Trip Overview
This is a highly adventurous trek that takes you through some of the most rugged mountainous terrain on earth which culminates at the feet of the 3rd highest peak in the world…..Mt. Kanchenjunga-8586M.
The trails take you across contrasting sceneries that vary from the subtropical lowlands to stunning glacial plateaus at real high altitudes that pour into pristine valleys and beautiful Rhododendron forests….unfolding before you the diversity of nature.
The translation of Kanchenjunga literally means “Five treasures of the Snow” and the main peak is 8586m high. You trek to the base camps of the world’s third highest peak. It provides you spectacular views of Jannu from the Mirgin La. The tranquil villages on the borders of Sikkim and Tibet add other dimensions to this highly adventurous trek. This is a superb trek to the foot of Kangchenjunga (8586m), a huge massif situated in the far northeast corner of Nepal on the borders of Sikkim and Tibet. The region is one of the pristine high mountain areas in Nepal and your trek takes you through magnificent and varied scenery to the Base Camps on both the north and south sides of this vast mountain.
Your journey to this area starts from the tropical lowlands through great rhododendron forests and lovely villages of east Nepal up to the glacier and overwhelming views. A trek to the south and north faces of the world’s third highest peak offers fantastic mountain views, including Everest. One of the most remote and beautiful areas in Nepal, which was not visited foreign tourist, still lies shrouded in sacred mystery. The features of the walk are its pleasant friendly villages with different ethnic groups and then as the trails rise in the high regions, you see glorious mountains and abundant wildlife in varied forms. The trails climb from 1200 meters (4,000ft) to 5180 meters (17,094 ft) above sea level. This is a purely camping trek where one gets to see and interact with various cultures, societies and places.
Trip Itinerary :
- Day 01. Arrive in Kathmandu International Airport. Transfer to the hotel and stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
- Day 02. City sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley. (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Patan). Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
- Day 03-04. Drive from Kathmandu to Basantpur via Dharan(428m.), Dhankuta (1158m) and Hille (1822m.) by bus. Stay overnight at camp in Basantapur.
- Day 05. Trek from Basantpur to Chauki (2400m.) takes about six hours. The trail follows a gentle ascent and descent route as well. The path is covered by rhododendron forests. If the sky is clear, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Makalu and Kanchenjunga himal. On the way, you can see some small human settlements. You can also view villages at a distance from your hiking point. Chauki is a small village with a few lodges and Nepali tea shops. Stay overnight at camp in Chauki.
- Day 06. Trek from chauki to Gupha Pokhari (2940m.) to Gurja Gaon(2145m.) takes about seven hours. While trekking through this way, you pass through rhododendron forests. At a point, you come across a pass situated at 3000 meter. There is a pond at the Gupha Pokhari where prayer flags and Buddhist mani walls can be seen. On the way from Gupha Pokhari to Gurja Gaon, you can see yaks and mountain sheep grazing in the jungle. You will also observe some villages at a far distance. Gurja Gaon is occupied by Buddhist and Hindus. It is situated at a low elevation. Stay overnight at camp in Gurja Gaon.
- Day 07. Trek from Gurja Goan to Dovan (730 m.) takes approximately five and half hours. The trails descend upto Dovan. En route you pass through jungle and villages. You trek through terraces as crops grown here are wheat, maize, rice, millet, potatoes and so on. Dovan is a village situated at low elevation between two streams. There is a small market in Dovan. Stay overnight at camp in Dovan.
- Day 08. Trek from Dovan to Mitlung (921m.) takes approximately six hours. Crossing a suspension bridge over Tamur River, you follow quite a flat route. Your hike continues along the bank of Tamur Koshi through paddy fields. From time to time, you cross through small jungles of cardamom plants and other natural vegetation. You can see some small village stretching at a far distance. The inhabited area of this part is occupied by the Brahmin, Chhetri and Limbu communities. Stay overnight at camp in Mitlung.
- Day 09. Trek from Mitlung to Chirwa (1171m.) takes about seven hours. The path to follow is quite narrow and passes through jungle mainly covered with cardamom plants and other vegetation. You can also see small gardens of oranges on your way. You cross through some small streams while trekking. your trek is through ascending and descending paths. You walk along the more flat land. Chirwa is a small town where you find small lodges and camping site with local shops. The local folks here are mainly engaged in agricultural activities. Stay overnight at camp in Chirwa. Trek from Mitlung to Chirwa (1171m.) which takes about seven hours. The path to follow is quite narrow and passes through jungle mainly covered with cardamom plants and other vegetation. You can also see small gardens of oranges on your way. You cross through some small streams while trekking. your trek is through ascending and descending paths. You walk along the more flat land. Chirwa is a small town where you find small lodges and camping site with local shops. The local folks here are mainly engaged in agricultural activities. Stay overnight at camp in Chirwa.
- Day 10. Trek from Chirwa to Sekathum (1635m.) takes about six hours. Your trek passes through a small jungle along the bank of a river. You find the plants of cardamom and other different vegetation. The trail normally ascends and descends as well. You cross a small hanging bridge before you reach Sekhathum. Stay overnight at camp in Sekathun.
- Day 11. Trek from Sekathum to Amjilosa (2510m.) takes about five hours. The first one and half-hour you trek through normally flat land. Then your trail goes steeply ascented up to Amjilasa. Amjilassa is a small village with a few houses and yak herds with local shops where you find minimal supplies. These shops are also called Bhattis (local bar) and teashops. Stay overnight at camp in Amjilosa.
- Day 12. Trek from Amjilosa to Gyable which takes about seven hours. The trail is quite flat in the beginning and gently ascends to Gyable passing through the jungle. Human settlements are visible at Gyable. People living here follow the Buddhist culture. Stay overnight at camp in Gyable.
- Day 13. Trek from Gyable to Ghunsa (3468m.) takes about six hours. Your trail passes through a dense green jungle. You can see Gunsa River down the trail. The trail passes through a few human settlements and it is clearly visible that their life style and culture has been inherited from Tibet. You pass through terrace fields where there are grown potatoes, wheat, barley, buck wheat and so on. The local traders are involved in export-import business in Tibet. The traders go to India for trade activities during the winter season. Stay overnight at camp in Ghunsa.
- Day 14. Rest day at Ghunsa for acclimatization. This is a day to rest in order to acclimatize and do some excursions in and around Ghunsa. Gunsa is also rich with Tibetan and Buddhist culture. Ghunsa is a relatively larger town and inhabited by Tibetan people. The women are mainly involved in the carpet weaving profession. The carpet weaving industry is practically run in their homes on a small scale and most of the local people are involved in this trade. The trekkers come across a few check points at Ghunsa. There are also local shops where you can buy goods to take along with you to the higher altitudes. Stay overnight at camp.
- Day 15. Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4124m.) takes about seven hours. The trail makes a gradual ascent along the south bank of the Gunsa Khola, then crosses a boulder strewn flood plain and crosses back to Rambuk Kharka on the north side of the river. Once on the opposite side, the trail passes a waterfall then makes a short, steep ascent to a very unstable scree slope. It’s a passage across the slide, with loose footing, a steep fall to the river and lots of tumbling football-sized rocks. Beyond the slide, the trail drops to the single locked hut at Lakep, then traverses to Khambachen, a Tibetan settlement of about a dozen houses at 4040m. Stay overnight at camp in Kambachen.
- Day 16. Trek from Kambachen to Lhonak (4780m.) takes about seven hours. The trail climbs gradually through open rocky fields to Ramtang at 4240m, then across moraines north-west of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. Lhonak, at 4790m, is near a dry lake bed on an open, sandy plain; water is scarce here. There are no houses, but you can camp among the large boulders to get out of the wind. Terrific mountain views abound in all directions. Stay overnight at camp in Lhonak.
- Day 17. Trek from Lhonak to Pangpema (5152m.) takes about four hours. From Lhonak, the trail ascends gradually across the plain, and then gets a bit steeper as it follows the moraine. You can drop off the moraine and follow the bottom of the valley to avoid the steeper section. The views are dramatic, but you cannot see Kanchenjunga or Wedge Peak until you are near Peng Pema. The spectacular main peak of Kanchenjunga, and a panorama of other peaks that make up one of the largest mountain masses in the world, tower over the single roofless hut at Pang Pema. It’s oddly stunning as you delightfully camp for the night down here. Stay overnight at camp in Pangpema.
- Day 18. Trek from Pangpema to Kanchanjunga (North) Base Camp (5280m.) to Lhonak and it takes approximately six hours. Here you can enjoy the snow capped mountains and the Kanchenjunga glacier. There are gorges of mountain glaciers from water flows all the time. During the middle of the day, the scene of falling avalanches captivates your imagination completely. Stay overnight at camp in Lhonak.
- Day 19. Trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa takes about seven hours. Now you trek to a descending path crossing the jungle along the Kambachen River. Somewhere you can see the mani walls and prayer flags hanging over the trees. At a point, you have to cross a wooden bridge. Stay overnight at camp in Ghunsa.
- Day 20. Trek from Ghunsa to Mirgin La (4583m.) takes about seven hours. By ascending, you pass through a less thick jungle. Here also you can see mani walls and prayer flags hanging over the trees. While trekking you get views of various beautiful mountains. You also observe different animals like mountain goats and yaks grazing over the green hills. Stay overnight at camp in Mirgin La.
- Day 21. Trek from Mirgin La to Tseram (3725m.) takes about seven hours. You trek through almost desert like areas and in some places you cross the trail is almost stony. The path is ascending from Mirgin La to Tseram. On the path, you can see Lapsang La glacier, Mirgin La glacier and snow-capped mountains. There are very few stone roof houses at Tseram and also some yak huts. Stay overnight at camp in Tseram.
- Day 22. Trek from Tseram to Oktang (5225m.) takes about eight hours. You trek through moraines. On the trail, you can see the Yalung glacier and Lapsang glacier. You can also see mountain goats as you cross through a desert like area. The view of snow-covered mountains and Kanchenjunga is absolutely magnificent. Walking through this trail is full of adventure. Stay overnight at camp in Oktang.
- Day 23. Excursion to Kanchanjunga Base Camp (South) takes about six hours. The trekkers have to walk through moraines and strenuous rocky path. Trekking this day is pretty adventurous as you have to walk along the glaciers. Today you cross the Oktang glacier. The panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Jannu with other different peaks captivate your emotions completely. Some parts of the area touch the neighboring India. Stay overnight at camp in Oktang.
- Day 24. Trek from Oktang to Tseram (3725m.) takes approximately seven hours. You trek following a stream alongside the moraines of Yalung Glacier. Trekking through a jungle of juniper is required. The path is quite loose and rocky. mani walls and prayer flags will be seen hanging over the trees. Along the way, you will see the difficult route of Lapsang La pass at a distance. There are very few stone roof houses at Tseram and some yak huts. Stay overnight at camp in Tseram.
- Day 25. Trek from Tseram to Yamphudin (2090m.) takes about nine hours. The first part of the trail goes along the bank of the river Simbua Khola. You have to walk through a dense jungle. On the way, you can see the effects of a landslide at some places. The trails normally ascend up to Lamite Bhanjyang and then descend to Yamphudin crossing a small river. Yamphudin is a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais and Gurungs. Among the corn and rice fields of the village there is a school and some shops with minimal supplies. Stay overnight at camp in Yamphudin.
- Day 26. Trek from Yamphudin to Khebang (1740m.) takes about seven hours. In the beginning, you descend crossing the Omje Khola up to halfway. Now you ascend through a jungle of cardamom and orchid plants. You pass a small village where you can find different human settlements, small thatched roof houses and local shops with minimal supplies. From here, the trail is quite ascending up to Khebang Danda and then you trek in descending order to Khebang village. Khabang is a comparatively big village where the local people follow the Hindu and Buddhism faiths. Stay overnight at camp in Khebang.
- Day 27. Trek from Khebang to Thorpu (1500m.) takes approximately nine hours. The trail starts descending to Jorepul and then begins to ascend. You also trek along the flat and low land crossing paddy fields and thatched roof houses. There are many villages on the way where you can buy things you may require from the shops in these villages. Thorpu is a town where transportation facilities are available. Stay overnight at camp in Thorpu.
- Day 28. Trek from Thorpu to Gopetar (2250m.) takes about six hours. First of all, you ascend through the small villages up to the last destination, Gopetar. It is a town with a few small restaurants, teashops and other some local bars. From here, you get on your bus to reach Phidim and finally on to Ilam. Stay overnight at camp in Gopetar.
- Day 29-30. Drive from Gopetar to Kathmandu via Phidim (1264m.) and Ilam (1229m.). Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
- Day 31. Recreation & shopping day. Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
- Day 32. Transfer to the Airport for final departure. (Fly out from Kathmandu).
Note :- If above program itinerary that don’t suit to you and wish to modify above itinerary then please let us know and we’ll be happy to create a tailor made itinerary especially for you. It is also possible to combines above trip with Jungle safari, rafting, Mountain flight or with any travel plans, just shares your interested with us. We will design and arrange your holiday accordingly.
Price For The Trip: The total cost for the trek or tour you decide you want to do will depend on several different factors. The type of accommodation you prefer in Kathmandu will make a difference to the overall cost (budget to 5 star accommodations). The mode of transport you prefer will also affect the cost of your package, for example prices vary greatly between flying versus private car/van, tourist or local buses. The camping trek and teahouse trek made a difference in the cost. The number of guides and porters required will also affect the total cost of your trek. For these reasons, the same trek/tour can vary in price quite substantially.
Tea-house Lodge Trek Cost Includes:
- All land transportation: Airport /Hotel/Airport & trekking pick up & drop.
- 1 Full day 4/5 hours sightseeing with professional English speaking tour guide & temple entry fees.
- 4 Night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at Bed & Breakfast basis.
- 3 Major meals; B/L/D (by Lodge menu) and accommodation at best available teahouse lodge during the trek en-route.
- 1 English speaking trekking guide, necessary Sherpa & Porters.
- Life insurance for all support crews and their daily wages.
- Per member 25 Kg. luggage allow while in the trekking.
- Trekking Permit and conservation Fees.
- Medical Kit Box for Nepali support crews.
- All official taxes and service charge.
Camping Trek Cost Includes:
- All land transportation: Airport /Hotel/Airport & trekking pick up & drop.
- 1 Full day 4/5 hours sightseeing with professional English speaking tour guide & temple entry fees.
- 4 Night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at Bed & Breakfast basis.
- All 3 major meals Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (provide continental food) and accommodation in tented camp during the trek en-route.
- 1 English speaking trekking guide, 1 Cook, Kitchen boys, necessary Sherpa & Porters.
- Life insurance for all support crews and their daily wages.
- Per member 25 Kg. luggage allow while in the trekking.
- Trekking Permit and conservation Fees.
- Medical Kit Box for Nepali support crews.
- All official taxes and service charge.
The Cost Doesn’t Include:
- Personal transportation except above programs.
- Major meals lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu.
- Personal trekking gears as well as sleeping bags.
- Personal Nature expenses.
- Emergency evacuation (If incase).
- Drinks except tea and coffee.
- Airfare: to & from your country.
- Nepal entry, re-entry visa fees & international airport departure taxes.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Tips for the trekking crews.