Kanchenjunga Trek

Day to Day Itinerary

• Day 1 Fly to Bhadrapur and Drive to Ilam town (1,365 m) - 04 hrs

  As per your flight time in the morning transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for short scenic flight to reach Far Eastern within Nepal flatland known as Terai belt, during 45 minutes on air, enjoy spectacular panorama of Himalayan peaks with views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.

  As plane lands at Bhadarpur airport, then drive from low warm country to cooler alpine hills at Ilam town a famous place for tea and its vast tea-garden with mild cool temperatures facing views of Kanchenjunga peaks.

  Overnight stops at Ilam an interesting mid hill town where you can observe eastern people of Nepalese with varied cultures of mix tribes.

• Day 2 Drive to Sukhetar (1,490 m) Trek to Lalikharka (1,900 m) -06 hrs

  Morning short drive to Taplejung area at Sukhetar, a place with small airstrip that operates flight to Kathmandu, but unreliable due to bad weather and other conditions.

  From Sukhetar, walks begins heading east past farm villages and terraced fields within small forested area, as first day trek reaches our overnight stop at Lalikharka for overnight stop, also called Lali-Bhanjyang.

  A small typical Nepalese farm Hill village inhabited mostly by Kirat tribes the Limbu people with some Rai and other Hindu people Chettries and Brahmins. 

• Day 3 Trek from Kande Bhanjyang (2,100 m) - 07 hrs

  Morning walk downhill into farm villages, populated mostly by Hindu tribe of Brahmins, Chettries with some Kirat dominant tribe of eastern mid hills known as Rai and Limbu, also practice Hinduism along with their own ancient culture and deities of nature spirit.

  Walk past village of Tembawa then descend to Phawa khola, crossing Phawa khola coming to Pokora village, as walk leads through terraced farm fields to cross over a suspension bridge.

  As our route climbs steeply to a village of Kunjari a mountain village, from here walk into mixed forested area past few farm villages, as climb leads to our overnight stop at Kande Bhanjyang, a small farm village with grand views of Kanchenjunga and Yalung Kang peaks.

• Day 4 Trek to Phompe Danda (1,850 m) -06 hrs.

  From Kande Bhanjyang morning walks descend to lush terraced rice and millet fields, then into forested area within headwaters of Nandeva khola.

  After crossing a stream continue walk on downhill to a river, then climb to Lopoding village, from here with short ups and down to reach a mountain village at Yangpang, and then walk on upper edge of the ridge.

  As climb leads on gentle slope for an hour to Pompe Dhada at the crest of a scenic ridge, an excellent spot for overnight stop with view of Mt. Jannu. 

• Day 5 Trek to Yangphudin (2,150 m) at Sherpa Gaon - 07 hrs

  Morning starts downhill past small settlement and terraced farm fields to Khesewa khola, cross over a suspension bridge then climb to reach another small resting spot.

  After gentle ascent for an hour through terraced fields to reach Mamankhe village, as afternoon leads to a climb to skirt around over a ridge and then at level path towards Dekadin village.

  On walks enjoy views of peaks, and then descend to Kabeli khola, on leaving the river route climb leads to a ridge within villages and farm fields.

  After a steady walk reach at isolated village of Yamphudin, from here a short climb to a hill for overnight stop at Sherpa Gaon, inhabited by Sherpa tribe.

  This will be the last permanent human settlement, until our adventures reach other side of Kanchenjunga at Gunsa, where campsite pitched in a field near the village yard.

• Day 6 Trek to Dorongding (2,880 m) via Lashe Tham, (3,800 m) Pass- 07 hrs

  From this Sherpa village trek leads to Chitre, walk along Kabeli khola, crossing tributary stream of Omje khola, and start climb to reach at Dhupi Bhangyang taking about two hours or more leading around wide grassland.

  From the top of Lahse Tham a 3,800 m small pass and then on steady descent through deciduous forest to Omje Khola, after tough climb reach on top a ridge.

  As walk continues to Dorongding past Chitre for overnight stop in this small and scenic place with views of snow capped peaks.

• Day 7 Trek to Tseram 3,770 m) - 05 hrs

  From here walk to Ramite Bhanjyang 3,430 m, heading to steep uphill for few hours within rhododendron and bamboo forest to reach at Ramite, a place with only a single hut.

  From here our route climbs to ridge covered by forest of rhododendron trees and past a small pond, as walk continues on a gravel ground past an area with a shrine of huge boulder shaped like a serpent.

  Walk leads past forest to a riverbed and then up to a terrace for overnight stop at Tseram, a place with roofless bivouac caves facing exciting views of terminal moraine fed from Yalung glacier and behind looking at Kabru 7,353m and Talung peak 7,349m.

• Day 8 At Tseram hike to Oktang near Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

  Rest day at Tseram for optional day hike to Oktang located close to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp where British expedition established base camp for the climb of Kanchenjunga summit in 1955.

  Walk leads with close view of Yalung Glacier and south wall of Kanchenjunga, as hike takes nearly three hours with views of Talung Peak and Kabru, after a scenic and exciting hike back to Tserem for overnight stop.

• Day 9 Cross Tselele pass (4,250 m) and Camp at Tselele bottom (3,700 m) - 08 hrs

  Morning descend towards Yalung Bar with short steep up, crossing a river and then on gradual path into forest, with climb for an hour towards two small ponds. From here crossing over three passes of Miring La, Tamo La and Selele pass.

  The first part climbs for an hour to the top of the pass with view of Kabru and Kanchenjunga. From Miring La, the trail goes gently down and then up to Tselele La (4,250 m). From the top of the pass magnificent views of Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang and then descend gently to the base of the pass for overnight stop.

• Day 10 Trek to Ghunsa (3,480 m) - 04 hrs

  The first part of the walk on gentle down then leads to a steep descend for an hour into forest of rhododendron and pines as walk reach a level ground near Ghunsa river, from here on gradual path to Ghunsa village for overnight in a village inhabited by Bhotia tribe (Tibetan origin) with community stone houses a neat and tidy small farm.

• Day 11 Trek to Khambachen (4,000 m) - 06 hrs

  Walk from with climb following a river with views of waterfalls along the walks, Yak herders may be met along the trail depending upon grazing season.

  The trail reaches right bank of river Ghunsa, and within tall trees of rhododendron and pine forest, as walk leads to a gradual uphill to Rambuk Kharkas and then crossing a small glacier landslide.

  Trek continues with grand views of Khumbukarna and Janu range with other high snow capped peaks.

  On leaving tree lines then into barren and arid country with few short bushes and scrub of juniper, after Rambuk Kharka climb, and then trail leads to a gentle down to Khambachen after crossing a landslide section to camp at Khambachen.

  This scenic valley dominated by peaks of Sharphu (7,070m.) with north face of Mt. Janu and Wedge peak.

• Day 12 Trek to Lhonak (4,780 m) - 06 hrs

  From here walk follows above a river for an hour and then reaching further east, as walk leads down to a river, then climbs to boulder of rocky areas heading to a terminal moraine of Kanchenjunga glacier, on leaving Ramtang Kharka (a Sheppard place) where trail joins Kanchenjunga glacier.

  After crossing junction of Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glacier overlooking grand views of Mera, Nepal Peak and Wedge Peak.

• Day 13 Hike to Pang-Pema Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,065 m)

  Morning hike towards our major highlight at Pang-Pema within North Kanchenjunga base camp.

  Start with gentle climb facing views of Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, Taple Sikhar, and Givegela Chuli. The first part of the climbs is gentle and then heading through a boulder on rocky trail.

  Walk leads between grassy area and at glacier path up at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp with chances of spotting herds of blue sheep's around this amazing wilderness of mountains and glaciers.

  After wonderful enjoyable moment within massive Kanchenjunga mountains then back to overnight camp at Lhonak after a mesmerizing adventure at Kanchenjunga North base camp.

• Day 14 Trek to Ghunsa (3,480 m) - 08 hrs

  Return journey heding back on the same route past Kambachen to camp at Ghunsa after a long day walks.

• Day 15 Trek to Gyapla Phedi (2,300 m) - 07 hrs

  From here walk on alternative route allows you to observe more of the beautiful country looking at views of mountains past scattered cattle herder summer camps to reach at Gypla Phedi, on lower alpine areas for overnight stop.

• Day 16 Trek to Sekathum / Japantar (1,350 m) - 07 hrs

  With pleasant easy morning walking towards warmer areas back into farm fields and terraces within nice rural villages to reach at Sekathum or near to Japantar for overnight stop, where walks leads into much lower areas within farm villages growing much better crops and citric fruits.

• Day 17 Trek to Chirwa (1,250 m) - 06 hrs

  Enjoy the walk heading much lower and warm areas, as morning trek progress into several scattered farm houses and fields, where you will be greeted with friendly cheerful smiles as walk leads through villages and patch of cool forest areas to reach at Chirwa for overnight stops. 

• Day 18 Trek to Phurumbu School (1,500 m) - 07hrs

  Although our route leads downhill, and coming into areas with short climb to negotiate with shade of cool air after getting much warmer around low and foot hills of Kanchenjunga areas, slowly our walk reaching at small place to camp at Phurumbu School premises.

• Day 19 Trek to Suketar (2,440 m) - 04 hrs

  Last day of the adventure walk leads to Sukhetar around Tapeljung village and town within more farm villages as walk leads reach at Sukhetar for overnight stop.

• Day 20 Drive to Ilam with overnight in local Lodge

  At Ilam where adventure completes after an exciting drive to reach at nice hill town in Ilam with its vast garden of Tea, after few hours of scenic ride reaching at Ilam, with time visiting around as well to observe interesting local culture and custom.

• Day 21 Drive to Bhadrapur - 03 hrs drive and Fly back to Kathmandu

  Morning drive leads down to southern country within Eastern Nepal the Terai belt where ride ends at Bhadrapur airport, from here taking short panoramic flight back to hustle bustle city life of Kathmandu, where our remarkable adventure with amazing memories of Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking concludes.