GHT Kanchenjunga Exploratory

Land Tour

25 days

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GHT Kanchenjunga Exploratory
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$AUD 289 per day

Departure: Kathmandu, Nepal

Adventure

The Kanchenjunga Exploratory is the first stage of our inaugural Great Himalaya Trail and passes through stunning mountain scenery under the immense north face of Kanchenjunga before turning towards the west where we cross the Nango La, before looping back to our starting point at Suketar.
During this trek there will be sections where the trail is very rugged or ill-defined, some trails have been trekked only once by a small party, and so the going will be tough. Space in some camp sites will also be very limited. It may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary at any time due to unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather, snow or trail conditions, river water levels, or group movement. Your trip leader will advise any changes should this occur. All participants on the GHT should be flexible and open minded. The GHT should be seen as exploratory in the true sense of the word.
About
24 breakfasts, 21 lunches and 21 dinners including all meals on trek valued at US$950
airport transfers if arriving on day 1 and 25 or if you booked pre/post tour accommodation at the Radisson through World Expeditions
flights Kathmandu/Biratnagar/Suketar & Suketar/Kathmandu US$316 approx
25kgs luggage allowance
expert bilingual guide
good quality accommodation in Kathmandu
the use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag, down or fibre fill jacket and insulated mat (valued at over US$500)
souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
all park entrance fees and trekking permits
Expedition medical kit
safety equipment including high altitude chamber and satellite phone
porters to carry all personal and group equipment and porter's insurance
accommodation in our fully serviced wilderness campsites
Hightlights
Embark on the first stage of the famed Great Himalaya Trail
Marvel at the stunning views of the immense north face of Kanchenjunga
Immerse yourself in Limbu, Sherpa and Rai cultures
Enjoy a fully supported trek, with hearty meals prepared by our cooks
Immerse yourself in Kathmandu

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Kathmandu
You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members.
Overnight: Radisson Hotel
Day 2 - Free day in Kathmandu
Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.
Day 3 - Fly Bhadrapur (2420m). Drive to Phidim. Approx. 5-6hrs drive.
Bhadrapur is situated in the terai, south east of Lukla. The flight from Kathmandu takes approx. 50 minutes and affords views of sections of the trek and the Himalaya from Kanchenjunga to Langtang. Phidim is located within a magnificent valley in the foothills of the Himalayas in eastern Nepal. It is a beautiful hill township which offers enchanting views of the eastern Himalayas. Approx. driving time: 5-6 hrs. Overnight hotel/lodge.
Day 4 - Drive to Chiruwa (1270m) approx. 8-9hrs.
Today we drive to Chiruwa via Taplejung. Chiruwa is located in a Himalayan gorge with dense patches of sub-tropical rainforest and cliffs. The ethnic group here, the Kirati's now known as Limbu, date back more than 2000 years as subsistence farmers in this region. Crops such as rice, millet, barley, wheat and corn are nearly always growing at the time that we visit. Approx. driving time: 8-9 hrs. Overnight camp.
Day 5 - Commence trek to Sukethum (1640m). Walk approx. 6hrs.
Today we commence our trek to Sukethum. The trail is well defined and the walk is both enjoyable and satisfying. We have only a few climbs up towards the valley where we begin to notice subtle changes in the landscape surrounding us. We weave through large boulders passing below the village of Tapethok and cross a landslide area to reach a bridge crossing a tributary of the Tamur River. This is the Simbuwa Khola, which flows from the south side of Kanchenjunga. We continue on towards the base camp, crossing several bridges and following what is now called the Gunsa Khola. Overnight camp.
Day 6 - Trek to Amjilosa (2390m). Walk approx. 6hrs.
The trail is very narrow and we follow the Ghunsa River until we break for lunch. This walk requires a lot of caution and concentration. On the way, we pass a small Sherpa settlement mainly tending to Yaks. After lunch, there is a steep climb towards our overnight camp at Amjilosa. Amjilosa is a small Tibetan settlement.
Day 7 - To Gyabla (2730m). Walk approx. 6hrs.
Today’s walk is predominantly through forest and we will sight many waterfalls along the way. There are no villages to pass through leaving us with a feeling of remoteness in the tranquil forest surroundings.
Day 8 - Trek to Ghunsa (3430m). Walk approx. 6hrs.
Before lunch, we follow a narrow trail through thick forests to our lunch site is at Phole village, this is a typical Tibetan village and winter settlement for the villagers of Ghunsa. People of this village depend mainly on yak rearing and weaving carpets. Here we find the one and only monastery of the entire trek and visitors are most welcome.
Day 9 - Rest and acclimatisation in Ghunsa
Today we will enjoy a rest day and there may be time, weather permitting to wash some clothes or other domestic chores. We also have an option of a 3 hrs walk opposite River Khanso Thanso, from where we see a panoramic view of Phole Peak and Sobithongi Peak and also a glimpse of Mt. Khumbakaran. After long days of walking, a rest day is highly recommended.
Day 23 - Return to Suketar (2420m), walk approx. 3hrs. Drive to Phidim (4hrs)
Today is our final day on trek, and we gradually descend to Suketar passing through familiar surrounds as we approach the village. We trek through Limbu villages to a ridge before a final descent into Suketar. From here we join our vehicle and drive to Phidim where we overnight.
Days 19-22 - To River Side Camp (1750m), Chiruwa & Phurumbu (1542m).
We now begin our exit from the Kanchenjunga loop section of the Nepal GHT. From Olangchun Gola our fellow trekkers linking up to the second stage - Makalu & Everest via Sherpani Col - will continue westward to the Makalu region whilst we head in a southerly direction to Phurumbu and then onto Suketar. We are now feeling fit and acclimatised and our days are relatively long at 6 - 7 hours of walking per day to bring us to Phurumbu.
Days 16-18 - Cross Nango La (4776m) to Yangma Kola (3430m/ 7-8hrs) & Olangchun Gola (3191m/ 8hrs) and rest day
An early start this morning will give us the best opportunity for clear views during our crossing of the Nango La. Once over the pass we descend to a bowl shaped valley. We stay on the northern side of the river and enter thick forest to Yangma Kola and our camp for the night.
Day 17 - Trek to Olangchun Gola. Olangchun Gola is one of the most important centres for trade between Nepal and Tibet in this region. Most commonly exports to Tibet include grain, sugar, cigarettes and cotton thread which are exchanged for Tibetan salt, carpets and wool.
Day 18 - Rest Day in Olangchun Gola.
Day 15 - To Nango La Camp (4776m), walk approx. 5.5hrs
From Ghunsa we descend the main trail alongside the Ghunsa Kola until we meet a junction in the trail, from here we ascend to a series of summer grazing pastures (Khaka) where we will camp for the night.
Day 10 - Trek to Khangpachen (4040m). Walk approx. 7hrs.
From Ghunsa and above, any signs of human habitation are that of seasonal settlements for the yak herders. They will take their animals to heights of 4000m-4500m in the warmer months of the year. For the trekker the scenery is unmatched. The route past the sheer cliffs and towering peaks of the Kanchenjunga massif and Jannu (7710m) are awe inspiring. They rise directly out of this classical and very grand glacial valley. The trail is ill-defined at times, crossing loose scree and rocks that have been pushed forth from old glaciers. We usually make a camp at Kambachen (4200m) enroute, which is seasonally occupied by locals only. It is quite possible to see wildlife in this remoter part of the Himalaya; blue sheep, ibex, mountain goat or smaller animals among the rocks such as hyrax and marmots. Overhead, various birds of prey may be seen- Lammergeir (a type of vulture) and various eagles, kites and falcons!
Day 12 - Kanchenjunga Base Camp (4050m), walk approx. 5-6hrs.
The mountain views on this stage of our trek are stunning as we make our way along the lateral moraine to base camp. Climbing gently for 2 hours we then cross a steep section of loose rock for another hour before a further gentle climb of another hour before arriving in base camp. For those feeling enthusiastic there may be options for side walks in the area.
Day 11 - To Lhonak (4780m), walk approx. 6-7hrs
Today will be another challenging day and an early start is needed. We climb lateral moraine for an hour before reaching a landslide section with large boulders which we must pass through at a steady pace. The trail then climbs steeply to the top of a section of lateral moraine and then eases off before arriving in Lhonak.
Day 24 - Drive to Bhadrapur (6hrs) then fly to Kathmandu (1330m)
This morning we continue the drive to Bhadrapur where we will connect with our flight to Kathmandu, a thrilling journey over forests, fields and villages, with the Himalaya in the background. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Days 13-14 - Return trek to Ghunsa
Taking two days we retrace our steps back to Ghunsa. The return journey offers a different perspective of the mountain views and stunning surrounds.
Day 25 - In Kathmandu, trip concludes
After breakfast, arrangements cease unless further ones have been made. Those people travelling by aircraft to other destinations will be transferred to the airport.
Location

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