Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m.) is the 2nd highest mountain in Nepal and the 3rd highest in the world. Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the best treks around Mt. Kanchenjunga. The region has been open for trekking since 1988 and provides a variety of landscapes, including Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Mt. Lhotse. These four of the five highest mountains make Kanchenjunga Trek very worthwhile.
Kanchenjunga Trek is an adventurous trekking trail. The area is protected as Kanchanjunga Conservation Area which spreads 2035 sq. km. and provides the exploration of different wildlife and vegetation. Rare animals like snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda, musk deer, and the birds like impeyan pheasant, red-billed blue magpie, shy drongo, etc. can be seen there in the conservation area. The region has been recognized as one of the 200 global Eco regions by the World Wildlife Fund.
Kanchenjunga Trek provides the opportunity of exploring Nepal’s eastern life, people, and culture. As the trail leads to the high mountains the exploration of the grassy lands, rocky outgrowths, and subtropical forests makes you feel as if charmed by the magic of nature. The superb scenery of the flowery forest of rhododendron, lilies, primula, and orchards is unforgettable.
Kanchenjunga Trek starts in Suketar and leads through a lush rhododendron forest. It continues climbing into the high alpine area. The exploration of Gunsa village, crossing the Lapsang-La Pass, and Sele la Pass is accomplished before crossing Yalung Glacier.
Kanchenjunga Trek stretches around and through the Arun River. The Arun valley is one of the most beautiful regions to trek in Nepal which allows experiencing and enjoying the traditional and unspoiled culture of Rai and Limbu, the native locals of this area. Trekking in the Kanchenjunga region is an unforgettable life experience full of enthusiasm, excitement, and adventure as it is a favorite trekking destination among visitors who want some more adventure in their life.
Please click the route map video https://www.relive.cc/view/r10003980959
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)
Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Airport (91m)
Day 03: Jeep drive from Bhadrapur to Suketar (2,420m)
Day 04: Suketar to Lalikharka (2,265m)
Day 05: Lalikharka to Kheswa (2,120m)
Day 06: Kheswa to Mamankhe (1,785m)
Day 07: Mamankhe to Yamphudin (2,080m)
Day 08: Yamphudin to Tortong (2,995m)
Day 09: Tortong to Cheram (3,870m)
Day 10: Cheram: Acclimatization and Rest
Day 11: Cheram to Ramchaur (Ramche) (4,580m)
Day 12: Ramchaur (Ramche) to Yalung Base Camp (4.500m), back to Cheram
Day 13: Cheram to Sele La (4,290m)
Day 14: Sele La to Ghunsa (3,595m)
Day 15: Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050m)
Day 16: Kambachen to Lhonak (4,780m)
Day 17: Excursion Kanchenjunga base camp(5,143m), back to Lhonak
Day 18: Lhonak to Ghunsa (3,475m)
Day 19: Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2,308m)
Day 20: Amjilosa to Chirwa (1,270m)
Day 21: Chirwa to Phurumbu (1,549)
Day 22: Phurumbu to Suketar (2,420m)
Day 23: Jeep drive Suketar to Bhadrapur (91m)
Day 24: Fly from Bhadrapur Airport to Kathmandu (1,300m)
Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. Welcome and pick-up by a representative from Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Today we take a scenic flight to Bhadrapur which takes about 50 minutes. Overnight in Bhadrapur.
It's a long day jeep driving from Bhadarapur to Suketar. We could also try a direct flight to Suketar if we are there around tourist season. Normally there are no flights to Suketar, they might open flights within the tourist season but it's not sure. So, better to take a flight to Bhadrapur and drive by jeep to Suketar, Overnight in Suketar.
Today is our first day of trekking. So it is exciting and we can feel warmth during the day. Stay overnight in Lalikarka.
We begin our trek to Kheswa after breakfast. It is mostly an easy descent until Phundrawa. From here we begin our ascent. It is a steep climb until Yangpang from where we climb steadily up until Phumphe Danda followed by another ascent to Kheswa. Our trek passes through forests and small villages. Overnight in Kheswa.
After breakfast, we begin our trek towards the Kabeli Khola. Next, we walk on a trail that passes through forests before crossing a small stream. On the way, we enjoy amazing views of the Himalayan peaks while also passing through several beautiful small villages. Overnight in Mamankhe.
Today’s trek is mostly uphill on an easy trail whereby we mostly walk alongside the Kabeli Khola. During the walk, we also admire the beautiful ridge behind the stream. We continue our walk and admire a beautiful waterfall nearby. After walking for some time, we cross a small suspension bridge. We pass through small settlements before reaching Yamphudin to spend the night.
We begin our walk on a path commonly used by the villagers and pass through terraced farms and green meadows. Along the way, we have the constant company of the Himalayas to enjoy. Our walk is on a trail along the Amji Khola. We also cross a pass at Lassiya Bhanjyang before reaching Tortong. Overnight in Tortong.
We begin our steady climb to Cheram after breakfast. Our trail is right at the side of the Simbuwa Khola. We enjoy walking in the beautiful Lalung valley and have a Tuplung peak for the company for most of today’s journey. We pass through the thick rhododendron forest and enjoy the magnificence of the Yalung Glacier. Overnight in Cheram.
We spend a day in Cheram which help us acclimatize to the high altitude. We can spend the rest of the day resting and taking part in small hikes. We can explore the areas around the Yalung Glacier. There is also a viewpoint for Kabaru and Rathong peaks. Overnight in Cheram.
We begin our short trek after breakfast. From Cheram, we ascend for some time before reaching the snout of the Yalung Glacier. It is a beautiful walk on a valley trail. We also cherish the views of several Himalayan peaks. We pass through a small settlement of Lapsang before reaching Ramche. Overnight in Ramche.
From Ramche, we walk further up the valley. We then follow a stream before climbing on the moraine top until confronted by Kanchenjunga’s southern face. We walk further ahead for a glimpse of the Jannu Himal. We continue our trek further toward the Oktang Monastery. From here, we climb further up and reach the Yalung Base Camp. The views from the base camp are extraordinary. Kumbakarna (Jannu), Nyukla Lachung and other Himalayan peaks are close by. We descend and spend the night at Cheram.
We begin our trek after breakfast. We cross four passes today beginning with Sinelapche Bhanjyang. After crossing the pass, we continue to the Mirgin La pass. We continue trekking and reach the Sinion La pass which is not very far. From here, we ascend to Sele La pass. There are prayer flags strung across one of the steeper sections of the trail which is very near the Sele La pass. We cross the pass. Overnight in Sele La.
We begin our trek after breakfast. We walk towards the north with Tangbgharma Danda nearby. We reach a chorten marked by prayer flags which marks the start of a steep trail. We descend through rhododendron, birch, and pine forests before reaching Ghunsa. It is a beautiful village of houses with dark and weathered pine walls and Buddhist prayer flags. Overnight in Ghunsa.
From Ghunsa, we trek further north along the river bank which presents us with magnificent mountain scenery. We pass through meadows filled with beautiful wildflowers, then cross rhododendron and pine forests. We cross a bridge at Rampuk Kharka, continue past a waterfall, and cross the tricky section of a landslide. After crossing the landslide area, we begin to see the spectacular view of Mt. Jannu. Further exploring and tackling the tricky mountain trail we finally arrive at Kambachen and spend the night.
Today is another challenging day and requires an early start. We trek through rocky fields and large boulders on the hillside along the riverbank and arrive at a waterfall. We then cross a bridge to Ramtang monastery. We then come across a landslide section which we must pass through at a steady pace before descending to the river and finally arriving at Lhonak. Overnight in Lhonak.
From Lhonak, we trek toward the Kanchenjunga Base Camp which is also called Pang Pema (5,143m). . The highest altitude during the entire trek. Our trail is alongside the gigantic Kanchenjunga Glacier. The view from the base camp is extraordinary. Mt. Kanchenjunga, Jannu Himal, and other Himalayan peaks are ours to admire. We descend to Lhonak to spend the night.
From Lhonak, we descend all the way to Ghunsa via Kambache. It is the same route we took when we were climbing up. Overnight in Ghunsa.
From Ghunsa, we descend towards Phale. We pass through several Manes and a monastery nearby. We walk through Juniper forests and reach Phale. From here, it is a steady descent to Gyabla. We cross a bridge over Chhundatangka Khola to reach Gyabla. As we continue our trek, we see a waterfall nearby. We also cross a suspension bridge over Sumbung Khola before reaching Amjilosa. Overnight in Amjilosa.
After walking for a while, we see a beautiful waterfall nearby. We continue our trek and pass a small settlement of Solima before crossing a suspension bridge over Ghunsa Khola. We cross another suspension bridge over Ghunsa Khola and reach Sukathum. Our trail passes through several villages and is beside Thunsa Khola at first followed by Tamor Nadi before reaching Chirwa. Overnight in Chirwa.
We notice that the settlement starts to get thicker as we are descending. Our trail is alongside lush vegetation. We pass through several villages before reaching Sinwa. From here, we continue our descent and cross a bridge over the Sisne Khola. Now we are on the Pathibhara Trek trail. We pass through another village and cross another suspension bridge this time over the Yaphre Khola to reach Phurumbu. Overnight in Phurumbu.
Our Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek ends today. We can take a much-needed break after reaching Suketar. We continue our walk on the Pathibhara Trek trail. Overnight in Suketar.
Enjoy a scenic jeep drive from Suketar to Bhadrapur (91m). Overnight in Bhadrapur.
Fly from Bhadrapur Airport to Kathmandu (1,300m). Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodations in the Kanchenjunga Treks are in teahouses/lodges and tented camps at high altitudes. The trek duration is of 24 days and Suketar is the starting and ending point. Kanchenjunga region is remote and the numbers of trekkers are fewer compared to other trek regions of Nepal. Therefore, the numbers of teahouses/lodges are fewer, and at far distances from each other. In some places, accommodation is at tented camps. The teahouses/lodges have basic but comfortable facilities. Since there are fewer teahouses in the Kanchenjunga region, sharing of rooms and toilets must be done. The toilets are of eastern style and outside the teahouse. Since this is trekking in the mountains, some adjustments must be made.
3 courses meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) are provided during the trekking. The meals are healthy and hygienic. The meals are simple and the main dish is Nepali Dal Bhat with vegetables and pickles. There won’t be varieties of dishes but foods with high nutritional values to keep the body energetic and fit are served. Besides Dal-Bhat, noodles, soups, eggs, bread, hot tea, ginger tea, coffee, porridge, fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, etc. are served. The professional chef accompanies the trek and prepares food in the camps.
In the mountains, natural spring water is the source of drinking water. The fresh and clean water directly from the Himalayas tastes great. Carry a durable water bottle to fill water from the taps or at teahouses. The boil water paying extra charges can get from teahouses as well. It is always good to carry water purification tablets or Steripen to purify the water.
Kanchenjunga is a remote region and as the altitude rises, it’s hard to get communication signals. The communication signal works at lower altitudes and at higher altitudes it may work sometimes and may not most of the time. The internet facility and phone communications can be used where the signal is strong. Electricity is available in most places. In some places, there are solar panels as well. For charging electronic gadgets, in some places, one must pay an additional charge. Thus, bring essential accessories such as solar power banks, charging cables, and extra batteries. No communication for some days is also good to stay away from a busy life peacefully.
The Kanchenjunga Trek starts from Suketar and ends in Suketar. From Suketar, take a flight to Bhadrapur and from Bhadrapur return to Kathmandu via plane.
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Entry Fee permits are required for the Kanchenjunga trek.
Kanchenjunga RAP Fee
USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks)
USD 25 per person/week (beyond 4 weeks)
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)
Foreigners- NPR 2000/person
SAARC- NPR 500/person
Travel Insurance is essential while traveling. Travel insurance is most for Kanchenjunga Trek as the trek duration is longer. Only a few trekkers trek to this region which makes this region less crowded. It acts as a safety net while traveling/trekking far from the home. Get travel insurance from a trusted insurance company. The travel insurance must cover all medical emergencies, helicopter rescue, air ambulance, flight cancelations, loss/theft of luggage, personal expenses, cover repatriation, evacuations, and altitude sickness. Do carry a copy of your travel insurance and also send a copy to us. So that it would be easy for making the necessary arrangements in case of emergencies.
The suitable time to trek Kanchenjunga is during the summer and autumn seasons. The weather and sky are clear. The blossoming rhododendrons and awesome views make these seasons the best. Thus, early March to mid-May and October to late November is considered the best time to trek. Off-season trekking in Monsoon and Winter is available for professional trekkers. But, these seasons of trekking are very tough and at your risk, you can go for it. The winter season is extremely cold and camping is the only option making it very hard for the trekkers. Monsoon season is slippery and muddy and risk of accidents and injuries. We recommend you avoid these seasons but it is your personal choice to continue or avoid them.
Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the longest treks having a duration of 24 days. The trek is difficult due to its duration, many ascend, and descend rugged terrains, and high altitudes. Pang Pema (5,143m) is the highest elevation during the trek. Since the region is remote, access to all sorts of facilities is difficult to find. Hence, trekking should commence with proper training and preparations and consulting the doctor. The trekkers must take some physical exercises before months of the Kanchenjunga Trek and be physically fit and in good health condition to accomplish the trek successfully. Some examples of physical exercises are swimming, cycling, running, day hiking, etc. The trek is tricky but the planned itinerary with proper rest day schedules helps to complete the trek on time and without worries.
Altitude sickness is common at higher altitudes in the mountains of Nepal. Kanchenjunga trek consists of several high altitudes. The acclimatization rest day is properly scheduled at Cheram (3870m) to adjust to the higher altitudes and prevent altitude sickness during the trek.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
Primary: Headache, nausea, gasping, appetite & sleep loss, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting
Extreme: primary symptoms and hallucinations & unconsciousness
The luggage limitation of the porter is an average of 30kg. One porter carries the luggage of two trekkers. Hence, the luggage limitation per person is a maximum of 15 kg. The camping pack is up to 40 kg as few days are spent in a tented camp. The health of the porters is our high priority and all the arrangements are done on this basis.
Essential Documents: Passport, Travel Permits
Shoes: Pair of hiking boots, Rubber sandals, and Camp shoes
Clothes: Windcheater jacket, Thermals, Insulating Down Jacket, Fleece, Long sleeve shirts, Gloves, Towels, Inner garments, Trekking pants, Trousers, Shorts, Socks, Gaiters
Accessories: Sunglasses, Hats/Caps, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Water bottles, Pocket Knife, Solar chargers, Batteries, Torch, Sewing kit, Water Purifying solution/Steripen
Equipment: Warm Sleeping bags, Map, Trekking poles, Duffel bag, Carabiners, Crampons, Tapes/Slings, Ice Screws, Ice Ax, Harness, Rope
Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines, Insect repellents
Rainy season: Waterproof clothes, boots, Raincoat, Anti-leech socks
Winter Season: Woolen clothing items (light)
Personal Hygiene Kit: Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, napkins, sachet shampoo, moisturizer, hand wash/soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, and for ladies (tampons/sanitary pads/menstrual cups)
It is best to bring the clothes and essential equipment from your home from the provided checklist. Also, you can buy or rent equipment and clothes in Kathmandu. Don’t forget to carry extra 2-4 reusable bags to separate used/dirty and clean clothes.