Eastern Nepal, characterized by greater diversity on many accounts; ethnic groups such as the Rai and Limbu people, a prolific range of flora due to the higher summer rainfall in the region, and some of the most outstanding mountain vistas anywhere in the Himalaya. By following the glacial torrent of the Tamur and Ghunsa Rivers to their source on the North West side of the Kanchenjunga Himal, we emerge to another world. Dwarfed by an alpine grandeur in almost every direction, peaks such as; Pyramid Peak, Jannu, and the Twins and of course Kanchenjunga (8586m) dominate the setting. It is no less dramatic on our southern traverse of the mountain on the return journey by way of the Mirgin La Pass (4500m). This is a challenging traverse through a region seldom visited in recent years.
It is an ideal trekking route for those with time and the desire to venture into some of the remote regions of Nepal. The trail explores the area around Kanchenjunga the seventh-highest mountain in the world. Steep forested slopes from the sides of the impressive valleys with snow peaks above where there has been a hydroelectric plant built. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek offers an infinite variety of landscapes, cultures, and Himalayan panorama. The trail gains elevation and we witness the striking views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga. This hiking path provides an excellent opportunity to observe the real Nepali lifestyle. This route gives an opportunity to visit beautiful tea gardens and provides breath taking sunrise and sunset views of Mount Kanchenjunga.
*Note: It is a restricted area trek so solo trekking is not possible. If you go solo, the trek cost becomes high.
Day 01: Arrival
After your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, a representative from Shambhala Trekking will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, you can either take a rest or spend your time exploring the city. Overnight stay in Hotel at Kathmandu.
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu:
On this day, we will arrange the necessary paper works and permit for the trek.
Day 03: Trek preparation day:
On this day, we will have a meeting with our guides regarding the trek and the necessary briefing and checklist of all the trekking gears. Then we let you free in the afternoon to buy the necessary trekking accessories and trekking gears.
Day 04: Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (flight) same day drive to Ilam:
On this day, we start our journey for the trek. We take a flight to Bhdrapur, the eastern part of Nepal. It will take us nearly 1 hour to reach Bhadrapur. Then, we will drive to Ilam, approx. 3 and half hours. Overnight stay in Ilam.
Day 05: Illam to Suketar:
We will drive from Ilam to Suketar. It will take us 4 hrs. From Ilam to reach Suketar.
Day 06: Suketar to Tembewa; Trek (6-7) hrs
From Sukketar, we will start our trekking. We trek for 3-4 hours then we will have our lunch and then resume our journey. We make our overnight camp at Tembewa. The trail inclines gradually along the rhododendron-covered Surke Danda, crossing a ridge at 2580m the trail branches off to the north, and from there, the Kanchenjunga trail descends and contours through forests to Lali Kharka, then through the fields to the substantial Limbu Village of Tembewa. Tembewa is the first camping sight of our trek.
Day 07: Tembewa to Khesewa; trek (6-7) hrs
From Tembewa, the trail ascends to a ridge and then drops steeply through Shimu and Pokara villages to a suspension bridge across the Phawa Khola at 1430m. From here, the trail makes a long looping connection to Sinchebu Bhanjyang, we get to see the views of Kanchenjunga and Kyabru. The trek has now entered the Kabeli Valley on descending from here we reach the village of Khesewa, where we spend our night.
Day 08: Khesewa to Mamanke ; Trek (6-7) hrs
Ascending 370m and descending 520m, we reach our next camping sight of the day, which is Mamanke. The whole of the trail is 6 – 7 hrs we pass through waterfalls crossing Nadewa Khola and landslide to reach Phundruwa from where our trail descends to Phumphe village (1780m). Descending steeply through rice terraces into a side canyon, cross the Khaksewa Khola on a long suspension bridge at 1540m we climb back through Pauwa to Mamanke, where we take rest and spend the night too.
Day 09: Mamanke to Yamphudin (2080 m) Yamphudin Khola 6-7 hrs
A 3- 4 hrs of walk will lead us to our next destination Yamphudin, situated at the junction of the Amji Khola and the Kabeli Khola. Yamphudin is a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais, and Gurungs. There is also a small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Overnight stay at camp in Yamphudin.
Day 10: Yamphudin to Tortong (2990 m) 6-7 hrs
On this day, the trek goes steep up. Today we climb 900 meters up. From this day, we cannot find any village on the way. We move all day along the dense wild forest. We may find some normal teahouses but no villages on the way. We camp overnight at Tortong.
Day 11: Tortong to Tseram (3870 m) 6-7 hrs
Today we follow the river through a more beautiful forest, the conifers giving way to the rhododendron forest. The valley climbs steeply and as the day, progresses the trees become more stunted and scattered, giving us glimpses of the snow-capped giant s ahead and the massive snout of Yalung Glacier. Just before Tseram the towering heights of Kabru (7412m) and Rathong peak (6682m) start to peep over the moraine. We stay overnight at a tented camp in Tseram.
Day 12: Tseram to Sele La camp via Silion La Pass (4854 m)
We start our trek early in the morning. It is steep up. It is a hard day on our trek. We cross Silion La pass on this day. After crossing the pass we stay in Sele La camp or Phedi.
Day 13: Sele la camp to Ghunsa (3430 m); Trek (6-7) hrs
It is an easy day on the trek. We move down to the dense forest to reach the flat land and then trek for a few hours, then we reach Ghunsa, where make our overnight camp.
Day 14: Ghunsa to Khambachen (4050 m) 6-7 hrs
From Ghunsa we trek further north along the riverbank, which presents us with magnificent mountain scenery. We pass through meadows full of beautiful wildflowers, rhododendron and pine forests. We cross a bridge at Rampuk Kharka, continue past the waterfall and cross the tricky section of the landslide. After crossing the landslide area, we begin to see the spectacular view of Mt. Jannu also Known as Khumbakarna Himal. Further exploring and tackling the tricky mountain trail, we finally arrive at Khambachen and spend the night.
Day 15: Khambachen to Nupchu Pokhari to Khambachen (4050 m)
On this day, we make a day hike to Nupchu Pokhari. We consider the day as a rest day. We just make a short trek to Nupchu Pokhari and return to Khambachen. Spend the night at Khambachen.
Day 16: Khambachen to Lhonak (4750 m)
Today will be another challenging day and an early start will be needed. We trek through rocky fields and large boulders on the hillside along the riverbank and arrive at a waterfall. We then cross a bridge to Ramtang monastery. We then come across a landslide section, which we must pass through at a steady pace before descending to the river and finally arriving at Lhonak.
Day 17: Lhonak to Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5143 m)
We trek along the Kanchenjunga Glacier to spend a night at Pangpema, Kanchenjunga base camp on the north side. We urge you to be careful around the rockier sections as they are prone to landslides. After a short while, you reach Pangpema, a flat grassy base camp. Climb a little higher and enjoy the splendor of Jannu, Kanchenjunga and Chang Himal.
Day 18: Kanchenjunga Base Camp to Khambachen (4620 m)
We retrace our path to Lhonak and continue down the valley to Ramtang Monastery. The return journey offers a different perspective of the mountains Kanchenjunga, Taple Shikhar, Gimmigela, and Mera Peak among others. Due to the descending nature of this trek, we will reach Kambachen by evening and spend the night there.
Day 19: Khambcahen to Phole (2930 m)
From Kambachen we trek down to Phole along with the Ghunsa village. On this day, we trek along the Tamor River. We descend through magnificent sections of forest. From Ghunsa an hour down we pass through Phole, a village in two parts. The upper section houses Tibetan refugees who are well established, the second is the winter village of Ghunsa. Overnight at tented camp
Day 20: Phole to Amjilosa (2510 m)
Today we descend more. We descend to Amjilosa. Initially, we pass thru the beautiful forest opening out to steep, grassy hillsides where Amjilosa is perched, The ethnicity traditional local Sherpa community and culture, we then stay overnight at tented camps.
Day 21: Amjilosa to Chiruwa (1270 m)
After a short climb, we begin the steep descent that will take most of the day. We reach the joining of the Tamur and Ghunsa Kholas. We cross the Simbu Khola, which originates from Kanchenjunga’s south base camp, the Khola that we followed up from Torontan. It is pleasantly warm at these low altitudes and cardamom grows freely in the moist shaded forest. Crossing numerous small tributary streams we reach Chhiruwa, a village set among large boulders. We camp in a field out of the village. This is an easier day. We will overnight at tented camps.
Day 22: Chiruwa to Topka School (1500 m)
From Chiruwa we make a light ascend and walk along low hills on our way. We start seeing some villages on our way. We take our lunch on way and stay overnight in the tented camp in Topka School.
Day 23: Topka School to Taplejung (Suketar)
Today we take a bit steep up but in low hills so the trek is quite normal and moderate type. We stay overnight at Suketar.
Day 24: Suketar to Ilam by private vehicle.
After finishing our trek on the earlier day, we take a drive from Ilam. It will take us nearly four hours to reach Ilam. The district is famous for tea in Nepal. There is a famous tea garden. We will visit the tea garden and back to the hotel. Stay overnight at Ilam.
Day 25: Illam to Biratnagar
From the tea garden, Illam we drive to Biratnagar. It is one of the popular trade centers of Nepal. It will take us nearly 4-5 hours to reach Biratnagar.
Day 26: Biratnagar to Kathmandu by flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and about 45 minutes flight to Kathmandu. In clear weather, there is the opportunity to view some of the most impressive peaks of the Himalayan range as we take our flight back to Kathmandu, Shopping, and staying overnight night at the hotel.
Day 27: Rest day/Free day
Day 28: Final Departure.
We will drop you at the International Airport with our vehicle for your departure and we will see you off.
5 Night accommodation in Kathmandu on BB Plan on twin sharing basis.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during the trek
Kathmandu – Bhadrapur flight fare.
Biratnagar – Kathmandu flight fare.
TIMS card permit fee.
All necessary paperwork and permits (Kachanjhangha Restricted Area Permit, Kanchanjangha
Conservation Permit )
All government taxes & Service charges
One experienced Guide, Sherpa and necessary porters
Insurance for staffs
Guides and porters salary
Airport – Hotel – Airport transportation
First Aid kit for the group
Necessary private transportation during the trip
Personal equipment and wears for trekking
Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
Personal expenses for the trekking
Bar bill and beverages
Tips and Gratuities
Mineral water
Emergency evacuation incase needed
Personal Insurance for travel
All the costs that are not mentioned in cost include.