22-Day Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek to North and South Base Camps

• Altitude: 1677 m / 5501 ft
• Drive Duration: 3 hrs

Early in the morning, a driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. Soon, you will board a plane that carries you above the mountains. Flying over lush green hills and perennial flowing rivers, you will land in Bhadrapur, Jhapa, in about 1 hour.

From Jhapa, you will drive to the higher altitude of Ilam. As you travel along stunning, hilly, winding roads, you can admire the beautiful tea farms of Ilam and capture some amazing photos. You will stop at a local guesthouse in Ilam.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
Travel: 45-minute flight/ 1-hour drive

• Altitude: 1820 m / 5971 ft
• Drive Duration: 5 hrs

Wake up early in the morning to witness the spectacular sunrise at Ilam before embarking on the real Kanchenjunga trek. Although the drive to Kanyam is not included in our itinerary, arrangements can be made. After breakfast, you will drive further north along terraced fields.

By mid-day, you will reach Taplejung, a beautiful town in the hills. Here, you can visit different Buddhist gompas that have had butter lamps burning continuously for more than 400 years. After a peaceful evening, return to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 1270 m / 4166 ft
• Duration: 6 hrs

Start trekking to Kanchenjunga on rough paths beyond the stunning river. Early in the morning, walk towards the villages of Sinwa and Tawa. After a short stop at Porke, you will see the valley narrowing over old landslide debris.

Then, walk down to the Thiwa Khola River and cross a thrilling wooden bridge. After a few hours, arrive at Chirwa, known for its huge boulders and tiny bamboo houses.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 1860 m / 6102 ft
• Duration: 7 hrs

In the morning, take a short walk to the Tamur River. Over the next few hours, you will walk towards the Simbua Khola, a river flowing from the south of Kanchenjunga.

Next, stop at the narrow Ghunsa Khola and reach the Tibetan village of Lelep.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 2510 m / 8234 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

On the fifth day of the Kanchenjunga trek, walk beyond wonderful waterfalls and suspension bridges. Today's steep trail will be challenging as you gain altitude, but the Sherpa village of Amjilosa, where yaks and sheep roam, awaits.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 2730 m / 8956 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

Moving above Amjilosa, you will start to see the western side of Kanchenjunga. Walk through forests of oak and bamboo, cross suspension bridges and rivers, and then descend to Gyabla.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 3595 m / 11794 ft
• Duration: 5-6 hrs

Another long and exciting day in the mountains begins. First, walk through the forest to Phale Village, a Tibetan refugee camp that started almost a decade ago.

From Phale, move on to Ghunsa, the largest village in the highland area, with a police station and health post.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

Since you are living at 3,500 meters above sea level, it is important to stop for a day of acclimatization. Ghunsa is an ideal place for this, as it is the most developed settlement in the area. Hike to nearby hills, enjoy a campfire, and immerse yourself in local culture for a day.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 4100 m / 13451 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

After a relaxing day, it is time to move further away from the mountains. Witness Jannu Himal as you walk along a gentle path, passing by beautiful green glacier valleys. Look for blue sheep and snow leopards in the alpine area. In 5-6 hours, you will reach Kambachen.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

Before heading upward into a challenging section of the tour, allow your body to rest for another day. Since you plan to have fun, there is no need to rush on the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 4785 m / 15698 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

From Khambachen, walk via a rocky path leading to Ramtang. Walking west of the Kanchenjunga Glacier provides opportunities for amazing photos.

In the evening, reach Lhonak village, adorned with large stone huts. From Lhonak, witness views of Wedge Peak, Mera Peak, Nepal Peak, and the Twins.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 4785 m / 15698 ft
• Duration: 8 hrs

Climb beyond the moraine of the Kanchenjunga Glacier toward the northern base camp of Kanchenjunga. The climb will be challenging, but the tranquility and stunning views of the mountain vistas will make you forget everything.

Enjoy the beauty of Kanchenjunga for a few hours and then walk back to Lhonak. Your Kanchenjunga base camp trek is going to be a wonderful experience.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 3595 m / 11794 ft
• Duration: 7 hrs

Walk via a pebbled route, descending from Lhonak to Kambachen Village. East of the Tamor River, enjoy a beautiful night in Ghunsa. It is a relaxing day on the Kanchenjunga base camp trek.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 4390 m / 14402 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

Walking beyond the forest of Ghunsa in the morning, you will see alpine grassland. The colourful vegetation and the awesome mountain views will enchant you. As the view of Phole villages gets smaller, climb to Sele Le.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 3870 m / 12696 ft
• Duration: 8 hrs

Leave Sele Le early in the morning and embark on the most challenging walk of the journey. Start by climbing Sinion La pass at 4,450 m. After a short stop here, cross Sinelapche La pass (4,830 m); the Kanchenjunga trek difficulty keeps increasing.

Finally, after 8 to 9 hours of walking, reach Cheram at night.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 3870 m / 12696 ft
• Duration: 6 hrs

From Cheram, trek to Ramche for a few hours. After lunch at Ramche, walk for less than an hour to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. This base camp, decorated with colourful prayer flags, is located on the glacier's edge.

After capturing amazing photos and enjoying a peaceful time at Kanchenjunga's south base camp, return to Cheram.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 2080 m / 6824 ft
• Duration: 4 hrs

Start moving toward lower altitudes. Walk downhill from the gorge and enter an area prone to landslides. Descend further to the sub-tropical forests and, in the late evening, arrive at Torongding, the only settlement of the day.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 1980 m / 6496 ft
• Duration: 8 hrs

As you head downhill from Torongding, the mountains start to appear again. In the morning, walk toward Lasiya Bhanjyang. After lunch in Lasiya, the path goes steeply downhill through the forest.

Finally, reach the big village of Yamphuding. It is an important stop on the Kanchenjunga base camp trek.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 1910 m / 6266 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

From Yamphudin, the Kanchenjunga trek route first descends to the Kabeli Khola River. On the way, stop briefly at Bhanjyang, then walk along terraced farms to Khebang. Today is a relaxing day on the Kanchenjunga trek.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 1500 m / 4921 ft
• Duration: 5 hrs

From Khewang, the trail moves to a steep ridge. Then, walk downhill to the village of Aaap Danda. After a stop here, trek to Jor Pool and then to Simal Danda.

Finally, in the late evening, rest at Khamdime. Your final day of the trek to Kanchenjunga ends on a high note.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House

• Altitude: 93 m / 305 ft
• Duration: 10 hrs

From Khamdime, drive to Bhadrapur in a private vehicle. The jeep ride along the off-road hills is quite interesting. Along the way, pass many beautiful tea farms and villages.

After a few hours of driving, reach Bhadrapur in the evening.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

• Altitude: 1300 m / 4265 ft
• Duration: 50 minutes

Finally, it is time to return to Kathmandu. A driver will take you to Bhadrapur airport, and in less than one hour, you will be walking through the streets of Kathmandu. When you return to Thamel, you will have enough time for souvenir shopping.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the wonderful Kanchenjunga trek in Nepal.

Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel