Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days

The first day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days, we will catch a flight to Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi Airport) from Kathmandu. Located in the southeast part of the nation, this city is a popular trading hub and a transit city to many other towns in the region. Once we land in Bhadrapur, we will wait for your ride, grab our luggage, and hit the road to Kanyam. From Bhadrapur, we will follow the Mechi Highway and get to Charali. The town of Charali is about 13 km from Bhadrapur, which indicates that we have made it out of the city. The road is primarily plain with scenes of farmlands and countryside vibes. In general, it’s a smooth ride, unlike most road trips in Nepal. Continuing the road trip, we will move on to Budhabare. This part of the ride transitions from plain lands to the hilly region of Nepal as we move up slightly ascending roads. fter we reach Budhabare, the road takes a sharp ascent with switchbacks as we climb the hill of Kanyam. The atmosphere gets a little chilly in comparison, and the views are dominated by tea farms and panoramic valley scenes. Kanyam is the biggest tea production region of Nepal, and the hills there are covered in tea trees. Small local markets on the way sell locally produced goods, mainly tea bags and tea leaves, along with street food. Every year, tens of thousands of local tourists visit this town for its picturesque tea garden scenes. Activity: Drive Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Still on the Mechi Highway, today we will travel over 190 km to reach Taplejung (Phungling municipality). Leaving the town of Kanyam, we will first reach Fikkal, just 5 km outside of Kanyam. It’s a trade hub where tea leaves are traded with a backdrop of the scenic tea gardens and valley hills. Leaving Fikkal, our next stop will be Illam Bazaar, the headquarters of the Illam district. There are a lot of switchbacks to get to Illam Bazaar, approximately 40 km from Kanyam. The traditional houses in Illam are just too aesthetic, plus it is also the center of tea leaf manufacturing in the whole of eastern Nepal. We will stop by, explore a little, and take in the amazing views before getting on the Jeep again. From Illam Bazaar, the road goes up and down multiple times to take us to Phidim, about 100 km from Kanyam. Driving along the slopes of the valley hills, you will get to see a couple of sparkling waterfalls. We will stop here for a while and have a tasty lunch. The final part of day 2 of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days is from Phidim to Taplejung, about 93 km. The road continues to go uphill with views of the Himalayas in the distance, while the day temperature goes down as altitude increases. Activity: Drive Max. Altitude: 1,820m/5,971ft. Taplejung Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Following the Tamor Corridor Road, we will start the 3rd day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days. This road is a major highway in the region since it connects multiple small towns situated along the Tamor River. With a bunch of ascends and descends, we will finally reach Sukepani. From there, we will cross many rivers and streams to get to the Tamor River Bridge. Even in 2025, most of the Tamor region bridges are temporary solutions for locals and trekkers to get across the rivers. That is one of the reasons why we start this trek from a bridge instead of a proper village. The Tamor River stems from the Kanchenjunga glacier; this river is the gift of life for this region. The locals and the wildlife depend on this river for their daily needs. After we cross the bridge, we will start on a forested trail full of bamboo, ferns, and oak. This part of the trek is accompanied by the sounds of different birds and the swishing of tree leaves. Soon after, the trail goes down to a gorge following the Tamor River uphill. With crashing sounds of the river below, we will cross a wooden suspension bridge, which adds a taste of thrill for most trekkers. At the midpoint of today’s trek, we will reach Tapethok village, which is a remote village with traditional houses and farmlands. From this point on, the villages in the region are all agriculture-dependent and almost self-sufficient. They mainly grow barley, rice, and millet, which are the main ingredients of their daily food. Leaving Tapethok, we will cross a landslide-prone area to get to Simbuwa Khola, where we cross yet another suspension bridge. From there, we will follow the Ghunsa River till we reach our destination of the day, Sukethum. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 1,585m/5,200ft. Sukethum Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Leaving the Limbu village of Sukethum, we will walk along the east side of the Ghunsa River, gradually going uphill to a suspension bridge. Passing through multiple small settlements, including Ghaiyabari and Jonggim, we will get to see the traditional daily lives of the local people there. We will also have to trek through a sharp ascent that turns narrower as we climb up, forcing us onto the hilly slopes. We recommend you use a pair of trekking poles today since we will be traversing over a rugged path and a landslide-prone area. Follow the lead of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days guide to navigate difficult sections. Crossing multiple bridges and tricky trails, we will finally get to Amjilosa, sitting at an elevation of 2395 meters above sea level. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 2,498m/8,196ft. Amjilosa Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Day 5 of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days starts with a simple ascent through an oak forest with the Ghunsa River accompanying us throughout. Most of the forest is covered in mud, including the trees, rocks, and hill slopes. As we get to the midpoint of the trek, we will come across a steep ascent that has some narrow sections. It’s not steep all the way through; we have some plain sections as well. Waterfalls are a big part of the ecosystem here, and you will get to see a couple of them as we make our way up to Gaybla. These scenic natural spots are great for a photo session and short breaks to catch our breath. The forests there are home to red panda, Himalayan bear, and other wildlife that are endangered. But as we get closer to Gyabla, the woodlands begin to thin. Gyabla is a tiny village with a couple of tea houses and lodges. Do not expect a high standard of service, as you are now in the remote Himalayas. This village is also known as Kyapra. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 2,725m/8,940ft. Gyabla Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Today is the day we enter the Kanchenjunga region. It is one of the easiest days of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days, as we have to cover over 10 km of distance within 5 hours of trekking. Despite it being 10 km long, the trail is fairly easy. We have to ascend and descend a couple of times, which is not that taxing on your body. At the end of the day, we will gain around 700 meters of elevation. First, we will get to Pholey village, which is around 4 km from Ghunsa. The traditional Tibetan houses are the main feature of this village, along with a monastery that serves as the center of prayers. It’s a great resting spot, exploring the monastery and witnessing the daily chores of the locals. From there, we will continue along the course of the Ghunsa River upstream and reach the village of Ghunsa. This traditional Sherpa village is full of traditional Tibetan houses, which have detailed woodwork on their doors and windows. The alleys in the village are stone-paved, and there’s also a mini powerhouse that generates electricity via water flow and provides power to Pholey village. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 3,427m/11,243ft. Ghunsa Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Ghunsa is a great place to stay and one of the best villages to explore on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days. A rest day is an opportunity to go around the village and also to acclimate your body to the surroundings. It is not a mandatory thing, but it is highly recommended as your body needs a chance to adjust to the change in temperature and environment. Activity: Rest Max. Altitude: 3,427m/11,243ft. Ghunsa Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Slightly longer than the last day, today’s trek is about 11 km and requires 6 hours to complete. It’s not particularly a difficult trekking day; the trail has a gradual ascent all the way through, and at the end of the day, we will gain over 600 meters of altitude. Following the northern side of the Ghunsa River, we will make it out of the village and continue the trek upstream. This part of the trek is plain as we trek through a Juniper forest with serene nature. After about an hour of trekking, we will have to cross multiple streams that originate from a glacier. The wooden bridges there save us from the cold waters. Moving on, we reach a landslide-prone area where remnants of the past landslide are evident. Follow the instructions of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days guide to navigate the sections with loose soil and rocks. From there, we will reach Rampuk Kharka, which is a small settlement about halfway through the trek. We will stop for lunch there, hydrate ourselves, and get some rest before getting on the trail again. The trail begins to ascend a little, offering us the scene of Jannu Peak (7710 m). This peak is nicknamed the Kumbhakarna peak. Seeing the peak means that we are getting close to Kahmbachen village. After crossing a couple more streams, we will arrive at our destination of the day. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 4,050m/13,287ft. Khambachen Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Sitting at an elevation of 4050 meters above sea level, Khambachen village is surrounded by peaks and glaciers, making it a scenic stay. The views on a clear morning are worth the effort you put into getting there. As we have our breakfast, we will take in the scenes of the village one last time and get on the track to Lhonak. The way out of Khambachen is a gradual uphill track with open pasture lands where cattle can be seen grazing. It is a gentle climb taking us to the Kanchenjunga Glacier. As we continue the trek, we follow the ridge line made by the glacier. This part of the trek has zero vegetation since the icy glacier and rocky land do not support any plant growth. If the day is clear, we will be able to see a panoramic view of the mountains in the vicinity. This includes Chang Peak, Wedge Peak, Mera Peak, and more. Moving forward, we will reach a plain section that was once completely under a glacier. This flat part leads us to Lhonak. The village of Lhonak is remote, as you would expect, and not that dense (structurally). There are only a couple of establishments that were specifically built for travelers such as us. One thing about the high Himalayan villages is that most of them are summer houses; winter is unbearable in the Himalayas, so the locals tend to migrate to a lower region during the cold. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 4,780m/15,682ft. Lhonak Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Day 10 is the climax of our Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days, leading us to the base camp of Kanchenjunga. The distance from Lhonak to the base camp is just 9 km, which takes about 6 to 7 hours round trip. The total elevation gain for the day is slightly over 350 meters. Today’s trek comprises walking along the north lateral moraine of the Kanchejunga Glacier through rocky grounds and icy trails. The initial section of the trek is a gentle climb along the Kanchenjunga Glacier ridge line. The path is not solid ground but loose pebbles for most of the way. The scenes of the Himalayas are always present, with occasional scenes of the deep crevasses of the glacier. Throughout the trek, we will be blessed with the scenes of Kanchenjunga West, Yalung Kang, Kabru, Kirat Chuli, and more. As we get closer to Pangpema (the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp), the ascending trail turns into broad plain land which is home to the camps of mountaineers. The base camp is also a great viewpoint, it’s remote and wild, giving off a sense of reflection and contemplation of natural beauty. After a while, we will get back on track and descend to Lhonak for a restful night. The way back is not as easy as most people think; the loose pebbles make it harder to have a solid footing. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 5,143m/16,873ft. Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

On the 11th day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days, we will descend a total of 20 km to get to Ghunsa. Today is one of the longest days of the trek, requiring 7 to 8 hours of trekking downhill. We will start the day at 4780 meters and end the day at 3427 meters above sea level. Leaving Lhonak, we will go down the Kanchenjunga Glacier, passing uneven, rugged trails with a backdrop of mountains. We will first get down to Khambachen, have a hearty lunch, and continue the downhill trek. As we go down from Khambachen, we start seeing more greens on the hill slopes. We will cross forested sections to get to Ghunsa. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 3,427m/11,243ft. Ghunsa Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Leaving Ghunsa, we will follow the Yam Tar River upstream, walking along a pine forest. Shortly after, the forested trail descends with occasional clearings. We will first reach the Selele River and subsequently the Selele Camp. We will stop there for lunch and head to Phokte Hill soon after. Climbing this hill takes us to the Selele La Pass (4480 m) and Sinjon La Pass (4646 m). Both of these mountain passes offer a scenic viewpoint where we will rest a bit. After about 6 hours of trekking, we will reach wide plain lands that lead us to Yalung Bara village. This tiny village is a quiet and calming place that is just perfect for a restful night. From Ghunsa, we will trek about 15 km to get to Yalung Bara, gaining an altitude of over 470 meters. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 3,900m/12,795ft. Yalung Bara Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Today’s trek is about 12 km long, requiring 6 to 7 hours of trekking. Day 13 of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days is mostly uphill as we make our way to Oktang. We will gain about 800 meters of altitude by the end of today’s trek. Passing forested trails and streams, we will hike up an ascending path to reach Ramche (4580 meters). It is our last point before we arrive at Oktang. From there, the trail turns steeper and a little slippery as we follow the ridges along the Yalung Glacier. Once again, you will be able to see the Kanchenjunga mountain range in the near distance. We will soon reach the settlement of Oktang at 4730 meters above sea level with unparalleled views of the Himalayas in the north. Activity: Trek Max. Altitude: 4,730m/15,518ft. Oktang Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Day 15 is the longest trekking day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days, as we lose over 2100 meters of elevation in one single day. We will pass villages including Tortong and Yamphudin to get to Khebang. Activity: Rest Max. Altitude: 1,915m/6,283ft. Khebang Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Day 16 of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days is the last trekking day. Today’s trek is about 15 km long and takes about 6 whole hours to complete. We will start the trek with a gradual descent past farmlands and small settlements. We will also pass a cardamom plantation, you will definitely notice the aroma of cardamom in the air. Through a series of ascents and descents and crossing multiple suspension bridges, we will finally get to Hamphu Khola. This town is bustling, to say the least, and a sign of modern civilization which we have not seen for weeks. From there, we will get on a jeep to Taplejung. Activity: Drive Max. Altitude: 1,820m/5,971ft. Taplejung Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

The drive to Birtamod is approximately 253 km long from Taplejung, which calls for a 9-hour drive considering the bad condition of the road. We will stay the night in Birtamod, ending the 17th day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days. Activity: Drive Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Today is the last day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- 18 Days. We will drive from Birtamod to Bhadrapur’s airport and take a flight back to Kathmandu. Max. Altitude: 1,350m/4,429ft. Kathmandu Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel