A Complete Facts About Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Nepal

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is nominated as the best mountain environment for trekking located at the Far East part of Nepal. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) is the third highest mountain in the world which straddles its border to Nepal, Tibet and Sikkim (India). Trekking in Kanchenjunga is more than just an adventure, the region is believed to be the adobe of patron deity.

Kanchenjunga Himal lies about 125 km east of Mt. Everest and is the 2nd highest peak of Nepal. Three out of five peaks lies at the border of Nepal and North-Sikkim. Tibetan believes it as the "Five Treasures of Snow" after its five highest peaks and has also been worshipped by the people of Nepal and India.

The array of great peaks is highly glaciated and forms five major glaciated systems. Zemu, Talung and Ranthong at the east feed the water system of River Tista (India) and Kanchenjunga and Yalung glaciers forms the main sources of River Tamur at Nepal side. Kanchenjunga is subjected with the high level of precipitation which causes intense glaciation.

Trekking around the base camp of Kanchenjunga is nothing but a step closer to the gigantic mountain along with the pristine forest of rhododendron, orchids, pine and magnolia. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek finally leads you to the area of the alpine region where dwarf shrubs thrives and the temperature is extreme.

Information about Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Route

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,300m)

Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu valley and preparation for trek

Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (91m) and drive to Illam (3,636m)

Day 04: Drive to Suketar (2,420m) and trek to Lali Kharka

Day 05: Trek to Kande Bhanjyang (2,130m)

Day 06: Kande Bhanjyang to Phumpe Danda (1,858m)

Day 07: Phumpe Danda to Yamphudin (1678m)

Day 08: Yamphudin to Amji Khola (2,400m)

Day 09: Amji Khola to Torongton (2995m)

Day 10: Torongton to Tsheram (3870m)

Day 11: Acclimatization and rest day at Tseram

Day 12: Tseram to Ramche (4615m)

Day 13: Ramche to Tseram (3870m)

Day 14: Tseram to Shele La (4290m)

Day 15: Shele La to Gunsa (3475m)

Day 16: Gunsa to Khambasen (4225m)

Day 17: Khambasen to Lhonak (4815m)

Day 18: Lhonak to Pangpema (5150m)

Day 19: Acclimatization and rest day at Pangpema

Day 20: Pangpema to Khambachen

Day 21: Khambachen to Phale (3140m)

Day 22: Phale to Amjilosa (2510m)

Day 23: Amjilosa to Chiruwa (1270m)

Day 24: Chiruwa to Mitlung (921m)

Day 25: Trek to Taplejung

Day 26: Flight back to Kathmandu

Major Highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

• Amazing circuit trek around Kanchenjunga Base Camp, world’s third highest peak

• Best view of Kanchenjunga range including Kanchenjunga South. Oktang is the best view point of the trek.

• Wilderness trekking experience in untouched and unexplored region like Gunsa and Phale

• The best view of Kanchenjunga North from Pangpema Base Camp known as Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

• Great cross-cultural privilege and experience of warm hospitality of ethnic people living in remote corner of Nepal

Difficulties of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Trekking to the base camp of Kanchenjunga is categorized as strenuous trail in Nepal. There are certain criteria that determines which difficulty level is strenuous. Trekkers need to walk for 6 to 7 hours daily for several days. Usually, trekkers start their Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking from north side and trek through Sele Le Pass and descend to the south section.

Trekking in lower belt of Kanchenjunga Base Camp is easy that concerns walking through pristine forest and vegetation. Ghunsa on North section is pretty good with some occasional difficult portion mostly slippery nearby the area of waterfall. The trail further encounters rugged route with frequent landslides on the region of Kambachen and Lhonak. Rest part of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trail route is quite good in comparison to other technical passes of the region.

The trail from Yamphuding to Cheram, trekkers have to walk long as some stops on Bhaise Kharka and some on Tortong. There is no availability of Teahouse in between Yamphuding and Tortong, so most of trekkers manage to reach Tortong after long walk through dense forest and thick bushes. In Short, Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is difficult in comparison to other wilderness trekking region of Nepal.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Cost

The cost of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek varies according to the accommodation, mode of trekking i.e. camping or teahouse, transportation used, size of group, number of trip days and other many factors. It is restricted area trekking so you must accompany trekking agency of Nepal that costs around 1,500 to 4,000 USD.

Note- You must hold enough cast as there is no availability of ATMs in trail expect at Kathmandu.

Do I need TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking?

You don’t need any TIMS card for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. As long you hold special trekking permits, TIMS is not necessary for trekking in any restricted area of Nepal. But TIMS is important if you connect your Kanchenjunga Trip with Everest or Annapurna Base Camp Trek trip.

Trekking Permits for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

As, Kanchenjunga region falls under the restricted area of Nepal- you need to know that Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek cannot be done by yourself. As per government law, it should be organized by registered trekking agency of Nepal that makes arrangement of all you accommodation, transportation, safety, meals and other necessities.

You need to accompany at least one registered guide or porter and take a two trekking permits to enter Kanchenjunga region. Also you must be in at least 2 people group. One trekking permit have the validity of a month and other is restricted area permit for four weeks.

Where can I apply for Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking permit?

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek permit is issued from the trekking department of Nepal Immigration office in Maitighar, Kathmandu. It is not issued from TAAN or Nepal Tourism board but other permits like ACAP, MCAP and Everest permits are issued here.

Documents are necessary to obtain Kanchenjunga Trekking Permits

• Original passport with at least 6 months of validity date and Nepal entry visa stamp

• Two passport size photo

• Travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation up to 6,000m

Health, Fitness Level, Experience, Training and Safety for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is perfect for you, if you are content of walking 5-6 hours daily on rugged terrain of hill. A person with moderate fitness level and high determination can join in the trail to the base camp of Kanchenjunga.

Proper acclimatization and slow pace is the most to make your body adopt according to varied altitude. You don’t need any technical skills and previous mountaineering experience for this trail. You must go through physical training prior the trail as it is enduring remote area trek for more than three weeks. Cycling, jogging, swimming, running and leg cardio are the best form of training that helps you gain the stamina.

Best Season to go for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking is possible to conduct throughout the year however autumn (Sep-Nov) and spring (Marc-May) are the considered as the best seasons for trekking. During these seasons, visibility is clear with moderate temperature perfect for trekking.

Trekking in autumn (October to November)

October to November are the best time of the year for Kanchenjunga trekking with clear blue sky and get mountain views. Adding to weather, great festivals of Hindu add more perk to these seasons. The temperature can be hot during days but nights are usually moderate with no rains.

Trekking During Spring (March to May)

Spring is the season of flower in Nepal. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking Trails are decorated with beautiful flowers especially rhododendron making it a haunting paradise during spring. Temperature is mildly warm at lower elevation and moderate a higher elevation with best view of mountains and surrounding landscapes.

Complete Gear List of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

The following gear list might help you with your packing. It is important to minimize the gear weight while participating any sort trekking adventure in Nepal. The rucksack should not be more than 15 kg in Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek trail.

You must carry following gears:

Wearing

• Hiking boots and woolen socks

• Trekking trousers and pants

• Waterproof and windproof jackets and pants

• Towels

• Casual shirts and T-shirts

• Fleece jackets or jumper

• Thermal gloves

• Warm Hat

• Sleeping bag and down jacket

Accessories & other items

• Camera

• Power Bank and Charger

• Extra Batteries

• Head Lamp

• Sunscreen

• Anti-bacterial hand-wash

• Water bottle with purifier

• Trekking poles

Medical

• Blister kit

• UV protection glass

• Aspirin with bandages and plasters

• Topical antibiotic cream

• Iodine tablets

• Diamox or acetazolamide

• Immodium or Lomotil for diarrhea

• Pepcid or Zantac for heartburn

• Antibiotic – Ciprofloxacin or Leavaquin

• 1 set of ear plug

• Stomach antibiotic

Note- We recommend you to rent all the expensive gears at rental shop of Kathmandu. Your trekking agency will make your all arrangements from gear to equipment, food to accommodation and transportation to sightseeing from your arrival at Kathmandu to time to say farewell at the end of the trek.

Visit Himalayas Trek provides trekking and other different kinds of facilities to its visiter.