Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek - 18 Days

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek by Road
Know before you go
  • Duration 18 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Trip Start and End Kathmandu to Kathmandu
  • Best Season Mar-May and Sept-Nov
  • Trip Area Kanchenjunga Region
  • Maximum Altitude 5143m.|16873ft.

Highlights

  • Explore the epic landscape of the Kanchenjunga conservation area, en route to the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
  • Trek in one of the few restricted areas of Nepal.
  • Take a journey through various landscapes, including valleys, rivers, jungle, and woodland, and of course, the amazing views of Kanchenjunga and its equally impressive surrounding peaks. 
  • Experience a wide range of flora and fauna, including the world-famous Nepal Rhododendron bloom.
  • A chance to see some of the world's most endangered animals, such as the elusive Snow Leopard, Red Pandas, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Monal, and many more!
  • Cross mountain passes and thrilling suspension bridges.
  • Visit the North and South base camp of the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
  • Immerse yourself in Tibetan and Buddhist culture by visiting many monasteries along the way. 
  • Discover the path less trodden, while traveling one of the lesser established trekking routes in Nepal, before it becomes overcrowded like many others.
  • Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek by Road - Begin and End the trek with Bus Journey

Mount Kanchenjunga (8586mt.), situated in the far east of the country, is one of the most protected treasures of Nepal, with the trail itself taking you within miles of the borders with Tibet and Sikkim (India). The trail is relatively new compared to more established routes, such as Annapurna and Everest Base Camp, and provides a quieter and less crowded trekking experience. A true adventure into the wild!

Majestic scenery, newly established trails, less crowds, rare wildlife, beautiful flora & fauna. This is the Kanchenjunga circuit trek!

The Kanchenjunga circuit takes you on a journey through some of Nepal's most varied landscapes, including cascading crystal clear rivers, dense jungle woodland, unspoiled Nepali villages, and of course, some of the most epic mountain scenery seen anywhere in the mighty Himalayas. During the trek you visit both the North and South Base Camp, giving you multiple-angle views of one of the tallest mountains on Earth. 

Although the trail is considered strenuous, due to the distance covered and altitude gained, the circuit is more than achievable with a decent level of fitness and can be made easier with the help of a porter, assisting you by carrying up to 20kg of your belongings. Government rules require that a mandatory guide must accompany at least 2 trekkers on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. 

As the trail is newly established compared to the other major trekking routes in Nepal, the villages along the way are yet to develop and reach the potential to accommodate many tourists. This means that for the trekkers, even during peak season, the trail will be less crowded and quieter than other established trails. So if you are looking for an adventure off the beaten track, then this is the trek for you. 

We as a company pride ourselves on our flexibility, so our itinerary can be tailored to suit your individual needs. You can make changes beforehand or even during the trek if you wish to spend more time in a certain area. Our guides are always more than happy to spend more days in the mountains!

What breathtaking views await trekkers on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is one of only a few restricted areas in Nepal, requiring a special permit to visit. This means that the plants and animals living in the area get the best protection possible, and the views remain unspoiled and timeless. 

You start the trek walking alongside the river, enjoying the relaxing sounds of the cascading water, as you make your way higher into the mountains. You pass through some old Nepali villages that seem to have been frozen in time, giving you a glimpse of what life can be like for those people living in these tough conditions. 

After a few days of trekking the landscape opens out and you start to find yourself surrounded by beautiful snow-capped peaks, some of which are worshiped as gods by the locals. It's now that you will catch your first glimpse of the mighty Kanchenjunga. 

You will then make your way to both the North and South Base Camp, taking in some amazing views along the way, and get that ‘in the mountains’ feel. No feeling can compare to being surrounded by some of the most vivid and beautiful landscapes the world has to offer. 

There are many endangered animals inhabiting this area so you must always be on the lookout. People have been known to spot Snow Leopards, Red Pandas, Himalayan Black Bears, Blue Sheep, and the famous Himalayan Monal. It's recommended that you take a camera with you as you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to capture one of these amazing animals on film!

If you time your trek to coincide with the Rhododendron bloom (between mid-March to mid-May) then you will be overwhelmed with the beauty and variety of the national flower of Nepal. But don't worry if you can’t trek during spring, the Autumn trekking season offers equally stunning views of a wide variety of different flora and fauna. 

What sets Nepal Nirvana Trails apart as the ultimate choice for planning your travel adventures?

Kanchenjunga is unlike many other treks in the Himalayas. Its remoteness means that to get the most out of your trek you need a guide that is an expert in the area. Our experienced team of guides have years of guiding experience between them and are ready to help you get the most out of your trek, and make your time in the mountains the most special it can be. 

We have carefully constructed our itinerary to allow plenty of time for acclimatisation, to reduce the risk of Altitude sickness. Should you wish to spend more time in a certain place we are open to make changes to the itinerary! Unfortunately due to the risk of altitude sickness, we do not suggest that you try to complete the trek in any less than the 18 days set out in our itinerary. 

In the rare event of a trekker suffering from the symptoms of altitude sickness, our guides are fully trained to handle the situation and will know what best to do in this situation.

Explore beyond the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek and discover the allure of renowned trekking packages like the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Makalu Base Camp Trek, and Langtang Gosaikunda Trek.

Itinerary

Day to Day Details

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  • 1820m.|5971ft.

  • 1650m.|5413ft.

  • 2498m.|8195ft.

  • 2725m.|8940ft.

  • 3415m.|11204ft.

  • 4145m.|13599ft.

    • 4792m.|15721ft.

    • 5143m.|16873ft.

    • 3415m.|11204ft.

    • 4240m.|13910ft.

    • 3868m.|12690ft.

    • 4740m.|15551ft.

    • 2980m.|9776ft.

    • 1692m.|3910ft.

    • 1210m.|3969ft.

    • 1400m.|4593ft.

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    Route Map

    Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek - 18 Days map

    What's Included

    • All necessary trekking permits
    • Government Licensed and first aid-trained trekking guide
    • Salary, food, equipment, and insurance of the trekking Guide
    • Bus Tickets from Kathmandu - Jhapa - Taplejung and Jhapa - Kathmandu
    • Sharing Jeep (Taplejung - Sekathum and Yamphudin - Jhapa)
    • First aid kit with basic medication
    • Nepal Nirvana T-shirt, Trekking Map, and Water Purifications Tablet
    • Official expense, all local and government tax and VAT.

    What's Excluded

    • International flight tickets and Nepal entry visa
    • Travel and health Insurance which coversgency Rescues and evacuations
    • Food and Accommodations during the trek
    • During trekking time personal expenses, snacks, Beer, coke, juice, water, WI-FI, etc.
    • Porter: Recommended 1 porter between two trekkers
    • Private Jeep (Taplejung - Sekathum and Yamphudin - Kanyam/Jhapa)
    • Food and Hotel in Kathmandu 
    • Tips for treks guide and porter (it is expected)

    Useful Info

    What makes the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek challenging yet rewarding?

    The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the more wild, unexplored treks in Nepal and trekkers will need to make their way through a variety of terrain, which can include snow, ice, rocky paths, mud, landslides, suspension bridges, and many ascents and descents. Although no climbing or scrambling experience is necessary, a decent level of fitness is required to complete the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in 18 days. But don't worry, there is an option to make the trek longer or take extra rest days if necessary. There are multiple days of over 7+ hours of walking at high altitudes.

    Due to spending time at high altitudes, there is always a possibility of developing symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness commonly known as altitude sickness). These symptoms can include headache, nausea, breathing problems, and loss of appetite. If you stick to our carefully created itinerary, this will reduce the chance of experiencing any symptoms. In the rare event of a trekker suffering from the symptoms of AMS, our guides are fully trained to handle the situation and will know what best to do to help you recover and continue your trek as safely as possible. 

    The teahouses on this trek are quite basic, especially as you get to the higher sections of the trek. This means that comforts such as a hot shower, electricity to charge during the night, comfortable bedding, and Western toilets are not always available. In our opinion, this makes the trek even more of an adventure!

    Due to the remoteness of this trek, there will be no internet connection during the entire trek, and WIFI in the area is unreliable and quite often not available. Your guide will have a phone signal for 80% of the trek so in case of emergency, or even if you would just like to stay in touch with friends and family to let them know you are safe, then calls can be made to the office in Kathmandu and messages can be passed on to loved ones. 

    Physical Fitness & Preparations for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

    As mentioned before the trek can be quite physically and mentally demanding, with many days spent at high altitudes over 4000m. A decent level of fitness is required, but the trek can be made easier by adding extra days onto the itinerary, or through the hire of a porter.

    We suggest that if possible you do as many long walks or runs as you can, in the lead-up to your trekking experience. The main focus of your training should be on cardio and endurance but some strength is required as you will be carrying your bag (unless using a porter), and at high altitude, this can be tough, as you will find yourself running out of breath quicker than at sea level. 

    When is the best time to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?

    The best time to enjoy the Himalayas is during the 2 trekking seasons. These are Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September - November). The weather is more stable during these 2 seasons so they have become popular for trekkers to come and enjoy the trails. Winter trekking is also possible but will require further planning and preparation. 

    If you wish to enjoy the Rhododendron bloom, then spring is your best choice for your trip, whereas autumn is best known for its good weather and crystal clear views. Of course with the mountains, the weather is always unpredictable, but this is the general rule for these seasons. 

    Why are we taking the bus ride instead of a quick flight of 55 minutes to Bhadrapur?

    Our budget itinerary includes reaching the Kanchenjunga Trek Starting point, Taplejung by road. The main reason for this is to keep costs down for the customer. It also gives you the opportunity to see some of Nepal's amazing countryside during your journey. If the road journey does not appeal to you, then flights can be arranged at added cost.

    Can I make the Kanchenjunga circuit shorter than 18 days?

    Yes, the trek can be made shorter by only visiting one of the 2 base camps, but if you wish to visit both base camps then 18 days is the shortest time possible, to allow time for proper acclimatization. We do not risk the safety of our clients and staff by trying to complete treks in faster times. Safety and health are top priorities for our company. 

    Can we fly directly from Kathmandu to Suketar?

    Currently, flights in and out of Suketar operate very inconsistently. Nepal Airlines operates the flights according to the aircraft and crew availability. For this reason, our itinerary uses other ways to reach the Kanchenjunga region. 

    Permits Required for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

    The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, trekking to the restricted area requires two permits, which are as below:

    • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP): NPR 2000 per person
    • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (KRAP): USD 20 per person, per week

    Some Regulations to be followed to get the special permits:

    • The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek must be done with a registered guide and through a registered trekking agency.
    • You must be in a group of at least two trekkers to obtain the Restricted Area Permit.

    Our Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek package includes all necessary permit costs, which we will secure on your behalf.

    How are the tea house and food along the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, and what can trekkers expect in terms of comfort and amenities?

    The tea houses on the Kanchenjunga circuit are very basic and the facilities are very minimal. It is recommended that you bring a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner depending on the time of year, as it can quite often get cold in the mountains, especially at night. Buckets of warm water will be available for a small charge should you wish to wash up. Electricity can be very temperamental and mostly relies on solar power, so if the sun has not been out during the day, you may not be able to charge electronic appliances during the evening.

    Menus are available in most places but can be very basic. For example, a typical menu will contain noodles, fried rice or dal bhat, and for breakfast porridge, omelet with chapati or Tibetan bread. We recommend that you eat a vegetarian diet whilst on your trek to avoid the risk of stomach upset. We also recommend that you eat at least 1 dal bhat a day, as this meal comes with free refills, and will provide you plenty of energy for the following day. As the saying goes ‘Dal bhat power, 24 hours!

    FAQs

    • Travel insurance is necessary for the Kanchenjunga trek due to the numerous risks associated with high-altitude trekking. We suggest having travel insurance that covers accidents, trip cancellations, altitude sickness for elevations above 4,000 meters as well as hospital bills. Ensure that your policy includes helicopter evacuation, as this is the only means of rescue in case of an emergency.

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