Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

After an early breakfast, we set out on a guided tour to the primary historical spots in Kathmandu. We will tour symbolic monuments, temples, monasteries, palaces and UNESCO World Heritage Sites that include: Boudhanath, and the temples of Pashupatinath. As we stroll along the exotic locales of Kathmandu, more diversified cultural settings in the valley welcome us with warm hospitality. At Boudhanath, one of the biggest stupas in Asia, we get deep insights into Buddhism. This may invoke your spiritual senses. There will be a brief orientation followed by trek preparation during late afternoon at the hotel lobby.

We will take early morning flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. We will fly close to Himalayan Ranges with views of breathtaking Langtang, Jugal, Gaurishanke, Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga range. Kathmandu to Biratnagar flight continues for 50 minutes. Biratnagar is one of the major industrial cities which is located close to Nepal – India border. We will stay in a hotel in Biratnagar for overnight stay.

We will take connecting flight from Biratnagar to Suketar Airport in Taplejung. The flight continues for 25 minutes. You will be greeted by our local staffs in Suketar. After assembling the crew members and packing luggage, we will begin our trek to LaliKharka. After brief period of walking through the flat surface, we will lower down through pine forest and walk uphill to the ridge. We will reach forested area before making it to the small village of Lali Kharka. We can enjoy view of Kanchenjunga from Lalikharka.

Leaving Lali Kharka early in the morning, we will take short walk to Lali Bhanjyang. We will pass through small multi- ethnic village where Brahmin, Kirat, Rai, Limbu and Chhetris live in harmony with each other. We will reach Tembawa village from where we will lower down to Phawa khola. We need to cross this river to reach Pokora village. Our journey progresses through rice fields to the suspension bridge. We will cross this bridge and take ascending route to Kunjari village. Walking further through the forest, we will walk uphill to Khesewa Bhanjyang where we will stay overnight. The site allows breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga Mountain and Yalungkang peak.

Lowering down from rice field, we will enter forest area from where we will reach Nandeva River. Crossing the river, we will climb uphill to Loppoding village. We will go through series of ups and downs to Fangfang village. We can get views of Kumbakarna Mountain, Yalung Peak and Kanchenjunga Mountain from Fangfang village. We will choose the lowering trail to Yangpang village from where we will take gentle climb to Ponpe Dhara. From Ponpe Dhara, we will lower down to Khesewa River. We need to cross this river and climb uphill for an hour to reach Mamankhe village where we will stay overnight.

Leaving Mamangkhe early in the morning, we will climb uphill to Dekadin village. From Dekadin, we will continue our walk along the right edge of Kabeli River. We will love through series of ups and downs that allows scenic views of surrounding mountains. We will follow the stone steps to river before choosing uphill climb to Yamphudin village. Yamphudin is the last permanent settlement that we can find before Gunsa. Stay overnight in Yamphudin.

After breakfast, we will leave Yamphudin and walk along the left edge of Kabeli River. After brief walk, we will encounter a tributary of Omje River from where we will choose the raised path to Dhupi Bhanjyang. We will climb this hill and enjoy breathtaking views of surrounding mountains before lowering down through tree lines to Omje River. We will climb uphill through rhododendron forest and reach Chitre. About an hour of walk far from Chitre is a pond that exists below Ramite Bhanjyang.

We will leave our campsite in Chitre and move to the ridge of Ramite Bhanjyang (3430m).
Two hours of moderate climb through tree lines of rhododendron and bamboo will take us to the Bhanjyang. The ridge greets us with close-up view of Jannu Mountain. From Ramite Bhanjyang, we will follow the scenic path with views of Kumbhakarna and Kabru peaks and take 150m of climb before lowering down to SimbuaKhola where we will stay overnight.

After early morning breakfast, we will walk along the riverbank that takes us to cave. We will follow uphill path from Simbua Khola, passing through pine and rhododendron forest. Once we reach to Wahta, we will cross a small river and walk along the right shore with scenic views of mountains. We will proceed further through boulder area to the river bed from where we will choose uphill climb to our campsite in Tseram that allows panoramic views of Talung Peak and Kabru peak along with Yalung glacier. Stay overnight in Tseram.

We will leave our campsite in Tseram early in the morning and lower down to Simbua Khola. We will cross the foot of the slope and take uphill climb to Yalung Bara. There is only one hut in Yalung Bara which has been built as a rest place for pilgrims and travelers. Forest section ends from Yalung Bara. So, we need to move through rock strewn path that stretches further to Yalung glacier. We will reach the base of Lapsang La. Climbing to Lapsang La is non-technical. The summit allows scenic views of Kabru peak, Kokthang Peak, Rathong Peak and other surrounding peaks and mountains. We will descend from Lapsang and proceed to Ramche where we will stay overnight.

A rest day to make our trek less strenuous. Having rest day in an itinerary also helps in proper acclimatization to the increasing altitude. Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is a place of interest near Ramche. The Base Camp allows unobstructed views of Yalung Glacier. We can also see the southern wall of Kanchenjunga from Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4600m). We can also witness the route that was chosen to climb Kanchenjunga for the very first time. The Camp site also allows views of Talung Peak and Kabru peak. Return back to Camp site in Ramche for overnight stay.

As we have reached the South Base Camp of Kanchenjunga on the previous day, we will return from Ramche by retracing the same route back to Tseram. We need to cross Lapsang again and proceed along rest house in Yalung Bara from where journey continues through rhododendron and pine forest to Simbua River. Brief climb from Simbua river will take us to Tseram where we will stay overnight.

This is going to be a very long and tiring day as we need to cross three passes to reach
Selele. We will start our journey early in the morning after having breakfast. We will cross the river and climb uphill through tree lines for couple of hours to reach two small ponds. We need to cross three passes namely Miring La, Tamo La and Sinion La before we can reach Selele. We can reach to the top of Miring La from the base in an hour. Miring La summit allows views of Kabru peak and Kanchenjunga Mountain. Lowering down from Miring La, we will lower down to Sinion La (4500 m). Climbing to the top of Sinion La is a rewarding
experience which greets us with views of Makalu Mountain, Baruntse Mountain and Chamlang peak.Descending further from Simion La, we will reach reach Tamo La (4500m). We can get close-up view of Kumbakarna Mountain from Tamo La summit. Lowering down to Selele, we will stay overnight in a camp.

We will leave our campsite in Selele and take sharp descend through rhododendron and pine forest to Ghunsa River. Ghunsa village exists at the edge of Ghunsa River. The pretty small village of Ghunsa is inhabited by descendant of Tibetans, majority of who live in stone house. Stay overnight in Ghunsa.

We will choose a moderately strenuous path on this day. After brief walk along river, we will take uphill climb. On the way, we can see many cascading waterfalls and meet with yak herders. We will choose an uphill climb from the right edge of Ghunsa River and move through rhododendron and pine forest to reach landslide area. We will continue our journey to Rambuk Kharka- a temporary grazing area. There will be noticeable change in topography after Rambuk Kharka as we will enter the dry and barren valley. We will cross landslide to reach Kambachen where we will stay overnight. The campsite allows views of Sharphu (7070m) and north face of Janu.

Pursuing the narrow path above river, we will head east and make series of ups and downs to reach the moraine of Kanchenjunga glacier. Moving through the glacier, we will reach the temporary settlement of Shepherds at Ramtang Kharka. Brief walk from Ramtang Kharka takes us to Lhonak where we will stay overnight.

We will follow the ascending trail from Lhonak. The path is scenic with views of Kirat Chuli Peak, Taple Shikhar peak, Givegela Chuli Peak and other peaks and mountains. We will proceed through a boulder area and glacier to the North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga. Stay overnight in Pangpema.

This is a contingency day that helps us to stick with the itinerary even if there occurs delay because of unforeseen circumstances like weather, altitude sickness and other. Pangpema allows views of Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna Range, Makalu, Cholatse Peak, Sharpu Peak, Drohma Peak and other peaks and mountains. Stay overnight in camp in Pangpema.

The return trip begins from this day. We will leave Pang Pema and follow the picturesque path through glacier and boulder to Lhonak from where we will cross Ramtang Kharka and walk through moraine of Kanchenjunga glacier to Kambachen where we will stay overnight.

From Kambachen, we will move through arid valley to the temporary settlement of local yak herders at Rambuk Kharka and passing through a landslide area, we will cross rhododendron and pine forest to Ghunsa River. We will cross Ghunsa River and continue walking through colorful pine forest to Sherpa village of Phole where we will stay overnight.

Exiting from the tiny village of Phole, we will choose the lowering path through bamboo and rhododendron forest. About 30 minutes of uphill climb will take us to Gyabla. We will continue our journey along the edge of Ghunsa River and undergo series of ups and downs through forest to reach a meadow. Brief far from the meadow is Amjilosa which is a small Sherpa village. We will stay overnight in Amjilosa.

Wake up early in the morning and follow the straight path for an hour. Later, the path drops down sharply to the meadow area where we can see yaks grazing the lush green vegetation. We will walk through culturally rich Ghaiya Bari village to Sekathum. Exiting from Sekathum, we need to cross Ghunsa River and Simbhu River before continuing our journey along the left bank of Tamur River to reach the Limbu village of Tapethok. Stay overnight in the camp near to Tamur River.

We will begin our journey on this day from the left bank of Tamur River. Following the relatively easy route, we will reach Chiruwa village. After brief stop at Chiruwa, we will climb uphill through the rhododendron forest. We will exit from the forest to arrive at the large multi- ethnic village of Mitlung where we will stay overnight.

This is the last day of trek. We will leave Mitlung and walk past dispersed villages and forest area to Suketar.

We will board an early morning flight from Suketar to Biratnagar and take connecting flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu. Our staff will receive us at Kathmandu Airport, domestic terminal and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu for your pleasant stay.

Free and easy day to spend, perhaps doing shopping or rest at hotel’s beautiful court-yard. At eventide, we will relish a farewell dinner to celebrate your successful completion of our trek. While enjoying our supper, we will also be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.

Thank you for joining us on this trek and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. You will be assisted in your last minute preparation. Our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours before your scheduled flight We hope this venture has enriched your experience with happy memories. Keep in touch and hope to hear from you soon. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home.