About the Trip
Exploring Far Eastern Himalaya visiting both base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga’
Highlights:
- “Adventure on both scenic North and south base camps of Mt. Kanchenjunga
- Explore remote corners of Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya within a pure wilderness
- Exciting trekking facing dramatic and views of the world highest mountain range
- Visit rural hill and mountain villages of varied interesting culture and custom
- The only trek in the Himalaya range visiting both high sides of one single mountain
- Lovely green forest lined with beautiful rhododendron, magnolia and pine trees”
Trek Previews:
Accommodation Mode: Hotels in Kathmandu / local lodge where available
on treks with tented camping.
Trekking Grade: Moderate and Adventurous.
Area of Trekking: Nepal Far East Himalaya around Kanchenjunga region.
Highest altitude: Mt. Kanchenjunga North Base Camp at 5, 065 m and
16, 617 feet high.
Trek duration: 20 nights and 21 days (drives and flights both ways)
Total Trip: 24 nights and 25 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Best Seasons for Mt. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking:
The best time from March to May months with September to November, during springtime when wildflowers are in full blooming season with various species rhododendron from tall trees to bushes, makes the hills alive with spectacular wild-flower. Morning and night much cold but enough sunlight hours.
Trek will be more enjoyable in spring with fine good weather for views and pleasant walks, chances of snowfall sometimes around the higher region of Dolpo.
Next good time in autumn/fall from September to November, although much cold but days are bright and clear for views and pleasant walks. Days are fine but short sunlight hours, during autumn times expect snow sometimes on walks around higher altitude.
Introduction:
Mt. Kanchenjunga base camp trek, an adventure that takes you to far and remote corners of Nepal Eastern Himalaya rim around Taplejung district, an enjoyable scenic walk on less ventured region by mass flow of trekkers and adventurers.
A perfect and ideal Himalayan destination for trekkers in search of complete mountain wilderness, within the harmony of tranquil and pristine surroundings, where one can find on this marvelous adventure Mt. Kanchenjunga base camp trek.
Probably, the only trek in the whole Himalaya range where travelers can visit both scenic sides of the same mountain range around its North and South base camps in one single adventure.
Mt. Kanchenjunga listed as the world 3rd highest peaks at an altitude above 8, 586 m and 28,169 feet high, located between Nepal and Sikkim (a small state of North East India).
Mt. Kanchenjunga, 2nd highest mountain in Nepal after Mt. Everest, the summit of Mt. Kanchenjunga first ascent in May 25th 1955 climbed by late legendry mountaineers Sir George Band with British Expedition.
The actual name for the world third highest mountain spelled and pronounced as ‘Kanchendzonga’ a Tibetan origin. Which refers to Kanchenjunga five main peaks, with great spiritual meaning jewels or treasures, such as Gold-Silver-Precious Stones, Grain, and a Holy Scriptures.
An interesting adventure that involves great scenic flights and exciting drives on rough road to start and end the trek to and from Taplejung town district headquarter of Taplejung itself.
Walk starts heading first towards North East to visit Kanchenjunga South Base Camp at Oktang, where most expedition use this original route to reach the summit of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Adventure first takes you around remote rural farm villages and into a dense forest of tall rhododendron, pines, oaks, and fir trees to reach the south base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
After an interesting time around the southern side of the Kanchenjunga route leads towards our next and final destination to North Kanchenjunga base camp also called Pang Pema the highest point of the trek.
Enjoy the grand dramatic scenery of the massive Kanchenjunga mountain range with Mt. Janu and adjoining peaks that surrounds you at the North base camp of Kanchenjunga with wide remorseless fields of ice and glaciers.
The return journey takes you on an alternative route with more farm settlements and lovely villages, as walk heads down with few ups reaching nice areas at Ghunsa and Khambachen, populated by highlanders the Sherpa and Bhotia the mountain tribes of Eastern Himalaya.
With time around lovely well-tended farm villages, witness interesting culture interwoven and attached to Buddhism religion, as walk follows downhill into more farm areas and villages of mixed tribe of people.
The lower mid-hill inhabited mostly by Kirat Rai and Limbu with some Hindu Brahmin, Chettries, as our route leads towards Sukhetar to end the trek where exciting drive takes you down south around the sub-tropical area at Bhadrapur town airport.
From Bhadrapur a sweeping scenic flight brings you back into hustle and bustle city life in Kathmandu, after an overwhelming and fantastic time and experience on Mt. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu for sightseeing tour and trek preparation.
Day 03: Fly to Bhadrapur 560 m and drive to Phidim 1,560 m-06 hrs.
Day 04: Drive to Sukhetar 04 hrs. After lunch trek to Lali Kharka 1,900 m-04 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Kande Bhanjyang 2,100 m -07 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Phompe Danda 1,850 m -06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Yangphudin 2,150 m at Sherpa Gaon - 07 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Dorongding 2,880 m - 07 hrs (Cross Lashe Tham, 3,800 m Pass)
Day 09: Trek to Tseram 3,770m - 05 hrs.
Day 10: At Tseram, day hike to Oktang at Kanchenjunga South Base Camp.
Day 11: Cross Tsele-La pass 4, 250 m overnight at Tsele base 3,700 m - 08 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Ghunsa 3,480 m - 04 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Khambachen 4,000 m -06 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Lhonak 4,780m - 06 hrs.
Day 15: Day hike to Pang Pema 5,065 m (North BC) and return to Lhonak - 06 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Ghunsa, 3,480 m - 07 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Gyapla Phedi 2,300 m - 06 hrs.
Day 18: Trek to Sekathum / Japantar 1,350 m - 06 hrs.
Day 19: Trek to Chirwa 1,250 m - 06 hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Phurumbu School 1,500 m -07 hrs.
Day 21: Trek to Suketar 2,440 m -04 hrs.
Day 22: Drive to Ilam 6 hrs drive with overnight in local Lodge.
Day 23: Drive to Bhadrapur airport and fly to Kathmandu transfer to hotel.
Day 24: In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
Day 25: Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Day to Day Itinerary
In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparation.
At Kathmandu free day with cultural and historical tour around Kathmandu at places of great interest accompanied by an expert guide.
Kathmandu and adjoining cities steeped with world heritage sites an interesting places to visit, after an exciting day, return to the hotel with afternoon free preparation for the Mt. Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek.
Fly to Bhadrapur 560 m, drive to Phidim 1,560 m - 05 hours.
Transfer to domestic airport as per time for the flight for Bhadrapur airport, where scenic flight reaches you Far South Eastern Nepal to land at Bhadrapur airport.
During 45 minutes on air facing grand views of Himalayan peaks from Ganesh, Langtang Himal, Jugal Himal, and Mt. Everest also includes views of Mt. Makalu with Mt. Kanchenjunga.
On landing at Bhadrapur airport, where exciting journey on four-wheel-drive takes you to mid-hills at Phidim, as the ride continues past the lovely hill town of Ilam, the area around famous for Tea and its vast tea garden.
An interesting drive on a narrow dirt road to reach at Phidim around the Ilam area for overnight in a local simple lodge, and enjoy a short walk around the town of Phidim to witness eastern Nepalese culture.
Drive to Sukhetar 4 hours and trek to Lali Kharka 1,900 m -04 hrs.
Having early breakfast drive continues to reach the start of trekking from Sukhetar, a small town located within the Taplejung district of Kanchenjunga region, morning drive takes you past rural hill villages with farm terraces on a winding uphill road to reach Sukhetar after four hours of interesting drive.
At Sukhetar get organized and start the first-day walk of the adventure on a gradual easy path to reach a farm village at Lali Kharka, as the walk takes you through a forest of pines; and then downhill to Lali Kharka for an overnight stop, facing views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Janu peaks.
Trek from Kande Bhanjyang 2,100 m -07 hrs.
Morning starts with a long descend past farm villages, the area populates with Hindu Brahmins, Chettries, and Kirat tribes known as Rai and Limbu who also practice Hindu religion, as well as their own ancient culture and deities of natural spirit.
The walk continues past Tembawa village and then descend to cross Phawa Khola / stream, to reach at small Pokora village, and then climb leads to a steep slope to Kunjari a mountain village, and then into the dense forest with a short climb to Kande Bhanjyang for overnight stop, a small farm village with views of Kanchenjunga and Yalungkhang peaks.
Trek to Phompe Danda 1,850 m -06 hrs.
From this small farm village morning begins with steep downhill to reach a nice well-tended farm fields of wheat and millets, and then through forest within headwaters of Nandeva Khola / stream.
On crossing the stream, with a climb to Loppoding village, from here the route leads with ups and down-hill trail to reach at Fun Fun, a resting place for travelers located on a high ridge, offers views of Khumbukarna, Yalung, and Kanchenjunga peaks.
After a pleasant stop descends again into terraced farm fields to reach a mountain village of Yangpang, with a climb on a gentle slope for an hour to Pompe Dhada for an overnight stop, located on the crest of a high ridge, an excellent spot with a view of Mt. Janu.
Trek to Yangphudin 2,150m at Sherpa Gaon - 07 hrs.
After a pleasant stop at Phompe Danda, a village on a high hill, from here downhill past a few small farm settlements with terraced fields to reach Khesewa Khola, cross a bridge, and then climb to reach a nice resting place.
From here on gradual ups for an hour then towards Mamankhe village for a possible lunch stop, and then afternoon starts with a climb, then skirt around a ridge on a level path that heads towards Dekadin village.
Walk on the bank of Kabeli Khola with up and down, crossing several smaller streams, and then descend to a path on stone-paved steps to Kabeli Khola, on leaving the river behind.
The climb leads to a splendid ridge past farm villages and then with gradual climb reaching an isolated village at Yamphudin, from here uphill for an hour to reach at Sherpa Gaon for an overnight stop.
This will be the last permanent village populated with the Sherpa tribe till our adventures reach on the other Northside of Kanchenjunga at Gunsa, campsite set in a field within close to Sherpa village.
Trek to Dorongding 2,880 m - 07 hrs (Cross Lashe Tham, 3,800 m Pass)
From the Sherpa village, walk to Chitre, following Kabeli Khola, and then cross a tributary of Omje Khola, as climb starts to reach on top Dhupi Bhangyang after few hours of steep haul on grassland.
he top of Lahse Tham at 3,800 m a small pass facing excellent views of beautiful landscapes with snow-capped peaks, from a long descent through deciduous forest to Omje Khola / stream. Walk leads into tall trees of rhododendron and pines, as walk leads to an open ridge and finally end the day at Dorongding past Chitre for overnight camping.
Trek to Tseram 3,770 m - 05 hrs.
The morning walk leads toward Kanchenjunga eastern base camp and cross Ramite Bhanjyang (3,430 m.) a small ridge and a pass taking a few hours steep climb within a forest of magnolias, rhododendron, and bamboo, and then reach an isolated spot a place with lonely hut.
From here our climb leads into dense rhododendron and pine tree forest past a small pond, along a mountain flank covered in forest as walk takes you to an isolated single hut at Wahta.
From here walk past an area that leads to a shrine with a huge boulder shaped like a serpent, as trek leads up to an overnight stop at Tseram, a place with rocky overhanging caves.
Rest day at Tseram, Excursion to Oktang near Kanchenjunga South BC.
After a week of continuous walk, today a free day for a day hike to Oktang which leads your close to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, where the British expedition set their base camp for the climb to the top of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
On the walk views of terminal moraine fed from Yalung glacier and behind looking at Kabru 7,353 m and Talung peak 7, 349 m, hike leads to a close view of Yalung Glacier and south wall of Kanchenjunga, walk of near three hours enjoy views of Talung Peak and Kabru, after an exciting day hike head back to Tserem for overnight stop.
Cross Tsele-La pass 4, 250 m overnight at Tsele base 3,700 m - 08 hrs.
From here onward head towards the North side of Mt. Kanchenjunga, as walk starts with downhill through Yalung Bar and then climb for short while and cross a river as the route leads to dense forest.
Continue climb on steep hillside for an hour or more towards two little ponds and then cross three short smaller passes over Miring La, Tamo La, and Tsele-La pass.
On top of each pass enjoy great views of snow-peaks that include Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Makalu with Baruntse, and Chamlang and then descend to the base of the last pass for overnight camp.
Trek to Ghunsa 3,480 m - 04 hrs.
Today walk leads towards human settlement and villages at Ghunsa a lovely place to enjoy, start the morning trek with descend for an hour into a forest of rhododendron and pines.
Walk further to reach a near level ground at Ghunsa River, from here on a nice pleasant path to Ghunsa village for overnight stop, a lovely village of Bhotia and Sherpa people the high altitude tribe (Tibetan origin) of Nepal Himalaya, here houses are well built with fine stone, with neat and tidy small farm field.
Trek to Khambachen 4,000 m -06 hrs.
Walk follows a river with an uphill climb past Yak herder camp, as trailheads through rhododendron and pine forest, with gradual climb to Rambuk Kharkas and then cross over a small glacier landslide.
Trek continues facing views of the Khumbukarna Himalaya range with Mt. Janu and other high snow-capped peaks.
Soon walk leaves tree lines behind for arid and barren terrain with only short bushes and scrub of juniper, from Rambuk Kharka climb leads to Khambachen for overnight stop, and enjoy grand views of the valley enclosed by towering peaks of Sharphu (7,070 m.) with the north face of Mt. Janu and Wedge peak.
Trek to Lhonak 4,780 m - 06 hrs.
From here walk follows heading further east with a climb into rocks and boulder that leads into a terminal of moraine within Kanchenjunga massive glacier, on leaving Ramtang Kharka (a Yak herders place).
This is where the trail joins at Kanchenjunga glacier and then crosses a junction of Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glacier facing views of Mera, Nepal Peak, and Wedge Peak.
From Lhonak day hike to Pang Pema 5, 065 m (North Base Camp).
Today, the walk leads towards our last main highlight of the adventure where the route leads to Pang Pema at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, start the morning with a gradual climb above the river with views of Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, Taple Sikhar, and Givegela Chuli.
First part a gentle climbs through a boulder of rocks and glaciers as walk progress heading in between grassy area with a glaciated path to reach Kanchenjunga North Base Camp.
On walks chances of spotting some wild-life like a herd of blue sheep if lucky snow-leopard as this is a perfect habitation within mountain wilderness and glaciers.
After a wonderful experience in the heart of the massive Mt. Kanchenjunga range of peaks, head back on the same route to Lhonak for the last overnight stop on higher areas of Kanchenjunga.
Trek to Ghunsa 3,480 m - 08 hrs.
A long and easy day walk heading downhill with a few short climb on the same scenic route to Ghunsa for overnight camp after a long day treks.
Trek to Gyapla Phedi 2,300 m – 07 hrs.
From here adventure takes you on a new route, as walk leads towards beautiful country with views of snow peaks, walking past cattle herders’ summer camps to reach Gypla Phedi, around lower warmer areas for overnight stop.
Trek to Sekathum / Japantar 1,350 m - 07 hrs.
After a pleasant overnight stop, morning walk leads further down towards much warmer farm country and villages to reach Sekathum or near Japantar for an overnight stop, a nice farm villages that grow paddy, wheat, corn, and citric fruits.
Trek to Chirwa 1,250 m - 06 hrs.
From here on easy walk as altitude lose every hour, however with short ups to encounter as the route leads past rural villages and farm fields, greeted with friendly cheerful smiles as you visit from one village to another till you reach at Chirwa village for an overnight stop.
Trek to Phurumbu School 1,500 m -07 hrs.
Morning walk downhill, with a short climb and feel the cool air as days get much warmer on reaching the low foothills of Kanchenjunga region around Taplejung district, slowly walk ends at Phurumbu Schoolyard for overnight camp.
Trek to Sukhetar 2,440 m -04 hrs.
Today last day walk of the adventure, where our trek ends at Sukhetar in Tapeljung farm town, start the day with a slow walk entering many farm villages to reach finally Sukhetar for an overnight stop in the comfort of a nice local lodge.
Sukhetar, a small town with a short airstrip that flies to Kathmandu and Biratnagar city, but much unpredictable where flights can get delayed or canceled, where many trekkers avoids the hassle of flying to Sukhetar instead flying to Bhadrapur from Kathmandu which is much safe.
Drive to Ilam town or further and transfer to local lodge- 04-06 hrs.
From Sukhetar and in Taplejung, on ending the trek where drive takes you to a nice hill town at Ilam or further down south time permitting.
On reaching Ilam town transfer into the best available local lodge for last and final overnight around Far Eastern Nepal, and in a town famous for tea around Nepal as well world-wide.
Fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Morning as early as possible, start with an exciting drive to reach around low flat land within the Terai belt, where Bhadrapur airport is located.
On reaching at Bhadrapur airport board on an aircraft for a short scenic flight to Kathmandu, at Kathmandu domestic terminal short drive to your hotel, with time in the afternoon for individual activities and shopping.
In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
A spare and contingency day in Kathmandu in case of delay due to road condition on local drive to start or at the end of a trek, where weather can be unfavorable sometimes even in the best time of a year.
If all goes well as our standard itinerary, enjoy this free day of joining in for another exciting tour around Kathmandu at places of great interest.
Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Last and final day in Nepal in the country of amazing Himalaya blended with colorful culture, as per your time for international flight our staff, guide transfer you to the airport for final departures home-ward after a memorable experience and adventure on Mt. Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking.
