Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, a representative from Nepal Hiking Trek will greet you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest, drink plenty of water, and adjust to the new surroundings.
Kathmandu's lively Thamel area offers plenty to explore, from cafes and restaurants to shops selling trekking gear and local crafts. If needed, get a SIM card for easy communication during the trek. In the evening, relax and enjoy a meal at one of Thamel's popular restaurants.
After breakfast, begin a full-day tour of Kathmandu's cultural landmarks with a knowledgeable guide and private vehicle. Visit the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the iconic Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. These historic sites offer a glimpse into Nepal's rich spiritual heritage.
Following the afternoon, you'll return to the hotel for a trek briefing. Your guide will review the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek itinerary and ensure you have all the necessary permits. You can also do any last-minute shopping for trekking gear in Thamel before enjoying a relaxed evening in Kathmandu.
The flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur takes about 45 minutes, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayas, rolling hills, and the wide plains of eastern Nepal. On clear days, you may even glimpse Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga in the distance.
As the plane descend, the landscape shifts from rugged mountains to green lowlands, signaling your arrival in the subtropical region of Bhadrapur. Upon arrival, begin a scenic drive to Taplejung. The journey takes you through lush hills, terraced fields, and rural villages, offering a glimpse of local life. Once in Taplejung, settle in and prepare for the trekking adventure ahead.
The journey to Sekathum begins in Suketar, descending into the Tamur Khola valley along a road constructed in 2020 for a hydro dam project. The jeep route winds through a lush, fertile landscape, passing former trekking campsites at Mitlung and Chirwa before reaching Ranipul. The surrounding terrain is rich with agricultural lands, featuring rice, millet, potatoes, and vegetable fields.
Nearby forests are abundant with cardamom, an essential local cash crop. At Sekathum, most trekkers camp in a local lodge garden, gaining captivating Himalayan views. Jannu Peak is visible on clear days up the Ghunsa Valley. This road now provides an easier alternative to the previous trekking route, offering a more accessible entry to this remote region.
From the Sekathum, you begin by crossing the suspension bridge and entering deep forests. The trail quickly becomes challenging, with steep, narrow sections and a dramatic gorge. Midway through the trek, you'll encounter a stone step leading to the tiny hamlet of Ghaiyabari.
After passing through Solima village, the path continues through the tricky gorge section that requires careful navigation. The trek involves multiple uphill and downhill segments before reaching Amjilosa. You can engage with Sherpa and Tibetan community members in this Tibetan settlement. The diverse terrain and evolving landscapes make this day of trekking unforgettable, with beautiful nature and cultural insights.
Leaving Amjilosa, the trek starts with a short ascent to a ridge within Kanchenjunga National Park. The trek traverses through diverse forests featuring rhododendrons, bamboo, oaks, and birch trees. After descending to Ghunsa Khola, the path goes through Thyanyani village.
The undulating trail offers stunning encounters with cascading waterfalls and summer pastures. Gyable, a small Taplejung settlement, showcases remarkable cultural diversity, with different ethnic groups living harmoniously. While exploring the village, you'll experience beautiful Nepalese countryside and have a chance to interact with the local community.
The trail opens into a wide valley, offering an easier path to Phole. As you climb above 3,500 meters, temperatures drop, and you need careful altitude awareness. Onwards, vegetation changes, with lush forests showcasing rhododendrons and azaleas in spring. Just before Phole, you'll pass temporary winter settlements.
At Phole, visit the local monastery and observe the villagers' lifestyle, like women weaving carpets in the sun. After a short break, continue for one and a half hours and reach Ghunsa village. It is the largest Tibetan settlement on the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek route. You’ll see wooden houses and colorful prayer flags. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office is also located here.
Reaching over 3,500 meters requires proper altitude adjustment. Follow the "climb high, sleep low" method by hiking up the ridge above the valley. Relish the stunning views of Jannu Peak. It helps your body acclimatize. But the trail is remote, so the teahouse might not be available, so remember to pack lunch for the hike.
Ghunsa, the last permanent settlement before Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, provides an ideal rest stop. Explore the village and visit Tashi Choeling Gompa, a significant Buddhist monastery of the Nying-ma-pa sect, renowned as one of the oldest in eastern Nepal.
After acclimatizing in Ghunsa, continue towards North Base Camp along the Ghunsa Khola's east side. The trail winds through larch woods and juniper bushes, crossing rocky riversides and old landslide areas. A seasonal grazing spot at Rampuk Kharka (3,720 meters) crosses a wooden bridge to the river's north side.
Now, the route becomes challenging, passing a small waterfall and climbing the Jannu Glacier's terminal moraine. Enjoy the startling sights of Jannu's north face and surrounding peaks. Descend to Khambachen, a summer grazing settlement at the Nupchu Khola's confluence. The village offers an epic panoramic view of endless mountains, mostly above 5,000 meters.
Continue towards the final high camp before Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Basically trail follows the Ghunsa Khola's north side, fed by the Kanchenjunga Glacier. As you gain altitude, the terrain becomes more glacial, and you get views of the Tibetan border. Pass an icy waterfall to the Kharka of Ramtang, a seasonal yak herder's camp at 4,370 meters. Observe large herds of yaks and calves grazing.
Further, the trial becomes rockier, requiring careful navigation through landslide areas. Hike across a boulder-covered plateau, passing Lhonak Glacier to reach the flat campsite at Lhonak. The area hosts blue sheep and potential signs of snow leopards and wolves.
Today is spectacular as you head to Pangpema, a north base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Follow the west bank of the Kanchenjunga Glacier to the north base camp. The route features a rocky riverbed with a meandering stream, surrounded by dry, rugged terrain with sparse vegetation. Snow-capped Himalayan peaks, including Mount Jannu, dominate the scene.
Onwards, you’ll navigate challenging terrain, walk over boulders, and traverse landslide areas. Reach Kanchenjunga North Base Camp and admire the world's third-highest peak. After capturing the staggering mountain panorama, return to Lhonak via the same route.
Return to Ghunsa via the eastern route, encountering yaks, herders, and blue sheep grazing among rhododendron trees and unique hillside vegetation. Pass through Khambachen, enjoying mesmerizing views of Jannu Peak.
Navigate carefully through glacial and landslide areas, retracing an earlier path. Prepare for the upcoming challenging climb to the Kanchenjunga's south base camp.
From Ghunsa, you trek uphill to Sele La Kharka. This route is steeper and more isolated than the trail through Gyable. As the trail goes up, you'll pass through beautiful forests filled with various trees, including rhododendrons, juniper, birch, pine, and oak. The higher elevation rewards you with breathtaking scenes of some of the world's most famous peaks, including Mount Makalu and Everest.
A particularly memorable point along the trek is reaching a grassy ridge with a commanding view of the vast valley below. From this vantage point, you can spot the villages of Ghunsa and Phole in the distance– places you visited earlier. This perspective provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate how far you've come and the remarkable landscapes you've traversed.
Today marks a significant milestone as you tackle one of the region's most critical high-altitude passes, Sele La Pass, at 4,290 meters. This high-altitude pass serves as a central point that connects the north and south base camps of Mount Kanchenjunga. The trek begins with a challenging uphill climb over rugged terrain dotted with stones and large boulders. The steep ascent and high altitude require careful attention to your pace and well-being.
Your perseverance is rewarded at the summit of Sele La Pass, where you're treated to astonishing views of Kanchenjunga and surrounding snow-covered peaks. After taking time to soak in the eye-catching panorama, you descend toward Tseram. This location will be the base for exploring the South Base Camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The downward journey offers splendid mountain vistas, making every step worthwhile.
Today, you’ll follow the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trail and pass the impressive Yalung Glacier before emerging into a vast valley. The eastern horizon showcases a dramatic series of peaks marking the Nepal-India border, including Koktang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m), and the towering Kabru peaks that exceed 7,000 meters.
Ramche is a picturesque spot featuring a lake, meadow, and traditional stone houses. Further, the hike continues upward to Oktang Base Camp, the south base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga at 4,730 meters. This vantage point offers marvelous views of Kanchenjunga's south face, including its three prominent peaks, surpassing 8,400 meters. After taking the awe-inspiring mountain panorama, you'll retrace a few steps back to Ramche for the night.
Today marks your journey to Tseram, a relatively short and manageable trek of 3 to 4 hours. Before departing, take a final look at the majestic towering peaks and the impressive lateral moraine of the Yalung Glacier. This lovely scenery serves as a fitting farewell to this remarkable area.
The back trail has uphill and downhill sections, passing scattered shepherd huts and steep descents. Even though you are following the same path, the journey feels new. A sense of accomplishment and satisfaction comes from having successfully visited both camps of Mount Kanchenjunga, giving the familiar landscape a new perspective
The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek route continues to Tortong from Tseram. You'll first encounter a small village pond before continuing along the trail. After about an hour's walk, you'll reach Anda Phedi.
From here, the path begins a gentle descent towards Tortong. The walk is accompanied by the varying sounds of the river, which changes its character as you descend. The trail winds through diverse vegetation zones, starting with colorful rhododendrons, then moss-covered trees, and finally tall pines and larches. Adding to the trek's charm is the sight of grazing yaks, offering an excellent chance for photos and a glimpse into highland life.
The final day of the trek begins with an exciting crossing of the Simbuwa Khola. The initial part of the walk goes through the forested area before climbing challenging zigzagging uphill sections. After carefully navigating a slippery slope, you descend to the grassy area of Lasiya Bhanjyang, offering a brief respite from the rugged terrain. You'll notice fewer grazing yaks as you go lower, signaling a return to lower elevations.
After another hour of trekking, you reach the open pastureland of Chitre. After a short thirty-minute walk, you get to a traditional resting place called Chautara. From there, the hike continues to Yamphudin, also known as Sherpagaon. The Sherpa community primarily inhabits this village. This Sherpa hamlet marks the end of the trek and offers a chance to experience local culture and daily life.
Today, your adventure shifts from trekking to a relaxing drive to Illam, also called the "Queen of the Hills". The drive offers continuing scenic delights, with ever-changing landscapes and mountain scenery accompanying you. Ilam is famous for its tea gardens, which produce high-quality tea that's exported around the world.
The nearby area of Kanyam is also well-known for its cardamom farms, adding another agricultural dimension to the region's identity. This lovely town serves as a perfect conclusion to the Kanchenjunga Circuit trekking.
The final day begins with an early morning stroll through Ilam's verdant tea gardens. The journey back to Kathmandu starts with a drive to Bhadrapur, passing through scenic areas, including the tea estates of Phikkal and Kanyam, and descending through Charali Jhapa. The route offers one last look at the region's agricultural beauty and changing landscapes.
From Bhadrapur Airport, you'll board a flight to Kathmandu, enjoying sensational aerial views of Nepal's middle hills. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you'll return to the hotel to refresh before having the opportunity to explore the capital city one final time. This is your chance to purchase souvenirs, take in any last sights of the Kathmandu Valley, and enjoy a farewell dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants. The evening ends with preparations for your departure the following day.
Today marks the conclusion of the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. The staff from Nepal Hiking Trek will assist with your transfer to Kathmandu International Airport according to your flight schedule. This remarkable journey through one of Nepal's most spectacular regions ends, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the world's third-highest mountain and its diverse landscapes, cultures, and communities. For those interested in this adventure, further details and assistance are available through direct contact us.
