Overview
Kanchenjunga trek is a trek of a lifetime in which you are taken to this eastern gigantic massif to both its base camps, on the northern and southern side of it. Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world, thirds to Everest in Nepal and K2 in Pakistan. It stands at a height of 8,546 meters above sea level. Because of this, and the height at which it stands, it gives vent to some of the most pleasant glacial basins, rivers and terrain that lies in its ambits.
A Kanchenjunga trek has all that one would ask for in a trek in the off-beaten trekking trail in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Mount Kanchenjunga is a gigantic massif that northeastern side of Nepal sharing a portion of it with the Indian territory of Sikkim. The summit gives you a look into three countries, China, India and Nepal, in which it mostly lies. Getting to the base camps and return back on the Kanchenjunga trek takes nearly a full twenty eight days to accomplish, but in that time, you have a trekker’s experience, not to be found in other treks. There is the cultural aspects to it, there are the social aspects to it, there is the geographical aspects to it and there are the natural aspects to it with the flora and fauna you pass, the wildlife you encounter, the terrain which your traverse from tropical to alpine to tundra. There Kanchenjunga trek makes your encounter various temperature ranges, from hot to humid and very cold to chilly. Making the trek challenging to comforting sights, but whatever the case might be, you are always made enlightened by the sights and sound of what you discover each day in your Kanchenjunga trek. So much so, when it is all over the tough treks in the Everest Trekking Region and Annapurna Trekking Region might seem easier in comparison to what you have just accomplished. This does not mean all do not have the ability to do the Kanchenjunga trek, it only means that you should be ready to make the trek in your heart of hearts and you will come out a winner as if you have summited the peaks of Kanchenjunga itself, the third highest peak in the world.
There is much that you gain by taking this trek. The most important of which, you are hiking daily in a pristine natural environment for about 24 days in total away from the polluted atmosphere from which we all now live in. This pristine air unpolluted atmosphere and combined with the daily walks only strengthens the body, mind and creates a better person of us as a whole. The tour part of it is getting to two base camps of a single mountain, where others basically have only one. Then there is the terrain which we pass each day to get to our trekking destinations, the natural environments of different kinds of forest, and the rivers cutting through the mountains making gorges of various wonders, and man trying to cross them with the suspension bridges. The rural setting of villages we pass, each culturally, traditionally and socially evolved from the natural environment in which they live. Then there are the historical religious monuments which are created to the almighty in reverence like stupas, gompas, temples, chortens, prayer flags, of both the Hindu and Buddhist faithful that have taken to living and making the path your trek, their home. Last but not the least, is the daily captivating views of the various snow-capped Himalayan peaks of Mount Everest and others as you climb higher and higher each. So much so when it is all over, you might consider doing other Nepal treks for other holidays.
Where do we stay on the Kanchenjunga Trek?
Since the trek to Kanchenjunga trek happens to be on one of the off-beaten trekking trails, the places where we stop off do not have much of a lodging facility like in the other more used. In those that do, then you will be put up in them else it will be pitched tents at campsites. Food of breakfast, lunch and dinner at most times will be had at tea house on the way or at times cooked by the staff on the way, which they carry along with the tents. If lodged at a lodge, you might have a toilet attached to your room which is usually on twin sharing bases, else makeshift toilets are made or you would need to use nature. Please carry toilet paper and water bottles that you can fill from natural springs and purifying water tablets.
Outline Trekking Itinerary for Kanchenjunga Trekking
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu
Day 2: Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu and Trek Preparation
Day 3: Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (45 min flight) and Taplejung (2,420m) (9 hour drive)
Day 4: Taplejung to Lalikharka (2265m) (4-5 hr hike)
Day 5: Lalikharka to Khesewa (2120m) (5 – 6 hr hike)
Day 6: Khesewa to Mamankhe (1785m) (5 – 6 hr hike)
Day 7: Mamankhe to Yumphudin (2080m) (4 – 5 hr hike)
Day 8: Yumphudin to Tortong (2995m) (7 – 8 hr hike)
Day 9: Tortong to Cheram (3870m) (2 – 3 hr hike)
Day 10: Cheram – Acclimatization Day
Day 11: Cheram to Ramchaur (4580m) (3 – 4 hr hike)
Day 12: Ramchaur to Yalung Base Camp (4500m) to Cheram (4 – 5 hr hike)
Day 13: Cheram to Sele La (4290m) (6 – 7 hr hike)
Day 14: Sele La to Ghunsa (3595m) (2 – 3 hr hike)
Day 15: Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050m) (5 – 6 hr hike)
Day 16: Kambachen to Lhonak (4780m) (5 – 6 hr hike)
Day 17: Lhonak to Kanchenjunga Base Camp to Pangpema (5,143m) (6 – 7 hr hike)
Day 18: Pangpema to Lhonak
Day 19: Lhonak to Ghunsa (6 – 7 hr hike)
Day 20: Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2308m) (5 – 6 hr hike)
Day 21: Amjilosa to Chirwa (1,270m) (6 – 7 hr hike)
Day 22: Chirwa to Mitlung to Taplejung (6 – 7 hr hike)
Day 23: Taplejung to Bhadrapur (9 hr bus ride)
Day 24: Bhadrapur to Kathmandu (40 min flight)
Day 25: Transfer to the Airport for your onward destination
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy guided city tour of Kathmandu at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Catch scenic Kathmandu- Biratnagar/Taplejung Kathmandu flights.
- Witness spectacular views of massive Himalayan ranges like Kanchanjunga, Drohmo (6850m), Nupchu (6690) and Jannu (7710m)
- Cross over Lapsang La Pass located at an altitude of 5,180m.
- Walk past Yalung glacier.
- Pass through gushing rivers, green countryside, alpine meadows, valleys, glaciers etc.
- Witness variety of floras and faunas.
- Get along with ethnic people and their culture.
Write a Review