Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary

You will arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our representatives from Excursion to Himalayas will be there to receive you. They will transfer to your hotel in a private vehicle. You will have your time to settle in and freshen up. You might feel tired after your long fight. Get some rest till the evening. Strolling around the streets of Kathmandu in the evening is enjoyable. Get a good sleep at your hotel after a nice dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

We drive from the flatland of Bhadrapur towards Taplejung via Mechi Highway. We will start driving towards the green hills of Ilam. Ilam is called the Queen of Hills. You will see lovely hills with a temperate climate, and fertile lands. The low green hills and the tea cultivations make a beautiful scenic view.

Now, we drive towards Taplejung via Phidim. Enjoying the beautiful scenery, we will drive up to Suketar. Suketar is the point where the actual trek starts tomorrow. Overnight in Suketar, Taplejung.

Note: If you want to skip this driving journey, you can fly from Biratnagar to the Suketar Airport.

Today is our first day of actual trekking. After a morning breakfast in Suketar, we will set off to Chirwa. The trekking starts with a downhill walk to Mitlung. We will start following the Kanchenjunga trek route. The trail takes us through scenic pastures and small villages. We will cross the Hungdewa Khola and the Tamur River on the way.

Trekking further towards Mitlung, we will follow the east bank of the Tamur river. The trail gradually dips and rises along the riverside. We will walk through the striking rocky fields and landslides. We will trek into the valley of Limbu people in Mitlung. We will take a short break at Mitlung. From Mitlung, we start trekking uphill for some time. After the uphill is a gradual descent to the Sinwa village. Sinwa is a small village where you will meet lots of cheerful local people.

From Sinwa, we continue to Tawa. From Tawa, the trail is again an uphill climb. Following the uphill and downhill trail, we will meet a wooden bridge at the Thiwa Khola, 1140m. We will cross the bridge.

On continuing through the trail, we will enjoy the great surroundings. We will walk along the riverbank of Chirwa Khola and arrive in Chiruwa. Chirwa is a small Limbu village with a few lodges, shops, and campsites. Overnight in Chirwa village.

Embarking on a challenging yet rewarding trek, the day begins with an early morning breakfast in Chiruwa village. Following a narrow trail along the Tamur River’s east bank, trekkers encounter a Chhetri village in Tapethok, housing the Kanchenjunga National Park checkpoint. After crossing the Simbuwa Khola and navigating the ups and downs along the Tamur River, a suspension bridge over the confluence of Ghunsa Khola and Tamur rivers marks a significant point. The trail leads to a riverside campsite, then continues to the Tibetan village of Sakathum. After a break, the trek progresses to Amjilossa, passing through the stone steps of Ghaiyabari and a gorge, providing glimpses of Sherpa and Tibetan lifestyles in this high-altitude Tibetan settlement. Overnight accommodation awaits in Amjilossa.

The trek from Amjilossa to Gyabla begins after a satisfying breakfast. Climbing along the remote Ghunsa valley, the trail leads through dense forests rich in Bamboo, Rhododendrons, and Gnarled Brown Oaks. The ascent unveils breathtaking mountain views from a flat ridge, adorned with scattered pastures and cascading waterfalls. The journey to Kyapart involves a steep climb, offering panoramic vistas of the Ghunsa village nestled amidst terraced hills, 350 meters above the Ghunsa Khola. Enjoy the scenic beauty of terraced fields and flowing Ghunsa Khola before reaching the quaint Gyabla village, where trekkers spend the night amidst serene landscapes.

Today, we will cross the 3000m  elevation threshold. The day begins with a steep descent into a gorge. After the descent, we will walk through the forests of Rhododendrons and Firs. The walk becomes easier now. Following the riverbank, we trek to the beautiful Yak pastures in Pholey, 3210m. Pholey is a Tibetan village with beautiful potato cultivations.

We will stop at Phole for a relaxing lunch break. At Pholey, we can witness the influences of the Tibetan Buddhist culture. Also, there is a beautiful monastery in Pholey. Above Pholey, the valley widens up. The trail now passes through the green fields and larch forests. On following the trail, we will descend down to the riverbed of Ghunsa Khola.

After crossing the bridge over the Ghunsa Khola, we will enter Ghunsa village. An overnight stay at Ghunsa inside a tent.

We have been traveling for 9 days already. It’s now time for us to take a rest. Today is our acclimatization day in Ghunsa village. During high-altitude treks, we must get our bodies adapted to the changing atmosphere. The amount of oxygen in the air reduces as we trek to higher elevations. So, we are prone to acute mountain sickness. So, we schedule an acclimatization day after a certain altitude gain.

We will stay active by hiking up to the surrounding ridges. We will hike up through the lush forests to the Lapasan La Monastery. After enjoying some time there, we will descend back to Ghunsa. Ghunsa is the last permanent settlement on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route. We will spend some good time in the afternoon at Ghunsa.

Navigating through the challenging terrain from Ghunsa to Kambachen, trekkers should be cautious of potential landslides along the off-beaten trails of Kanchenjunga North. The northward journey involves a gradual ascent through a larch and juniper forest, with the trail following the east bank of the river and passing through beautiful meadows. Traversing sandy, boulder-strewn riverbanks, a wood and stone bridge leads to Rambuk Kharka at 3720m. Beyond this point, trekkers encounter a waterfall and a landslide section, providing a mesmerizing view of the north face of Mt. Jannu (7710m) and the Jannu Glacier. Descending through the mountainside, the journey concludes in Kambachen, a temporary settlement with basic stone teahouses serving as lodges for Kanchenjunga trekkers. For enhanced comfort, camping at the base of Jannu Glacier is recommended, offering breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga massif and Mt. Jannu.

Embarking on a challenging trail, the journey transcends into a desolate landscape devoid of villages or houses. Above terrains etched by high-altitude glaciers, trekkers navigate moraine debris and icy stones, gradually ascending to the beautiful pasture area of Ramtang at 4350m. The trail unveils the Kanchenjunga glacier, featuring the picturesque Ramtang Monastery nestled by a waterfall. Crossing the Lhonak glacier and reaching the junction of Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glaciers, trekkers face a demanding yet rewarding path. The stunning panorama of Mera Peak to the east accompanies the descent to Riverside, leading to the tiny settlement of Lhonak with stone teahouses. The Lhonak campsite, set in a vast grassy plain, offers excellent views and the possibility of encountering wildlife, making tent accommodation preferable for an overnight stay.

Pang Pema is the local name of the Kanchenjunga north base camp. Today, we will visit the north base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Hiking to the base camp is the best experience.We will climb gradually through the trail. We will follow the line of the moraine. There are some portions on the trail that are prone to landslides. Be careful while walking. Using the trekking poles will make the walk easier.

After all the rocky sections are the flat grassy plain basin of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Enjoy the views of the towering peak of Kanchenjunga. Overnight in Pang Pema.

Today, we will explore the Kanchenjunga base camp area. We will hike to the nearby ridge to see the beautiful Himalayan views. We will see the best of Mt. Jannu, the North Face of Kanchenjunga, and the Chang Himal.

The area is less visited. So, you can enjoy the serene and tranquil atmosphere. Explore the jaw-dropping vista of the glaciers. We may meet with some climbers who are there to attempt Peak climbing. The climb requires an extra four days after reaching the base camp. Also, there is no need for any other climbing permits to climb Mt. Kanchenjunga. Overnight in Pang Pema.

It’s now time to say goodbye to the north Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Retracing our previous days, we will trek to Ghunsa. On the way, we will rejoice in the splendid Himalayan vistas. Also, trekking from the previous route with a different perspective is a beautiful experience.

Enjoy the marvelous scenery around, we will trek back. Leaving behind the splendid views of Mt. Jannu, we will trek back. Be careful walking around the landslides, and over the glaciers. From Pang Pema, we will trek down to Lhonak, Kambachen, and to Ghunsa. Overnight in Ghunsa.

From Ghunsa, we divert towards the right-hand side leaving the trail to Gyabla. The trail is a steep uphill trek to Sele Le. This section is also isolated from human settlements. Most of the trail passes through the dense forest of Rhododendron and Juniper. At Sele Le, there are only one or two small teahouses made up of stones.

Lots of traveler claim that they see snow leopards in this section. Do not go far from teahouses at night. Stay warm, stay safe. Overnight in Sele Le.

The views are often crisp and clear in the early morning. We will hike up the ridge north of Pangpema. Enjoy the panorama of the enchanting Himalayas. You will experience a challenging trek today! We will climb 400m to the Mirgin La Pass. During the climb, we will see the magnificent view of Mt. Jannu along with Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, Kangchenjunga, and Kabru. We will also see the Himalayan range along the Sikkim border.

We will trek to the Mirgin La pass and Lapsang La pass, 5160m. By doing so, we will join our trek to the Kanchenjunga south treks. These passes are the high altitude passes. The weather conditions may bring several difficulties here. Be strong! Prepare to see any difficulties depending on the weather conditions. Rejoice the surrounding vistas. They will boost you for further trekking. After a tough day today, we will walk along the ridges with a final descent to Tseram. Overnight in Tseram.

Starting from Tseram, we will see the splendid view of the towering peaks of Kabru and Rathong. Today, we will trek downhill to the lower altitudes. On walking further, we will see magnificent views of the snowy Himalayas. Enjoy the glimpses of the snow-capped giants ahead of you. We will see the impressive view of the Yalung Glacier. We follow a steady descent through the forests. Most of the forests are Rhododendrons and Pine to Torangden.

We follow the easy trail along the Simbua Khola. Walking through the jungles of Pine and Rhododendrons, we will make our way to Torangden. Overnight in Torangden.

Embarking on a challenging day, the trek navigates through difficult and landslide-prone sections. A strenuous 600m climb to Lamite Pass at 3500m demands careful guidance. Following a steep ascent, trekkers reach the Simbua Khola valley, crossing a wooden bridge over intersecting rivers. Ascending exposed slopes, the journey continues through a forest of Pines and Rhododendrons, passing Lamite Bhanjyang and Amji Khola. Climbing to Dhupi Bhanjyang at 2540m, the path descends through cultivable fields growing Corn and Barley. Crossing a ridge, the trek concludes in Yamphudin, a picturesque village with a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais, and Gurungs. An overnight stay in Yamphudin awaits after a challenging yet rewarding day.

We will start early in the morning after a nice breakfast in Yamphudin. The trek passes through the villages of Chhetri and Brahmins. Walking into the human settlements after a remote trek is a wonderful experience.

Walking through the beautiful trail, we will witness the wonderful landscapes. We will walk into different villages of different ethnicity. We can see their varying lifestyles and cultures. Walking ups and downs through the splendid trail, we will trek to Shebang. We will stay there overnight.

Today is a long day. Starting from Khebang, we will drop 1000 meters in 6 kilometers. Dobhan is at 6 kilometers from Khebang. At Dobhan, we will stop for lunch. Dobhan is a beautiful place. After a filling lunch there, we will set off towards Khandembe.

From Dobhan, it is another 8-kilometer walk to Khandembe. Taking small water breaks at some places, we will trek continuously. Following the straight village path, we will finally arrive at Khandembe. Overnight in a local inn at Khandembe.

Today is our last day of actual trekking. On this day, we will climb 1200 meters to the Tharpu Village. Enjoy every step of your walk. You will miss all these memories someday.

Recalling the memories of the entire trek, we will reach Tharpu village. Tharpu is a beautiful village. We will stay here today for an overnight. Enjoy the last glimpses of the Kanchenjunga range. You won’t be seeing the mountain sunsets for long from now. There is a perfect vantage point at the Tharpu village. Spend a cheerful evening at the village.

Bhadrapur airport is 190 kilometers from Tharpu. But the road cuts through many twists and turns. The endless windings are frequent. It takes almost 9 hours to reach Bhadrapur. The ride is tiring, yet rewarding. We will stay at Bhadrapur in a hotel. Prepare for your flight tomorrow. Get some rest.

Today is our last day on this journey. We will fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. The flight is a scenic flight. In clear weather, we will see aerial views of some snowy peaks. The views are impressive. We will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your hotel. Explore the nightlife at Thamel. You will enjoy the variety of music and taste the variety of menus at the restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today your Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary ends here. Our Guide and driver will see you off.