Kangchenjunga Base Camp Trek
1 890,00 €
The less-travelled far eastern Nepal has a huge attraction: Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. Three weeks in this remarkable wilderness, where few trekkers go, a land of rhododendrons, endangered species and home to the Limbu and Sherpa people, is where you want to be!
The giant of eastern Nepal, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest mountain in the world, is the dominant force in a high-mountain region that is less travelled but rivals the beauty of the Annapurna. Head east to explore the unique lifestyle and culture of diverse ethnic groups like the Limbus, the Sherpas and the Tibetans. Bordering Tibet in the North and Sikkim in the East, the Kanchenjunga region is home to rhododendron forests that burst into colour in the spring (34 species are recorded in the region). During the three weeks, we hike and bivouac in the magical silence of this remarkable wilderness at high altitude. From all sides, the peaks majestically rise to the sky: Kanchenjunga, Jannu (7,710 m), Sobithongie (6,670 m), Phole Peak (6,645 m), Khabur (6,332 m) and many more! A thrilling trek in the remote far eastern Nepal!
- Nepal Country
- Hiking and trekking Thématique
- Difficult Difficulté
- 20 days Duration
- 15 days Hiking days
- 5 100 m Max. altitude
- Yes Guide
- Kathmandu → Hellok and drive to Ilam Departure / Arrival
Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu, welcome and transfer to the hotel. Free time and night at the hotel in BB
Free day to obtain the special trekking permit.
Departure from the hotel to the domestic airport to take the flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. In a privatized local jeep, we go up through the tea plantations of Ilam
The long road stage includes 4 hours of beautiful tarmac road followed by 5 hours of track for less than 50 km to Sekatum. It allows you to bypass the first stages where this trek initially began which lost their interest with this track due to a construction project—hydroelectricity in Mitlung, Chirawa, Sekatum. We begin our trek to Lamatar with a short walk
9 hours drive ; 1h30 trek ; Full board
After breakfast, we begin today’s stage with flat terrain then, after crossing the river, a nice climb to arrive at Amjilosa, a Sherpa hamlet with 4 houses. Beautiful view of the Selele pass. Then an hour of gradual climb up the hillside and a short descent take us to Thangyan, a Sherpa hamlet located at 2350 m.
It will take us about 1 hour and 30 minutes to walk (including 30 minutes on stairs) through a bamboo and rhododendron forest to arrive at Gyabla, a Sherpa village where we have lunch. In the afternoon, a gradual climb through a mixed forest to Phole, a village of around 30 Tibetan refugee houses which houses a carpet-making workshop, a school maintained by an American and monasteries.
Full board
1 hour of gradual ascent through a forest of rhododendrons and junipers to Gunsa, a sherpa village with around 40 houses; the inhabitants go down to live in the village of Phole during the 3 months of snow. Morning visit to the Tibetan monastery of Gunsa.
Height difference less: 50 meters ; Full board
Day for improvised hikes and perfect acclimatization
Full board
In the morning we progress through a forest of junipers, birches and thorns; we cross the river by a wooden bridge and have to cross some delicate passages in landslides. Lunch at the camp near the Yak sheepfolds. View of Sarphu and the Jannu cirque: Jannu (7710 m), Sobithongie (6670 m), PholePeak (6645 m) and Khabur (6332 m)
Full board
The climb is gradual, with some difficult passages through landslides, up to the ancient dry lake of Lhonak. After 2 hours of walking, we have lunch in the sheepfolds of Ramthang. Along the way, view of many mountains: Mera (6344 m), Ramthang (6700 m) over 6000 m. Camp in the pastures, view of the Sarphu massif, Mera (6344 m), Tinjung (6097 m), Pandra (6850 m), KirantChuli (7366 m), NepalPeak (6910 m), and many unnamed peaks. We are about fifteen kilometres from Tibet as the crow flies. From the camp, we will see mouflons and Tibetan partridges.
Gradual climb along (right bank) the Kanchenjunga moraine glacier to Pangpema. We cannot go further than Pengpema because the path is no longer traced. Panoramic view of KirantChuli, NepalPeak, Kanchenjunga, Yalung, Twins, Kambachem, Chang Himal, etc… Return by the same path to the Camp. As the weather changes very quickly, we leave very early in the morning and will take a picnic. Lunch at Lhonak. You continue your day’s walk to Lonak
Full board
Return by the same path to Gunsa.
Full board
We walk for almost 2 hours steeply uphill in a rhododendron forest to the small pass of Tamo La (3940 m), a beautiful view of the Gunsa valley (villages of Phole and Gyabla). Then gradual climb to the camp via the Selele pass (4180 m). Beautiful view of Sarphu III (5865 m), Khabur, Bokton (6143 m), etc.
Height difference less: 100 meters ; Full board
Difficult day with the passage of 3 passes: Sirion La (4450 m), Mirgin La (4455 m) and SirelapcheBhanjyang (4530 m). During the day, view of Sarphu, Jannu, Phole, Khabur, Bokton, and Lashar. Be careful, in the morning the sky can be blue and in the morning cloudy and snowing. The guide must provide food for the day or even for the night if we have to bivouac in the mountain if the weather and visibility do not allow us to descend. You must therefore bring a tent. From the last pass, the descent is steep (3 hours) passing by JorPokhari Lake and crossing a juniper forest. View of the Kabrus and the Yalung Glacier.
Height difference less: 1000 meters ; Full board
Ascent to Ramche, the lodge closest to the south face of Kanchenjunga
Full board
A long day of walking awaits you. During these many hours, admire the Yalung Glacier, with a little luck, you may come across blue sheep on the way. After admiring the southern facade of Kanchenjunga. Beautiful gradual descent through a forest of rhododendrons and junipers along the Simbuwa River to go to Tortong for lunch.
Full board
We climb through a mixed forest to Tangsadang then to Lamite (Lasya) Bhanjyang (3360 m); we descend about 2 hours to OmjeKhola. 1 hour of ascent in a mixed forest to Dhupi Bhanjyang then 1 hour of descent to the village of Hellok.
Full board
After a short walk, you take the road by jeep to Taplejung then Ilam. This is the end of your trek in this remote region.
6 hours drive ; Full board
Return transfer by the beautiful road to Téraï. Flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to the hotel. Free day
Free day and airport transfer for the return flight
Practical Info
– Walking times are approximate because they depend on the groups, photos and stops. As for the elevation differences, they are also general indications and not GPS readings. – Depending on the weather and operational conditions, the guide reserves the right to modify this itinerary for your safety.
What is included
- Transfers in reserved vehicle BDP – Ilam – Taplejung Round trip & local jeep Taplejung
- Sekatum + Hellok – Taplejung).
- English-speaking Nepalese Trekking Guide for the entire trek
- (French-speaking guide from 4)
- Local team: Porter(s) and assistant guide depending on the group size
- Staff insurance
- Full-board trek in the lodge
- Luggage carrying up to 12 kg/person during the trek.
- 3 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel in BB
- Special Kangchenjunga permit, KCAP
- Additional flights Kathmandu – Bhadrapur – Kathmandu: €256 / participant: variation possible without notice
What is not included
- Visit and meals excluding breakfast in Kathmandu
- Nepal visa
- International flight
- Repatriation insurance + rescue and search required
- Tips, personal expenses, drinks, sleeping bag etc.
FAQ
The highlight of the trek, arriving at Kanchenjunga north base camp offers a spectacular view of the giants of the eastern Himalaya. Here stands Jannu (or Kumbhakarna, 7,710 m) in all its splendour: a colossus of ice and rock, feared by climbers for its verticality and austerity. Facing this legendary wall, your gaze wanders between hanging glaciers, dizzying faces and a horizon dotted with peaks over 8,000 metres. A moment of pure emotion for mountain lovers, in an atmosphere of total isolation, far from any human bustle.
Located in the far east of Nepal, Kanchenjunga Himal remains one of the least visited and best preserved areas of the country. Infrastructure is basic, villages are few and the landscapes are untouched. The trek crosses an incredible diversity of environments: subtropical forests, deep valleys, high pastures, glaciers and high ridges, revealing the Himalaya in its rawest form. This majestic setting, where nature rules, guarantees a pure adventure off the classic routes, for hardy trekkers in search of authenticity.
This Kanchenjunga trek is also a cultural immersion in a region still largely inhabited by the Limbu, one of Nepal’s indigenous peoples. The route passes perched villages, discreet monasteries and terraced fields, offering a rare glimpse of a rich and living culture. Animist and Buddhist traditions coexist harmoniously here, carried by people proud of their identity and still little influenced by tourism. Meeting the inhabitants of this remote region, with their warm welcome and distinctive customs, adds a precious human dimension to this high-altitude journey.
