Accommodation Options During the Kanchenjunga base camp Trek

Hey travelers, are you planning to visit the Kanchenjunga base camp Trek and confused about accommodation options? So don't worry. Here we are to solve and end your confusion.

Kanchenjunga Mountain stands as the third tallest mountain in the world and is located within the remote Nepalese northeast region. The Kanchenjunga trek takes you around this massive mountain, almost forming a full circle.

The Kanchenjunga base camp trek has allowed foreign exploration since its opening 50 years ago and remains among the toughest yet challenging trail experiences in Nepal.

Because of the tough landscape, trekking here used to mean camping in tents for many years. The trekking route now features several teahouses that provide alternative lodging options to tents through simple guesthouses to travelers.

These basic accommodation facilities provide food and sleep options to guests during the journey. Due to the long distance of the trek, the number of teahouses is restricted at each of the stops. 

In this Guide, we are going to tell you about accommodation options during the Kanchenjunga trek, which will ease your trek without bothering you.

What you will see:

What Kind of Hotels You Can Find on the Kanchenjunga Trek?

Well, folks, before we talk about hotels, let’s first understand what a teahouse is. Teahouses are small guesthouses run by local people and the main places where trekkers stay during the Kanchenjunga trek.

For your comfort, most teahouses in the area offer simple accommodations with four to five rooms containing two or three compact beds.

Each room features wooden walls and provides mattresses together with pillows along with bedsheet and small blanket coverage.

Even after getting an additional blanket from the teahouse staff, you should always bring your own sleeping bag for extra warmth.

Sharing bathrooms is normal at teahouses as they provide 2-3 common bathrooms together with single-hole Indian sanitary facilities. 

Unfortunately, from Taplejung onwards, you will not find any private bathroom facilities along the trail.

The lower areas provide geyser hot showers, yet at upper altitudes, you will receive hot water delivered in a bucket instead.

All teahouses maintain dining spaces that burn fire for heating. At this location, trekkers gather to share meals with one another while exchanging stories of their mountaineering experiences.

Traveled guests will find a stable set of food options throughout their trek because the menus maintain basic and energizing dishes.

The Kanchenjunga Trekking Accommodation Options: Where to Stay on Your Adventure

If you’re planning to trek in the Kanchenjunga region, you might be wondering what kind of places you’ll be staying at along the way.

The good news is that you’ll find different accommodation facilities, ranging from simple teahouses to comfortable hotels, depending on your location. 

The accommodation choices in Bhadrapur and Taplejung, together with Illam, offer modern facilities, but Sekathum and Ghunsa present very basic teahouse.

The places where you will stay on your Kanchenjunga trek include hotels and basic guesthouses in their various forms.

Hotels and Guesthouses in Bhadrapur

Your Kanchenjunga trek starts in the eastern Nepalese city of Bhadrapur, which stands as a significant urban center.

You will discover many hotels throughout this well-developed location, including affordable choices alongside mid-range and upscale ones.

Visitors can find double rooms in Bhadrapur for $15 to $25, while the city provides multiple dining establishments for pre and post-trek meals.

Accommodation in Taplejung

Your actual trekking journey reaches its starting point when you arrive in Taplejung. You will find multiple lodging choices within the city vicinity of Taplejung.

Several hotels in Taplejung offer rooms starting from NPR 500 to NPR 800, which include comfortable facilities, while some establishments provide private bathrooms. 

Eating at the teahouse where you are staying is advised after leaving Taplejung because hotel owners might impose an additional charge of $10 when you dine outside their facilities.

Where to Stay in Sekathum

As you move into more remote areas, accommodations become simpler. The single guesthouse in Sekathum charges between NPR 200 and NPR 400 as guest fees for one person. The guesthouses in Japantar are reachable by a 10-minute walk from Sekathum.

Guesthouses in Amajilosa

Amajilosa provides two accommodation facilities that welcome trekking visitors. One of them is newly built and offers better facilities, while the other, located at the end of the village, can be a bit noisy. 

The accommodations at this facility provide rooms to guests for between NPR 250 and NPR 350 per person. Apart from this area's breathtaking scenery, you can experience it all for NPR 250 to NPR 350 per person.

Accommodation in Gyabla

Gyabla consists of three common guesthouses. The guesthouses feature hut-like rooms as accommodation, which offer a pleasant living space. Prices are similar to Amajilosa, and the food here is simple but tasty.

Hotels in Ghunsa

Ghunsa is one of the biggest villages on the Kanchenjunga trekking route. You can find nine different teahouses in this location, and you may select from several comfortable accommodations.

Many trekkers take a rest day here, so the villagers have worked hard to provide good accommodations. 

The cost for staying in a room at the tea houses amounts to NPR 200 per person, yet guests have the option of changing to a different facility the following day.

Staying in Khambachen

Kambachen is another great place to stop on the trek. The local residents operate all four teahouses situated in this community. Several trekkers decide to stay two nights at this location, which leads to relatively good standard facilities.

A triple room costs in Khambachen are priced at NPR 800 to NPR 1000, whereas individual and couple rooms cost less money. The skilled chefs at this location serve excellent food as well.

Accommodation in Lhonak

Now, you’re entering one of the most remote parts of the trek. The accommodations in Lhonak consist only of limited huts. Guests without camping equipment can reserve their stay at Lhonak Guest House, while those with camping gear can create their own nighttime shelter. 

The Lhonak Guest House offers accommodation with an NPR 500 per person rate while maintaining clean comfort for guests. The accommodation facility at Lhonak features only four double rooms, which provides minimal availability of room capacity.

Visitors planning day visits to Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp) can sleep in the small hut there, though it lacks cleanliness.

Most people staying at Lhonak prefer to spend the night in Lhonak over Pangpema, given the higher cost of NPR 500 per person.

Staying at Sele Le

The trek through Sele Le proves to be the most difficult area because it requires traversal across the Sele Le Pass. Only one of the two small huts at this location provides accommodation suitable for trekkers.

Each of the five rooms can be obtained for an NPR 500 fee per person. The hut provides dining facilities to both heat your body and protect you from the cold.

Teahouses in Cheram/Tseram

You can stop comfortably at Cheram because it provides two teahouses along your path. The cost of a basic room in this area is NPR 800, and from here, you can reach the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp and rest during the night. 

The facilities in Ramche are minimal since basic housing consists only of several small stone-walled rooms. Visitors can find open accommodations at Ramche from autumn until winter ends at a cost of NPR 500 per person. It is recommended to return to Cheram for a better night’s sleep.

Accommodation in Torangdin

Torangdin has two tea houses that provide food services and basic accommodation facilities. Hotel prices in Torangdin follow the same level as Cheram. Staying at the teahouse in Torangdin also provides access to reduced rates since its owner operates a guesthouse in Yamphudin.

Hotels in Yamphudin

As you descend into lower altitudes, it brings about better quality accommodation facilities. Yamphudin is a bigger village with several teahouses, with several teahouses, and guests can have a double or triple room for approximately NPR 500. 

Travelling in groups allows you to reserve a budget-friendly four-bed dormitory room. The food in Yamphudin rewards you with better-tasting and more varied dishes than the teahouses located at higher altitudes.

Luxurious Stay in Illam

Illam attracts tourists from all over Nepal because of its renowned tea gardens. Since it’s a popular place for both locals and international visitors, you’ll find many luxurious hotels here.

You will stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel with its own private bathroom, and a hot shower system will provide the perfect opportunity to refresh after hiking through the region. 

The hotel dining options are available to guests alongside a variety of restaurants located throughout town.

Final Thoughts

During the Kanchenjunga Trek, you will have the option to stay in both simple mountain huts and guesthouses and hotels that provide comfort. Although some accommodations have limited services, they offer a warm, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere to visitors.

Whether you’re staying in a small teahouse in the mountains or enjoying the comfort of a house in a city, every stop on this trek adds to the adventure.  

You should prepare yourself for this extraordinary journey, during which you can appreciate the beauty of Kanchenjunga.

Useful Read: Things To Know Before Trek to Kanchenjunga Circuit

Electricity and Internet options on the Kanchenjunga Trek

If you are going on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, you might wonder about accessing cellular phone charging or internet services. Well, here’s what you need to know.

Electricity on the Trek

Most teahouses in the Kanchenjunga region get electricity from small hydropower stations or solar panels. Customers can recharge their mobile devices together with other electronic equipment, though some limitations apply.

Due to the lack of room plugs, many teahouses provide power charging service at their reception area only. Most charging services in the area cost users between $2 and $3.

During the rainy months, solar power systems will operate poorly when many teahouses generally close operations during winter periods.

A solar power bank is necessary for campers instead of teahouse guests. Carrying extra batteries for your phone and camera is a good way to make sure you don’t run out of power.

Internet on the Trek

If you are hoping to stay connected online, you might be disappointed. People will find limited internet connectivity during their trek through Kanchenjunga.

Only a few teahouses located down to Lelep provide Wi-Fi, but the speed remains slow and unstable. Plus, they may charge you a few dollars to use it.

Once you go to higher altitudes within the mountain territory, there’s almost no internet at all. The lack of internet service means you will remain offline for several days or more.

But don’t worry! Before or after the trekking activity, you can find stable Internet connections in the cities of Kathmandu, Bhadrapur, Taplejung, and Illam.

Phone and Network Coverage

As soon as you land in Nepal, you can buy a local SIM card from NTC or NCELL, the country’s two main network providers. You just need your passport to get one, or you can ask your trekking agency to arrange it for you.

Your mobile network from a SIM card performs well and might support 3G communications in the lower regions of the route.

When you climb to mountain heights, the communication signal strength gets weaker, and in many places, there’s no network at all.

That’s why some trekkers bring emergency-saving satellite phones as a necessity in case of dangerous situations.

Enjoy the Trek Without the Internet

Enjoy the magnificent trekking route of Kanchenjunga because you will find little to no internet access on this remote path. Instead of checking your phone, take in the stunning mountain views, talk to fellow trekkers, and experience the peaceful nature around you.

Can You Go on a Camping Trek in Kanchenjunga?

Yes, if you love adventure and want to experience nature up close, you can go on a camping trek in Kanchenjunga. Most people who target the Kanchenjunga summit opt for this particular trekking experience.

The camping trek usually starts from Chirwa. During your camping adventure, the porters will provide tents as your overnight accommodation instead of traditional teahouse stays.

During the trek, your provided food will be cooked through the use of supplies transported in your backpacks by the camp cook. Well, you need to depend on your packed supplies because remote areas do not provide any restaurants or shops.

Every adventure in Kanchenjunga brings difficulties and obstacles to tackle. During the camping experience, you will encounter harsh cold weather along with strong wind conditions and meals that are quite simple.

During camping, you cannot expect facilities such as device charging or hot shower services. 

However, walking up to the breathtaking view of Mount Kanchenjunga makes it all worth it. Tourists who desire both convenience and exploration during their trek can opt for the combination of teahouse stays along with tent accommodations.

How to Pick the Best Place To Stay on the Kanchenjunga Trek?

The selection of a sleep area and eating spot is essential for achieving both comfort and reaching goals during a trekking expedition. These guidelines will show you how to pick the perfect accommodation:

• Do Your Research - Before starting your trek, check out the teahouses and campsites along the route.

• Decide Your Stay Type - Decide your preferred lodging type between teahouse accommodation with fundamental facilities or actual camping experiences. Some adventure enthusiasts prefer to combine both camping and sleeping in teahouses during their trekking adventures.

• Check Hygiene and Services - The quality of teahouses changes from one to another so verification of hygiene standards and services matters. Seek accommodations with hygienic rooms along with adequate blankets and satisfactory dining options.

• Read Reviews - It helps to look at the feedback provided by different trekkers when possible. The available reviews will show you where you can find kind hosts alongside inviting lodging with high-quality cuisine.

• Respect Local Culture - Local customs differ from your usual customs, so be respectful toward those cultural traits. The kitchen section in a teahouse tends to be off-limits to visitors during their stay. Learning and respecting the traditional customs of the area always remains a beneficial practice.

• Ask an Expert - If you need help understanding accommodation or food costs. You should reach out to a local guide or trekking agency for advice. The experts within the agency will suggest the right choices that match your financial plan as well as your requirements.

Conclusion

Through the Kanchenjunga Trek experience, visitors can discover many teahouses that provide accommodation and dining services. The journey between Taplejung and Khebang provides accommodation facilities of different standards that suit various travelers.

The growing number of trekkers in the region requires advance booking for accommodations, especially when the trekking seasons are busy. Advance planning will help you secure the best teahouse rooms in your preferred locations.

Teahouse stays offer you more than accommodation facilities because you will encounter welcoming local inhabitants, gain knowledge about their traditional customs, and taste their heartfelt hospitality.

When undergoing the journey, remember to value the opportunities to stay connected and rest during each portion of your trek experience.

Thank You for Reading!