Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
Duration : 24 | Travel style : Active Adventures
Trip Highlights
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Country
Nepal
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Duration
24 Days
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Max. altitude
5140 m.
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Grade
Adventurous
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Best Season
Mar - Apr / Oct-Nov
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Accommodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
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Group
Private
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Foods
Full Board
Well this adventurous trek so a fit trekker with willingness to challenge the altitude and own physical ability in order to reach the base camp of third highest mountain in the world. According to locals people thought Kanchanjunga was the highest peak in the word. This remote trail in part of eastern mountainous region of Nepal is more like roads less travelled and id different from any other major tourist destination in Nepal. One can experience the great pleasure of walking in the wild and experience the adventurous trek that is surrounded by majestic Himalayas
Details for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
Walking on the rugged mountain terrain this trek takes you to north and south face basecamp of Kanchanjunga (8586m). Following the off road tarmac with rivers flowing the motor able roads are tough as well. Along the way you come across many waterfalls which are unnamed and few suspension bridges. This trail is managed by Kanchanjunga Conservation Area so permit is required in order to visit this area.
During the past this trek was only accessed by camping but lately you can find some tea houses and home stays but still some places requires camping. However the accommodations and meals are not easily available and as good as Everest base camp trek and Annapurna base camp trek. There are few Sherpa community and rest of them are Rai, Limbu, Tamangs and Gurungs. Those people have their own different culture and life style than that of other region as well as they have their own mother tongue.
Along the trails you come across variety of wildlife like Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr and others. Birds like Daphe, Chilime, Munal etc. and many others are found too. According to the conservation area the place is also home for migrating birds as well. This trails takes you through the lush green forest, terraced rice fields and some beautiful scattered villages. Sometimes walking just by rivers and forest of Rhododendron in spring seasons.
In addition to Kanchanjunga peak one can see many other named and unnamed peaks exceeding over 6000m. Some of them are Kanchenjunga West, also known as Yalung Kang (8,505m). Also found in this area are many peaks exceeding 7,000m, the highest being Kambachen (7,903m), Janu (7,710m), Jongsong (7,483m), Kabru (7,353m), Tent Peak (7,365m) and the Twins peak (7,350m).
Between this extraordinary groups of peaks there are many glaciers of which Zumu, Talung and Rathong flow into Sikkim while to the west, the Kanchenjunga and Yalung glaciers flow into the mighty Tamor River of Nepal.
Itinerary
You can always customize this itinerary as per your preference.
1
Day
Arrival at Kathmandu.
You will be welcomed by our staff holding PLA card with your name on it. You then will be taken to hotel by a private vehicle. There will be small meeting at evening about the trip.
2
Day
Flight to Bhadrapur (55 minutes), Drive to Ilam (about 4 hrs.)
Today you will have a vehicle waiting which will take you to airport in order to catch a flight to Bhadrapur. After reaching Bhadrapur you will be catching a private jeep that will take you to Ilam surrounded with tea gardens. You will be staying in Ilam for the day.
3
Day
Drive to Taplejung (5/6 hrs. drive)
After breakfast you will be taking jeep that will take you to Taplejung. The bumpy off road tarmac is filled with many waterfalls and is surrounded with forest and rivers. Sometimes you also have to get off the jeep as jeep trails are narrow, rugged and sometimes scary.
4
Day
Taplejung to Chiruwa
Today you start your proper trek which will take about 5/6 hours. You will be ending your day near village Sinwa located at bank of Tamor River.
5
Day
Chiruwa to Lepe (6/7 hrs. 1860 m/6103 ft.)
Today we pass through Tapethok where your permits will be checked and the trails offers the view of green hills, river valleys and many others beautiful seasonal wild flowers.
6
Day
Lepe to Amjilosa (5 hrs.2510 m/6102 ft.)
Today you will be walking through rough rocky terrain with green forest filled with colorful bushes and variety of other trees as well as flowers. The village of Amjilosa is mainly used during the time when the yaks and sheep are in the pastures so very few families live here full time. You will be camping in Amjilosa for rest of the day.
7
Day
Amjilosa to Gyabla (4 hrs.2730 m/8956 ft.)
Today after having breakfast we will be moving towards Gyabla. The trail offers picturesque landscapes surrounded with giant green hills and walking in rugged terrain today you could get first glimpse of the mountain if weather favors. In spite of bad weather there is high chance of seeing mountains. You also come across isolated community of Rai, Limbu, and Tamang community and their life style with their own mother tongue.
8
Day
Gybla to Ghunsa (4 hrs. 3595 m/11794 ft.)
You will be walking through rocky trail and some time you just aim the side that you are going and walk through rocks or any land. You come across many Yak pastures and you can drink some yak milk. The trails also provide you some rugged chorten and prayer flags denoting the faith of peoples living in that area.
9
Day
Acclimatization day
Today we take opportunity to rest and relax as we are in higher altitude and as we have to climb higher we need to acclimatize in order to avoid altitude sickness as well. There is monastery to explore and we get the view of Janu Peak as we hike in that area only about few hours in order to see some mountains. We will take packed lunch with us for today.
10
Day
Ghunsa to Kambachen (5/6 hrs. 4100m)
Dominating views of mountain and sunrise we follow the trail filled with colorful shrubs green valleys and spot some Himalayan Tahr, Blue sheep and some other animals. The trail continues passing waterfall and some landslide area. Be careful walking in such trails as you step on ground the ground falls apart.
11
Day
Acclimatization day
Today will be our second acclimatization day. We Today we take opportunity to rest and relax as we are in higher altitude and as we have to climb higher we need to acclimatize in order to avoid altitude sickness as well and get the stunning views of surrounding mountains.
12
Day
Khambachen to Lonak (4hrs. 4785 m/15698 ft.)
Today the trail takes us mainly over from the Kanchenjunga Glacier. You could find some fresh water from the Himalayas. Walking uphill gives eye popping views on both sides of us. And as we are deep in Snow Leopard territory we keep our eyes open for this rare animal too. This is also an area of summer yak pastures but there are no settlements on the route.
13
Day
Day trip to Kanchanjunga North base camp (4785m/15698ft. 8 hrs.)
After a delicious breakfast, set off again over the moraine of the Kanchenjunga Glacier for a gentle climb. At Base Camp, admire the surrounding mountains and enjoy the atmosphere of Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the wind. We sit here for a while and enjoy a quiet, hot drink and snack. Lastly we return to Lonak for the evening.
14
Day
Lonak to Ghunsa (3595m/11794ft. 7hrs)
Trekking over rocky terrain we reach to Khambachen village for lunch and following the greenery we move towards Ghunsa where we will be staying for a night.
15
Day
Ghunsa to Selele Pass (4390m/14402 ft. 5hrs.)
The trail today takes you through a woods and along the grass land from where we will be seeing the scattered village of Phole and Mountain Makalu somewhere far away in skyline.
16
Day
Selele to Cheram (3870m/12696 ft. 8hrs.)
Today is long day to trek as we start early morning toward south base camp crossing the Sinion La pass (4450m) as we get the view of MT Kanchanjunga and its fantastic valley.
17
Day
Day trip to Kanchanjunga south base camp (3870 m / 12696 ft. 6 hrs.)
Today you will be moving to Base camp via place called Ramche and the camp is right on the edge of glacier which is surrounded by prayer flag representing the faith in Buddhism. We return to Cheram and stay overnight. Chilling in basecamp with lovely feeling is something you going to remember forever.
18
Day
Cheram to Torongding (2080m/6824 ft. 4hrs.)
Today’s trail is steep downhill but the last section while reaching Torongding is uphill while walking over the area which is prone to landslide and goes through the lovely woods. You don’t find any settlement till our last stop for the day.
19
Day
Torongding to Yamphudin (1980m/6496 ft. 4hrs.)
Today we will be moving downhill and pass through Lasiya Bhanjyang where is one tea spot where we could stop and chill then follow the downhill trail leading to village of Yamphudin. As trails pass through forest you come across many yaks moving up or downhill so careful walk is must.
20
Day
Yamphudin to Khebang (1910m/6266ft. 4hrs.)
It’s easy walk now where you will be finding interesting villages of community of Rai, Limbu and Tamangs which is filled with terrace fields where the variety of crops are grown. You could also find traditional beverage called Tongba too.
21
Day
Khebang to Khandime (1500m/4921ft)
The final day of the trek as we follow towards Khandime where our jeep is waiting for us to take to Bhadrapur. The trail today is also simple and easy as we will be moving through terrace farming lands surrounded wit hills.
22
Day
Khandime to Bhadrapur (10 hours’ drive).
We will be taking the bumpy off-road tarmac is filled with many waterfalls and is surrounded with forest and rivers. Sometimes you also have to get off the jeep as jeep trails are narrow, rugged and sometimes scary.
23
Day
Bhadrapur to Kathmandu (55 mins flight).
Flight to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
24
Day
Final departure.
Our representative will drop you at airport where flight is waiting in order to take you to your next destination safely.
Cost Details
"So What you are paying For?"
We would like to explain to you. We are a local company providing world-wide travelers with internationally qualified services. We provide you with the lowest cost possible for fully inclusive trips that have no hidden fees. We guarantee your safety, satisfaction, and long-lasting memories of your experience.
Cost Include
- All necessary airport pick up and drop as per the itinerary.
- 2 Nights twin sharing Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Kathmandu Bhadrapur - Kathmandu flight.
- Bhadrapur - Illam - Taplejung drive By local jeep/bus.
- Khandime to Bhadrapur drive by local jeep/bus.
- 21 Nights accommodation in mountain tea houses.
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during the trek.
- One professional trekking guide for entire trip.
- Necessary powers to carry your luggage. (2 members :1 Porters)
- Kanchenjunga conservation area permit.
- Restricted area permit.
Cost Exclude
- International air fare to/ from Nepal.
- Entry Visa fees.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- Insurance which covers, medical, emergency evacuation, lost, etc.
- Beverages, alcoholic drinks, mineral water, boiled water during the trekking.
- All food and beverages other than on the itinerary.
- Personal gear and expenses.
- Tips and gratitude provided to staff.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This trek is not busy at all. Along the way you can met just a few trekkers but not every day. It will probably be busiest in November, but certainly not as busy as the more popular treks.
Usually, there are teahouse lodges along the route to sleep in. They are pretty basic though so you should be prepared for that.
They are very basic teahouses, some with no toilets or having to boil water from the snow and providing water for a shower in a bucket. Your expectations should not be high in comparison to other treks, be low in terms of accommodation.
You need to be fit, but not super fit but experience in trekking in the Himalayas will definitely add up. Even though you are not experienced, ensuring proper acclimatization as you gain altitude. The idea is to walk slowly.
During the months of October and November, and months of April and May. It is not advised to do this in the winter the worst time snow wise is January and February.
It is suggested to carry portable backups as many places do not have electricity and solar backups.
There is no internet available during the trek as for phones, they are available in a few places such as Ghunsa and Yamphuding and at the start and end of your trek.
Drinking water will be provided in the teahouses during the journey up to the base camp, either from taps, boiling water, or bottled water. We also recommend using steriepen or other water purification solutions.
In case you suffer from altitude sickness or any other problems, we will offer you the doctor’s prescribed medicines according to the type of problem facing you. We will descend you and incase of extreme cases, you will get rescued by the helicopter. Helicopter rescue is only the option in case of emergency as it is suggested to have some travel insurance covering the rescue service.
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