Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking Holiday - 23 Days
Kanchenjunga Trekking Holiday
An exceptional trekking adventure into the heart of the Himalayas and a true immersion experience in Limbu, Rai, Sherpa and Tamang cultures.
Do you want to experience a real wilderness adventure and immerse yourself in an unusual and authentic trekking experience?
Day 01. Welcome to Nepal | Trek Briefing
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. He will then drive you to your hotel. At the hotel, you will receive a detailed pre-departure briefing.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Meals: Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 02. Flight to Bhadrapur
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hostel.
Day 03. Drive to Tharpu through Ilam (≈ 8-9 hours)
Early in the morning, we will drive from Bhadrapur to Tharpu, starting point of our trek, via Ilam, by private vehicle. The hills of Ilam are draped with lush green tea gardens. Ilam, land of tea, is also home to the endangered Red Panda and a birdwatching paradise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 04. Trek from Tharpu to Phakholing (≈ 4 hours)
Our first trekking day. We will start our trek softly through the subtropical forest, from Tharpu to Phakholing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 05. Trek from Phakholing to Khebang (1740m) | ≈ 6-7 hours
We will continue our trek through the rice fields to Khebang, a beautiful Limbu village.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 06. Trek from Khebang to Yamphudin (2080m) | ≈ 5-6 hours
Trek from Khebang to Yamphudin. Yamphudin is the entrance (checkpoint) of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, and the last "real" village before Ghunsa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 07. Trek from Yamphudin to Tortong (2995m) | ≈ 7-8 hours
It'll be a long hiking day from Yamphudin to Tortong. We will cross the Amji Khola river, climb to the crest of Dhupi Bhanjyang, before hiking down through the rhododendron forest to Omje Khola. Then, we will ascend to Lamite Bhanjyang via Chitre, and hike down to cross a wooden bridge over the Simbuwa Khola. The trail will finally lead us to Tortong. Enjoy the fantastic views of Jannu and Kanchenjunga along the way.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 08. Trek from Tortong to Tseram (3870m) | ≈ 5-6 hours
Beautiful hiking day from Tortong to Tseram through the rhododendron forest. You will be gaining elevation today. Amazing views on the Yalung Glacier and the Kabru Peak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 09. Acclimatization day in Tseram (3870m)
The key to a successful trek in the Himalayas is a proper acclimatization to high altitude. Today, we will hike around Tseram.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 10. Trek from Tseram to Ramche (4620m) | ≈ 4 hours
Short hike from Tseram to Ramche today. The views on the Yalung Glacier are absolutely astonishing in Ramche. We will spend the night in Ramche, or we will hike back to Tseram.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 11. Trek from Ramche to Oktang (Kanchenjunga South Base Camp) (4730m) and back to Tseram
Today, we will have a close encounter with the impressive Kanchenjunga massif. Four of its peaks are above 8400meters. We will walk along the Yalung Glacier before reaching the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Exceptional panoramic views of Jannu and Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
Then, we will hike back to Tseram.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 12. Trek from Tseram to Selele (4290m) via Sinelapche La and Mirgin La | ≈ 6-7 hours
We will leave the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp route and follow the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp route. We will trek from Tseram to Selele, via Sinelapche La Pass and Mirgin La Pass.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 13. Trek from Selele to Ghunsa (3475m) | ≈ 4-5 hours
We will cross the Sele La Pass and hike to the village of Ghunsa. Beautiful panoramic views on the south-est face of Jannu. In Ghunsa, if you wish, do not hesitate to try the "Tongba", traditional drink of Limbus.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 14. Trek from Ghunsa to Khambachen (4040m) | ≈ 6 hours
We will walk through the Ghunsa Khola valley and enjoy the magnificent views on the Jannu. We will continue our trek to Khambachen.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 15. Trek from Khambachen to Lhonak (4790m) | ≈ 6 hours
We will ascend progressively to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. We will continue our trek from Khambachen to Lhonak. Enjoy the magnificent mountain landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 16. Trek from Lhonak to Pang Pema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp) (5120m) and back to Lhonak | ≈ 8-9 hours
We will walk along the glacier up to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. We will enjoy a brand new (and breathtaking!) panorama on the north face of Kanchenjunga.
Then, we will hike back to Lhonak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 17. Trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa (3475m) | ≈ 7-8 hours
We will trek back along the Ghunsa Khola river to Ghunsa, via Khambachen.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 18. Trek from Ghunsa to Amjilessa (2490m) | ≈ 7-8 hours
Long steep descent through lush valleys. We will hike from Ghunsa to Amjilessa, via Phale and Gyabla villages. This area is renowned for its bamboo forests and red pandas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 19. Trek from Amjilessa to Chhiruwa (1200m) | ≈ 6-7 hours
Our last trekking day. We will walk through the rice fields and many millet, cardamom and potato fields. We will continue our descent to Sukathum, near the Tamur river. Then, we will cross Tapethok before reaching Chhiruwa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house.
Day 20. Drive from Chhiruwa to Barbote via Taplejung (≈ 8-9 hours)
Small hike south of Chhiruwa. Then, our private vehicle will come to pick us up. We will cross Sukhetar and Taplejung villages, before reaching Barbote. Tonight, you will stay with Narendra and his family, at their tea farm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in a tea fam.
Day 21. Contingency day or day trip to Mai Pokhari
We add this day as a contingency day (necessary on this trek). We also advise allowing 2 extra days at the end of the trip in case of unforeseen circumstances. If everything goes well, we will visit the wetlands of Mai Pokhari, important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists and Ramsar site since October 2008.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in a tea farm.
Day 22. Drive to Bhadrapur / Flight to Kathmandu (45 min) / Free time, Leisure and shopping, Farewell celebration dinner
After breakfast, we will drive to Bhadrapur and fly back to Kathmandu.
In the evening, in Kathmandu, we will have our farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where you will also enjoy a Nepali cultural dance show.
Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 23. Departure
After a fun-filled trekking holiday, our journey ends. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your trip. We will take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. If you have time and would like to extend your stay in Nepal, we would be happy to offer our recommendations.
Meals: Breakfast.
This itinerary is intended to be a guideline; local conditions and weather may necessitate slight itinerary variations. The mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable. We strongly advise allowing 2 contingency days in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is now doable as a Tea House Trek. We organize this trek as a "Tea House trek" (small groups only - limited to 8 people). However, we can also organize the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek as a "camping trek" or a "camping and tea house trek" on request.
- Rucksack or duffle bag.
- Daypack.
- Outdoor clothing: Outdoor clothing should be tough and comfortable. Wearing several thin layers is better than a few thick layers.
- Mountaineering / trekking boots, trainers & sport sandals. Lightweight socks & med-heavy wool socks.
- Gaiters.
- Crampons.
- Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder with Water Purification Tablets. We recommend LifeStraw, an advanced water filter bottle.
- Trekking Pants & Shorts.
- Trekking shirts.
- Lightweight thermal pants.
- Breathable underwear.
- Fleece jacket.
- Down jacket.
- 1 waterproof jacket.
- Gloves.
- Scarf.
- Sun hat and knit cap.
- Sunglasses.
- Balaclava.
- Trekking poles.
- Sleeping bag.
- Sunscreen.
- Flashlight.
- Wash kit & Travel towel.
- Medicine (in particular, diarrhea medication): Isotonic Powder/ Basic First Aid Kit/ Diamox/ Oximeter / Ibuprofen for general aches and pains/ Imodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Copies of important documents (passport, vaccination certificates, travel insurance), air tickets & extra passport photos.
- Power adapters.
- Padlocks.
- Camera with extra cards and extra batteries.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your trek.
*THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off (private vehicle).
- Experienced and government licensed trekking guide/s (2 to 5 members: 1 trekking leader/ 6 to 8 members: 1 trekking leader + 1 trekking guide).
- Personal porter service (1 porter : 2 members).
- All ground transportation (private vehicle).
- 2 Flight tickets: Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and Bhadrapur to Kathmandu.
- Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel on twin sharing basis in Kathmandu / Hostel on twin sharing basis in Bhadrapur / Homestay in Barbote / Local tea houses during the trek.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Trekking map.
- First aid kits including a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen during your trek.
- Satellite phone.
- Welcome dinner and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your trek.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights.
- Excess baggage fees (domestic flights).
- Tips for porters, guides & others.
- Personal climbing boots, clothing & equipment.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- Medical examination (if required) & vaccination costs.
- Visa fees.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
Kathmandu: 3-Star Hotel.
Bhadrapur: Hostel.
Barbote: Homestay (tea farm).
During the trek: Local tea houses.
The tea houses (or family homestays) on the Kanchenjunga Circuit are basic; the quality varies and the comfort becomes more rudimentary as you ascend in altitude. Showers often mean a bucket of water. Most of the tea houses have basic access to electricity and WiFi is not often available. The rooms do not have heaters; bring a sleeping bag with you for the nights at high altitudes. Toilets (squat toilets) are outside the rooms; tea houses do not provide toilet paper; do not forget to bring a couple of rolls with you.
Meals:
Kathmandu: Breakfasts, Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner.
During the trek (except in Bhadrapur on day 2): Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners.
Health:
Excellent level of fitness.
Very active walker-climber in good health.
Experience:
You should be able to walk for 5 to 9 hours in a day.
You are required as a condition of booking to have an adequate travel insurance.
Please note: Before your arrival, we will send you a complete detailed brochure regarding Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and how to prevent it. Please read this brochure carefully.
Our local trekking guides are highly experienced in preventing, recognizing and treating altitude sickness. They will monitor your health closely during your trek. A proper acclimatization is not only essential but also a necessary life-saving measure.
