Things to Know Before Planning For Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

  • Kishwor Adhikari
  • Last Updated on Nov 2, 2023

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the most adventurous and challenging treks of Nepal. It takes you into the Kanchenjunga Region, which lies in the eastern part of Nepal, bordering India. The most prominent attraction of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is Mount Kanchenjunga, which is the 3rd tallest peak in the world. Trek to Kanchenjunga will lead you to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga, both the north Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek and the south Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Circuit, however, takes you to both the base camps.

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Mt. Kanchenjunga is actually is massif with 5 peaks. North Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek takes you to Pangpema, which is the base camp of Kanchenjunga Main, and South Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek takes you to the base Camp of Kanchenjunga South. The other three peaks of Kanchenjunga massif are Yalung Kang, Kanchenjunga Central and Kangbachen. Kanchenjunga Main is the tallest one among all.

Some frequently discussed topics regarding Kanchenjunga trekking are:

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek takes you to the Base Camp of the southern peak of Kanchenjunga, and it is the main attraction of the trek. The elevation of the base camp is 4730 m and that of Kanchenjunga South is 8494 m. Altogether, it’s a 13 days long journey, but the trekkers trek for a duration of 8 days. During the trek, you’ll come across villages like Lalikharka, Khesewa, Yamphudin, Tortong, PopheDanda, and so on.

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek

During the trek, you’ll get to enjoy the views of peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Kabru, Rathong, Talung, and so on. Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is also a very cultural trek, as during the journey, you’ll get to learn about the rich cultures of Rai and Limbu communities. During your stay in the villages, they will serve you with utmost love and care, which is sure to win your heart, and you’ll get to experience their unique life style first hand.

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek takes you to the base camp of Kanchenjunga Main. The base camp is also popular by the name Pangpema. The elevation of Pangpema is 5140 m, and the height of Kanchenjunga Main is 8586 m. Altogether, it’s a 16 days long journey, but the trekkers walk for a duration of 12 days. During the trek, you cover villages such as Sakathum, Amjilosa, Gyabla, Ghunsa, Khambachen, and so on.

Kanchenjunga-North-Base-Camp-trek

You’ll also get to enjoy the views of peaks like Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna, Ramtang, Makalu, and so on, and explore in detail Yalung, Jhinsang and Kanchenjunga Glacier. Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek also offers opportunities to the trekkers to go on side trips, like the hike from Khambachen to NupchuPokhari, and up to a viewpoint that offers amazing views of Mt. Jannu. And finally, the warm hospitality of the locals here is probably the most significant attraction of the trek.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Solo

The fact that facilities like accommodation and food are only available in a handful of places and that most of the journey is a camp trek, makes the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek solo a near impossible feat to achieve. When you trek on a route solo, you have to depend on yourself for every single thing. There’s no one to guide you or take care of you. It’s just you and nature.

Trekking solo seems like a possibility on the route where facilities as such are available widely, where he doesn’t have to take all that burden. When you trek in a group, there are porters who take care of your things, but when you trek solo, you’ll have to do all the lifting. And let’s not forget the fact that Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route has all the features of a challenging trek. Going on Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek solo, by undertaking all these difficulties doesn’t sound like a smart option.

Also, keep in mind that there have been people who’ve done the impossible, i.e. going on the trek and returning safely. But these people are professionals; they have years of practice and training, and they’ve done the same thing in other parts of the world as well. Moreover, it’s their profession to undertake such challenges. Trying to replicate what they do could only cause harm.

Kanchenjunga Trek

Kanchenjunga Trek, also known as the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, is the culmination of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek North and Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek South. It is a journey that offers you the attractions of both the treks and even more. The trekkers generally cover the South Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route first, and then they move on to cover the North Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route. Both the routes are joined by a small route consisting of a pass, known as Mirgin La, which is situated at an altitude of 4480 m.

Kanchenjunga trek

The tiny route connects the villages of Ghunsa, from the north Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route, and Ramche, from the south Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route. Altogether, the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek is a 27-day long journey, but the trekkers need to walk for around 19 days. Apart from the peaks in the Kanchenjunga region, Kanchenjunga Trek Nepal also offers views of peaks from the Everest region, namely Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and so on. The entire route is a part of Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, one of the richest protected areas of Nepal. So don’t be surprised when you come across rare and endangered animals and plant species during the trekking journey.

Kanchenjunga Trek Map

When you go for the Kanchenjunga trek, it’s crucial that you carry the Kanchenjunga trek map with you. A Kanchenjunga trek map will make sure that you’re always on the track, and prevent you from getting separated from your group. Even if you do, you can always find your way back with a map in your possession. Kanchenjunga trek consists of so many attractions that you must go for side treks to cover all of them or at least the major ones.

With a Kanchenjunga trek map, you can decide which ones to cover and which ones to avoid. You can plan your own side trips, and even go for them on your own. Kanchenjunga trek map gives you all the knowledge that you need to know about the trek, thus, making you independent. It also helps you understand the trek and better prepare for the journey. In this way, you’ll be ready to face all the challenges and enjoy all the attractions.

Kanchenjunga Trek Difficulty

Kanchenjunga trek difficulty level is extreme. The journey takes you to high altitude and keeps you there for quite a long time, exposing you to risks like intense cold weather, altitude sickness, and so on. The trek also makes you walk on steep, rocky, rough and uneven terrains, which is quite a challenge considering that you have to walk for so many days. The hike is bearable for the first few days, but as you go forward, it becomes difficult to walk and the journey seems like a punishment.

Kanchenjunga trek difficulty

If you’re not used to trekking as much, this trip will take you to your limits. One of the most significant factors that make the Kanchenjunga trek difficulty level extreme is the unavailability of facilities like accommodation and food. Only a few big villages offer these services, and when you’re at other places, you’d have to set up camps and prepare food on your own. You can completely forget about comfort while on this trek, as you have to live among nature and accept it in its cruel form.

If you’re looking to experience a challenge in a trekking journey, trekking to Kanchenjunga is the best way to go about it. Whether you go for any one of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek or Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Circuit, you’re going to have the most adventurous trekking journey of your life, and that’s a guarantee. Considering all the attractions that the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek offers, it can be said that it is a complete trek. If you’re to ignore difficulties for a while, you will see a rich trekking experience that has something for everyone. So, if you’re someone who loves trekking, or who wants to try trekking, and don’t quite mind the troubles, Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek can prove to be the ideal trek for you.

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Kishwor Adhikari

Kishwor Adhikari

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