Kanchenjunga circuit trek is a restricted trekking trail of Nepal that is located in a remote area but it is one of amazing treks in Nepal that attracts many adventure loving trekkers to take up the challenge to trek the third world highest mountain. This trail witnesses lesser crowds and allows you to enjoy the unique insight into the rural Nepalese lifestyle, stunning mountain views, experience Sherpa tribes and the Buddhism culture along the way.
Maximum Altitude: 5143 m / 16873 ft
Trek Starts / Ends : Taplejung / Khamdime
Trek Grade: Challenging
Highlights of trek:
– Experience the solitude and pristine beauty of one of Nepal’s least visited trekking region
– Discover the essence of local ethnic communities like limbu and Sherpa people, their cultures and way of life
– Breathtaking Kanchenjunga Himalayan Panorama: Mt.Kanchenjunga 8,586m, Kanchenjunga center 8,473m and Kanchenjunga south 8,476m ,Khambachen Peak 7902m and many other beautiful mountains
– Wide rang of terrains, terraced fields to high alpine meadows, beautiful Glacial Lakes, Waterfalls
– Biodiversity hotspot home to rare wildlife such as red panda, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Blue Sheep as well as diverse plant species
Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transfer to your hotel at Thamel, Kathmandu by private car. In the evening, you will be taken for welcome dinner in one of the authentic Nepali restaurant.
Depending upon your arrival time, you can also have a few options for activities. You can relax at the hotel or go out and explore the city on your own or with an English speaking guide (optional add on). Here are some best options to consider:
Explore around Thamel – a colorful tourist hub of Nepal. You will spot numbers of hotels, money exchange, hotels, shops for trekking gears, etc and many restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali cuisines.
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a great place to start your exploration. You can follow narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants.
If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley. You can also take a cab which is approximately about 15 minutes drive from Thamel if you are too tired to walk.
Visit the Garden of dreams, which is a classical historical garden located at Thamel(about 5-10 min walk). It is an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture, and beautiful flowers and trees.
Detailed trek briefing at your hotel in presence of your trek guide. You can ask any questions you might have. Today is the day for the preparation of a special permit of Kanchenjunga trek from the immigration department. While we look after the necessary paperwork for permit preparation, you can enjoy a guided Kathmandu tour of popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nepal: Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. Today, you will get to know many interesting facts and stories about Hindu and Buddhist culture, history and the people of Nepal from your local tour guide. You can take your own time as you like at each temple to explore around and asking the questions to your tour guide (this is a private tour just for you) for spending your time in Kathmandu.
Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most popular UNESCO world heritage sites located about 11 km from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu. The stupa is massive mandala and it is one of the largest unique structure’s stupas in the world with a long history. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism.
Pashupatinath Temple is a famous and sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, approximately 5 km north-east of Kathmandu dedicated to Shiva. You will see many Sadhu monks and the cremations taking place across the holy river of this temple.
Morning, you will be picked up by your trek guide and drive to the airport one hour before your flight to Bhadrapur. We will have scenic domestic flight with views of mountains including Mt. Everest . Bhadrapur is in lower altitude so the temperature will be high. Upon arrival at Bhadrapur, we will drive to Taplejung which will take about 9-10 hours as the road is a bit narrow and rough.
The first day of our trekking starts from Taplejung which is mostly downhill. It is an easy walk through the Tamur river, crossing the small farming village of Mitlung. Further, we will follow the trail that climbs towards a beautiful village named Sinwa. After passing the suspension bridge at Tawa, we will reach Chiruwa which is a beautiful place to explore the rest of your time after settling in.
Today we will start our today’s trek from Chirwa towards Lelep. Our trek will be about 6 to 7 hours long, and along the way, we will pass through Tapethok Checkpoint before reaching Lelep.
The trail is mostly slippery. So we need to be very careful in today’s trail. We will pass through beautiful waterfalls and suspension bridge on the way. We will see some beautiful monasteries and observe the culture and lifestyle of Sherpa and Tibetan people living in this area.
Today we will have an easy walking through the dense forests filled with oak bamboos and rhododendron trees. There are no any villages on the way. So the route will be totally remote and quiet.
After breakfast, we start our trek towards Gunsa. Today we will reach the beautiful Tibetan village named Phole which is in half of the way between Gyabla to Gunsa. After taking a break in this village for some photographs and exploring around and having lunch here, we start walking for further approximately 3 hours to reach Ghunsa.
Today we utilize our time to acclimatize with the nature and altitude of Kanchenjunga region. Ghunsa is also considered as the capital of the Kanchenjunga region which is a perfect place to rest and explore around. It is competitively more developed than other villages with accommodation telecommunications and good meals facilities. Today we will visit beautiful monastery and nearby ridge from where we can enjoy the beautiful view of Jannu Peak.
After leaving Ghunsa, we will follow the trail that goes along the east bank of the river. After crossing the bridge at Rumpak Kharka, we will continue our trek that passes through the sacred waterfall, which is also considered the danger of stone falls because of landslide affected area. Today’s trail can be a bit challenging due to the increasing altitude.
Trek from Kambachen to Lhonak(4750 m / about 5 hrs)
Our today’s trail goes along the north of the river. Along the way, we will cross Ramtang village to reach Lhonak – our final destination for today.
Today will be the longest day. So, we will start our trek early morning to reach Pangpema which is the highest point of Kanchenjunga North Basecamp. It takes us around 3 hours to reach Pangpema from Lhonak. From here, we can see the beautiful valley along with high mountains Chang Himal, Kirat Chuli, Kanchenjunga North Side and other surrounding peaks. Since there are no lodges or teahouse available in this place, we will hike back to Lhonak. Today is one of the longest and challenging days in this trekking as well as the most memorable due to the majestic view of Kanchenjunga range that you can observe from the base camp.
We will leave Lhonak early in the morning. We will start trekking downhill which is also not easy. Along the way, we will cross via Ramtang. And also on the way, we will have an opportunity to meet some blue sheep trying to find foods which can be one of the beautiful experience of this trek.
Today we will pass through a trail used by local peoples daily through thick forests of pine rhododendron which is possibly covered by snow. We follow the path that goes along the south side to reach Sele Le.
Today we will start our trek with a climb up towards Mirgin La Pass at 4480m. From here, we can see the magnificent view of Mt Makalu, Jannu, Baruntse, Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan range along Sikkim border. We will further trek towards Sinelpche La until we reach Cheram village.
Today we will start the trek through alpine meadows and follow the lateral moraine of Yalung glacier. After trekking for a few hours, we will reach Ramche from where we can see the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. The evening sunlight spreads over the high snow-capped mountains will be our unforgettable experience. From Ramche we will further trek towards South Basecamp and after short excursions at the base camp, we will hike back to Ramche.
Today we will trek through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests , mostly downhill through a gorge until we reach Torongding. This route takes you through some of the most remote and unspoiled regions offering stunning mountain views and rich biodiversity.
We start our trek after crossing the bridge over Simbhua Khola, and we follow the trail towards Lasiya Bhanjyang. We will cross the river and continue trekking, mostly downhill until we reach Yamphuding, a beautiful Sherpa village.
Today after breakfast we will start our beautiful trek with a view of pristine nature on the way . We will be walking for approximately 5 hours today. We pass through the beautiful villages of Brahmin and Chettries until we reach Khebang.
Today is the last day of our beautiful Kanchenjunga trek. We will enjoy the fascinating glimpse of Kanchenjunga range and the sunrise over mountains, and we will further trek down until we reach Khamdime from Khebang.
Today early morning we will drive from Khamdime to Bhadrapur. The 10 hours long drive provide us with the rewarding trip ending feelings.
Take a morning flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you will be received by our local representative and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.
After freshen up, have some free time to explore around Kathmandu or go for last-minute shopping for your friends and family.
Today, you will have free time to explore the city on your own. Here are some best options to consider:
Explore around Thamel – a colorful tourist hub of Nepal. You will spot numbers of hotels, money exchange, hotels, shops to buy all kinds of souvenirs, trekking gears, etc and many restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali cuisines.
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a great place to start your exploration, where you will walk(about 10-15 min) through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, temples, and local restaurants.
If you want to stretch your legs, Swoyambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley. You can also take a cab which is approximately about 15 minutes drive from Thamel if you are too tired to walk.
Visit the Garden of dreams, which is a classical historical garden located at Thamel(about 5-10 min walk) with an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture, and beautiful flowers and trees.
In the morning, you can do some last-minute shopping for your friends and family or just explore Kathmandu. You will be dropped at the airport 3 hours before your international flight. Hope to see you back again!
Package Includes
All airport transfers by private vehicle
Deluxe accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast on twin sharing
Welcome dinner in one of the authentic Nepali restaurant in Kathmandu
Domestic flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur to Kathmandu
Necessary transportation by private vehicle as mentioned
All necessary government taxes
During the trek
Accommodation in local teahouse / lodge
Full board meal (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
All necessary trekking permit and paper works
Special permit from Immigration department of Nepal
English speaking experienced trekking guide and all his expenses
Local trekking porter and all his expenses
Insurance of trekking guide and porter
All necessary transfers by private vehicle as mentioned
First aid kit
Guided trekking map
Package Excludes
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
All personal expenses such as bar bills, beverage, snacks etc.
Extra cost of drinks, shower, battery re-charge,wifi etc. during the trek
Personal clothing and gears
Personal travel insurance covering emergency heli evacuation (mandatory)
Tips to guide (Expected but not mandatory)
Cancellation or additional cost raised by landslide, weather, political unrest, illness etc which are not under our control.
Services which are not mentioned above.
Wish you a wonderful Himalayan experience with us!!!