Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

You will be met by one of our representatives and then be transferred to your 3-star hotel to enjoy a meal (by your arrangement) and an evening of rest from your flight. If you have the desire, after dinner you can roam the Thamel neighborhood close to your hotel to take in the local atmosphere.

Remember to update us of your travel details, especially if changes do occur, so we can arrange the pick-up to meet your schedule.

Accommodation: Hotel.

Meals: Today’s meals are by your own arrangements.

Elevation:   1,345m/ 4412ft.

This is your free day to get acquainted with your new setting. First we will organize your trekking permits. We require to view your insurance and original passport. Then it is time to tour the city and do any last minute shopping. Overnight at your Hotel. Meals are by your arrangement.

Highlights of the Area:Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, Swaymbhunath and Patan Durbar Square, cultural and historical sights of the Kathmandu Valley.

Accommodation:Hotel

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel is included. All other meals are by your own arrangements.

Elevation:   1,345m/ 4412ft.

Enjoy a morning flight to Bhadreapur and then a  six hours jeep ride to Fidim (AKA Phidim).

Accommodation: Lodge.

Meals: Full board meals included.

Elevation:  1270m/4166ft.

We drive for about 8 hours passing various landscape,  passthe steeper Ghunsa Khola Valley into the Tibetan village of Sekhathum. The landscape is gradually changing from river valley taking on some of the characteristics of the high Himalaya. If it is a clear day, you can distinguish Mount Jannu beyond the Ghunsa Valley.

Elevation Reached:1,660 m/ 5446 ft

Road condition: Mostly off-road, quite a adventure today.

Views: Mountain Jannu, on a clear day

Highlights:Yak farms, at these lower levels the animals are a cross between the yak and a domestic cow

What to See:Keep an eye out for the red panda which frequents the bamboo areas

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 1820m/5971ft

This morning, you will cross over another suspension bridge over the Ghunsa River near Sekathum. The path enters a dense forest where the trail can be steep and narrow. But the scenery is worth it. This gorge is breathtaking.  Lunch is at a lodge in Solima. In the afternoon you will follow the switchback trail to a high elevation at AmjiLapsa.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate, some steep areas

Elevation Reached:2,500 m/ 8235 ft

Terrain:River gorge, beginning of mountainous terrain

Views:Stunning river gorge

What to See: Changing foliage into that of the Himalayan alpine region

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meals: Full board.

Elevation:2395m/7857ft

This morning the walk is through the rich bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests and then on to a small ridge.  In the place known as Thyanyani, there are some intriguing stone shelters.  From there, the trail has several short climbs and descents before passing a large waterfall. There is a last steep section before reaching Gyabla.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate, but steep at the end of the day.

Elevation Reached:2,730m/ 7874 ft.

Terrain: Forests in the morning, more rugged in the afternoon.

Views: Large waterfalls.

Highlights: Lush forests.

What to See: Stone homes in Thyanyani.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 2730m/8956ft

This morning the path is along an open valley, most of the way to Phole. The weather is constantly getting cooler as the tour moves higher. As the weather cools there is a distinct change in the vegetation. You will see more rhododendrons and azaleas. In Phole is a monastery that you will want to tour. You can also watch the local women weaving traditional carpets. After your brief stop at Phole, you will walk another one and a half hours to your destination of Ghunsa. This Tibetan village is known for its wooden homes that are covered in beautiful prayer flags. You will have the time to visit the shops, including the Kanchenjunga conservation office, and gompas, a meditation room in a Buddhist temple.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate.

Elevation Reached:3,600 m/ 11,794 ft

Terrain: Moderate

Views: Rhododendrons and azaleas.

Highlights: Women weaving traditional carpets

What to See: Shops, Kanchenjunga conservation office, and gompas, a meditation room in a Buddhist temple.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 3427m/11243ft

As you climb higher, it is essential to give your body time to adjust to the differing conditions.  The acclimatization walk at Ghunsa follows the mantra of “climb up but backtrack to sleep low” as you walk along the trail to the height of 4,000 m in about a three hour walk. Then you return to Ghunsa to sleep at a lower elevation. This pause is essential for the rigors of the next three days of your trek to the north side Kanchenjunga Base Camp.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate.

Elevation Reached:3,595m/ 11,794ft

Terrain: Level valley among the mountain peaks.

Views: Sherpa village.

Highlights: Pride of the village is the new school that is finally heated.

What to See: Subsistence farming and yak grazing.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

This morning you will follow the trail as it gently rises higher through the pine and rhododendron forests along the bank of the Ghunsa Khola. Here you will be introduced to the mani walls. These are walls made of intricately carved stone tablets that are inscribed with a mantra or prayer of the Tibetan religion. Another interesting feature you will see are chortens or stupas. These are simple structures that have been erected in places of spirituality. To the foreigner, they resemble part of a temple. They can be covered with prayer flags.Three hours into the walk, you will cross a bridge over the Ghunsa Khola and enjoy spectacular views from a large grassy meadow called Rampuk Kharka. Now you climb higher and higher you will be amazed by the mountain scenery. As you approach the landslide area, the view of Mount Jannu becomes visible. You will take great care in this area as there is a risk of rockfalls. The trail hugs the incline and then descends to Kambachen. Here you will enjoy your evening meal in the village with a dozen or so houses surrounded completely by mountains.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate.

Elevation Reached:4,100 m/ 13,287 ft

Terrain: Rugged.

Views: Mount Jannu.

Highlights:Tibetan artifacts that line the trail.

What to See:Mani walls and chortens.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 4050m/13287ft

This morning the trail winds its way once more through azalea and rhododendrons forests. Slowly this terrain changes into moraine. Close to Ramtang, there is a seasonal yak herder’s camp. Now you will find the trail to be much rockier and there is another landslide area to pass with care. It is advisable that in the landslide area, you continue to watch for rock falls but maintain a steady pace.

Later in the day, you will encounter rocky fields and pass over the moraines of the North West of the Kanchenjunga Glacier to end up at Lhonak. Here is a campsite with several stone huts. Many mountain peaks are visible at this point: Wedge Peak, Mera, Nepal Peak, and Twins. Their heights range from 6,344 to 7,351 m high. You must wait until the next day to see the main peak of Kanchenjunga. Your excitement mounts in anticipation of the moment.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate, rocky.

Elevation Reached: 4,785 m/ 15699 ft.

Terrain: Rocky, glaciers, landslide.

Highlights: Many mountain peaks.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 4780m/15682ft

Once again today you will climb high but sleep low to help you acclimatize to the challenging conditions. In the morning you will leave Lhonak, climbing the trail on the lateral moraine from Kanchenjunga Glacier for a couple of hours. Again passing through loose rock and landslide areas. You will find that the trail is slightly less steep as your journey takes you to the stone huts at Pangpema after about two hours. You will experience the first view of the north face of Kanchenjunga around lunchtime. After lunch, you will return to Lhonak to sleep low.

Difficulty of Walk: Challenging.

Elevation Reached:5,143 m/ 16873 ft

Terrain: Rocky, glacial, landslides.

Highlights: First view of the north face of Kanchenjunga.

What to See: Stone huts, panoramic views.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 5143m/16843ft

Today we retrace our steps to reach Ghunsa village.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate.

Elevation Reached: 3,595 m/ 11,794 ft.

Terrain: Level valley among the mountain peaks.

Views: Sherpa village.

Highlights: Pride of the village is the new school that is finally heated.

What to See: Subsistence farming and yak grazing.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 3427m/11243ft

Just outside Ghunsa you will pass through rhododendron, birch and pine forests.  Partway through the walk is a steep section, on the journey you will reach a chorten, a Buddhist shrine, made colorful by prayer flags.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate.

Elevation Reached:4,100m/ 1,3451ft

Terrain: Some steep sections.

Highlights: Rhododendron, birch and pine forests.

What to See: Chorten, a Buddhist shrine.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 4200m/13779ft

Right after breakfast you will start your journey. You will traverse four passes today. Sele La pass, Sinion La Pass, Mirgin La pass and Sinelapche Bhanjyang. In the morning, the trail runs through a forest, along a ridge to the Sele La pass at 4,290 m. From here you will marvel in the views. In a steeper section there are prayer flags across the trail. Today as you cross each pass you will have amazing views.

Difficulty of Walk: Moderate.

Terrain: Rocky, steep.

Views: Mountain peaks.

Accommodation: Teahouse.

Meals: Full board.

Elevation: 3870m/12696ft

Today, we walk for approximately 4 hours from Tseram to Ramche, ascending 710m through lush forests and alongside the Yalung Glacier’s moraine. Explore Ramche’s serene monastery and spend the night amidst the Himalayan beauty.

Elevation: 4580m/15026ft

Today we go for engaging trek from Ramche to Oktang and back to Tseram, offering mesmerizing views of Kanchenjunga’s South Base Camp. Walk through the Yalung Glacier’s snout to reach the eroded valley and witness stunning geological features. At Oktang, get view of various mountain including Mt. Kangchenjunga Main, Yalung Kang, Kangchenjunga Central and Kanchenjunga South before returning to Tseram.

Elevation: 3870m/12696ft

Another peaceful journey from Tseram to Torandin (Tortong), a pleasant 4 to 5 hour walk through lush forests decorated with rhododendrons (spring season).  As we descend, encounter picturesque streams, chortens and serene ponds.

Elevation: 2995m/9826ft

Let’s go for a gentle descent today, tracing the Sibuwa River’s course. Walk through dense forests rich with rhododendrons and bamboo, offering glimpses of rare wildlife like the elusive Red Panda, Wild Boar and Himalayan Black Bear. After approximately 5.5 hours, arrive at Yasang (Ysasang), amazed by the wonders of nature along the way.

Elevation: 2144m/7034ft

We are going for a shorter route, bypassing Yamphudin in favor of Hellok village. Descend mostly downhill to Hellok, concluding our hike there. From Hellok, we’ll take a jeep for the 5-hour journey to Taplejung. The trek lasts about 3 hours, followed by a scenic drive to our destination.

Elevation: 1820m/5971ft

We are now heading back to the capital, Kathmandu, today. We will be driving a jeep for about 8 hours to reach Bhadrapur airport from Taplejung. There are frequent flights until late afternoon, so we will try to catch a flight departing from Bharatpur around 5:30-6:00 pm.

After a 45-minute flight back, it’s time to enjoy a hot water shower, a well-deserved rest and a good night’s sleep after a long drive.

Elevation:   1,345m/ 4412ft.

Today is built in as a spare or buffer day. This allows a spare day for any illness or unforeseen events on your trek which may delay your scheduled arrival back in Kathmandu.

If an extra day is not required on the trek it is now yours to tour, shop, celebrate or just rest for the flight home.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel is included. All other meals are by your own arrangements.

Elevation:   1,345m/ 4412ft.

As you fly, you will rejoice in the details of this fantastic experience on your phone and other devices. Don’t forget to make use of the contact information from the friends you made along the trek. Post your photos and the experiences on social media, too.

We appreciate any photos and comments you want to share with us.

We make every effort to follow this itinerary, but there may be changes due to local conditions. All of the leaders are experienced in making changes so that the schedule can be maintained and will work through any inconveniences to your satisfaction.