Kanchenjunga Trek is a largely unexplored trek in the eastern part of the Himalayan Nepal where will have an opportunity to see the world’s third highest mountain, Mount Kanchenjunga. You can experience remote Nepali cultures, foods, and the lifestyle of this wonderful land. Throughout the entire journey, camping makes your expedition even more amazing and satisfying. The trail crosses three relatively high passes; good paths are followed throughout with no trekking on the glaciers. The remote and rugged protected areas are both scenically and culturally attractive. The scenery is simply breathtaking with the paradise of glistening peaks, stunning glaciers around, and ancient, ornate monasteries which will give you the thrills and memories of a lifetime. This region is the most renowned of all the trekking routes around the globe. Trekking in this region is one of the most revered and adventurous activity to do and one of the greatest opportunities to truly experience the country’s many attributes in their finest form. At the time of trekking in this route, we will be warmly welcomed by the Sherpa people who are the local people on this route.
Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the restricted trekking destinations in the Himalayan part of Nepal which begins from Bhadrapur after a 45-minute flight from the Kathmandu Valley. This is considered a total wilderness adventure tour covering scenic landscapes, impressive hilly terrains, lush green forests, and the flora and fauna of this wonderful land. Trekkers need to obtain a special trekking permit in order to enter this area. With the variations in their rituals and traditions, the people of this region are both interesting and friendly. At the time of trekking, we will have an opportunity to see wonderful views of the mountains which include Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu, Mt Kanchenjunga, along with many other mountains of this route. We will enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area which is also known to be the home of many rare birds and other animals. This destination is rarely visited because the trail lies in the high passesl. The best time for trekking is from February to April and from September to November.
Outline itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur (2,420m) Drive to Taplejung 9 hours
Day 03: Trek to Lalikharka (2265m) 4 – 5 hours
Day 04: Trek to Khesewa (2120m) 5 – 6 hours
Day 05: Trek to Mamankhe (1785m) 5 – 6 hours
Day 06: Trek to Yamphudin (2080m) 4 -5 hours
Day 07: Trek to Tortong (2,995m) 7 -8 hours
Day 08: Trek to Cheram (3,870m) 2 -3 hours
Day 09: Rest day in Cheram
Day 10: Trek to Ramchaur (4,580m) 3 – 4 hours
Day 11: Trek to Yalung Base Camp (4500m), back to Cheram 3 – 4 hours
Day 12: Trek to Sele La (4290m) 6 -7 hours
Day 13: Trek to Ghunsa (3,595) 2 -3 hours
Day 14: Trek to Kambachen (4,050m) 5 -6 hours
Day 15: Trek to Lhonak (4,780m) 5 -6 hours
Day 16: Overnight at Pangpema (5,143m) 6 -7 hours
Day 17: Trek to Lhonak 3 – 4 hours
Day 18: Trek to Ghunsa (3475m) 6 -7 hours
Day 19: Trek to Amjilosa (2,308m) 5 -6 hours
Day 20: Trek to Chirwa (1,270m) 6 -7 hours
Day 21: Trek to Taplejung (921m) 7 -8 hours
Day 22: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 23: Final departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu there will be a representative from our company to meet you. You will directly drive to the hotel to check in. At night you will meet your guide, hear additional information about the trip, and have dinner.
Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur (2,420m) Drive to Taplejung 9 hours
We will start our journey heading toward the local airport of Kathmandu Valley to fly towards Bhadrapur. After the 1-hour flight from Kathmandu, we will drive towards Taplejung. We will have our lunch on the way and then continue to Taplejung where we will spend one night.
Day 03: Trek to Lalikharka (2265m) 4 – 5 hours
There is a lot of meandering on rough terrains and this is the last settlement along the route. We can enjoy the wonderful views of the mountain and beautiful landscapes. We will cross many suspension bridges before reaching Lalikharka where we will spend one night.
Day 04: Trek to Khesewa (2120m) 5 – 6 hours
The vegetation is sparser, allowing magical views of the mountains and beautiful landscapes. We will have our lunch on the way, and then after taking some rest, move towards Khesewa where we will spend one night.
Day 05: Trek to Mamankhe (1785m) 5 – 6 hours
While doing this day trek, we will have an opportunity to see more wonderful views of the mountain and beautiful villages. We will cross many suspension bridges before reaching Mamankhe where we will spend one night.
Day 06: Trek to Yamphudin (2080m) 4 – 5 hours
This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. The ascent is demanding, but the climber enjoys magnificent mountain views. We will walk on a fairly steep trail at a comfortable pace. We will have our lunch on the way and then move towards Yamphudin where we will spend one night.
Day 07: Trek to Tortong (2,995m) 7 – 8 hours
This day’s trekking trail goes slightly uphill to Tortong. We will have an opportunity to explore the beautiful valley of the route,l passing through the lush forest and beautiful valley, and get an opportunity to see wonderful views of the mountains.
Day 08: Trek to Cheram (3,870m) 2 – 3 hours
The trail ascends through Himalayan pine and cedar forests. We will have an opportunity to see wonderful views of Mt Kanchenjunga which is the third highest mountains in the world. We will have our lunch and then move towards Cheram where we will spend one night.
Day 09: Rest day in Cheram
This day is for the rest. Early in the morning after wake up, we will have our breakfast and then explore all around Cheram. On this day, we will explore villages and have an opportunity to spend some time in a monastery to help prepare for further trekking.
Day 10: Trek to Ramchaur (4,580m) 3 – 4 hours
The main attraction of this village is the lifestyle, culture, traditions, rituals, and hospitality of the local people. We will pass through rice fields, many banana trees, and several small villages to reach Ramchaur. We can observe the beautiful landscapes and streams, while following the river edge.
Day 11: Trek to Yalung Base Camp (4500m), back to Cheram 3 – 4 hours
In the early morning, we will start our trekking towards Yalung Base Camp. We begin crossing the Yalung Base Camp on a steep trail all the way up the ridges of the passes. After crossing Yalung Base Camp, we will have our lunch then move back towards Cheram where we will spend one night.
Day 12: Trek to Sele La (4290m) 6 – 7 hours
We will have an opportunity to see the majestic views of the eye-catching snow-capped peak range. We will have our lunch on the way and then after taking some rest, move towards Sele La where we will spend one night.
Day 13: Trek to Ghunsa (3,595) 2 -3 hours
We will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain and beautiful landscapes. We will have our lunch on the way then move towards Ghunsa where we will spend one night.
Day 14: Trek to Kambachen (4,050m) 5 – 6 hours
The trek will descend down to the river, cross it, and then move towards Kambachen. The trails play hide and seek in the dense forest area which is also a zigzag. The trekking route becomes all the more interesting as we get closer to our destination.
Day 15: Trek to Lhonak (4,780m) 5 – 6 hours
We will leave behind the terrace of the village, forest, ferns and woodland. We will also pass through several small villages and a few temples on the way before reaching Lhonak where we will spend one night.
Day 16: Trek at Pangpema (5,143m) 6 – 7 hours
The trail climbs through a fir forest and then follows the river among the higher oak and maple trees. On the way, we have an opportunity to explore amonastery and have some lunch and move towards Pangpema, where we will spend one night.
Day 17: Trek to Lhonak 3 – 4 hours
The trail will be tiring as it goes follows a stone and dirt path and takes you down to the mountainsides. On the route, we will have wonderful views of the mountains and beautiful landscapes. We will have our lunch on the way, then move towards Lhonak and spend one night.
Day 18: Trek to Ghunsa (3475m) 6 -7 hours
The morning walk leads to a gradual winding trail through forest and farmlands. We will wake up early in the morning and trek along the west bank of the river and then ascend to the beautiful views of Chorten and Tibetan mountains and spend one night.
Day 19: Trek to Amjilosa (2,308m) 5 – 6 hours
The most adventurous and exciting trek awaits today. You will reach some stone steps that scramble high above the rivers to a waterfall and the tiny hamlet of Ghaiyabari. The trail not only features monasteries, but also juniper forests until we reach Phale where we will have our lunch. We will then move towards Amjilosa and spend one night.
Day 20: Trek to Chirwa (1,270m) 6 – 7 hours
We will be on a short and pleasant walk on a flat ridge and then meander through the bamboo, birch, brown oak, and rhododendron. The trail begins grinding to the Sherpa village of Chirwa where we will spend one night.
Day 21: Trek to Taplejung (921m) 7 – 8 hours
We descend from Chirwa to Taplejung and you can enjoy some greenery as the trail goes alongside some vegetation. Today’s trekking leaves the river and follows a trail which climbs above the east bank of the Tamor Khola to the Hamlet at Thiwa. We will have our lunch there and then move towards Taplejung where we will spend one night.
Day 22: Fly to Kathmandu
In the morning, if the hotel is able to make breakfast then we will have our breakfast and thenmove towards the local airport of Taplejung to fly towards the Kathmandu Valley. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will check into the hotel, spend some time around the Thamel Bazaar, and spend one night in this wonderful valley.
Day 23: Final Departure
We will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport with the hope that you have had a wonderful time in our small country. We will also be hoping that this will not the last chance to serve you.