Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek - 21 Days

After a spectacular flight over the highlands, you will arrive at Kathmandu Airport where you will meet the Himalayan trekkers' representative. You will be then transferred to the hotel and helped till the check-in formalities. 

If your arrival makes early, we will sit for a pre-discussion session regarding the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek. In the evening, you will have leisure time to explore the streets of the Thamel area and feel the vibrancy.

After a warm breakfast at the hotel, you can spend the morning, exploring some of Kathmandu's World Heritage Sites and then prepare for the hike in the afternoon. Your guided sightseeing of Kathmandu includes some of the most prominent pieces of Nepal. Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple are amongst them. Boudhanath Stupa is the biggest Tibetan Buddhism site in Nepal and one of the biggest in South Asia while Pashupatinath Temple is one of the oldest in Nepal and one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world that is dedicated to Lord Shiva, considered as the most divine among the Hindu deities. 

After the sightseeing, you can spend the rest of the day preparing for the trek. You can do last-minute shopping if you need personal gear or equipment for the journey. All types of gear and equipment for the trekking journeys are available at the Thamel market. They can be bought new or can be rented out on a daily basis.

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the airport for the flight to Bhadrapur. We take the earliest flight possible or the second one to avoid late arrival in Taplejung which requires an 8-9 hours drive upon arrival at the Bhadrapur airport. 

From Bhadrapur Airport, we hop on our jeep and begin our drive to Taplejung. Our ride goes along the vast landscapes, from high hills to low mountains over the back top road. We also pass by the beautiful tea gardens of Kanyan and Fikkal in Ilam and cardamom jungles. Nepal is the world's leading producer of black/large cardamom, with Taplejung producing most of this spice in Nepal. We might stop for a brief moment at these large and beautiful gardens for short snippets or clicks. Then we continue our drive till we reach our guesthouse. 

Note: If the flight gets delayed, we might have to spend the night at Bhadrapur. Then our drive to Taplejung will be scheduled tomorrow morning extending the trip days.)

The trekking journey officially starts today with a total altitude fall of 2000 meters to 1290 meters. Our first phase of trekking will take us primarily downhill along the Tamor River, across the massive Cardamom Jungle. We stop for a tea/coffee break along the way and then continue walking on a flat road. From the second phase onwards, the vegetation shifts from alpine to tropical. The high slopes and mountains begin to fade away in front of our eyes, leaving nothing but endless lowlands. We get to see the local villages and villagers working in the fields for a living along our paths. 

Chiruwa is nestled among massive boulders and bamboo huts with a few tea houses and a bazaar. The Kirati ethnic, today known as Limbu, is a major farming ethnic group that has lived in this region for almost 2000 years. Rice, millet, barley, wheat, and corn are the most common crops here.

OR, Drive Taplejung – Ranipul (6/7Hours) & walk to Sermanthang (45mins)
Instead of trekking for two days, driving from Taplejung to Ranipul and walking for roughly 45 minutes to Sermanthang would be another option. However, the mountain road will be extremely bumpy, but it will also be a picturesque trip and an extreme ride experience.

Our permits will be checked at the regional park office. From there we cross a suspension bridge over the river and enter the conservation area protecting the region. We follow the trail along the bank of Tamor River making our way into the cardamom garden, many typical Nepali villages, and paddy fields. Also, today’s path takes us past numerous waterfalls and streams. And, we get the most glimpse of the lifestyle of Kirati people though the region inhabits a mix of ethnic communities. Upon reaching our destination, we check-in at our teahouse and relax.

Today, we will be trekking through the man-made stone steps trail. The first phase mainly comprises uphill walks, whereas the second segment consists of hard and steep climbs. Leaving the Kirati settlements in the lower region, our trail goes upwards to the Sherpa settlements. We eat our lunch on the river bank at Lamatar and follow the uphill trail till we reach Amjilosa with a few Sherpa houses and its yak pasturelands.

We start early in the morning on the rocky stone steps passing through a few landslides, small streams, and beautiful waterfalls. Our steep climb continues through the densely forested region of dense rhododendron and old oak trees, past the scattered settlements nestled in the tranquil valley below the mountains, and pause at Gyabla for a quick lunch grab. 

Gyabla gifts us with the first mountain view of Kumbakarna Peak also known as Jannu Peak. Stone steps steep upwards and continue till Faley. From here, the mountain trekking trail starts and leads us with a slight uphill along the Ghunsa River and reach Ghunsa.

Ghunsa is the city center of the Kanchenjunga region where we will spend an extra day here for acclimatization and rest purposes. There are lodges with facilities like internet, electricity, charging stations, and hot/cold showers in this Tibetan village. We can spend the day visiting monasteries and learning about Buddhist culture and heritage in the old village of Ghunsa. We may go for a day hike to one of the neighboring places as part of our acclimatization process.

Today, we begin on the slight uphill mountain trekking trail along the Ghunsa Khola's south bank, passing through gorgeous rhododendron and pine forests, as well as several mani walls, colorful prayer flags, and chortens. We also trek through multiple landslides, streams, waterfalls, and glacial moraines to reach Khambachen, a Tibetan village from which we have a spectacular 360-degree mountain view including Jannu (7710m), Sobithongie (6670m), Phole Peak (6645m), and Khabur (6332m).

After weeklong trekking, a day of rest and leisure is in order. An optional day hike to the high ridge behind the village offering spectacular views of the Himalayas or trek to Jannu/Kumbarkarna Base Camp or 6-7 hours long trek on stone steps to Phaktalung Temple, one of the most famous temples of Kirat communities. 
Or, we can just stroll around the Khambachen area.

The trail gradually ascends over a wide stony mountain trail to Ramtang at 4240 meters then across moraines of the Kanchenjunga glaciers. We get to experience the first glance of our main target, Mount Kanchenjunga including other breathtaking mountains throughout the tail today. Lhonak sits on an open, sandy plain beside a dry lake bed with breathtaking 360-degree mountain views. Wedge Peak (6750m), Mera Peak (6344m), Nepal Peak (6910m), and Twins Peak (6750m) are among the Himalayan peaks visible.

An early start for the walk to Pangpema (5143m), the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, for magnificent views of view Kanchenjunga's main peak with Wedge Peak, Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, Cross Peak, the Twins. The stony slight uphill trail follows moraine for much of its length and is quite in poor shape due to its ever-changing nature and occasional use. After exploring the main destination of this journey, we will return to Lhonak for the night.

We return to Khambachen, following back along the same path for around 5 hours.

We retrace our steps and return to Ghunsa and from there we descend to Phaley for the night. Our descent takes us past the breathtaking mountains and cliffs that we saw on the way up.

Today, we trek back to Amjilosa via Gaybla from the same trail we used to climb upwards. 

Today is the last day of our walk. Out of Amjilosa, the route descends. The hike ends after we reach Ranipul, after passing through villages and farmlands.

After breakfast, we start our 6-7 hours drive on the best available vehicle to reach Taplejung. 

Today will also be a long day of driving. We depart Taplejung early in the morning and move towards Bhadrapur.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. After your 40 minutes scenic flight over the mountains and valleys, you land at the Kathmandu airport, where you will be received by our staff. Then, you will be escorted to the respective hotel in Thamel. The remainder of the day is on your own.

This is the day for the complete rest that is needed for a tired and sore body. You could visit spa or massage centers, or probably go shopping for souvenirs. In the evening, we will gather at a typical Nepali restaurant for a goodbye meal, which will include a traditional Nepali feast and a cultural show.

After breakfast, you can fly back to your home from Kathmandu, or you can prolong your trip and travel within or outside of Nepal. We will transfer you to the Kathmandu Airport once again and bid you farewell hoping to see you again.