Kanchanjunga Trek
Duration
23 days
Max People
20
Min Age
3+
Pickup
Private Vehicle
Overview
The Kanchanjunga Trek is a renowned trekking route in the Kanchanjunga region of eastern Nepal. It circumnavigates the mighty Kanchanjunga massif, the third highest mountain in the world at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). This strenuous trek typically takes around 20-24 days to complete the full circuit. The journey begins in the town of Taplejung, where trekkers acclimatize before heading into the mountains. From there, the trail winds through remote valleys and traditional villages inhabited by Buddhist communities like Ghunsa and Khangbachen. Trekkers cross several high mountain passes like Lapsang La and Mirgin La, some reaching elevations over 5,000 meters. These vantage points offer incredible panoramic views of Kanchanjunga’s towering peaks as well as other Himalayan giants like Jannu (7,710m) and Yalung Ri (8,505m). Some key highlights include trekking through lush rhododendron forests, witnessing the rich local Tibetan Buddhist culture, potentially spotting rare Himalayan wildlife like snow leopards and musk deer, and taking in awe-inspiring mountain scenery of glaciers, turquoise lakes and rugged landscapes. Difficult sections involve navigating glaciers and steep, rocky trails at very high altitudes. Proper acclimatization, excellent physical fitness, cold weather gear and hiring experienced local guides are essential for this challenging yet rewarding trek. Restricted area permits are also required from Nepal’s government. Despite the difficulties, the Kanchanjunga Trek provides one of the most spectacular mountain wilderness experiences in the Himalayas for seasoned trekkers seeking an unforgettable adventure.
Tour Highlights
- Pristine wilderness of the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
- Traversing ancient rhododendron forests, high altitude meadows, glaciers
- Encountering Tibetan Buddhist culture in remote mountain settlements
- Chance to spot rare Himalayan wildlife like snow leopards, musk deer
- Epic panoramic vistas from high passes and viewpoints
- Crossing several high mountain passes over 5,000m like Lapsang La, Mirgin La
- Trekking alongside raging glacial rivers and waterfalls
- Visiting sacred sites like Buddhist monasteries and chortens
- Experiencing warm hospitality in remote mountain villages
- Stunning up-close views of Mt. Kanchanjunga (8,586m) and neighboring peaks
- Chance to experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the Kirat people
Included/Excluded
- Pick-up and drop-off service at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu by private vehicle.
- All necessary ground transportation during the trek.
- Three nights 3-star accommodation in Kathmandu with Bed & Breakfast.
- Accommodation in a hotel in Ilam (1 night).
- Accommodation for 20 nights in teahouses during the trek: Taplejung, Chiruwa, Sekathum, Gyabala, Ghunsa (4 nights), Kambachan (3 nights), Lhonak (2 nights), Tseram (2 nights), Ramche (2 nights), Torong, and Yamphudin.
- All standard meals during the trek.
- Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
- Government licensed and qualified trek leader (guide), with an assistant trekking guide for groups of 12 or more.
- One porter for every two trekkers.
- Guides and porters' costs, including meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment.
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entry permit.
- Water purification tablets for safe drinking water.
- All government, local taxes, and official expenses.
- Rescue operation arrangement in case of health emergencies (funded by travel insurance).
- Trek achievement certificate.
- International flights
- Nepal entry visa fees on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Extra night accommodation and meals in Kathmandu or Ilam due to early arrival or late departure or early return from the trek.
- Personal expenses such as shopping, snacks, boiled bottled water, hot and cold drinks, hot shower, alcohol, Wi-Fi, telephone calls, battery re-charge fees, extra porters, etc.
- Personal clothing and gear.
- Travel insurance, which has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and helicopter evacuation.
- Tips for guides and porters.
- Additional costs due to delays caused by circumstances beyond the company's control, such as landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications for safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes, elections etc.
- All costs and expenses not listed in "What's Included" will be counted as excluded.
Tour Plan
- Activity: Fly / Drive from Nepal's capital Kathmandu to Bhadrapur in the eastern Terai region.
- Accommodation: Hotel in Ilam.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.
- Activity: Drive through dense jungles, ascending and descending mountainsides, catching glimpses of Kanchanjunga.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Taplejung.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Trek through quiet trails, villages, and alongside the Tamor river to reach Chiruwa.
- Duration: Approximately 20 km, full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Chiruwa.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Trek through Taplechok, entering the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, experiencing local hospitality.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Sekathum.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Trek along the Tamor gorge, with a steep climb to Gyabala's yak pastures.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Gyabala.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Trek through forests, catching glimpses of wildlife, and arriving at Ghunsa.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ghunsa.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Spend a day acclimatizing, visiting the monastery, and engaging in cultural activities.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ghunsa.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Take day hikes for further acclimatization.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ghunsa.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Trek above treeline through larch forests to the high yak pastures of Kambachan.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Kambachan.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Spectacular hike along the glacier moraine towards stunning viewpoints of iconic Jannu Peak.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Kambachan.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: 6-hour return hike to sublime glacial lakes, with towering mountain scenery all around.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Kambachan.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Gain significant altitude on the trek to Lhonak, the final village before Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Lhonak.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Early morning trek along the glacier leads to a viewpoint rewarding you with vistas of Kanchenjunga's peaks. Return to Lhonak.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Lhonak.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Retrace your steps back towards the village of Ghunsa.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ghunsa.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Enjoy a rest day in Ghunsa.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ghunsa.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Cross to the remote south side by trekking over the strenuous Selele Pass to reach Tseram.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Tseram.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Short trek to the basic yak herders' camp of Ramche.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ramche.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Early start to the viewpoint overlooking Kanchenjunga's south face. Return to Ramche and Tseram.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Ramche/Tseram.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Descend through rhododendron forests alongside the Simbuwa River to Torong village.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Torong.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Grueling 15km trek over a high ridge, passing through bamboo and rhododendron forests.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Yamphudin.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Begin trekking out of the mountains towards Taplejung.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Taplejung.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Keep trekking out, dealing with any obstacles like bad weather or landslides.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Teahouse in Taplejung.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Activity: Complete the final leg out to Taplejung. Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.
- Duration: Full day.
- Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.
Tour Map
1 review for Kanchanjunga Trek
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Kanghenjunja,
A marvellous 3 week trek in Novemeber 2024 for 2 people , with Ramesh as our guide and Pimba as our sherpa . Excellently organised and guided , at a keen price , with safety a priority , and acclimitazation concerns dealt with , and care and attention thruout . I could not recommend Ramesh highly enough
John and RozNovember 30, 2024
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