Kanchenjunga Circuit TrekkingKanchenjunga Circuit Trekking

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking

  • DestinationNepal
  • Duration20 Days
  • Difficulty Level Challenging
  • Max. Altitude5143 Meters
  • Starts/EndsBhadrapur/Bhadrapur
  • Trip StyleTrekking
  • Group SizeMin. 1 Pax.
  • Best SeasonSpring and Autumn
Highlights
  • Trek Through the part of the Great Himalayan Trail. 
  • Newly off-the-beaten trekking trail of the Kanchenjunga Region. 
  • Explore the eastern restricted region of Nepal. 
  • Abundant species of flora and fauna in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. 
  • Remote and isolated village throughout the trip. 
  • Hike to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking is a hidden trekking paradise in Nepal on the country's Far Eastern side.  Only a few travelers know about this off-the-beaten trekking route of Kanchenjunga Circuit. This is due to the difficult trails and restricted permits. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project preserves the Kanchenjunga Region. Trekking Kanchenjunga takes you closer to the 3rd highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m). The Kanchenjunga Trekking route is longer than other routes like EBC Trek or ABC Trek. Nevertheless, trekkers find this region one of Nepal's best trekking trails.

Kanchenjunga Trek is somehow dissimilar to the popular Manaslu Circuit Trek. This trek is more isolated, remote, and difficult to do. Moreover, the trek demands excellent physical fitness and previous trekking experience. The pathways are rugged and rocky, at times they pass through the landslide areas. Hence, trekking experience is necessary for this trek.

Mountain Eco Trails presents the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary that takes you to the Base Camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga. However, we also organize Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek only. Our customized Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking itinerary allows you to acclimatize properly and explore the whore region within 20-22 days.

Main attractions of Kanchenjunga

  • Magnificent trip to Kanchenjunga North Base Camo and South Base Camp.
  • Remote, Isolated, and off-the-beaten trekking trail.
  • Tranquil remote villages
  • Local people from different ethnic groups and their cultures.  
  • Encounter with many kinds of wildlife in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

What to expect during the journey to Kanchenjunga Region?

While doing a trip to the Himalayas of Nepal, trekkers must expect so many surprises. It might be the views, weather, challenges, and many other factors. Hiking in high altitudes is always challenging. The Himalayan Pathways demands a good physical and mental state. Likewise, this trek will take you to an elevation of 5000 meters. Therefore, expect this trip to be cold. Moreover, walking in high elevations with cold weather can get you altitude sickness. Besides these challenging obstacles, the trek offers magnificent views of mountains including 3rd highest peak in the world. Likewise, expect to witness some of the stunning landscapes, remote villages, glaciers, farmlands, and several plants and animals.

Kanchenjunga Distance and Difficulty

The Kanchenjunga Trek Distance to reach the base camp is around 225 KM. It requires a lot of effort to pass through the strenuous trail. The total trekking time for this trek is between 18-22 days. However, it can change because of the weather and the path. We are often asked, “How hard is it to do Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek” in Nepal? The walking level is not that difficult. However, the trail and high altitude can be a difficult factor. However, previous trekking experience can be an excellent plus point to avoid the difficulty.

The cost of permit, guide, and porter, for the Kanchenjunga Trek 2024/25

Choosing the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking package cost includes all the permit card costs, guide, porter, accommodation, meals, and transportation. However, one may wonder how much money to take during the Kanchenjunga Trek. There is no actual or fixed cost for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking. However, the voyage would cost between $2000 to $4000 depending on the itinerary, route, and other services. The guide and porter’s costs range from USD 30 and USD 20 respectively. In addition, the permit cost of Kanchenjunga is $20 for a restricted area permit and conservation area permit.

Kanchenjunga Region Trekking Facts

Kanchenjunga Conservation Project protects Kanchenjunga Region. It is because, many kinds of birds, animals, and plants stay here. Around 303 species of birds, 266 lakes, 15 amphibian species, and 21 fish kinds are in Kanchenjunga. Likewise, 844 kinds of flowering plants and 83 insect types can be found here. During the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking, it is an incredible experience to see these kinds of plants and animals.

Itinerary

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our company’s representatives will be in the waiting area with a name on a pamphlet. After warm greetings, you will be transferred to the hotel in a private vehicle.

  • Max Altitude:1350 meters
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Today, we’ll arrange your Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit and restricted Area permit. You will have the whole day to learn briefly about the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek and also will be introduced to the guide. You can buy needed trekking gear and do a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath.

  • Max Altitude:1350 meters
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast

A scenic early morning flight from Kathmandu will take you to the Bhadrapur in about 40 minutes. You are followed by the 7-8 hrs jeep drive to Kanyam, located in the Illam district of Nepal. Kanyam is known as the heart of tea cultivation in Nepal. You’ll explore the tea cultivation area and enjoy an overnight stay.

  • Max Altitude:1920 meters
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:8-9 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll have a long drive to Sekathum, from where the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek begins. The picturesque 6-7 hrs jeep drive will take you through charming villages such as Mitlung, Chirwa, Thapethok, Lelep, and several other villages to reach Sekathum. Upon arrival at Sekathum, you’ll first glimpse the Kanchenjunga region’s natural beauty. Overnight stay in Sekathum.

  • Max Altitude:1650 meters
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:6-7 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will start your trek from Sekathum. The trails traverse with an ascent along the Ghunsa Khola followed by the stone steps that climb to a small Ghaiyabari village. The journey continues along the dense forest with tricky ascents and descents, you will reach Amjilosa for a night stay.

  • Max Altitude:2500 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:5-6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s trek takes you from Amjilosa to Gyabla through a verdant forest of rhododendrons, bamboo, pine, and oak. You’ll not see any human settlement while walking along this trail. The trail passes along several waterfalls, and scattered pastures with spectacular mountain views. Overnight stay in Gyabla.

  • Max Altitude:2725 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:4-5 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following the early breakfast, today’s trek begins with descends to the George. The journey continues with an ascent through a forest of rhododendrons, leading you to the beautiful Tibetan village of Phole. As you trek further, you’ll pass through green fields and cross a bridge over the Ghunsa Khola to enter Ghunsa village. Ghunsa is the largest Village in this region with a health post, Police station, and Kanchenjunga conservation office where telephone and internet services are also available.

  • Max Altitude:4315 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:5-6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail from Ghunsa to Khambachen is off the beaten and prone to landslides. Today’s trek begins with gentle ascends through pine forests and continues walking along the river's east bank. Along the trails, you’ll encounter spectacular views of Mt. Jannu, glacier valleys, and several waterfalls before reaching Khambachen. Overnight stay at Khambachen.

  • Max Altitude:4145 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:5-6 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll acclimatize in Khambchen which is a Tibetan settlement nestled in a grassy plain with mountains all around. To adjust your body to the altitude, you can hike around the area and explore the local surroundings.

  • Max Altitude:4145 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:3-4 Hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After acclimatizing in Khambachen, today your journey continues towards Lhonak. The trail follows a lateral moraine, passing through a seasonal yak herder’s camp at Ramtang. You’ll encounter the monastery in Ramtang, situated next to the bridge by a waterfall. Although today’s trail is quite challenging, it offers breathtaking views of mountain ranges. Lhonak is a tiny settlement with few tea houses near Kanchenjunga Glacier. Overnight stay in Lhonak.

  • Max Altitude:4792 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:4-5 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After early breakfast, you’ll embark on a challenging hike to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, also known as Pangpema. The trail follows a lateral moraine and passes through several sections of loose rocks and landslide area to reach Base Camp. You’ll spend some time enjoying the spectacular view of the North face of Mt. Kanchenjunga and trace back the same path to Lhonak. Overnight stay in Lhonak.

  • Max Altitude:5143 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:6-7 Hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today with an early breakfast, you’ll retrace the same previous path to Ghunsa via Khambachen. The long descent along the pine and rhododendrons forests leaving behind the splendid views of Mt. Jannu takes you to Ghunsa. Overnight stay at Ghunsa.

  • Max Altitude:3415 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:7-8 Hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail to Sele Base Camp diverts towards the right side from Ghunsa leaving the trail to Gyabla. The journey continues with an ascends passing through dense rhododendron and juniper forests. This section is isolated from human settlements and is only open in the main trekking season. There are few tea houses in Sele le and you may also encounter snow leopards here. Overnight stay in Sele Le Base Camp.

  • Max Altitude:4240 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:5-6 Hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s trek from Sele Le Base Camp to Tseram will be challenging as you’ll cross several high-altitude passes. Starting early in the morning, the trail ascends to Sinion La Pass (4440m) followed by Mirgin La Pass(4480m) and Sinelapche La Pass(4840m). From the top of each pass, you will encounter the panoramic view of Mt. Jannu, Mt. Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga. You will then descend to Tseram for a night's stay.

  • Max Altitude:3868 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:6-7 Hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following an early breakfast in Tseram, you’ll embark on a hike to Oktang via Ramche. Today’s hike ascends offering a beautiful glimpse of snowy mountains and ridges as you pass Yalung glacier. The trail continues to Oktang, a viewpoint of Kanchenjunga South, where you will enjoy a closer view of Mt. Rathong and Mt. Kabru on the Nepal-Sikkim border. You’ll spend some time relishing the beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga south face and surrounding peaks. Afterward, you will retrace the same way to Tseram for an overnight stay.

  • Max Altitude:3868 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:5-6 Hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s trek from Tseram to Tortong follows a descent along the Simbuwa River. Leaving the snow-capped mountains behind, the trail passes through the rhododendron and pine forests to reach Tortong. Overnight stay at Tortong.

  • Max Altitude:2980 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:6-7 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trek to Yamphudin is quite challenging as you will trek through the landslide zone passing several ascends and descends. The trek begins ascending through a rhododendron forest to reach Lamite Bhanjang for lunch. Afterwards, the trail descends through cultivable fields passing Amji Khola before reaching Yamphudin. This is a beautiful village home to a mixed community of Limbhu. Rai, Sherpa and Gurung. Overnight in Yamphudin.

  • Max Altitude:1692 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:6-7 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you’ll hike shortly along the Kabeli Khola to meet the jeep. The scenic drive to Kanyam will take you through several small towns and villages, offering picturesque views along the way. Overnight stay in Kanyam

  • Max Altitude:1210 meters
  • Accommodation:Tea House
  • Time:7-8 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final day of your Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek starts with an early breakfast followed by a drive to Bhadrapur Airport. The scenic flight back to Kathmandu offers a bird's eye view of mountain peaks and landscapes. Upon landing in Tribhuvan Airport you will be transferred to a hotel and enjoy your last evening in Nepal. Overnight stay in Kathmandu

  • Max Altitude:1350 meters
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Time:8-9 hours
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek concludes here. Depending on your flight, one of our representatives will drop you off at the airport in a private vehicle. Safe travels!

    Cost Includes
    • International airport pick-up and drop-off service in a private car or Jeep.
    • Domestic airport pick-up and drop service in a private car or Jeep.
    • Restricted Area permit card
    • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Permit Card.
    • 2-night accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.
    • Accommodation during the trek in a tea house
    • Meals during the trek including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
    • Flight from Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu
    • Transportation (Bhadrapur-Illam-Sekathum, and Yamphudin-Kanyam-Bhadrapur)
    • Government-licensed and well-qualified trekking guide
    • Expenses of the guide including his salary, transportation, meals, accommodation, and insurance.
    • Experience Porter including his wages, meals, accommodations, and insurance.
    • Government and local tax.
    • Farewell dinner after the trek.
    Cost Excludes
    • Travel insurance, rescue bill, and visa cost.
    • Extra night accommodation, meals, and other expenses in case of weather delays or flight cancellation in the mountains or Kathmandu.
    • Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu (except farewell dinner)
    • All kinds of drinks during the trek such as hard and soft drinks.
    • Personal expenses like battery charge, Wi-Fi, hot shower, laundry, etc.
    Availability
    Select a Departure Month
    Start DateEnd DatePriceStatus 
    Start DateStarts: SaturdayOct 12, 2024End DateEnds: ThursdayOct 31, 2024PricePriceUS$2599StatusStatusAvailable
    Start DateStarts: SaturdayOct 19, 2024End DateEnds: ThursdayNov 07, 2024PricePriceUS$2599StatusStatusAvailable
    Start DateStarts: SaturdayOct 26, 2024End DateEnds: ThursdayNov 14, 2024PricePriceUS$2599StatusStatusAvailable
    Good to Know

    Kanchenjunga Trekking Preparation

    An excellent way to prepare for this trek is by staying physically and mentally fit. If possible, we recommend doing some day hikes once a week. Moreover, do cardio and strength workouts to increase your stamina and endurance. Likewise, choosing the best Kanchenjunga circuit trek itinerary is a good preparation.

    Weather in Kanchenjunga

    The trek in Kanchenjunga starts at 1800 meters and ends at 5100 meters. The weather can change in different altitudes and landscapes. Kanchenjunga Trek in Spring delivers perfect weather and temperature. Likewise, in summer Kanchenjunga Trekking is not recommended. It is because of the heavy monsoon in summer. Likewise, another best time to trek Kanchenjunga is the Autumn season. During this time, views are clear with lush green forest. Trekking Kanchenjunga in winter is cold and adventurous. If you can bear the cold with proper preparation, you can do this trek in winter as well.

    Meals and Drinking Water in the Kanchenjunga Region

    Meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the trekking package during the trek only. However, in the cities like Kathmandu and other places, no meals are included. Along the trek, trekkers can choose the meals from the menu and order them. All the meals are cooked in teahouses. Meal items like Nepali, Indian, Tibetan, and Western dishes are available.

    Natural tap water, boiled, and bottled water are available along the way. However, mineral water and boiled water from teahouses can cost you a little extra like $1-2 per bottle. If you want to use tap water then we recommend you bring a purification tablet.

    AMS and Acclimatization during the trek

    Altitude sickness is common when you walk at a high altitude. Acclimatization is one of the best ways to avoid mountain or altitude sickness. During the Kanchenjunga Trek, there can be the possibility of getting sick if you do not acclimatize properly. Inform your fellow members or trekking guide ASAP after getting the symptoms of sickness. Dizziness, fatigue, headache, vomiting, nausea, etc. are the main symptoms of altitude sickness.

    Transportations to use during the Kanchenjunga Trek

    The trek involves transportation like flight and Jeep drive.  It will begin with 45 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur and then drive to Taplejung by Jeep. It takes around 8-10 hours to reach Taplejung by road. And after the end of the trek as well, you will drive to Bhadrapur from Kanyam in a Jeep. Then from Bhadrapur, you will fly back to Kathmandu.

    Accommodations, bathrooms, and Toilet

    Accommodation in Kathmandu and Taplejung will be in 3-star and 2-star hotels respectively with attached bathrooms. However, along the trek, you can find hotel rooms with attached bathrooms rarely. Hence, we recommend carrying your toiletries. Carrying your toiletries helps you a lot in remote areas. Likewise, for hot showers, you have to pay additional costs in higher regions.

    FAQs
    • Yes, you must carry Nepalese currency with you for this trip. Although the accommodation and meals are included in the price, other personal expenses are not covered. You have to pay for a hot shower, Wi-Fi, battery charging, etc. by yourself.

    • It is not possible to do Kanchenjunga Trekking alone. The government of Nepal has declared Kanchenjunga as a restricted region. Hence, you must have a trekking guide with a minimum 2 number of trekking fellows.

    • Taplejung is the last stop for ATMs. After that, you won’t find any ATMs to get the money. Hence,  we suggest to get the cash in Kathmandu or Taplejung.

    • No, you cannot trek to Kanchenjunga Region without a guide. Hire a government-licensed trekking guide and have at least 2 members on your team

    • Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Preparation can be done with cardio, strength, and endurance exercises. Likewise, hiking twice a week at high altitudes can be useful. Besides that, choose the best time to trek and carry proper gear.

    • The total duration of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek differs from the path and itinerary you choose. It takes between 20-24 days of trekking from Kathmandu-Kanchenjunga Circuit-Kathmandu.

    • With better preparation and the help of the trekking guide, beginners can complete this trek

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