Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek - 18 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our correspondent who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Once checked in, we will arrange a pre-trip meeting where we will brief in short about the trek, answer any queries you have and meet your trekking guide as well. After the short brief, you can relax and spend rest of the day at your leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Free day in Kathmandu for permit preparation and sightseeing rest of the day. We will need VISA copy from guest and need to make Special Restricted Area Permit from immigration of Nepal to enter Kanchenjunga area. Stay overnight at hotel.

In the meantime, taking advantage of the day, you can explore UNESCO Listed World Heritage site:

• Boudhanath: One of the largest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Pashupatinath: A sacred Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square: One of the major heritage sites with unique architect, ancient monastery, ethnic Newari culture and heritage.

After having breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to Kathmandu airport and fly to Bhadrapur in morning flight around 7-8 A.M. The flight is of 45-minutes from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur.

Another option is flying to Suketar, there are no daily flights to Suketar so in case there is no flight on the scheduled date, the alternative is to fly to Bhadrapur in the morning and then transfer by road to Taplejunj by private vehicle, with an approximate duration of 8 hours.

Upon arrival in Bhadrapur, we will continue our drive to Taplejung (214 km). It takes about 7-8 hours to reach Taplejung. We will drive via good road. During the drive to Taplejung, the scenery changes from flat to lush hills to rocky terrain, which would be a lovely experience. Stay overnight at lodge.

After breakfast, you will start the journey to Sekathum in private local jeep which takes about 4-5 hour drive. You will drive along the off road and on the way you can see terraced farmlands, traditional Limbu and Sherpa villages, and lush forested hills alongside the Tamor River. Stay overnight at lodge.

This day after having breakfast, prepare to head towards Amjilasa which takes about 6 hours of walking.

Today’s trek trial is mainly uphill journey with occasional stone staircases. You will be crossing the dense bamboo, rhododendron forest & beautiful waterfalls along the narrow Ghunsa Khola valley. You will cross suspension bridges as well and pass through remote areas with few human settlements. On the way you can also see settlements of Sherpa community villages. Most of the people living in this area are engaged in agriculture, growing mainly potatoes, wheat and vegetables.

Amjilasa, a small village perched on a hillside, offers stunning views and a peaceful resting point amidst the wild terrain of the Kanchenjunga region. Stay overnight at lodge.

This day after having breakfast, you will head towards Gyabla which takes about 6 hours.

Today’s trek begins by walking straight trial for about 2 hours and then zig zag downhill trial till Thyangyan village. Again, from here you will start walking uphill and straight trial along the densely forested area with mature oak and dense rhododendron trees. As you gently trek in the direction of Gyabla, eagles soar lazily above us, yaks graze solemnly in lush meadows, and occasionally, indications of animals can be seen among the trees or high on the hills. Gyabla has small village settlement of Tibetan & Sherpa community. Stay overnight at basic lodge.

This day after having breakfast, you will head towards Ghunsa which takes about 7 hours of walking. This day you have to walk about 3 hours through an uphill trail and again walk another 1 hour of long stretch smooth trial to reach the village named Phale. On the way you will go through dense and varied forests, meeting people of Tibetan origin in the village of Phale having the opportunity to see their unique culture and traditions.

You will have lunch & rest for a while in Phale village. After lunch, walking straight trail and crossing two iron bridge and in another 2 hours you will reach Ghunsa.

Ghunsa village is the largest settlement of Tibetan and Sherpa people with a health post, police station and an office belonging to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area people. There are also better facilities at the teahouses, including internet access.

This day after having breakfast, you will head towards Khambachan which takes about 5 hours.

You will walk mainly through uphill trails following Ghunsa Khola, passing through the alpine forest, beautiful waterfalls. On the way you can see small mani walls, prayer flags and landscape gradually changing to more rugged & glacial landscapes. Today you will have the glance of beautiful mountains like: Khumbakarna Himal, Nupchu Himal, Chang Himal and many other mountains.

Khambachen is a small settlement nestled in a broad valley, offering incredible mountain vistas and serving as an ideal spot for acclimatization before heading higher.

Overnight at teahouse.

To prepare our body for higher altitude, today day you will stay in Khambachen. Today for better acclimatization you can hike to Kumbakarna Base Camp which takes about 3 hours uphill trail.

From the top, you can see beautiful view of Kumbakarna Himal and many more Himalayas. After enjoying the view, descend back to teahouse which takes about 1.5 hours.

This day after having breakfast, we will head towards Lhonak which takes about 5 hours of walking.

Today’s trek you will ascends gradually through rugged, rocky trails and glacial moraines alongside the Kanchenjunga Glacier, revealing stark yet breathtaking high-altitude scenery. Along the way, you’ll cross Ramtang, once used as a yak grazing area, now a scenic viewpoint for majestic peaks like Mera Peak, Kirat Chuli, and Nepal Peak. On the way we will also get to see blue sheep as well. Lhonak itself is a secluded, windswept plateau with minimal accommodations, acting as the last overnight stop before continuing toward Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Accommodation at teahouse.

Today is the most important day of the trek! Today after having breakfast, you will head towards the ultimate destination, Kanchenjunga Base Camp – known as Pang Pema which takes about 3.5 hours of walking.

Walking via a rocky and uphill trail along the lateral moraine of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. On the way you can see massive glaciers, on the right side of your path can also see Mount Kanchenjunga (8586 m)—the world’s third-highest peak, Mount Pathivara, Mount YalungKang, Nepal Peak, Twin Peak, Bokta Peak, Tent Peak and many other Himalayas. As you are inside Kanchenjunga National Park, we can also see wild animals such as blue sheep, some species of birds. There is very basic tea house accommodation in Kanchenjuna Base Camp.

After exploring the base camp, return back with beautiful views & warm mermories to Lhonak, which takes about 2 hours.

This day after having breakfast, begin the trek towards Ghunsa via Khambachan which takes about 6 to 7 hours of walking.

You will begin the trek by descending downhill along the Tamur River valley along a smooth path through the pine forest. On the way you can see blue sheep, large waterfalls, some species of birds and other animals grazing in the fields. You can again have good views of Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m), Mount Pathivara, Mount Yalung Kang, Nepal Peak, Twin Peak, Tent Peak and many others Himalayas. Overnight at tea house.

This day after having breakfast you drive to Taplejung through the same way which takes about 4-5 hours. After having lunch in Taplejung drive towards Ilam, one of the beautiful village with tea state. Total drive will be of 7-8 hours till Ilam.

Ilam, is a peaceful & beautiful hill district in eastern Nepal, popular for its beautiful tea gardens, green hills, pleasant and cool climate. It boasts rich biodiversity, with dense forests, flowing rivers, and vibrant flora that make it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. Ilam of Nepal is home to ethnic communities like the Limbu and Rai; the locals are known for their hospitality and deep cultural heritage. During the free day we can explore around Shree Antu Danda for breathtaking sunrises over Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mai Pokhari, a serene spiritual and ecological site, and the scenic tea plantations that blanket the landscape and Kanyam, picturesque hill station in Ilam, Nepal. Stay overnight at lodge / hotel.

This day after having breakfast, you will drive to Bhadrapur which takes about 2.5 hours and then fly back to Kathmandu. Rest day after arrival in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Today after having breakfast in the morning prepare to trek from Tortong to Sekathum, which is one of the longest descent of about 9-10 hours.

The trail passes through dense rhododendron and pine forests, small settlements, and river valleys, with the air becoming warmer and more humid as you lose altitude. Reaching Sekathum, located near the confluence of the Ghunsa and Simbuwa rivers, marks a return to subtropical landscapes and village life after the high mountain terrain. Stay overnight at lodge.

Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu before departure. At your scheduled departure time, our correspondent will pick you up from the hotel, transfer you to the airport, and bid you farewell with warm hearts.