24-Day Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Trek

Land Tour

24 days

Show All photos
24-Day Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Trek
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location

$AUD 142 per day

Departure: Kathmandu, Nepal

Arrival: Kathmandu, Nepal

Adventure

Cycling/Trekking/Walking

Private / Tailor made

This 24-day Kanchenjunga Three Passes Trek takes you from subtropical to the mountainous territory in eastern Nepal!Kanchenjunga was actually the highest peak until 1856 when the India survey Team proved that Mount Everest was higher than Mount Kanchenjunga, now ranked the third highest mountain. This Nepal trekking trip takes you to the north and south base camp of Mount Kanchenjunga with crossing three famous passes. The tailor-made itinerary begins from Kathmandu with some cultural sightseeing before you fly to Tarai and drive to picturesque Teagarden with views of tea plantations. The trek starts at Siwan rapidly ascending along the Tamor River, through forests and villages to the north face of Kanchenjunga Base Camp. You'll spend an extra night at Ghunsa village for acclimatisation and then trek further up into snow leopard valley. Yarlung Glacier valley is another attraction of Kanchenjunga trek with views to the south summit of Mount Kanchenjunga. The pristine valley is walled by rugged mountains and numerous trekking peaks! A level of good physical fitness is required for this trek where you'll be walking four to eight hours each day with strenuous climbs and descents.
About
3 night at Hotel Thamel Park (3-star)
1 nights at Kanchenjunga Hotel
1 nights at Family Hotel and Lodge (1-star)
1 nights at Mountain Lodge in Chiruwa
1 nights at Mountain Lodge in Japantar
1 nights at Mountain Lodge in Amjilosha
1 nights at Mountain Lodge in Gyabla
3 night at Mountain Lodge in Ghunsa
1 nights at Mountain Lodge in Kangpachen
2 night at Mountain Lodge in Lhonak
1 nights at Mountain Lodge at Se Le Le (1-star)
2 night at Mountain Lodge in Tapethok
2 night at Kanchejungha South Base Camp Teahouse
1 nights at Mountain Lodge
1 nights at Mountain Lodge in Ambegudin
1 nights at Hotel Kohinoor (2-star)
23 nights accommodation
23 breakfasts, 20 lunches and 21 dinners
22 activities
Kathmandu Valley UNESCO Heritage Sites
Swayambhunath
Pashupatinath
Tour Around Ilam Tea Garden
Trek from Siwan to Chiruwa at 1270 Metres
Trek from Chhiruwa to Japantar at 1,720 Metres
Trek from Japantar to Amji Losha at 2,490 Metres
Trek from Amji Losa to Gyabla at 2,850 Metres
Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa at 3,490 Metres
Acclimatisation Day in Ghunsa
Trek from Ghunsa to Kangpachen at 4,070 Metres
Trek from Kangbachen to Lhonak at 4,720 Metres
Round Trek from Lhonak to North Kanchenjunga Base Camp at 5,200 Metres & Back to Lhonak
Trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa at 3,490 Metres via Kangpachen
Trek from Ghunsa to Se le Le at 4,320 Metres
Trek from Se Le Le to Tseram at 3,870 Metres via Mirgin La & Mislisay La
Trek from Tseram to Ramze at 4630 Metres
Round Trip to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp
Trek from Ramze to Tortang at 2,995 Metres via Cheram
Trek from Tortong to Khewang at 2,070 Metres
Trek from Khewang to Ambegudin at 1450 Metres
Basantapur Durbar Square
Airport transfer
Domestic flights
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
Trekking permits

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu & Free Time in Thamel
Upon arrival, your driver will collect you and take you to your hotel to check-in. You'll then have some leisure time to take a stroll around the colourful streets. Your guide can provide recommendations for where to have lunch and dinner. In the evening, you can head to a typical Nepalese restaurant for authentic food and cultural show.
Day 2: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
Today, your tour begins after breakfast at the hotel. You will be visiting four places in the valley which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll drive to Pashupatinath Temple and explore this Hindu temple and the site of the sadhu cremation. You'll stop at the largest Buddhanath stupa and Swayambhu temple. You'll finish the day at Kathmandu Durbar Square and you may get a glance of the living goddess "Kumari".
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur & Bus to Ilam
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Kathmandu airport for a 45-minute scenic flight over Ariel Mountain with views of Mount Everest. Then, you'll take a four-hour bus ride to Ilam, past rice terraces and tea gardens. On arrival, you'll take a tour of the Ilam Estates, the oldest tea estate, which produces a dark, smoky-flavoured black tea. In the evening, you'll watch a glorious sunset on Jannu Himal and Mount Kanchenjunga.
Day 4: Scenic Drive to Taplejung & Explore
It is a six-hour scenic drive from Ilam to Taplejung. Upon arrival, you'll have some free time in Taplejung which has a rich cultural heritage. There are many Buddhist gompas (monasteries). One gompa has a life-size statue of Avalokiteshwara and a butter lamp at the altar has been burning here uninterrupted for 400 years. Outside the gompa is a small stream continuously spinning twelve prayer wheels with the prayer "Om Mane Padme Hum" inscribed on them
Day 5: Off-Road Drive to Siwan & Trek to Chiruwa
This morning, the scenic drive starts from Taplejung through the jungle, villages and rice fields to Siwan on the bank of the Tamor River. You'll then trek two hours to Chiruwa to your mountain lodge. After checking in at this very basic accommodation, you'll visit the small fishing village Chiruwa across the suspension bridge.
Day 6: Trek from Chiruwa to Japantar at 1,720 Metres via Tepethok & Lelep
The trekking route begins from Chiruwa village passing cardamom farms. Upon arrival at Thapethok, you'll check Kanchenjunga conservation area trekking permits then cross the bridge and gradually climb uphill to Lelep. The main trail continues to Olangchu Gola and you'll take the branch trail past rice terraces and crossing the Tamor river to Japantar.
Day 7: Trek from Japantar to Amji Losha at 2,490 Metres
The wilderness trekking route begins after breakfast and continues alongside the river with an ascent on a grassy hill and a stop at an impressive waterfall. Along the trek, the route passes two teashops and a suspension bridge. You'll stop at Jaubari, where a simple Nepalese lunch is prepared by a Limbu family. From here, you'll again cross an iron bridge then follow a steep uphill trail to Amji Losha. Only a few Sherpa family live here permanently living from yak and sheep pasturing.
Day 8: Trek to Gyabla at 2,850 Metres
Today, most of the time is spent walking into the forests of bamboo, pine, rhododendron and oak trees with a little climb and descent. North of Amji Losha, you have a fine view of villages, the valley, and mountains. On the trail, you often meet yaks, sheep and goats. As you trek into the dense jungle, there is an opportunity to see other animals and birds. You'll have a lunch break at Thyangyam then ascending through dense forest to Gyabla and crossing the wooden bridge.
Day 9: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa at 3,490 Metres via Phale
Now entering to Upper section of Kanchenjunga conservation area, the path onwards descends into the thick forest with along the Tamor River. After a lunch break at Phale, a winter settlement for Ghunsa villagers, the gentle trail gs along the mountain stream to Ghunsa, the largest village in the upper section of Kangchenjunga Base Camp, set on the foot of boulder rocks and Himalayas. You'll have free time to explore this large village for the rest of the day.
Day 10: Acclimatisation Day in Ghunsa & Side Trek to Viewpoint at 4000 Metres
Before you enter the alpine valley, you'll spend an extra day at Ghunsa and take a side trek to a nearby hill station. This extra day at Ghunsa helps you with the acclimatisation. You'll visit a monastery at the foot of the mountain, which offers views of the picturesque Ghunsa village and the towering mountains. You will also visit Ghunsa village school with about 200 students.
Day 11: Trek from Ghunsa to Kangpachen at 4,070 Metres
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp route towards the northeast of Ghunsa village gradually ascends into the rhododendron and pine forest and crossing streams. You'll pass the ancient mani-wall and chortens before reaching today's lunch spot. This route offers mountain scenery of Jannu and several other snowy peaks. Further on, you will get awesome views of the waterfall and seldom spotted blue sheep. You'll cross a landslide section of the path to reach Kangpachen.
Day 22: Off-Road Drive from Ambegudin to Birtamod via Ganesh Chowk & Ilam
It is a ten-hour drive from Ambegudin to Birtamod. The off-road drive begins from Ambegudin to Ganesh Chowk then continues on Mechi highway via Ranke, Phidim, Ilam and Kanyam tea garden. After that, you'll finally arrive at Birtamod.
Day 21: Trek from Khewang to Ambegudin at 1,450 Metres
This is your last trekking day! Today, you are back to milder temperatures walking through Limbu villages, crossing streams and suspension bridges. Today, you'll often see the local people working on rice fields and much more human activity than you have been used to so far on this trek.
Day 20: Trek from Tortong to Khewang at 2,070 Metres
Today's hike involves around seven to eight hours of trekking to Yamphudin and again back to human settlements. The trek is through tall pine forest with views of green landscapes and Jannu Himal. You'll stop at Yamphudin village with mostly inhabitants of Limbu tribes.
Day 19: Trek from Ramze to Tortong at 2,995 Metres
Today you'll follow the trail down into the forest of pine, rhododendron and fir to Tseram village for lunch. You'll then trek gently along the Simbuwa Khola River down to Tortang, where the landscape changes quite a bit. It's more than a 1000-metre drop to Tortong and it feels much warmer at this altitude.
Day 18: Acclimatisation Day & Round Trip to Yalung Glacier at 4800 Metres
Today brings another side trek in your Kanchenjunga circuit trek, visiting Yarlung glacier and Kanchenjunga south base camp. You'll trek on the glacier valley on a moraine with magnificent views of Jannu Himal and numerous neighbouring mountains. The trek further up is on the rubble of Yalung Glacier and again, you'll see a spectacular view of the Himalayas. You will return to Ramze before sunset.
Day 12: Trek from Kangpachen to Lhonak at 4,720 Metres
Beyond Kangpachen village is snow leopard territory. Most of the trekking route from Kangpachen to Lhonak is smooth gradually uphill trekking on the moraine of Kanchenjunga glacier. There is no human settlement between Kangpachen to Lhonak except a summer yak hut at Ramtang and entire trail offers breathtaking views.
Day 16: Trek from Se Le Le Pass to Tseram at 3,870 Metres via Mirgin La
The trek starts early morning from Se Le Le towards Kanchenjunga south base camp and continues gently to the first Pass, Sinion La (4,450 metres). The path contours along a ridge with a good sight of Mirgin La Pass (4,470 metres). You'll then climb towards the last pass Sinelapche La (4830 metres). From the summit, you will have spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga and its huge valley. Finally, you'll descend on a small path to the guesthouse at Tseram.
Day 15: Trek from Ghunsa to Se Le Le at 4,320 Metres
Today's trek from Ghunsa village towards Se Le Le leads you on a rocky trail through the forest then along a grassy ridge. On the ascent, there are fantastic views of Ghunsa and Phale village and Mount Makalu in the far distance. There is no shop or villages up to Se Le Le from Ghunsa, so you need to carry sufficient drinks for this trek. It is very basic accommodation at Se Le Le but you are rewarded with a superb sunset on Jannu Himal.
Day 14: Trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa at 3,490 Metres via Kangpachen
This morning, the trek begins after breakfast at Lhonak gradually descending on the moraine on the crumbly and pebble trail to Kangpachen. You'll stop at Kangpachen village for lunch and then follow the trek on the east bank of the Tamor River where the vegetation is getting greener all the way back to Ghunsa. The trek will take around six to seven hours.
Day 13: Round Trip to North Kanchenjunga Base Camp at 5200 Metres
Today, you'll follow a gentle climbing trail on the moraine of the Kanchenjunga glacier and stop at a stone-hut on the Pangpema grassy plateau for light meals and hot drinks. The view of the surrounding mountains and glacier from the Kanchenjunga Base Camp is very striking. KBC is embellished with Buddhist flags on the corner of Pangpema. After spending some time at Kanchenjunga Base Camp, you'll make the return trek to Lhonak.
Day 23: Travel from Birtamod to Bhadrapur & Fly to Kathmandu
Today, you'll travel to Bhadrapur Airport in the morning where you'll catch a flight to Kathmandu which takes around 45-minutes. Upon arrival at Kathmandu domestic airport, you'll meet your driver and transfer to Hotel Thamel Park. You'll enjoy a free afternoon and in the evening, you'll head to a farewell dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant with a live cultural show.
Day 17: Trek from Tseram to Ramze at 4,630 Metres
From Tseram, the trail ascends into the forest, then along the moraine of Yarlung glacier. As you climb higher, all the snow peak you see around you include the trans-Himalayan. Often crossing glacier streams, you'll encounter blue sheep and birds to Ramze. You'll stop Lapsang village for tea to get the magnificent view of Mount Jannu, Yalungkang, and south face of Mount Kanchenjunga.
Day 24: Departure Day
You've reached the end of an incredible Nepal trekking trip. After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport for your onward flight.
Location

Read all Terms and Conditions