Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking

Description

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking is a remote and incredible trek in the isolated region of eastern Nepal. Named after the world's third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga (8586 meters high), in the Taplejung district, this region is also renowned for its three picturesque valleys- the Simbua Khola valley, the Ghunsa valley, and the Tamor valley. The fascinating fact about this region is that in 1997, the Government of Nepal in support of WWF declared the main area of the Kanchenjunga region a "Gift to the Earth". During this trip, you will see marvelous views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, beautiful rivers, diverse landscapes, glaciers and dense forests of rhododendrons.

Spread over an area of 2035 km², Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is another attraction of this trek. You'll find there some rare and unique flora and fauna such as rhododendrons, orchids, asiatic black bear, red panda, musk deer, blue sheep, snow leopard, etc. Kanchenjunga area is additionally a global center for plant diverseness and as many as 23 species of rhododendrons and over 2000 flowering plants are known here.

This 22-day Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek allows you to discover the unique culture and lifestyle of the indigenous people who live in peaceful villages that stretch to the far side of the border between Tibet and Sikkim. The region is abundant in ethnic diversity and culture with over 11 ethnic communities including Sherpa, Rai, Limbus, Chhetri, and Brahmins. This region includes many monasteries, temples, prayer walls and chortens, making the it rich in cultural heritage. The path gradually ascends from 1200 meters to 5180 meters high. You'll also cross over many passes, including Mirgin La pass, and two base camps, North and South, which offer majestic views of the Kanchenjunga range.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking is a difficult one like most of the high-altitude treks in Nepal. However, the sheer beauty one can explore and experience during the trek is immeasurable. The best time to do the trek is during the autumn and spring season.

Highlights:

• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, home to some rare animals like red pandas and snow leopards.
• One of the best remote trek to the base of the world's 3rd-highest peak, Kanchenjunga.
• Spectacular views of Kanchenjunga ranges, Kabru ranges, Pathibhara ranges, and many others.
• Quiet and peaceful trails that pass through beautiful forests, mainly rhododendron and pine.
• A newly opened trekking route with fewer tourists and untouched natural beauty.
• Diverse and rich culture, land topography, wildlife, and vegetation.

If you're in the mood for other great treks in Nepal, you can also follow me on the Everest Base Camp trekking, the Annapurna High Route, the Manaslu tour or the Mohare Danda trek.

Program

D1: Arrival in Kathmandu.
A warm welcome at the international airport by one of our representatives and then head to the hotel.

D2: Trek preparation.
Free day to prepare for the trek. We will meet and see if everything is set. If necessary, you can go to the Thamel district to get the necessary equipment. Finally we have a briefing on the trek.

D3: Flight to Bhadrapur and drive to Phidim (1150m).
After having breakfast, take a short drive to the airport and then a 50-minute scenic flight to Bhadrapur, situated in the lowlands of Terai. You can observe the spectacular eye-catching panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga region. From there you drive to Phidim via one of the most famous and beautiful tea gardens in Nepal.
Duration: 50 minutes of flight and 6 to 7 hours of vehicle transfer.

D4: Phidim - Sekathum (1660m) via Taplejung.
Today, you drive to Taplejung where you have lunch. You then continue to Sekathum via Chiruwa. You pass through the many beautiful ethnic community villages. Upon your arrival in Sekathum, you discover the view of Jannu (7711m). The rest of the Nepalese staff will be waiting for you there.
Duration: 8 hours.

D5: Sekathum - Amjilosa (2495m).
You start the trek to Amjilasa in the morning. The trail is a bit rocky and passes along Ghunsa Khola crossing several suspension bridges. After crossing the last one, you will climb a steep uphill terrain for about 1 hour before reaching Amjilosa, a small settlement with 2 lodges situated on a steep hill.
Positive altitude difference: 1100 meters, negative altitude difference : 170 meters, distance: 7,4 km, duration: 5 hours.

D6: Amjilosa - Ghyabla (2730m).
Today you hike mostly through the forest of rhododendrons, brown oaks and thick bamboo, pastures and waterfalls till you reach Ghyabla. After having lunch in a small teashop near Ghyabla at the riverside you will climb a terraced hill for approximately 1 hour. After the climb, you will arrive in a small Sherpa village called Ghyabla.
D+: 700m, D-: 400m, distance: 9,1 km, duration: 5 hours.

D7: Ghyabla - Ghunsa (3425m).
Today the trekking is a little bit short and easy compared to the other days. The trail comprises both an ascent and a descent. The trail towards Ghunsa passes through a broad meadow pasture land and a dense pine and rhododendron forest. You stop in a small traditional village called Phale to have lunch where you can visit an old monastery also. From here you walk for around 1 and a half hour before reaching Ghunsa which is the last and the biggest village in the Kanchenjunga region.
D+: 950m, D-: 240m, distance: 11,4 km, duration: 5 hours.

D8: Acclimatization day
For acclimatization, you hike to the nearby places. After returning from the hike, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the ancient village of Ghunsa visiting monasteries and learning about their Buddhist culture and tradition.

D9: Ghunsa - Khambachen (4145m).
Today, you walk through a pine and larch forest uphill to the south bank of Ghunsa Khola river passing several mani walls and chortens along the way. And then the trail passes through a big and long landslide area. And after crossing a bridge, you reach Khambachen. On the way, magnificent views of peaks like White Wave Peak (6950m), Kumbhakarna (7711m), Mera Peak (6334m), Sharphu Massif, and many others can be seen.
D+: 800m, D-: 100m, distance: 11,1 km, duration: 5 hours.

D10: Khambachen - Lhonak (4792m).
Following the trail on the northwest side of Kanchenjunga glacier, you hike along a high plateau by stepping up gradually through the rocky trail to reach Lhonak. You have to cross a landslide area near a waterfall as well. From Lhonak, you can see the panoramic views of massive mountain peaks like Wegde Peak (6802m), Mera Peak (6334m), Nepal Peak (7177m), Twins (7350m) and many others.
D+: 700m, distance: 9,7 km, duration: 5 hours.

D11: Hike to Pangpema Base Camp (5140m) .
Today you hike up to Pangpema, the north base camp of Kanchenjunga. You have to take your breakfast early in the morning because some parts of the routes have been damaged by an avalanche recently. So, the hike will take 2 hours more than it used to take before. Due to the slippery trail, rocky way, landslide, and moraine glacier, you need to be very careful while walking. On the way, blue sheeps are often encountered. You have lunch in Pangpema Base Camp. The stunning 360-degree view of the world’s third-highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) with other surrounding peaks can be seen from here. After exploring around for some time, you return to Lhonak.
Duration: 8 hours.

D12: Lhonak - Ghunsa (3425m).
You return the same way to Ghunsa via Khambachen and have lunch in Khambachen.
Duration: 7 to 8 hours.

D13: Ghunsa - Selele (4200m).
You cross a micro-hydropower and a rivulet before entering the forest. Then you gradually ascend a steep trail that passes through the alluring forests filled with birch, pine and colorful rhododendrons until a small pass which will take around 2 to 2.30 hours. From this pass, beautiful views of surrounding peaks and Ghunsa valley can be seen. After, the trail is mostly straight and easy till Selele.
D+: 900m, D-: 70m, distance: 6,3 km, duration: 5 hours.

D14: Selele - Mirgin La (4645m) - Sinelapche La Pass (4645m) - Tseram (3870m).
Today is one of the most challenging days of our trek, as we are crossing 3 passes above 4000 meters (Mirgin La, Sinelapcha Pass, and another pass between Mirgin La and Sinelapche Pass). The trail is mostly a steep uphill climb till Mirgin La (4645m). From here it is quite rocky, mixed with both ascent and descent till Sinelapche Pass. After reaching it, you descend to Tseram through a small pine and juniper forest which takes around 1 to 2 hours. The views of the surrounding peaks from all these passes are wonderful.
D+: 650m, D-: 700m, duration: 8 to 9 hours.

D15: Hike to Oktang viewpoint (4740m).
After our breakfast early in the morning, we start our hike to Oktang viewpoint. We gradually ascend through the juniper forest and cross the small stream by the wooden bridge. From here, the trail is mostly straight where we can see many yaks and pastureland. After walking for 4 to 5 hours you reach Oktang viewpoint via Ramche. From here, you can enjoy the stunning views of different nearby peaks including the 3rd highest peak in the world Mt. Kanchenjunga. After spending some time here, you descend the same way and have lunch in Ramche.
D+:1050m , duration: 8 to 9 hours.

D16: Tseram - Tortong (2980m).
Today you will walk for around 3-4 hours. You will descend through the rhododendrons and pine forests and pass through Anda Phedi before arriving at Tortong. 
D+: 250m, D-: 1100m, duration: 4 hours.

D17: Tortong - Yamphudim (2080m).
After breakfast, you head towards Yamphudim via Lamite Bhanjyang where you have lunch. Then, the trail descends to a river through thick rhododendron and bamboo forest. Then after crossing a wooden bridge and walking for about an hour, you reach Yamphudim, a small beautiful village inhabited by Sherpa, Gurung, and Rai.
D+: 1000m, D-: 1750m, duration: 7 to 8 hours.

D18: Yamphudim - Khebang (1915m).
Leaving Yamphudim behind, we check out our Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permits and restricted permits. You then cross several suspension bridges and small villages before reaching Khebang. Today is your last day of trekking. After breakfast, you hike to the beautiful villages of Limbu and Brahmin through the farmland and pastures.
Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

D19: Khebang - Ilam Bazar (1208m).
Today you drive off-road to Tharpu in a jeep and then to Ilam where you can see one of the famous tea gardens in Nepal.
Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

D20: Ilam Bazar - Bhadrapur - Kathmandu (1350m).
After having breakfast with the beautiful sunrise view, you drive to the lowlands of Bhadrapur from where you catch our flight to Kathmandu. Later in the evening, our company will organize a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant for you to complete this wonderful trek.
Duration: 6 to 7 hours of vehicle transfer and 50 minutes of flight.

D21: Extra day in case of flight cancellation due to bad weather
In the case of flight cancelation or delay due to various unexpected circumstances like bad weather, political strikes or natural calamities, we always keep one extra day as a security/reserve day.

D22: Final Departure
After having breakfast, one of the members of the company will escort you to the airport for your flight back to your home.

The price includes

• Supervision by the English-speaking guide equipped with a satellite phone and an oximeter.
• A porter for two people (maximum weight: 11 kg per client) and an assistant guide for a group of more than 4 people.
• Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea/coffee) during the trek.
• 4 nights in Kathmandu on a shared B/B basis.
• Return flight Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu.
• Private vehicle transfers before and after the trek. 
• Rescue and evacuation arrangements in case of emergency.
• Salary, insurance and accommodation for the entire team.
• Government taxes, service charges nd official expenses.
• Lodge accommodation during the trek (shared).
• All the airport pickups and drops.
• All necessary permits.

The price does not include

• Return flight to Kathmandu.
• Meals in Kathmandu (lunch and dinner).
• Medical evacuation costs (in case of emergency).
• Travel insurance (mandatory).
• Tips for all the staff.
• Personal expenses.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Hotel Moonlight or Apsara Boutique Hotel in Kathmandu on sharing and BB.
• Lodges and guesthouses shared during the trekking.

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