Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek (North & South) - 22 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you are met by our team and transferred to a comfortable 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu. After check-in, there is time to rest and recover from your journey. In the evening, we meet for a welcome briefing where the guide explains the overall plan, trekking conditions, altitude awareness, and what to expect during this remote trek.  

Today is reserved for trek preparation. All necessary permits for the restricted Kanchenjunga region are finalized, and your guide checks trekking equipment to ensure everything is suitable for long and remote trekking days. This preparation day allows you to start the trek with confidence and clarity.

An early morning flight takes you from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur in eastern Nepal. From here, the journey continues by road to Phidim, gradually climbing into the green hills of Ilam. The drive passes tea gardens, rivers, and traditional villages, offering a relaxed introduction to rural eastern Nepal.

Today we continue our drive from Phidim toward Sekathum, driving deeper into the hills of eastern Nepal. The route follows narrow mountain roads, passing small villages, terraced farmland, and forested hills. Sekathum is the final practical road access point on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek and marks the trek starting point to the remote Ghunsa Valley.

The trek begins with a challenging day through dense forest. The trail involves steep ascents and descents, narrow trails, and several suspension bridge crossings over fast-flowing rivers. The surroundings are lush and humid, with bamboo, ferns, and thick vegetation. Amjilosa is a small riverside camp set deep in the forest.

Today’s trek continues along the valley with gradual altitude gain. The air feels cooler and fresher. This area lies within red panda habitat, although sightings are rare. Gyabla is a small settlement in a wider alpine valley.

The trail climbs gently toward Ghunsa, following the river through pine and juniper forests. Snow-capped peaks start to appear more clearly. Ghunsa is a large Sherpa village with strong Tibetan cultural influence, stone houses, prayer flags, and a monastery. It serves as an important acclimatization and logistics base.

This day is dedicated to acclimatization. Short hike are taken above the village to help the body adjust to altitude, while the night is spent at the same elevation. There is time to explore the village, visit the monastery, and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Leaving Ghunsa, the trail enters a high alpine environment. Trees gradually disappear, replaced by rocky terrain and alpine shrubs. The trek follows glacial streams through open valleys, with impressive views of Jannu (Kumbhakarna). Khambachen is a small settlement surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Another acclimatization day allows the body to adapt before moving higher. Short hikes are taken toward nearby ridges and viewpoints, offering views of the Kanchenjunga range and surrounding glaciers. The landscape here is dry, cold, and very open

The trail climbs gradually through a wide glacial valley. The landscape feels vast and remote, with moraine trails, rocky ground, and distant icefalls. Vegetation is very limited at this altitude. Lhonak is a basic high-altitude settlement used by trekkers and climbers.

This is one of the most memorable days of the trek. The trail follows the glacier to Pangpema, directly below the massive north face of Kanchenjunga. From here, the main summit and surrounding peaks rise dramatically above the icefalls. After spending time at base camp, the trail returns to Lhonak for overnight.

The route descends back through the valley to Ghunsa. Trekking downhill helps the body recover after the highest point of the trek, and familiar landscapes appear different from a new perspective.

Leaving the main valley, the trail climbs into a quieter and less-visited area. The terrain becomes more open and exposed, with alpine meadows and rocky slopes. This section feels remote and adds a strong expedition character to the trek.

After crossing Sele La Pass, wide mountain views open up, including peaks such as Jannu and Kabru. The trail then descends into the southern side of the Kanchenjunga region, reaching Tseram, a scenic settlement surrounded by alpine terrain.

The trail follows the Yalung Glacier as we move higher into the southern side of the Kanchenjunga region. The landscape becomes more rugged and alpine, with rocky ground, glacial streams, and wide open valleys. As we reach Ramche, views of surrounding peaks and hanging glaciers become increasingly dramatic. Ramche is a high-altitude settlement used as the base for visiting the South Base Camp of Kanchenjunga.

An early start takes us from Ramche along the Yalung Glacier toward Oktang, the South Base Camp of Kanchenjunga. The trail leads through a raw glacial landscape, with the massive south face of Kanchenjunga rising above icefalls and moraine walls. After spending time at Oktang and enjoying close-up views of the mountain and surrounding peaks, we begin a long descent. The trail gradually drops into greener terrain, passing alpine meadows and forested sections before reaching Tortong for overnight. This is a demanding but highly rewarding day, combining the trek’s final base camp highlight with a significant descent to safer altitude.

The final trekking day follows forest trails and ridges back to Yamphudin. As altitude decreases, the vegetation becomes greener and the climate warmer, marking the completion of the trekking circuit.

We leave the trekking region and begin the drive back through eastern hill towns and farmland.

After reaching Bhadrapur, we fly back to Kathmandu. On arrival, transfer to your 3-star category hotel, where the rest of the day is free.  

This spare day is kept for rest or any weather or travel delays, ensuring the itinerary remains flexible and safe.

A traditional Nepali farewell is offered before your airport transfer. You depart Nepal carrying memories of the Himalayas, the trekking team, and the experience of standing on the base of world’s third highest mountain.