Kanchenjunga Trekking
- Grade: Moderate
- Duration: 25 days
- Destination: Nepal
- Activities: Trekking, Off The Beaten Path, Kanchenjunga
- Best Seasons: Autumn (September to November), and spring (March to May) are ideal seasons to travel, when there is a clearer views of the mountains, and when the rivers run low.
- Highest Altitude: 5150m
- Start-Ends: Kathmandu - Kathmandu
Kanchenjunga trekking is popular and one of the most beautiful journey mountain massifs in the world. It lies in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The conservation area covers 2,035 square kilometres. It is an abode to snow leopards, musk deer, red panda, and other. The abundant species are impedance pheasants, shy dragon, red-billed blue magpie among others. The range of mountains is also the provenance of many different glaciers that morph into some of the famous white-water rafting rivers in Nepal.
The route has lesser visitors traffic than in some other major trekking destinations. There will be a more intimate chance to delve into the rustic, bucolic lifestyle of the indigenous people. So if you are looking to get off the mainstream trekking track in the Himalayas, and explore some not highly explored and thus an immaculate route, the Kanchenjunga trek should be our recommendation!
Geography
Located in the eastern–most edge of Nepal, in the Nepal-Tibet border, Kanchenjunga, standing 8,586 meters high, is the third largest mountain peak in the world. Kanchenjunga, in Nepali means, a treasure of five adorned by snow, which represents the five peaks in the region. Till the Mt. Everest was measured higher in 1852, Kanchenjunga II had been established as the highest in the world. The natives consider the mountains to be sacred and connect the five peaks, each with the five treasures of god, silver, gem, grain, and holy books.
The mountains have their place in the myths and folklore as the dwelling of a mountain deity called Dzo-nga, sometimes called the ‘Kanchenjunga Demon,’ a type of Yeti. In 1925, the British geological expedition spotted bipedal creature in the mountains. Moreover, people of both the eastern and western sides of the mountain, in Nepal and Sikkim respectively share a legend. The legend says there is a ‘valley of immortality’ that obscures in the upper slopes of the mountains. The trekking in this region began in 1988.
Because of the difficulty to climb the mountain from the Indian side, the area is less explored. Hence, with its pristine nature preserved till now. Adorned by snow-capped mountains, striking landscapes and serene views, the route also provides a perfect vantage point to explore other great mountains like Mt. Makalu and Kumbhakarna Himal. There are 16 peaks over 7,000 meters in the region. Furthermore, since the trek starts from 1,200 meters to 5,180 meters above sea level, the route also offers a vast difference in climatic and geological regions from deep jungles to icy glaciers.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
- Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Sukatar (11824m) and trek to Mitlung (1968m)
- Day 04: Trek from Mitlung to Chhiruwa (1190m)
- Day 05: Trek from Chiruwa to Sekathaum (1640m)
- Day 06: Trek from Sekathum to Amijlassa (2490m)
- Day 07: Trek to Gyabla (2730m)
- Day 08: Trek to Ghunsa (3430m)
- Day 09: Rest Day in Ghunsa (3430m)
- Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (4040m)
- Day 11: Trek to Lhonak (4790m)
- Day 12: Trek to Pangpema Base Camp ( 5140m)
- Day 13: Trek back to Ghunsa (3430m)
- Day 14: Trek to Sele Lapass (4500m)
- Day 15: Trek to Tseram (3870m) and cross Mirgin La (4480m)
- Day 16: Trek to Ramche (4620m)
- Day 17: Trek to Tortong (2995m)
- Day 18: Trek to Yamphudim (2070m)
- Day 19: Trek to Khebang (1740m)
- Day 20: Trek to Phakoling (800m)
- Day 21: Trek to Thapru (1600m)
- Day 22: Drive to Bhadrapur (190km)
- Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu
- Day 24: free and shopping day in Kathmandu
- Day 25: Departure from Kathmandu
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Oriental Journeys representative warmly welcome you in the airport and transfer you to the hotel. In the evening, we will tell a brief about Kanchenjunga trekking arrangement.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
A well-experienced guide will take you to the historical monuments located in Kathmandu valley and the sites include Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Sukatar (11824m) and trek to Mitlung (1968m)
We will take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Sukatar . Then we will trek to Mitlung. It takes 5 hours to reach the location.
Day 04: Trek from Mitlung to Chhiruwa (1190m)
We will reach at Chhiruwa after 5 to 6 hours of walk. We will see beautiful scenery during the trekking.
Day 05: Trek from Chiruwa to Sekathaum (1640m)
The trek continues from early morning and after 5 to 6 hours approximate trekking, we will reach Sekathum. The trek continue through Tamor Nadi valley. overnight stay at Sekhathum.
Day 06: Trek from Sekathum to Amijlassa (2490m)
We will be entertaining with the enchanting beauty of natural scenes and sceneries during the trekking. It takes approximately 5 to 6 hours to reach Amijlassa. The trail narrows and follows the Ghunsa River. Overnight stay at Amijlassa.
Day 07: Trek to Gyabla (2730m)
The trek continues in the isolated section of the trails with no villages and and we will be walking through the dense forest the whole day.
Day 08: Trek to Ghunsa (3430m)
Today, we will cross a 3000m elevation threshold and will maintain a comfortable pace to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness. After walking halfway between Gyabla and Ghunsa, we will reach Tibetan village of Phole where we stop for lunch. This is the nice place to touch the Tibetan Buddhist culture and visit t0 monastery.
Day 09: Rest Day in Ghunsa (3430m)
We will be taking rest after trekking in Sherpa village of Ghunsa. This is the perfect place for a rest and to soak 3400m elevation before moving to the north basecamp. Ghunsa is the first permanent settlement on the way to base camp.
Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (4040m)
We will get a chance to explore one of the most magnificent glacial valleys during the trek. Today, we will walk on the moraine and the glacier from Lhonak. We will be staying at the Camp at the bottom of Jannu glacier with the direct view of Kanchenjunga massif . This is a very remote area where we got an oppertunity to see some wildlife such as blue sheep, mountain goat and smaller animals among the rock such as hyrax and marmot.
Day 11: Trek to Lhonak (4790m)
Today, we will walk on the high altitude glacier with no villages or houses. The trekking trail climb up gradually through moraine debris. The glacier starts around Ramtangat with 4240m elevation. After this, the trail continues on its north side with Lhonak located at the junction of Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glaciers. We can see stunning mountains in all directions from Lhonak.
Day 12: Trek to Pangpema Base Camp ( 5140m)
Today, we will explore the Kanchenjunga north base camp which is called Pang Pema. Since the area is visited by few trekkers, there is not enough traffic in the trail. In the base camp, we will explore the glacier as much as possible.
Day 13: Trek back to Ghunsa (3430m)
We will trek back to Ghunsa from Pang Pema Base camp with beautiful sceneries around the trekking routes.
Day 14: Trek to Sele Lapass (4500m)
From Ghunsa, we will take ascending trail used by local people and walking through pine and rhododendron forest covered by snow.
Day 15: Trek to Tseram (3870m) and cross Mirgin La (4480m)
Today, we will have to cross some challenging trek with a steep 400 m climb to Mirgin La Pass but it offers mesmerizing view of Jannu Himal as well as Makalu, Chamlang and Kanchenjunga along with sikkim border. The trek continues and we descend down finally to Tseram.
Day 16: Trek to Ramche (4620m)
The trek offers an opportunity to explore Yalung glacier. We start trekking early in the morning to reach Ramche. After lunch. we will be moving ahead towards Octang, 7km away from 300m elevation, the view point of Kanchenjunga.
Day 17: Trek to Tortong (2995m)
Today, we will have an easier trek towards Simbukhola through varieties of pine and rhododendron forests in the descending trails throughout the way to Tortong.
Day 18: Trek to Yamphudim (2070m)
Today, we are crossing the tough section of the trek. The trekking trail is prone to landslides which makes us difficult to hike. We will further climb to the Lamite Pass.
Day 19: Trek to Khebang (1740m)
Today, we will walk through the beautiful villages of Brahmin and Kshetri communities and also cross 2 passes.
Day 20: Trek to Phakoling (800m)
We will trek for the longer day today since we have to reach at Dobhan which is 6 km from Phakoling. After this, we will walk for 8km straightforward village path to the village.
Day 21: Trek to Thapru (1600m)
Today is the last day of our trekking with a 1200m climb to Thapru village. We will take easy and enjoy the last glimpses of Kanchenjunga range and final mountain sunsets from the village. Lastly, we complete this incredible trekking.
Day 22: Drive to Bhadrapur (190km)
We will drive to Bhadrapur airpor with average speed of 30kmh and it takes 9 hours to arrive at bhadrapur.
Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu
Today, we will fly to Kathmandu in a clear weather and it gives us an oppertunity to view some of the most impressive peaks of the himalayan range
Day 24: free and shopping day in Kathmandu
We can take rest for sometimes and see the market in Kathmandu. You can further buy souvenier, gift and token of love during your free time in kathmandu.
Day 25: Departure from Kathmandu
After having breakfast, we will drop off you at the airport and you will depart for your final destination.
Cost Includes
- Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
- Three-night accommodation in Kathmandu on a B&B basis on twin sharing basis.
- Domestic flight tickets
- An experienced and government licenced holder trekking guide
- Three times meals during the trek
- Kanchenjunga trekking permit as mentioned in itinerary
- Kanchenjunga conservation area project (KCAP permit)
- Trekker'Information Management System (TIMS)
- A guided Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour
- All ground Transportation as per the itinerary
- Food, accommodation and insurance and salary of staff (trekking guide, and porter)
- All the government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- International flight ticket
- Nepal Entry visa fee
- High-risk medical insurance
- Entrance fees while sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley
- Alcoholic beverages and telephone calls
- Hot drinks, soft drinks
- Nepal Visa fee
- Emergency rescue evacuation if needed
- Other personal expenses
- Tips, souvenier and gifts
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