GHT Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the world’s third highest mountain, forms Nepal’s eastern border with India’s Sikkim. In Tibetan, the name Kanchenjunga means ‘five great treasures of snow’ which hints at the spectacular mountain views that awaits.

The trek described below is a circuit and includes a visit to the Pathibara Temple, which is an important religious site for many Indian and Nepali pilgrims. The trail goes northwards to Ghumsa where it climbs to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5143 m) going through a spectacular high alpine landscape. It then goes east via 2 passes and continues to the Yalung Base Camp (4500 m), after which it goes back south to Taplejung, the starting and ending point of the trek.

The trek goes through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, managed by local communities in partnership with WWF, which is one of the least densely populated areas in Nepal. Pristine forests, alpine meadows and high-altitude wetlands are home to the endangered snow leopard and red panda, the vulnerable Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and Assamese macaque.

Plan Your Trek

plan your trek

Trek Facts

  • Duration

    26 Days

  • Altitude

    5143

  • Seasons

    March, April, May, September, October, November

  • Accommodation

    Camping, Teahouse/Lodge, Homestay

  • Starting Point

    Taplejung/Suketar

  • Ending Point

    Taplejung/Suketar

  • Level of Difficulty

         

    Hard

  • Permit Needed

    Restricted Area Permit to Kanchenjunga and Entry Permit for Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAMC)

View Itinerary

  • Day 1 Flight Kathmandu - Badrapur. Short drive to Birtamod Bazar for overnight stay.
  • Day 2 Drive Birtamod Bazar - Taplejung/Suketar (2420 m) 8-9 hrs
  • Day 3 Taplejung/Suketar (2420 m) - Mitlung (921 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 4 Mitlung (921 m) - Chiruwa (1270 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 5 Chiruwa (1270 m) - Sukathum (1576 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 6 Sukathum (1576 m) - Amjilosa (2308 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 7 Amjilosa (2308 m) - Gyabla (2730 m) 6-7 hrs
  • Day 8 Gyabla (2730 m) - Ghunsa (3595 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 9 Ghunsa (3595 m) - Acclimatization and local exploration.
  • Day 10 Ghunsa (3595 m) - Kambachen (4050 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 11 Kambachen (4050 m) - Lhonak (4780 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 12 Lhonak (4780 m) - Pangpema (5140 m), afternoon visit to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5143 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 13 Pangpema (5140 m) - Kambachen (4050 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 14 Kambachen (4050 m) - Ghunsa (3595 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 15 Ghunsa (3595 m) - Sele La Camp (4290 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 16 Sele La Camp (4290 m) - Tseram (3870 m) via Sele-La pass (4480 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 17 Tseram (3870 m) - Ramche (4620 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 18 Ramche (4620 m) - Day trip to Yalung Base Camp (4500 m) 7-8 hrs
  • Day 19 Ramche (4620 m) - Tseram (3870m) 5 hrs
  • Day 20 Tseram (3870m) - Tortong (2995 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 21 Tortong (2995 m) - Yamphudin (2080 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 22 Yamphudin (2080 m) - Mamankhe (1810 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 23 Mamankhe (1810 m) - Kande Bhyanjyang (2120m) 6 hrs
  • Day 24 Kande Bhyanjyang (2120m) - Lalikharka (2220 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 25 Lalikharka (2220 m) - Suketar (2420 m) 5-6 hrs
  • Day 26 Drive to Badrapur and flight to Kathmandu

Specialised Operators offering this itinerary

Kanchenjunga-A1 Excursion
kanchenjunga-Explore Himalayas
Kanchenjunga-Himalayan Quest
Kanchenjunga-Royal Mountain
Himal Eco Treks- Kanchenjunga Basecamp

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