Kanchenjunga Trekking

Key Points

Start At

Kathmandu

Duration

25 Days

Trekking Grade

D

Max. Altitude

4664m

Best Season

October

End At

Kathmandu

Trip Overview

Kanchenjunga the mountain of jewels the third tallest peak (8586m) in the world and possibly one of the least unexplored remote regions of eastern Nepal and certainly one of its most beautiful. Breathtaking views of the vast Himalayan range from the majority of the routes trails. Walking in pleasant villages, through rhododendron forest in the lower valley then in the high regions, glorious mountains views of Everest, Makalu, and the Kanchenjunga massif will make the trip memorable and abundant wildlife such as musk deer, blue sheep and yak grazing in the high altitude always astonish us. Nepal opened the Kanchenjunga area to trekkers in 1988, though people have trekked in the area in connection with mountaineering expeditions since the turn of the century. Kanchenjunga is a long way from Kathmandu, and the nearest roads and airports are a long way from the mountain. You can trek either to the north or south Kanchenjunga base camp, but it takes luck, determination and a lot of time to visit both sides of the peak. The northern side is particularly remote; it takes almost two weeks of walking to get to the base camp at Pang Pema. Kanchenjunga is on the border of Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim, so a circuit of the mountain is politically impossible. The next best alternative is to visit both the north and south sides of the mountain from the Nepal side. The Kanchenjunga region remains technically restricted, but you can trek here if you get a trekking permit form. There are a few tea houses in the lowlands, but in the high country, we must have food and a tent. A 20 to 25-day trek takes you to the snowline through high pastures and into the romance of the mountain jewels. Much more than a trek, it is a journey of discovery.

Highlights

Base Camps: North (Pang Pema, 5143m) and South (Oktang, ~4700m) offer different views.
High Passes: Expect challenging high passes like Sele La (4290m) and Sinion La (4664m).
Acclimatization: Essential stops at Ghunsa or Kambachen are built-in.
Remote & Challenging: This is a strenuous, remote trek requiring good fitness and acclimatization, with long walking days.

 

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Kathmandu Arrival & Prep (Sightseeing & permits).
Day 3: Fly to Bhadrapur & Drive to Taplejung/Kanyam (Scenic flight & jeep ride through tea gardens).
Days 4-10: Trek to North Base Camp (Walk through forests to Chirwa, Sekathum, Amjilosa, Gyabla, Ghunsa, Kambachen, Lhonak, reaching Pang Pema).
Day 10/11: North Base Camp & Return (Explore Pang Pema, hike viewpoints, then trek back towards Ghunsa/Kambachen).
Days 11-16: Circuit Traverse (South Side) (Ghunsa to Sele La Pass, Cheram, Ramche, Oktang viewpoint for South BC, then back to Cheram/Tseram).
Days 17-23: Descent & Return Journey (Trek down to Tortong, Yamphuding, Yangpang, back to Taplejung/Suketar).
Days 24-25: Drive & Fly Back (Drive from Taplejung/Kanyam to Bhadrapur, fly to Kathmandu).
Day 26: Departure.

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