to leave Sekathum, where your trek officially begins. The trek takes about five to six hours.

To reach Amjilosa, you will follow a moderately challenging trail that includes some uphill and downhill sections. You will pass through the picturesque village of Ghaiyabari, and then continue the trek through Jognim and Solima. Lunch is served along the way. 

After lunch, continue along the route to Amjilosa, walking on the trail of Chanjalung Dadha. After a short trek, you will reach Amjilosa. Upon reaching Amjilosa, settle into an accommodation and wait for dinner. After dinner, rest and stay overnight in Amjilosa.

After waking up, refresh yourself and have a delicious breakfast in Amjilosa. Then, be ready to leave Amjilosa and head towards Gyabla. Today's trek will be relatively easy and last about four to five hours. You will pass through the forest area of Kanchenjunga and hike to Thanyani. Then, you will continue on the forested trail with views of rhododendrons, bamboo, oaks, and birch.

To reach Gyabla, you can also encounter waterfalls and summer pastures. Gyabla is a small settlement with mixed ethnicities. Upon reaching Gyabla, if you have time, you can explore the area, viewing the countryside of Nepal.

If you feel tired, feel free to rest at the accommodation place. In the evening, you can enjoy delicious cuisine according to the menu. After dinner, head to your room, relax, and spend the night in Gyabla.

After breakfast in Gyabla, you will head for Ghunsa and take a step further in your Kanchenjunga North Base Camp itinerary. Leaving Gyabla behind and making your way to Ghunsa, you will initially follow the off-beaten route. You will come across stone steps placed inside the forest area, where you have to make the uphill climb. You can see various free-flowing streams and rivers along the way. As the path is narrow, be sure to leave space for mules that are used for transporting goods if you encounter them. 

The hike today is pretty challenging, as there are several uphill walks. You can also see traces of snow during spring and autumn. Similarly, there are plenty of places to rest along the way. You will reach Phale, which can be a suitable place for lunch.  

Continuing the route, more uphill climbs await, but the beautiful landscape helps you continue. Making your way to Ghunsa, you will cross the suspension bridge and continue along the riverside path. The rugged, flat walk then eases the walk to reach Ghunsa. Ghunsa is a primary settlement on the Kanchenjunga route, with many teahouses and more under construction. Similarly, there are two gumbas in Ghunsa known as Tashing Choeling Monastery, which lies across the Ghunsa River and is worth a visit. 

Upon reaching Ghunsa, settle into your accommodation and get plenty of rest. Later, have an enjoyable and warm evening with a delicious dinner. You can order from the menu offered. After dinner, rest and stay overnight in Ghunsa.

Today, you will spend an additional day in Ghunsa for rest and acclimatization. So, as you wake up, refresh and have breakfast. After breakfast, get ready for a day of acclimatization hike where you will visit the nearby places in Ghunsa. You can hike around the ridgeline to reach a viewpoint to witness the marvelous Kumbakarna Peak (7,711 meters). Kumbakarna peak, also known as Janu peak, holds many cultural significances. Similarly, you can also stroll around the Ghunsa Monastery and gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture, religion, and customs. You can observe the lifestyle of mountain people and see the influence of Tibetan Buddhism practices through mani walls, gompas, chortens, prayer flags, and prayer wheels. You can also taste local cuisines for lunch.

Similarly, another popular acclimatization hike near Ghunsa is Lapsang La, located along the Yamtari Khola, where you can see a glacier pond. It is a spectacular place for a peaceful environment and mountain views. So, discuss with your guide and organize the acclimatization schedule accordingly.

After the acclimatization hike, return to the accommodation option in Ghunsa and enjoy a delightful dinner in the evening. Then, head to your room for further rest. Spend overnight in Ghunsa.

Today, after breakfast, you will make your way from Ghunsa to Khambachen, which will take about five to six hours. Leaving behind Ghunsa, you can see red-painted prayer wheels encrypted with golden chants, so take a spin and wish for a successful journey. The trail is divided into two, leading to Kumbhakarna Himal (7,710 m/ 25,300 ft) and Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. 

You will then follow the narrow route, with pasture ground on both sides, to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. The section is pretty straightforward, so walk slowly and comfortably. Further on the route, you will come across the Thango River at 3,442 meters.

You will take the route to Khambachen from the Thango River and continue. Now, the remoteness of the trek begins with boulders of rocks all along the area. You can see juniper trees along the route, with the occasional presence of rhododendrons and pasture land. The sighting of snow-capped mountain peaks will mesmerize and encourage you on the walk. 

Following the trek, you will continue along the forested area with a short uphill walk on the stone steps. After finishing, you can see a small rest place marked with colorful prayer wheels and Tibetan stones. Now you will trek along the narrow route with the Ghunsa River on the left side to march towards Khambachen. Eventually, you will reach Tartang at 3,583 meters. The road becomes increasingly remote, featuring a slow uphill and flat climb to reach Chhermalung at 3,740 meters. 

Moving forward, you will reach Labuk 3797 meters, which has a teahouse for a short lunch and rest. After lunch, with a two-hour walk, you will reach Khambachen in a steep landslide area. On the way, you can see Hajare Gufa (Thousand Cave: a stop section for trekkers). Upon reaching Khambachen, settle into your accommodation and have dinner. After dinner, rest and stay overnight in Khambachen. 

As you wake up, you can have a delicious breakfast at Khambachen. After breakfast, pack your stuff and head towards Lhonak, another beautiful settlement in the Kanchenjunga area. 

This section is pretty straightforward. Initially, while leaving Khambachen, you will continue on the narrow trail, with mountain peaks alongside to give you company. You will follow the trekking trail, which is pretty straightforward without diversion. There are points along the route to show directions, and within an hour's walk, you will reach the signboard of Lumbuchhemu (4,222 meters).

As you continue following the trail route, you'll feel yourself gradually ascending to a higher altitude. The trail continues along the river bank, which is filled with stones and boulders. Later, after finishing walking on the river shore, you will take an uphill climb along the green and brown vegetation. By this time, the river water comes to attention, and you will reach Ladam (4,291 meters).

Moving past Ladam, following the same off-beaten trekking route, you will begin walking in the landslide area. So, be careful on the steps and alert for any chance of falling rocks or debris.

After carefully crossing the area and walking, you will be welcomed by the grand view of Khando waterfall, situated at 4381 meters. Making your way past Khando waterfall, you will continue on the rocky trail uphill. The barren landscape, filled with the high Rocky Mountains and terrain, mesmerizes you like never before. In the next step, you will continue on the snowy area and have a short lunch break at Ramdang, 4,596 meters. After re-energizing from lunch, you will make your way towards Lhonak.

Following the trekking route, you can see the Kanchenjunga glacier, with a cool breeze to refresh you. You can also see blue sheep in this section while reaching the Lhonak River. You will then cross the Lhonak River through the wooden bridge, and while walking for about ten to fifteen minutes, you will reach Lhonak. It is said that the mountain in Lhonak is similar to the statue of Buddha.

Upon reaching Lhonak, settle into an accommodation. You can rest or explore the area further. In the evening, you can have dinner and rest. Stay overnight in Lhonak.

As you wake up in Lhonak, a beautiful settlement in the Kanchenjunga region of Nepal, take a moment to refresh and have breakfast. You can enjoy your breakfast in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. After breakfast, your main highlight of the entire trip is finally here. 

Today, you will make your way to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Begin your trek with a view of the Kanchenjunga glacier and climb uphill. After a while, you will reach Syamjo (4,851 meters), which is known as the blue sheep habitat area. Making your way further along the trekking trail, you will walk a hefty route filled with ice, snow, and rocks to reach Thanakpu (4,966 meters). 

The trail is relatively complex, with landslide areas and narrow roads. So, walk carefully and then make an uphill climb slowly, as altitude might affect you. 

Afterwards, you will get the first glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga. You will then arrive at Jorkyu, situated at 5,035 meters. Moving past Jorkyu, you will initially walk on a flat surface and follow the landslide area to reach Pangpema, located at 5,142 meters. From there, make your way to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. 

From there, you will see a grand view of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. You can spend quality time there, take photographs, and rest. After that, you will make your way back to Lhonak, bidding Kanchenjunga farewell. 

You will follow the same route to Lhonak. Upon reaching Lhonak, settle into your accommodation and have dinner. Celebrate your successful trek and enjoy your time. After dinner, sleep and stay overnight in Lhonak.  

Wake up, refresh, and have breakfast. After breakfast, prepare to leave Lhonak and continue your return journey. Today, you will make your way from Lhonak to Ghunsa. 

As you begin your journey, you will continue the same trekking route and head towards Ghunsa. You will start with a descent through the rugged and rocky terrain. You will encounter various rocky sections and cross several rivers. Then, you will finally reach Khambachen and continue further. 

After Khambachen, you will follow your way down, alternating between descent and a gentle uphill climb. The rocky, barren terrain is replaced with green vegetation. Then, with a short walk, you will reach Ghunsa. 

Upon reaching Ghunsa, settle into your accommodation and have dinner. After dinner, rest and stay overnight in Ghunsa.

Wake up, refresh, and enjoy a delicious breakfast at your accommodation in Ghunsa. After breakfast, prepare to leave Ghunsa and head towards Selele camp. You will cover a distance of 10-11 kilometers, which can probably take you about 6-7 hours, depending on the pace.

As you leave Ghunsa, you will head towards the southern side base camp of Kanchenjunga, following through the lush forests. The combination of greenery and mountain view creates a mesmerizing and comfortable atmosphere for walking. Then, after exiting the forest areas, you will take a steep ascent on the rocky path to eventually reach a point where you can see the small village below. You can have lunch along the route at any favorable place.

After the lunch break with a sip of soothing tea, return to the trekking trail to Selele Camp. Now, you can see the landscape change from grassy meadows to rocky terrain with boulders, indicating a significant change in altitude. After you complete the walk, you will eventually reach Selele Camp, which is a resting point just before crossing the Selele Pass. The camp is a small, quiet area with limited teahouses. Upon reaching Selele Camp, settle into your accommodation and have dinner. After dinner, rest further and stay overnight in Selele Camp.

Today, you will have to wake up early in the morning around 3 A.M and head towards the Selele Pass, where you will achieve the highest altitude in the entire trek. Selele Pass is a mountain pass that connects Kanchenjunga North and Kanchenjunga South. With a quick breakfast, get your hiking boots and gear ready to tackle the Selele Pass. As you begin the journey, you will march with astonishing Himalayan views along the ridge line of Selele. You will not miss the magnificent view of Kumbhakarna from the southern side of Kanchenjunga.

As you move ahead, the altitude reveals panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, slowly opening up to scenic views of Mount Makalu and the Jannu Himal. During the winter or early spring, the area might be filled with snow and ice, so navigate carefully through the Selele Pass. Besides that, once you arrive at the vantage point of Selele Pass, you can see the region adorned with prayer flags with encrypted mantras fluttering in the wind. Stand tall at the Selele pass and enjoy the 360-degree panoramic views. After spending quality time in Selele Pass, continue down the route to Kanchenjunga South. You will navigate through the trail along the cliffside, eventually reaching Sinjon La Pass and Mirgin La Pass, followed by Sinelapche Bhanjyang.

Then, you will continue through both descending and ascending paths, offering a glimpse of a blue lake. Continuing the trail for about seven hours from Selele Pass, you will reach Tseram. The end section to reach Tseram is a steep descent, so trek accordingly. Tseram is a beautiful stop with limited teahouses providing cozy accommodation options. Upon reaching Tseram, settle into an accommodation option and have dinner. Enjoy the evening and rest further. Stay overnight in Tseram.

As you wake up, refresh and have a delightful breakfast. After breakfast, get ready to leave Tseram and head towards Ramche, your destination for today. Today, you will start the trek with an ascent along the Yalung Glacier. The Simbuwa Khola will also accompany you during the journey, offering views of the rugged Himalayan landscape. Moving along the route, you will pass through the Napsangla pass and Lapsang village to ultimately reach Ramche.

Ramche is a beautiful village with small teahouses for accommodation. If you arrive here by daytime, you can hike up from Ramche towards the nearby ridgeline to see the spectacular view of Kanchenjunga South. Walking further will lead you to see the southern face view of Jannu Peak. You can also walk to a lower elevation towards Oktang to see the panoramic view of snow-capped mountains.

With the side excursion, return to Ramche and settle in an accommodation option. Then, have dinner and rest further. Stay overnight in Ramche.  

Today, you will wake up early in the morning and make your way towards Yalung Base Camp, which is also known as Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. You will begin the trek through the moraine and glacial landscapes while observing the incredible view of Mount Kanchenjunga and other surrounding peaks. The hike to the south base camp will take about six hours, depending on the pace, while covering about 14 kilometers.

Upon reaching the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, soak in the panoramic view and click some photographs for memory. Soak in the moment and enjoy the quality time in the base camp. Then, begin the return journey through the same route to Ramche.

Stay overnight in Ramche.

Today, you will wake up early in the morning and make your way towards Yalung Base Camp, which is also known as Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. You will begin the trek through the moraine and glacial landscapes while observing the incredible view of Mount Kanchenjunga and other surrounding peaks. The hike to the south base camp will take about six hours, depending on the pace, while covering about 14 kilometers.

Upon reaching the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, soak in the panoramic view and click some photographs for memory. Soak in the moment and enjoy the quality time in the base camp. Then, begin the return journey through the same route to Ramche.

Stay overnight in Ramche.

Start with a delicious breakfast and get ready to leave Torantan. Today's journey will take you to the mesmerizing settlement of Yamphuding. The route to Yamphuding is steep and challenging, which leads along the Simbuwa Khola. You will then cross the jungle and navigate through some landslide-prone areas. With careful navigation, you will then ascend towards Lasiya Bhanjyang. Then, from Laisya Bhanjyang, you will continue on a downhill trail that leads to Yamphudin. The route to Yamphuding takes about 7-8 hours, depending on the pace.

Upon reaching Yamphuding, settle into an accommodation option and have dinner. After dinner, rest further and spend the night in Yamphuding.

After you wake up, refresh and have breakfast. Then, bid Yamphuding goodbye and make your way towards Phumphe. The section will take about seven to eight hours, depending on the pace. You will make your way to Phumphe while passing numerous settlements, including Makduwa, Ekim, Huputar, Ratetar, and others. Similarly, you will walk along the Kabeli Khola while observing terraced fields and reach Mamankhe. Following Mamankhe, you will ascend and cross Khakswea Khola to reach Phumphe.

Upon reaching Phumphe, you can observe the captivating sight of Janu Himal and stroll around the settlement. Then, rest in an accommodation option and have dinner. After dinner, rest further and stay overnight in Phumphe or Phumphe Danda.

Today we have a day full of some more descents through magnificent sections of forest as long as we head towards Ghunsa. From Khambachen with few hours of walk down we pass through Phole, a village in two parts. The upper section houses Tibetan refugees who are well established, the second is the winter village of Ghunsa. Stay overnight at Ghunsa.

Today, after breakfast, you will catch a bus or jeep from Kade Bhanjyang to Taplejung. The drive will start from an off-road section and typically take you to black topped roads later. Most of the roads are under construction, which can make for a bumpy ride. If you are taking a jeep, consider booking a private one; alternatively, you can share. Lunch is served along the highway.

Upon reaching Taplejung, continue on the drive towards Kanyam, Ilam. The total drive will take about eight to nine hours, depending on the road and traffic conditions. You can see the landscape slowly changing from traditional or remote settlements to more urban ones. The hilly landscapes, waterfalls, and fast-flowing rivers will accompany you along the route.

As you reach Kanyam, settle into an accommodation option, have dinner, and then rest further. Stay overnight in Kanyam, Ilam.

Today is your exploration day in Kanyam, Ilam, which is known for its tea gardens and beautiful landscapes. Kanyam is also known as the "Queen of Eastern Nepal" due to its natural beauty. So, after breakfast, be ready for the exploration of Kanyam. Begin with a visit to the famous tea garden. Kanyam's tea garden is widely spread across the vast region, which produces high-quality tea leaves. You can wander the winding trails among the bushes in the morning or before sunset. You can stroll around the tea garden and even buy traditional dresses, especially for good photographs.

Likewise, you will have plenty of time to talk to a local farmer or individual to learn about tea cultivation and harvesting. Exploring tea gardens allows you to capture the scenic view of the landscape, especially during sunrise and sunset.

You can enjoy the atmosphere with some local tea and see the different tea leaves produced in Nepal. You can also purchase various varieties of tea for tasting or as a souvenir. By doing so, you can pair your tea with local snacks like sel roti, yomari, or fresh corn. Besides the local tasting, you can also rent a horse for a guided tour around the tea estates, which can be exciting with family and children. On the other hand, there are several spots around Kanyam to spend a relaxing time while observing panoramic views, villages, and distant hills. If you're looking for quality time alone, then this can be a special moment.

Further, you can interact with the Limbu and Rai community and immerse yourself in their warm hospitality. As this is a simpler day compared to other strenuous trekking days, you can celebrate in the evening with good food and drinks. You can have dinner at a restaurant with your crew and enjoy the rest of the evening.

You will spend the night in Kanyam, Ilam, in the accommodation option.

When you wake up, refresh and have breakfast. After breakfast, pack your bags and get ready to leave Ilam. From the Ilam bus station, you will take a bus to Bhadrapur. The bus ride will take about three hours, depending on the road and traffic conditions. 

With the bus ride, you will finally conclude the strenuous walk and take a more comfortable bus ride. On the bus ride, you will be welcomed by the hilly terrain, passing through some prominent settlements. Upon reaching Bhadrapur, you will take a flight to Kathmandu in the late evening. Depending upon your flight schedule, you will be escorted to the airport. After boarding the flight, you will reach Kathmandu in about 45 minutes. 

Upon reaching Kathmandu, a representative from Trekking Planner Nepal will pick you up from the domestic section. Afterwards, you will be escorted back to your hotel in a private vehicle. When you reach the hotel, the representative will help you check in. Then, you can head to your room and rest. Later in the evening, you will meet the company owner and share your trek experience. We welcome any feedback regarding the experience. Then, in the late evening, you can have a farewell dinner hosted by the company for your successful trek. After the farewell dinner, rest further and spend the night in Kathmandu.  

Our Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in this beautiful region of Nepal comes to an end today. You may go for some last minute souvenir shopping for your near and dear ones in the native place. You shall be escorted to the Tribhuwan International Airport at least three hours prior to your flight schedule. A representative of Nepal Trekking Planner shall transfer you to the airport 3 hours prior to your flight back home. We hope that the adventure in this land of mysticism has created a strong and positive impression about this nation, enough to bring you back again.