Kanchenjunga Trek

On reaching departure air terminal on landing at Kathmandu / international airport. Our staff and guide receives you for short transfer to respective hotels in the heart of Kathmandu city. After checking into your rooms, getting refreshed join with other members of the treks for group briefing. Provided by our guide or trek leader, briefing includes all important subjects related to the treks, includes information of Kathmandu and hotels. Evening a group welcome dinner in an authentic Nepalese restaurants, an introduction to Nepali meals and cultures.

Morning options for half-day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu world heritage sites of great cultural and historical interest. After the tour free for Kanchenjunga trek preparation. 

Morning as time for Bhadrapur flight to Eastern Nepal around low land of Terai belt. Transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport, for scenic flight facing tremendous view of Himalayan peaks. Includes Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga massif peaks, then the plane lands at low warm flat land. Around Eastern Nepal at Bhadrapur town airport, joining our trekking staff for exciting drive. On leaving the sub-tropical areas for cooler high hills reaching a wide terraces of Tea Garden of Ilam town. After a short refreshing stops, drive continues further up to a small town at Phidim for overnight halt in a nice simple lodge. The town of Phidim surrounded amidst great Tea Gardens and pine trees with grand views of Kanchenjunga in the far north direction.

From Phidim, continue drive of few hours on leaving the main highway to enter the sub-road towards Hapu Khola / stream. The drive can be bumpy on the rough road, passing amidst many smaller villages with farm fields. Then reaching Hapu Khola, and continue towards Banketar where the drive ends. From Banketar a small village slowly developing into a town in near future. The first day trek starts to Khewang of few hours, a pleasant walk through villages and lovely area of the farm fields. Coming across nice village and witness the local culture of eastern Nepal the Kirats with Rai and Limbu. The main hill tribes of Taplejung district of Eastern Nepal mid-hills, finally end the day walks reaching Khewang (Khebang) at 1,915 m. Check into a nice simple local lodge for overnight around the mid-hills of Kanchenjunga region.

Morning from Khewang, walk starts with gradual climb to a small ridge at 2,070 m to reach Ekchana Bhanjyang. Then heading towards another pass of Ghatichinne Bhanjyang, in between joining the trail of Mamakhe. A newly rough dirt road construction is underway, but not ready for vehicles to run yet. As walk proceeds through cultivated farm fields with few settlements. Most locals around this areas are engaged in cardamom plantation, grown on the wetlands which is main source of income. The walk follows for another few hours, and then finally reaching Sherpa Gaon for overnight halt in a nice simple guest-house.

Having good breakfast, start the morning with a long steep climb towards Deurali Danda. A high ridge at 3,292 m /10, 800 feet as the trail winds its way uphill, steeply. Entering a dense rhododendron tree lines, then reaching an open area at Chitre a wide ridge with a water pool. Where Lashe Bhanjyang is located a small settlement with isolated huts, serves as Tea-House and lodge for overnight stop.

From Lashe Bhanjyang enjoy views towards northwest overlooking peaks of Mt. Jannu, and Mt. Kanchenjunga. The morning walks leads to descent reaching Simbua Khola, the initial sections on downhill has been obstructed by a landslide.

One needs to heed slowly with care with big long drop, the walk finally re-enters the forest. The trail leads to steady descent towards the banks of Simbua Khola, a walk of about an hour. A pleasant trek along the bank to cross a small bridge, and then reaching towards our overnight stop at Torongten. A nice lovely open area amidst beautiful forest surroundings, having a small village with few basic lodges.

The walk from Torongten, and the areas of lower Lalung valley covered in thick forest with pine and rhododendron trees. Morning walk follows towards a river on the northeast, which is the source of the Yarlung Glacier. 

During walk exciting views of the snow peak are seen ahead, the trail follows the ever-wide riverbed with pleasant walks. Finally, the terminal moraine of the Yarlung Glacier can be seen with peaks of Talung, 7,349 m /24,111 feet with Kabru 7,338 m /2 4,075 feet and Rathong peak 6, 678 m / 21,909 ft. 

As the day ends reaching Tseram, located on a nice grassy meadow with a small terrace, above the north bank of a river. Enjoy the comfort of a nice simple and basic accommodation at Tseram, which is the junction of South and North Base camps of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Although an extra day at Tseram, an opportunity to visit and explore Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Which is the original and main preferable routes to the summit by mountaineers. Start the hike as early as possible for the long high altitude walks towards Yarlung glaciers and south base camp.

Having warm refreshment and good breakfast, as well carrying packed lunch for the day. The trail leads with steep climb for a short while for an hour reaching a gentle slope and continues till Oakthang Glacier. A picnic lunch will be carried and served to you by your crew once you reach Ramche. Either on the way up or on the way down as time permits on walks. From Ramche heads further towards South Base Camp, and enjoy the classic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga South Face, beyond Ramche and the glacier. As it turns north at the corner facing tremendous views of entire south and west faces of Mt. Kanchenjunga. After a grand vista walk further to a small path leading onto the lateral moraine of the Yarlung Glacier. Reaching a Buddhist monument ‘Chorten’ a perfect spot for unsurpassed views of Mt. Kanchenjunga main summit with Yarlung Kang, 8,505 m/27, 903 feet, and Khambachen Peak, 7,903 m / 25,928 feet, across head of a valley.

After a most astonishing adventure of the day hike return journey on the same exciting trail to Tseram. Enjoying the toughest day walks, rewards you with complete rest and leisure next day in Tseram.

Enjoy the long awaited rest day to relax, a spare day for people who wish to do a small laundering. As well enjoy the day marveling the beautiful scenery and recuperate and getting ready for the next adventure to North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga.

Enjoying a free and rest day, get ready for the long haul to cross three smaller passes in a day. Morning starts with a vertical climb ahead of Tseram, a strenuous steady haul for few hours. Then reaching a small icy pond of Chhuchung Pokhari; from here few minutes to the top of Sinion-La or Lepcha Pass. After completing the hardest section of the climb, enjoy glorious wide 360° panorama of the highest snow-capped peaks. Includes Mt. Makalu and Baruntse Himal in the North West with peaks of north east; and endless foothills in the far horizon.

From the top the walk gets comparatively easy on gentle path to cross over Sele La. On completing all scenic passes and ridges, a slow descent to Phedi facing views of massif Kumbhakarna that towers above. As the day concludes reaching overnight stop at Phedi, an isolated small settlement with few huts serving as simple lodges.

After a toughest walks of previous days, from here onwards on pleasant trail with long descent to Ghunsa village. The walk leads through lovely cool dense woods, then reaching on the rim of Yama Tori Valley. The walk continues downhill amidst pine and rhododendron tree lines, then reaching Ghunsa village.

A lovely well organized village of some thirty houses built with stones and corrugated roofs. Includes a small police post with a monastery here, enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge accommodation; much better than previous few overnights.

An exciting walk from Ghunsa to Khambachen, another last village before Lhonak. The walk follows the valley floor, as trail heads besides the greenish colored small stream of Ghunsa Khola. Heading through scrubs of smaller rhododendron and juniper bushes. Overlooking the terminal moraine of Mt. Jannu glacier ahead, facing occasional looks of a snow capped peaks. The walk comes to a small bridge and getting across the river to a small grassy areas of Rhambuk Kharka. 

The edgy slopes above are prone to occasional landslide and rock falls a great care is needed to negotiate. On crossing over a steep traverse across a large affected landslide area, from here onwards the gorge gradually open out. Facing views of snow-capped peaks of Phole, Sobithonge and Jannu rises majestically above the moraines from the Jannu Glacier. From the landslide portion the walk gets better on gradual path, as trail heads towards a hillsides. Then finally descends to Khambachen, a small summer pasture and settlement. Mt. Jannu lies hidden, but the Sharphu group of peaks can be seen at the head of a valley. Overnight in a small lodge with simple and basic facilities to enjoy overnight halt in Khambachen. 

Our adventure gets closer to the next highlights, as walk starts on a rugged path but quite easy. The trail follows up to a west bank of the river, then head across a small boulder field. As walk continues with short climb on a snow slope reaching on a flat ground at Ramtang Kharka. Having a short rest enjoy the views of surrounding beautiful country landscapes and snow peaks. Including impressive, views of the Ramtang Glacier, which feeds off Khambachen and the mighty western outlines of Mt. Kanchenjunga massif. 

Start the walk for another few hour on level path, leading to a snout of the Kanchenjunga glacier. Close to it rises from the dunes of moraines facing

Pyramid Peak, Tent Peak and Nepal Peak. Where terminal moraines and the river from Lhonak Glacier enters from the north. Leaving minor obstruction to access on the sandy level with few grassy fields at Lhonak for overnight halts. 

A small isolated settlement with few simple stone huts serving as Tea-House and lodge, this place can be very windy in the afternoon time. Enjoy marvelous snowy mountain views that surrounds with the ice flutings of Wedge Peak; and the snowy ramparts of Nepal and Tent Peaks. A great exciting spot and backdrop for a colorful sunset.

The main final goal as well the major highlights of the adventure heading towards Pang Pema. Where Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is located, morning carrying packed lunch for the long and exciting day hike. The trail to Pang Pema can be misleading often changes due to rock falls and movement of glaciers.

Follow our expert lead guide on a shelf of a lateral moraine from the source of Kanchenjunga glaciers. As walk progress and the views gets better facing Wedge, Nepal, Tent and Pyramid peaks. Includes close views of Sharphu peaks that dominates the sky line and the valley. Walk leads on until Pang Pema is reached, enjoy the spectacular scenery of an array of peaks. Enjoying the closest looks ofmassif Mt. Kanchenjunga North Face within remorseless fields of ice and glaciers. 

Pang Pema, a remote quant and isolated small place of Yak herders, having small stone huts on a grassy meadow. Enjoy the panoramic and jaw dropping views, close to Pang Pema with a large boulder adorned with prayer flags.

As well with a small plague in the memory of late mountaineer Chris Chandler from USA. After completing our adventurous feat, return journey to Lhonak on the same interesting route for overnight halt.

After last overnight in the comfort of simple Spartan lodge, morning walk leads past Khambachen. As walk follows along the west ridge of the Khambachen valley and down to Ghunsa Khola / stream. At present stands a newly built suspension bridge above the river. Walk continues on downhill until the trail is enveloped in golden pine and various species of rhododendron. As the long day hike ends reaching Ghunsa for pleasant overnight in the comfort of nice cozy lodge.

Leaving the higher areas of Kanchenjunga, return journey on an alternative routes crossing Ghunsa Khola again for last time. The trail leads to pleasant walk through lush forest of pine, rhododendron, and birch and Himalayan bamboos. 

Encountering small Mani (a Buddhist prayer) walls and then reaching a nomadic-type settlement of Phole. From here after a brief rest walk on a huge sections of landslide to walk across. But safe from falling rocks and stones, making crossing safe, rest of the walk amidst dense lovely forest. Then finally the day completes reaching Gyabla Phedi for overnight stop in a neatly kept tiny village.

This nice place with some small houses, a few great teahouses and a huge lodge with 40 rooms. Enjoy views of high waterfalls in the distance, within a greenery surroundings includes cultivated terraced landscape. 

On leaving the upper sections of North Kanchenjunga, from here onwards completely different with landscapes and climate. Morning walk follows on a narrow trail with a slow climb and then leads to descent for short while.

As the trail stretches reaching a nice village of Amjilassa, a great place and possible stop for lunch. Afternoon walk on long downhill reaching to a suspension bridge to cross over a big river. As walk follows, then arriving at Lamatar with views of beautiful waterfalls. After a short walks from Lamatar, leads to cross another suspension bridge, following the upper Tamur River. Next hour of walk again leads to the last bridge to cross, and then ending the day on reaching Sekathum. Enjoy the overnight in a comfort of nice homely type guest house and lodge. 

Having a nice breakfast, a short walk to cross a small suspension named "Ranipul" above Tamur River. Where road-head is located for exciting drive of 4 to 5 hours to reach Suketar for overnight stop. (Suketar village close to the Taplejung airstrip). 

Drive to Ilam Bazaar via Kanyam arriving by late afternoon or early evening with lunch at Phidim. Time permitting visit the local tea garden with views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jannu.

Morning from Ilam Town few hours exciting drive past huge Tea Gardens then downhill to low warm Terai belt. As drive continues reaching Bhadrapur town and the airport. As the plane arrives from Kathmandu, board in the aircraft for sweeping panoramic flight back to Kathmandu. Then get transferred to your hotel, with afternoon free at leisure.

Enjoy an extra day in Kathmandu, we have reserved as contingency day in case of delay on treks due to mountain road conditions for local drives. 

Have the day off for individual activities or get into shopping spree, interested people can join for another interesting tour of other cities of Kathmandu valley. Sightseeing around Patan / Lalitpur or the famous Bhaktapur city Durbar Square, worth a visit.

After an enjoyable and most mesmerizing adventure in Nepal and around the Himalayas on Kanchenjunga Trek. As time for departure, our staff transfer you to international airport for flight homeward bound or to next port of call.