Kanchenjunga Trek - 24 days

Welcome to Nepal, the land of Himalayan paradise! A trekking guide from Third Rock Adventures will receive you and drive you to the hotel. After the check-in process, you can wander around the happening places of Kathmandu like Thamel, Durbar Marg, Ason Bazaar, etc. Also, you can take a rest after a long air trip. 

Overnight stay in Kathmandu. 

The cultural Kathmandu sightseeing begins just after your morning breakfast. You'll visit different world heritage sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you can witness many historical and cultural monuments. Visit the famous Hindu Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath stupa, and Swayambhunath (Monkey) temple locates on the hill in the western skirt of Kathmandu valley.

Later, after completing the sightseeing, your trek guide will brief you about the upcoming trek. You can discuss your queries and the rest of the time you'll get for trek preparation. 

Overnight stay in Kathmandu. 

Embark on a journey to the Kanchenjunga trek with an early flight to Bhadrapur. You will get to Kathmandu domestic airport for a scenic flight. Enjoying the panorama of snow-capped peaks, including Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu, you will land in the Bhadrapur airport. Then you drive to Mitlung through Taplejung on a private vehicle. En route, you'll catch the lovely view of green hills, farmland, streams, river, etc. Enjoying the gorgeous countryside scenery, you arrive at Mitlung, which is the actual starting point of the trek.  

Overnight stay in Mitlung. 

From today your real adventure to Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek commences on the Kanchenjunga circuit trail. You'll walk on a rough path with few ascents and descents through the dense sub-tropical rainforest. After passing through the uneven way, several streams, you arrive at Sinwa (Siwan) and then Tawa (1,170m/3,838ft). The trail gradually climbs and crossing the wooden bridge at Thiwa, and you arrive at Chiruwa village. It is a small settlement of Limbu people with few local shops and lodges.  

Overnight stay in Chiruwa. 

After having an early breakfast, you head towards Sukethum. After a while, walking from Chiruwa and crossing the landslide area, you reach Taplethok. It is also the check post of your trekking permits. From here, you'll walk along the riverside of Tamor Nadi. Passing through several settlements such as Sagu, Madibun, Phembu, you reach Temewa (1,560m/5,120ft). 

Then you continue to walk until you descend towards Simbuwa Khola, who originates from Yalung Glacier. Then crossing the river over the bridge, you arrive at Hellok. From here, you'll enter Ghunsa valley after crossing a wooden bridge. Eventually, after few hours of walk, you get into the Tibetan village of Sukethum.

Overnight stay in Sukethum.  

Embark on today's hike by an uphill walk along the Ghunsa Khola. After crossing the bridge, you enter into lush, dense forests, ascend the steep trail and descend and cross the river again. On the way, you'll also climb a gorge so that the trekking route might be a little slippery. Thus, it is wise to walk slowly and steadily with a good grip, especially while walking the trail that passes through the gorge. 

Further, crossing several bridges and a steep climb will lead you to Amjilosa. Before that, en route, you pass through small settlements of Jongim, Ghaiyabari, Solima, and Lowagaon. Amjilosa is also another Tibetan settlement where you can connect with the local Tibetan and Sherpa people. You can explore the village and enjoy the enchanting views of unnamed peaks and surroundings. 

Overnight stay in Amjilosa. 

Compare to yesterday, today's walk is relatively short and easy. After having a warm breakfast in Amjilosa, you head towards Gyabla (Kyapra). Along the way, you'll encounter few human settlements. Walking on the forested area, you gradually ascend through the forest and arrive at a flat ridge. From here, you can relish the captivating view of the snow-clad mountains. Passing through scattered pastures and small waterfalls, you'll reach Gyabla village. This small village also has a great Tibetan influence on the lifestyle and culture. 

Overnight stay in Gyabla. 

Start your walk with the climb to forested ridges, and you'll cross the Ghunsa river. Enjoying the lovely view of green terraced fields, you reach Phale/Phole (3,240m/10,630ft). It is a small refugee Tibetan settlement where you can explore local carpet factories. You can get handicrafts and homemade rugs as souvenirs too. Also, you can visit a small monastery in Phole.

Likewise, from Phole, you continue your walk along with green fields and juniper larch forests. Along the trail just before reaching Ghunsa village, you can witness the track to Nango La (4,795m/15,730ft) on the left side. It is the route to the ancient village of Olangchun Gola (3,191m/10,470ft). The trail slowly descends to the riverside of Ghunsa Khola. Pass the ancient Tashi Choding Gumba, cross the bridge over the river, and enter Ghunsa village. 

Overnight stay in Ghunsa. 

Ghunsa is a popular stopover during the Kanchenjunga trek. It is also the best place for acclimatization and the last permanent settlement on the way to the North base camp. Stay, relax, and explore the nearby surroundings in Ghunsa village. Visit nearby ridges, walk through the green pasture land at Ghunsa. You can even hike along the riverside area and enjoy the magnificent view of Kumbhakarna Peak (7,711m/25,300ft), which is also famously called Januu Peak. 

You can wander around the village, meet the locals and get some close insights into their culture, traditions, and lifestyles. There are several Buddhist monasteries where you can experience ancient high-land Buddhist culture highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. 

Overnight stay in Ghunsa.  

Have a good breakfast and move north along the river bank, which offers the astonishing vistas of surrounding lofty peaks. The walk continues through an isolated path with a view of colorful forests and vegetation. After leaving the lush green forested area, you enter into moraine and glacier valley. You might spot some elusive wild animals such as blue sheep and snow leopard. 

Along the way, you enjoy the grand vistas of Ghabur/ Temachunggi Peak (6,044m/19,830ft), Januu Peak, and many more. Gradually climbing uphill, you cross the bridge at Rampuk Kharka and pass the spectacular waterfall. From here, before arriving at Kambachen, you walk on a narrow trail and cross the tricky landslide area. Once you reach Kambachen (Khangpachen), you'll catch an utterly beautiful close-up view of Mt. Januu. 

Overnight stay in Kambachen. 

With today's walk, you'll reach Lhonak one step closer to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Climbing uphill through rocky terrain will get you to Ramtang at an altitude of 4,370m/14,340ft. On the way, you also come across Ramtang Monastery, stunning waterfalls, grand rivers, and a peace that is difficult to describe.

After that, walking for a couple of hours along the side of the magnificent Kanchenjunga Glacier, you reach Lhonak. It is a plain sandy land that lies near a dry lake bed. This tiny settlement offers you jaw-dropping scenery of majestic peaks, including Kanchenjunga (8,586m/28,170ft), Mera Peak (6,364m/20,880ft), Nepal Peak (7,177m/23,550ft), Wedge Peak (6,802m/22,315ft), etc.

Overnight stay in Lhonak. 

Finally, here comes the day for which you've been waiting. Rise at dawn and proceed to Pang Pema/ Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. As you move towards the base camp, the splendid view of the world's third-highest mountain, the north face of Mt. Kanchenjunga, and other surrounding peaks will mesmerize you. Here most of the peaks are tucked between Nepal and Sikkim, one of the Indian states. 

Upon arrival at base camp, the stunning mountain vistas such as Januu and Chang Himal will leave you spellbound for the moment! In the base camp, you get to see the big rock with fluttering colorful prayer flags. Explore the region, and after enjoying 360-degree panoramic vistas of high snowy mountains above the massive Kanchenjunga glacier, you'll get back to Lhonak. 

Overnight stay in Lhonak.

After spending a pleasant day exploring the north base camp, you'll head towards the south base camp. Kick-off your day with a hearty breakfast and retrace along the same isolated path you get back to Ghunsa through Kambachen. Enjoying the dramatic alpine landscape with alluring mountain vistas, you reach Ghunsa. 

Overnight stay in Ghunsa. 

You'll commence your hike to High/Selele Camp in the morning post breakfast from Ghunsa. Start with a gentle steep uphill climb towards Selele Camp. This one is a totally desolate trail compare to the Gyabla trail. The route approaches through the dense jungle of rhododendron, juniper, birch, pine, and oaks. During this portion of the trek, you get to experience out of this world and rarely seen views of some famous peaks such as Mt. Makalu and Everest. 

Overnight stay in the High Camp. 

This is another exciting day of your Kanchenjunga Trek, as you'll be crossing several challenging passes, including Selele La, Mirgin La, and Sinion La Pass. All these passes lie at a high altitude above 4,000m above sea level. The way to the top of these passes will be tricky with few snowy and rocky patches. However, as you reach the top of these passes, the feeling cannot be put into words. 

From the Mirgin La Pass, you enjoy the mind-blowing view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the Tseram valley. Enjoying the scenery, you descend along a small trail to Tseram. You'll also get to see the small ponds along the path. Today's snowy, glacial, and isolated terrain offers a challenge as well as a thrilling experience! Once you arrive at Tseram, you can get refresh and rejoice in the surrounding pristine views. 

Overnight stay in Tseram. 

Enjoy the quiet and calm of solitude during the walk towards Ramche one step close to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. As you move forward, you will enter a forested area and reach Yalung Bara. Following the scenic and challenging route, you'll head towards Lapsang. Here you'll catch an excellent sight of Yalung Glacier. The grand vista of Kokthang Peak (6,148m/20,170ft) will also accompany you. There is also a glacial lake near Lapsang. After few hours of walk, you finally reach Ramche. 

Overnight stay in Ramche. 

Finally, after a long weary walk up here, you need an extra day to explore this unspoiled and pristine nature! Yes, today, you get a whole day to explore the Southern Base Camp, also known as the Oktang viewpoint. 

Start early morning hike to Okhordung (Oktang). The route leads you to the lateral moraine of Yalung Glacier. You reach a chorten where you get unsurpassed scenery of gigantic peaks. You'll grab a close-up view of the south face of the mighty Kanchenjunga along with Kanchenjunga South (8,476m/27,808ft) and Kanchenjunga Central (8,482m/27,830ft). Along with these peaks, you'll also get an explicit scene of Kabru, Januu, and Rathong Peak.  

Overnight stay in Ramche. 

Exploring the Southern Base Camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga, you'll begin the long descent back to Tortong. While trekking, enjoy the outstanding views of the snow-covered Himalayas. Follow the trail along the side of Simbuwa Khola. The initial part of the trail is highly prone to landslides so that the path might be slippery and steep. You need to be extra cautious in this section. Once the challenging part is over, you enter the forested area and enjoy a pleasant walk. Then you'll cross a small bridge and reach Tortong. 

Overnight stay in Tortong. 

Start the day with breakfast and embark on a trip to Yamphudin. From here, the route is steep and challenging along the side of Simbuwa Khola. Walking through the jungle, you cross some landslide-affected areas. Then trail gradually ascends to the Lasiya Bhanjyang. From here, the route is a steady descent to Yamphudin. 

Different ethnic groups such as Sherpas, Rais, Limbus, and Gurungs inhabit the settlement of Yamphudin. You get a perfect opportunity to interact with the local people, learn about their remote culture, and hear their stories firsthand.

Overnight stay in Yamphudin. 

Commence your day with a delicious breakfast and head towards Phumphe Danda. Along the way, you cross several small settlements such as Makduwa, Ekim, Huputar, Ratetar, etc. Next, walking along the Kabeli Khola and terraced fields, you reach Mamankhe (1,785m/5,856ft). Then the trail ascends and crossing the Khakswea Khola, and you get into Phumphe Danda. It is an excellent spot to get a captivating sight of Januu Himal. 

Overnight stay in Phumphe Danda. 

From Phumphe Danda, the trail descends to Phungphung Danda through a mountain village of Yanpang. Then the trail steeply climbs to Khesewa and then Kande Bhanjyang. It is a small farm village offering grand vistas of Kanchenjunga and Yalung Kang peaks. On the route, you might encounter some Hindu ethnic groups such as Brahmins, Chettries along with Kirat dominant tribe of Rai and Limbu too. Following the forest trail, you will reach Lali Kharka. 

Overnight stay in Lali Kharka.

The Kanchenjunga Trek comes to an end at (Taplejung) Suketar. On the last day, you hike downhill to Suketar. En route, you come across Deurali, a junction of the pilgrimage site Pathibhara temple and Kanchenjunga Circuit trail. Eventually, once you arrive at Suketar, you'll drive back to Bhadrapur and transfer to the hotel. 

Overnight stay in Bhadrapur. 

You'll enjoy the last glimpse of the breathtaking Himalayan scenery while flying back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you can check in the hotel and relax rest of the day. If you are back in Kathmandu on time, you'll get enough time to stroll around the city. Later, you can celebrate the successful completion of the Kanchenjunga circuit trek in any one of the close restaurants.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu. 

The adventurous Kanchenjunga Trek concludes! Depending on your flight time, the representative of Third Rock Adventures will transfer you to Kathmandu International Airport. 

Likewise, you can continue or plan your next adventure in the immensely beautiful country of Nepal. We offer you some best treks and cultural tours across Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet.