Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Key Infomation

  • Duration:23 Days
  • Region/DestinationNepal
  • ActivityTrekking & Hiking
  • Arrival CityKathmandu

About Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek takes you to explore the world third tallest mountain, which is Mount Kanchenjunga. The trek up to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is considered as one of the remote trekking trail of Nepal with less crowded path. The trail is perfect for those who wish to travel in peace and pristine environment. The tourist mobility is comparably low then the other trekking trails. However it is one of the finest and excellent trekking trails in Nepal. The trek to Kanchenjunga means to rewards with a unique insight into the rural Nepalese Himalayan lifestyle and culture.

The name Kanchenjunga means “Five Treasures of the Great Snow”, because there are five summit points in Mount Kanchenjunga. The mountain is quite popular for high altitude expedition. There are many hundreds of climber have been successfully attempted to conquer this mountain. Obviously, the trekking up to Kanchenjunga base camp is also the best package to explore high mountain experiences. The trek begins with a short fly to Suketar from Kathmandu. After that the average everyday walking is normally 5/6 hr., but some times it could be 6/7 hr. The route is all managed by the co-ordination of local community and government. The teahouses are perfect for accommodation and logistics. Each and every 1/2 hr. to 2/3 hr., you can find teahouses for short rest and snack.

Most of the part of the trail is lies in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, declared in 1987. The green forest of the region is rich in flora and fauna. It is home of some of the endangered and rare animals, including Red Panda, Asian Black Beer and Snow Leopard and bird species includes the Golden-Breasted Fulvetta, Snow Cock, Blood Pheasant, and Red-Billed Chough etc.

Same like other trekking trail, the spring and autumn are best time to trek this region. However other seasons are also suitable to go. We as an experienced trekking operator here in Nepal, suggest making sure you have a professional trekking guide during your journey.

In addition, do not forget to bring an umbrella or waterproofs jacket and hat; some time the rain falls may be the main obstacles on yourjourney. So try to manage these items while going in Kanchenjunga.

Itinerary

  • Day 01: Welcome at Airport & transfer to Hotel
  • Day 02: Trekking Preparation day
  • Day 03: Fly to Biratnagar and drive to Taplejung Bazar
  • Day 04: Drive from Taplejung Bazaar to Sekathum by jeep
  • Day 05: Trek from Sekathum to Amjilasha
  • Day 06: Trek from Amjilasha to Gyabla(3415m)
  • Day 07: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa
  • Day 08: Trek from Gunsha to Khambachen
  • Day 09: Trek from Khambachen to Lhonak (4790m) 5-6 hrs
  • Day 10: Trek to Kanchenjung North BC & Back to Lhonak
  • Day 11: Descend back from Lhonak to Ghunsa 7-8hrs
  • Day 12: Rest day in Ghunsa
  • Day 13: Trek from Ghunsha to Sele La camp (4355m) 5-6 hrs
  • Day 14: Trek from Sele La Camp to Cheram 3870m (7-8hrs)
  • Day 15: Trek from Cheram to Ramche(4610m) 3-4hrs
  • Day 16: Trek to Oktang Base Camp(4730m) & descend to Torangden (2025m) 7-8hrs
  • Day 17: Trek from Torangden to Ranipul(1430m) 8-9 hrs
  • Day 18: Drive from Ranipul to Taplejung Bazaar
  • Day 19: Drive from Taplejung Bazaar to Illam
  • Day 20: Drive from Illam to Bhadrapur and fly to Kathmandu
  • Day 21: Sightseeing and Farewell dinner
  • Day 22: Final Departure

Welcome to the Himalayan country, Nepal. Upon your arrival, our Southcol Adventures' representatives will greet and drive you to your respective hotel. You may rest and discover the city of Thamel the remaining time of the day.

    Our trekking leaders will meet you in the hotel and check your trekking and climbing equipment and their conditions and suggest you buy or rent the necessary kits from the trekking shops in Thamel. As the Manaslu region and Tsum valley are restricted areas, we require Restricted Area Permit to be allowed entering in these regions. After taking Permit, you can spend your time visiting various heritage sites including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bouddhanath. The rest of the day is free to explore Kathmandu City.

      We take early morning scenic flight to Biratnagar which takes about 40 minutes. After collecting our belongings, we start to drive towards Taplejung via Jeep. As the journey progress, the trail passes through zig-zac roads with beautiful hills and most importantly, the Illam, where we stop  to stroll around in the attractive tea garden and take some snapshots with the beauty of nature this garden carries. After a short refreshent break, we continue to drive and about 8 hours of long drive take you to the Taplejung Bazaar where we stay overnight.

        After taking the delicious breakfast, we sart to drive towards Sekathum. As the journey progress we pass through traditional villages, terraced fields, green hill, accompanied by many suspension bridges. After reaching the Tamor River, we drive through the narrow road and passes the cultivated lands and small villages to get to Sekathum taking about 5 hours. As the real trekking kicks off next day, we take sufficient rest in the well facilitated guesthouse in Sekathum where we spent the night today.

          From today the real trekking kicks off from this point. After taking breakfast, we start our trek towards Amjilosha. The trail progresses following the Mossy route and passes through wonderful waterfalls and suspension bridges. During the trek, we can see yaks, goats and sheeps tied up in houses or grazing in meadow grassland, which are being raised up by the locals for commercial purposes. After reaching Jaubari, we walk steeply on the narrow trail in the dense bamboo forest to reach Amjilosha where we stay overnight. 

            The trail continuous passing through dense rhododendron, oak and bamboo forest accompanied by  numerous waterfalls, streams, suspension bridges  adorned with colorful flags and  along with the river flowing just side by you the entire journey. If we are lucky enough, we may have a change to spot red panda. About 5 hours of moderate walk get to Gyabla where we spend the night today

              Our destination is to reach Ghunsa Today. After breakfast, The trail moves through oak, rhododendron and bamboo forests with frequent ascends and descents accompanied by multiple streams with classical wooden bridges. During the journey you may have chance to witness various wildlife animals like Himalayan black bears, red panda. Upon reaching Phale, we take short break for lunch. As we resume our journey we traverse through pasture lands, dense forests and then descend to the bank of Ghunsa Khola. Crossing the river through the suspension bridge to get to the Ghunsa village where we stay overnight. 

                After warm delicious breakfast, the trip resumes taking north, moving through the river bank of Ghunsa Khola. As the journey advances passing through forested route, we may have the opportunity to spot snow Leopards, musk deer, and blue sheep. We reach Chhermalung in 1.5 hours after passing several bridges and streams accompanied by maniwalls and chortens. After traversing across the wooden bridge we arrive at Rampuk Kharka, move past a waterfall and reach the landslide-prone area. Being cautious of rock falling, we trek maintaining the steady stride. Trekking further on rocky mountain, we arrive at Kambachen for the overnight stay.

                Today's trip, along with tricky paths, offers the outstanding views of Mount Jannu (7710m), Sobithongie (6670m), Phole Peak (6645m), Khabur (6332m), Temachungi(6305m) and many others. 

                  The trip of today brings challenging sections with frequent tricky paths. The trail climb uphill to Lumuchhemu village and reach the section vulnerable to landslide. Be watchful to rock falling andwalk carefully on rocky slope maintaining the steady pace to avoid the landslides. We continue to ascend towards Khando Waterfall and thereafter, climb steeply on the ridge and trek few more to get to Ramdang where we take a break for lunch. After the relaxing break, the trek resumes, vist past Ramtang monastery and ascend to Lhonak village, enjoying the spectacular view of Kanchenjunga ranges, Mera Peak, Nepal Peak and other snow-capped mountains. Stay overnight in Lhonak.

                    Today's trail delivers you a most awaited destination, the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, also known as Pangpema. To catch the sunrise view from the top of base camp, we leave Lhonak early morning taking headlamp and packed lunch. After a short uphill climb we reach Syamjo(4851m), known for Blue sheep habitat region. The trail advances passing through rugged rocky route, occasionally icy and snowy, to get to Thanakpu. Be cautious while moving ahead as we have to move across landslide section with narrow route. Thereafter, the trail makes steeply ascent to reach Jorkyu. Passing across the final landslide area, we arrive at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Behold the magnificent view of world's third highest peak, Mount Kanchenjunga. Capture your glorous moment for the memory of lifetime. After spending joyful time on top of basecamp, we descend back to Lhonak for the overnight stay.

                      We will be trekking the longest distance of this trail today. Retracing the same rugged path we descend towards Kambachen village. Upon arriving Kambachen, we take short break to refuel and descend following the same route back to Ghunsa where we spend the night.

                        This day is allocated for acclimatization inorder to recover from our worn out feet after the long continuous tiring journey. Take sufficient rest today. Explore the nearby areas of Gunsa, witness the Tibetan Buddhism culture and traditions, taste the authentic local cusine.

                        If you are good with your feet, you opt to hike to the viewpoint from which you can observe the astonishing views of Kumbhakarna Peak(7711m). Overnight stay in Gunsa.

                          After taking hot pleasant breakfast, the trail embarks to trek smoothly and immediately climb steeply on the rocky path. Passing through frequent ascents and descents along with varying in vegitations from dense forests to green pastures. We the final ascents we reach Sele La Camp where we set the camp and stay overnight. 

                            We begin our trek early to reach to the highest altitude inorder to catch the broad sunrise view on top of the Mt. Kanchengunja. The trail climb towards the ridge witnessing the magnificent view of Mt. Makalu himal and Mt. Kumbhakarna.  The difficulty level keeps rising as we hike across three high altitude passes; Sinion La Pass(4450m), Mirgin La Pass(4645m) and Sinelapche La Pass(4830m). Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Kumbhakarna, Chamlang and many other during ascending. After reaching Sinelapche Bhanjyang, the trail descends to Cheram for the overnight stay.

                              The trek for today is relatively shorter. After a pleasant breakfast, the trail hikes for a while and reach to the base of Yalung Glacier. Following the route alongside the Simbuwa Khola and moving ahead, we ascend through the gravelled route, which is the landslide prone section, and finally cross the Napsangla Pass leading the path to Ramche. If you are lucky, you may spot blue sheep during the ascents. From Ramche, explore the amazing view of Yalun,Kabru, Rathong and sikkim peak. Overnight stay in Ramche.

                                We start our trek early morning on the lateral morains of the Yalung Glacier and reach Oktang Base Camp within an hour. After exploring the incredible scenery surrounded by snow capped pic and taking photo for the memonry, we descend towards Ramche, take lunch upon reaching Ramche and proceed our same route back until Cheram and walk for about 3 hours navigating our route towards Torangden.

                                  Its a long trekking as well as tricky trail today to cover. After a warm delicious breakfast, our trail continues passing through rugged route with rock falling areas. So that, walk carefully while descending throughout this section. As we walk through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, explore the diverse flora and fauna. Traversing through the dense forest for the rest of the trail to get to Ranipul where we stay overnight.

                                    Our trekking trial ended up in Ranipul. After enjoying the pleasant breakfast in the morning, we pack our belongings and get ready for the long drive. Taking jeep, we drive passing through zigzac roads with amazing landscapes. About 7-8 hours of driving take you to Taplejung Bazaar where we stay overnight.

                                      We will have another scenic drive to Illam today. After breakfast, we drive through beautiful green hills, paddy fields, cardamom garden to reach Illam. It is famous for tea farming where the many hills are fully covered with tea bushes. Reaching Illam we go for sightseeing in Illam Bazaar which is the business hub of local products including tea, cardamom, akbare chillies, ginger, tiger grass and many other spices. Overnight stay in Illam.

                                        After warm delicious breakfast, we start our journey via jeep. Beholding the beauty of tea garden of Illam, we race descending gradually towards Bhadrapur passing through green hills, several villages, and terraced fields. We then, have a 35 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu. Stay overnight in hotel at Kathmandu.

                                          Spend your day visiting various heritage sites including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bouddhanath. You may go for last minute shopping to take some souvenirs for your near and dear ones. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese Restaurant with cultural show. You may also wander around in the streets of Thamel. Pack your bags for your return flight to the onward destination. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

                                            The adventurous, exciting, and entertaining Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek comes to an end today. Extend your stay and enjoy other packages if you have enough time for staying in Nepal. You shall be transferred to the airport for your flight to your onward destination by a representative of Southcol Adventures. We thank you for being a part of our team and we hope that you have created some of the best memories of your life during this trek. Have a safe and happy journey ahead!

                                              Cost Details

                                              Included

                                              • All necessaries ground transportation including Airport to Hotel and Kathmandu Sightseeing
                                              • Government Trekking Permit including National Park Entry Permit, TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System) and Local Permit
                                              • 3 night Kathmandu Hotel Accommodation at 3 Star hotel with BB Service
                                              • Government license holder trekking guide, having 5-7 years experiences in Trekking sector of Nepal and well speaking skill in English
                                              • trekking porter, Max 20 kg
                                              • Accommodation at Tea House and Local lodge during trekking period.
                                              • Three time meals a day during trekking period including breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea,coffee.
                                              • Medical Kit: Trekking medical kit and tools

                                              Excluded

                                              • International flight
                                              • Nepal Visa and cargo clearance
                                              • your personal warm chothes for trekking
                                              • your personal medical/rescue insurance
                                              • helicopter evacuation if any emergency case
                                              • Extra porter if needs
                                              • beverage; Cola, Beer, Mineral water, Bar bill
                                              • Tips for your trekking staff