The Kanchenjunga trek takes place in one of the most beautiful and remote areas in Nepal on the border with Sikkim (India). Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) is the third highest mountain in the world and the second highest mountain in Nepal. This area has been open to trekkers since 1988 but this route is still relatively un-trekked. Unspoiled villages and a natural environment are yours to explore without the distractions of other trekkers. The area provides a chance to experience remoteness, spectacular mountain scenery, diverse flora and fauna, fascinating old monasteries and exotic culture lifestyles.

We begin our journey to Kanchenjunga with a flight from Kathmandu to Taplejung (Suketar). From Taplejung, our trek takes us from the tropical lowlands to the high glaciers and the surrounding peaks of Kanchenjunga, Kambachen, Yalung kang and Jannu. Starting with a descent through terraced fields and forests to the Tamur River, the trail passes through many villages before gaining altitude to alpine terrain around Ghunsa, Kanchenjunga Glacier, Lhonak and Pang Pema (5140 m), the highest point of this trek. You don’t need any previous mountaineering training or technical experience for this trek as the terrain is not very difficult. However, some vigorous hiking experience and good physical condition is very useful.

Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu airport and you will be transferred to the hotel by one of our representatives.

Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Day 02 : Kathmandu: Patan and Kathmandu Durbar Square: In the morning we will drive to Patan, a true open air museum with its pagodas, temples, and monasteries. In the afternoon we will visit Kathmandu's Durbar Square, including the old royal palace and the house of the Kumari (a living Goddess) who is the reincarnation of Goddess Taleju (Kali).

Overnight: Hotel

Day 03 : Fly Kathmandu to Taplejung /Suketar (2300m) and trek to Lalikharka (2276m): A scenic flight from Kathmandu to Taplejung takes about 35 minutes. The trekking crew will be waiting for you in the airport. Your first day's easy trek commences toward Lalikharka where you can see Makalu and Kanchenjunga ranges.

Overnight: Camping
Flight Time: 35 minutes
Walking Time: 3 hours
Difference in Elevation: +966m Suketar, + 942m, Lalikharka

Day 04 : Lalikharka to Khesawa (2120m): After breakfast, we commence our second day's trek to Khesawa. During the day we cross Pakora village,Phawa Khola and Kunjuri before reaching Khesawa.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: -156m

Day 05 : Khesawa to Mamankhe (1920m): We begin our trek ascending a steep hillside through terraced fields high above the Kabbeli Khola. From there are some ups and downs crossing side valleys but shady spots are available for your rest. And, after lunch we pass the village of Anpan, before descending to Kashawa Khola. We walk up again through terraced fields to the village of Mamankhe.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: -200m

Day 06 : Mamankhe to Yamphudin (2080m): The trek from Mamankhe to Yamphudin is easy with gradually ascending to Yamphudin where we stay overnight. Yamphudin is a large and remote settlement of Rai and Sherpa community. This is the last village of this area until we reach in Ghunsa.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +160m

Day 07 : Yamphudin to Chitre (2965m): We don’t see any villages today, but we will have a beautiful walk in the forest which is quite peaceful and pleasant. We cross Omje Khola before reaching Chitre.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +165m

Day 08 : Chitre to Torontan (3010m): We commence our first three hours trek steeply ascending to Deurali Danda crossing mostly dense forest. After Deurali Danda, we descend through beautiful forest and continue down into the Simjhua Valley. After crossing a wooden bridge we finally reach Torontan for overnight.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 ½ hours
Difference in Elevation: +45m

Day 09 : Torontan to Tseram (3870m): We follow the river through more beautiful forest (mostly rhododendron forest). As the valley climbs fairly steeply towards Tseram we can see Yalung Glacier, and some of the peaks (Kabru and Rathong peak).

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +860m

Day 10 : Tseram to Ramche (4580m): Today is a shorter walking day. The scenery is magnificent as we ascend south of the Yalung Glaciers into a series of ablation valleys.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: +710m

Day 11 : Explore around Ramche: Leaving Ramche, we take a packed lunch and set off very early for our first close encounter with Kanchenjunga. Following the valley around its sweeping curve, we will suddenly be confronted with the vast southern wall of the mountain. The ridge forms a cirque which is over 15 kms long and not less than 7500 m high. Along this ridge lie three main summits of Mt Kanchenjunga at 8420m, 8586m, and 8474m. The sight is truly breathtaking. Proceeding further towards Oktang (4730m), you may then descend onto the glacier and cross it to a point below Talu. From here you can see all the mountains all over the area. Today, we will have wonderful mountain views especially Jannu (Kumbhakarna) while observing the glaciers flowing from its east face. We will than return to Ramche for overnight.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 ½ hours
Difference in Elevation: +150m, Oktang

Day 12 : Ramche to Salleri via Mirgin La (4663m) Pass: After breakfast, we trek down to the valley, passing the small settlement of Lapsang, before turning off towards the Mirgin La – Pass. After crossing the pass we continue to Salleri for overnight. Apart from the magnificent Jannu, on the horizon are Makalu, Everest, Gyakung Kang, Lhotse and Chamalang. To the south it is possible to see down to the Terai, a panoramic view well worth the effort.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 7 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 83m, Mirgin La - Pass

Day 13 : Salleri to Ghunsa (3475m): The trail follow towards Lambasumba Kharka crossing some passes and descending between them. From here we can see beautiful views of the southwest face of Mt. Jannu (Kumbhakarna). From Lumbasumba Kharka, the trail is an easy and pleasant forest walk all the way down to Ghunsa. Ghunsa is a Tibetan village with a tiny Monastery (Gompa) and prayer flags fluttering from the wooden houses. It comes as a welcome sight after the rigorous walking of the previous days. This is an excellent opportunity to observe local people, their culture, monastery etc.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: -1188m

Day 14 : Ghunsa to Kambachen (4040): The trail gradually ascends to south of the Ghunsa Khola through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests, passing many mani walls and chortens. From Ghunsa Khola, a short distance trail ascends to Kambachen. The clear and excellent mountain views of Mt. Jannu, Kanchenjunga and some other peaks can be seen from this place.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +565m

Day 15 : Rest day at Kambachen: Today is your rest day. You can just explore around the area or if you are interested, take a day hike to Mt. Jannu (Kumbhakarna) Base Camp.

Overnight: Camping

Day 16 : Kambachen to Lhonak (4790m): A gradual climb through rocky fields gets you to Ramtang (4240m) and then crosses northwest of the Kanchenjunga Glacier to reach Lhonak. Lohnak is a cold and a sandy plain located high above Kanchenjunga glacier opposite Wedge peak. We will set our camp between the boulders here to stay out of the wind. There are beautiful mountain vistas all around such as Nepal Peak, Wedge peak, Twin’s peak, Mera, and White wave.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +750m

Day 17: Lhonak to Pang Pema (5140m): A short trek takes us to Pang Pema which can be used as an expedition base camp for Kanchenjunga. The trail from Lhonak to Pang Pema gradually ascends across the plain but soon gets steeper as it follows the moraine. Pang Pema (5140m) is highest elevation point of this trek.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: +350m

Day 18: Explore around Kanchenjunga and back to Kambachen (4040m): In the morning we will hike up a ridge, north of Pang Pema which provides a great vantage point with views of Kanchenjunga, Wedge Peak, the Twins and Tent Peak and other peaks. We will than descend to Kambachen in a same day for overnight.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 7 hours
Difference in Elevation: -1100m

Day 19: Kambachen to Ghunsa (3475m): We retrace our steps to Ghunsa passing through the Ramtang route.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Difference in Elevation: -565m

Day 20: Ghunsa to Amjilasa (2460m): Initially we pass through a beautiful forest which opens out to steep, grassy hillsides.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: -1015m

Day 21: Amjilasa to Sakathum (1600m): The trek commences with a long steep descent towards Ghunsa Khola. Today, most of the time we will stay close to Tamur and Ghunsa Khola.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: -860m

Day 22: Sakathum to Chirwa (1200m): Leaving Sakathum, we start our trek to Chirwa. On route we meet the confluence of two rivers, Ghunsa Khola and Simbua Khola. Simbua Khola originates from Kanchenjunga's south base camp and is the Khola that we followed up from Torontan. We will enjoy the magnificent view of these two rivers uniting in Tamur Koshi. On following the trail along Tamur Koshi, many other small tributary streams come our way. We then enter into the pristine village of Chirwa.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: -400m

Day 23: Chirwa to Phurumba (1120m): The route further leads to cultivated land and rich pastures. Then the trail zigzags through the path of steep stones. After climbing for about 4 hours we come to the valley of Phurumba where we stay overnight.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: -80m

Day 24: Phurumba to Suketar (2300m): This is our last trekking day. From Phurumba, we ascend along the ridge towards Taplejung village which takes approximately three hours. Our continued trek is an ascent to Suketar for about two hours.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: +1180m

Day 25: Flight Suketar – Kathmandu (1334m): The afternoon is free for you to sightsee, shop or relax.

Overnight: Hotel
Flight Time: 35 minutes
Difference in Elevation: +1180m

Day 26: Kathmandu (1334m): Today we will visit Pashupatinath (ancient and holiest temple of Hindu religion), Boudhanath (the largest Stupa of Nepal built in 14th century), Soyambhunath (one of the world's most glorious stupa), famous for eyes of Buddha which seem to be observing the world from four directions.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 27: Kathmandu(1334m): Today, you will be escorted by our experienced city tour guide as we travel approximately one hour by bus/van to visit the very ancient city of Bhaktapur. After lunch we will return Kathmandu where you will have the afternoon free for sightseeing and shopping.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 28: Transfer to the airport and departure.

The tour price includes:

1. Transfers airport/hotel/airport
2. Hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing BB basis
3. Transport, guided visits & entry of the monuments in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur
4. Domestic flight ticket Kathmandu/Suketar/Kathmandu as per Itinerary
5. Domestic airport taxes
6. Trekking permit /TIMS, and conservation entry fee
7. A professional tour/ trekking guide, Cook and porters
8. Meals Full board during trek
9. Accommodation in tent/camping during the trek
10. Your international flight re-confirmation
11. All necessary documents and government tax
12. Insurance for all staff (including guide, Cook, porters, assistant guide)

The tour price does not include:

1. International Flight
2. International airport tax in Kathmandu- approximately USD 20
3. Nepal entry visa fee USD 40. (Total 30 days from the date of issue) and you may easily obtain your visa upon your arrival in Kathmandu international airport
4. NOTE: You need 2 Passport size photos for the visa
5. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
6. Travel Insurance (compulsory and we strongly advise you to take out to cover accident/repatriation helicopter/medical care)
7. Personnel trekking equipment
8. Personal expenses such as cold drinks, mineral water, alcoholic drinks, telephone, hot shower, etc
9. Emergency evacuation rescue charge, if needed
10. Personal medical supplies
11. Alternative transportation, in case of flood, landslide, heavy rain, strike, road blockade etc
12. Tips for trekking staff or bus driver

Special Note:

This Itinerary can be customized according to the duration of your holiday. The Trek can be operated only by Camping accommodation. We have many options for shorter visits based on your interests and budget.

NOTE: The price of the tour will be adjusted according to the group size.