Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking

Breakfast, free day for trek preparation. You can do your own activities OR, you can do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley, visiting fascinating world heritage and cultural sites. There are a few places that are worth visiting, such as Hindus holy Pashupatinath temple, the Bouddhanath Stupa, the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square ( One is in Kathmandu, in Patan, and also in Bhaktapur), the Museum,  monasteries, old historical Palaces, and Gardens. Note:  this tour is optional, so you can visit the place of your interest & pay locally. 

We drive to the airport for the flight to Bhadrapur plane for a super scenic flight towards Far South East of Nepal near India border, overwhelming views of mountains from Ganesh, Langtang, Jugal Himal to Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga range, after 45 minutes of pleasant flight reaching the warm sub-tropical area at Bhadrapur and then have an interesting drive towards mid hill around cooler area at Ilam town for overnight stop in local simple hotel, this area is famous for tea gardens.

Another good drive leads in the morning from Ilam town to begin this adventure at Sukhetar in the Taplejung area. This interesting and scenic drive leads over hills and valleys on the rough dirt road following the Kabeli river all the way to Sukhetar for a 3-4 hour drive.

From Suketar, the first day walk starts towards Lali Kharka, a small farm village at 2,260 m–7,414 ft, the first section on the gradual winding trail into thick pines and rhododendron forest; the walk continues following a scenic ridge with some gradual descent to Lalikharka for an overnight stay, offering excellent views of Kanchenjunga. 

Our second day walk leads to a descent passing farm villages and well-maintained farm fields with terraces growing wheat, millet, around the area with people of Hindu origin, a mixture of Brahmins, Chettris, and Kirat tribes, Rai’s and Limbus, and worship Hinduism along with their own old traditional culture.

On reaching Tembawa village, we descend towards Phawa khola, crossing Phawa khola, reaching at Pokora village, from where we will be hiking into nice terraced farms, and then crossing a bridge with a climb on the steep hill top to Kande- Bhanjyang via Kunjari village with super views of Kanchenjunga and Yalungkang peaks.

Morning starts by descending, leaving this nice village for a more farming area, and then through the forest to Nandeva Khola, after crossing the stream. We have to ascend through thick tree lines reaching Lopoding village, from here on the mixed trails with a few ups and downs to Fun-Fun village, offering a marvelous vista of the Khumbakarna Himalaya range with Yalung and Mt. Kanchenjunga.

From this viewpoint, we descend again through farm terraces, and then climb for an hour to Pomppe Dhada on a ridge with super views of Mt. Jannu towards North. After catching the wonderful scenery on the downhill path to Khesewa khola, cross a suspension bridge with a final climb of the day to reach a terraced farm at Mamankhe village for an overnight stop. 

We start with a gentle uphill, skirt the ridge line to reach a level path to Dekadin village. We walk through the Kabeli khola bank and climb nearly 300 meters above the river with the winding trail onto ridges, streams, and then we walk downhill towards Kabeli khola. After leaving the river, climb through farm fields and villages to reach Yamphudin for an overnight stay.

We follow the bank of Kabeli Khola and cross Omje Khola, a tributary stream. Climb to Dhupi Bhangyang, reaching a wide, exposed grassy field. Walk downhill through a deciduous forest to Omje Khola and into the cool shade of a rhododendron tree to a ridge at the small village of Chitre for overnight.

We do hike towards Ramite Bhanjyang. Climb a steep uphill through a forest of beautiful magnolias, rhododendron, and bamboo. Reach Ramite, which has a few small huts. We continue hiking through the rhododendron forest, passing a small pond to reach Ramite Bhanjyang at 3,430 m–11,253 ft. There is a superb view of Mt.Jannu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Khumbhakarna, and the Kabru peaks, which can be seen between tree lines. We descend to the riverbed of Simbua Khola for the night.

We follow the river banks, passing small bivouac caves. We will be heading towards a mountain flank and into a forest area to reach Wahta.  Wahta has a few huts that serve as shelter. Cross a stream and come to a gravel ground. See a small shrine with a large boulder of a serpent-shaped image. Leaving the wooded area, walk towards the riverbed again, and climb to Tserem for an overnight stop. Tserem has several roofless bivouac caves. We have a nice view of Yalung glacier, Kabru (7,353 m–24,124 ft), and Talung (7,349 m–24,111 ft) peaks. 

We start with descending to the Simbua Khola riverbed and climb up a terraced hillside to reach Yalung Bara with a single stone hut. This hut marks the end of the tree line and forest. We hike towards the Yalung Glacier ablation zone of the South Face of Kanchenjunga after that. After a good walk with a break in between, we have to climb for an hour to Yalungbar and then to the small place of Ramche for the night. Enjoy fantastic views of Kabru, Rathong, and Kokthang, adjoining peaks of Kanchenjunga.

After breakfast, we go to explore Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, one of the highlights of this adventure. Walk for about two hours at an altitude of over 4,600 m–15,092. Enjoy clear views of Yalung Glacier and the South Face Wall of towering Mt. Kanchenjunga. This place was the first and classic route to Kanchenjunga summit, by British Expeditions to Mt. Kanchenjunga with great views of Talung and Kabru Peak, after a nice and scenic hike with awesome vista, return back to Ramche.

From here retrace walk back to Tserm on a downhill track most of the way to and back to the tree line. Enjoy the walk with views along the way to Tseram for overnight.

Descend through Yalungbar with a short steep up. Cross a river, then make a gradual climb through the forest up a steep hill for an hour. Reach two small glacial ponds. Enjoy a strenuous walk up and down to cross the three passes of Mirgin La, Tamo La, and Sinion La. The first portion climbs for an hour to the top of the Mirgin –la pass to take in a great view of Kabru peak and Mt. Kanchenjunga.

It is a significant day with the crossing of three high ridges in one single day. From Mirgin La, the trail leads downhill and then up to Sinion La at 4,500 m-14,764 ft. Descend gently to Tamo La at 4,500 m–14,764 ft,  enjoy the super views of the Khumbhakarna Himalaya range. We descend towards overnight.

Heading towards North Kanchenjunga Base Camp from here, and hike on a gradual path with a steep descent for an hour through rhododendron and pine forest, continue downhill near the Ghunsa River. Walk on a pleasant and gradual path to Ghunsa village. Ghunsa is inhabited by a large Bhotia ethnic tribe of people of Tibetan origin. They live in a community with stone houses. 

Start the morning with an uphill climb along the riverside, where there are several cascading waterfalls. Reach Yak herders’ shelters along the trail. These are used depending on the grazing season.

Our hike continues along the Ghunsa River through a rhododendron and pine forest.  We have a gentle climb to Rambuk Kharkas to cross a small glacier with landslide sections, with wonderful views of Khumbukarna Himal, Janu Himal, and other high snow-capped peaks. Leaving the tree lines behind, enter a barren terrain with few sparse vegetation of junipers and Burberry bushes.

The walk gently downhill to Kangbachen for overnight with superb views of Mt. Sharphu (7,070 m–23,196 ft), Mt. Janu North Face, and Wedge peak.

After a lovely time with awesome scenery, walk above the river for an hour heading toward the North East. The path leads down to the river. Climb over a boulder track to the terminal moraine of the Kanchenjunga glaciers.  Cross at the junction of the Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glacier to reach Lhonak.  

We start with gradual hiking through the rocky and moraine path to reach Pang Pema, which is near the North Base Camp. There are massive views of the Mt. Kanchenjunga range, Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, Taple Sikhar, and Givegela Chuli. There is also a possibility to see some wildlife, like a group of blue sheep, mountain antelopes, and the rare snow leopards, if lucky.

Climb up Pang Pema Peak for the best mountain vista.  The climb is a mixture of boulders, moraine and grassland. From the top have breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna, Makalu, Cholotse, Sharpu, Drohma, Nepal Peak, and a range of other adjoining peaks.

After a memorable and fantastic time at Pang Pema near the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, hike a long way downhill and with a few short climbs. Retrace the same route to Kambachen. 

From this remote and high small village walk downhill with few short climbs, retrace the journey back by the same route to Ghunsa. After crossing Ghunsa Khola, we have a pleasant walk back to wooded pine forest to Phale for overnight.

The return journey continues descending towards green vegetation and back into mix forest of bamboo and rhododendrons.

Before Gybala village, make a short, steep climb along the bank of the Ghunsa River. Climb. Descend for an hour with steep ups and downs for a few hours. Move through a forest and finally reach open grassland at Amjilassa, a small Sherpa village with overnight. 

Getting back to a warmer climate see more farm lands and villages. We have a gentle descent through open grassland to Ghaiya Bari and Sekathum villages. From Sekathum, cross the Ghunsa and Simbhu Rivers, follow the Tamur River to reach our overnight at Tapethok village of Limbu (Subba) Kirat people.

We continue on the bank of the Tamur River to Chiruwa village. Trek for an hour through farm villages, then uphill into a forest of rhododendrons, oaks, and pine trees to reach Phoram village.

We hike through many villages and through the enchanting, cool forest of the mid-hills.  The people here are of mixed race. The walk is a steep climb for a couple of hours, followed by a gradual and pleasant walk all the way to Taplejung village at Suketar. 

After a fascinating journey on the high hills and mountains, drive in a local jeep or similar to Fickal or beyond through Ilam town as time permits, ride through vast tea gardens and rolling hills till Fickle town is reached. Continue the drive towards the main highway to Bhirtamod or Bhardrapur town to catch a flight back to Kathmandu.

Transfer to the Bhadrapur airport in time for a scenic flight back to Kathmandu. Board the plane and take in spectacular views during the 45-minute flight.  Upon reaching Kathmandu, transfer back to the hotel. 

Free day for your own Activities and at night Farewell dinner.

We will transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for the flight from Nepal.