Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

19 Days

The trip starts with a domestic flight eastward to Biratnagar, located at the edge of Indian plains. We check into our hotel and enjoy free afternoon.

19 Days

After breakfast, we catch an early morning to Suketar where we meet our local porter. We then trek downhill to the village of Asahangpati and on to the Tamor Khola. Tamor River and its tributaries carries the waters off all the mountains to the north to the Ganges. Most of the villages are majestically located to the high gentle slopes above the steep sided valley where farming is possible. We continue uphill through the lush forest and reach the Chhetri village of Mitlung.

19 Days

Today, we continue through the lush patches of sub-tropical rainforest and climb up the valley to reach the land of enthnic Kiranti people. The main occupation of these people is agriculture. We cross Sinwa and follow the narrow trail that continues through the chutes of landslide to Tawa. Few more uphill hike leads us to Chiruwa – a delightful cluster-village set amongst the boulders. We overnight at the camp located next to a stream beyond the village.

19 Days

From here, the valley widens up and you can notice the change in landscape. We cross the Sisuwa Khola and walk to Tapethok – the entrance and checkpoint to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The village is surrounded by lush cardamom farms. Now we cross the bridge over Tamewa Khola and reach Hellok. We cross the suspension bridge again over Simbuwa Khola (the river that rises from the Yalung Glacier on Kanchenjunga’s south face). The next bridge we cross is the over the Ghunsa Khola that flows from Kanchenjunga’s south face. It is at the confluence of Tamur Khola located below the village of Sekathum. We get the first glimpse of Khumbakarna (Jannu).

19 Days

After breakfast, we continue along the north bank of the Ghunsa Khola which is set in a steep sided and narrow valley. The trail meanders through the forested route of oak and rhododendron with some cluster of bamboo. We also pass many Sherpa settlements which main occupation is tending yaks and agriculture. After lunch, we make a steep climb to small village of Amjilosa, set on a small Kharka with fascinating view around.

19 Days

Today we make a short trek to Gyabla. The trail continues through a flat ridge and follows the dense forest of rhododendron, bamboo, birch and brown oaks. We also pass beautiful waterfalls and few scattered summer pastures. As we reach the last set of rapids, we make a steep climb up to the Sherpa village of Gyabala. The village is dotted with fascinating emerald farmlands and pristine forest around.

19 Days

After breakfast, we continue through the forested cluster of hemlock and bamboo while dropping down into a canyon before joining a fair trial. The sub-tropical forest gradually changes into alpine Himalayan fir and rhododendron as the trail slowly climb up to the large summer yak pasture of Phale. Here we explore the wooden Gompa that houses several stupas and thangkas originally belonging to Tibet.

From Phale, the valley open ups and the trail meanders through fairly leveled path as it follows the larch forest and cultivated fields. Then, it drop down to Ghunsa Khola and join a trail that leads us to Ghunsa. It is the largest village in the region and is now occupied throughout the year. People brings yaks and goat to the pasture during the summer months.

19 Days

Today is set aside as a part of rest and acclimatization during Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking trip. Ghunsa is beautiful Tibetan village with homesteads spaced in wood-enclosed fields. There is seep forested slopes and sheer rock faces near the valley with snow-clad peaks towering 1,000m above.

We explore monastery that belongs to the Khampa Dzong monasteries of Tibet located on the edge of the village. You can even buy locally made Tibetan carpets. We can hike up to Yamatri Khola via Lapsang La trail and walk up to the lake at the terminal moraine of Yamatari Glacier. Alternatively, we can follow the hydro-electric plant to Tamo La, located on the way to Kanchenjunga south base camp.

19 Days

From Ghunsa, we follow the northern trail through the magical forest of larch and juniper on the east bank of the Ghunsa Khola. We then walk across the sandy beach and boulder strewn flood plain before rising above the west bank of Rambuk Kharka (3,720m/12,205ft). Now the hillside becomes more arid, as we rise high above the waterfalls along the narrow trail. Further we cross large sandy landslide, climb steeply and pass the impressive snout of the Khumbakarna (Jannu) glacier. We then climb down to the village of Kambachen. From here, we get the impressive view of Jannu (7,710m/25,295ft).

19 Days

Now the landscape becomes more desolate and filled with glacial ice. The trail route is not strenuous but we should be careful while negotiating stony river bed before reaching summer-pastoral huts at Ramtang. We can see stunning Kanchenjunga glacier and Ramtang glacier beyond the hut. We continuing rising up via stony path and drop to the Ghunsa Khola leaving Lhonak Glacier to the north. Cross the river to reach the summer grazing kharkas at Lhonak, situated well above the main glacier. There three small building and some old stone walls amongst the boulders that can assist with tent-shelter and protect us from the icy winds. You can giant icy peaks rising in all directions with the 1 ½ km ridge of Chang Himal (Wedge Peak) at the center. Tent peaks soars majestically on the eastern horizon at the end of glacier.

19 Days

The trail from Lhonak to Pang Pema Base Camp follows the eastwards trail for several km and turn south to climb over the extensive head on the northern slopes of Kanchenjunga. The trail follows the lip of glacier, short grasses and rocky tracks. Pang Pema offers the full view of the vast north face of the mountain.

19 Days

The views from Pang Pema is one of the stunning mountain view in the world. We can explore the immense wall of ice giants: from Kanchenjunga to soaring peaks not less than (6,100m/20,000ft) that stretches to Sikkim to the east and to the north, Tibet. Beyond the campsite is West Lango Glacier that flows into the Kanchenjunga Glacier. A viewpoint (5,500m/18,045m) locared behind the camp is known for best view of sunrise and surrounding mountains. You can walk along the Langpo moraine to Corner Camp to admire the best view of Pyramid Peak.

19 Days

The returning journey to Kambachen will be fairly slow. We use same route to trek down to Kambachen that we have used previously.

19 Days

After breakfast, we retrace our step back to Ghunsa and halt there for lunch. Keep your eye out for the view of Pheasant in the forest. Then cross the river, follow the downstream of Ghunsa River and walk through the lush forest and farmlands to the village of Phale. It is famous Tibetan summer grazing village.

19 Days

Now the trail continues through the dense forest of rhododendron, conifer, birch and oak while descending down to the last Tibetan village of Gyabla. It further drop down to the village of Amjilosa.

19 Days

After breakfast, we continue downhill, cross waterfall and drop steeply down to the village of Sekathum. It is located at the confluence of the Ghunsa and Tamur Kholas. We then continue through the western bank of Tamur Khola, cross suspension bridge over Simbuwa Khola and walk for a while to reach the riverside campsite at Chirwa.

19 Days

From Chirwa, we leave the main river trail and climb above the east bank of the Tamor Khola that takes us to the hamlet of Thiwa (an exit point from the Kanchenjunga National Park). We the climb high above the ridge from Tawa and drop down steeply to side canyon to cross the Tawa Khola before rising back to the ridge. The trail then crosses the small village of Malbanse to reach Linkhim village.

19 Days

From Linkhim, we walk out the side canyons and reach the Limbu village of Phurumbu. 3 – 4 hours climb through the Sherpa village of Bung Kulung and Bhote Gaon takes us to the airstrip at Suketar. We celebrate farewell dinner before saying goodbye to our trekking crew.

19 Days

After breakfast, we board an early morning flight to Biratnagar and further catch a flight to Kathmandu. Here you will be driven to the hotel where you take rest and fresh up. Free afternoon. In the evening, join farewell dinner hosted by Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition to celebrate successful completion of the trek.