Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
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Trip Information
Trip Duration
25 Nights 26 Days
Difficulty Level
Difficult
Destination
Nepal
Maximum Height
5143 m
Guiding Method
Trekking
Best Season
Spring & Autumn
Highlights
- Enjoy trekking in the off-beat destinations in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
- Visit some of the most illustrious monasteries in the region like Oktang and Lungsumgba
- Catch the beautiful sights of Kanchenjunga massif, Yalung Glacier, and numerous other mountains
- Observe the ethnic lifestyles and cultures of Rai and Tibetan-influenced communities
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek offers the ultimate trekking adventure in the easternmost part of Nepal. Walk through the beautiful terrain passing Limbu and Tibetan villages to arrive at Kanchenjunga Base Camp. During the trek, you can the majestic Himalayan panorama of Rathong (6678m), Kabru Range, Kanchenjunga massif, and Januu (7710m). Enjoy trekking on the foothills of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m), the 3rd highest mountain in the world, through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
This is a long trip of 23-days and begins with your arrival in Kathmandu. The trip begins with a scenic 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur town lying near the Indian Border. A 3-hour scenic drive north through Panchthar district will take you directly to the lush, green tea-estate of Kanyam in Ilam. Next morning, you’ll continue towards Taplejung / Suketar and begin trekking. You’ll advance gradually through the ethnic Rai villages to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. En route, you will pass Lalikharka, Kande Bhanjyang, Phumphe Danda, Sherpagaon, and Tortong to arrive at Tseram. Here, you will rest for a day to acclimatize. From here, you head to Ramche then trek to the view point of Oktang. Oktang give a great view of its many surrounding glaciers and Kanchenjunga Range. Afterward, you will head back to Tseram and head toward the North Base Camp. You cross Selele La, Ghunsa, Kambachen, and Lhonak to arrive at the North Base Camp, Pang Pema. The camp gives you a beautiful view of Kanchenjunga (8586m), Kambachen (7903m), Ramtang Peak (6601m), and Kirat Chuli (7365m). Afterward, you’ll head back to Lhonak village and start descending and make your way back to Suketar. To arrive at Suketar, you will have to cross the villages of Ghunsa, Gyabla, Amjilosa, and Taplethok. Instead of driving straight to Bhadrapur you will take a short detour to Kanyam. Your trip ends with your driving from Kanyam to Bhadrapur to catch a flight back to Kathmandu.
Nepal Ascent Treks specializes in custom treks around Nepal. We organize all kinds of trekking, private or group. You can also choose to join our fixed group at a reasonable rate. Our all-inclusive trek package covers transportation inside the country, an experienced guide, and finest logistics.
Altitude Graph
Itinerary
The trip officially begins upon your arrival in Kathmandu. Once you land in Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our company representatives will receive you at the airport and bring you to your hotel.
Accommodation
3 Star Hotel
Meal
Dinner
Transportation
Private car
While we’re obtaining the restricted area permit on your behalf, you’ll embark on a full-day sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley. Accompanied by an experienced tour guide, you’ll visit some of the most popular UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites; Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Boudhanath. You’ll encounter numerous monasteries, temples, and cultural sites in Kathmandu.
Accommodation
3 Star Hotel
Meal
Breakfast
Transportation
Private car
After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to the airport to embark on a brief flight to Bhadrapur town. Located close to Indian Border in Eastern Nepal, Bhadrapur remains warm and humid almost throughout the year. The flight may last only 45 minutes. From here, you’ll drive 4-5 hours north to the touristic destination of Ilam that is popular for its lush, green tea estates.
Accommodation
Tourist Standard Hotel
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Flight / Private car
After enjoying a beautiful sunrise, you’ll have your breakfast and embark on a road journey further north to Taplejung. A 4-hour drive takes you through Taplejung and brings you to Suketar village. From here, you’ll begin trekking. Although a dusty road, you’ll encounter numerous beautiful houses and panorama of mountains like Kanchenjunga and Januu (7110 meters ). You’ll pass through Deurali to arrive at Lalikharka.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Private Jeep / Walking
Leaving Lalikharka, you continue along the trail. You’ll encounter a steep descent that takes you to Simbu village. The trail continues along Sikheba Khola crossing Phawa River. You’ll continue an uphill walk for a few hours until you reach Kunjari. A short walk from here will bring you directly to Bhanjyang. An easy trek of less than half an hour will take you to Kande Bhanjyang.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
After a short ascent from Kande Bhanjyang, you will encounter a gradual descent until Khesewa. The trail further drops through the long extended village towards a small stream. You’ll make way to a small village that opens up a trail towards Phungphung Danda village. A short downhill trek will bring another uphill climb and will continue steeply until you arrive at Phumphe village.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Phumphe village, you head down through cardamom plantation gradually trekking downhill for less than half an hour. Crossing a suspension bridge followed by an uphill climb, you arrive at Mamankhe. From there, the climb is steep and after an hour you’ll encounter numerous detours. The trail passes Mamankhe and heads to Thumsa. From here, you’ll continue to climb until you reach Sherpagaon.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
The trek starts with a steep climb through lush forest of bamboo and rhododendron. Two hours of uphill walk will bring you to a brief leveled ground that leads to Lasiya Bhanjyang. A steep drop from here goes nearby a landslide section and is followed by a short climb. You’ll reach Amji River at the bottom of a narrow valley and follow a trail that goes all the way to Tortong.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Tortong, the trail follows Simbuwa Khola and continues north-east through an easy uphill trek. It is one a beautiful walk as you hear the sounds of the river, and walk through pine and larch tress. You may encounter few very steep climbs along the trail that goes through beautiful rhododendron forests. By noon, you’ll reach Anda Phedi. It will take another 2 hours of trek to reach Tseram.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
You have trekked above 3000 meters and it is best to allow your body to get acclimatized to the high altitude. Today, you’ll spend the day exploring Tseram village and the surrounding places. A small settlement, Tseram is mostly inhabited by Limbu tribe. You can catch some beautiful sights of the valley, forests, and river before resting for the night.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
The day starts with a very steep climb that continues for the first half an hour. The valley widens up and the trail passes through pines and rhododendron forest, several pastures, and yak shed. You can catch the beautiful sight of Rathong (6678m) and Kokthang (6148m). The trail is fairly comfortable afterward. Ramche village lies just beneath a huge ridge on a flat land over Yalung Glacier.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
You’ll continue along the trail and climb further up into the valley that separates Yalung Kang Glacier on the right and mountain cliffs on the left. As you continue along the trail, you’ll encounter Kabru (7412m) and Rathong (6678m) peaks dominating the view. A couple of hours of trek will bring an open valley that offers beautiful view of Kanchenjunga (8586m). You’ll reach Oktang and enjoy the majestic sight of the surrounding glaciers before heading back to Tseram.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Today, you’ll leave Oktang and trek towards Selele La. You’ll initially walk through deep forest over a rocky trail to reach a wide valley that offers the sight of Kanchenjunga (8586m). A straight steep climb will take you through the first pass, Sinion La (4645m). You’ll descend briefly and then climb through the Selele La (4480m) catching beautiful view of several smaller peaks.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Selele La, you’ll continue with an easy walk. The trail further is bit rocky and after an hour it reaches the first pass with Buddhist prayer flags. The trail continues in a similar manner until you reach the second pass. Afterward, it starts to drop sharply through the Rhododendron forest until you arrive at the Tibetan village of Ghunsa.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
You’ll head deeper into the valley along the Ghunsa Khola. A brief comfortable walk leads you to the bottom of a waterfall. A steep climb will take you uphill that offers a beautiful sight of Januu Peak (7711m). You’ll start descending and enter Kambachen, a small village where two valleys meet. Here you can enjoy the fantastic views of Thongje (6645m) and Ghabur (6044m).
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Kambachen, you’ll start with a brief climb out into the narrow valley and pass through a rocky trail to reach a waterfall. The trail is fairly easy for few hours until it climbs into a narrow valley via another eroded section. After a while, you’ll reach Lhonak, village with stone huts right above the Kanchenjunga Glacier. You can catch the beautiful sight of Kirat Chuli (7365m), Nepal Chuli (6910m), and Mera Peak (6364m) from the village.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
The trail continues into the deep valley surrounded by high mountains. You’ll continue along a tough trail to reach Pang Pema. You’ll cross rubbles of glacial rocks until the valley finally ends at Pang Pema or Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. From the base camp, you can catch the beautiful sight of Kanchenjunga (8586m), Kanbachen (7802m), Ramtang Peak (6601m), Nepal Chuli (6910m), and Kirat Chuli (7365m). Afterward, you’ll head back to Lhonak village for an overnight stay.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Lhonak, you’ll retrace your path and head back to Ghunsa via Kambachen village. Although mostly a downward descent, you may have to walk for over 6 hours to reach Ghunsa. This might be hard on our knees so take it easy. You will pass through waterfalls, rough trail and rhododendron forests to reach Ghunsa.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
The trail continues to descend through lush forests of pine and rhododendron until you cross Ghunsa Khola. You’ll continue along the trail to arrive at Phale. A short hike from Phale will bring you to Gyabla which is inhabited by Tibetan immigrants. Here, you will be below 3000 meters and find it considerably easier to breathe and walk.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Gyabla, you’ll encounter a steep descent through bamboo forests. You can also cross Ghunsa Khola to pass through an ancient gumba, Tashi Choding. You’ll cross several small streams and slowly trek back to populated villages. The trek is pleasant taking you through lush pines, blue spruce and rhododendron forest. The day ends at Amjilosa.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Leaving Amjilosa, the trail follows along the river and goes through some steep sections that opens up to many smaller settlements. The village will finally lead you to Sukethum. You’ll continue through the sparse settlements to arrive at Taplethok that also marks the end of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
As you’ll be trekking through the lower Kanchenjunga region, you’ll encounter more settlements with highly decorated houses. You’ll encounter numerous Rai and Limbu villages along the way. An easy walk from Taplethok through Chirwa and Linkhim will bring you to Phurumbu. You can also choose to walk no further than Linkhim and stay for a night there.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Today is the last day of the trek as you hike down to Suketar village. You will walk through tractor road and will arrive at Lapsibote first. After a short rest here, you will cross a suspension bridge, walk downhill towards the end to arrive at Suketar. The trek may last around 4 hours and will not be too tiring.
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
After breakfast, you will drive to Kanyam, one of the most beautiful tea gardens of Nepal. Enjoy the tea garden and spend the day relaxing after a long trek through some rough trails. You can observe the Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) from the tea garden; so, you enjoy sunset and sunrise view here.
After breakfast in Kanyam, you will retrace and drive back to Bhadrapur, heading towards the domestic airport. From here, you will catch a flight back to Kathmandu. Our company representative will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Accommodation
3 Star Hotel
Meal
Breakfast | Dinner
Transportation
Private car / Flight
Today, you’ll be driven back to the international airport to catch your flight back home. Thank you for travelling with us. We hope you have had a fulfilling journeying through the landscape of Nepal. We bid you farewell and hope to meet you again for another trip.
Meal
Breakfast
Transportation
Private car
Are you dissatisfied with this itinerary?
You can customize your holiday. Let us help you tailor-make your precious Vacation.
What's Included
Meal
- Fresh seasonal fruits after the dinner (while on the trek).
- Breakfast,Lunch and dinner during the trek.
Accomodation
- Stay in the city at finest hotel (Can upgrade of the accommodations to luxury hotels / lodge is possible at extra cost).
- Lodge expenses during the trek.
Staffs & Crew
- Licensed, experienced and English speaking trekking guide.
- A porter and his entire expenses.
- Insurance of guide and porter.
Transportation
- Airport pickup and drop facility.
- Bhadrapur - ilam - Suketar - Bhadrapur drive in a public bus
- Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu flight tickets
- Transportation in private vehicle.
Permits & Paperworks
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)
- Trekking permits/TIMS.
Activities
- Full day guided city tour in Kathmandu (Day 2) by a private vehicle.
Other
- Nepal Ascent Treks duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map.
- First aid medical kit
- Down jackets and sleeping bags (provided upon request).
Complimentary Extras
- Welcome and farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese Restaurant with traditional ethnic music and dance.
- 1 hour trekkers massage / Yoga after the trip completion.
- Local sim card
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance which covers emergency rescue and evacuation.
- Tipping to staffs (as an appreciation).
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Nepal arrival visa.
- Meals in the city except for breakfast and other mentioned special dinner.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Cost incurred during the tour around the city.
- Cost for additional trips.
GROUP TOURS
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Essential Info
Physical Fitness
Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.
In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.
Trekking Seasons in Nepal
There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July and August are the monsoon season and as such the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassible due to landslide activates. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places.
Winter in Nepal is dry, with very cold nights where temperatures can drop to -20°C at the highest altitudes, but the days are pleasant and sunny. Additionally, the trails are much less crowded during this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures reach around 20°C.
Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations.
Trekking Day
A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.
Meals and Accommodations
During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of the restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb, and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary.
Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high altitude place dormitories are the norm. Each room has 1 or 2 single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of western and squat style toilets in the bathrooms.
Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse and these lodges have large family style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali style western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine.
Travel Insurance
Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully.
Nepal Visa Entry Procedure
For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions. There are a number of entry points where you can obtain the visa upon arriving by land, but Tribhuvan International Airport is the only one for air transport.
Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa
Three options are available for entry
15-day single entry: US $30
30-day single entry: US $50
90-day multiple entries: US $125
Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.
For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in un-acclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate and sufficient precautionary measures too are taken to take utmost caution. We also equip our staffs with cell phones and satellite phones in occurrence of any emergency cases. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern.
Drinking Water
Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water and if doing so make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified so ask him or her what is available.
Arrival Instruction
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.
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