Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Itinerary

Click to Collapse
1. Day 01 Arrival at Kathmandu.

   You will be welcomed by our staff standing with your name card at the airport arrival terminal and transferred to your hotel by a private vehicle. Your hotel is in the middle of the city. You will have nothing planned for the day, so take a rest and gather the energy to walk on the trails. Else, if you have some personal gears to buy, you can go shopping in the Market in the evening. You will spend a night in a hotel.
   Accommodation: Hotel (BB Plan) - Transportation: Private vehicle.

2. Day 02 Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trek preparation, Permits Procedure (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   After breakfast, there are then several ways you can spend your day given the numerous famous sights around Kathmandu. Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. You can use this as a free day or we can provide a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights.
   Optional Day Tours Sacred Sites of the Valley (Full day): Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar Square. This is a full-day tour and you'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant during the day.
   Boudhanath (1 hour): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest spherical stupa (Buddhist shrine). Check out the site's numerous monasteries, as well as an enormous adorned statue of Maitreya Buddha.
   Pashupatinath (1 hour): The most sacred of all Hindu temples in Nepal, located on the holy Bagmati River. This is a large temple complex where you can easily spend an hour exploring.
   Bhaktapur (3 hours): A 30-minute drive outside of Kathmandu is the ancient city of Bhaktapur, home of medieval art and wood carving. Founded in the 9th century, visit the town's narrow alleys and observe villagers going about their day-to-day life.
   Everest Mountain Flight (1 hour): A unique opportunity, consider taking a mountain flight to see Mount Everest (one hour).
   Shivapuri National Park (half-day): Go hiking or mountain biking in this scenic national park located on the northern fringe of Kathmandu Valley. There are hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including medicinal herbs, as well as historical and religious sites.
   Evening Trip Briefing However you choose to spend your day, you'll return to your hotel in Kathmandu in the early evening and meet your specialist (or one of their staff members) who will go over details of your trip, including what to expect and transport logistics.
   Accommodation: Hotel (BB Plan) - Transportation: Private vehicle.

3. Day 03 Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (Flight:40 to 45 minutes) to Ilam (Drive:4 hours)

   After breakfast, our guide will collect you from your hotel and accompany you to the airport. The short flight to Bhadrapur takes us over the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills and through some of the mountains Nepal is famous for. Free mountain flights! Bhadrapur is a south-eastern gateway to India from the Nepal side also various tourist destinations in the Himalayas. This is the place where we start our trek to the Kanchenjunga region and We will take a local jeep or bus and drive to Phidim. overnights at Phidim.
   Accommodation: Hotel (AP Plan) - Transportation: Private vehicle /Flight/ local jeep or bus.

4. Day 04 Drive to Taplejung (1,820m)(8 hours drive)

   After breakfast, you board the bus and head towards the destination. The road trip from Phidim to Taplejung is long today, We will start driving towards the green hills of Ilam. Ilam is called the Queen of Hills with a beautiful scenic view of lovely hills with a temperate climate, fertile lands and low green hills and tea cultivations. Now, we drive towards Taplejung, Enjoying the beautiful scenery, we will drive up to Suketar. Suketar is the point where the actual trek starts tomorrow. Overnight in Suketar, Taplejung.
   Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

5. Day 05 Taplejung to Chirwa(5 to 6 hours)

   Today is our first day of trekking. After a morning breakfast in Suketar, you pack your bags and hit the trail. Our trek starts today with a hike through layered landscapes and lush jungle fringed by distant views of the ever-present Himalayas, passing by the riverside village of Siwan and the suspension bridge that leads us across to Chirawa Kanchenjunga trek route trail takes us through scenic pastures and small villages, Hungdewa Khola and the Tamur River on the way. On continuing through the trail, we will enjoy the great surroundings. We will walk along the riverbank of Chirwa Khola and arrive in Chiruwa. Chirwa is a small Limbu village with a few lodges, shops, and campsites. Overnight in Chirwa village.
   Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

6. Day 06 Chirwa to Lelep(6 to 7 hours)

   This is another long day of 7 hours of hiking. But as we pass through Tapethok we enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Here we have our permits checked before heading across a suspension bridge and ascending to Lelep.
   Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

7. Day 07 Lelep to Amjilosa(5 hours)

   Waterfalls and suspension bridges are part of today’s trail. Plus we come to the first Sherpa village on our trek where we stay overnight. The village of Amjilosa is mainly used when the yaks and sheep are in the pastures so very few families live here full-time.
   Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

8. Day 08 Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730m)( 4 hours)

   After breakfast, we will follow the river shore and pass through the dense jungle of rhododendron, fir, and bamboo. On the way, we take pleasure from the stunning natural scene as well as in the company of the waterfalls. Then we will reach one more Tibetan settlement, Eagles soar lazily above us, yaks graze solemnly in green pastures, and occasional signs of wildlife come into view among the trees or high on the slopes as we slowly make our way towards Gyabla. Overnight in Gyabla.
   Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

9. Day 09 Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595m)(3 to 4 hours)

   From Gyabla, the valley opens out and we walk along an easier path for most of the way to Phole. It starts to get cooler today as we climb above 3,000m. the trail continues through forests and passed Phale Village which was a Tibetan refugee camp that started decades ago when Tibetans started fleeing from the communist regime in China. At Phole village there is a monastery and you are likely to see the women weaving carpets. It takes a further 1 ½ hours to reach the larger village of Ghunsa. This is a Tibetan village with wooden houses covered in colourful prayer flags. There are lodges and shops and a small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office. The trail now passes through the green fields and larch forests. On following the trail, we will descend to the riverbed of Ghunsa Khola. After crossing the bridge over the Ghunsa Khola, we will enter Ghunsa village. An overnight stay at Ghunsa
   Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

10. Day 10 Acclimatization Day at Ghunsa

    Today, we take the opportunity to relax and acclimatize in Ghunsa. There is a monastery to explore and a ridge to climb. From the ridge, there are views of Jannu Peak which is worth the 5 hours plus round trip. Should you wish to climb up the ridge – and we recommend this as it helps acclimatize our bodies – we will take a packed lunch with us. Overnight in Ghunsa.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

11. Day 11 Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050m)(6 hours)

    After leaving Ghunsa we walk through pine and rhododendron forests. Gunsa to Khambachen is easy, but the elevation makes it harder and longer. Walking out of the forest, you cross a wooden bridge and arrive at Rampuk Kharka. You proceed past cascading waterfalls and traverse through the landslide area. From this point onwards, you get a glimpse of Mt. Jannu from a new perspective. Exploring and tackling the tricky paths, you arrive at Khambachen after several hours of walking.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

12. Day 12 Kambachen to Lhonak (4,780m)(3 to 4 hours)

    The trek from Khambachen to Lhonak is a short but exciting one. This is probably the last stop before reaching the Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Enjoy the walk and live the moment. You make an early start this day, wake up before dawn, have breakfast, and move your way. You make your way through the rocky fields and large boulders along the hillside. From here, you make a slight descent and walk along the banks of a river. As you follow the path, you pass a waterfall and cross a bridge. Then gently climbing the hill, you reach Ramtang Monastery. After a short visit to the Gompa, you continue to walk for a couple more hours and reach Lhonak.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

13. Day 13 Lhonak to Kanchenjunga Base Camp and back to Khambchen(4 to 6 hours)

    Today is the most exciting day in your Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek as you head to the major highlight of the trip. You will be trekking from Lhonak to Kanchenjunga for the first half. After breakfast, you head out and join the path to the base camp. Following the forest path of beautiful wildflowers, it hugs the immense Kanchenjunga glacier. Continuing to climb the trails, the treelines grow small, and by the time you reach Kanchenjunga base camp, there are none on site. After several hours of trek, you reach your destination. The viewpoint at Kanchenjunga Base Camp is superb, offering the magnificent sight of Mount Kanchenjunga and other peaks. You spend some time here and later on the drop-down to Khambachen. Slowly heading down, you get numerous views of iconic mountains and beautiful valleys. The walk downhill is faster and feels like an hour or two. Viewing scenarios, you finally arrive at Khambachen.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

14. Day 14 Khambchen to Gunsa(5 to 6 hours)

    On day 14, you retrace your steps from Khambachen to Gunsa. You can slowly walk the trails as you have already reached the significant highlights of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. After breakfast, you pack your bags and make your way toward Gunsa. The happiness of setting foot in Kanchenjunga Base Camp will remain with us for the rest of the journey. After several hours of downhill, you finally arrive at Gunsa. Here you drink Tongba and rest well for the night.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

15. Day 15 Ghunsa to Sele Le (7 hours)

    Today, you head from Gunsa to Sele La Kharka. after breakfast and follow the path daily used by the locals of this region. You stroll up through the vertical trail, passing yak pastures. The way is uphill mainly today, so embrace yourself for a tiring journey. Today the trail takes us through a forest and along a grassy ridge from where we can see Ghunsa and Phole villages as well as Mt. Makalu in the distance. Slowly climbing the trails, you pass through the thick jungles of rhododendron and pines. Then moving through the slope that hugs the south side, reach the base camp in Sele La Kharka.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

16. Day 16 Sele Le to Cheram (Tseram)(7 to 8 hours)

    We start early this morning towards the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Crossing the Sinion La pass (4,450m) the trail takes us along a ridge to Sinelapche La pass (4,830m). From here the views of Mt Kanchenjunga and its valley are fantastic. We descend along a small trail to Cheram, the only settlement we find on this route. We overnight here.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

17. Day 17 Cheram to Ramche (5 hrs, 4580m) opportunity of exploring Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

    Ultimately this is our final destination for Exploring Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Our trail leads out through woodland until we clear the tree line and approach the moraine field of Yarlung Glacier, with Jannu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks in the area soaring high above us in the valley. After exploring South Base Camp then we will descend to Ramche overnight.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

18. Day 18 Ramche to Torongden (6—7 hrs, 2995m)

    We descend markedly today, leaving behind the alpine regions and dropping down into the lush surrounds of the lower foothills with their dense forests of rhododendron and pine. The rushing waters of the Simbuwa Khola become our steady companion as we continue down until we reach Tortong.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

19. Day 19 Torongden to Yamphuding(7 to 8 hours)

    After breakfast, we head off downhill and then it turns to a steep and long uphill hike. We pass over a landslide-prone area leading to Lasiya Bhanjyang where there is one teashop where we can stop for lunch. Then the trail takes a steep downhill through more forests until we reach the big village of Yamphuding.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

20. Day 20 Yamphuding to Khebang (1,910m)(7 to 8 hours)

    We will start early in the morning after a nice breakfast in Yamphudin. The trek passes through the villages of Chhetri and Brahmins. Walking into the human settlements after a remote trek is a wonderful experience. Walking through the beautiful trail, we will witness the wonderful landscapes. We will walk into different villages of different ethnicity. We can see their varying lifestyles and cultures. Walking ups and downs through the splendid trail, we will trek to Khebang. We will stay there overnight.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

21. Day 21 Khebang to Khamdime(4 hours)

    This is the final day of our hiking for tomorrow we take a vehicle to the airport.
    Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge/camping (B, L, D)

22. Day 22 Khamdime to Bhadrapur (Drive)(10 hours)

    Today we have a long drive in front of us. Time to reflect on the wonderful sights we have seen and rest our tired legs! When we reach Bhadrapur in the evening we can enjoy a hearty dinner with perhaps some beer and relax in a comfortable hotel for the night!
    Accommodation: Hotel (AP Plan) - Transportation: Private vehicle.

23. Day 23 Bhadrapur to Kathmandu (Flight 50 minutes)

    Today is our last day on this journey. We will fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. The flight is scenic. In clear weather, we will see aerial views of some snowy peaks. The views are impressive. overnights at Kathmandu.
    Accommodation: Hotel (BB Plan) - Transportation: Flight/Private vehicle.

24. Day 24 Final Departure.

    You will have your breakfast at the hotel. Free for shopping until transfer to the airport. A private vehicle will drop you at the airport for your final departure.
    Transportation: Private vehicle.