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Best Season: May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp (KBC) Trek is one of the most challenging and demanding treks in Eastern Nepal. Standing as the 3rd highest mountain in the world (8586M), KBC is less visited and one of the rural trekking in Nepal. This 20 days unbeaten trek covers 220 Km which is one of the reasons why it is challenging. You will be crossing many high passes with tough climbs and descent throughout the trek.
However, KBC has a lot to offer adventurers. Geographically, KBC is different than any other trekking in Nepal. Kanchenjunga is known as a land of Rhododendrons recording 34 species of it. It is a home for many rare animals like snow leopards, red pandas and many more. The Kanchenjunga region is home to many ethnic groups like Sherpa, Limbu and Gurung. This region provides a wide range of scenery from tropical forests to rhododendron, oak, pine and chestnut forest. During your trek, you will get a chance to do both north (Pangpema 5160m) and south (Ramche 4610m) base camp crossing sell pass (4646m). From different viewpoints, you can encounter majestic Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Jannu, Kumbakarna, and many other mountain ranges. Kanchenjunga region is a border between both Tibet and Nepal.
Kanchenjunga is a very unique trekking destination that comes under the restricted Zone. It is impossible to trek this trail alone. You are required to have a special permit that is issued by the immigration office in Nepal. The minimum group size for this trekking is two and you must hire a professional licenced guide and porters to trek this region. Apart from that, this trail is getting bit popular and basic tea houses have been built in past years but it is always better to choose camping if you are planning to hike this area. Prepare in advance and be physically fit if you are planning to undertake this wilderness region of Nepal.
Major Highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Your ultimate adventure starts with your landing in Kathmandu valley surrounded by beautiful green hills and alluring Mountain views. You will be welcomed by our representative at the airport gate. Following that, you will be transferred to the respective hotel nearby to rest and refresh in order to avoid Jet lag. Today you can just explore nearby areas.
Staying a night prior to start is essential. We recommend you to explore and get acclimated before starting a trek if you are coming from sea level. You will enjoy the beauty of historical monuments, along with Hindu and Buddhist temples and pilgrimage sites. Kathmandu is home to seven UNESCO world heritage sites worth visiting and experiencing. You would enjoy many choices of restaurants and meals providing both local and western foods. You can imagine the types of cuisine they offer. You can get your trekking gear from a shop nearby if you need anything for your trek. This evening, our representative will give you a briefing about the trek and address your queries in the best possible way. Overnight at the Hotel.
Good morning!
Today you will be picked up from the hotel by our representative with a guide for your trek. We will get our early breakfast and take a ride to Tribhuwan International Airport (Domestic terminal). You will enjoy a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur.You will enjoy the aerial view of the many mountain ranges on your 45 minutes journey. After a short rest we will take a jeep to a place called Phidim. Phidim is 5-6 hours drive from Bhadrapur depending on road traffic. Phidim is a big market in pachthar district of Nepal. We will stay and relax in a beautiful Hotel fot tonight.
Flight time: 45 minutes
Drive time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Today we will start with early jeep ride to Taplejung after breakfast. Taplejung is 3 hours journey from phidim. We will stop in a for our lunch on our way. We will continue our journey after lunch through many settlements and beautiful cultivated land. The journey gets really interesting from Phidim because of winding roads and beautiful village landscape. Upon reaching Taplejung, we will grab some afternoon snack and stay in an off road until we reach Chiruwa. Chiruwa is a clif side area where ethnic group called limbu are settled from many years. This place has sub tropical rain forest where crops like millet, corn, barley and rice are grown. Today we stay there overnight in a hotel.
Drive time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Today we start our actual trek from Chiruwa. The trail starts with a vertical descent by crossing a big suspension bridge. While we are doing few climbs up and down, you will notice the change in views and also landscape. After taking a permit at Kanchenjunga Conservation area office, we will pass through beautiful Cardamom fields. A walk through sub-tropical landscape is very relaxing. We will have our lunch on our way and continue our hike until we reach Lelep. There are good hotels with good facilities to stay in Lelep.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Early morning, you will leave Lelep after a hearty breakfast. A trail will lead you to Solima will be our first stop of the day. After a quick break, a trail start getting a bit difficult as you will be ascending a vertical climb until you reach Amjilosa. Amjilosa will be our lunch stop for the day.
Descending down for a while through amazing Rhododendron Forest, we will start gaining elevation. The walk is simply gorgeous in Rhododendron season (Spring, summer) as you are surrounded by many kinds of it. Not to forget, Rhododendron is Nepal’s National flower. After few hours of trek, we will finally arrive a beautiful Tibetan settlement of Gyabla. Overnight at tea house in Gyabla.
Trekking time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Leaving behind Gyabla, you will start slowly climbing up a river bank on your right side. The trail today is not very tough but today we are gaining a bit of elevation. After passing through few small villages, we will climb a small ridge from where we will descend down to a beautiful Tibetan village called Ghunsa. We will see a big rock with Tibetan writing and cross a suspension bridge before reaching Ghunsa. Ghunsa has decent tea houses to stay with good food. Our plan is to spend one more day as we have to acclimatize before climbing forward. Overnight at Ghunsa.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Today, we will take a short hike around the village. As air grows thinner now, we will try to get used to with elevation by resting a whole day. After coming back, we will explore some beautiful monasteries, village Buddhist culture and school. There is a health post in Ghunsa to buy some essential for our trek as well.
Trekking time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
After a breakfast, we will start climbing up along the south bank of Ghunsa River. There is alternative way to Khambachen as well which is mostly used by locals just in case. Crossing beautiful Rhododendron Forest, Mani walls, Prayer flags and chortens in our way along with beautiful view of Himalayas, we will climb up steeply to the amazing village of Khambachen. We migh encounter some beautiful birds like Lophophores (Nepal’s National Bird) and Chilime on our way. From here we can enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Jannu (7710 m). Overnight at Khambachen.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea HouseToday is the 10th day of our trek. After morning breakfast, we will hit the trail following left side of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. We will also pass a village of Ramtang on our way. After hiking for few hours slowly in high lands, we will arrive in a beautiful campsite of Lhonak providing stunning view of Wedge Peak (6750m), Mera Peak (6344m), Nepal Peak (6910m) and Twins (7351m).
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Today is a very important day for this trek. After breakfast at Lhonak, we will start our hike to the North base camp ( Pangpema). After a couple of hours of walking, we will arrive at a beautiful base camp in Kanchenjunga. From here you can encounter mighty Kanchenjunga, Tent peak, Nepal peak, cross peak and Twin peak. The view from the base camp is simply unreal. After spending some amazing time at the base camp, we will return to Lhonak for an overnight stay.
Trekking time: 9-10 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Early morning, we will try to catch a beautiful sunrise over a mountain. After our breakfast, we will slowly trek down to Ghunsa following the same trail. Today, our trek will be more relaxed as we have been on the trail for 12 days. Overnight at Ghunsa.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
After having a good rest at Ghunsa, we will start our trek to High Camp. A trail to high camp is steep and we walk through pine forest among beautiful colourful Rhododendron flowers. Today we will get to see some new mountains Nyukla Laching (6670 m), Tamachungi (6044 m) and Jannu (7710 m) from a different angle. Overnight at a tea house in High Camp.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
We will start our trek early today. Today is the most challenging day of our trek as we cross over two high passes on our way to Tseram, Sele La (4480m) and Sinion La (4660) passes are high and hiking in this pass could be difficult. However, the best view comes after a hard climb. Upon reaching the top of the passes, we will be amazed to see an amazing view of Yalung Glacier, Jannu (7710m), Makalu (8481m), Baruntse (7129m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), and many other mountains. We will also see the Sikkim-India border. After taking a glimpse of this beautiful landscape, we then descend to Tseram. Overnight at a tea house in Tseram.
Trekking time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Today we will be passing the moraines of Yalung Glacier and hiking down towards Ramche. We will arrive at ablation valley from where you will be rewarded with an astonishing view of the mountains. We also come across a lake and a meadow before reaching Ramche. We will then visit the south base camp of Kanchenjunga and come back to our campsite. We will visit the small monastery in Ramche after early dinner. Overnight at a tea house in Ramche
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Today, we hike towards Yalung Base Camp. Trekking through the glacial moraines and steep trail, we will surpass Oktang. The view from here will charm you. The view of Jannu (7720m) and Kanchenjunga (8586m), and many other peaks can be seen with a panoramic landscape. On our way down to Tserem, we will pass Anda Phedi. We might get a chance to see many blue sheep herding in the meadows as well. Overnight at a tea house in Tseram.
Trekking time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
On our 17th day, we descend to Tortong through the densely forested pine path filled with rhododendrons trees. We will enjoy a few beautiful streams, Chortens, Small Pond and monasteries and also waterfalls on our way. Overnight at a tea house in Tortong.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
We will keep descending to the Amji Khola. Crossing a bridge over Simbhuwa Khola, we will then cross Lasiya Bhanjyang (3310m) following the same path. We will then arrive at the beautiful village of Yamphudim after a descent. Yamphudim is a village inhabited by mostly the Sherpa community but there are Rai, Limbu, and Gurung as well. Overnight at a lodge in Yamphudim.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Today is our last hiking day of this legendary hike. Leaving behind the beautiful village of Yamphudim, we descend toward Khebang. We will cross a few valleys, and waterfalls on our trail to Khebang. A walk today is relaxed and full of beautiful green landscapes. We will cross through suspension bridges, small villages inhabitant by Bhramins and Chettries to finally reach Khebang. Overnight at a homestay/lodge in Khebang.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Today is the 20th day of our epic journey and we will take a long jeep ride to the beautiful hill station town of Ilam. We will see many green hills, rivers, and mountains on our way. Our 6-7 hours ride to llam will be a bit tiring. However, we will enjoy our evening with good food and a nice sleep in Illam. Overnight at a hotel in Ilam.
Drive time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Today we will take an early ride to Bhadrapur airport to catch our flight back to Kathmandu. We will enjoy the aerial view of the mountains from our flight. Upon our arrival, we will check in to the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Flight time: 45 minutes
Drive time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
On your final day, you can do some last-minute shopping, get a good breakfast in one of the cafés and try to enjoy a little bit of a moment in Nepal while you can before you fly back home safely. We will drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure bidding a good farewell and hoping to see you again in Nepal.
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Kanchenjunga Base Camp is a very remote area of Nepal. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
Special Restricted Area Permit (RAP): Kanchenjunga Restricted area permit is UDS 10 per person for a week.
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit is NRS 2000 per person for unlimited days.
Gears needed:
Shoe: Pair of exceptionally good hiking boots and sandals
Clothes: Thermals, down jacket, wind and rainproof jackets, trekking pants, sports t-shirt, fleece, warm gloves, towels, winter hat, Inner garments, shorts, and a few pairs of good socks.
Accessories: Good trekking bag backpack, sunglasses, water bottle, water purifier, sunscreen, lip balm, Swiss pocket knife.
Equipment: Sleeping bags upto - 20 degrees celsius, duffel bag, hiking poles
Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines (eg. diamox), bug spray.
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is a physically demanding activity, and it requires a good level of physical fitness. One should engage in regular cardiovascular and strength-building exercises for at least a few months before embarking on the trek. Exercises such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training will help prepare the body for the rigours of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Mental preparation: Trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is a mentally challenging activity. It requires patience, perseverance, and mental toughness. It is important to be mentally prepared for challenges and to have a positive attitude. It is also important to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is an opportunity to experience the local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment. It is recommended
