Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
This Nepal adventure trek takes you to the base camp of the world's third tallest mountain, allowing you to witness its grandeur up close. Immersed in untouched nature and Himalayan serenity, every step unfolds the raw beauty of this majestic region. This trek offers a life-changing experience amidst the wonders of the Himalayas.
Highlights
-
Hard
-
25 Days
-
All around the year except rainy season (June and
-
trekking through villages, sunrise and sunset view, Himalayan view,
-
Hotel and Lodge
-
flight, reserve jeep/ private vehcile
-
Off-beaten trip
-
Trek
Outline Itinerary
-
Day 1 Kathmandu - 1400m altitude: approx. 30 minutes' drive
-
Day 2 Preparation day & permit collection: Sightseeing at UNESCO Heritage Sites: Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pasupatinath followed by evening Aarati : 8-9 hours
-
Day 3 Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur: 45 minutes, Drive to Taplejung (1442 m); approx. 245 km & 9 hours drive
-
Day 4 Trek Taplejung to Lalikharka (2265m/7,431ft): 4 - 5 hours
-
Day 5 Trek Lalikharka to Khesewa (2120m/6,955ft): 5 - 6 hours
-
Day 6 Trek Khesewa to Mamankhe (1785m/5,856ft): 5 - 6 hours
-
Day 7 Trek Mamankhe to Yamphudin (2080m/6824ft): 4 -5 hours
-
Day 8 Trek Yamphudin to Tortong (2,995m/9,826ft): 7 -8 hours
-
Day 9 Trek Tortong to Cheram (3,870m/12,696ft): 2 -3 hours
-
Day 10 Acclimatization Day at Cheram
-
Day 11 Trek Cheram to Ramchaur (Ramche) (4,580m/15,026ft): 3 - 4 hours
-
Day 12 Trek Ramchaur (Ramche) to Yalung Base Camp (4500m), back to Cheram: 3 - 4 hours
-
Day 13 Trek Cheram to Sele La (4290m/ 14,074ft): 6 -7 hours
-
Day 14 Trek Sele La to Ghunsa (3,595m/11,794ft): 2 -3 hours
-
Day 15 Trek Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050m/13,287ft): 5 -6 hours
-
Day 16 Trek Kambachen to Lhonak (4,780m/15,682ft): 5 -6 hours
-
Day 17 Excursion towards Kanchenjunga base camp, overnight at Pangpema (5,143/16,873ft): 6 -7 hours
-
Day 18 Trek Pangpema to Lhonak (4,780m/15,682ft): 3 - 4 hours
-
Day 19 Trek Lhonak to Ghunsa (3475m/11,400ft): 8 hours
-
Day 20 Trek Ghunsa to Amjilosa (2,308m/7,572ft): 5 -6 hours
-
Day 21 Trek Amjilosa to Chirwa (1,270m/4,166ft): 6 -7 hours
-
Day 22 Trek Chirwa to Taplejung (1442 m) via Mitlung (921m): 7 -8 hours trek
-
Day 23 Drive Taplejung (1442 m) to Bhadrapur (91 m): 9 hours
-
Day 24 Fly back to Kathmandu: 45 minutes: Evening farewell dinner at authentic Nepali restaurant with live cultural show
-
Day 25 Departure
Includes
Cost Includes
1. Transport in Private Vehicle with A/C
• Arrival & departure tranfer
• Kathmandu-Bhadrapur, Bhadrapur - Kathmandu (flight)
• Bhadrapur to Taplejung to Bhadrapur in reserve Jeep
2. Accommodations:
• Kathmandu (3Ns)
• Basic Tea House Accommodation during trekking (21Ns)
3. Meals:
• All breakfasts
• Lunches: 19 lunches during trekking
• Dinners: 19 dinners during trekking & one farewell dinner in authentic Nepali restaurant with live cultural show
4. Trekking Package:
• Tea House Accommodations, English Speaking License Holder Guide and all his expenses, all meals during trekking and trekking map
5. Taxes, Service Charges and Permits :
• All the applicable services charges, government taxes, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit & Restricted Area Permit.
Excludes
Cost Excludes
1. International Airfare, Nepal VISA Fees ($50 per person), Excess baggage charge in Domestic flight, if any , Travel Insurance
2. Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
3. All entrance fees during sightseeing
4. Meals not listed in the itinerary (Except during trekking)
5. Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc
6. Expenses during any rescue operation
7. Cost for Porter: if required who can carry maximum 20 kg of luggage
8. Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc
9. Payment Transfer Charge
10. Hotels check out as per the hotel rules.
11. Any extra expenses incurred from flight cancellation or delay, sudden price escalations in hotels, transport, flight or any other items, any form of rescue
Detail Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives from Aarya Village Travel shall meet, assist and transfer you to your hotel. You will enjoy welcome drinks while you will be briefed about your Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.
After breakfast, begin a full day of sightseeing at UNESCO World Heritage sites. Start with Patan Durbar Square, renowned for its rich Malla-era art and architecture, dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. Explore the square’s temples, monuments, and palaces, and visit local Thangka painters and metal shops offering handcrafted brass sculptures. Enjoy local cuisine in Patan’s vibrant alleys.
Next, visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley and insight into Buddhist symbolism. The stupa’s dome represents the world, and its painted eyes symbolize wisdom and compassion.
Proceed to Boudhanath Stupa, the largest in the valley, and a significant center for Tibetan Buddhism. Its massive structure and surrounding monasteries form a giant mandala of Buddhist cosmology.
In the evening, drive to Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River's banks. Witness the evening Aarati ceremony, a spellbinding ritual of chanting, incense, and lamp-lighting, celebrating Lord Shiva.
Your Trek to Kanchenjunga starts after catching a early flight to Bhadrapur then drive (approximately 8-9 hours) on to Taplejung situated in south-eastern Nepal. Taplejung municipality is known for its beauty, amazing landscapes, diverse flora and fauna. From alpine grasslands to peaks that rise over 7000m.
Tonight we spend at a basic Tea House.
Our Kanchenjunga Trek today lasts for 4-5 hours. Our destination, Lalikharka, is a picturesque village in the Mechi Zone. The trail consists of several ascents and descents while we pass through thick forests.
After breakfast, we start out on a trail that's mostly downhill till we reach Phundrawa. Gradually the trail ascends and gets steeper upto Yangpang from where the climb is a steady uphill through Phumphe Danda onwards to our destination for the day, Khesewa. We spend the night here.
Kabeli khola awaits us as we head out this morning after a hearty breakfast. Onwards we pass through forests, small streams, scenic village and stunning Himalayan views till we reach Mamankhe. Overnight at Mamankhe
Make sure you've had a good breakfast and are properly hydrated throughout this trek, as today we have a gradual uphill route parallel to the Kabeli Khola (river). We pass by waterfalls, stunning ridges, a suspension bridge amongst the other usual spectacular views on the trail. It is at this suspension bridge the restricted zone of Kanchenjunga South begins. Here we pass through jungles to reach Lamite Bhanjyang and rest for a while. We descend downhill from here, cross a small river to reach Yamphudin. If you are observant you will notice the subtle differences in the people of this village, as they are a diverse mix of Sherpas, Limbus, Rai and Gurung's. Passing through small settle we spend the night at Yamphudin.
We follow the footsteps of the villagers using the paths through terraces fields and green pastures. We get a not just a glimpse but an understanding of the farming methods used by the people of the area all while we have the Himalayas looming over us. The trail continues along Amji Khola, further we pass Lassiya Bhanjyang before we reach Tortong where we spend the night.
We leave Tortong behind as we steadily climb to Cheram after breakfast. The Simbuwa Khola accompanies us on the left of our trail. Taplung Peak looks down on us as we meander through the beautiful Lalung Valley for most of today's journey. Further we pass rhododendron forests and enjoy the breath-taking Yalung glacier. We spend the night at Cheram.
In order to get our mind and body ready for the altitudes ahead, we spend the day at Cheram acclimatizing. Acclimatization is necessary and required as high altitudes affect travellers very differently. We can spend the time exploring Yalung Glacier and visit the viewpoint to view Kaburu and Rathong Peaks. This is one the highlights of Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Nepal.
After a day of acclimatization we leave Cheram ascending for a while before we reach the snout of Yalung Glacier. The views on the route as spectacular as usual as we thread through the valley with the spectacular mountains all along the route. We come to a small settlement called Lapsang before we reach Ramche where we spend the night.
We walk up the valley after we leave Ramche following a stream before we climb on the moraine top until we reach the south face of Kanchenjunga. On our way we reach Oktang Monastery. Heading further up we reach the Yalung Base Camp. From here you get amazing vies of Kumbakarna (Jannu), Nyukla Lachung and other Himalayan peaks are close by. We descend and spend the night at Cheram.
As always listening to the advice of the guide and Sherpa are very important as today we cross four passes, starting with Sinelapche Bhanjyang. And then to Mirgin La pass. We continue trekking and reach the Sinion La pass which is not very far. From here, we ascend to Sele La pass. There are prayer flags strung across one of the steeper sections of the trail which is very near to the Sele La pass. We cross the pass. Overnight in Sele La.
Today, after breakfast we head north with Tangbgharma Danda close by. Market with prayer flags we reach a chorten which signals the start of a steep ascent. Later we descend through rhododendron, birch and pine forests on the way to Ghunsa. Ghunsa is a beautiful village whose houses are made with dark weathered pine walls, the village is decorated with Buddhist prayer flags. We spend the night here at Ghunsa.
Waling by the river bank with dazzling mountain scenery, passing through meadows filled with wildflowers, passing through rhododendron and pine forests, we then cross a bridge at Rampuk Kharka. Passing waterfalls we come to a tricky section, due to continuous landslides this porting is quite dangerous and you must listen to your guides advice. From here we see Mt. Jannu as the trail is still tricky and challenging we reach Kambachen where we spend the night.
Have a good breakfast, stay hydrated throughout. A challenging day awaits. Starting early through rocky landscape with large boulders on hillsides along the riverbanks, we pass a waterfall which is a respite from the arduous trail. We then cross a bridge and come to Ramtang Monastery. Again we tread through another landslide section which we pass through steadily. We then descend to the river and reach our destination for the day, Lhonak. Overnight in Lhonak.
Today we Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. From Lhonak our trail passes alongside the Kanchenjunga Glacier. Passing Pang Pema it's downhill to the Base Camp. The view from the Camp are spectacular from here you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga, Jannu Himal, and other Himalayan peaks. We head back to Pangpema to spend the night.
Spend some time capturing the majestic Kanchenjunga North face as we shall be returning to Lhonak. Again certain paths are landslide prone and quite rocky. We trace our way back to Lhonak where we spend the night.
Today, after breakfast, our journey will last about 8 hours. Walking back to Ghunsa is relatively easy as it is mostly downhill. Here we collect the gear we left behind earlier. Descending through the jungles and walking by the river Kambachen, on our path is littered with prayer flags blowing in the winds, hanging on trees. We again cross the wooden bridge to reach Ghunsa.
Another day of descents. We trek to Phale and pass through several Mannes with a monastery. The route passes through Juniper forests before we reach Phale. Further we head towards Gyabla crossing the bridge over Chhundatangka Khola to reach Gyabla. We pass waterfalls and a suspension bridge over Sumbung Khola before we reach Amjilosa where we spend the night
Today too we pass by waterfalls, we also pass the settlement of Solima. At Ghunsa Khola we cross over a suspension bridge and reach Sukathum. We pass several villages along the way and walk beside the Thunsa Khola, then the Tamor Nadi till we get to Chirwa. We spend the night here.
The trail today is filled with rich green landscapes, quaint villages with its cheerful people, flora and fauna. We finally reach the welcoming village of Mitlung
The trek is over, alas. From here it's by jeep to Bhadrapur from Taplejung. The drive lasts approximately 8-9 hours through villages and towns and scenic landscapes. You will notice a change in the climate as the landscape changes from alpine to fertile valleys. We will spend our final night at Bhadrapur.
Our amazing journey to the Kanchenjunga circuit comes to an end today. After Breakfast drive to Bhadrapur airport and fly back to Kathmandu. Check into hotel and get some refreshments & relaxation.
In the evening, you will be taken to an authentic Nepali restaurant for a Typical Nepali Dinner along with live cultural show performed by different ethnic groups. It may last for 3 hours. Thus we conclude your memorable Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Nepal.
Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Aarya Village Travel will transfer you to the airport for final departure to your home country.
