short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 16 Days

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Mist rising from valleys at dawn
At a Glance
  • Duration16 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Max Altitude 5140m
  • Group Size 2 - 20 Person
  • Start City Kathmandu City
  • End City Kathmandu City
  • Trip Type Private and Group Joining
  • Activity Trekking and Hiking
  • Best Season March - June and September - December
Trip Highlights
  • Amazing view of Mt. Kanchenjunga with its 5 treasure.
  • Breathe taking view of Kumbhakarna ( Mt. Jannu).
  • Cheram Village.
  • Kanchenjunga South Base Camp.
  • Kanchenjunga North Base Camp.
  • Sunset view from Khambachen.
  • Sherpa Settlements.
  • Local teahouse and Delicious Dalbhat with organic vegetables.
  • Limbu and Rai Culture.
  • Tea Gardens of Nepal.
  •  Ghunsa village.
  • Peaceful Trail.
  • Sele Le Pass.
  • Kanchenjunga valley.
  • Tibetan Culture and their lifestyle.
  • Buddhist Stupa on the trail.

Kanchenjunga region lies in the remote north-eastern parts of Nepal, bordering both India and China. Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek with Breeze Adventure is a version that requires 16 days from arrival to departure. The longer variant demands an additional 7 days. 

Festooned in ice and snow, the towering, massive Mt Kanchenjunga, along with other notable peaks in the Himalayan massif, is certainly a main attraction of the expedition. The Himalayas comes with five peaks and the Main, at an altitude of 8,586 meters from sea level, is the third highest mountain on the planet, after Mt Everest (8,848 m) and Mt K2 (8,611 m). 

For visitors, the Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek presents a walk in some solitude. Trekking in the remoteness of the Kanchenjunga region makes this trip one of the best treks in Nepal many claims. The off-the-beaten trails remain proof that only a few trekkers walk the routes each year. Recent records show that the Annapurna region, the most favored trekking destination in Nepal, receives +3,00,000 visitors annually whereas the figure for the Kanchenjunga region is only around 1000.

Besides fewer trekkers, what a Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek has on offer is pristine wilderness.  Around two-thirds of the landscape is snow and ice. Although the landscape sees human settlements at lower elevations, most of what remains is alive with wildlife.  

The villages en route certainly add to the experience. The relatively dense settlements at lower altitudes see a mix of people from many parts of Nepal. As the trek moves to higher reaches, however, the community populations first turn predominantly Limbus, an ethnic group known for their bravery. What attracts many is their traditional dresses, food, and an alcoholic drink known as Tongba, which is served hot. The higher reaches of The land see Sherpa settlements. 

This Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek takes travelers to both the South and North Base Camps. The trail stretches about 230 kilometers from start to finish and requires 14 days of walk. The average is 5/6 hours of walking each day.

Itinerary

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After having early breakfast, we will drive to the domestic airport and fly to Bhadrapur for about an hour. We’ve got a long drive today. Once, we land at Bhadrapur, we will catch a jeep and drive to Suketar. It’s best to be well-rested before we begin the trek. You will the gorgeous views on the drive. We pass villages and their surrounding agricultural fields. It’s a picturesque scene. Overnight in a guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 1250m
  • Time: 10 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Jeep

Through villages and farms, initially, the alternating ups and downs soon enter a forest. We stop for lunch on the way. Further up, amidst pines, spruces, firs, and hemlocks, Tortang is where we spend the night.

  • Max Altitude: 2995
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 8 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 17km

The trail out of Tortang towards Tseram starts out uphill to the steeper side. Passing through a dense forest, the trail gains altitude and walks all on the path past the snout of Yalung Glacier. As we approach Tseram, Kabru and Rathong mountains make their visible presence.

  • Max Altitude: 3750m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 5 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 12km

The walk on this day is relatively a short one on this expedition. Once past the snout of Yalung Glacier, the ascending trail enters valleys, consequences of the evaporation of ancient glaciers. Meandering further, the path goes past clear streams as well as a frozen lake as the Himalayas – Kokthan, Rathong, and Kabru – come closer. Herds of blue sheep often catch the attention of many traversing. We stopped for the night in Ramche, a result of an ablation.

  • Max Altitude: 4350m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 5 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 12km

We begin our walk early today. With our packed lunch, we head towards Oktang, also known as the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Although the actual base camp lies about an hour further from this point, the location offers a stunning view of the South Face of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

To get the best panoramic view of the Himalayas, we cross the Yalung Glacier and make our way to ideal vantage points on the other side. Here, the main attraction is the long Himalayan ridge that towers above 7,000 meters, with the majestic summits of Mt. Kanchenjunga rising dramatically above the surrounding peaks.

This is a place for quiet contemplation, deep reflection, or simply soaking in the inspiration offered by the grandeur of nature. After enjoying the breathtaking Himalayan views, we head back to Ramche for lunch before returning to Tseram.

 

  • Max Altitude: 4700m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 3 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 6 Hours

From Tseram, we begin our longest trek day early, heading towards Sele Le Phedi via the challenging Mirgin-La and Sele-La Passes. Though demanding, the effort is rewarded with stunning panoramic views that many travelers find unforgettable. The trail winds through rugged terrain, offering glimpses of distant Himalayan peaks. After crossing both passes, we make a final descent to Sele Le Phedi, where we spend a night at a local teahouse.

  • Max Altitude: 4200m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 9 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 19km

Leaving the campsite, the trail goes through a forest and is a steep, rocky descent. The sharpness fades and presents comfort as the expedition nears Ghunsa. 
Ghunsa is a village where the ways of the people are governed by Buddhism. The fluttering prayer flags and Gompas (monasteries), therefore, welcome visitors. Their livestock sees yaks and sheep and they depend on maize and potatoes as their major crops. Ghunsa is also the highest permanent settlement in this valley.

  • Max Altitude: 3595m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 5 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 12km

Today is our rest day in Gunsa after a long pass. Ghunsa is a beautiful remote village with awesome mountain views, friendly sherpa people, and their culture. We will explore this beautiful village and the monastery. Overnight at a teahouse.

  • Max Altitude: 3595
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 2 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 5 km

After breakfast, we start walking. On a comfortable uphill, the trail passes through a verdant forest populated by rhododendrons, pines, and cedars. We stop for lunch by a riverside. The incline now turns steep and remains so until the final downhill to Khambachen. Under the auspices of the revered Himalaya, Kumbhakarna (also called Jannu), we settle for the night in Khambachen.

  • Max Altitude: 4050m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 15km

The trail climbs up past chortens above Khambachen. We soon find ourselves walking the northern side of Kanchenjunga Glacier. The trail reaches high plateaus and we walk past Lhonak Glacier. Lhonak is a sandy plain with a few huts scattered. We spend our night here.

  • Max Altitude: 4750m
  • Time: 6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 14km

We walk for around three hours following a moraine and arrive at Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp) at an altitude of 5,140 meters from sea level. Unmatched is the view of Kanchenjunga Main (8,586 m), the North Face of the Himalayas, along with others in the massif. With walks around for views from different angles, this day certainly is the climax of this expedition. We had our lunch and back to Lhonak to spend the night at Lhonak. 

  • Max Altitude: 5140m
  • Time: 7 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 15km

Retracing our footsteps, we stop at Khambachen for Lunch and Ghunsa for the night.

  • Max Altitude: 3595m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 7 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 17km

Today’s trail includes some ups and downs, but we mostly lose altitude as vegetation changes noticeably. Leaving behind pines and junipers, we pass through Phole village and continue to a meadow leading to Gyabla, where we stop for lunch. The trail begins with a steep descent that gradually eases. We trek through dense rhododendron and bamboo forests, cross a river, climb briefly, then descend to Amjilosa. Waterfalls along the way add to the beauty.

  • Max Altitude: 2730m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 15km

This is our final day of the walk. The trail goes downhill out of Amjilosa. Through villages and farmlands, the walk finally ends once we reach Ranipul. Ranipul is a town and we settle for the night here.

  • Max Altitude: 1350m
  • Accommodation: Tea House
  • Time: 6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 15km

We begin our drive from Ranipul, heading towards Bhadrapur via Taplejung and Ilam. The journey offers scenic views of hills, terraced farms, and lush tea gardens, especially around Ilam, known for its tea estates. The road winds through rural landscapes and small towns, providing glimpses of daily life in eastern Nepal. After a long but picturesque drive through the hills and lowlands, we finally arrive in Bhadrapur, marking the end of our journey.

  • Max Altitude: 91m
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Time: 10 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Jeep

Have breakfast early in the morning and fly to Kathmandu for 1 hour. Then you will explore Thamel and have a good rest.

  • Max Altitude: 1400m
  • Accommodation: 2/3 star Hotel
  • Time: 1 Hour
  • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
  • Transport: Flight
Cost Details
What's Included
  • ransportation to and from Tribhuvan Airport.
  • Three nights in a 2-3 star hotel in Kathmandu, breakfast included.
  • All transportation for the trek.
  • Kanchenjunga Trekking Permit
  • Local guesthouse/teahouse accommodation in the mountain (and in Birtamod).
  • Government-authorized experienced guide and porters
  • Insurance, food, accommodation, and wage for guides and porters
  • Hygienic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
  • All equipment (sleeping bag, warm layers, etc.)
  • First Aid Kit
  • Maps
  • Service charge and government taxes
  • Post-trek celebration dinner in Kathmandu
What's Not Included
  • nternational airfare
  • Meals in Kathmandu (besides breakfast)
  • Your personal expenses, shopping, etc.
  • Shower and electronic charging fees at guest houses during the trek
  • Alcoholic drinks, chocolates, tea and coffee
  • Tips for guide and porter
  • Extra accommodation and meals outside of itinerary
  • Costs from unexpected occurrences (i.e. cancellations, weather problems, damages of property, illness, etc.)
Add-Ons & Options

Enhance Your Short Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek with Exclusive Services:


Private Porter Service: Opt for a private porter at an additional $300.00 cost. On this plan, you will get your private porter who will carry only your trekking gear and will walk with you during the trekking. 
Flight to/from Bhadrapur: Opt for the flight to and from Bhadrapur instead of a long bus drive from Kathmandu. On this plan, you will fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and drive to the trekking starting point Taplejung. Also, after the trek, you will drive to Bhadrapur and fly back to Kathmandu by plane. It cost $ 200 one way.

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