Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking - 18 Day

One of our team will greet you at the airport for the transfer to your Hotel where there is time to relax. We set up welcome meeting with your guide at a convenient time depending on arrival at our office. For those that wish, there is the chance to go out together as a group for dinner afterwards something we like to do. There are no other activities planned for today. Depending on your arrival schedule you will have time to get around the bustling bazaar; the hotels we use are normally situated in the lively Thamel area. There is a feast of outdoor gears, souvenir shops, great bookshops and a huge variety of restaurants. It's a great place to wander through and get your bearings.

This is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions or clear up any issues you may have. We make sure everyone is properly equipped for the trek and we give you an idea of what to expect on a day to day basis. We often arrange a walking tour, visiting the bazaar, temples, stupas and the Durbar Square area as per your request which are situated in the center of old Kathmandu. It is a casual stroll taking in much of the day to day life of Kathmandu and its many bazaars: a thriving mixture of people selling fruit, vegetables and spices with devotees visiting their favorite gods at temples and small shrines dotted along the streets and alleyways. With rickshaw Walla’s weaving their way through the bustle with the ever present sacred cow meandering amongst it all there is rarely a dull moment.

Following a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bhadrapur. The 45-minute flight takes you to Bhadrapur, where the scenery and weather are very different from those in Kathmandu. This region's people have different accents, skin tones, and cultural traditions than those in Kathmandu. It truly feels as if you've been transported to another universe. The highway connects Bhadrapur and Taplejung, passing through beautiful tea estates. During this 8-9-hour drive, you will encounter three distinct weather conditions: hot, cold, and snowy. The scenery changed from flat to lush hills to rocky terrain, which would be a lovely experience.

By traveling along the Tamor Nadi, passing through a number of bridges and communities, we will eventually reach in Sekathum.

A series of impressive suspension bridges leads us back and forth across the Ghunsa Khola to Jaubari, then across another bridge to the narrow trail leading up the steeply sided slopes to Amjilosa and its yak pasturelands.

After passing numerous waterfalls and the dispersed settlements that were peacefully tucked away in the valley below the mountains, we continued upward through the densely forested area with mature oak and dense rhododendron trees. As we gently travel in the direction of Gyabla, eagles soar lazily above us, yaks graze solemnly in lush meadows, and occasionally, indications of animals can be seen among the trees or high on the hills.

The morning is spent walking steadily to the Tibetan village of Phole, and then we make the steady climb to the picturesque town of Ghunsa and its superb view of the surrounding countryside.

Today is a designated rest day to help the body acclimate to the high altitude, and Ghunsa is perfectly suited to the task by virtue of its scenic alpine surroundings and points of cultural interest, including the local gompa.

Emerald green forests concede to the frost-browned vegetation of the alpine regions of the Kanchenjunga region as we climb steadily to the upper glacial valleys on our path, with mighty Jannu standing before us in all its glory as we trek through the scenic landscape towards Khambachen.

Another highly recommended acclimatization day that provides an unbeatable side trip while also contributing to your successful adaptation to the elevation to reach the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp.

A day of astonishing views as we trek into the heartland of the towering Kanchenjunga massif, gradually ascending to the base of the mountain's forbidding glacier and on past snow-fed waterfalls and occasional glimpses of highland wildlife such as blue sheep perched high on the slopes. If there's snow about and we're extremely fortunate we might even sight the light footprints of the region's most mysterious creature, the enigmatic snow leopard.

The day's first order of business is the steady climb to the lofty and isolated outpost of Pangpema, where we pause for lunch before heading out on the final push to the trek's ultimate goal of Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The fluttering colors of the prayer flags eventually guide us in to the site at the very threshold of the towering peak, with magnificent panoramas of the surrounding region's snow-capped peaks providing the icing to the cake on the day's journey. After spending suitable time at the base to appreciate the views and celebrate the achievement we head back down to Lhonak. A day of astonishing views as we trek into the heartland of the towering Kanchenjunga massif, gradually ascending to the base of the mountain's forbidding glacier and on past snow-fed waterfalls and occasional glimpses of highland wildlife such as blue sheep perched high on the slopes. If there's snow about and we're extremely fortunate we might even sight the light footprints of the region's most mysterious creature, the enigmatic snow leopard.

Returning by the same route to Ghunsa, we gain a different and refreshing perspective of the region's beautiful scenery.

After breakfast, we return from Ghunsa to Amjilosa, passing through beautiful forest, pastures, ridges, streams, and breathtaking White Mountains views. Ghunsa to Amjilosa is a six-and-a-half-hour trek. To reach Gyabla, the first section of the journey follows a pleasant road through the jungle. The majority of the trail climbs and descends on steep terrain. Amjilosa is known as a honey town, and honey can be found in nearly every home. We'll spend the night at the teahouse after that.

The final day of hike declines once it reaches Sekathum. After collecting memories, savoring the cool breezes, mingling with locals, traveling through the villages, and cruising along the verdant roads, we will arrive in Taplejung, where we will spend the night in a respectable tea house.

We reach in Bhadrapur for the night after an almost 12-hour jeep ride.

Enjoy the short mountain flight then relax in Kathmandu.

Farewell and drop-off at the airport, or the opportunity to join another of our programs.