Kanchenjunga Trekking Itineraries 13 to 27 days

Kanchenjunga Trekking Itinerary

The trekking route to Kanchenjunga Base Camp takes you deep in the Arun valley. As you walk along the Tamur River through Pipal trees and villages, you get closer to the mountains. The 12-day trek takes you to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp.

The entire path will relish the stunning panoramic view of the massive peaks such as Kanchenjunga (8586m), Mt. Jannu (7710m), Kabru (7412m), Chamlang (7319m), Makalu (8481m), Everest (8848m), and many others.

The region is inhabited by a mixed community of Limbu, Sherpa, Rai, and Gurung. Thanks to the recently built affordable tea house, you can now get to the base camp of Kanchenjunga without having to set camp at the end of the day. As we drive from Bhadrapur and Tapejung, we get closer to the Himalayas.

Walking to the villages like Khesewa, Phumpe Danda, Torongind, we explore the Kanchenjunga Conservation area. This is home to some rare flora and fauna. Climbing higher to Cheram and Ramche, we cross the alpine grasslands and get into the glacial moraine and rocky scree slopes. Sounds exciting? It obviously does. Let’s view the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Itinerary in detail. 

Here we have the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek Itinerary. Also, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek Itinerary, Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary, and Short Kanchenjunga Trek Itinerary in detailed with pictures.

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking Itinerary (13 Days)

• Day 01:Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and night bus to Ilam.
• Day 02:Drive from Ilam to Taplejung and Lalikharka. (2420m).
• Day 03:Lalikharka to Khesewa (2120m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 04:Kheseuwa to Pumpe Dada (1785m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 05:Trek from Pumpe Dada to Yamphudin (2080m), 2-3 hours.
• Day 06:Trek from Yamphudin to Tortong (2995m), 7-8 hours.
• Day 07:Trek from Tortong to Tseram ( Cheram) and hike up to Lake (3870m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 08:Trek from Tseram to Ramche and explore Yalung Glacier (4580m), 7-8 hours.
• Day 09:Rest day for exploration around Ramche and Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, (4730m)
• Day 10:Retreat trek from Ramche to Tortong,(2995m).
• Day 11:Trek from Tortong to Ranipul, (1550m) 6-7 hours.
• Day 12:Drive from Ranipul to Taplejung (4 hours) and Taplejung to Ilam (4 hours), (1150m).
• Day 13:Drive from Ilam to Kathmandu.
• Click here for more details of the 13-day Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking 

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking Itinerary (16 Days)

• Day 01:Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and night bus to Ilam.( 9 hours)
• Day 02:Drive from Ilam to Taplejung, Ranipul (7 hours), and walk 30 minutes to Sakathum.
• Day 03:Trek from Sakathum to Amjilosa (2490m), 5-6 hours.
• Day 04:Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730m), 4-5 hours.
• Day 05:Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3410m), 4-5 hours.
• Day 06:Acclimatization day at Ghunsa.
• Day 07:Trek from Ghunsa to Khambachen (4050m), 5-6 hours.
• Day 08:Acclimatization day at Khambachen, hike up to Nupchu Pokhari (5 hours) or Jannu view point (4 hours).
• Day 09:Trek from Khambachen to Lhonak (4780m), 5 hours.
• Day 10:Trek from Lhonak to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pang Pema) (5140m), 3 hours.
• Day 11:Trek from Kanchenjunga North Base Camp ( Pang Pema) to Khambachen, 6-7 hours.
• Day 12:Trek from Khambachen to Ghunsa, 5-6 hours.
• Day 13:Trek from Ghunsa to Amjilosa, 6-7 hours.
• Day 14:Trek from Amjilosa to Sakathum 5 hours.
• Day 15:Trek from Sakathum to Ilam (1120m), 7 hours.
• Day 16:Drive from Ilam to Kathmandu, 9 hours.
• Click here for more details of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking

Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking Itinerary (15 Days)

• Day 01: Kathmandu to Illam – around 10 hours' drive.
• Day 02:Drive from Illam to Tapethok
• Day 03:Tapethok to Tortang (2,995 m) – around 6 hours' walk
• Day 04:Tortang to Tseram (3,750 m)
• Day 05:Tseram to Ramche (4,350 m)
• Day 06:Around Ramche ( Kanchenjunga South Base Camp)
• Day 07:Ramche to Tseram (3,750 m)
• Day 08:Tseram to Sele-La Phedi 3900m crossing Sele-La Pass (4,480 m) and Mirlang-La Pass
• Day 09:Sele-La Phedi to Ghunsa (3,595 m)
• Day 10:Ghunsa to Khambachen (4,040 m)
• Day 11: Khambachen to Lhonak
• Day 12:Lhonak to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp(5140m) and back to Lhonak.
• Day 13:Lhonak to Ghunsa via Khambachen.
• Day 14:Ghunsa to Gyabla (2730m)
• Day 15:Gyabla to Amjilosa (2,308 m)
• Day 16:Amjilosa to Ranipul (1350m)
• Day 17:Ranipul to Illam – around a 6-hour drive
• Day 18:DRive from Illam to Kathmandu
• Click here for more details of the Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking Itinerary (27 Days)

• Day 01:Arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel.
• Day 02:Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and night bus to Birtamod.
• Day 03:Drive from Birtamod to Suketar (2420m).
• Day 04:Suketar to Lali Kharka (2265m), 5-6 hours.
• Day 05:Lali Kharka to Kesuwa (2120m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 06:Kesuwa to Mamankhe (1785m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 07:Mamankhe to Yamphudin (2080m), 2-3 hours.
• Day 08:Yamphudin to Tortong (2995m), 7-8 hours.
• Day 09:Tortong to Tseram (3870m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 10:Tseram to Ramche (4580m), 5 hours.
• Day 11:Rest day for exploration around Ramche and Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
• Day 12:Ramche to Mirgin La (4480m), 7-8 hours.
• Day 13:Mirgin-La to Ghunsa (3595m). 3-4 hours.
• Day 14:Ghunsa to Khambachen (4050m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 15:Khambachen to Lhonak (4780m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 16:Lhonak to Pangpema (5140m), 4-5 hours.
• Day 17:Rest day for exploration around Pang Pema and Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
• Day 18:Retreat trek to Khambachen, 7-8 hours.
• Day 19:Khambachen to Ghunsa, 5-6 hours.
• Day 20:Ghunsa to Kyapra (2730m), 6 hours.
• Day 21:Kyapra to Sakathum (1580m), 6-7 hours.
• Day 22:Sakathum to Chirwa (1180m), 5-6 hours.
• Day 23:Chirwa to Phurumbu (1542m), 6 hours.
• Day 24:Phurumbu to Suketar, 4-5 hours.
• Day 25:Drive from Suketar to Birtamod.
• Day 26:Drive from Birtamod to Kathmandu.
• Day 27:Transfer to the airport for your final departure from Nepal.
• Please click here for more details of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Why trek to Kanchenjunga?

Exploring the wilderness of the thick forest and the mountains is a blessing in itself. Wandering in the unknown remote villages is a chance to rejuvenate yourself.

The wild scenery on the premises of the South Base Camp is simply stunning. With the ice-fluted peaks and the glaciers surrounding you on all sides, the views are comparable to none. 

A scenic flight to Bhardrapur, an exciting drive on the road to Taplejung, and the six days of ascent across the steep mountain take you to the utmost point of the adventure.

Making the tough walk to the high passes and enjoying the views from the top teaches you the true meaning of life. A sense of achievement in having successfully accomplished this journey. This will remain in your heart forever.

When is the Best Time for the Kanchenjunga Trek?

Climate is extremely important when you are traveling to a higher altitude- things can get the best or worst within minutes. Being a remote trek, planning the Kanchenjunga tour in a stable climate is important.

Autumn (September, October, and November) is favored by the clear sky and warm weather, whereas Spring (March, April, May) is loved for the wild blooms.

Winter trek to the base camp can be impossible due to the thick layer of snow near the mountains. You can only wander in the lower region of Kanchenjunga during January and February. And lastly, there’s monsoon. Monsoon trek is difficult due to irregular rainfall, but it's possible with the right kinds of gear.

How difficult is the Kanchenjunga Trek?

We must be honest; the Kanchenjunga trek is quite demanding. The base camp of Kanchenjunga sits at a high altitude (5200 meters). The risk of altitude sickness is very high at such a height. And the worst, the difficulty level increases with the height.

Almost a week of ascents in the remote land can be harsh. But Kanchenjunga Trek is not an impossible one. The right trekking gear, some per hand trekking experience, makes the trip easier. Also, a well-planned Itinerary and proper guidance are needed.

Which is better? Teahouse Trek or Camping?

The choice is yours. If you want some comfort at the end of the day, go for the tea house trek. If you want the food of your choice, a clean room, and a comfortable mattress every night, plan for the normal trek.

Comparably, this is an easier and a bit cheaper form of Kanchenjunga trekking. But if you seek a wild mountain adventure with no comfort, go for the camping trek. You will still have warm food and a mat to sleep on, but it’s relatively hard.

Which is the best Kanchenjunga Trek route?

You can explore the prodigious Kanchenjunga region via three distinct routes. They are Kanchenjunga Circuit, North Base Camp, and South Base Camp. Each of these routes varies in difficulty level and the experience they offer. The trek to South Base Camp is the most popular route that demands almost 12 days of walking.

Then there’s the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek, which adds a couple of days to your trek. Lastly, we have a Kanchenjunga Circuit trek that takes you around the mountain. Similarly, circling it in all directions while you also explore the base camps. This trek is about 20 days long.

Conclusion

Kanchenjunga Trek on the premises of the world's third-tallest peak (8586m) is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of adventure. This trek in Nepal’s eastern part takes you to an untrodden area with the stunning beauty of the Himalayas. This cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

Trekking in such a remote region is way easier with a trusted traveling companion. Our team at Breeze Adventure will ensure that you have everything needed for a wonderful stay. 

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