Kanchanjanga Trek

Travel duration 21 Days
Trip Facts
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Destination
Nepal
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Activity
Trekking
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Duration
21 Days
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Difficulty
Expert

Advance trekking grades is best described as Alpine and most strenuous, which require mountaineering and rope climbing skills and knowledge.  The elevations range from 4000m to 6000m from sea level and about 7 hrs walking a day from very remote areas to snow-covered passes.

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Best Seasons
Mar, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
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Group Size
2 - 12
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Trip Starts
Kathmandu
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Trip Ends
Kathmandu

In the east of Nepal, Kanchanjunga is a great trekking destination. With stunning landscape, abundance of greenery and remote location, it is a perfect trekking destination on the lap of Kanchanjanga. The tour offers some of the breathtaking views of Mt. Makalu, Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchanjanga.

Superlative views of Kumbhakarna (Jannu) mountain can be seen from Pang Pema from the altitude of 5,150 meter above the sea level. It is the magical reward to see the stunning views of the towering mountain and the icy blue glacier. On the way back you may notice how wonderful the human and nature works together.

Trip Highlights
  • Enchanting lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and rivers
  • Himalayan sheep, yak, and birds.
  • Reach Kanchanjunga Base Camp of Pang Pema.
  • Excellent view of Kanchanjanga and good views of Mt. Makalu and Mt. Everest
  • Trek past several mountain passes of Sinelapcha, Mirgin, Sinion La and Selele Pass
Itinerary - Day by day

Day 1. Kathmandu: 1,400 m

Arrival in Kathmandu Airport and welcomed by a guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel where the guide would brief the trekking program. You may have some time, depending upon your time of arrival, to explore areas near to the hotel.

  25 minutes


Day 2. Ilam/Phidim

After breakfast fly to Bhadrapur, a 45-minute flight to the east of Nepal, drive to Ilam (3 hours) or Phidim (6 hours). If possible, we try to reach Suketar.

  3 or 6 hours


Day 3. Suketar: 2,420 m-Deurali: 2,600 m-Deurali: 2,600 m

Drive to Suketar (6 hours or Phidim 3 hours from Ilam).  Lunch in Suketar. Mountains of Kabru (7,300 m) and Jannu (7,711 m) are clearly visible from Suketar. Begin trek to Lalikharka. The reason of trekking over the road despite the road connection is to see the magnificent view around as we walk. Gentle ascending walk over the ridge till Deurali through scattered villages and thin forest. Descend through the forest of mixed trees to reach Lalikharka.
 

Ascent 420 m - descent 560 m.

  3-6 hours

  3 hours


Day 4. Kande Bhanjyang: 2,170 m

Descent to Tampawa settlement on the trekking trail. We often need to trail over the motorable road.  Gentle descending trek to Pakora. We see the farms of cardamom and family farms. Cross Phawa Khola river and trek up to through the forest and on the ridge. We have lunch on the way. Steep ascent over the terraced farm field for a couple of hours to Kunjuri. Gentle walk from Kunjuri to Kande Bhanjyang. Camp on the top of the ridge in Kande Bhanjyang.

Kande Bhanjyang offers magical views of Kanchenjunga and Yalung Kang mountains.

Ascent 880 m - descent 1,010 m

  6-7 hours


Day 5. Phumphe Danda: 1,890 m

Gentle trek to start, descend through the village and village fields to a stream of Thado Khola. Cross the typical wooden village bridge, gentle trail over the slope to reach smaller villages and then to a hilltop of Phunphung Danda. Lunch on the way. Steep ascent for a few minutes over the hill. Continue trek to Phumphe Danda over the normal trekking trail. A good view of south face of Kumbhakarna (Jannu) mountain and village of Mamangkhe can be seen from the point. Stay in Phumphe Danda.

Ascent 625 m - descent 890 m.

  4-5 hours


Day 6. Yamphudin: 1,692 m

Descend through the cardamom farms to the stream of Khesewa Khola, gentle ascent through the village farms to the village of Mamangkhe. Lunch on the way. Cross the stream of Kabeli Khola and walk through the gentle trail through the ethnic village of Yamphudin. It is a typical Bhote village of Tibetan influence.

We prepare for a challenging day of trekking the next day and rest earlier.

Ascent 900 m - descent 1,040 m.

  5-6 hours


Day 7. Dhupi Bhanjyang: 2,685 m-Tortong: 3,010 m

Begin to trek little earlier to reach to Tortong. Gentle trail until the stream, steep ascent for a few hours to reach Dhupi Bhanjyang and lunch at the point. Descent slightly and cross the landslide for a few minutes and descent through the forest to Simbua Khola stream. Ascending trail along the river, cross it and reach a small settlement of Tortong.

Ascent 1,400 m - descent 100 m.

  4-5 hours


Day 8. Cheram: 3,910 m

Begin with a gentle ascent along the stream of Simbua Khola. You will observe the change in vegetation as you climb up. We cut the day short to prepare for the longer trekking day tomorrow.

A series of mountains of Kabru can be seen from the Cheram where we camp for the day.

Ascent 990 m - descent 90 m

  3-4 hours


Day 9. Octang: 4,780 m-Cheram: 3,910 m

After breakfast, we begin to ascend gentle to Ramche for a couple of hours. Continue trek to Octang.  It is a magnificent point to see the south face of Kanchanjanga Mountain, mountains around and glaciers. We trek back to Cheram.

Ascent 1,030 m - descent 1,030 m

  7-8 hours


Day 10. Selele: 4,645 m-Selele Base Camp: 4,200 m

Begin to trek in the early morning to Selele. Steep ascent in the beginning and reach Sinelapcha pass. Sinelapcha is a good point to view the mountains around. We cross two other mountain passes of Mirgin and Sinion La. Continue trail to Selele Pass from where we can see the breathtaking views of Kumbhakarna or Jannu Mountain. Descend for an hour to Selele Base Camp for the overnight stay.

Ascent 1,050 m - descent 700 m.

  6-7 hours


Day 11. Mt. Makalu: 8,463 m-Ghunsa: 3,425 m

We have a warm tea to begin the day from where we see the long and picturesque valley of Makalu. Begin trek to Ghunsa through the gentle trail to ridge. From there, we can observe the great views of Mt. Makalu on the way.  As we continue, we descend a couple of hours. through the rhododendron and pine forest and cross the stream nearly two hours to Ghunsa. You will have time and option to visit the village monastery or clean laundry. You may visit the local pub and try popular local wine of Tongba.

Ascent 100 m - descent 880 m.

  3-4 hours


Day 12. Kambachen: 4,110 m

Begin trek to Kambachen. We follow the stream of Ghunsa Khola , walk through the pine and rhododendron forest and see the mani walls on the way. We reach to Rampak Kharka and rest for the lunch there. Gentle ascend for half an hour and cross the suspension bridge over the stream. We reach the camping site of Kambachen.

It is a small open valley to see the mountain peaks around. Jannu Mountain or Kumbhakarna peak is a stunning view from the point.

Ascent 815 m - descent 165 m

  5-6 hours


Day 13. Lhonak: 4,800 m

Trek to Lhonak. Gentle ascent for the whole day. We trail along the stream and over the pebble for most the day. We see the yaks and blue sheep during the trail. We may taste the local cheese at cow-sheds on the way. Reach grassy plain land of Lhonak. This is a good place to see the glacier of the Mt. Kanchanjanga. 

Ascent 765 m - descent 95 m.

  5-6 hours


Day 14. Pang Pema: 5,150 m-Kanchanjunga: 8,586 m-Lhonak: 4,800 m

A day hike to see the north face of Mt. Kanchanjunga from Pang Pema. Gentle ascent to begin and as we trail on the edge of the glacier. It is the base camp of Mt. Kanchanjunga. It is the only place from where we can see the north face of Mt. Kanchanjunga. 
Trek back to Lhonak.

Ascent 480 m - descent 480 m

  7-8 hours


Day 15. Ghunsa: 3,425 m

Trek back to Ghunsa. Lunch in Rampak Kharka and reach Ghunsa.

Ascent 150 m - descent 1,525 m

  7-8 hours


Day 16. Phale: 3,215 m-Amji Losa: 2,500 m

After Ghunsa, cross the suspension bridge and gentle trek through the forest. In an hour, we reach the Tibetan influenced village of Phale. It is a trading route between Nepal and Tibet. 

Trek along the stream to reach Gyabla. There are several ups and downs during the day. Before arriving Amji Losa, we ascend for an hour. This is the last ascent of the tour. 

Ascent 400 m - descent 1,325 m

  6-7 hours


Day 17. Topethok: 1,322 m

Trek to Topethok. Begin the last day of trekking with a descent to Ghunsa Khola stream, cross the suspension bridge and trail along the stream and through the villages of Sekathun and Lelep. We see the cardamom farms on the narrow valley. We reach the village of Topethok. It is a village of Chhetri ethnic group.

Time to say goodbye to the trekking crew and thank them.

Ascent 100 m - descent 1,270 m.

  5-6 hours


Day 18. Ilam: 1,206 m

Drive to Ilam. The reason to stay in Ilam is to see the greenery around, visit tea farm and buy organic tea from the garden. Stay in Ilam.

  8-9 hours


Day 19.

Drive to Bhadrapur airport. Fly back to Kathmandu.

transfer to the hotel.

  2-2.5 hours

  45 minutes


Day 20. Kathmandu Valley

Options for sightseeing to World Heritage Sites/city walk/ayurvedic massage or rest in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Valley has, perhaps, the densest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Seven UNESCO WHS of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Boudhha, Pashupati, Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhu, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Changu Narayan Temple are framed within 400 sq km. For a full day tour exploring three UNESCO WHS are comfortably possible. For example, you may choose Bhaktapur Durbar Square (a medieval city square), Pashupati (the holiest Hindu temple) and Bouddha (a Buddhist stupa) for a smart mix of culture and architecture with two major religious (Buddhism and Hinduism) sites of Nepal.


Day 21. Flight back home

Free time in Kathmandu and transfer to the airport in time to fly back home.

Includes
  • Hotel accommodation (3 star ) in Bed and Breakfast Basis in Kathmandu
  • Tea House accommodation during trek
  • All meals (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast ) during trek
  • Activities & Sightseeing as per itinerary, above
  • English speaking trekking guide
  • Porter ( 1 porter = 2 guest )
  • Round Trip ( Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu ) flight tickets
  • All Permits , National Park, Entrance fees.
  • All tours and transfer private car , private driver . etc.
  • First aid Medicine Kit
  • Government Taxes & Service Charge
Excludes
  • Nepali Visa fee
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Soft drinks including Water
  • Personal Trekking Equipments
  • Hot Showers during treks
  • Tips and Gratuities for trekking staff and other assistant
  • International Air fare
  • trip map and trip video please hide for the moment
  • trip expert contact details
  • activity types: whether the itinerary is trekking or expedition or yoga/meditation or any other
  • trekking regions for the trekking itineraries

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