Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Overview

Considered by many as the finest trekking route in Nepal the Kanchenjunga Trekking is a long trek that takes up deep into the remote mountain ranges on Nepal’s border with Sikkim and Tibet. On the trail we explore the areas around Kanchenjunga  the second highest mountain in Nepal and the third highest mountain in the world . ‘Kang-chen-zod-nga’,  in Tibetan means ‘the five treasure houses of snow’, it actually it has seven major summits.The Kanchenjunga massif is in the form of a gigantic cross, the arms of which extend north, south, east, and west. This recently opened Kanchenjunga region routes offer the chance to discover absolutely unspoiled highlands wilderness.which gives you some idea of what to expect when visiting the area.

On this Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek we will also witness the natural beauty of the farmlands, traditional villages, valleys and other landscape. Along with the different ethnic people with their unique cultures and lifestyles  like the Sherpa, Limbu, Rai, Tamang, and other ethnic groups .Who are all very hospitable and eager to share their culture we will also be able to explore the biodiversity on this trek as we pass by Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (2035 sq.km.) which is dedicated to protecting different species of birds, animals, and plants.

This is a moderately demanding trek which requires physical fitness, technical knowledge, and determination. We climb with proper rest and acclimatization to reach the high altitude destinations. As we need to camp some of the day’s, proper camping tool will also be carried.

Anyone who is looking for a challenging trek in a remote region of Nepal visited by fewer other trekkers. This is a culturally interesting journey with two days exploring Kathmandu and then while on trek you will see Rais, Limbus, Sherpas and Tibetans.

Highlights

• Spectacular Mountains views including Kanchenjunga,
• Yalung glacier and other high passes
• Pass by beautiful Monasteries, chorten temples and prayer walls
• Learn about traditional Sherpa villages with unique cultures first hand
• Catch glimpse of Himalayan Black Beer, Assamese Macaque, Musk deer, Red Panda, snow leopards and other animals
• Pass by rhododendrons, orchids, lilies, primula, and other flowers.

Benefits

• Private transport to and from our hotel in Kathmandu to Kathmandu’s international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
• Provide pulse oximeter for blood oxygen saturation level monitor to high altitude.    It is an important indicator to recognize early signs of impending altitude sickness and other potentially health risks.
• Medical Kit.
• Arrangement of sleeping bags and down jackets if you do not have your own.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and meet with your DWT guide (All our guides are direct employees of DWT and are government registered and licensed). Private transport

Once you reach the Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly received by our Discovery World trekking representative who will help you transfer to the hotel on a private car or a bus. After Checking into your hotel, you can either rest or stroll around to explore your vibrant surrounding at your convenience.

Day2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu

A full day of sightseeing around The Kathmandu Valley region with your DWT tour guide. including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and Patan Durbar Square.

We spend the day visiting different tourist sites in Kathmandu. Our guided tour will take you to the following places in Kathmandu Pashupatinath: It is a holy site for Hindus all over the world. The pagoda-styled temple of Lord Shiva is visited by thousands every year. Boudhanath Stupa: An important pilgrim site for Buddhists and Hindus, it is one of the largest Buddhist shrines in the world. Swoyambhunath Temple: Another famous holy site, it is also called the Monkey temple.

Day3:Fly to Suketar(2320 m) and trek(3 hours) to Lali Kharka(2276 m).

We take a morning flight to Suketar.This morning we leave early and drive passing through tea and cardamom plantations. During our drive we stop at the top of a pass of which we get our first magnificent views of Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Jannu in the far distance. We drive onto Taplejung where on arrival we meet our trekking crew. After lunch we start the trek by making a steep descent to the Tamur river to reach the village of Mitlung. Today and for the next couple of days the path is often wet, muddy and slippery so two trekking poles are definitely required.

Day4: Trek(5 hrs) to Khesewa (2120m) and Stay overnight at lodge.

We trek through the hills and descend to the village of Pakora along the Phawa Khola, we cross the Phawa Khola by a suspension bridge then climb up towards Kunjuri where we stop to have lunch then we go on a short walk over the ridge to our campsite at Khesewa. From here wer get our first views of Kanchanjunga’s main summit and Yalung Kang.

Day5: Trek(5 hrs) to Mamankhe (1920m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We trek down to Kabbeli khola through steep hillside and terraced fields, Its a winfing route but we will pass many open spaces where we can rest and stop for lunch. We continue and pass Anpan village and cross the Khaswa stream and then climb through terraces field to Mamankhe.

Day6: Trek(6 hrs) to Yamphudin (2080m) and stay overnight at lodge

After breakfast we leave the Village of Mamankhe and take the contouring path high along the Kabeli Khola to Yamphudin.Its a remote settlement and the last village we will pass until we reach Gunsa.

Day7: Trek(5 hrs) to Chitre (2965m) and stay overnight at lodge.

Beyond Yamphudin the trail ascends a steeply,We leave the villages behind us trekking through a pleasant forest, We stop for lunch in a meadow then continue . We make a steep descend to Omje Khola go across it on a bridge to our campsite in Chitre.

Day8: Trek(6 hrs) to Tortongn (3010m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We ascent to the crest of Deurali Danda through dense forest .From the 3230m Pass, we will be able to see Jannu much closer. We descend to all the way through beautiful forest to the valley of the Simjua Khola. Then we go across a wooden bridge is to Tortongn, where we rest at our camping place with numerous rock shelters amid towering conifers.

Day9: Trek(6 hrs) to Tseram (3870m) and stay overnight at lodge.

To day we will cross several passes. We take a good trail which ascends to our first pass Sinion La (4,440m). From here the trail goes around the hillside and a short steep climb brings us to the Mirgin La Pass (4,480m) . We descend briefly before making a final short steep climb to Sinelapche La Pass at 4,840m. Enjoy the mesmerizing views of the east Himalayas from the top of these passes. From Sinelapche La Pass we descent 1,000m to a small trail past a small lake to Tseram,a small settlement located above the Simbua Khola.

Day10: Trek(5 hrs) to Ramche(4580m) and stay overnight at lodge.

Today we embark on a short 600 m walk to Ramche. The view as we ascend past Yalung Glaciers is stunning.we will walk past frozen lake, clear streams .All the peaks to the east straddle the India-Nepal border like Koktang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m) and some of the Kabrus which are all over 7,000m. We will set up camp once we reach Ramche.

Day11: Exploring around Ramche(4580m) then Trek(5 hrs) to Oktang(4730m). Stay overnight at lodge.

First half of the day we exxplore Ramche. There is a lake and a meadow along with two stone houses at Ramche and often we can see blue sheeps grazing on the grassy slopes above. In the afternoon we follow the ablation valley to Oktang we will be able to see and the three main summits all over 8,400m .The climbing route to the summit of Kanchenjunga, first climbed in 1955 can be seen from Oktang.

Day12: Trek(5 hrs) to Yalung Ri Base Camp (5400m) and stay overnight at lodge.

Today we trek upto Yagling Ri Basee camp to let our body get used to the high altitudes. Todays trek will require good determinattion and also some luck we can only cross the high passes if the weather is good.

Day13: Trek(5 hrs) back to Ramche (4580m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We trek back to Ramche. We will see magnificent views as we pass Yalung Glaciers and a series of valleys, frozen lake, clear streams

Day14: Trek(6 hrs) to Salleri over the Mirgin La (4480m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We trek down the valley to the north side of Kanchanjunga to Mirgin la. This route first requires steep climb and we corss several false summits before finally reaching Mirgin La. We can se amazing sightes of the magnificent Jannu, Makalu, Gyakung Kang, Everest, Lhotse and Chamalang. We then trek to our campsite which will be a little beyond the pass.

Day15: Trek(5 hrs) to Ghunsa (3475m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We descent to Lamba Sumba Kharka,here we can see south-west face of Jannu. From Kharka its a pleasant stroll on the forested trail to the village of Ghunsa, where we stay at a lodge in the village.This is a picturesque Tibetan village with wooden houses covered in colourful prayer flags. There are several lodges and shops in the village and a small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office along with a couple of gompas. Here you can try the local speciality ‘Tongba’, an alcoholic drink. served on a jug or large bamboo cup which is filled with fermented millet seed and has boiling water poured over. The flavour and alcohol seep and you drink it with a special straw.

Day16: Trek(6 hrs) to Khambachen (4040m) and stay overnight at lodge.

From Ghunsa we make a gradual ascent through the rhododendron and pine forest along the south bank of the Ghunsa Khola with several mani walls and chortens .Today as we gain altitude the the scenery of the mountains and surroundings becomes ever more spectacular we will also be able to see the dramatic north face of Jannu . After crossing various slopes and glacial moraines, we finally reach Khambachen.Khambuchen is a Tibetan settlement with about a dozen houses huddled together in a grassy plain surrounded by mountain views .

Day17: Exploration day at Khambachen(4040m). Stay overnight at lodge.

We spend 2 nights here at Khambachen to help you get acclimatissed before ascending over 750m to Lhonak. You can join a short walk .organised by our guides up to Nupchu Khola from Khambachen from where you can see impressive views of Mount Jannu ,then you can spend the rest of the day resting and relaxing around camp.

Day18: Trek(6 hrs) to Lhonak(4790m) and stay overnight at lodge.

From Khambachen we trek through azalea and rhododendron along a lateral moraine , then pass through a seasonal yak herder’s camp at Ramtang (4,370m). After an hour or so of trekking we reac a rockier trail as we pass under a landslide area. We climb through the open rocky fields and then cross moraines North West of the Kanchenjunga Glacier to Lhonak. From our campsite at Lhonak we can see incredible views of Wedge Peak (6,750m), Mera (6,344m), Nepal Peak (6,910m), Twins (7,351m) and others.

Day19: Trek(4 hrs) to Pang pema(5140m) and stay overnight at lodge.

From Lhonak we ascend the lateral moraine from KanchenjungaGlacier passing through several sections of loose rock and landslide area for around 2 hours. The trails steepness decreases as we reach the stone huts in a grassy area at Pang Pema. We will see impressive views of the vast north face of Kanchenjunga from Pang Pema. 

Day20: Trek(5 hrs) to Kanchenjunga Base Camp(5100m) and Khambachen and stay overnight at lodge.

We have an optional hike up a ridge, north of Pang Pema for those who are interested . Its a 200 or 300 meters climb and provides a great views of Kanchenjunga, Wedge Peak, the Twins and Tent Peak. From there we can descend to Khambachen.

Day21: Trek(6 hrs) to Ghunsa and stay overnight at lodge.

We return to Ghunsa retracing our trail .

Day22: Trek(4 hrs) to Amjillassa (2460m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We pass through picturesque forest and grassy hillside.the the trail becomes steeper and slippery. We will soon arrive at Amijilasa where we setup our camp

Day23: Trek(5 hrs) to Syakathum (1600m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We make a steep descend to the junction of the Ghunsa Khola and Tamur River. We set up our tent near at the bank of the River.

Day24: Trek(5 hrs) to Chirwa (1200m) and stay overnight at lodge.

We cross the Simbu Khola, the same river that we followed up from Torontan. Since we are at lower altitude the weather will be pleasantly warm at these low altitudes and you can see cardamom growing freely in the moist shaded forest. After crossing numerous small tributary streams we reach Chirwa, a village set among large boulders.

Day25: Trek(5 hrs) to Suketar (2420m) and stay overnight at lodge.

To day we traverse in an out of minor valleys and pass through a succession of picturesque villages on our way to Suketar, we will reach reaching around late afternoon.

Day26: Fly(35mins) back to Kathmandu and stay overnight at your selected hotel

Head back to Kathmandu , we take a 35 minute Scenic flight back to Kathmandu from Suketar (Taplejung).

What is Included?

• 3 Night accommodation 3 star hotel in Kathmandu with Breakfast.
• Guided city sight seeing tour in kathamandu by Private Transport and Entrance fee.
• Transport To Domestic airport Pick up / drop .
• All your Standard Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) During the Trek.
• Kitchen and camping equipment During the Trek.
• Return Flight ( Kathmandu – suketar) with Airport taxes.
• Official DWT (Government registered and licensed ) Guide and required Number of porters (1 for 2 Person basis) to carry your luggage during the trek, their Food,Lodge,salary,Transport, flight,insurance equipments etc,
• Necessary paper work and permits .
• Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by your Travel insurance company.
• All Government and local taxes.
• Discovery World Trekking’s Certificate.
• Farewel Dinner in Kathmandu.

What is Excluded?

• Major meals in Kathmandu
• International Flight.
• All Personal Expenses such as lanundry,telephone calls,bar bills beverage, snacks.
• Personal clothing and gear.
• Travel insurance.
• extra shower,bettery re-charge etc.
• Tips for guide and porters.
• Cost raised by cancelation, landside,weather,poltical.illness etc which are not under DWT control.