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Rajesh, Nepal +977 9841917136
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Martyna Karolina, USA +1 8087578060
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Antje Hagendorf, Netherlands +31 6 12851405
Kanchenjunga Trek - 24 Days
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Lhonak & Surroundings -
Stunning view of Kumbhakarna Himal -
Exploring an amazing Landscape
- Destination: Nepal
- Duration: 24 Days
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Trip Grade: Strenuous
- Cost start: US$ 1790 (P/P)
- Accomodation: Tea house/lodge
- Trip Style: Trekking/hiking
Trip Highlights
- 30 minutes flight, if chosen, offering stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest
- Abundant wildlife species such as blue sheep, musk deer, snow leopard, and black bear
- Amazing panoramas of Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other nearby Himalayan giants, as well as distant views of the eastern faces of Makalu and Everest
- Walking on Yalung Glacier
- Terraced fields and pristine rhododendron, pine, and bamboo forests
- The warmth and hospitality of the Rai & Limbu people
- The option to explore both base camps at Kanchenjunga
About Trip
In the far east of Nepal, bordering the Indian state of Sikkim, lies the world's third-highest mountain, Kanchenjunga (8586m), standing in almost complete isolation from the other major peaks of the Himalayas. The restricted area has only been open for exploration since 1988, and the Kanchenjunga trek is now considered amongst the premier routes for those seeking a rarely traveled and highly challenging adventure through one of the last unspoiled wilderness regions of Nepal. During the Kanchenjunga trek, you will notice that it's home to elusive snow leopards, the Himalayan black bear, and the Assamese macaque, as well as an unforgettable landscape of towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and verdant forests of rhododendron and bamboo. During the Kanchenjunga trek, you will notice the sparse population scattered throughout the mountains is made up of the warm-hearted Rai and Limbu people, with a culture that traces back to Tibetan origins and a unique belief system based on an amalgamation of Buddhist, Hindu and animist principles.
Starting with a flight or drive to Bhadrapur/Suketar, the trek climbs through the scenic and cultivated foothills into the great mountain stronghold of peaks such as Rathong, Kumbhakarna, Jannu, and of course Kanchenjunga, offering some of the Himalaya's most awe-inspiring and majestic scenery en route to South Base Camp (5143m). Until recently the trek was only possible through the considerable effort of carrying in all the necessities of life such as food and camping equipment, but with the advent of tea houses along the trail in response to its growing popularity, the logistics of the exercise have become considerably easier.
The Kanchenjunga trek is a journey for the trekker with a sense of adventure, a desire to explore trails less traveled, and the determination and conditioning to tackle the challenges of a physically demanding route through one of Nepal's most remote regions. Nepal Trekking Experts is the perfect agency to arrange your trek through the area, including additional options such as a visit to the isolated northern base camp. So why not get in touch with us and know all the details about Kanchanjunga Trek's difficulty and the equipment list and see what we can do to set you on the path to this intriguing journey in the eastern Himalayas?
Feel free to go through our other packages like Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, Gokyo Valley Trek, and more.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Welcome at airport and transfer to the hotel
Day 02: Free day for final trekking preparation.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (45 minutes), then drive to the coolest and most famous tea garden in the world, Phikkal Bazaar (3 hours by car/Jeep).
Day 04: Phikkal Bazaar to Taplejung by local jeep. (8 - 9 hrs, 1820m).
Day 05: Trek Taplejung to Chiruwa (6-7 hrs, 1270m).
Day 06: Trek Chiruwa to Lelep (1750m, 5-6 hrs)
Day 07: Lelep to Amjilosa (2308m, 5-6 hrs)
Day 08: Trek Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730m, 5 hrs)
Day 09: Trek Gyabla to Ghunsa (3595m, 5 hrs)
Day 10: Acclimatization day.
Day 11: Trek Ghunsa to Khambachen(4050m, 5-6 hrs)
Day 12: Acclimatization day!
Day 13: Khambachen to Lhonak (4780m, 4—5 hrs)
Day 14: Hike to Kanchenjunga Base camp (5143m) and return to Lhonak (or stay overnight in Base Camp)
Day 15: Lhonak to Ghunsa (6 hrs)
Day 16: Ghunsa to Selele Base Camp (5 hrs, 4480m)
Day 17: Selele Base Camp to Cheram (8 hrs, 3870m)
Day 18: Cheram to Ramche (5 hrs, 4580m) what an opportunity of exploring Kanchenjunga South Base Camp!
Day 19: Ramche to Tortong (6—7 hrs, 2995m)
Day 20: Tortong to Yamphudin (7—8 hrs, 2080m)
Day 21: Yamphuding to Khebang (1915m, 5—6 hrs)
Day 22: Khebang to Birtamod by drive (12 hrs)
Day 23: Drive to Bhadrapur(45 minute) then fly back in Kathmandu.
Day 24: Departure
Trip cost includes/excludes:
- Complimentary airport pick up and drop off
- Complimentary welcome dinner
- Two-night stay on arrival in Kathmandu in a standard hotel with breakfast included (twin share basis)
- All necessary trekking permits for Kanchenjunga, TIMS card, etc.
- All accommodation during trek
- Three meals a day during the trek
- Fresh fruit each day if and when available
- Complementary duffel bag, agency T-shirt, trekking map, sleeping bag if needed
- Government registered and first-aid trained professional local guide who speaks English
- First aid kit
- Return flight between Kathmandu and Bhadrapur
- Bhadrapur to Taplejung, Hapu Khola to Birtamod/Bhadrapur by local jeep
- Staff insurance, meals, accommodation, equipment, transportation, etc.
- Rescue arrangements if necessary
- Agency service charge and government tax/VAT
- Certificate of achievement
- International airfare and Nepal visa fee
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal Insurance, personal expenses, loss of property and theft, etc.
- Sightseeing fees (temples, monasteries, etc.)
- All beverages, snacks, and additional expenses such as laundry, hot showers, battery charging, wifi, etc.
- Tips to staff
Note: Above itinerary is basically a guideline. If you're not satisfied or have an alternative plan please feel free to discuss it with us.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01Welcome at airport and transfer to the hotel
Welcome at airport and transfer to the hotel by private car/jeep
Day 02Free day for final trekking preparation.
Free day for trekking preparation and sightseeing
Day 03Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (45 minutes), then drive to the coolest and most famous tea garden in the world, Phikkal Bazaar (3 hours by car/Jeep).
If the weather is clear, a short and scenic flight takes us to Bhadrapur, where we drive Ilam tea garden (Phikkal Bazaar) is the best way to avoid Birtamod's very busy and bustling city while relaxing on top of the lush, cool, and almost paradise tea garden.
Day 04Phikkal Bazaar to Taplejung by local jeep. (8 - 9 hrs, 1820m).
Terraced rice fields and tea plantations serve as a serene backdrop as we head out past Gumpas and prayer wheels on the long jeep drive to Taplejung.
Day 05Trek Taplejung to Chiruwa (6-7 hrs, 1270m).
Our trek starts today with a hike through layered landscapes and lush jungle fringed by distant views of the ever-present Himalayas, passing by the riverside village of Siwan and the suspension bridge that leads us across to Chirawa, the day's destination.
Day 06Trek Chiruwa to Lelep (1750m, 5-6 hrs)
With permits checked at the regional park office we head in to the conservation area that protects the Kanchenjunga region and forge ahead over a bridge and through the scenic sub-tropical landscape until we reach Lelep.
Day 07Lelep to Amjilosa (2308m, 5-6 hrs)
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.
Day 08Trek Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730m, 5 hrs)
Onwards and up through the thickly forested region of dense rhododendron and venerable oak trees, past myriad waterfalls and the scattered villages lying quietly below the mountains in their peaceful valley. Eagles soar lazily above us, yaks graze solemnly in green pastures, and occasional signs of wildlife come into view among the trees or high on the slopes as we slowly make our way towards Gyabla.
Day 09Trek Gyabla to Ghunsa (3595m, 5 hrs)
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.
Day 10Acclimatization day.
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.
Day 11Trek Ghunsa to Khambachen(4050m, 5-6 hrs)
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.
Day 12Acclimatization day!
Another highly recommended acclimatization day that provides unrivaled side trips and contributes to successfully reaching Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
Day 13Khambachen to Lhonak (4780m, 4—5 hrs)
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.
Day 14Hike to Kanchenjunga Base camp (5143m) and return to Lhonak (or stay overnight in Base Camp)
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.
Day 15Lhonak to Ghunsa (6 hrs)
Returning by the same route to Ghunsa, we gain a different and refreshing perspective of the region's beautiful scenery.
Day 16Ghunsa to Selele Base Camp (5 hrs, 4480m)
A precipitous trail leads us through woodland towards a trailhead of striking mountain views, including mysterious Makalu sitting in isolation on the far horizon.
Day 17Selele Base Camp to Cheram (8 hrs, 3870m)
The trail takes us on a challenging roller coaster hike today, an undulating passage over two passes, firstly Sinion La (4646m) then Mirgin La (4470m). Everest and Makalu add to the extraordinary panorama before us as we hike through the region until the path gradually leads down to our rest stop at Cheram.
Day 18Cheram to Ramche (5 hrs, 4580m) what an opportunity of exploring Kanchenjunga South Base Camp!
Ultimately this is our final destination of Exploring Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Our trail leads out through woodland until we clear the tree line and approach the moraine field of Yarlung Glacier, with Jannu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks in the area soaring high above us in the valley. After exploring South Base Camp then we will descend to Ramche for overnight.
Day 19Ramche to Tortong (6—7 hrs, 2995m)
We descend markedly today, leaving behind the alpine regions and dropping down into the lush surrounds of the lower foothills with their dense forests of rhododendron and pine. The rushing waters of the Simbuwa Khola become our steady companion as we continue on down until we reach Tortong.
Day 20Tortong to Yamphudin (7—8 hrs, 2080m)
Another day of hiking on an undulating trail, our path taking us along tree-lined slopes and grass-green pastures hanging precariously to existence on the steep inclines. Our arrival at Yamphuding brings us back to the main road running through the region.
Day 21Yamphuding to Khebang (1915m, 5—6 hrs)
After the experience and thrill of the alpine heights the terraced fields, peaceful villages and vivid colors of the lower ranges make for a relaxing hike as we slowly wind our trek down to its conclusion.
Day 22Khebang to Birtamod by drive (12 hrs)
A long day sees us make the bumpy ride to the main road, then turn towards Birtamod.
Day 23Drive to Bhadrapur(45 minute) then fly back in Kathmandu.
A short drive takes us to Bhadrapur, where we pick up our return flight to Kathmandu in plenty of time to relax, unwind, and perhaps celebrate the trek with friends over dinner.
Day 24Departure
Farewell and drop-off at the airport, or the opportunity to join another of our programs.
Departure Detail
| Start Date | End Date | Cost | Status | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 March, 2023 | 27 March, 2023 | US $1790 | Guaranteed | |
| 15 March, 2023 | 07 April, 2023 | US $1790 | Guaranteed | |
| 29 March, 2023 | 21 April, 2023 | US $1990 | Guaranteed | |
| 09 April, 2023 | 02 May, 2023 | US $1790 | Guaranteed | |
| 15 April, 2023 | 08 May, 2023 | US $1790 | Guaranteed | |
| 25 April, 2023 | 18 May, 2023 | US $1790 | Guaranteed | |
| 01 May, 2023 | 24 May, 2023 | US $1790 | Guaranteed |
Read Reviews
Fantastic Experience - Very Highly Recommended!
Published: Sunday, November 27, 2022
I completed the Tsum Valley and Manaslu trek back in 2017 and had a great experience with Nepal Trekking Experts who organised the trek. 5 Years later and I returned to Nepal looking to complete another trek. I looked no further than Nepal Trekking Experts and the ever enthusiastic and helpful Rajesh and eventually decided upon the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, visiting North and South base camps. Rajesh always responded quickly to emails and is a mine of information on trekking in Nepal. Rajesh did warn us that the original return flight date from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu may need to be rescheduled due to the general election on the 20th November and provided various options for amending the trek accordingly. Three of us set off with our guide Ram and proceeded as scheduled from Taplejung for the first 2 days. Then, one of the group had to drop out due to an injury, but his repatriation to Kathmandu was expertly handled by Rajesh and Ram and the remaining two of us were able to continue as scheduled. Early on in the trek, Ram also discussed with us the options for picking up a day to account for the general election and we were able amend the itinerary to take account of this. Ram really showed himself to be an excellent guide and also a great human being. He has a very detailed knowledge of the area and was happy to share his knowledge with other guides and trekkers who lacked such expertise. One particular highlight was attending an early morning puja ceremony in Phale and visiting the wonderful Phale monastery. This would not have been possible without Ram and most other trekkers missed out on this experience. Another suggestion from Ram was to hike to Oktang from Cheram and return to Cheram on the same day rather than spending a very cold night in a very basic lodge in Ramche. This was definitely the correct decision for us because not only did we visit Oktang, but the descent to Tortong the following day was made much shorter. During the trek, I mentioned to Ram about rescheduling the return flight to Kathmandu and he told me that Rajesh had already rebooked the flights for the 19th as a result of all domestic flights being cancelled on the 20th. This is typical of Nepal Trekking Experts who are able to resolve any issues before questions are even asked! I would very much recommend using the services of Nepal Trekking Experts for organising any treks or other activities. Rajesh is trustworthy and extremely well informed and will give you very good advice depending upon your interests and abilities. Ram is a superb guide who made the trek so very special.
Excellent local agency and pleasant experience with the Ram guide
Published: Wednesday, June 8, 2022
It was my fifth trip to Nepal for hiking (this time Kanchenjunga Trek and Mera Peak). Already the contact with Rajesh from Nepal Trekking Experts beforehand was very convincing. All questions were answered within hours (sometimes even minutes). Rajesh catered for individual wishes as much as possible. Rajesh even actively supported my search for travel companions. The local transfers went smoothly, the local hotel was well chosen. Rajesh personally assured himself several times that the meeting and transport actually worked as planned. You can tell that customer satisfaction is very important to him. It is also apparent that Rajesh has a lot of experience with the expectations and wishes of travelers. Nepal Trekking Experts would be my first choice for a next trip to Nepal.
On the Kanchenjunga trek, Ram was my guide. Ram is an even-tempered, friendly, very positive and experienced guide. I enjoyed travelling with him very thoroughly. The arrangement of the days was very flexible and Ram always accommodated my wishes, also with regard to the choice of accommodation, which is not always a matter of course in Nepal. He taught me a lot about the country, the people and, above all, a little Nepali every day. I learned to appreciate him very much as a person and would gladly travel with him again at any time. Thank you very much again!
Fantastic Kanchenjunga Trek
Published: Tuesday, May 31, 2022
A very successful trekking with the guys from Nepal Trekking Experts. They took care of everything. We just followed them and admired the beautiful and remote places of north-eastern Nepal. Completely unspoiled area, very diverse. From rhododendron forest to completely rugged nature. The beautiful peaks of Jannu, Khambachen and at the end the third tallest mountain of the World - Kanchenjunga. I can not recommend them enough!
Highly recommended Trekking Agency
Published: Thursday, December 10, 2020
Nepal Trekking Experts did an excellent job organizing our Kanchenjunga trek in Oct 2020. Rajesh and his team tackled the complicated permit process during the COVID lock down and made it possible for us to go on a trek. The guiding service provided by Nepal Trekking Experts was excellent and we have benefited greatly from the guide's intricate knowledge of the Kanchenjunga area. The trek was a memorable experience that we will remember for a long time! We highly recommend Nepal Trekking Experts for everyone's trekking needs since it is a reliable and well run agency in Nepal.
Lifetime experience in Kanchenjunga trek
Published: Saturday, November 23, 2019
What a fantastic company! We did the Kanchenjunga circuit with them in October 2019. We were dealing with Rajesh, who gave us so much information by email, always quick responding, which helped us a lot planning our visit to Nepal. We really appreciated his kindness and support all along from the beginning to the last minute, much more than expected!
Our guide Thakur was more than excellent!! He knows so much about the region and the Nepali, Hindu and Buddhism cultures. We could talk about everything with him, he is very open-minded and his English is absolutely perfect. He was also very relaxed and flexible on the trek, bringing us to the tea houses that would fit the most our wishes. We really appreciated every single moment spent on the trek together!
My boyfriend already went to Manaslu last year with this company and the guide Thakur. They had an amazing time together and even became friends. So we decided to trek Kanchenjunga with Nepal Trekking Experts this year again. We can heartily recommend this company and the guide Thakur. We are already planning our next trek with them actually! Thanks a lot for allowing us to have the best time in Kanchenjunga and see you very soon again!
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Wir waren jetzt das zweite Mal mit Rajs Orgnaisation unterwegs und waren wieder sehr zufrieden. Raj hat alles super organisiert, wir mussten uns um nichts Sorgen machen und er antwortet super schnell, wenn man eine Frage hat. Vor Ort hat er auch jederzeit Zeit für einen und man kann immer im Büro vorbei kommen, wenn man eine Frage hat oder Unterstützung bei irgendwas braucht. Unser Guide war zum zweiten Mal Rabin, der sich super um uns gekümmert hat während des Treks. Er hat dafür gesorgt, dass wir uns immer sicher gefühlt haben. Er ist eine angenehme Begleitung und man kann abends wunderbar mit ihm Karten spielen und viel lachen. Außerdem hatte er diesmal sogar Snacks und Äpfel für uns dabei, die uns an so einigen Tagen den nötigen Energieschub für die nächste Etappe gegeben haben.
Amazing Kanchenjunga Trek
Published: Thursday, November 1, 2018
This was our second time trekking with Nepal Trekking Experts and again we were amazed how wonderful everything turned out. With Rajs organisation everything was taken care of and no question was left unanswered. You can always come by the office if you have any question, need or just need a short break from busy kathmandu. You'll get a drink too. Customer service is paramount with this company. We chose Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek as out honeymoon vacation and were not disappointed. It is definitely different from Manaslu Circuit but will reward you beautiful views of mountains like Jannu & Kanchenjunga. Rabin was out wonderful guide how took care of us and left no need unattended. He is a super fun person to be around with but usually wins when you play cards ;) That's something you should get used to. Also he has reflexes quick as lightning so when you slip he will catch you. I tested this two times :) But as far as i got to know Raj any guide you will trek with is probably the person you where looking for...We will definitely come back. Thank you.
Надежный треккинг проводник // Reliable trekking provider
Published: Tuesday, March 7, 2017
*English version below Я воспользовалась услугами этой фирмы для моего очередного индивидуального трека в Базовый Лагерь Канченджанга в 2015 году. Сложный, неисследованный трек, вдобавок, пришлось проходить в условиях мощного землетрясения и дождливой погоды. Несмотря на сложности, организаторы отлично контролировали ситуацию и выполнили все свои обязательства. Менеджер Раджешь Ньюпане гибко реагировал на мои пожелания во время трекинга: смог организовать два дополнтельных радиальных трека (к Змеиному озеру и к Патибара Деви темплу) , не входящих в программу. Сопровождавшие меня гид Бикрам Карки и портер Санджай Лама, оба владеющие английским языком и обладающие большим треккинговым опытом, оказались очень надежными партнерами в пути, взаимозаменяемыми - каждый при необходимости и в одиночку мог справиться с обязанностями гида и портера. Я могу порекомендовать "Nepal Trekking Experts" и намерена пользоваться их услугами в будущем. *** I used the services of this company in 2015 for one of my individual trekkings - BC Kanchenjunga. It was an unusual, complex and unexplored trek, moreover it combined with heavy raining and earthquake conditions. Despite all of these, the organizers controlled the situation and managed their responsibilities well. Manager Rajesh Neupane was flexible with my requests and organized two additional radial treks (to the Snakes lake and Pathibhara Devi Temple) which were not included into the main programme. I was accompanied by guide Bikram Karki and porter Sanjay Lama, who were speaking English and had a big trekking experience, also they turned out to be reliable and interchargeble partners during our travel - both were able to be a guide and a porter in case of need. I can recommend "Nepal Trekking Experts" and will definitely choose this company for my next journey.
Useful Info
- Make sure you have proper trekking gear before start trek
- Medical kit and Personal insurance
- Respect the local culture and ask for permission while taking photos/videos of local
- Listen to your guide and be aware with altitude symptoms
- Better to avoid alcohol and smoking above 3000m
- Drink at least 3 liter of water per day
- Save the nature and flora fauna
- Government registered agency and trekking guide is mandatory
