Kanchanjunga Base Camp Trek
Difficulty:
Duration : 27 days
Season: Autumn / Spring
Trek at a Glance
The Kangchenjunga Base Camp Trek takes place in one of the wildest and most remote regions of the eastern Himalayas, in northeastern Nepal. This adventure leads to the foot of the world’s third-highest mountain and is ideal for trekkers seeking an authentic experience, far from the more crowded routes.
The route passes through the Arun Valley and the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, offering a remarkable variety of landscapes, from lush green forests to alpine and glacial environments. It also provides an opportunity to experience the local culture and meet communities living at high altitudes.
Lasting approximately 21 days, this challenging trek is reserved for experienced trekkers with an excellent level of physical fitness. It is ideally undertaken in spring and autumn, with accommodation mainly in lodges.
Kanchanjunga Base Camp Trek
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m / 4,428ft)
A votre arrivée à Katmandou, un représentant de Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking vie
After arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) of Kathmandu, a representative from Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali Restaurant where you will be able to enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine with a brief cultural program. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
ndra vous chercher à l’aéroport et vous conduira à votre hôtel. L’après-midi, vous aurez l’occasion de vous reposer après votre long vol. Vous passez la nuit à Katmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation
After breakfast you start a guided tour to two of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu which are all listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can chose between the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is the site of one of the largest stupas in the world. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 3: Flight Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (95 m / 311ft): 40 minutes; drive to Ilam (1680 m / 5,511ft)
You catch an early morning scenic flight to Bhadrapur. After landing, you take a jeep ride to Ilam enjoying the view of beautiful landscapes. Ilam is Nepal’s largest tea plantation area and serves as a major tourist area even for domestic visitors. The picturesque town of Ilam hosts large orchards of tea plants and is also famous for the Himalayan chew made of cheese. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ilam.
Day 4: Drive from Ilam to Taplejung (1450 m / 4,757ft): 6 - 7 hours’ drive
Today, you head towards Taplejung in private transportation. Driving along the beautiful countryside view, you pass through Phidim to reach the Limbu village of Taplejung. Overnight stay in Taplejung.
Day 5: Trek from Taplejung to Mitlung (921 m / 3,021ft): 5-6 hours hike
Your first hiking day: The trekking route through lush mid hills passes several villages with traditional mud-brick houses. You also come across rice paddies, terraced farm fields, and cardamom farms. You then follow the Tamor River upstream to reach Mitlung. Overnight stay in Mitlung.
Day 6: Trek from Mitlung to Chiruwa (1270 m / 4,166ft): 5-6 hours hike
Today your trail reaches the Limbu and Tamang villages of Sinwa, Tawa and Porke. You will have to cross an old landslide with debris and boulder, as well as scattered river alluvia, before descending to Thiwa Khola. You cross a wooden bridge to reach Chiruwa. Overnight stay in Chiruwa.
Day 7: Trek from Chiruwa to Sukathum (1579 m / 5,180ft): 5 hours hike
Trekking through the villages of Taplethok, Tamewa, Hellok, and Lelep, you progress alongside the Tamor River and descend towards Simbu Khola, which emerges from the Yalung Glacier. You then pass through the steep and narrow Ghunsa Khola valley to finally arrive in Sukathum. Overnight stay in Sukathum.
Day 8: Trek from Sukathum to Amjilosa (2308 m / 7,572ft): 6 hours hike
Moving still upstream the Ghunsa Khola, river, you head towards Amjilosa walking steep uphill on exposed terrain. Enjoying the amazing landscape view and crossing several bridges over the Ghunsa Khola, you reach the Tibetan village of Amjilosa. Overnight stay in Amjilosa.
Day 9: Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730 m / 8,956ft): 5-6 hours hike
Today, you walk on a forested trail filled with rhododendrons and bamboo, before ascending to Gyabla. You also come across a big waterfall on the opposite side of the river on our way to Gyabla. Making a steep ascent and then a descent, you arrive in Gyabla. Overnight stay in Gyabla.
Day 10: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3595 m / 11,795ft): 5-6 hours hike
Leaving behind the beautiful Gyabla village, you trek towards Ghunsa through a broad meadow. You eventually climb up a small hill and descend to cross the river. You reach the Tibetan village of Ghunsa with wooden houses, a micro hydropower plant, a school, and a health post. Overnight stay in Ghunsa.
Day 11: Acclimatization day in Ghunsa
To adjust to altitude and the thinning air, a day with a light program is foreseen. You take a short hike to the opposite side of Ghunsa Khola ascending about 400 m. After returning from the hike, you can spend rest of the day exploring the ancient village of Ghunsa, visiting monasteries and learning about their Buddhist culture and tradition. Overnight stay in Ghunsa.
Day 12: Trek from Ghunsa to Khangpachen (4050 m / 13,288ft): 7 hours hike
Today, you begin your trek entering a forested path along the south bank of Ghunsa Khola and passing several Mani walls and Chortens. The trail passes through several gravel slopes and some glacial moraines to reach the Tibetan settlement of Khangpachen from where we can get a stunning view of the north face of Mt. Jannu (7710m / 25.300ft). Overnight stay in Khangpachen.
Day 13: Trek from Khangpachen to Lhonak (4780 m / 15,682ft): 7 hours hike
Leaving behind Khangpachen, your trail follows the left side of Kanchanjunga Glacier. You hike along a high plateau to reach the campsite of Lhonak. From Lhonak, you have a panoramic view on massive mountain peaks like Wegde Peak (6802m / 22,316ft), Mera Peak (6364m / 20,879ft), Nepal Peak (7177m / 23,546ft), the Twins (7350m / 24,114ft), and many others. Overnight stay in Lhonak.
Day 14: Trek from Lhonak to Kanchanjunga Base Camp (5143 m / 16,873ft): 3 hours hike
Today, you head towards the Kanchanjunga Base Camp following the trail along the glaciers on the northern ridges. The camp is also known as Pang Pema from where you get the mesmerizing and spectacular view of Mt Kanchanjunga (8586 m / 28,167ft) along with the skyline filled with snow-capped mountain ranges forming the border to India and Tibet. Overnight stay in Kanchanjunga Base Camp.
Day 15: Trek from KBC to Ghunsa (3595m / 11,794ft) 8 hours hike
A very delightful walk with views on the golden larches in season filling the valley. You walk back down-valley, taking care not to slip on the icy sections of the trail, to reach Khangpachen in 3-4 hours. Lunch is available here. Later, you reach Ghunsa within another 3-4 hours, carefully crossing two big slippery sections which are now in the sun. The smell and sights of the forest form an enchanting contrast to the barren uplands. Overall, it is a 1600m descent today which will weaken your knees. It is therefore recommended using trekking poles. Overnight stay in Ghunsa.
Day 16: Trek from Ghunsa to High Camp (4,100 m/13,452ft): 4 -5 Hours hike
To reach the High Camp, you hike along a steep rocky trail through a forested area filled with birch, pine, and colorful rhododendron. An amazing view of Mt.Jannu (7,710 m / 25,295ft), Mt. Nyukla Laching (6,670 m / 21,883ft), Mt. Temachunggi (6,044 m / 19,829), and other mountains can be observed from the High Camp. Overnight stay in High Camp.
Day 17: Trek from High Camp to Tseram (3870 m /12,696ft) via the Sele La pass: 8 hours hike
Today might be the most challenging day of the circuit as you cross two passes on your way to Tseram: the Sele La pass (4,480m / 14,698ft) and the Sinion La pass (4,660m / 15,288ft). Upon reaching the top of these passes, you are rewarded with an amazing view on the Yalung Glacier, Mt. Jannu (7,710 m / 25,295ft), Mt.Makalu (8.481m / 27,824ft), Mt. Baruntse (7,129 m / 23,389ft), Mt. Kanchanjunga (8,586m / 28,169ft), and many other mountain ranges along the Sikkim border. You then descend to Tseram for an overnight stay.
Day 18: Trek from Tseram to Ramche (4,580 m / 15,026ft): 7 - 8 hours hike
Passing the moraines of Yalung Glacier into an ablation valley, you ascend towards Ramche. You also come across a lake and a meadow where we can spot the blue sheep grazing on the grassy hills. You will visit the small monastery in Ramche, in the evening. Overnight stay in Ramche.
Day 19: Exploring the Yalung Base Camp (4,500 m / 14,763ft): 7- 8 hours hike
Today, we explore the Yalung Base Camp area. Trekking through the glacial moraines and challenging rocky path, you cross Oktang, from where you can get a panoramic view of Mt. Jannu (7720m / 25,295ft) and Mt. Kanchanjunga (8586m / 28,169ft), and several other peaks. You return back to Ramche for an overnight stay.
Day 20: Trek from Ramche to Anda Phedi (3,390 m / 11,122ft): 5 hours hike
Taking the same trail, you trek towards Anda Phedi enjoying the view of different mountain ranges and herds of blue sheep over the grassy slopes. Descending through the moraines of the Yalung Glacier, you walk past Lapsang and Tseram to arrive in Anda Phedi. Overnight stay in Anda Phedi.
Day 21: Trek from Anda Phedi to Tortong (2,995 m / 9,826ft): 5 hours hike
You descend towards Tortong through a densely forested path filled with rhododendrons and bushes. You also cross a few streams. Chortens, monasteries, ponds, and waterfalls can be seen on your way to Tortong. Overnight in Tortong.
Day 22: Trek from Tortong to Yamphudim (2080 m / 6,824ft): 5-6 hours hike
You continue to descend to the Amji Khola river. Passing Lasiya Bhanjyang (3310 m / 10,860ft) and Dhupi Bhanjyang (2620 m / 8,595ft), you descend towards Yamphudim, a village inhabited by a mixed community of Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, and Gurung. Overnight stay in Yamphudim.
Day 23: Trek from Yamphudim to Khebang (1915 m / 6,282ft): 5-6 hours hike
Leaving behind the village of Yamphudim, you descend towards Khebang passing through valleys with waterfalls, and forests. Crossing suspension bridges over several streams, you walk past small settlements alongside the Kabeli Khola river to arrive in Khebang. Overnight stay in Khebang.
Day 24: Trek from Khebang to Khanidingbe (1340 m /4,396ft): 5-6 hours hike
Enjoying the beautiful view on Mt. Kanchanjunga (8586 m / 28,169ft) and Mt. Kumbakaran/Jannu (7710 m / 25,295ft) in the background, you continue to descend towards Khanidingbe through a lushly forested trail passing several waterfalls. This is the end of your trek hiking circuit. Overnight stay in Khanidingbe.
Day 25: Drive from Khanidingbe to Birtamod (300m/984ft) by jeep: 7-8 hour’ drive
We take a long drive to Birtamod enjoying the view of green hills, snow-capped mountains, rivers, and daily activities of the locals throughout the ride. From the mountainous part, we are now in the flatlands of Nepal ‘Terai’ region. Overnight stay in Birtamod.
Day 26: Morning drive to Bhadrapur airport and flight back to Kathmandu
You drive towards Bhadrapur airport to catch your flight back to the capital city of Kathmandu. Enjoying the aerial view of the mountains, we arrive in Kathmandu. After landing, you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in Katmandu.
Day 27: Final departure
Your journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking representative will drop you off at the international airport where you have to be for the check-in procedure approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight time. On your way to home, you have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Useful Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Hiking days: 21 days
Season: Autumn / Spring
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