About Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is located in eastern part of Nepal, borders with Sikkim and Tibet, and trail goes around the lap of “3rd Highest Mountain in the World” Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m). The third highest mountain in the world and is also popularly known as the “Five Treasures of the Great Snow” i.e. Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Grain, and Holy Scriptures. The famous Kanchenjunga is situated in North-East Nepal and is bordered by Sikkim, India. Since the mountain partly lies in Nepal and partly in India, the view of Kanchenjunga can be seen from India, Bhutan, and Tibet. This region offers rewarding trekking through lush, low-lying valleys and up through incredible forests and into the high alpine pastures and glaciers at the foot of Kanchenjunga. Along the way, you’ll pass through Hindu and Buddhist villages whose culture includes Chhetri, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Sherpa, and Tibetan. The route to base camp offers variations in landscapes from alpine grasslands to sub-tropical forests, low river valley, glacial moraine, and rocky scree slopes. Throughout the trekking, trekkers get to relish the stunning panoramic view of the massive mountain peaks such as Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Makalu (8481m), and many others. The Kanchenjunga region is inhabited by a mixed community of Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, and Gurung, which provides an opportunity for trekkers to understand their culture and lifestyle. This trek is suitable for those with limited time but some guests need a long holiday to keep the mind in tune. To grab the trip pleasure and make it precious, you can join the trip of TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE.

Trip Highlights

  • World Heritage Site Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Temple.
  • Fine Art and Gallery of Hindu and Buddhist culture in Patan.
  • Splendid views over the majestic mountain Kanchenjunga.
  • Walk along the less touristic section.
  • Look out into the forests.
  • Visit the magnificent remote Kanchenjunga area villages.
  • The high mountain passes in Kanchenjunga challenging.

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft )

As soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuvan International Airport, our office's representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for the 18 days trek in Nepal to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The representative will help you check-in to your designated hotel, and after going to your rooms and refreshing, you will be briefed about your daily activities. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. 

  • Meals: Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

After an early breakfast, you will catch early morning scenic flight to Bhadrapur. After landing, you will 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 tourists. You will then head towards Taplejung in private transportation. Driving along the beautiful countryside view, you pass through Phidim to reach Limbu village of Taplejung. Overnight in Taplejung.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse Lodge
  • Place: Birtamod
  • Altitude: 300

Your trek starts from today. After having breakfast, you will trek through the Limbu and Tamang villages of Sinwa, Tawa, and Porke. You will also pass over old landslide debris and boulder, and strewn river deposits, before descending to Thiwa Khola. You will then cross a wooden bridge to reach Sinwa. Stay overnight at Sinwa.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Sinwa
  • Altitude: 980

Trekking through the villages of Taplethok, Tamewa, Hellok, and Lelep, you will move alongside Tamor River and descend towards Simbu Khola, which emerges from the Yalung Glacier. You will then trek through steep and narrow Ghunsa Khola valley to finally arrive in Sukathum. Overnight in Sukathum.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Sukathum
  • Altitude: 1576

Moving with the flow of Ghunsa Khola, you will head towards Amjilosa walking through steep uphill on exposed terrain. Relishing the amazing landscape view and crossing several bridges over Ghunsa Khola. You will walk through forested trail filled with Rhododendrons and Bamboo, before ascending to Gyabla. You will also come across a big waterfall on the opposite side of the river on your way to Gyabla. Making a steep ascent and then a descent, you will arrive in Gyabla. Overnight in Gyabla

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Gyabala
  • Altitude: 2730

Leaving behind the beautiful Gyabla village, you will trek towards Ghunsa through a broad meadow. You will then climb a small hill and descend to cross the river to reach the Tibetan village of Ghunsa with wooden houses, a micro hydropower plant, school, and a health post. Overnight in Ghunsa.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ghunsa
  • Altitude: 3415

Today, you will begin your trek entering the forested path along the south bank of Ghunsa Khola and passing several Mani walls and Chortens along the way. Overnight in Khambachen.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khambachen
  • Altitude: 4050

You will also trek through several scree slopes and some glacial moraines to reach the Tibetan settlement of Khambachen from where you can get the stunning view of the north face of Jannu (7710m). Overnight in Khambachen.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khambachen
  • Altitude: 4400

Leaving behind Khambachen, you will follow the trail on the left side of Kanchenjunga Glacier. You will hike along a high plateau to reach the campsite of Lhonak. From Lhonak, you can see the panoramic view of massive mountain peaks like Yougde Peak (6802m), Mera Peak (6364m), Nepal Peak (7177m), Twins (7350m), and many others. Overnight in Lhonak. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Lhonak
  • Altitude: 4780

Today, you will head towards Kanchenjunga Base Camp following the trail along the glaciers on the northern ridges. The camp is also known as Pang Pema from where you will get the mesmerizing and spectacular view of Mt Kanchenjunga (8586m) along with the skyline filled with snow-capped mountain ranges bordering Nepal-India and Nepal-Tibet. Stay overnight at Lhonak. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Lhonak
  • Altitude: 5143

Today’s trek descending to past Lhonak and Khangpachen while walking on the moraines of Kanchenjunga Glacier and Kumbhakarna Glacier, you will arrive in Ghunsa. Overnight in Ghunsa.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ghunsa
  • Altitude: 3595

To reach the High Camp, you will trek along a steep rocky trail through a forested area filled with Birch, Pine and colorful Rhododendron. You will cross over two passes on your way to Tseram, the highest pass being the Sele La (4480m) and Sinion La (4660). Upon reaching the top of the passes, you will be rewarded with an amazing view of Yalung Glacier, Jannu (7710m), Makalu (8481m), Baruntse (7129m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), and many other mountain ranges along the Sikkim border. You will then descend to Tseram for an overnight stay.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tseram
  • Altitude: 3870

Passing the moraines of Yalung Glacier into an ablation valley, you will ascend towards Ramche. You will also come across a lake and a meadow where you can spot the blue sheep grazing on the grassy hills. You will visit the small monastery in Ramche, in the evening. Overnight in Ramche.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ramche
  • Altitude: 4620

Passing the moraines of Yalung Glacier into an ablation valley, you will descend towards Yamphudim. Yamphudin is a village inhabited by a mixed community of Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, and Gurung. Overnight in Yamphudin

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Yamphudin
  • Altitude: 2090

After breakfast, you will start your trail to Hapukhola and it will take 8 hours to reach there. It is a pleasuring walk through the nature. Stay overnight at Hapukhola.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Hapukhola
  • Altitude: 1400

After breakfast, you will drive from Hapukhola to Ilam. After arriving in Ilam, you will take a walk through the village and stay overnight in Ilam

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Illam
  • Altitude: 800

After breakfast, you will drive to Bhadrapur and then take flight to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu you will take rest at our hotel or stroll in the streets of Thamel, a popular tourist hub for some souvenir shopping. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner hosted by TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE to celebrate the successful completion of your 8 days trekking. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Today after having breakfast, you will visit the Kathmandu Valley in private vehicle. You will have lunch and visit UNESCO Heritage site in Kathmandu Valley like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath Temple, Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple), etc. Our guide will explain about the history, culture, etc. about the places you visit. At the same time you can visit to Thamel shop for some last minutes shopping. Overnight stay at Kathmandu Hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. Our representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal and say farewell to Nepal and its amazing people, mountains and nature. Until the next time.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Place: Kathmandu Airport
  • Altitude: 1300

Cost Details

Cost Includes

  • Airport picks up and drops by private vehicle.
  • Kathmandu city tours as per above program, inclusive of tour guide in private vehicle.
  • Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu flight fares
  • Highly experienced, helpful and friendly Guide.
  • Porters (1 porter for 2 packs) their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment.
  • Kanchenjungha Conservation Area Entry Permit.
  • Restricted Area Permit.
  • TIMS Permits.
  • Trekking Permits.
  • Three times Meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
  • Hot drinks with every meal.
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trekking.
  • Government taxes.
  • Ground transportation.

Cost Excludes:

  • Travel insurance.
  • Trekking Equipment
  • Tips & Donation
  • Cities sightseeing entry fees.