The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek explores both the north and south base camps of Kanchenjunga, which is the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586m.
Since this is a remote trekking area, a good level of fitness and some prior trekking experience are advantageous. Despite its secluded location, trekkers can gain insight into local ways of life and visit Ramtang and Oktang Monasteries.
Kanchenjunga is situated on the far eastern side of Nepal near the border with Sikkim, a small Himalayan state in northeastern India. Until the mid-1800s, it was believed to be the highest peak in the world.
This region was off-limits to trekkers until around 1980; now it’s protected by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, requiring a special trekking permit for access. As a result of these restrictions, this area maintains its beautiful and unique flora and fauna in pristine condition today.
In addition to Kanchenjunga itself, there are four subsidiary summits exceeding 8,000m; most notably Kanchenjunga West at 8,505m. Also found here are about twenty peaks surpassing 7,000m including Kamabachen(7,903m), Janu(7,710m), Jongsong(7,483m), Kabru(7,353m), Tent Peak(7,365m), and The Twins(7,350m).
Arrival
Our staff will greet you with a personalized placard and accompany you to the hotel in a private vehicle. A brief meeting about the trip is scheduled for the evening.
Flight to Bhadrapur, and Drive to Ilam
Today, transportation will be arranged to take you to the airport for your flight to Bhadrapur. Upon arrival in Bhadrapur, a private jeep will transport you to Ilam, known for its beautiful tea gardens. You will be staying in Ilam for the day.
Drive to Taplejung
After having breakfast, you'll board a jeep to Taplejung. The rough dirt road is lined with numerous waterfalls and surrounded by forests and rivers. At times, it may be necessary to disembark from the jeep due to narrow, rugged, and occasionally frightening trails.
Trek from Taplejung to Chiruwa
Today marks the beginning of your proper trek, which is expected to last around 5 to 6 hours. You will conclude your day near the village of Sinwa, situated along the banks of the Tamor River.
Trek from Chiruwa to Lepe (1,860m)
Today we travel through Tapethok, where your permits will be inspected. The trails provide stunning views of lush hills, river valleys, and a variety of beautiful wildflowers that change with the seasons.
Trek to Amjilosa (2,510m)
Today, you will be hiking across challenging rocky ground with a lush green forest that is home to vibrant bushes, diverse trees, and colorful flowers. The village of Amjilosa is primarily utilized when the yaks and sheep are in the pastures, so only a few families reside here year-round. You will set up camp in Amjilosa for the remainder of the day.
Trek to Gyabla (2,730m)
Today, following breakfast, we will head towards Gyabla. The path presents beautiful scenery, enveloped by massive green hills. As we walk through the rugged terrain today, there's a chance of catching our first sight of the mountain if the weather permits. Even in unfavorable conditions, there is a strong possibility of glimpsing the mountains. Additionally, you'll encounter isolated communities such as Rai, Limbu, and Tamang with their own unique lifestyles and mother tongues along the way.
Trek to Ghunsa (3,595m)
You'll traverse a rocky trail and at times you might veer to the side to navigate around rocks or other obstacles. Along the way, you'll encounter many Yak pastures where you can taste some yak milk. The trails also showcase various rugged chortens and prayer flags that represent the local people's beliefs in the area.
Acclimatization Day
Today, we have the chance to rest and unwind at this higher altitude. Adjusting to the elevation is important as we prepare for further climbs to prevent altitude sickness. There's a monastery nearby to discover, and while hiking for just a few hours, we'll catch sight of Janu Peak and some surrounding mountains. We plan to bring along a packed lunch for today's outing.
Trek to Kambachen (4,100m)
We are treated to stunning vistas of mountains and sunrise as we walk along the trail, surrounded by vibrant shrubs and lush green valleys. Along the way, we catch sight of Himalayan Tahr, Blue sheep, and other fascinating wildlife. The route also takes us past waterfalls and through areas affected by landslides. It's important to exercise caution while walking on these trails because the ground can give way beneath your feet.
Acclimatization Day
Today is our second day of acclimatization. It's a chance for us to rest and recuperate as we adjust to the higher altitude. This will help prevent altitude sickness and allow us to fully appreciate the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains when we climb higher.
Trek to Lonak (4,785m)
Today's route leads us primarily across the Kanchenjunga Glacier, where fresh water from the Himalayas can be found. As we ascend, breathtaking views open up on both sides. Given that we are in Snow Leopard territory, we remain watchful for this rare animal. This region also serves as summer yak pastures; however, there are no settlements along the way.
Day Trip to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (4,785m)
After a satisfying morning meal, continue the journey across the Kanchenjunga Glacier's rocky terrain with a gradual ascent. Upon reaching Base Camp, take in the breathtaking views of the nearby mountains and savor the tranquil ambiance created by fluttering Buddhist prayer flags. Take some time to relax here with a warm beverage and snack before heading back to Lonak for the evening.
Trek to Ghunsa (3,595m)
Trekking across rugged terrain, we arrive at Khambachen village for a lunch break and continue through the lush greenery towards Ghunsa, where we will spend the night.
Trek to Selele Pass (4,390m)
Today's path leads through a forest and across grassy plains, offering views of the scattered village of Phole and the distant silhouette of Mountain Makalu on the skyline.
Trek to Cheram (3,870m)
Today has been a lengthy trek, beginning in the early morning towards the south base camp and crossing the Sinion La pass (4,450m). Along the way, we enjoy stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and its picturesque valley.
Day Trip to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (3,870m)
Today, you will travel to Base Camp via a location known as Ramche. The camp is situated right on the edge of a glacier and is adorned with prayer flags symbolizing the Buddhist faith. Afterward, we return to Cheram for an overnight stay. Relaxing in Base Camp and experiencing its wonderful atmosphere is something you will cherish for a lifetime.
Trek to Torongding (2,080m)
Today's path descends sharply, but the final stretch leading to Torongding is uphill and passes through an area at risk of landslides, surrounded by beautiful woods. There are no settlements until we reach our final stop for the day.
Trek to Yamphudin (1,980m)
Today, we'll descend and travel through Lasiya Bhanjyang, where there's a tea spot for a relaxing break before continuing on the downhill trail to the village of Yamphudin. The path passes through a forest where you may encounter yaks moving up or down, so it's important to walk carefully.
Trek to Khebang (1,910m)
Now you can take a leisurely stroll and discover fascinating villages of Rai, Limbu, and Tamangs communities. These villages are surrounded by terraced fields where various crops are cultivated. You can also sample the traditional drink known as Tongba.
Trek to Khandime (1,500m)
The last day of the journey involves trekking towards Khandime, where our jeep awaits to transport us to Bhadrapur. The trail for today is straightforward and uncomplicated, passing through picturesque terrace farming lands nestled amidst hills.
Drive to Bhadrapur
The rough off-road track is dotted with numerous waterfalls and is bordered by forests and rivers. At times, you may need to exit the jeep as the trails are narrow, uneven, and occasionally intimidating.
Flight to Kathmandu
Flight to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
Final Departure
Our representative will escort you to the airport, where a flight awaits to safely transport you to your next destination.
The journey offers a scenic landscape with flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, lush meadows, vibrant rhododendrons, birch and pine forests, the Yalung Glacier, and of course, travelers are accompanied by the impressive mountains along the route.
Trekking Kanchenjunga was quite challenging for me, as the paths were tiring and I often felt drained. Bikas, our tour guide, provided constant encouragement during the trek. Without him, conquering the trail would have been impossible. I am grateful to Sherpa Village Trek for providing us with such an excellent guide in Bikas.
It was incredibly challenging! Hiking on the bone-jarring trails for hours. It may be hard to believe, but I didn’t encounter any buses, cars, bikes, or other vehicles for over 15 days. The villages in Kanchenjunga seemed like a throwback to an earlier time with their tiny houses and lack of contact with the outside world. Surviving there for nearly 20 days was quite an accomplishment. Despite its toughness and ruggedness, Kanchenjunga has left a lasting impression on my heart and mind. This trek has been truly unforgettable. I want to express my deep gratitude to Sherpa Village for their excellent arrangements. I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on more treks with you in the future.
Our experience with Sherpa Village Trek on the Kanchenjunga circuit trek was fantastic. The trip was well-coordinated, and our exceptional guide, Bikas, ensured that we had an enjoyable time. The route offered great lodging options and showcased a diverse and stunning scenery without being overly crowded.
