Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport = TIA) and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you’re fully prepared for the trip, and any last minute question as answered.

If you have time enough, you may also visit some of the UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu such as Basantapur Durbar square and Swayambhunath stupa on your own or with a guided trip (extra cost).

After breakfast, begin your flight to the eastern Terai at Bhadrapur airport. Bhadrapur City is a bustling place in Terai, the flatlands of Nepal. Bhadrapur Airport, also known as Chandragadhi Airport.

Airport in Bhadrapur, stands at an altitude on 298 feet and the runway was designated 10/28 with an pitch surface measuring 1,209 by 29 meters (3,967 feet × 95 feet). All commercial airlines operate through one small terminal of Bhadrapur Airport.

Upon landing at Bhadrapur, we embark on a scenic jeep ride to Fikkal Bazaar in Ilam, a journey that takes approximately five hours. Ilam, often referred to as the “tea state of Nepal,” is a picturesque destination celebrated for its lush tea gardens and serene landscapes.

From Ilam to Taplejung Bazaar drive is a long and difficult, with winding mountain roads that often has a rough and bumpy in sections. While the journey presents a stunning landscapes, travelers should prepare for slow delays due to weather or road conditions.

Taplejung serves as the primary gateway to the remote and wilderness Kanchenjunga circuit trek in Nepal. Previously, there were daily direct flights from Kathmandu to Suketar Airport, ensuring seamless travel for trekkers. However, for the past few months, airlines have temporarily halted direct flights to Suketar, prompting travelers to explore alternative routes.

Furthermore, tourist can intrigue yourself with the staggering perspective of Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) and Mount Jannu (7,110m). Follow a steep ascent until you reach at Lali Kharka guest house passing through farming terraces, local villages, and Rhododendrons.

Trail leads across the scenic terraced fields before climbing a steep mountainside high above the Kabeli Khola, with sparkling tributaries cascading into the river below. As the trail winds through charming villages, you’ll follow shaded paths leading toward Anpan. Here, neatly maintained houses with whitewashed walls, thatched roofs, and bright marigold gardens create an enchanting scene.

Along the way, your first distant glimpse of Mount Kumbakarna (Jannu, 7,710m) will leave you in awe of its towering presence. In Mamankhe, you can also savor the local specialty—Tungba, a traditional millet based brew perfect for those eager to rediscover a taste of Himalayan culture.

Beginning with an easy hike, the walk to Yamphudin is along a trail, which contours the hillside above the Kabeli River. You cross the ridges and stream beds that make up the valley sides and the trail eventually becomes level with the river a couple of hours before Yamphudin.

Along the way, you can stop to bathe in one of the many clear pools in this beautiful river. Yamphudin is the most remote settlement in this area and the final habitation you will see until you reach Ghunsa is a charming place tucked away beneath the ridge of the Deurali Danda.

Beyond Yamphudin, the trail is an unique that ascends a steep spur before dropping again to cross the Amje Khola. Walk through the beautiful and dense forest and stop for lunch in a meadow atop this spur, which commands fine views of the valley beyond Yamphudin to the south and of the Amje River valley and Deurali hill station to the north.

A steep descent to the river brings you to the forest and ascend steeply through dense forest to the crest of the Deorali Danda. From the top, Mt Kumbakarna (Jannu) is clearly visible. After crossing the pass, you descend across some fairly steep and exposed scree slopes before revisiting the forest. Descent into the valley of the Simbua Khola and cross the wooden bridge to reach Tortong.

Today’s journey starts with an ascent toward Cheram Guest House, following a scenic trail along the banks of the Simbuwa Khola. Along the way, you’ll pass through the enchanting Lalung Valley, wander beneath lush rhododendron forests, and catch breathtaking views of the mighty Yalung Glacier.

After an early breakfast, the trail gradually ascends along the Yalung Glacier valley, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Ramche (Ramchaur). This scenic stretch is not overly demanding, with striking views of Rathong (6,682m) and Kabru (7,412m) along the way.

At Ramche, we pause for lunch before continuing toward Oktang, the viewpoint of Yalung Base Camp and Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Similarly, the panorama of Kanchenjunga’s three majestic summits of 8,420m, 8,586m, and 8,474m along with a range of other Himalayan giants, is simply impressive. After soaking in the grandeur of this rarely visited wilderness, we retrace our steps back to Tseram for the night.

Begin the trip with a crossing of Sinion La Pass (4,646m), following a gentle grassy trail that makes the ascent relatively manageable. During the peak trekking season, a small tea shop here offers a simple lunch stop before the journey continues. From there, the trail leads toward Selele La (4,480m), where the terrain becomes more demanding, winding over glacial paths and rugged mountain ridges.

Climb steady through forests and alpine landscapes, with a few steep sections near the top, makes this stretch both challenging and exhilarating. By late afternoon, you arrive at Selele High Camp Lodge, an important rest point and staging area before the dramatic crossing of high passes en route to Ghunsa.

We start our hike with descend from Selele la to Ghunsa is excellent, and much easier to Ghunsa as a route 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.

Ghunsa village has mainly Tibetan inhabitants with a tiny Gompa and prayer flags fluttering from the wooden houses. Interested hikers can hike up to Yamatari Khola via the Lapsang La trail and reach the terminal moraine of the Yamatari glacier lake. You will also get the opportunity to explore the waterfalls and streams.

We are now at higher altitude and aiming to hike even more higher!. As we have done high passes trip earlier, i think its better to take ax extra day to get rest. So we take the opportunity to relax and acclimatize in Ghunsa to recover the lost energy.

There is a monastery to explore and a ridge to climb if you are interested. From the ridge there are views of Jannu Peak which is worth the 5 hours plus round trip. We recommend to climb the ridgeline as it help you to acclimatize better.

Hike further to Kambachen is another goal, so we should stroll toward the northern side nearby the waterway bank. Our preliminary experiences fields of various wild blossoms and afterward rhododendron and pine backwoods. Proceeding with our preliminary, we need to cross a river bank with a suspension bridge to Rampuk Kharkha.

Right here, we can see a cascade and an avalanche segment. In between, we have Mt Jannu viewpoint on mountain tops. Walk further to reach Kambachen, where you can enjoy the view of magnificent Mount Jannu (7,710m/25,295 feet). Besides the glorious summit, you can also see eagles, falcons, Lammergeyers, and coughs which are common in this territory.

Climb uphill through rocky fields, we reach at the glacial lake and continue our hike on the high plateau. Cross the moraines at the northeast of the Kanchenjunga Glacier, pass the intersecting Lhonak glacier, and eventually reach the high, flat campsite of Lhonak.

Because of the mountainous location, the temperature out here is low making this place a cold campsite. However, surrounding the campsite, you are in the middle of the world’s highest summits on the planet. Situated at the great sacred Himalayan foothills, make sure that you feel joy and happiness. Mera Peak (6,344 m), Nepal Peak (6,910 m), Wedge Peak (6,750 m), and Twins (7,351 m) are also clearly visible.

Hike to Kanchenjunga north base camp is situated at an elevation of 5,143 meters is one of the prime destination of our entire journey. Hence, we again set out across moraine from the Kanchenjunga Glacier, gently climbing upwards. At Base Camp we stand in wonder of the surrounding mountains and drink up the atmosphere completed by Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the frigid wind.

We sit taking a glimpse of surrounding peaks for some time and enjoy the tranquility and a hot a tea and snacks! and walk back to Lhonak guest house to stay overnight. Have in mind that only a few trekkers reach Pang Pema Base Camp because of altitude risk and lack of proper trekking equipment.

In order to have a better Mountain View and its surroundings, hike the Drohmo Ridge (5,500m/18,045 feet) lower part. If you have enough time, see the interesting Lampo Glacier also.

Follow the same trail to descend as we choose on our ascend through Kambache and a rocky mountain trail. Traveler’s can appreciate the nature walk back to Ghunsa village even its tough and takes about six hours to complete.

We descend from Ghunsa to Phale, passing through several quaint and serene religious communities along the way. It provides an insights into these spiritual hamlets but also treats you to the enchanting beauty of juniper forests that line the trail leading to Phale. From there, the path continues with a steady descent, allowing trekkers to immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings as they progress further.

In transit, we need to cross Chhundatangka Khola through the scaffold and afterward, we will be at Gyabla. Tourist will have a perspective on the delightful cascade and again a stream named Sumbung Khola to cross through suspension connect. Also, in the long run, we will be at Amjilosa.

Today’s walk is relatively gentle. Just beyond Sakathum, you’ll reach the confluence of two rivers and the Simbua Khola, which flows down from Ramche, and the Ghunsa Khola, originating from the restricted Walunchung Gola region. Together, they form the ‘Tamur Kosi’, a river you’ll now trace downstream. Along the way, numerous small tributaries provide refreshing spots for bathing or simply dipping your feet before you continue onward to the welcoming village of Chirwa.

Continue your day walk through lush forests and vibrant greenery as you make your way toward Phurumbu. Passing through several small villages, you’ll arrive at Sinwa, where the trail descends before crossing the Sisne Khola suspension bridge. After navigating another village and a second suspension bridge over a sparkling stream, you’ll reach Phurumbu by late afternoon, surrounded by serene mountain landscapes.

Passing through several charming villages, we arrive at Suketar Airport, also known as Taplejung Airport, located in the Taplejung district of Nepal’s Mechi Zone in the east. During peak tourist season, Yeti Airlines and Nepal Airlines previously operated daily 40-minute flights from Suketar to Kathmandu, though flights have been suspended in recent months.

Likewise, this airport remains an important gateway for travelers heading to the Pathibhara Devi Temple and its cultural trekking routes. From Taplejung Bazaar, we take a reserve jeep to navigate the rough roads back to Ilam Bazaar, enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way.

Embark on a scenic jeep ride from Ilam Bazaar to Bhadrapur Airport, a journey of approximately 5 to 6 hours that winds through rolling hills, lush tea gardens, and charming villages, showcasing the vibrant landscapes of eastern Nepal. Upon arrival, your guide will assist with the flight arrangements for your 45-minute journey from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Thamel, marking the conclusion of your memorable adventure.