Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a 20-day exciting mountain trip in the North-Eastern Himalayan Region in Taplejung district, bordered by Sankhusabha district (west), Sikkim India (east), and Tibet China (north) Border. This trip is known as Kanchenjunga South Base Camp hiking. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (2035 sq km) journey with alpine grasslands, river valleys, temperate and sub-tropical forests topography ranges Thiwa Khola (1200 m) traverse to the third world's highest mountain Kanchenjunga (8586 m) base. The journey commences after the Kathmandu-Bhadrapur flight.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in the non-touristic, untouched, isolated area of Nepal with a strenuous trip to explore natural beauties, 27 community forests, 800 species of flowering plants, 1257 households (6500 people), 30 types of rhododendrons, 48 varieties of orchids, ten species of reptiles, 30 species of mammals including endangered wildlife, red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, Yello-throated marten, rhesus monkey, Himalayan black bear, medicinal plants, ethnic groups of Nepal within the dream Himalaya valley. About 252 different types of birds, including Impheyan pheasant, shy drongo, snow cock, and red-billed blue magpie found in the area. The mountain people, their culture, tradition, and practices of Tibetan Buddhism are impressive to a trekker. The dramatic landscapes of the earth, snow-capped mountains, viewpoints, forests, glaciers, wildlife, medicinal plants, and wildflowers are observable in the trekking trip.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is exciting to interact with friendly Rai, Limbu, Bhotia, and castes communities in the lower part of the trekking. The different flora and fauna are in the region. The trekkers collect photographs of the snow-capped mountains, river valleys, and landscapes. Local people knit baskets and tumplines from bamboo for locals. Read the day-to-day itinerary below.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport
Day 02: Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu - 6 hours
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (93.87 meters) - 45 minutes and drive to Mitlung - 7-8 hours
Day 04: Drive from Mitlung to Sakathum and trek to Amjilassa (2490 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 05: Amjilassa to Gyabla (Kyapra) (2730 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 06: Gyabla to Ghunsa (3430 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 07: Ghunsa to Kambachen (4040 m) - 6/7 hours
Day 08: Kambachen to Lhonak (4785 m) - 6/7 hours
Day 09: Lhonak to Pang Pema (5140 m) - 4/5 hours
Day 10: Pang Pema to Kanchenjunga north base camp (5280 m) & Lhonak - 5/6 hours
Day 11: Lhonak to Ghunsa (3430 m) - 6/7 hours
Day 12: Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2490 m) - 7/8 hours
Day 13: Amjilosa to Sakathum (1640 m) - 4/5 hours, drive to Taplejung - 4/5 hours
Day 14: Drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur (93.87 m) - 5/6 hours and fly back to Kathmandu - 45 minutes
Day 15: Departure to Tribhuvan International Airport
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport
When the flight arrives at Tribhuvan International Airport, take a 6 km drive with our guide for 25 minutes to the hotel. Check-in hotel and guide will brief the programs. Stay overnight at the hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu - 6 hours
A professional Tour Guide with a car arrive at the hotel at 9 AM. The guide explains about Nepal while driving to the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Swayambhunath (5th century) is a Buddhist Stupa with 365 staircases, the activity of pilgrims, Assamese monkeys and a great view of Kathmandu Valley with the Himalayas. Kathmandu Durbar Square (12th to 18th century) is a former Royal Palace Squares, sacred temples, museums, Kasthamandap, the Living Goddess Kumari, Freak Street, wood carvings and temple architecture. Pashupatinath (5th century) is a famous Shiva temple with a Bagmati Riverbank cremation Ghat. Pashupatinath Temple has the four faces Shiva Lingam and Yoni, the Hindu holy men (Sadhus) and an activity of the Assamese monkey and deer in the sub-tropical Sleshmantak forest. Boudhanath (5th century) is the largest Stupa in Nepal, with numerous monasteries, terrace-view restaurants, souvenir shops, and a Tibetan refugee settlement with the monk and lama.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (93.87 meters) - 45 minutes and drive to Mitlung - 7-8 hours
Fly Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (93.87 m) in 45 minutes with views of the city, village, jungle, river valleys and terraced fields. Afterwards, drive to Mitlung 920 meters, which takes 7-8 hours. Overnight stay in Mitlung.
Day 04: Drive from Mitlung to Sakathum and trek to Amjilassa (2490 m) - 5/6 hours
After a hot breakfast, drive from Mitlung to the tibetan village of Sukethum in 3-4 hours. The drive gets villages Sinwa, Tawa, Thiwa, Chiruwa, Taplethok, Temewa, Hellok and Sukethum.
The trek will be 5-6 hours. Walk through a narrow trail on the north bank of Ghunsa Khola. Climb uphill and descend to the river bank. Climb uphill through the stone steps with a waterfall to Ghaiyabari with few houses. Climb through a forest valley with monkeys to reach a crest. Descend Amjilassa with a settlement of Bhotiya people with a shop. Stay, overnight in Amjilassa.
Day 05: Amjilassa to Gyabla (Kyapra) (2730 m) - 5/6 hours
The walk continues uphill through a lush forest of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron. Enjoy the southwest part of Kanchenjunga and the waterfall while hiking. There are many uphill and downhill with pasture. Pass a waterfall and walk uphill to reach Gyabla, a Bhotiya settlement with few shops and houses. Stay overnight at a camp in Amjilassa.
Day 06: Gyabla to Ghunsa (3430 m) - 5/6 hours
Walk downhill to the narrow river bottom through a forest of fir and rhododendron to Phole with potato field and yak pasture. It is a Tibetan refugee settlement with Gompa and monks. Descend to Yangma Khola, cross it and climb to Ghunsa village with the Bhotiya people, police check post and tea shop. A trail is here for the Lapsang La and South Kanchenjunga base camp.
Day 07: Ghunsa to Kambachen (4040 m) - 6/7 hours
Climb gradually to the south bank of Ghunsa Khola and cross a tributary. Walk passing a waterfall and 250 meters slippery trail, descend to a hut. The blue sheep live here. The view of Jannu (7710 m) is nice. Walk 20 minutes to reach Kambachen, a summer settlement of Bhotiya people with several houses are here. Stay overnight at a camp in Kambachen.
Day 08: Kambachen to Lhonak (4785 m) - 6/7 hours
Climb gradually uphill through rocky fields of the Ramdang Kharka (4500 m). Cross moraine the northwest of Kanchenjunga Glacier. Descend to Lhonak, a yak-herding area with the tent. It is a sandy valley with a panorama of snow-capped mountains. Stay overnight at a camp in Lhonak.
Day 09: Lhonak to Pang Pema (5140 m) - 4/5 hours
Climb gradually with a meadow at first, then, the trail goes to the steeper moraine. Walk to the valley bottom to reach Pang Pema valley with views of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m) and sister peak. Stay overnight at a camp in Pang Pema.
Day 10: Pang Pema to Kanchenjunga north base camp (5280 m) & Lhonak - 5/6 hours
Climb gradually to the Kanchenjunga north base camp. Enjoy the gorgeous views of Kanchenjunga, its glacier and Jannu here. When the sunrise here. Climb downhill to Lhonak. Stay overnight at a camp in Lhonak.
Day 11: Lhonak to Ghunsa (3430 m) - 6/7 hours
Walk same way back. Descend through the forest, Ghunsa Khola Valley, Buddhist shrine and Mani walls and prayer flag. Pass through the Tibetan settlement at Kambachen, waterfall, and cross the wooden bridge to reach Ghunsa. Stay overnight at a camp in Ghunsa.
Day 12: Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2490 m) - 7/8 hours
After a hot breakfast, the trek starts from Ghunsa village to Gyabla village. You will meet hillsides, pastures, streams and forest areas. Stay overnight in Amjilosa.
Day 13: Amjilosa to Sakathum (1640 m) - 4/5 hours, drive to Taplejung - 4/5 hours
After a hot breakfast, walk to Sukethum, which traverses bridges and settlements with mountain views. Drive to Taplejung. Stay overnight in Taplejung.
Day 14: Drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur (93.87 m) - 5/6 hours and fly back to Kathmandu - 45 minutes
After a hot breakfast drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur. Fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Departure to Tribhuvan International Airport
The airport is 6 km far, which takes 25 minutes drive. Get to the airport 3 hours before your flight. We wish you a safe and happy flight.