Kanchenjunga Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport, we will receive you with a private vehicle and transfer you to the 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 questions are answered.

After lunch, we explore this medieval capital city of Kathmandu with professional guide Ammar Raj Guni. We visit Boudhanath, also known as Little Tibet. We visit Pashupatinath, a holy temple of Hindus where the cremation takes place by the holy river Bagmati.

Later we visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and return to the hotel for a briefing about the Kanchenjunga base camp trek and information about further programs.

You 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.

The airport in Bhadrapur is located at 300 feet and the runway was designated 10/28 with an asphalt 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 Illam, a journey that takes approximately five hours. Illam, often referred to as the “tea state of Nepal,” is a picturesque destination celebrated for its lush tea gardens and serene landscapes.

Suketar serves as the primary gateway to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, offering convenient access to this remote and stunning region. 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.

Our excursion proceeds with 4 hours of rough road jeep ride to reach Suketar which is located 7,937 feet above the sea. Our actual hikes will begin with a long off road drive, you might hike about three hours journey today to reach Lali Kharka.

Furthermore, you can intrigue yourself with the staggering perspective on Mt Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) and Mount Jannu (7,110m). Follow a steep ascent until you reach Suketar passing through farming terraces, local markets, and jungles of Rhododendron and other natural vegetation. Now you climb up gradually to the Lali Kharka. It is a small village located around the green hills.

From Khesewa, we walk over the pleasant fields and traverse a steep mountainside high above the Kabeli Khola. We cross several minor tributaries flowing into the river as the path winds its way around the hillside.

We pass villages and continue along a shady path to Anpan. These are beautiful villages with exquisitely maintained houses, whitewashed walls, and thatch roofs with colorful gardens of marigolds.

Now, you get our first distant views of mount Kumbakarna (Jannu) (7,710m), one of the most impressive peaks in the region.

The fermented millet drink of Tungba, which you may have sampled in Suketar, is produced in abundance in Mamankhe. So those who developed a taste for this brew earlier on the trekking may be able to re acquaint themselves with it.

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 Gunsa is a charming place tucked away beneath the ridge of the Deurali Danda.

Beyond Yamphudin, the trail ascends a steep spur before dropping again to cross the Amje Khola. Walking through the beautiful and dense forest, you 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. Now you ascend steeply for 3 hours 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 after crossing the wooden bridge, you arrive at Tortong.

The excursion today begins you with the rising to Cheram guest house. Generally, we follow the path that goes close to the Simbuwa Khola. Further in transit, we experience Lalung Valley, some lovely thick rhododendron timberlands, and the Yalung icy mass.

Today is an interesting day to explore the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp therefore we continue our footsteps to Ramche where we stop for lunch before heading to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Following the valley around its sweeping curve, you are suddenly confronted with the vast southern wall of the mountain.

The ridge forms a cirque, which is over 15 km long and never less than 7500 meters high. Along this ridge, three main Mount Kanchenjunga summits (8420m, 8586m, and 8474m) are standing there. The Kanchenjunga pinnacle view is truly breathtaking. Proceeding further on towards Oktang [4630m], you may descend onto the glacier and cross it to a point below Talu from where you can see all the mountains of the area in the panorama.

Especially impressive is the east part of the Khumbakarna glacier flowing from the east face of Jannu Himal (Kumbhakarna is a local name). It’s a thin trail to base camp but from here the views of Mount Kanchenjunga, Yalung peak and it’s valley just superb. After the scenic trip, we descend down to Tseram to stay overnight.

For the first part of the journey, we have to Cross the Sinion la that situated at an elevation on 4,646m/15,244 feet. It’s not very difficult to cross as you need to walk over the grassy trail. Continue our journey to Selele La at an altitude of 4,480 meters is a tough adventure hiking in Kangchenjunga as go over glacier mountain trail.

We start our hike with descend from Selele la to Gunsa is excellent, and much easier to Gunsa 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.

Gunsa 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.

We begin our climbing 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 is an easy day and just beyond Sakathum, you come to the confluence of 2 rivers. Flowing in from your left is the Simbua Khola [which you followed up to Ramche] and from your right, the Gunsa Khola which issues from the still closed Walunchung Gola area.

The 2 rivers combine to form the Tamur Kosi which you now follow. There are plenty of spots for bathing in the numerous small tributary streams, which you cross before reaching the village of Chirwa.

Hike further to Phurumbu with the green forest and vegetation. Go through some more towns ahead we will reach Sinwa. From Sinwa, we need to drop downwards and afterward cross the Sisne Khola suspension bridge. Despite everything experiences another town and again a waterway to be crossed through the suspension scaffold to reach Phurumbu in the late afternoon.

Passing several villages, we reach at Suketar. Taplejung Airport, equally recognized as Suketar Airport is an airport serving Taplejung, in the Taplejung district of the Mechi Zone in Eastern Nepal.

During the Tourist high season, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines add daily flights from Suketar airport, Taplejung to Kathmandu airport, and return.

The flight takes around 35 minutes. It is the gateway for tourists heading to the Kangchenjunga mountainous area and Pathibhara Devi Temple cultural trail. After we reach Suketar, we can reconfirm the return flight to Kathmandu.

In any situation, if there is not a regular flight from Suketar to Kathmandu, Guide will arrange a private transfer to reach the Bhadrapur airport terminal. Our overland drive takes around 6 to 7 hours with a private jeep to Bhadrapur passing Illam tea state landscapes. Reaching Bhadrapur, we reconfirm our following day flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu.

Early in the morning, we take a continuous flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu town with scenic short mountain views. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Kathmandu. Trip finish.