The Kanchenjunga trek is one of the most impressive in Nepal, located in a remote area in the northeast, right on the border with Sikkim, in the middle of a huge territory and where it is difficult to reach. From the first days we will see the Kanchenjunga in the distance, beyond the line of the many valleys that we will have to cross. Some incredible days await us through all kinds of landscapes and far from the comforts of other treks.
25 days / 24 nights full trip in Nepal (minimum recommended)
18 days’ trek + 4 days to go and back
High, demanding
Highest altitude 5140m
Highest altitude overnight 4780m
Local mountain guide English speaking
Accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu
Meals and overnight in basic lodges during the trek
Transfers in private vehicle, flights and local bus/collective jeep
$2.345*
The Kanchenjunga circuit, which visits the south side and then links up with the north side, is a demanding trek, but at the same time, it is an unforgettable one. It takes a couple of days to get to the starting point, to get into terraced fields and small villages and farms scattered where their inhabitants subsist on agriculture and some livestock. Beyond it seems that we enter into an almost empty area, with dense forests and very few human settlements, to finally, as suddenly, enter into alpine areas, with yaks grazing here and there, among small seasonal huts for shepherds. Approaching 5000 meters of altitude, we cross through successive small passes to reach the valley of the northern side, which is much more humanized. Here the landscape becomes more spectacular if possible. We enter fully into areas of high and icy peaks and glaciers, with the beautiful Jannu Peak watching our steps. We are really far from everything and finally, we will reach the foot of the Kanchenjunga, “the five snow treasures”. It is not all done, we still have to return through an impressive valley, sometimes at a high altitude above the cliff, others perhaps too close to the river, entering to a lower and more humanized lands, in a journey that we will never forget.
Here the paths are neither easy nor, many times, clear. This is a trek for which you must be ready for any contingency. The infrastructure is scarce, far from the luxurious lodges, steel suspension bridges and “highways” for hikers. Relatively long days where we will feel very small in the midst of so much grandeur, and where every day is a small challenge. Enjoy it!
day 1 |
| Arrive to Nepal. Kathmandu |
day 2 | 1 | Flight to Bhadrapur ~45′. Bus/collective jeep to Ilam ~3h/4h |
day 3 | 2 | Bus/collective jeep to Taplejung (1445m) ~5h/6h |
day 4 | 3 | Trek to Lali Kharka (2265m) ~6h |
day 5 | 4 | Trek to Kande Bhanjyang (2130m) ~6h |
day 6 | 5 | Trek to Mamankhe (1785m) ~8h |
day 7 | 6 | Trek to Sherpagaon (2300m) ~5h |
day 8 | 7 | Trek to Tortong (2995m) ~7h |
day 9 | 8 | Trek to Tseram (3870m) ~6h |
day 10 | 9 | Trek to Ramche (4580m) and Oktang (4730m), and back to Tseram ~8h |
day 11 | 10 | Trek to Tselela Camp, via Sinelapche Bhanjyang (4664m), Mirgin-la (4480m) y Sinion-la (4440m) ~6h |
day 12 | 11 | Trek to Ghunsa (3595m) via Tsele-la (4290m) ~4h |
day 13 | 12 | Rest day in Ghunsa |
day 14 | 13 | Trek to Khambachen (4100m) ~5h30 |
day 15 | 14 | Trek to Lhonak (4780m) ~5h30 |
day 16 | 15 | Trek to Pang Pema (5140m) and back to Lhonak ~9h |
day 17 | 16 | Trek to Ghunsa (3595m) ~7h30 |
day 18 | 17 | Trek to Gyabla ~4h30 |
day 19 | 18 | Trek to Amjilosa (2550m) ~4h |
day 20 | 19 | Trek to Chirwa (1450m) ~6h/7h |
day 21 | 20 | Trek to Taplejung (2445m) ~7h/8h |
day 22 | 21 | Bus/collective jeep to Bhadrapur ~9h |
day 23 | 22 | Flight to Kathmandu |
day 24 |
| Kathmandu free day |
day 25 |
| Returning flight |
* This itinerary is designed with an arrival flight in Nepal in the morning in mind. In case the flight arrived in Kathmandu in the afternoon or evening, the schedule would be adapted.
FULL TRIP according program
PRICE INCLUDES
· Welcome on arrival
· All transfers and trips by private vehicle AC and bus/collective jeep Bhadrapur to Taplejung and back
· Flight Kathmandu – Bhadrapur (Suketar if avalaible) – Kathmandu
· 3 nights with breakfast in Kathmandu at Mandala Boutique Hotel
· Accommodation in lodges and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description
· English speaking Mountain Guide during the trek
· 1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax
· 1 porter each 2 clients
· 1 cook/porter
· TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)
· Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entrance fee
· Kanchenjunga Special Permit
· All government taxes and VAT
· Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff
PRICE EXCLUDES
· International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal
· Entry Nepal VISA
· Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)
· Tips to staff
· Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense
· During the trek hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense
· Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.
· In general, any concept not specified in the program, as well as any type of personal assistance to the traveller for matters outside the program of this trip.
JUST TREK with no services out of the trek itinerary in Kathmandu
PRICE INCLUDES
· All transfers and trips by private vehicle AC and bus/collective jeep Bhadrapur to Taplejung and back
· Flight Kathmandu – Bhadrapur (Suketar if avalaible) – Kathmandu
· Accommodation in lodges and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description
· English speaking Mountain Guide during the trek
· 1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax
· 1 porter each 2 clients + porter for extra stuff
· 1 cook/porter
· TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)
· Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entrance fee
· Kanchenjunga Special Permit
· All government taxes and VAT
· Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff
PRICE EXCLUDES
· International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal
· Entry Nepal VISA (check information)
· Tips to staff
· Any service out of the trek
· Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense
· Hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense
· Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.
· In general, any concept not specified in the program, as well as any type of personal assistance to the traveller for matters outside the program of this trip.
* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers in full format as described in the program.
If you prefer, you can contract only the trek, from the pick-up at your accommodation to the return. Without services outside the trek.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.
As we have already indicated, this trek is demanding. You have to be physically and mentally prepared. It is a long trek where some days are hard.
It is a trek that, for years, since it was opened in 1988, has been a tented camp. However, with time, the number of houses that accommodate hikers and the lodges have increased and their conditions have gradually improved, some being quite comfortable, while others are really very basic. For groups of 6 people or more it may be convenient to choose to sleep in tents.
There may be exposed passages, such as the area of landslides before Kambachen or the footbridges over the river in the Chirwa stage, but these are not the only ones and conditions may vary from year to year. People who are very sensitive to vertigo or who are not used to demanding mountain routes should consider whether this route is a good option for them.
The Kanchenjunga trek passes through an area of special protection, which implies that a special permit is required and that the minimum number of trek components must be two people plus a guide.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Programs may have to be adapted according to the schedules of your flights to Nepal. The itineraries are designed taking into account that the international flight arrives at Kathmandu in the morning or noon. If you arrive to Nepal afternoon or later it would be better to have a margin day before starting your trek, although it is not essential.
DO YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP?
Related to the trek itinerary and Kathmandu and/or Pokhara staying we plan the “minimum days recommended” to have a comfortable and safe trip and trek. But always is a good idea to add some extra day during the trek (for rest or as safety extra day) or in your days in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Like all our tours, the itinerary can be customized and adapted to the taste, needs and preferences of the traveller, especially when it comes to staying in Nepal outside the trek route.
You can opt for the full trip or just hiring the trek and travel on your own in Nepal.
EXPERIENCES TO NEPAL OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM
Whether for free days in Kathmandu or Pokhara, as if you want to add more days to your trip, we offer a number of options and extensions. With them you can add and complete activities and experiences on your trip. Some are already included in some program, but in general we prefer that you choose them on your own, if you are interested in any, depending on your tastes and way of traveling. Ask us for more information if you are interested.
WE ENJOY TALKING WITH YOU
Contact us to obtain the complete dossier of this itinerary, inquiry for all the information you need and ask us any questions you may have.