Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking trail cuts straight to the heart of the Kanchenjunga massif, climbing over vertiginous ridge and plunging into seemingly bottomless valleys. In the space of two weeks, you will cover more than 1500m of altitude change, gaining a maximum elevation of 4800m on a par with summit of Mont Blanc. The rewards for this effort are enormous the trail passes through remote Limbu village that see few outsiders and climbs to the very foot of Kanchenjunga, for the kind of views normally reserved for mountaineers. However, you must carry tents and food, and there are no escape routes if you get sick, tired or bored. The trek to south base camp starts from the airstrip at Suketar, reached via a one hour flight from Biratnagar. Because flights only leave twice a week, you must time your return to Suketar to coincide with the flight back to Biratnagar. If you miss the flight, it is possible to travel south from Taplejung by road, but this is a brutal journey that takes almost as long as waiting for the next flight.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking Highlights
Kanchenjunga (8,585m) 3rd tallest mountains, Scenic flights Kathamndu-Taplejung-Kathmandu, explore KBC, Magnificent views of Mt. Everset, Makalu and Kanchenjungha, Crossing the pass over Mirgila, Diverst flora and fauna and rich local culture, The native Nepali communities such as Sherpa, Limbu, Rai and Gurung ethnic groups.
Day 01
Meet at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel(1348m)
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan intl. airport our representative welcomes you and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu/Bhaktapur. After time to get refreshed, and briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.
Day 02
Sightseeing of World Heritage sites(1348m)
All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you're fully prepared for the trip, and any last minute questions answered. After lunch we explore this medieval capital. We visit Boudhanath, also known as little Tibet. Then we visit Pasupatinath, holy temple of Hindu where cremation takes place by the holy river Bagmati. Later we visit Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Syambhunath Stupa. And transfer to hotel.
Day 03
Fly to Biratnagar (1780m.)
You begin your flight/drive for the eastern Terai via Biratnagar. It is Nepal's second largest city and an energetic, bustling place.
Explore around and stay overnight in lodge.
Day 04
Fly to Suketar and trek to Lali Kharka (2220m), 6 hrs
40 minutes to fly to Suketar and than start to trek. The trails you follow is steeply ascent until you reach Suketar passing through farming terraces, local markets and jungles of rhododendron and other natural vegetation. Now you climb up gradually to the Lali Kharka. It is small village surrounded by green hills.
Day 06
Trek from Lali Kharka to Keswa (2100m) 7hrs
This morning, from your camp, you can see the entire day's walk in front of you. After traversing the hillside for a short distance, you descend to the village of Pokara on the Phawa Khola and cross a suspension bridge before beginning the steep climb towards Kunjari. Your lunch stop will be somewhere below Kangaroo. The afternoon's walk then takes you up over the crest of the ridge to your campsite at Keswa. From here, you get your first views of Mt Kanchenjunga and you can clearly make out the south and main summits, along with Mt Yalung Kang.
Day 07
Trek from Keswa to Mamanke (2000m) 7hrs
From Khesewa we trek through pleasant terraced fields and traverse a steep mountainside high above the Kabeli Khola. We cross several minor tributaries flowing into the river as the path wends its way around the hillside. We pass through the delightfully named village of Funfun and continue along a shady path to Anpan. These are beautiful villages with exquisitely maintained houses, whitewashed walls and thatch roofs with colorful gardens of marigolds. During today’s trekking you get our first distant views of Jannu (7710m), one of the most impressive peaks in the region. Eventually we reach the prosperous village of Mamankhe where we camp in one of the fields. The fermented millet drink of Tungba, which you may have sampled in Suketar, is produced in abundance in Mamankhe so those who developed a taste for this brew earlier on the trekking may be able to re-acquaint themselves with it here.
Day 08
Trek from Mamanke to Yamphudin (1650m) 6hrs
Beginning with an easy climb, the walk to Yamphudin is along a trail, which contours the hillside above the Kabeli Khola. You cross the ridges and streambeds that make up the valley sides and the trail eventually becomes level with the river a couple of hours before Yamphudin. Along the way, you can stop to bathe in one of the many clear pools in this beautiful river. It is a truly idyllic spot and after lunch by the river, you complete the day's trekking to Yamphudin. Yamphudin is the most remote settlement in this area and the last habitation you will see until you reach Gunsa. It is a charming place tucked away beneath the ridge of the Deurali Danda.
Day 09
Trek from Yamphudin to Tortong (3080m.) 8hrs
Beyond Yamphudin, the trail ascends a steep spur before dropping again to cross the Omje Khola. Walking through beautiful and dense forest, you stop for lunch in a meadow atop this spur, which commands fine views of the valley beyond Yamphudin to the south and of the Omje Khola Valley and Deurali Danda to the north. A steep descent to the river brings you to the Lamite forest. Now you ascend steeply for 3 hours through dense forest to the crest of the Deorali Danda. From the top, Mt Jannu is clearly visible and definitely closer! After crossing the pass, you descend across some fairly steep and exposed screw slopes before re-entering the forest, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, a steep descent takes you down into the valley of the Simbua Khola and after crossing the 'interesting' wooden bridge, you arrive at Tortong. This campsite lies amongst the towering fir trees of what is now a mainly coniferous alpine forest.
Day 10
Trek from Tortong to Tseram (3750m) 6hrs
This morning, you follow the right bank of the river, passing through pine and rhododendron forests. The valley climbs steeply and, as the day progresses, the trees become sparser and more stunted, giving you glimpses of the snow-capped giants ahead and of the massive snout of the Yalung Glacier. Just before Tseram, the towering heights of Kabru and Rathong start to peep over the moraine. You might camp at Tseram where the nighttime temperature plummets, reminding you that you are really gaining height
Day 11
Trek from Tseram to Ramche (4360m) 7hrs
You have a short walk today to your next camp at Ramche. The scenery is magnificent as you ascend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier and into a series of ablation valleys. A frozen lake, crystal clear streams and views of Kokthan, Rathong and Kabru are the highlights of this walk into Ramche which is situated on a broad, flat ablation zone.
Day 12
Rest for Exploration
Leaving your camp set up at Ramche, you take a packed lunch and set off very early for your first close encounter with Kanchenjunga. Following the valley around its sweeping curve, you are suddenly confronted with the vast southern wall of the mountain. The ridge forms a cirque, which is over 15 kms long and never less than 7500 meters high. Along this ridge lie the three main summits of Mt Kanchenjunga at 8420m, 8586m, and 8474m. It is truly breathtaking. Proceeding further on towards Oktang [4630m], you may then descend onto the glacier and cross it to a point below Talu from where you can see all the mountains of the area in panorama. Especially impressive is the east part of Khumbakarna Glacier flowing from the east face of Jannu [Kumbhakarna being the local name for Jannu]. You then return to your camp at Ramche
Day 13
Trekking beyond the Mirgin La (4583m.) 8hrs
Leaving your campsite, you trek down the valley, passing the small settlement of Lapsang, before turning off towards the Mirgin La Pass. You must cross in order to reach Gunsa and the north side of Kanchenjunga. As you descend from the Mirgin La, the views, in particular of Mt Jannu, are simply magnificent. Your campsite will be somewhere beyond the pass
Day 14
Trek from Mirgin La to Gunsa (3475m) 6hrs
A steep descent from your campsite brings you to Lamba Sumba Kharka where there are more splendid views of the awesome southwest face of Jannu. From here, the going is easy, descending on an excellent trail to the village of Gunsa, where you camp in the fields by the river. Gunsa is a Tibetan village with a tiny Gompa and prayer flags fluttering from the wooden houses. It comes as a welcome sight after the rigorous walking of the previous days and provides an excellent opportunity to visit a strange local hostelry and sample the 'tongba' [alcoholic beverage fermented out of millet.
Day 15
Trek from Gunsa to Gyabla (2730m) 6hrs
Heading for the village of Sakathum, your route follows an undulating trail for the first couple of hours until you reach Amjilasa. From here, there is a long steep descent from which you can see the Gunsa Khola Valley stretched out before us.
Day 16
Trek from Gyabla to Sakathum (1600m) 7hrs
Heading for the village of Sakathum, your route follows an undulating trail for the first couple of hours until you reach Amjilasa. From here, there is a long steep descent from which you can see the Gunsa Khola Valley stretched out before us.
Day 17
Trek from Sakathum to Chirwa (1180m) 5:30hrs
Today is an easy day and just beyond Sakathum, you come to the confluence of 2 rivers. Flowing in from your left is the Simbua Khola [which you followed up to Ramche] and from your right, the Gunsa Khola which issues from the still closed Walunchung Gola area. The 2 rivers combine to form the Tamur Kosi which you now follow. There are plenty of spots for bathing in the numerous small tributary streams, which you cross before reaching the village of Chirwa.
Day 18
Trek from Chirwa to Jogi Danda 8hrs
You continue walking through ever more populated and cultivated land. The trails winds through uphill until you reach Jogi Danda. There is a village nearby Jogi Danda.
Day 19
Trek from Jogi Danda to Taplejung
From the valley floor, you ascend the ridge for about 3 hours to Taplejung village. There is time to trek through the fascinating bazaar. You find local people working in farming terraces where they grow wheat, oat, maize, millet and green vegetables.
Day 20
Fly to Biratnagar and Kathmandu
Early in the morning we fly to Biratnagar with scenic short mountain views and fly to Kathmandu from Biratnagar. It takes 40 minutes to resch in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 21
Leisure day in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu for you full day at leisure to do shopping walking around the city and take rest after finished the trek.
Day 22
Final departure
Drop you in Kathmandu International Airport onward your final destination and our trip ends.