Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

19 Days

Why Book with Us?

  • Nepal Government certified
  • Respect guest time value
  • Voluntary community work
  • Responsible tourism
  • Professional Team building
  • Multi Country Program

  • You stroll past the vast pasturelands and explore the wetlands at high altitude
  • Explore the majestic natural beauty and witness the stunningly beautiful landscapes of the Kanchenjunga region
  • Capture the diverse plant and animal vegetation that lives in the Kanchenjunga Conservation
  • Experience the local and authentic culture of Rai, Sherpa, Limbu, and Tamang ethnic group who are the major inhabitants of this area
  • Savor the feeling of walking on the base of giant Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world
Mt. Kanchenjunga being the third highest mountains in the world, it has the elevation of 8586m (28,169 ft.) which lies on the eastern Nepal border with Sikkim. With striking views of the Himalayas along with flora and fauna and incredible landscapes, this trail is considered to be a great trail. In fact the lush green forest, the rice terraces will render you speechless with its natural beauty. But however, it is necessary that you have courage and willingness to climb up as the more higher you reach the more you will have difficult paths. Therefore, it is also necessary that you are strong enough to walk for long hours. If you can go forth for this adventurous trek, then you will not only have memories later but a lifetime experience as well.

Route Map

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Route Map

Itinerary

  • Afternoon flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur takes 45 minutes. While on the flight, you can have a good view of Mountain ranges like Everst, Lotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. After reaching Bhadrapur, you will head up toBirtamod via a private jeep. This will take roughly around 40 minutes where you will spendovernight at Birtamod.

    Elevation Reached- 300 m/984 ft.

    Terrain- Fertile valley full of terrace farming, climate is hot and humid.

    Views- Bustling city

    Highlights- Agriculture

    What to see- Local town settlements

    Accommodation- Hotels/ Guest Houses

    Meals- Provided by the Hotels/Guest Houses.
  • Elevation Reached- 1442 m/4730 ft.

    Terrain- Tropical weather, mostly hot

    Views- Fields and hills

    Highlights- Rhododendron forest, Tamur River

    What to See- Pathibhara Devi Temple in TaplejungBazzar.

    Accomodation- Hotel/ Guest House

    Meals- provided by the Hotel/ Guest House
  • Chirwa is nice village where the roads are mostly downhill.

    Difficulty of walk- Quite difficult

    Elevation Reached- 1171 m/3841 ft.

    Terrain- Uphill and Downhill

    Views- Farm lands

    Highlights- Small garden

    What to see- Jungle covered with cardamom plants.

    Accommodation- Lodges

    Meals- Teashops provide Dal Bhat and Noodles.
  • You will be passing through Tapethok on the way from where the restricted area starts as we cross the checkpoint. Then you will head up to Lelep where you can see amazing views.

    Difficulty of walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached- 1880m/ 6167 ft.

    Views- Himalayas

    Highlights- Fields

    What to see- The Mountain ranges

    Accomodation- Teahouses

    Meals- Lunch and dinner on the way as there are no teahouses until Lelep
     
  • Difficulty of walk- Difficult

    Elevation reached- 2400m/7874 ft.

    Terrain- Slippery due to waterfalls

    Views- waterfalls

    Highlights- Steep Hill

    What to See- The village houses

    Accomodation- Hotels

    Meals- Lunch at Lamatar
  • From this point onwards, you can find a change in culture and you will find more Tibetan people and you will be able to see yaks and experience the Highlands of the true Himalayas as well.

    Elevation- 2730m/ 8956ft.

    Terrain- Highlands

    Views- Himalayas

    Highlights- Yaks

    What to See- The rich culture of Tibetan people

    Accommodation- Teahouses/ Lodges

    Meals- Lunch at Thangyem.
     
  • Ghunsa is a village where the indigenous people are the Sherpas and it is considered as the capital of Kanchenjunga. The Ghunsa River along with the old monasteries addsa uniqueness to its surrounding. Regarding the accommodation and the meals, they are good and hygienic. There are facilities of telephone and the internet but the internet connection is really very poor as it took us almost an hour to send just two emails.

    Elevation Reached- 3595m/ 11792 ft.Terrain- Flat wide Terrain

    Views- Rhododendron and other flowers

    Highlights- Ghunsa River

    What to See- Pastured lands, flora and fauna

    Accommodation- Teahouses

    Meal- Lunch at Phole.
     
  • 3 hours up and 2 hours down hike- In order to prevent altitude sickness, you will be having a day as acclimatization day. However, this day, you will be hiking to a nearby ridge from where you can find amazing views of the Jannu Peak. For all the summer wears, you can leave it at Ghunsa itself as we will be coming back here itself later on.

    Difficulty of Walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached- 3595 m/11792 ft.

    Terrain- Path surrounds by snow caped mountains

    Views- Lush green forest

    Highlights-Monastery Ridgelines

    What to see- Ridges, Peaks

    Accommodation- Teahouses

    Meals- Paked Lunch.
     
  • You need to be careful while walking over here as some of the trails here might be prone to landslides and the wooden bridge here may not be in proper condition which eventually could alter the trail.

    Difficulty of Walk- Quite Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 4050m/ 13284 ft.

    Terrain- Amazing terrain with snow caped peaks

    Views- Riverbank, waterfall, meadows

    Highlights- Isolated forest filled with wildflowers

    What to See- Small Stone Teahouses as shepherd’s settlement

    Accommodation- Lodges

    Meals- Packed lunch
     
  • There is a really good side trip from Kambachen, very similar to that of Ghunsa except for the views of the Kanchenjunga.As to the telecommunication, there are phone facilities as of November 2015.


    Difficulty of Walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached- 4050m/13284 ft.

    Terrain- Great Terrain surrounded with Snow caped mountain peaks

    Views- Mountain peaks

    Highlights- Nupchu River

    What to See- Teahouses

    Accommodation- Teahouse, Hotel is in construction.

    Meals- Provided by the Teahouse.
     
  • Moving forward in the journey, you can see spectacular views of the valley and the glacier in both the sides, the trails will become quite rough with large boulders. But as you get to Lhonak, the view from there is not so extra-ordinary but you can find a really good and big grassy plain for camping.

    Difficulty of Walk- Strenuous 

    Elevation Reached- 4780m/ 15678 ft. 

    Terrain- Rough with large boulders

    Views- Waterfalls, valley, glacier

    Highlights- RamtangMonastry

    What to See- Few small stone teahouses

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Provided by the Teahouse.

     
  • Since the accommodation at the teahouses in Pangpema is not guaranteed as they are either closed or full, we trek during day time itself as far as possible. But in case, if due to any circumstances, if it gets dark then you have to talk to your guide about it. In Pangpema, however, it’s better if you take photographs as the place is really good for capturing the Kanchenjunga North and yourself as well. Then, you return back to Lhonak.

    Difficulty of Walk- Quite Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 5388m/ 17673 ft.

    Terrain- Rugged; feels like the glacier has forced itself down with huge force but has well-formed trails

    Views- Mt. Jannu, North face of Kanchenjunga, Chang Himal

    Highlights- Kanchenjunga Glacier

    What to See- Flat grassy plain basin of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Provided by the Teahouse
     
  • Here, the trail is mostly downhill when you go back to the civilization. Make sure that you don’t forget to collect any equipment here.

    Difficulty of Walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached- 3470m/11384 ft.

    Terrain- Rocky Trail

    Views- Alpine forest

    Highlights- Timor River Valley

    What to See- Campsite

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Lunch at Kambachen.
     
  • Difficulty of Walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached- 2308m/7572ft.

    Terrain- Steep terrain

    Views-Great views of the Himalayas

    Highlights- Warmer climate appears

    What to See- Unique houses

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- The lunch will be in Gyabla.
  • Difficulty of Walk- Quite Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 1380m/4527ft.

    Terrain- Steep terrain

    Views- Great view of the Mountains

    Highlights- Mountains ranges 

    What to See- Flat land

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals-provided by the teahouse
  • Difficulty of Walk- Quite Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 321m/3021ft.

    Terrain- Over hilly terrain

    Views-Mountain ranges

    Highlights-Funglung Bazar

    What to See- Snow

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Provided by the teahouse
  • Since there is steep climbing here, you can use private vehicle to go back to Birtamod on the same day, if not, you need to wait until next morning for public bus.

    Difficulty of Walk- Strenuous

    Elevation Reach- 1441m/ 4730 ft.

    Views- Himalayan peaks

    Highlights-Pathibhara Devi Temple

    What to See- Houses full of Buddhist flags

    Accommodation- Guest house/ Hotel

    Meals- Provided by the guest house/ hotel
     
  • Elevation Reached- 300m/984ft.

    Views- Bustling City

    Highlights- Bio-diversity

    What to See- Highway, trees

    Accommodation- Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House

    Meals- provided by the hotel/lodge/guest house
  • Drive in a Private jeep and then fly back to Kathmandu.


    Elevation Reached- 91 m/298 ft.

    Views-Agricultural fields

    Highlights-Bustling city, Bhadrapur Airport

    What to See-Rickshaws, Tempos

    Accommodation- Hotel

    Meals-Provided by the hotel
     

What's Included?

  • For accommodation in Kathmandu, the Hotel will be a 3 star Hotel and the room will be on twin sharing basis which includes breakfast. The package for Kathmandu’s hotel is for 2 nights.
  • Similarly, for accommodation in Pokhara, the Hotel will be a 3 star Hotel where the room will be on twin sharing basis, 2 nights.
  • Permit to Conservation Area / national park
  • Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) card.
  • We further make arrangements of the best teahouses or lodge as far as possible in twin sharing basis throughout the trek journey.
  • in twin sharing basis throughout the trek journey. Regarding the guide, we provide you with a professional very helpful and friendly trekking guide who can speak fluently in English.
  • The other assistant will also be provided if you are going in a group of two or more where the package will include their food, dally payment, transportation, and accommodation, along with covering up their insurance.
  • A down jacket, duffle bag and a sleeping bag will also be provided during the trek.
  • For transportation, we have roadways where we arrange tourist bus for solo travellers and private vehicle for group.
  • A T-shirt, trekking map and a certificate of achievement after completion of the trek will also be provided.
  • We also provide you with first aid kit.
  • The package also includes all the official and governmental charges.

What's not Included?

  • Visa arrangements and charges to Nepal (Obtain airport 15 days $25 – 30 days $ 40 -90 days $ 100 )
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and seasonal fruit will be provided during the trekking. ( About 250- 300 $ entire trekking )
  • All kinds of soft and hard drinks.
  • National and International plane fares.
  • Luggage charges (especially if they go excessive)
  • Travel insurance ( 30 $)
  • For extra accommodation in Kathmandu (if it exceeds more days than mentioned in the itinerary) whatever the cause might be early arrival, late departure or early return from the trek.
  • Along with accommodation, the same condition applies for food as well. You need to pay on your own for Breakfast, lunch and dinner for extra days even if it will be after returning back from the trek earlier than the mentioned date.
  • Personal expenses like phone recharge, laundry, hot shower, bottled water, extra porters, extra snacks, etc.Tips for guides and porters are also excluded as it is not a compulsion but it is expected that you tip them.

Trek Info

Here are some of the Trekking accessories that you require for the easy and convenient journey-

In general you will need four sleeping bags (we could provide you one for the trek), a duffel or a trekking bag of 70-80 liters (we can provide one), down jacket (this too we can provide one if needed for the trek) and a normal travel bag of 25-30 liters.

For clothing, you will require the following-

Upper body- For this-shirts, waterproof jacket, fleece jacket or pullover, water proof jacketare needed. Wind proof jacket are optional but preferred. For T-shirts, baggy cotton T-shirts are the best especially for warm days in lower altitudes. Moreover, we recommend synthetic T-shirts as they quickly absorb the moisture. Then, for the waterproof jacket, we recommend you to have nylon which is light.

Lower body- For this, you need hiking shorts, trekking pants, soft shell and hard shell pants, cotton pants or jeans. For hiking shorts, buy the fabric which dries quickly. For trekking pants, go for the ones which have zipper in the middle of the knees so that you can take off the bottom part when necessary. Forsoft shell pants, buy a synthetic fiber. Then, for hard shell, buy a waterproof one. Full zipper from top to bottom is preferred for both soft and hard shell pants. For extra wearable, have a pair of jeans or cotton pants.

Inner wears- Regarding inner wears, you need lightweight underwear which is preferably made up of synthetic. For women, own synthetic sports bras. You could also have swimsuit if you would like to.

Footwear- For this, you need a trekking boot, gaiters and sandals. For Trekking boots, get a hard sole lug-cleated boots for good performance for every kind of landscape. We then recommend you to have a pair as it helps keep your feet dry quickly and keeping dust, rocks and snow out of your shoes. We also suggest you to have a pair of sandals as it helps while you are in the lodge. Then, for socks, you require 4 pairs of synthetic and 3 pairs of woolen socks.

Hand wears- The hand essentials are gloves, mittens and hand warmers. For warm weather, buy synthetic or thin woolen gloves. For cold weather, buy a woolen or fleece gloves. While for mittens, Gore-Tex mittens are the best. Regarding hand warmers, it’s completely your choice whether you want to have or not.

Face protection- For protecting the face against the snowfalls, heavy wind, direct sun, etc. we recommend you to have a cap or a hat, a synthetic woolen hat, a lightweightedbalaclava, glacier glasses having 100% UV protected lens with side shields and hard-sided storage, headlamp, ear muffs, neck warmer, etc. Ear muffs and neck warmers are not necessary but are up to your choice.

First Aid Kit- Though the trekking guides will be carrying a first aid kit box, we suggest you to have one as well. So, for this, you will need to have basic emergency equipment. You can discuss with us regarding what all to take along with you.

Personal care- The personal care products that you will require while trekking are tooth brush, tooth paste (biodegradable is preferred), towel, soap, hand wash, sanitizers, wet wipes, deodorants, crèmes, etc. along with your other needs.

Miscellaneous but important- These include valid passport, passport size photos, airline ticket (and its copy), luggage locks, thick garbage bags, water bottle, small bag for travel documents, passport, wallet/purse, etc., pocket knife, sunscreen lotion (SPF 40 recommended) and lip balm of at least SPF 20.

Extras- The extras include trekking poles, snacks, books, games, chargers, binoculars, batteries, camera, guide book, extra glasses (if you wear), notebook/pen, sleeping bag liner, hydration bladder with drinking tube, pee bottle for men and pee funnel for women, thermos, etc.

Note- Tight fitting clothes especially made out of fabrics like lycra, especially to women can be offensive to the local villagers. So, make sure that you pack something to wear on top of them if you want to pack them.

FAQs

The ideal time to trek in Nepal whether it is either in Autumn- from September to November or in Spring- from March to May. These two seasons are considered to be the best time due to good weather and moderate temperate suitable for trekking.
In regard to the difficulty of trekking in Nepal, it depends upon the mountain range. Not all the trekking routes are that difficult to climb but there are places where you can find trekking most challenging as well.
In order to be fit for trekking, you need to start walking more and possibly go for hiking or even short distance trekking before you trek for long distance like this. You can go for hiking in your own place nearby before coming to Nepal as well.
The documents that you will require for trekking in Nepal will be your passport which should be valid at least till next 6 months, a copy of your insurance, 2 or more passport sized photographs, flight tickets of course along with emergency contact number in case of any emergency.
Yes, travel insurance is necessary and while getting the insurance, make sure that the company covers the altitude that you are trekking at. And the other thing, it is even better if you get the insurance from your own country.
For altitude sickness, as it is quite common problems in higher altitude, we provide you with some of the guideline regarding what you can do at your own level if it is not much. But if the sickness continues to get worse then you should immediately get down to lower region. In case of emergency, our guides will take care of it as they are well trained with using first aid and have basic knowledge of physical injuries or some other problems. But if the injury, altitude sickness or any other problem arises then the rescue team will be contacted. For this reason, you insurance helps a lot.
Yes, you need to have a trekking guide if you are a new trekker as you may not know about so many things like mountaineering or altitude sickness or even about the topography, weather, etc. And most importantly you will be able to know about the place that you are travelling; the exact location and can also have a company. But if you have travelled and especially trekked a lot of places in Nepal trekked earlier as well for many times and think you don’t need a guide then you may proceed. But for this also, make sure that you have the permission from the local and government authorities as trekking guide is mostly compulsory in many parts of the Himalayan region.
This however is not a compulsion in many of the trekking routes but it is better if you take a porter along with you as you can enjoy your travelling experience without having to carry a lot of loads- your backpack. And the other reason the local people will get a work to earn for their daily requirements and as the people in High Himalayas don’t have riches and live a simple normal life, it will perhaps be a great help.
The permits that you need for the trek will be done by our company and need not worry about it. But however, for your information, you will need to have a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card- this is a basic permit for trekking in Nepal along with the necessary permits of where exactly you are trekking if needed. You can also have FIT (Free Individual Trekker) if you are a solo trekker. But this is not valid for the restricted areas where you cannot go forward for solo trekking. The other necessities will be Valid passport with at least six month remaining before it expire, a valid Nepal visa, e-copy of passport sized photo. The other necessities will be done by the company itself.
Yes, you can solo trek or travel in Nepal. However, for trekking in higher altitudes where the regions are known as Restricted Areas, there you are not allowed to go alone as you will have to buy at least two permits. But the interesting thing is that in most of the areas you also need to carry a guide along with you. So, if you can manage to trek with your guide paying for his permit and being with him throughout the trek, then you possibly might be able to trek in that way. Otherwise, you can get along with someone who also wants to trek solo and go together instead.
The foods are usually served in the teahouses which will be plain but good and hygienic as they cook the vegetables nicely. They even soak iodine in water before cooking the vegetables so that you can get good and healthy food. Whereas if you are camping then you can get local foods that you can cook it. Since in higher altitudes, you won’t find refrigerators and frequent power cut; you will have to be vegetarian during the trek even if you are not. Then, regarding water facilities, bottled water is available up to the most of the Base Camp itself which will cost around US$1-4. But however, you should not drink water from the tap or streams.
For souvenirs, you can get good hand knitted woolen goods, hats, cashmere shawls, pashminas, Buddhist memorabilia, carved masks, puppets, wood carvings, jewelry, etc. as these are the things which are frequently bought by the tourists. You can get the souvenirs mostly at Thamel area when you are in Kathmandu. So, for all of the extra expenses including souvenirs, food and drinks other than what the Hotel/ Teahouse provides you, or perhaps some clothing or equipment for yourself then we recommend you to have around US$200-350 along with you. Besides that, you can withdraw money from ATMs while in Kathmandu as well.
Yes, you can buy trekking equipment in Kathmandu and it may even cost a little less amount but the quality of the product can’t be guaranteed. So, for this reason, we recommend you to bring the very necessary equipment like the trekking shoes along with you. But for other additional needs, you can buy it in Kathmandu itself.
You need to carry warm as well as cool clothing as there might be hotter in some of the places along the way or even in Kathmandu during summer season. Then, you have to have a sleeping bag as you might need it at times if the teahouses are unavailable or so in some places. The other things we recommend are small portion of snacks like chocolate bars, water proof wearable, cap, lotion, sunglasses, hand sanitizers, water bottle, first aid kit, etc. along with your daily necessities.
We don’t think you will need Ice axe or Crampons during trekking even in the Himalayas as the trails are marked nicely until and unless you go to trekking in the winter. Then, you will need them as there will be much more snowfall and will also be easy for you while trekking. In other season, instead of Crampons, we recommend you to have Micro spikes as they are not heavy and you can carry it easily. Plus, Micro spikes are comparatively less expensive as well. And regarding the Ice axe, we will provide you with one if it is really necessary though it’s not that necessary, as we will know more about the size and shape along with light weighted one.

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Kanchenjunga North Base Camp - 19 Days

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