Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the longest and adventurous treks in the eastern most part of Nepal. The trek reaches all the way to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m), which is the third highest mountain in the world.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is an off-the-beaten trail that passes through some of the most wild and pristine corners of the Himalaya. You will get to enjoy stunning views of Kanchenjugan, Makalu, Kumbakarna, Pemthangtse, Lapsang and cross some of the highest passes including Nango Laptse Pass at 4750m. Trekkers will experience three different geographical zones, from temperate to sub-tropical to alpine grasslands. The upper section of the trek mostly includes Kanchenjunga Conservation area which is regarded as home to many rare animals such as Blue Sheep, Red Panda, Asian black bear, musk deer etc.
Kanchenjunga Trek is the adventurous trek that lies in the eastern part of Nepal. Route starting from Bhadrapur to Illam and then trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp and back to Kathmandu is probably the best one.
Trekking to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga- world’s third highest peak – is a lifetime experience for many. Here are some important highlights of this trek:
Trekking package includes all required services, such as domestic flight, ground transportation, permit(Restricted Area permit and Kanchejunga Conservation area permit), accommodation, food, guide and porter, all documentation, staff insurance etc. There is simply no hidden cost. The cost per person decreases with the increase in group sizes.
Please find the most scenic route map below.
24 days Kanchenjunga trek itinerary is one of the longest and most adventurous treks in Nepal. Day to day details itinerary includes visit to Kanchejung Base Camp at the height of 5160m which affords spectacular view of Kanchejunga, world’s third highest mountain.
Kanchenjunga base camp trek is one of the best untouched destination that lies in the Kanchenjunga conservation area. We always suggest our guest to know some must know things about this trip. Here are some important information about this trip.
There are basically two principal routes you can follow for Kanchejunga Base Camp trek. The first and more popular itinerary is to go from north base camp to South base camp. This clockwise route offers adequate acclimatization and makes for gradual climb.
Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, on the other hand, first reaches South base camp and then North base camp. This route is relatively difficult even for experienced trekkers as it involves quick altitude gain.
There are basically two
Please note that you can’t do Kanchejunga Base Camp trek solo or on individual basis. Since most parts of Kanchejunga fall within restricted area, trekkers must travel in group and obtain special trekking permits. Group permit is issued by the Department of Tourism which has to be applied through licensed trekking agency.
Only group trekkers are offered permits to do Kachenjunga Base Camp trek. The minimum group size should be two trekkers.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is graded moderate to challenging on difficulty scale. Kanchejunga is one of the remotest area and the trek involves reaching an altitude above 5000m. You will be walking for 6-8 hrs. every day on a trail that, at times, is wild, rugged, rocky, icy and glaciated. So, trekkers should at least be physically fit, mentally prepared and healthy..
Trekkers must obtain two separate permits in order to do Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek:
Below is a list of documents you should submit:
Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek covers a total trial distance of 220Km, as you will end up visiting both North base camp and South base camp. The trekking trail is one of the least visited areas by trekkers.
Since Mt. Kanchejunga lies along the border of Nepal and Sikkim, Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is also possible from Darjeeling. Kanchejunga Base Camp trek from Darjeeling is of shorter duration, between 11 to 15 days, than that from Nepal. However, both are equally exciting. Kanchejunga Base Camp trek from Darjeeling also takes you to Kanchenjunga Base Camp and crosses many high passes offering spectacular views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other mountains.
For foreigners other than Indian tourists, please note that you can’t enter Kanchejunga Conservation Area from Darjeeling. The nearest entry point for international travellers is Kakadbhitta.
Kahchenjunga Base Camp trek allows you a rare opportunity to visit not one but two base camps: North Base Camp (5190 m) and South Base Camp (4700m). The maximum altitude you will reach in this trek is 5190m.
Mt. Kanchejunga is the third highest mountain in the world. Compared to Everest and other highest peaks, climbing Mt. Kanchejunga is not easy at all. According to experienced mountaineers, Kanchenjunga is a technically challenging mountain. In addition, climbers will have to trek several days through some of the remotest area of Nepal where logistics such as lodges and tea houses are poorly distributed.
Expedition on Mt. Kachenjunga normally ranges between 35 to 45 days. And it includes several days of trekking in Kanchenjunga area. Depending upon weather condition and trek preparation, duration of expedition may increase.
Mountain expedition is a costly affair. The cost of Kanchenjunga expedition depends upon season, services, group size and how experienced guides are. Kindly consult with expedition companies such Elite expedition, Asian trekking, Thamsherku and Seven summit etc.
There are several high passes you will have to cross while on Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek. The most challenging and highest ones are: Lapsang La Pass (5,160m), Sele La pass (4480m), Mirgin La pass (4645m) and Sinion La (4,440m).
Situated at an altitude of 4645m, Mirgin La pass links Selele Camp with Tseram.
Sele La pass (4480m) is situated on the way to Tseram. Sele La and Mirgin La are two back-to-back formidable passes above Sele La camp.
Sinion La pass is the third pass beyond Sele La camp which must be crossed to reach Tseram.
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. Trekking in Kanchenjunga is a challenging task due to the wild landscape and unpredictable weather. In this region, weather can change any minute. Especially at higher elevation such as Kanchejunga Base Camp, the temperature can go as low as -15 degree Celsius with lots of snowfall and icy winds in winter. In comparison, the temperature at lower trekking region could be 5 to 15 degree Celsius.
The best time for Kanchenjuga trekking is either Spring (March, April, May) or in Autumn (September, October, November). During these periods, the climate is cool and warm, the hills are covered with green forests and colorful flowers and the visibility is crystal clear for splendid views of mountains.
The average temperature in Kanchejunga above 4000m is about 15 degree Celsius during day time and 0-5 degree Celsius at night. There is also less rainfall occurrence during Spring and Autumn. That is why these seasons are considered the best for travel.
So, mid-March to June end & mid-September to mid-November is the best time for this trek.
Summer (May – June) | Monsoon (July to Mid-August)
Day: 20°C to 30°C
Night: 15°C to 20°C
Day: 7°C to 15°C
Night: 3°C to (-2) °C.
Autumn (Mid-September to end October) | Spring(Mid-Februaty to end April)
Ghunsa, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
Day: 18°C to 27°C
Night: 10°C to 16°C
Day: 5°C to 17°C.
Night: 3°C to 12°C.
Trekkers should avoid going for trekking during the monsoon as the trails get slippery and roads remain blocked due to torrential rains. In the winter season, the trekking is often impossible as it snows heavenly and trails become inaccessible and weather quite foul.
Since trekking requires covering large distances, usually by walking up and down hills and mountains, it is necessary that the trekkers should be physically fit. Altitude acclimatisation is thoroughly necessary as the air gets lighter and with lower oxygen beyond Ghunsa.
Kanchenjunga trekking takes you to one of the most remote and wild places in Nepal. It is one of the least trekked areas in Nepal and there are very few lodges and guesthouses available along the trail. So in Kanchenjunga trekking you will either stay in lodges where available or camp using trekking tents. Lodges offer very basic services providing Nepali meals and common beds (dormitory-style) on a sharing basis.
Kanchenjunga trekking falls within a remote area in Nepal. The lodges and guesthouses offer limited variety of food, mostly Nepali Dal Bhat. The higher you go, the less choices of meal you get.
However, if you are camping, we will carry most of our cooking times from Kathmandu and our experienced cook will prepare cuisines according to your taste.
During Kanchejunga trek, you can easily buy mineral water bottles from local shops. Local restaurants and lodges can offer boiled water upon request. We advise you to drink as much as 3 liters of water every day to avoid your body getting dehydrated. Due to the necessity to avoid plastic pollution, we also recommend our clients to use water purifying tablets or buy boiled water locally.
Kanchenjunga region can be accessed either by road or flight.
Daily domestic flights operate between Kathmandu domestic airport and Bhadrapur airport and the flight lasts about 45 minutes. You can then drive from Bhadrapur to Taplejung on a private vehicle or public bus in about 8-9 hours.
The other option is to ride a public bus from Kathmandu to Taplejung via Bhadrapur. This is a 20 hours long journey covering a distance of approximately 676Km. Alternatively, you can hire a private jeep from Kathmandu and reach Taplejung in just under 12 hrs.
Eyes on Nepal provides very experienced guides and porters who are local and can communicate very will in English. Guides are well train and have deep knowledge of the mountains, people, culture hygiene and safety.
We have specially trained and instructed our guides and porter to respect our guest most specially children and women.
We suggest you to travel light but it is must of have all necessary things. Kindly read the packing list for more information.
Annapurna Base Camp trek is moderate level trek. This trek does not demand very tough physical fitness. A person with normal physical fitness level can make it. A normal physical fitness level of walking about 6 hours is required for this trek.
I recently went on the Kanchenjunga trek organized by Eyes on Nepal with a group of friends, and it was an amazing experience. The food was delicious and the guide and porter were very helpful and knowledgeable. The mountain views were excellent and we were lucky to have clear weather throughout the trek.
We also had the option of staying in home stays which was a great opportunity to experience the local culture and hospitality. The trek was also less crowded which made it more peaceful and enjoyable.
Overall, I highly recommend the Kanchenjunga trek organized by Eyes on Nepal. It was a well-planned and executed trek with great service and stunning views.
