Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

You will have a free day in Kathmandu to prepare for the trek, or you can join our tour around Kathmandu, visiting places of interest such as the city and the valley, steeped in World Heritage Sites.

A 45-minute flight and a 3-hour drive.

Take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur in the low, warm areas of Nepal’s Far South East Terai belts. You will have a grand view of the Himalayan range, including Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga, during the 45-minute flight. Upon landing at Bhadrapur airport, we take an exciting drive past farm villages and towns to reach cooler, hilly Illam, a town with views of Kanchenjunga within its vast tea garden, for an overnight stop. The Ilam area is famous for tea production and its beautiful landscape, which faces a range of the eastern Himalayas, with pine tree lines and a sea of tea plantations in the background.

A 7-hour trek.

Today, take a long drive to Yamphudin, the trekking starting point. From Ilam to Ganesh Chowk, the road is good for about 3 hours; the rest is rough for another 6 hours to Yamphudin, a big village inhabited by Sherpas, Limbus, Gurungs, and Rais, with several basic Teahouse Lodge accommodations. Yamphudin will be the last permanent human settlement until our adventure reaches the other side at Gunsa.

A 4-hour trek.

The morning walk starts crossing the east side and begins with a steep climb through a ridge between Kabeli and Amji Khola. The trail passes cultivated corn, millet, and barley fields to Darachuk, with some houses, and continues uphill, passing meadows to Dhupi Danda at 2545 metres, within open grassland. We are reaching higher. From Dhupi Danda, descend through the deciduous forest to Amji Khola, where we stop for lunch and rest.

From Amji, the trail goes through yak pastureland and then steeply climbs for about 3 hours through magnolia, rhododendron, and bamboo forest to reach New Jarine, a newly opened trail after a big landslide swept away the old trail from Lamite (Ramite) Bhanjyang, 3,430m.

Continue into alpine woodland full of birds, past a small pond, and descend to an orchid-filled, damp forest. Cross the stream, open clearings, and follow upstream of Simbuwa Khola to cross to Torontan at 3010 metres, with several basic Lodges. Have a rest at this point, have tea/coffee and light food, and then the walk starts climbing through a rhododendron forest to Tsento Kang (Ando Phedi), herders’ camp at 3360 metres; if you travel here in the spring, you will see them in full bloom in brilliant colours. Rest and have a hearty lunch.

Then, continue through a beautiful forest with dripping moss and occasional mountain scenery through the woods to Watha, another herder’s camp at 3375 metres. Further, continue for an hour and reach a sacred site in the region with a cave (a big boulder shaped like a serpent), believed to be the home of the serpent deity. From here, in the upper valley, the killing of any animal is prohibited. Further continue through the forest area, leading to a riverbed, then uphill to Tseram, a place with roofless bivouac caves, with views of moraine fed by the Yalung glacier and beyond, including Kabru 7,353m and Talung peak 7,349m. Tseram is a meadow used for summer yak herding by the Sherpas of Yamphudin.

In the morning, a short trip following a stream, climbs to a moraine top marked with a Chorten adorned with prayer flags and a trident. This Chorten offers an indescribable view of Kanchenjunga’s south face. A short walk beyond the Chorten opens views of Mount Jannu. The remaining day is leisurely, but ask the guide and take one of the Sherpas assigned for you if you are willing to take a side hike.

A 4-hour trek.

Today, the trail leaves the tree line and reaches a Junction leading to Mirgin La. After that, the trail continues through an alpine meadow, sloping toward Rathong 6678 and Kabru Himal 6700m. Continuing alongside a moraine of the Yalung glacier, reach Yalung Bara at 4265 metres, a Yak pastureland, and continue to Ramche, in a broad valley with a lake, providing beautiful camping sites, dominated by Rathong, a spectacular Peak. Ramche has a basic teahouse that mainly serves porters with trekking and mountaineering groups. The mountaineering base camp to ascend Kanchenjunga is one more day from here.

A 4 hours excursion and 2 hours Trek

Cross the Yalung Ri Glacier and continue the trek to Oktang at 4700 metres, close to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, from where the first British expedition climbed the Kanchenjunga summit in 1955. Finally, enjoy views of the southern wall of Mount Kanchenjunga, including the about 15-kilometre-long cirque and the summits of Mount Kanchenjunga (8420m, 8586m, and 8474m), Talung Peak, Kabru, and the impressive Jannu and its glacier. In the afternoon, return to your camp for lunch. In the afternoon, retrace the trail back to Tseram, which is another 3-hour walk.

An 9-hour trek.

From Tseram, the trek gradually climbs through forest for an hour and the next 2 hours on barren hills, crossing two small ponds and walking another hour to reach Selele Pass at an altitude of 4800m, with super views of Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse, and Chamlang, and Terai belts in good weather. After crossing the Selele Pass, cross the Tamo La, Miring La, and the trail follows down and then up to the Selele La base camp at 4250m, with magnificent views of Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang, and then descend gently to the base of the pass for an overnight stop.

A 4-hour trek.

A scenic hill traverse includes four more passes and a lunch stop. After lunch, a steep downhill to Lumba Samba Kharka with a beautiful look at the south face of Jannu. Then, an easy trail through rhododendrons and pine forests to Ghunsa, a village populated by the Bhotia (Tibetans), with a police checkpoint requiring registration of your trekking permit, TIMS card, and national park receipt. Finally, after several days in the mountains and crossing Selele-La, the evening is ordinarily celebratory, with a beer or a typical local drink called Tongba, made from millet seed and drunk from a unique wooden/bamboo jar with a bamboo straw and hot water!

A recharging rest day is required, including for the porters. Ghunsa, or the winter settlement, is an attractive village with wood-and-stone buildings that remain occupied year-round. Ghunsa village has several lodges for trekkers, shops, and Bhattis that sell drinks such as Tongba and beer! The river is nearby, so one can make essential washings in the morning and enjoy the rest of the day leisurely.

A 6-hour trek.

The walk leads north with a gradual ascent through larch and Juniper forests along the river’s east bank. Continuing uphill, following the bank of the Ghunsa River into the rhododendron and pine forest, crosses the wooden bridge on the west side of the river, reaching Rambuk Kharka. After Rombuk Kharka, we leave the tree lines behind, walk through a few short bushes, scrub juniper with a climb, and then downhill to Khambachen after crossing a landslide section for an overnight at Khambachen. The skyline is rimmed with excellent views of Khumbukarna, Jannu, and other high snow-capped peaks. The valley is dominated by the peaks of Sharphu (7070m), with the north face of Mt. Jannu and Wedge Peak.

A 6-hour trek.

From Khambachen, the trail stays above the river for an hour, then continues east, descending to a dry riverbed at Ramthang Kharka (4355m). Then, the trail runs along the rocks and boulder section within a terminal moraine of the Kanchenjunga glacier. The trail joins the Kanchenjunga glacier, then crosses a wooden bridge at Lhonak and the Kanchenjunga glacier junction, offering grand views of Mera Peak (6344) and Wedge Peak.

A 5-hour work for a leisurely round trip.

Today, we reach the endpoint of the Kanchenjunga north base camp at Pang Pema, the strategic site from which Kanchenjunga is climbed from the north side. The trail ascends gradually across the plain, following the moraine with grand views of Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, Taple Sikhar Peak, Gimmigela Chuli, or the Twins Peak. Finally, walk towards a glacier path to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, surrounded by a great mass of mountains with three summits higher than 8000 metres! You can also see the herds of blue ships grazing. Enjoy every moment of your being here; reach the lodge for lunch!

A 6-hour trek.

Wake up early to enjoy the superb scenery of the Kanchenjunga massif from its vantage point, a 300-metre climb above the camp. The views are indescribable from our base at Pang Pema, but climbing this vantage point is different to capture the panorama of Kanchenjunga, Taple Shikhara 6510m, Ghimigela Chuli, or the twin Peak of 7350m, just in front. The views of Pyramid Peak (Pathibhara Khas, 7168m), Tent Peak (Kirat Chuli, 7365m) to the east, and the Chang Himal towering above the Kanchenjunga glacier to the west are superb. With a feeling of grand accomplishment, return to your lodge for a hot cup of drinks and a hearty breakfast, and start the return journey! Going down is easier; therefore, we go all the way to Khambachen with a 1000-metre descent. The scenery while going down is different, simply alluring.

A 4-hour trek.

Walk back on the same trail from Ghunsa to Khambachen, but the surrounding scenery is different as you descend. Enjoy the walk down toward the low-warm areas and into the vegetation!

A 7-hour trek.

From Ghunsa, the trail dips down to the riverbed and crosses the larch forest and fields to Phole 3210m, with several Lodges and a small monastery. From Phole, cross potato fields and several cattle herders’ camps, walk past beautiful rhododendrons and fir forest along the riverbank with an easy level trail reaching a ravine. Finally, cross a bridge over Chhundatangka Khola and a steep climb to the Sherpa village of Gyabla. Gyabla village has a good campsite and three teahouses, with rooms for trekkers. The valley’s far side is densely forested, but woodcutters have denuded the slopes around Gyabla.

A 7-hour trek.

The last day of the adventure! The day involves walking through bamboo, rhododendron, pine, and brown oak forests, with pasturelands and waterfalls descending along the Ghunsa Valley. The walking starts with a steep descent to a large cascade at Ghunsa Valley, crosses a bridge over Sumbung Khola, and arrives at Amjilosa at 2490m, a village of Tibetan people with several scattered houses. Then, climb through a precarious trail through grassy slopes, see a beautiful waterfall, and descend to Ghaiyabari at 2150 metres, a small farm village. Leaving the Ghaiyabari, we reach a waterfall high above the river. Then, with a few ups and downs along a narrow trail, reach Sekathum, a village of Tibetan people with a teahouse and Bhattis serving basic drinks, including Tongba and beer. Weather permitting, you have a view of Jannu 7710m, still following us! Last day of the trek/walking and celebrating eve.

A 7-hour drive.

After breakfast, you will drive by Jeep for about 5 hours to Taplejung. You will rest, have lunch, visit the market, and drive another 2 hours to Phidim Bazaar. Phidim is the headquarters of Panchthar District. Check into a guest house and visit the Bazaar.

A 3-hour drive.

From Phidim, transfer to Bhadrapur Airport, check in, and fly to Kathmandu. A short scenic flight takes you to Kathmandu. Upon landing, a representative from Happy Feet Nepal will welcome you back and transfer you to your hotel. Get distributed to the rooms, and the rest of the day is free.

A reserve day to make sure of a trouble-free itinerary. If all goes well, use the extra day to visit some of the medieval towns of Kathmandu, such as Bhaktapur, Patan, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambunath Stupa, some of not to miss sites in the Kathmandu valley when you are already here.

Breakfast and the rest of the day are leisure on your own. The Representative of Happy Feet Nepal will arrive at your hotel with transport three hours before your departure flight time. Get escorted from the hotel to the International Departure Terminal, see off formalities, and go through the immigration and departure.