Kanchenjunga Trek
Moderate to Hard
The second talent mountain in Nepal, Mt. Kanchenjunga lies at the elevation of 8586m above sea level. The Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is a remote trek which takes more than 2 weeks to accomplish. The trek provides opportunity to experience the local cultures of Rai, Limbu and Sherpa mostly along with rich and diverse landscape. The trek region is situated at the north eastern part of Nepal along the borders of China and India and lies in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Along with the diverse landscape, this area also boasts of wildlife including snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer and red pandas.
Trip Highlights
- Visit the base camp to Nepal’s second and World’s third highest peak.
- Experience the cultures of diverse ethnicity including Tibetan, Rai, Limbu and Sherpa.
- View of Kanchenjunga North from Pangpema Base Camp.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival in Kathmandu (1300m), you will be met by Thamserku representative and transferred to hotel.Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 2: Fly to Bhadrapur- drive to Phidim
You will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Bharatpur. Once in Bharatpur, your vehicle will be waiting for you along with the crew to drive to Phidim.Meals: BLD
Day 3: Trek to Lalikharka (2265m)
After breakfast, you start our trek towards Lali Kharka through various ascent and descent and passing through lush green forests.Meals: BLD
Day 4: Trek to Kandebhanjyang (2190m) – 7 hrs trek
Today is mostly descent until you reach for couple of hours until Yangpang and continuing the steady climb upto Phumphe Danda. Passing through the various forests and small villages you arrive at Kande Bhanjyang where you stop for overnight.Meals: BLD
Day 5: Trek to Mamankhe (1785m) – 7 hrs trek
After breakfast, we head towards Khesewa and continue the trek towards Kabeli Khola. Passing through the forest and enjoying the views of magical mountain you pass through several small villages to reach Mamankhe where you spend your overnight.Meals: BLD
Day 6: Trek to Yamphudin (1692m) – 7 hrs trek
Today you will trek through uphill mostly going through the trails walking alongside the Kabeli Khola. Crossing a small suspension bridge we continue through small villages to reach Yamphudin.Meals: BLD
Day 7: Trek to Toronten (2980m) – 8 hrs trek
Passing through the trails used by the villagers for their daily commute and through village farms, you will arrive on a trail along Amji Khola where you stop for lunch. After lunch you continue your trek towards Toronten through Lassiya Bhanjyang and crossing through the Rhododendron forest.Meals: BLD
Day 8: Trek to Tseram (3868m) – 5 hrs trek
Today the trek is mostly uphill walking through the Simbuwa River. Passing through the beautiful Rhododendron forest and crossing the Anda Phedi you arrive at Tseram.Meals: BLD
Day 9: Acclimatisation day in Tseram
You can spend your day today just resting in your camp or take hikes to the nearby glacier.Meals: BLD
Day 10: Trek to Sele La (4290m) via Three passes (Sinelapcha, Mirgin la, Sinion la) – 9 hrs trek
Today you cross 3 passes to Sele La. Crossing the Sinelapcha Bhanjyang first you continue towards the Mirgin La pass. After Mirgin La is the Sinion La pass and continue trekking to Sele La following the steep trail.Meals: BLD
Day 11: Trek to Ghunsa (3415m) – 4 hrs trek
As the views get progressively better today, at around 3950m, a small clearing at Tamo La pass level. You continue your trek to Ghunsa through a moss covered forest giving a strange and intimate atmosphere.Meals: BLD
Day 12: Trek to Khambachen (4145m) – 8 hrs trek
Trekking further towards the north along the bank and the panoramic views of the Himalayas, you continue through rhododendron and pine forest. Crossing the bridge at Rampuk Kharka and passing the waterfalls we get to enjoy the amazing view of Mt. Jannu. Continuing the trail you arrive at Khambachen for an overnight stay.Meals: BLD
Day 13: Trek to Lhonak (4792m) – 8 hrs trek.
As you approach the frontal moraine of Kanchenjunga glacier today, your walk is relatively easier today keeping in mind the need to acclimatize as the elevation gets higher. Continuing the trail marked by stone cairns put by the Yak breeders, you come across big waterfalls and snow bridges to cross today. At Ramtang, a Tibetan high pasture camp, you rest before heading to the beautiful Lhonak at the side of the huge glacier. The weather get really cold from here on going down to -20 degrees during November.Meals: BLD
Day 14: Trek to Kanchenjunga base camp (5140m) – 6 hrs trek
Today you enter the sacred universe of the world’s third summit. You arrive during lunch at Pangpema also known as the Kanchenjunga base camp for Kanchenjunga expedition. As you approach the base camp, you will notice the gigantic north icewall with step glaciers. You can push yourself for an optional climb of a hill towering Pangpema which takes about one hour back and forth to enjoy the view of JinsinRi (7483m) that lies between Nepal, Sikkim and Tibet Border.Meals: BLD
Day 15: Trek to Kampachen (4145m) – 9 hrs trek
You trace your steps back towards Kampachen following the same route used to come up.Meals: BLD
Day 16: Trek to Phale (3215m) – 8 hrs trek
Today you trek down further to Phale crossing Ghunsa.Meals: BLD
Day 17: Trek to Amjilosa (2498m) – 8 hrs trek
You continue to trek further down to Amjilosa passing through small settlement at Solima as you pass through a suspension bridge. The trail continues to pass through beautiful villages.Meals: BLD
Day 18: Trek to Tapethok (1322m) – 7 hrs trek
As you continue your trek further towards the lower elevation, you will notice the warm weather.Meals: BLD
Day 19: Trek to Gadi Danda (1892m) – 9 hrs trek
As the settlement gets thicker while descending, your will notice that the trails alongside the lush vegetation. Passing through several villages through Chirwa you continue descending and crossing the bridge over Sisne Khola, you arrive at Gadi Danda.Day 20: Trek to Taplejung (1820m) – 4 hrs trek
The last day of trekking through the forest similar to the pass at around 2600m, you will notice the Kanchenjunga snow covered summits towering above other peaks. The trees are now replaced by the pastures you continue your trek to Taplejung.Meals: BLD
Day 21: Drive Taplejung to Bharatpur – 11 hrs drive
Early morning after breakfast, you drive towards Bhadrapur for an 8 hour drive.Meals: BLD
Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu
The flight back to Kathmandu takes about 50 minutes depending on the weather condition. Upon arrival you will be met by Thamserku representative at the domestic airport and transfer you to the hotel.Meals: B
Day 23: Free day in Kathmandu
You can enjoy your day after the long trek drinking beer or stroll around Thamel. In the evening you will be transferred to Le Sherpa Restaurant for Dinner.Meals: BD
Day 24: Final departure
As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport.Essential Info
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.Eating & Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.
Although meat is available in the tea houses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.
All tea houses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.
If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the tea houses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.
While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.
Weather
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.
Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.
Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
More Info
This is a Tough+ trek. It is activity level 9 with 16 days walking and full porterage throughout. The maximum altitude is 6,189m (or 5,545m without Island Peak) and the average is 3,680m. There are some steep ascents and descents and some narrow trails. As this trek also ascends to very high altitudes participants should be confident of their physical fitness and must have previous experience of trekking at altitude and in snow.Although it is not compulsory to participate in the climb (the summit attempt is optional), anyone who does must have previous ice axe and crampon experience and know how to use a jumar and abseil device. There will be equipment checks and practice sessions for rope use, ice axe, crampon and harness use, abseiling and crevasse rescue. For safety reasons it is compulsory to participate in these sessions. If you do not take part the leader and climbing Sherpas will not allow you to take part in the climb.
Though technically harder than Mera Peak, for those with the necessary experience this expedition is within the reach of those seeking their first Himalayan summit. The climb requires strong lungs and a great deal of will power - it is graded alpine PD+ and starts with some rocky scrambling to a glacier. We cross the glacier roped up (there is one ladder to cross), and then come to a 200m steep 40-45 degree headwall, which leads to a 20m summit ridge. We will rope up to cross the glacier and you will be walking with an ice axe, crampons and plastic boots. There are fixed ropes up the headwall (approximately 200m) and along the summit ridge. On the ascent you will need to use a jumar and on the descent you will need to use an abseil device.
Please be aware that altitude can have a significant affect on your physical state. It is important that you take heed of the leader's advice and decisions at all times. The leaders are trained in first aid and are well aware of AMS symptoms and will keep a close eye on the group. We ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes.
The climb itself is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights or vertigo and the main trail itself crosses three modern suspension bridges over rivers and valleys - all of these have mesh sides but some are quite long and high.
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You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
To Book
Let us know which trip you would like to join. For trips that require a certain level of skills and prior experience, we will ask you to provide us with details so that we know the trip is the right one for you.We will send you a form for you to complete your personal details, medical and fitness information. We will also send you our bank details for you to make payment – we will tell you how much and how to pay.
When you are ready, simply complete the form and send it back to us and let us know once you have deposited the relevant funds into our bank account.
We will send you back a written acknowledgement and other information about your trip such as a gear list and any other relevant information specific to your trip.
Of course, at any time leading up to your trip, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us as we will want to give you as much information as you need so that you can feel comfortable and excited about your forthcoming adventure.
We look forward to having you on an adventure with us!