Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Eastern Nepal is dominated by Kanchenjunga (8598m), the third highest mountain in the world. Although this mountain was well known a century ago to visitors to Sikkim, when it was thought to be the world’s highest peak, approaches from Nepal have been made possible relatively late. Kanchenjunga lies in a very remote part of north-eastern Nepal and the trek is a long one, by necessity of at least 23 days’ duration to allow for acclimatisation stops.
After a flight to Bhadrapur, the trail begins amid sub-tropical tea gardens and rice paddies in the lowlands of East Nepal, and passes through the middle hills, traditionally the home of the Rais and the Limbus, on to the high areas of yak grazing pastures and glaciers, where Tibetans and Sherpas make their homes. Trekking to Kanchenjunga affords extremely varied and dramatic scenery, not to mention cultural diversity, as well as a challenging and adventurous experience. The remoteness of the upper regions of this area means that there are no settlements to speak of, however recently basic local teahouses and lodges are stabilising by local people and now it is being possible to do basic do teahouse trek/ teahouse trek also on offer | so camping treks are the only kind on offer.
From the South base camp at Ramche there are spectacular views of the south face of Kanchenjunga itself, and time is spent exploring the area, and glorying in the sight of the impressive south wall. From there the trek heads north, crossing a trio of passes en route for Ghunsa in the Ghunsa Khola Valley. The views from the passes and the trail are superlative, encompassing a panorama of valleys and ridges which sweep up to the indescribably dramatic Himalayan skyline, lorded over by Makalu, Chamlang and Everest.
After Gunsa the trail climbs up through yak kharkas (pastures) to the North base camp at Pang Pema, where, almost impossibly, the views are even more dramatic than before. Two nights are spent here in the shadow of the imposing north face of Kanchenjunga which towers over the glacier in front of the camp. Again, time is allowed for local exploration before taking up the trail again and descending through an unforgettable region of scattered villages and cultivated terraces to the endpoint of this magical trek, and we will say goodbye to our trekking team and drive to Bhadrapur via Ilam and return to Kathmandu.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel and welcome briefing. Overnight in hotel [D].
Day 02: Half day sightseeing, probably Kathmandu and Patan. Overnight in hotel [B]
Day 03: Early morning fly to Bhadrapur (91m), drive to Haphu Khola (1300m) via Ilam Bazaar (1700m), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 04: Trek to Mamankhe (1920m.), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 05: Trek to Yamphudin (1700m.), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 06: Trek to Doronden (3010m) or Dyang (1865m), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 07: Trek to Tseram (3910m.), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 08: Trek to Kangchenjunga South Basecamp/Yalung Basecamp (4780m) via Oktang Glacier (4750m), Ramze (4580m) and return to Tseram (3910m). Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 09: Rest and acclimatisation day at Tseram (3910m). Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 10: Trek to Selele Phedi (4200m) via Selele pass (three passes: Sinelapcha La (4646m), Mirgin La (4480m) and Sinion La (4660m)), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 11: A short to Ghunsa (3425m), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 12: Rest and acclimatisation day at Ghunsa (3425m). May visit Ghunsa Gompa and village excursion, Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 13: Trek Kambachen (3930m), stunning views of Mt. Jannu (7710m), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 14: Trek to Lhonak (4800m) via Ramtang (4730m). Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 15: Trek to Pangpema (Kangchenjunga North Basecamp) (5150m), and return to Lhonak (4800m), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 16: Trek to Ghunsa (2725m) via Kambachen (3930m), Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 17: Trek to Amjilassa (2520m) via Gyabla (2725m). Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 18: Trek to Sekathum (1650m). Overnight at lodge [BLD]
Day 19: Drive to Ilam Bazaar (1700m). Overnight in Lodge/Hotel [BLD]
Day 20: Drive to Bhadrapur (91m) and late afternoon flight to Kathmandu (1245m), transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hotel [BL]
Day 21: Shopping/leisure time in Kathmandu. Overnight at lodge [B]
Day 22: Transfer to airport for international departure [B]
Meals are included...
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner
Date & Price
All ACCESS-HIMALAYA adventure travel trips are small group departures and therefore places can fill quickly. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you book your trip as soon as possible.
Price Includes
... in Lodge Trek
Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged) – see itinerary above for dates - accommodation facilities/details outlined belowAll three meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek
All internal transportation as stated in itinerary (see itinerary above)
All lodge accommodation on trek – twin room with clean beds and mattresses, toilet facilities may be outside – no attached bathroom, unless specifically arranged, and where available.
Annapurna Conservation Area entrance permit
Trekking Permits (TIMS) for Annapurna area
Experienced English speaking government licensed guide/s
The required number of local porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests on lodge treks)
Staff and porter insurance
Guided world heritage sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with private tourist vehicle (2 or 3 sites - Durbar Square/s and Swayambunath (Monkey temple)) (English speaking licensed guide & private transport only)
Lunch on the overland travel (see itinerary)
Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
Free gift of Access-Himalaya trekking kit bag for each member of group (to be distributed on arrival in Kathmandu)
Free hire of four seasons Sleeping Bag and fleece liner for trek (should be returned after the trek).
Free airport pick and drop
Price Excludes
... in Lodge Trek
Your personal equipmentInternational flights
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control
Your travel insurance, (Make sure the policy covers helicopter rescue and evacuation service)
Medical examination and vaccination costs
Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips, shower/bathroom facilities on the trek etc.
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and elsewhere-apart from trek (see itinerary)
Heritage sights/Monastery/Temple entrance fees
Trek and Tour crew and driver gratuity/tips at end of tour/trek
Any others expenses which are not mentioned in 'Price Includes' section
Availability Explained
- A AVAILABLE - Trip date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!
- G GUARANTEED - Trip is reached minimum numbers and this is 'Guaranteed to Run'
- L LIMITED - Trip is 'Guaranteed to Run' and there are a very limited number of available places remaining. Immediate booking is recommended.
- C CLOSED - Trip has reached maximum numbers and it is unavailable. Please Contact Us to enquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as a private departure
Trip Info (Tour/Trek Styles) Explained
- PG Private Group: This style of trip is organized for specific groups of people (families, friends,school and college students, colleagues, business associates etc.), and is closed to outsiders. If you are interested in this particular trip departure date then please get in touch with us.
- OA Open to All: This trip departure is open to all. However, if you are interested in this particular trip departure date but want your own private group, then please get in touch with us.
- LT Lodge Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is lodge (teahouse) based. All accommodation, including food, is provided in local lodges. Occasionally however, where a large group is concerned we may choose to send our own cook along, as well, to take care of your food hygiene and to cook some special additional items.We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s) and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
- CT Camping Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is camping (tent) based. We will provide one 3-man tent for every two people, also single tents, where requested, on payment of supplementary costs. All food and drinks are provided by our experienced cook and his kitchen team. We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s), cook, kitchen crew, food and drink, and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
- GAP Guide, Accommodation & Porter only: In this trip neither food nor transportation is included. Clients are responsible for food and local transportation, and our responsibility is to provide insured guide, insured porter, and all necessary permits. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Clients pay for their own accommodation. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, We can arrange hotels and international airport transfer, on request.
- SG Self Guided/Budget Trip: This trip is specially designed for low-budget travellers who prefer fairly basic facilities with reduced services. It is a pre-requisite that a porter is hired for any self-guided trip, which is an ideal set-up for those who enjoy independent travel with minimum cost. We have added support to minimise the hard work of planning and costing, and we will be available to help in the unlikely event of an emergency. We will arrange all documentation (including permits), before you arrive in Nepal, so that you are free to get on with your adventure, relying only on your porter to help you on your way. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Hotel accommodation, local transportation and international airport transfers may be arranged, on request.
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Accommodation in Kathmandu
It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and the hotels we use in Kathmandu are comfortable, clean, efficient and friendly. Most hotels are also family-run; we visit, and stay in the hotels ourselves, to ensure that facilities are ... read more.. -
Food on LodgeTrek
On lodge treks clients are provided with three meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus will be fairly standard, according to the region visited, but will vary in style from place to place, according to availability of ingredients, and in more remote areas choice will be relatively restricted ... read more.. -
Travel Insurance
It is a strict condition of joining an Access-Himalaya adventure holiday that you must be insured against all medical and personal accident risks, including repatriation if necessary. Helicopter evacuation, in the unlikely event of your being injured or taken seriously ill on trek, is very costly - an average rescue ... read more.. -
Nepal Visa and Passport
All visitors to Nepal require a passport (valid for at least 6 months after your return to your home country) and an entry visa. A visa application should be obtained from the Nepalese Embassy, in London (click here to download Nepal visa application form ), or in your own country ... read more.. -
Travel Money
Travellers' cheques are no longer accepted in Nepal, so please do not bring these as your currency. However, ATM facilities are widely available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other large towns, so a Visa, or other internationally-recognized credit/debit card, would be useful. Larger shops accept payment by credit/debit card, although they ... read more.. -
Arrival in Nepal
At Kathmandu airport you should proceed through Immigration (you apply for your Visa here) to the baggage collection area. Once you have collected your baggage you should move on to the Customs officers to have your baggage cleared and chalked up, before leaving the Arrivals lounge. Immediately outside, you will ... read more.. -
Tipping and Service Charges
Tipping is an entirely personal and optional matter and at the discretion of the individual. Should you wish to give a tip in a restaurant, if there is not already a service charge included you may consider a tip of 10%. Recently there has been a recommendation for 10% charge ... read more.. -
Trekking Clothing & Equipment Guideline
The following is a guideline, not a prescription: we hope it will help you find your way through the minefield of items of clothing and equipment which fill the catalogues of outdoor adventure outfitters! Jacket x 1This should be breathable, wind-proof and waterproof (not showerproof), with attached hood. Suitable fabrics to ... read more.. -
Accommodation on lodge treks
Accommodation will be in simple lodges offering twin-bedded rooms with standard foam mattresses (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest or similar self-inflating mattresses). Toilets are mostly of the squat type, situated outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring this ... read more.. -
Getting Around in Kathmandu
Your first day in Kathmandu is usually dedicated to settling in, and exploring the city. The next morning may include a sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath, Boudanath or the Monkey Temple (Swayambunath). During your free time, the best way to explore your environs is to walk, as this enables you to ... read more..
If our fixed departure dates are not convenient for you or your group, we can also arrange private departures on all of our small group tours. Private group departures will follow the same itineraries as our usual small group tours, or itineraries may be tailormade to suit your own convenient tour date/budgets.
Itineraries may be tailor-made to suit your dates. So if you can’t find a date to suit you or if you want to have your very own tour just with your friends or family then we can help you.
Customised Private Groups:
For most of our usual tours, or itineraries, where there is a group numbering 2 or more, we can customise and organise private group trip(s) where we design the itinerary and activities exclusively for you, according to your requirements and budgets, such as Honeymoon, Anniversary, Family, Scouts, School, College, Fundraising or Charity trips. Find out more about our private group tours.
To enquire about booking a private departure of this tour or about organising your own private group tour, please fill in the form below and we will get back to you shortly with details.
