Kanchanjunga Circuits Trek - 20 DaysKanchanjunga Circuits Trek - 20 Days

Kanchanjunga Circuit Trek - 20 Days

  • Duration20 Days
  • DestinationNepal
  • Difficulty Strenuous
  • Max Altitude 5,350m
  • Activity Trekking and excursion
  • Group Size min 2
  • Accommodation Comfort hotel in KTM and Tea houses on trekking
  • Meals Full package at trekking
  • Transportation Domestic flights and private vehicle
  • Starts KTM-Bhadrapur flight, jeep drive to Tapethok
  • Ends Yamphudin
  • Best Season Sep- Nov, March- May
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Overview
Trip Highlights
  • Flight from KTM to Bhadrapur and Overngiht at Tea garden Kanyam Ilam
  • off the radar of most trekkers given its remote location
  • Deserving views, landscapes, glaciers and waterfalls
  • Mixture culture, traditions and unique harmonized ethnical groups
  • Abundant wildlife species such as blue sheep, musk deer, snow leopard, and black bear
  • Challenging adventure experiences in Deep Himalayas
  • Lush green forest, cold and hot climatic diversities
  • Massive views of the world’s 3rd highest peak including enormous glacier
  • Highlander nomadic pastures and huts

Mt. Kanchanjunga 8,586m, is the second tallest mountain in Nepal and 3rd Mountain in the world. Kanchanjanga region trek is in the eastern part of Nepal, this region has been opened only in 1988 for trekking. It is the sprout source of the Arun River which is one of the most popular and beautiful valleys for trekking through lush, low-lying valleys and up through incredible forests and into the high alpine pastures and glaciers landscape at the bottom of Kanchenjunga. Around this region, we enjoy an opportunity to experience the traditional culture of Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tibetan and so many other types of ethnic groups in perfect harmonization. Trekking in this area is an adventure that is full of enthusiasm excitement and above all, an unforgettable life experience. You will have an amazing opportunity to view/ explore the mountain’s wonderful rocky, landscape and sloppy hills.

The Kanchenjunga area is protected by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) which is spread over an area of 2,035 sq. km. The Kanchenjunga area project is protecting varieties of flora, Fauna, and endangered animals.

Despite its stunning natural beauty, the Kanchenjunga region has remained off the radar of most trekkers given its remote location and lack of infrastructure. In recent years, teahouses have been opened up in the villages and other convenient locations along the trail. This means that small groups can now trek here more affordably and payment for accommodation and meals goes directly to the local economy.

Note that, the trail is narrow and the teahouses are still simple, relatively few trekkers visit this remote area. You won’t find the fancy meals and attached bathrooms with hot showers available on the popular trekking routes, but you will experience real Nepal in all its diversity of cultures and landscapes.

There is essentially one main trail you can trek from North to southern Kanchanjunga basecamp. This route is more comfortable and acclimatizes altitude better rather from the South due to the fast ascending into the highland by steep adventure. Treks return back to Ghunsa and cross the Sele le Pass at 4800m and descend to Ramche and to the South viewpoint. The trail crosses numerous ridgelines with incredible views back up to the Himalayas, lush forests, hot temperatures, and farmland ascending and descending to the ending point of your trek.

Itinerary

The trek mostly goes through the lush green forest, waterfalls, and suspension bridges. We keep ascending along an inclined cliff upward and finally, a Sherpa village appears that place our destination for the day. Amjilhasa is the ancient pasture field for local people

After breakfast, a short ascent through oak, bamboo, and rhododendron forests offers a great view of the southwestern side of Kanchenjunga. The route makes numerous steep climbs and short descents and passes a beautiful large waterfall before the final steep climb up to Gybala.

From Gybala, the trail carries on to the village of Kyapra and then climbs easily up the right bank of the river. The trail crosses a large meadow past a few villages and ascends a gentle hill before descending across the river into the beautiful village of Ghunsa. This Tibetan village has several lodges, gompas, and shops where you can buy a few souvenirs

The route climbs gradually along the south bank of the Ghunsa Khola, through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests, passing many mani walls, and colorful prayer flags, and shortens along the way. The trail climbs steeply up scree slopes to reach the Tibetan settlement of Khambachen, providing wonderful views of the huge north face of Jannu

From Khambachen the trail climbs up through exposed rocky fields to the village of Ramtang and then crosses North West of the Kanchenjunga Glacier and past large stone huts to the village of Lhonak. From Lhonak there are impressive views of the Himalayas, including Wedge Peak (6750m), Mera Peak (6344m), Nepal Peak (6910m), and Twins (7351m).

Make breakfast very early in the morning and start the excursion up to Pangpema Basecamp for wonderful and Majestic views of Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, Cross Peak, the Twins, and the impressive Kanchenjunga, and returning down to Lhonak for overnight.

After the breakfast hike down to Khambachen village.

Return to Ghunsa, following back along the same path

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. Overnight at tea house

For impressive views of the Himalayas, the route crosses five passes, first Tamo La (3900m), an unnamed pass (4115m), Mirgin La (4663m), Sinion La (4660m), and another unnamed pass at 4724m. From this last pass, there is a steep descent of 1000m to the small settlement of Tseram, high above the Simbua Khola

The route passes the nose of the glacier into an ablation valley, offering magnificent scenery and views of all the peaks to the east along the India-Nepal border, such as Koktang (6147m), Rathong (6679m), and many more above 7000m. It then follows along a lake, meadow, and stone houses to reach Ramche, for an overnight stay

Leave early in the morning and follow the ablation valley to Oktang for a view of the south face of the magnificent Kanchenjunga and the climbing route to the summit, first climbed in 1953. From Oktang, the views of the surrounding Himalayas are incredible; the whole cirque is above 7500m. After spending some time in Oktang, we trek back to Tseram for overnight

Today the trail is mostly downhill through a gorge. But the final section is a steep uphill over an area prone to landslides and through forests. There are no settlements until we reach Torongding, where there are a few teahouses

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 Yamphudin overnight at a tea house 

Descend about 45 minutes to Thargim Bridge and get an off-road drive back to Ilam Kanyam by private vehicle. Overnight at a good hotel in Tea Garden Kanyam

Useful Info

How to get Kanchanjanga Region?

Of course Kanchajanga trekking is also one of the most remote trekking destination in Nepal. That means transportation is not directly connected from the City. There are a varieties ways to get from Kathmandu to the starting point of this trek. Depending on your dates, budgets, you may find it best to adjust your itinerary to the available flights or public transport.

Direct flights may also be available by Nepal airlines 3 in a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) although flight schedules are not sure and may subject to change your itinerary. Mountain airports are vulnerable to delays, so it is a good idea to build in buffer days in case you need to drive in/out due to bad weather. So that we recommend flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and drive a jeep until your trekking starting point. From there you can find all options of transportations.

Permits cost for Kanchajunga trekking:

  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP) Nrs 2,000 per person. There is no time limitation for the permit.
  • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP) USD 10 per person, per week,

Requirements for (RAP) restricted area project permits

This permit must be processed through a valid local travel agency registered in Nepal. You should be minimum of two trekkers in a group to obtain the permit.

You will need:

  • Valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and a valid Nepal visa extending past the expiry date of your RAP.
  • On the agencies letter headed paper you need to supply details of
  • Application
  • Itinerary
  • Insurance details for guide
  • Online submission id (as provided by agency)
  • Details of dollars
  • E-copy of passport-sized photo

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