Circling the Kathmandu Valley on the descent to the capital, you may well catch a sight of Everest. Cast your eyes yet further to the east, and on a clear day you will see the hazy outline of a hulking white massif, an entire range unto itself. That is Kanchenjunga.

In Tibetan, ‘Kanchenjunga’ means ‘the five treasure houses of snow’, which gives you some idea of what to expect should you visit this area. At 8586 m, massive Kanchenjunga is the world’s third highest mountain, and marks the eastern border of Nepal with the Indian state of Sikkim. The conservation area that surrounds it extends into protected areas in Sikkim and Tibet, and comprises a beautiful, unspoilt wilderness. This is Snow Leopard territory, but the reclusive predator shares the unbounded forests with the Himalayan Black Bear and the Assamese Macaque, among others. Cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation and thousands of species of plants await those who take the long trail to Kanchenjunga Base Camp, the main route which has been described as ‘untrekked’.

Unabashedly wild, Kanchenjunga is for the true adventurer within you. The east of Nepal is more developed than the west, but the remoteness of this terrain, its rugged trails, scattered human habitation, and monsoonal downpours make for a perfectly challenging beginning to the Great Himalaya Trail. Wending slowly up through Ghunsa for views of Kanchenjunga’s massive north face, you will reach base camp at Pangpema, then push on to Jhinsing La, the starting point of the Great Himalaya Trail.

Along the way, you will walk along paths used mostly by locals, as very few trekkers make their way to the wild east of Nepal. For those who do, the reward lies in more than just the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga and its companions. Like neighbouring Makalu Barun, the region endures the full force of the monsoon and is consequently bursting with life. Over 2000 different flowering plants have been recorded here, and you’ll see some of the richest rhododendron forests in Nepal. New species are still being discovered in the pristine forests!

The east of Nepal also provides a fascinating introduction to its cultural diversity. The villages tend to be more prosperous than elsewhere in Nepal, but the further you go the more isolated the communities. An easy way to make friends is to join the locals for a heart-warming drink of hot tongba, the fermented millet drink of the east.

If you ever wanted to test your mettle, wild Kanchenjunga is the place to begin. The rest will be history.

Top Treks

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek – 26 days

See the world’s third highest mountain up close, wander through lush rhododendron forests and enjoy the spectacular wilderness of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Trekking Style: Camping (basic teahouses in some villages)

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Fast Facts

  • Kanchenjunga, at 8586m is the world’s third highest mountain and lies on the border with Sikkim
  • Eastern Nepal is generally more developed than western Nepal and more prosperous. This is due in part to the more favourable climate with its higher rainfall and in part to the employment of many Rai and Limbu people in the Gorkha regiments and the income and ideas such experiences bring in. Rugged terrain however means that mountain areas are especially remote
  • This area is rich in biodiversity especially the butterflies and other insects in the upper Arun Valley and the stunning rhododendrons of the Milke Danda
  • Stunning forests and wild paths at lower altitudes. High mountain passes and trekking on glaciers in the immense space of the sparsely inhabited but stunning northern reaches
  • Warm hospitality of Sherpa, Limbu, Rai and Lhomi communities
  • Rai and Limbu culture; one classic to try is the local drink Tongba, fermented millet seeds to which you add hot water and sip from a wooden pot through a straw

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