Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

17 Days

Why Book with Us?

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

  • Witness the majestic view of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain of the world
  • With a ascend to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp at 4610m, breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga South and Yalung Glacier will be visible
  • Get insights on the way of life, culture, tradition, customs of the Rai, limbu and Sherpa ethnic groups ling in the eastern part of Nepal
  • While walking through beautiful Kanchenjunga national park if luck is on your side then you might get a glimpse of snow leopard
  • The trail includes walking through the terraced farmlands, alpine forest and the rhododendron forest
Kanchenjunga South trek one of the most challenging treks in Nepal where you will explore the southern part of Mt. Kanchenjunga which in fact is the third highest peak in the world ranging up to 8586m. As this side is not quite common in regard to trekking, so you will not find many trekkers in this train as to which, the locals are very curious to know about the foreigners and may try to interact and camping is most common here due to shortage of teahouses. The trail however, is covered with crop fields, forests and the villages. This trail however is not considered to be fascinating like other trails in Nepal, but the glacier here have been able to attract the trekkers.

Route Map

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Route Map

Itinerary

  • 45 minutes long- Here, as going to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, you can see really nice views of the mountain ranges like the Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Then you head up towards Birtamod which is a 40 minute drive in a private jeep. Then you stay overnight in Birtamod. As Birtamod is hot, make sure you have summer clothing as well.

    Elevation Reached- 91m/ 300ft.

    Terrain- Mountainous

    Views-Amazing views of Illam

    Highlights- Sunrise and Sunset

    What to See- Mountain Ranges, Landscapes

    Accommodation- Hotel

    Meals- Provided by the Hotel
     
  • Local Bus- 8-10 hour’s ride. On the way, you can see amazing terraced fields and hills. 


    Elevation Reached-1441m/4730ft.

    Terrain- Tropical weather

    Views- Terraced fields, hills

    Highlights- Rich in Biodiversity

    What to See-Pathibhara Devi Temple

    Accommodation- Hotel/ Guest House

    Meals- Provided by the hotel/guest house
     
  • 8 hours walk- This is the point where you start your journey towards Kanchenjunga South. This path is filled with terraced fields, forest, local teashop and lodges.


    Difficulty of Walk- Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 1590m/ 5216 ft.

    Terrain- Rugged Terrain

    Views- Amazing views of the Himalayas

    Highlights-Scrubby forest

    What to See- Yaks, dogs, goats and chicken roaming in the main street

    Accommodation- Local tea shops/ lodges

    Meals- Provided by the tea shop/ lodges
     

  • 5-6 hours walk- Here, you will be able to have an even amazing view of the Himalayas and similar path like Day 03, filled with terraced fields, forest, teashop and lodges.

    Difficulty of Walk- Quite Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 1666m/ 5465 ft.

    Terrain- Harsher high Terrain

    Views - Great views of the Himalayas

    Highlights-Terraced fields, hills, forest

    What to See-Local shops, lodges

    Accommodation - Lodge

    Meals - Provided by the lodge


     
  • 5-6 hours walk- The ethnic groups of Mamangkhe are the Rai, Kirant and Limbu. It is mostly known for the Limbu culture and is also regarded to be the heart of the Limbu cultural region.Therefore, this trail is named as the Limbu Cultural trail. The other significance of this place is the museum and cultural center at located at Mamangkhe.

    Difficulty of Walk - Moderate

    Elevation Reached - 1473m/ 4832 ft.

    Terrain - Mixture of uphill and downhill

    Views - Jungles

    Highlights - Rich in culture 

    What to See - Museum and cultural center

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Provided by the teahouse
     
  • Since Yamphuding is the biggest village in the Southern side of Kanchenjunga, we rest and spend a day here itself.

    Difficulty of Walk- Strenuous

    Elevation Reached- 2080m/ 6824 ft.

    Terrain- Lower terrain with perfect weather

    Views- Mountain ranges

    Highlights- Big village

    What to See- Houses

    Accommodation- Teahouse
     
  • On this day, we take rest for the acclimatization. While staying here, as there are no higher side trips nearby, so we just explore the village and get to know the local people here.

    Elevation Reached - 2080m/ 6824 ft.

    Terrain - Downhill terrain

    Views - Mountains and glacier

    Highlights - Horses

    What to See -Village people, houses

    Accommodation - Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House

    Meals - Provided by the hotel/ lodge/ guest house
     
  • 9 hours walk- While trekking here, you can find the trails going mostly in high altitudes while passing by the yak pastures and sense forest along the way

    Difficulty of Walk - Quite Strenuous

    Elevation Reached - 2995m/ 9826 ft.

    Terrain - Rocky and slippery due to waterfalls

    Views - Waterfalls,clear view of Jannu Peak

    Highlights - River valleys, deep ravines

    What to See - Yak pastures

    Accommodation - Homestay

    Meals- Provided by the villagers at homestay.
  • 4-5 hour’s walk- Here, you can glance over the majestic mountains and the green forests as the view from here is usually nice and clear.

    Difficulty of Walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached - 3800m/ 12467 ft.

    Terrain - Harsher high terrain

    Views -Majestic Mountains

    Highlights - Pristine oak and rhododendron forest

    What to See- Forest

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Provided by the teahouse
     
  • 3 hour’s walk- You will be having your lunch at Ramche. Then, you will proceed further towards the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. You will be spending overnight in Ramche where the accommodation is very basic.

    Difficulty of Walk- Moderate

    Elevation Reached- 4580m/ 15026 ft.

    Terrain- Frequent chances of landslides and soil erosion

    Views- Himalayas, hills

    Highlights- Blue sheep

    What to See- Glacier walls, ridges

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- Lunch at Ramche
     
  • 6-7 hours walk- This trek is comparatively much easier than any other trek. Here, you might meet trekkers on the way up to Ramche. The, you will be climbing the pass at Charam before heading towards Torongding.

    Difficulty of Walk-  Easy

    Elevation Reached-  2995m/ 9826 ft.

    Views- Natural beauty, forest

    Highlights-YamgachhaKhola

    What to See- Ridge, trees like juniper, larch, rhododendron

    Accommodation- Teahouse

    Meals- provided by the teahouse
     
  • 7-8 hour’s walk- This trek is a little tough as compared to the other because of its frequent accents and descents. Yamphuding is the biggest village on the southern side of Kanchenjunga. For trekking from here, you have two ways- the first one, you have to return back to Taplejung through the same trails which will take around 3 days or the second option which is far more interesting as well as less time consuming to take the route towards Kamdime which will take around 2 days. However, if you decide to go back to Taplejung, it will take you around 8-10 hours’ drive toBirtamod whereas from Kamdime it will take around 13- 15 hours’ drive to reach Birtamod.

    Difficulty of Walk-  Strenuous

    Elevation Reached -  2080m/ 6824 ft.

    Terrain - Frequent up and down

    Views - Jannu Peak, Waterfalls

    Highlights - River valleys, deep ravines; hospitality of the Sherpas

    What to See - Rocky stairs

    Accommodation - Teahouse

    Meals - Provided by the teahouse
     
  • 5-6 hours walk- This trek will be a low hill trek which will pass through the local villages and terrace fields. This trail is rarely used and perhaps was firstly commuted by our guide Dawa. Therefore, the locals don’t have a lot of people connecting with them so they are even more friendly and curious to know you. Later on you can stay at a homestay at Khebang as there are facilities of homestay here.

    Difficulty of Walk- Strenuous 

    Elevation Reached - 1915m/ 6282 ft.

    Terrain - Up hill trek

    Views - Terrace fields

    Highlights - Strange place where you won’t find any settlements

    What to See - Agricultural fields

    Accommodation- Homestay

    Meals- Provided by the villagers in homestay
     
  • 6-7 hours walk- While in Kamdime, you can find the regional School and a playground along with teahouses next to them.

    Difficulty of Walk- Quite strenuous

    Elevation Reached - 3475m/ 11400 ft.

    Views - Nice forest full of prayer flags and chortens on both sides making it as a fence

    Highlights - Pathibhara Temple

    What to See - Monasteries, temples

    Accommodation - Teahouse

    Meals - Provided by the teahouse
     
  • 14 hours drive- Here, at the beginning, around 3-4 hours is off road, but then later on you can find a fine road which connects from Birtamod Highway to Taplejung.


    Elevation Reached - 300m/ 984 ft.

    Views  - Bustling city 

    Highlights - Large population

    What to See - Views of the highway, greenery surrounding

    Accommodation - Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest house

    Meals - Provided by the hotel/ lodge/ guest house
     
  • The last destination from where you stopped to Bhadrapur will last for around 40 minutes. Then you head back to Kathmandu.


    Elevation Reached - 91m/ 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.
  • 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.

Reviews

Write your Review


RATE THIS TRIP

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp - 17 Days
5 out of 5
based on 2 user ratings

Our Team