Kangchenjunga Base Camp Trek - North & South

DAY 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere. Please note that a special permit is required for this trek. In order for us to obtain permits for you, we have to present hard copies of your passport (scans are not accepted) by 1000 hrs. to the permit issuing office. The permit office is open Sunday-Thursday, Friday Mornings, and all day Saturday. The permit office is also closed on Nepali Public holidays. Please anticipate that you may require extra days in Kathmandu as a result so that we can obtain your permit.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu

Included Meals: None

DAY 2

Kathmandu to Ilam

Kangchenjunga lies in the far east of Nepal, and getting here has never been easy. A combination of this difficulty in access and very challenging trekking at high altitudes does, however, keep the Kangchenjunga trekking trails limited to the dedicated trekker only. As mentioned in Day 1 above, a special permit is required to visit Kangchenjunga, and this example itinerary assumes, for the purpose of illustration only, that you arrived early enough yesterday for us to obtain your permit. Otherwise, you will need at least one additional night in Kathmandu, as no permit means no trek.

If you are considering this lengthy, strenuous trek, then it’s best to contact us first, not only to determine the logistics of obtaining your permit but also the travel involved to get to the start of the Kangchenjunga trek. It may be (for example) that a short flight to Taplejung airstrip (where the trek starts) may be possible in the future again (as it was in the past), but it is not practical to assume this in an example itinerary or take into account other potential changes to travel to such a remote part of Nepal. So, please get in touch with us first for the most up-to-date information.

Presently, the best way is to first fly to Bhadrapur, so a private transfer will take you to Kathmandu Airport to take this 50-minute flight to the lowlands of Nepal. From here, you’ll then travel around 3 hours in a private vehicle into the Himalayan foothills and the tea-growing region of Nepal, and overnight in the town of Ilam, surrounded by verdant, lush green hills.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel, Ilam
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 3

Drive to Sekathum

An “up and down and up” sort of drive in a private vehicle takes you ever closer to the mountains, with the odd tantalising glimpse of Kangchenjunga and Jannu. An early start is necessary, as it takes around 5–6 hours to first reach the old trailhead at Taplejung/Suketar (2420m). However, a very rough and ready jeep road extends further into the Kangchenjunga region now, and although it’s very bumpy and uncomfortable, it is possible to start the trek at Sekathum (1700m). From Ilam, it takes around 9–10 hours in total to reach Sekathum. Or you could add a couple of days of additional trekking to start from Taplejung. Lodges here in the Kangchenjunga region are much simpler affairs than those in the likes of the Annapurna and Everest regions, providing just the very bare minimum of creature comforts and in very limited supply. The higher and more remote you get, the more basic the lodges get, and washing and toilet facilities (invariably shared) can be very rudimentary. Private rooms may not be available.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Sekathum

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Find out more about Trekking Lodges

DAY 4

Trek to Amjilosa

Your trek that takes you deeper into the Kangchenjunga region and the route ultimately to Pang Pema begins with an ascent, and after crossing the Ghunsa Khola by way of a suspension bridge, you climb up an increasingly steep and narrow trail heading up through dense forest. Passing a rather dramatic gorge, you continue to climb ever higher on a switchback trail up to Amjilosa (2510m). Walking time is approximately 5–6 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Amjilosa

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 5

Up down and up to Gyabla

A short climb through bamboo, oak and rhododendron forest begins from Amjilosa. Reaching a ridge you drop down to Thyanyani (2400m) and the Ghunsa Khola River. Following several up and down sections and after passing a large, impressive waterfall there’s final steep climb to Gyabla (2730m). Walking time approx. 5hrs.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Gyabla

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

Trek to Ghunsa

As the valley starts to open out, today's walk begins with a relatively easy hike gradually ascending to Phole. From here, it’s up to Ghunsa (3595 m), and now that it's heading over 3000 m, the temperatures become noticeably cooler, especially at night. Ghunsa is an attractive Tibetan mountain village, and as well as a couple of shops, carpet weaving, and gompas, there’s also a small Kangchenjunga Conservation Area office here. Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ghunsa

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 7

Acclimatisation Day at Ghunsa

At just over 3500 m, it’s absolutely essential to have an acclimatisation day. To aid the acclimatisation process, the “climb high, sleep low” principle really helps. Tomorrow you will head to over 4000 m, and from Ghunsa, your guide will take you on a walk (there are a couple of options) to help your body acclimatise.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Ghunsa

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 8

Up to Khangbachen

Things are becoming increasingly dramatic and habitation less common as you head up through pine forests to a yak pasture known as Ramphuk Kharka at around 3720m. This is a good place to take a rest, as you’ve got more ascent ahead. But, as you climb, you’ll get some really impressive views of Jannu before you contour the mountain side and drop down slightly to Khangbachen (4100m), which around 10–15 locals call home. Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Khangbachen

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 9

Acclimatisation Day at Khangbachen

Once again, you must allow your body to acclimatise, as even higher elevations lie ahead. With good mountain views, peace and quiet, and a very traditional atmosphere, Khangbachen is a nice place to relax and acclimatise. One option today is to walk up to Nupchu Khola for spankingly good views of Jannu.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Khangbachen

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 10

Wild walking to Lhonak

From here, the walk that eventually leads up to Pang Pema (Kangchenjunga Base Camp North) really starts to become a high mountain wilderness. There’s an altitude gain of around 700m to reach Lhonak (4800 m), and while most of it is reasonably gradual, the physical effort at such high altitude can make it feel a lot harder. Beyond Khangbachen, there aren’t really any permanent settlements, just the odd seasonal yak grazing area. As you’re reaching the moraine rubble of the Kangchenjunga Glacier, the conditions underfoot start to get a bit trickier beyond a yak grazing area known as Ramtang (4370m). Here, the fluted summit of Wedge Peak first becomes visible. Progressing further, there is a rock field (as well as the risk of rock falls) and an awkward moraine to negotiate. Nepal Peak, the Twins, Merra, and White Wave all come into view, but you really also have to keep focused and remain sure-footed. The very basic lodge at Lhonak is on a grassy plain perched high above the Kangchenjunga Glacier opposite Wedge Peak. It is exposed to the icy wind, but the view more than compensates for the cold! Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Lhonak

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 11

Pang Pema, Kangchenjunga North Base Camp

Although tantalisingly close, Kangchenjunga isn’t visible from Lhonak. But today it will be! Following the Kangchenjunga Glacier, it’s tricky going underfoot at times. However perseverance is more than rewarded once the vast north face of Kangchenjunga is revealed, and once you reach Pang Pema (a couple of stone huts), you are at Kangchenjunga Base Camp North (5150m), which has to be one of the most spectacular mountain locations in the world. Depending on time, it is possible to climb a little way above Pang Pema for a stunning panorama of Kangchenjunga and its glacier. You’ll then retrace your ascent up to here and pick your way back down to Lhonak. Walking time: approx.5-6hrs.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Lhonak

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 12

Long hike down to Ghunsa

To reach the route that will ultimately lead to Kangchenjunga South Base Camp, you must first go back down to the trail junction at Ghunsa. Walking time is approx. 6–8 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Ghunsa

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 13

To Sele La

It’s a very steep ascent as you climb up through forest on a rough and rocky trail, to then ascend further over the Sela La and onto Sele La Base Camp (4290m), which is around a further 30 minutes of walking. There are a couple of simple wooden lodges and a small lake here, but there are also views of distant Makalu! Walking time is approximately 5 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Sele La Base Camp

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14

High Passes to Cheram

This is quite a challenging day, but also a real highlight as far as extensive views go. With luck, you might see the Kangshung face of Everest and Makalu too on the far horizon. There is, however, no small matter of some high passes to cross. The Sinion La (4670m), the Mirgin La (4690 m), and the Sinelapcha La (4730m), so expect some steep climbs and descents on rough, narrow trails before a final (again steep) long descent of around 1000m down to Cheram (3910m). Walking time is approx. 6-7 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Cheram

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 15

Kangchenjunga South Base Camp

The handful of small lodges, a couple of stone huts, and a small lake and meadow area known as Ramche are better known as Kangchenjunga South Base Camp. The scenery is magnificent as you ascend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier into a series of ablation valleys that give relatively easy walking (the term 'easy' here applies to the underfoot conditions and not the effort required to trek at this altitude!). A frozen lake, clear streams, and views of Koktang, Rathong, and Kabru are the highlights of the walk up to Ramche, a broad, flat ablation zone at 4580 metres. If you left Cheram at a reasonably early time in the morning, you should be here in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you can head further up the Yalung Glacier to an area known as Oktang, which is a 5-hour round trip, or you can go the other way if you’re not feeling so strong. The climbing route to the summit of Kanchenjunga, first climbed by Joe Brown and George Band in 1955, can be seen from Oktang and the whole mountain cirque is above 7500 m. Even better, the three main Kangchenjunga summits, all over 8400 m, can be seen. Walking time is approx. 6–8 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ramche

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 16

Down to Tortong

Back down to Cheram, and then you’ll continue to lose height and actually drop below (only just) 3000m for the first time in a while as you head to Tortong (2995m). Walking time approx.6-7hrs.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Tortong

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17

Trek to Yamphudin

There’s a good three hours to descend around 1000m before you have to climb steeply up to Lamite Bhanjyang, passing a large landslide area en route. From here, you drop down sharply to the Imja Khola, then contour the hillsides before finally descending to Yamphudin (1700m) and the end of the trek. This village has a mixed community of Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, and Gurung, and it should also be starting to feel warm once more. The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area office is also based here. Walking time: approx. 6 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Yamphudin
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 18

Drive to Phidim

A recently constructed “rough and ready” jeep road now extends as far as Yamphudin, so today will be a rather bumpy drive in a locally chartered 4WD vehicle to Phidim, which takes around 5–6 hours.

Accommodation: Basic Lodge, Phidim
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 19

Drive to Ilam

Yet more unavoidable overland travel as you journey out of the eastern Himalaya. But at least the road surface is metal for most of the long 7-hour drive to Ilam.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel, Ilam
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 20

Fly to Kathmandu

A private transfer will take you by road to Bhadrapur Airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu Airport, a private transfer will take you to the KGH Hotel.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 21

Depart Nepal

A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made