Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek -19Days

Your Kanchenjunga Base Camp adventure begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur’s Chandragadhi Airport in Jhapa. The 50–55 minute journey treats you to sweeping views of Nepal’s snow-covered peaks, building excitement for the trek ahead.
From Bhadrapur, the journey continues by road to Taplejung, the gateway to the Kanchenjunga region. Along the drive, you’ll pass through towns and villages such as Rakse, Phidim, and Ghopetar, where daily life unfolds in vibrant markets, terraced farmlands, and traditional mountain communities. Taplejung marks the real starting point of the trek, offering comfortable lodges for your first overnight stay. Throughout the trek, you’ll be provided with full meal services—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—ensuring you stay well-fed and energized for the challenging days on the trail.

After breakfast, the drive begins from Taplejung, with all ground transport included in the package so you can simply sit back and enjoy the ride. The road winds through beautiful scenery—waterfalls tumbling down cliffs, terraced hillsides, and peaceful rural villages. After three to four hours, the journey reaches Ranipul, where the paved road gives way to rougher tracks. Though the distance isn’t great, the bumpy terrain makes progress a little slower. A couple more hours on the road brings you to Shekathum. Here, you can stretch your legs with a walk around the village, take in the calm mountain atmosphere, and observe the rhythms of local life before settling in for the night. 

Today's walk from Shekathum to Amjilasa is one of the more challenging days of the trek, so we start early in the morning. Amjilasa is an important stop because it serves as the first gateway village on the way to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The trail leaves Shekathum by crossing a suspension bridge over the Ghunsa Khola River. This is just the first of many river crossings we face during the day. After that, the path leads into a thick forest, where rhododendrons bloom in spring and tall bamboo grows in plenty. The forest feels peaceful, but the trail is steep and tiring. Further along, the path enters a narrow valley and passes the small village of Solima. Few people live here, but it gives a glimpse of the quiet mountain lifestyle. After Solima, the way continues with more ups and downs, testing your energy and balance. After many hours of effort, we finally reach Amjilasa. Reaching Amjilasa is a real achievement, as it shows you are moving deeper into the Kanchenjunga region and getting closer to the heart of the mountains.

(Note: In Amjilosa, there are only two teahouses with very basic facilities. Food options are limited to vegetarian dishes and eggs, as meat is not available in this remote area. There is no electricity, only solar power, and facilities like hot showers or attached bathrooms are not provided. For hot water or charging devices, you will need to pay an extra fee of around Rs.200–300.

The day begins along the banks of the Ghunsa Khola River, where the sound of rushing water accompanies every step. The trail winds through dense forests filled with bamboo, oak, fir, and rhododendron trees, leading to a small, quiet stone house near the river an ideal spot to pause and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. From here, the real climb begins. You cross wooden bridges and walk past sparkling waterfalls fed by glacial streams. The forests are full of life, and if you are lucky, you may spot a red panda in the trees or see a Himalayan black bear quietly moving through the undergrowth. The path then leads to Pangling Hill, with more suspension bridges adding excitement to the trek, before reaching Dhagnem village. This small mountain settlement has old stone houses that have stood for generations, showing the traditional way of life in these remote mountains. After one more climb through thick bamboo forests, you arrive at Gyabla village. This peaceful place is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture. There are only a few simple teahouses. 

(Note: Gyabla has simple teahouses that provide only the most basic services. The area is very remote, so there is no electricity or Wi-Fi available. Like other villages on the route, the facilities here are limited, and trekkers should be prepared for very simple accommodation. 

As the hike goes higher, it's crucial to keep a steady pace and be careful on the trail. The path from Gyabla winds through thick forests, over rivers, and sometimes up stone ladders. You pass through the beautiful Sherpa village of Phale on your journey. The Pholey Gumba, a Tibetan monastery that is very important to the area, is what Phale is known for. There is a statue inside that is supposed to only be found in three places: Phale in Nepal, Dharamshala in India, and Lhasa in Tibet. Trekkers can see this spiritual history and local customs up close when they visit the monastery. The view gets more stunning as you keep upward. Waterfalls cascade from sheer cliffs, woodlands give way to wide valleys, and peaks covered with snow soar over the horizon. Eventually, you get to Ghunsa, a quiet Sherpa settlement with colorful prayer flags. You might go to Tashi Chhyoling Monastery in Ghunsa and get ready for the next day.

This day is a rest day in the lovely Sherpa village of Ghunsa, tucked into a quiet mountain valley. Taking a break here helps your body adjust to the higher altitude and prepare for the more challenging climbs ahead. In the morning, you can enjoy a gentle walk through green forests that leads to Laspsan La Monastery. The peaceful temple, surrounded by stunning mountain views, makes this short hike both refreshing and uplifting for the mind and spirit. In the afternoon, you return to Ghunsa and explore the village more closely. Walking through the narrow paths and small homes, you meet warm local families and hear stories about their daily life in the mountains.

From Ghunsa, the trek heads north along the river, passing through small villages like Sypchen and Tartang. These settlements give a glimpse of local life in the mountains and the simple traditions that have lasted for generations.

Along the way, you’ll see Hajare Odar, a massive stone that holds religious and cultural importance for the local Kirant communities. The trail then continues to Rampuk Kharka Bridge, passing a beautiful waterfall and leading to the scenic viewpoint at Jannu Phaktanglung. Here, the path becomes more challenging, with unstable landslide areas and wooden bridges that require careful steps and balance.

From this viewpoint, you can admire the impressive north face of Mount Jannu, one of the highest peaks in the region. Continuing along the rocky mountain trail, you finally reach Kambachen village.

After two nights in Ghunsa, the trek continues to Kambachen for another important rest day. This stop is planned to help your body adjust to the thinner mountain air and to check for any signs of altitude sickness.

Kambachen is a peaceful mountain village surrounded by towering peaks. From here, you can admire Mount Jannu, one of the most striking and scenic mountains in the Kanchenjunga region. The day is mainly for relaxing and letting your body recover after several days of trekking. You can rest your muscles, enjoy a warm bath, and regain energy for the higher trails ahead. Later, you can take gentle walks into the beautiful Nuphchu Khola Valley. These easy walks let you explore the high-altitude scenery while keeping your body active in a safe way.

Short hikes like this are a great chance to enjoy the unique landscape, watch for wildlife, and get fully acclimated to the elevation. By evening, you return to Kambachen village for a quiet dinner, resting comfortably and preparing for the next stage of the Kanchenjunga trek.

The trek from Kambachen to Lhonak is considered one of the toughest sections of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp journey, as the trail traverses rocky paths and boulder-strewn slopes. Himalayan peaks visible in every direction. The first checkpoint is Lumuchhemu village, followed by Ladam, where the harsh mountain terrain starts to challenge your strength and endurance. along the way is the Khando Waterfall, where water tumbles dramatically down the cliffs. From there, the trail climbs a steep stone ridge, opening up incredible views as you near Ramdang. The teahouse in Ramdang is a welcome rest stop, where you can eat, drink, and regain energy. From Ramdang, the trail continues upward to Lhonak village, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Here, you can see the Kanchenjunga Glacier, and sometimes blue sheep can be spotted grazing near the Lhonak River. The day ends with you surrounded by snow-covered giants, including the Kanchenjunga Massif, Nepal Peak, and other majestic mountains. 

This is one of the most exciting days of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek as we make the final climb to the base camp. The trek starts by passing through Syjango, where the trail is often covered in snow during the peak season. From there, we climb beyond the moraine of the Kanchenjunga Glacier and head toward the northern base camp. The climb is challenging, but the calm atmosphere and breathtaking mountain views make every step worthwhile. The trail passes through areas that can be risky due to landslides, so careful walking is essential.

The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, also called Pangpema View Base Camp, sits at an altitude of 5,140 meters. Since there are no teahouses or shops at the base camp, we carry a packed lunch for the day. The trek to the base camp usually takes about 7–8 hours. At the base camp, you can enjoy the stunning scenery and the peaceful surroundings for a few hours before starting the descent back to Lhonak for the night. This day is a highlight of the Kanchenjunga trek and a truly memorable experience in the high Himalayas.

Today, we descend from Lhonak along a pebbled trail toward Kambachen Village. Traveling east of the Tamor River, we continue down to reach Ghunsa, where we will spend a peaceful night. It’s a much more relaxing day compared to the high-altitude climbs earlier in the trek. The path is easier today, with fewer steep sections, making the descent comfortable and enjoyable. The total trekking time is around 7–8 hours. In the evening, we stay at Ghunsa, resting and enjoying the quiet mountain village before the next stage of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek.

In the morning, we leave the forest near Ghunsa and walk into the alpine grasslands again. The bright flowers, green meadows, and stunning mountain views are truly breathtaking. As Phale village fades behind us, we climb toward Sele Le, which sits at 4,355 meters. The view from Sele Le is fantastic, and it is definitely a place not to miss on the Kanchenjunga trek. Along the way, you may spot a few small camps where trekkers stop to rest. Sele Le has both an upper and a lower area, and we take our time to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace.

We leave Sele Le early in the morning and begin one of the hardest parts of the hike. We first go up Sinion La Pass, which is 4,450 meters high, and then Mirgin La Pass, which is 4,645 meters high. We take a little break and then keep going via Sinelapche La Pass, which is 4,830 meters high. As we climb higher on the Kanchenjunga trip, the trail gets harder.

You might notice yaks hauling things along the route, and the lovely Chhuchhung Thanga Lake comes into view. We finally get to Tseram village in the dusk after walking for 8 to 9 hours. Tseram is a little village with a few teahouses. You may see a beautiful sunset over the mountains from here.

We start our hike from Tseram to Ramche today. As we go up to higher altitudes, the route gets steeper. The path is largely made of gravel and pebbles, and there is a danger of landslides in some places, so we need to be careful.

We get to Ramche after roughly three hours of walking. You might see blue sheep in the mountains along the road. We stop for lunch at Ramche and recover before continuing our adventure because it's a short day of hiking.

We walk for less than an hour after breakfast at Ramche to get to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. The trail goes along the edge of the glacier and is lined with colorful prayer flags that make the environment look even nicer.

At the base camp, you may take great shots and enjoy the peace and quiet while looking at the lovely mountains. After spending some time here, we go back to Tseram for the night. We will always think of it as one of the most beautiful spots on the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp walk.

Now we're heading down to lower heights. We descend down from the gorge, taking care because some of the spots we pass through are known to have landslides. As we go down, the ground changes, and we enter subtropical forests with many green trees and vegetation. This is a huge change from the high alpine areas. We reach Tortong by the end of the day. During the day, this is the only area we see. The Leh-Ladakh area lies on the other side of the Himalayas from Tortong, which is close to the border with India. This village is a peaceful place to stop and see what life is like along the eastern border of Nepal. 

As we leave Tortong and head downhill, the surrounding mountains come into view, creating beautiful scenery along the way. In the morning, we walk toward Lasiya Bhanjyang, a small pass and rest point on the route. After having lunch at Lasiya Bhanjyang, the trail becomes steeper as we descend into the forest. Finally, we reach Yamphuding, a larger village that serves as an important stop on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek. This village is a good place to rest, experience local culture, and prepare for the next stage of the trek.

Now, our Kanchenjunga trek comes to an end. We start with about an hour of descent to reach a point where we can catch a jeep toward Illam. Keep in mind that there is no direct jeep from here to Illam—you will need to switch to another jeep at Ganesh Chowk.

This travel day involves a lot of road time, taking around 8–9 hours in total. You will be traveling in a shared jeep, experiencing the rural roads of eastern Nepal. Once you reach Illam, you will stay at one of the best hotels in the area. Illam is a town with good infrastructure, so you don’t need to worry about services or facilities. Here, you can enjoy comfortable accommodations, proper food, and other modern conveniences after days in the mountains.

We begin the drive to Bhadrapur in a car that belongs to us. The jeep trip is fun since it goes up and down hills and off-road paths. We see magnificent tea gardens and little villages along the journey. These give us a taste of what life is like in eastern Nepal. We go to Bhadrapur after a few hours. It's time to fly back to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur. The flight is quick and takes less than an hour. Soon we'll be wandering through the crowded streets of Kathmandu. You will have some free time to shop for gifts and enjoy the city once you get back to Thamel.

We have a farewell supper in the evening to mark the end of our Kanchenjunga journey. It's a great time to remember the fantastic times we've had together in the mountains of Nepal, eat good cuisine, and celebrate our adventure.