Kanchenjunga Trek
Overview The Kanchenjunga Trek is a breathtaking journey through the remote and pristine landscapes of the eastern Himalayas, offering trekkers an unparalleled adventure into the heart of nature. Located in eastern Nepal, Kanchenjunga is also the third highest mountain in the world and the main attraction of this trek. The journey begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Taplejung, a small town in the eastern hills. From there, the trek commences, taking trekkers through charming villages, lush rhododendron and bamboo forests, and terraced farmlands. The region is also inhabited by diverse ethnic groups like Sherpas, Limbus, and Rais, allowing…
Overview
The Kanchenjunga Trek is a breathtaking journey through the remote and pristine landscapes of the eastern Himalayas, offering trekkers an unparalleled adventure into the heart of nature. Located in eastern Nepal, Kanchenjunga is also the third highest mountain in the world and the main attraction of this trek.
The journey begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Taplejung, a small town in the eastern hills. From there, the trek commences, taking trekkers through charming villages, lush rhododendron and bamboo forests, and terraced farmlands. The region is also inhabited by diverse ethnic groups like Sherpas, Limbus, and Rais, allowing trekkers to experience local culture and traditions.
As the trail ascends, the majestic peaks of Kanchenjunga and its neighboring summits come into view, providing awe-inspiring panoramas. Trekkers pass through quaint settlements like Ghunsa and Khambachen, where yak herders and friendly locals offer warm hospitality. The enchanting landscapes feature glacial valleys, cascading waterfalls, and mesmerizing alpine lakes, such as the sacred Sele La and Pang Pema.
Kanchenjunga Trek: A Biodiversity Paradise for Adventurers
The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is rich in biodiversity and also provides an opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard, red panda, and many bird species. The trek’s remote and unspoiled nature makes it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurous souls seeking tranquility.
The trail also leads to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, where trekkers can relish an up-close view of the towering peaks and immerse themselves in the grandeur of the Himalayas. The sight of the sunrise casting its golden rays on the snow-clad summits is an unforgettable moment.
Due to its challenging terrain and restricted access, the Kanchenjunga Trek is less crowded than other popular treks in Nepal, adding to its allure for those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience. Proper physical fitness and acclimatization are essential to undertake this trek successfully.
Conclusion and Summary
In conclusion, the Kanchenjunga Trek is a mesmerizing odyssey that blends natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure. It is an opportunity to connect with the pristine wilderness and immerse oneself in the splendor of the world’s third-highest mountain, leaving trekkers with unforgettable memories of a lifetime.
Trip Highlights
The Kanchenjunga Trek is a remarkable trekking experience in the Himalayan region that offers stunning views of the world’s third-highest mountain, Kanchenjunga, and a chance to explore the culture and lifestyle of the local communities. Here are some of the highlights of the Kanchenjunga Trek trip:
- Spectacular mountain views: Kanchenjunga is one of the highest peaks in the world and is the main attraction of the trek. The mountain range offers breathtaking views throughout the trek, and you’ll also get to witness other peaks like Jannu, Makalu, and Everest.
- Remote and peaceful trail: The Kanchenjunga Trek is a remote and less-traveled trail, which means you’ll get to enjoy the tranquility and peacefulness of the surroundings. You’ll also be away from the crowds and commercialization of popular trekking routes.
- Rich culture and traditions: The trek passes through various villages of the Rai and Limbu communities, who have their unique culture and traditions. You’ll get to witness their daily lifestyle, taste their local cuisine, and learn about their customs.
- Diverse flora and fauna: The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rhododendron forests, orchids, and rare animals like snow leopards, red pandas, and musk deer.
- Challenging and adventurous: The Kanchenjunga Trek is a challenging trek that requires physical fitness and endurance. The trail involves steep ascents and descents, crossing high mountain passes, and trekking through remote and rugged terrain, making it an exciting and adventurous journey.
Overall, the Kanchenjunga Trek is a unique and rewarding experience that offers an opportunity to explore the unspoiled natural beauty and culture of the Himalayan region.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport you will be expected to complete your custom formalities (visa etc). We suggest you to look for our representative who will be waiting for you at the arrival gate with a Everest Expeditions Nepal display board. You will then be transferred to your hotel. After checking in you can either take rest, or visit our office. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Everest Expeditions Nepal where you will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country’s food culture.
Completion of required official procedures and taking a cultural tour of Kathmandu before the actual trekking will be the main agenda of this day. After breakfast there will be cultural tour to world heritage sites in Kathmandu which includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, and Bauddhanath. During the afternoon, you will be meeting with other participants of the trekking program along with your guides at HGT office for a pre-trip discussion.
You will fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. Depending upon the availability of flying options to Suketar from Biratnagar you will be presented with either of the two possibilities listed below:
- If there is availability of flight to Suketar you spend the night in Biratnagar and fly to Suketar the next morning.
- If there are no flights available to Suketar you drive to Phidim and spend the night there.
If you spent overnight at Biratnagar the previous day you will directly fly to Suketar this day and spend the night there. But, if you spent your night in Phidim you will be driving to Suketar. Either way you spend overnight at Suketar.
We officially kick start the day with a downhill walk to Mitlung. The trails throughout the lower sections of the Kanchenjunga region pass through fertile valleys with beautiful pastures and small villages. We then cross Hangdewa River and walk alongside the raging Tamor River. As we gradually head in a northerly direction the trail steepens after a few hours before a final descent of 350 meters on a muddy trail to Mitlung. We spend the night there.
The trail ascends and descends steadily as we make our way towards the village of Sinwa. We continue trekking downhill until we reach Tawa. At Tawa, we ascend to some heights and cross the suspension bridge at Thiwa. We pass beautiful rural landscape along the way and reach Chirwa, a beautiful Limbu village with few lodges, tea shops etc. We spend the night at Chirwa.
The trek from Chirwa to Sukathum passes through varied landscapes such as cardamom fields and dense forests. We trek uphill for sometime then descend to the lush green fields below and continue trekking along the Tamor River passing through a dense forest. It’s both uphill and downhill trek until crossing the Ghunsa River after which we reach Sukathum and spend the night there.
Trekking from Sukathum to Amjilosa is challenging. After crossing the suspension bridge outside Sukathum we enter a dense forest, ascend the steep trail, descend and cross the river again. We also climb a gorge from the bottom and pass by Solima village and descend again to the level of the river. All in all, this day’s trekking is rather tough. Therefore, it is advisable to be very careful especially while walking the trail that passes the gorge. We later follow a tricky trail which goes both uphill and downhill until reaching Amjilosa where we spend the night.
We start trekking from the river bank, pass through a densely forest of bamboo, fir and rhododendrons eventually reaching a small stone house by the river. We then climb uphill crossing a few small bridges along the way. Here, we get to enjoy the company of stunning waterfalls that originate from the mountains. After yet another short uphill walk we reach the Tibetan settlement to Gyabla.
We descend down the river and notice the valley as it slowly opens up before reaching Phale, a Tibetan refugee settlement where it is possible to purchase handicrafts and homemade rugs from locals. After purchasing a few souvenirs we travel through conifer and pine forest and reach the Sherpa village of Ghunsa where we spend the night. This place is known for its hydroelectricity plant and the fact that more than 20 prominent conservationists met a tragic end in a helicopter crash.
We take care to spend time acclimatising around Ghunsa before continuing our next day’s trek. We recommend you to stay active even in a rest day as it is better than being idle while on a trekking journey. Therefore, we take a short hike towards the Laspsan La monastery through the lush green forest. Come back to Ghunsa by afternoon and relax.
From Ghunsa we trek further north along the river bank which presents us with magnificent mountain scenery. We pass through meadows full with beautiful wildflowers, rhododendron and pine forests. We cross a bridge at Rampuk Kharka, continue past the waterfall and cross the tricky section of the 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.
We take yet another day for acclimatisation at Kambachen which is reserved to accommodate participants in high altitude and also to observe if anybody in the group has any symptoms of altitude sickness. The overall idea for this day is to relax- take a bath and/or explore the Nuphchu Khola Valley area. We spend yet another night at Kambachen.
Today will be another challenging day and an early start is needed. 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.
We trek along the Kanchenjunga Glacier to spend a night at Pangpema, Kanchenjunga base camp on the north side. We urge you to be careful around the rockier sections as they are prone to landslides. After a short while you reach Pangpema, a flat grassy base camp. Climb a little higher and enjoy the splendor of Jannu, Kanchenjunga and Chang Himal.
We retrace our path to Lhonak and continue down the valley to Ramtang Monastery. The return journey offers a different perspective of the mountains Kanchenjunga, Taple Shikhar, Gimmigela, and Mera Peak among others. Due to the descending nature of this trek we will reach Kambachen by evening and spend the night there.
It’s essentially the reverse of our Day 12 trek. We descend to Ghunsa from Kambachen which means that we get to enjoy the beautiful forests along with a backdrop of impressive mountain scenery. Overnight at Ghunsa
It’s a steep trek upward from Ghunsa to Sele-Le. Upon reaching Sele Le we climb through a dense forest of moss, rhododendron and juniper. Lunch will be served in an appropriate place with the availability of water. We spend the night in Sele Le.
We do an uphill trek and enjoy the mesmerizing south side view of Jannu Himal and Makalu (the world’s 6th highest mountain). Today is a strenuous trekking day as we cross several passes- Sinion La, Mirgin La and Sinelapche Bhanjyang. We then make a steep descend to Cheram and spend the night there.
We ascend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier and walk alongside the Simbuwa Khola, pass through Lapsang village and reach Ramche. While there, we walk further up the valley or ascend a ridge for a tremendous view of blue sheeps. We then follow the 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 can even consider continuing to Oktang Monastery. Descend and spend the night at Cheram.
As we descend to Tortong we first encounter two trails. One trail is the one we took while descending down from Sele Le. However, we ignore this route and descend further down to the trail alongside the Simbuwa Khola. We enjoy the lush rhododendron forest along the way.
While descending from Tortong to Yamphudin we pass through Lasiya Bhanjyang which involves walking up through trees and area of landslides. The terrain changes after every monsoon but by the middle of October it should be stable with a route through. Walking further down we reach the village of Yamphudin, a village inhabited by Sherpas, Limbus and Rais.
We descend from Yamphudin, cross the bridge at Samekham and continue following the Kabeli Khola. We pass through Mamankhe which houses the Limbu Museum and Cultural Center. We then cross the bridge over Khaksewa Khola and ascend through the cardamom forest, pass by a few villages and descend further down to Yangpang. Overnight at Yangpang.
Instead of going back to Taplejung we descend down to Thorpu. By opting for Thorpu we will not only be saving us time but will also get to enjoy the landscape of a different route. While descending to Thorpu we pass through some really beautiful terraced villages, where the people are very interested to see you. We spend the night in Thorpu and enjoy the hospitality of the villagers.
We are most likely to drive from Thorpu to Birtamod which is a lively Terai town in Eastern Nepal. Along the way you will notice the climate getting warmer with a landscape that is different from the mountains and the hills. The town boasts a number of good accommodation facilities therefore we spend the night in Birtamod.
The drive to Bhadrapur from Birtamod is only of short distance. We fly back to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur Airport. Upon arriving in Kathmandu you can take a rest and relax throughout the day in your hotel or if you are interested in taking souvenirs for your loved ones, you can shop around the tourist area of Thamel. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Your journey comes to an end today. There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. A representative of Everest Expeditions Nepal will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours from your scheduled flight. On your way home you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
What's Included
1. Airport Pick-up and Drop Off,
2. Licensed and trained trekking guides,
3. potters for carrying goods and supplies,
4. Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) basis during the trek
5. 3 Nights Accommodation in the 3/4/5 Star Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B. (Bed
& Breakfast) & Other Destination Based on Trekking Area.
6. All accommodation during the trek.
7. All meals and hot beverages during the trek.
8. Transportation to and from trail head.
9. All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
10. National Park/Conservation Area entry Permit, Insurance, and equipment for the staffs.
11. Coordination of quick Rescue service (Costs covered by your Insurance Plan)
12. Trekking staffs wages etc.
13. 1 hr. trekker massage after your trek.
14. Welcome and Fare well dinner in a Nepali Cultural Dance restaurant in Kathmandu.
15. Trekking Duffle Bag
16. Trekking Staff Insurance of $10,000 Per Person.
17. Trekking Map, T-shirt, and Trekking certificate.
18. Exclusive of Medical Kit Bag
19. All Government and local Taxes
20. International Flight ticket re-confirmation.
21. Meals will be Start when your Trek starts.
What's Excluded
1. International Airfares,
2. Travel/Trekking Insurance,
3. Excess baggage charges More than 16kg and hand bag more than 5 kg in
domestic flights.
4. Visa fees.
5. Airport Departure Taxes.
6. Drinks (Cold and Alcoholic) Rescue charge.
7. Tips for The staffs.
8. Expenses of Personnel nature and Permit and Liaison officer fee (where Applicable.
9. Meals during stay in the Kathmandu and Pokhara.
10. Domestic Ticket Etc.
11. Extra Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Trip Information
The Kanchenjunga Trek is a long and challenging trek in the eastern Himalayas of Nepal that takes you through remote villages and pristine wilderness, with stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak. Here’s some basic information about the trip:
- Trek Duration: The Kanchenjunga Trek can take anywhere from 20 to 28 days, depending on the route and itinerary you choose.
- Difficulty Level: The trek is considered strenuous and is recommended for experienced trekkers who are physically fit and have some high-altitude trekking experience.
- Best Time to Go: The best time to trek Kanchenjunga is from mid-March to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-November, during the dry season.
- Permit Requirements: You’ll need a special permit to trek in the Kanchenjunga region, as it is a restricted area. In addition, you’ll need a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card and a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit.
- Accommodation: Accommodation on the trek is in basic tea houses or camping.
- Trek Highlights: The trek takes you through beautiful rhododendron forests, remote villages, high mountain passes, and alpine landscapes, with stunning views of the Kanchenjunga massif. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the local culture and traditions of the ethnic communities that live in the region, including the Limbu and Rai people.
- Itinerary: There are various itinerary options for the Kanchenjunga Trek, but most treks start and end in Suketar or Taplejung and include stops at villages such as Chauki, Ghunsa, and Kambachen, before reaching the base camp and eventually returning to Suketar or Taplejung.
Overall, the Kanchenjunga Trek is a challenging but rewarding trek that offers stunning scenery and a chance to experience the unique culture and traditions of the people who live in this remote part of Nepal.
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