Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek by Road: 21 Days, No Flights

From US$137521 DaysUpdated Oct 26, 2026

At a glance: cost

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek by Road: 21 Days, No Flights with The Everest Holiday costs $1,375 (Budget), $3,395 (Standard), or $5,465 (Luxury) per person for the 21-day trip. Allow about $20 a day for personal expenses, and buy your travel insurance at home before you travel.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek by Road: 21 Days, No Flights price by tier
TierPrice (per person)
Budget$1,375
Standard$3,395
Luxury$5,465

Book with a 10% deposit; balance payable in Kathmandu. Full inclusions and group-discount tiers are below.

Quick Overview
Duration21 Days
Trip GradeVery Strenuous
CountryNepal
Maximum AltitudeNorth Base Camp, Pangpema (about 5,140 m / 16,864 ft)
Group Size1-20
StartsKathmandu
EndsKathmandu
ActivitiesTrekking and overland travel (no flights)
Best TimeMar - May & Oct - Nov

Trek highlights

  • 21-day private trek to both Kanchenjunga base camps, with no domestic flights. North Base Camp at Pangpema is about 5,140 m, below Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest mountain in the world.
  • Overland from Kathmandu to the Terai, then up through tea and cardamom country to Taplejung, so you see the whole east of Nepal from the ground.
  • Far-east Nepal at its wildest: subtropical forest, rhododendron, alpine pasture and glacier moraine on one trek. Red panda and snow leopard country, and tahr above the tree line.
  • Restricted area. A licensed guide is required, and since 22 March 2026 a single trekker can go. We handle the permits.
  • Your guide walks with your party only, and on Standard and Luxury so do your porters.
  • 10% deposit to lock dates, balance paid in Kathmandu.
  • Every booking helps pay the teacher at our Nagarjun Learning Center in Saldum, where 70 children get free schooling.

Why I made a by-road version

I am Shreejan, the founder of The Everest Holiday. Most people reach Kanchenjunga by flying from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. That is the quicker way, and we run it as our 19-day version, where you fly to Bhadrapur. But the flight is not always the answer. Some of you do not want to fly for the planet, some of you want to save the airfare, and some of you want to see the road through the east that almost no trekker sees. So I built this one with no flights at all.

It is two days longer than the flying trip. You spend day 1 and day 2 on the road going in, and days 19, 20 and 21 coming out. You see the Terai, the tea hills of Ilam and the Tamor valley from the car window rather than from a plane. The trek itself, the 15 days from Sekathum to Yamphudin, is exactly the same as on the flying trip, with the same rest days at Ghunsa and Kangpachen and the same two base camps.

It is also a different kind of journey. The drives are long. The road is rough in places and slow in the rains. If you only want to walk and have the days to spare, this suits you. If you have less than three weeks, choose the flying trip.

Kanchenjunga base camp trek by road at a glance

Duration21 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu, no flights
Walking days15 days on the trail, from Sekathum to Yamphudin
Highest pointPangpema, the north base camp, about 5,140 m, below Kanchenjunga (8,586 m)
RegionFar-eastern Nepal, the restricted Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
DifficultyVery strenuous; long and remote
Getting thereRoad: Kathmandu to Birtamod, Birtamod to Taplejung, Taplejung to Sekathum
PermitsKanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, KCAP and TIMS, all included
Best monthsOctober to November and March to May

The 21 days in one table

DayPlan
1Kathmandu to Birtamod by road
2Birtamod to Taplejung
3Taplejung to Sekathum
4Sekathum to Amjilesa
5Amjilesa to Gyabla
6Gyabla to Ghunsa
7Rest day at Ghunsa
8Ghunsa to Kangpachen
9Rest day at Kangpachen
10Kangpachen to Lhonak
11Lhonak to North Base Camp and back
12Lhonak to Ghunsa
13Ghunsa to Sele Le
14Sele Le to Tseram
15Tseram to Ramche
16Ramche to South Base Camp and back to Tseram
17Tseram to Tortong
18Tortong to Yamphudin
19Yamphudin to Ilam by road
20Ilam to Birtamod by road
21Birtamod to Kathmandu by road

Full day-by-day details are in the itinerary below.

Online briefing and your Kathmandu hotel

After you book we will set up an online meeting to go through the gear, the days and your questions. Please arrive in Kathmandu by 4 pm the day before departure, so we can check your kit and meet your guide.

Kathmandu hotels are not included. Tell us your budget and whether you want a simple guesthouse or a five-star hotel, and we will book it. Your package begins when we leave Kathmandu on day 1, and every night outside Kathmandu is included.

Best time for this trek

SeasonMonthsWhat it is likeVerdict
AutumnOctober to NovemberClearest and most reliable. The main season.Best overall
SpringMarch to MayWarm lower down, rhododendron in flower, snow high upGreat, second season
WinterDecember to FebruaryVery cold and remote, higher camps shutCold but often clear
MonsoonJune to mid-SeptemberRain, cloud, leeches, and landslides on the long road inAvoid, especially on this road trip

Permits

Kanchenjunga is a restricted area. The permit is issued only through a registered agency and with a licensed guide. We arrange all three below and they are included in your price.

PermitCost per person
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area PermitUSD 20 a week for the first 4 weeks, USD 25 a week after
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCAP)NPR 2,000 (NPR 500 for SAARC)
TIMS cardNPR 2,000 (NPR 1,000 for SAARC)

Price per person by group size

Private or group, the price per person is the same. We never put strangers in your group, and the more of you there are, the less each person pays. These prices are for the by-road trip, with the transport described for each tier.

Group sizeBudget (per person)Standard (per person)Luxury (per person)
1 personUS$2,465US$4,945US$8,365
2-4 peopleUS$1,375US$3,395US$5,465
5-8 peopleUS$850US$2,735US$5,465
9-12 peopleUS$815US$2,635US$5,000
13-20 peopleUS$805US$2,600US$4,920

The organiser travels free. Bring fourteen or more paying people and whoever organised the group joins free, apart from their own permits and the costs we pay out for each person. We run your departure on your own dates, from one trekker up to twenty.

Planning a group? Message me on WhatsApp with the dates and how many of you, and I will send you a price and a plan.

Compare our three packages

 BudgetStandardLuxury
Price from (2 to 4 people)USD 1,375USD 3,395USD 5,465
Kathmandu to BirtamodLocal busTourist or deluxe busPrivate jeep
Birtamod to Taplejung and SekathumShared jeep seatsReserved jeep for your groupPrivate jeep
MealsNot included3 meals a day, tea or coffee with each, fruit daily3 meals a day, fruit and nuts, tea, coffee and soft drinks any time
RoomsSharedPrivate twinPrivate deluxe, attached bathroom
PorterNone1 per 2 trekkers (none for a solo trekker)1 per trekker
Guide1 per 6 trekkers1 per 6 trekkers1 per 2 trekkers

Same route, same guides, same safety, three comfort levels.

Difficulty: very strenuous

Kanchenjunga is one of the hardest treks in Nepal. You walk 5 to 8 hours on most days for 15 days in a remote part of the country, reaching about 5,140 m at North Base Camp. The trail crosses moraine and high passes, and the lodges above Ghunsa are very simple. The road days add long hours of sitting on rough roads, which tires people more than they expect. Previous multi-day trekking is strongly recommended.

Your trek, our family

I started The Everest Holiday in 2016, and my family has guided in the Himalayas for three generations. I design every itinerary myself and I brief every guide before your trek begins. You are welcome to message me directly on WhatsApp, +977 9810351300.

We are a registered company (Reg: 147653/072/073) and a TAAN member (#1586). We are a four-time TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winner (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024), rated 4.9 from 208 reviews on 16 October 2026.

Trek with a purpose

A portion of every booking supports the Nagarjun Learning Center, founded by our family in Saldum, Dhading. 70 children get free schooling and hot meals there. The centre is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal.

Why book with The Everest Holiday

Three Generations of Family Guides

Family-run since 2016 with three generations of guiding heritage. Not an agency — the family that runs the company leads your trek personally.

Private Group — No Strangers

Every trek we run is private. Your group only. We never combine bookings or add strangers to your party. If you book solo, you walk with a guide; if you book as four friends, your group stays four.

Nagarjun Learning Center Giveback

A fixed share of every booking funds the Nagarjun Learning Center — 70 children, 7 community centres, 3 full-time teachers, 600+ medical interventions, 275+ women supported. You can visit the centre before or after your trip; we arrange the visit separately.

Government Registered, TAAN Member

Govt Regd. No. 147653/072/073. Trekking Agency Licence 2090/072, Travel Agency Licence 2838/072. TAAN Member #1586. Over 300 reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and Trustpilot. We are a real, audited Nepal company — not a booking-platform middleman.

Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu (about 1,400 m / 4,593 ft) to Birtamod by road, usually around 13 hours
Max Altitude: Birtamod, low Terai plain (about 100 m / 328 ft)
Day 02: Birtamod to Taplejung (about 1,800 m / 5,906 ft), usually around 7 to 8 hours
Max Altitude: Taplejung about 1,800 m / 5,906 ft
Day 03: Drive from Taplejung (1,800m / 5,906ft) to Shekathum(1,650m / 5,413ft), usually around 6 – 7 hours with a total elevation change 150m / 492ft.
Max Altitude: 1,650m / 5,413ft
Day 04: Trek starts with a 9 km/5.59 mile walk from Shekathum (1650 m/5413 ft) to Amjilesa (2498 m/8,196 ft), usually around 6-7 hours with a total elevation change of 848 m/2782 ft.
Max Altitude: 2,498m / 8,196ft
Day 05: Trek starts with an 8 km/4.9 mile walk from Amjilesa (2498 m/8196 ft) to Gyabla/Kyapra (2725 m/8940 ft), usually around 5–6 hours with a total elevation change of 227 m/744.5 ft.
Max Altitude: 2,725m / 8,940ft
Day 06: Trek starts with a 10.7 km/6.64 mile walk from Gyabla (2725 m/8940 ft) to Ghunsa (3415 m/11204 ft), usually around 6–7 hours with a total elevation change of 690 m / 2,264 ft.
Max Altitude: 3415 m/11204 ft
Day 07: Acclimatisation day at Ghunsa (3,415 m / 11,204 ft).
Max Altitude: 3,415 m / 11,204 ft
Day 08: Trek starts with an  11.2 km/6.9 miles from Ghunsa  (3415 m/11204 ft) to Kangpachen (4145 m/13,599 ft), usually around 6 hours with a total elevation change of 730 m/2395 ft.
Max Altitude: 4,145m / 13,599ft
Day 09: Acclimatisation days at Kangpachen (4,145 m / 13,599 ft)
Max Altitude: 4,145m / 13,599ft
Day 10: Trek starts with a 9.6 km/5.96 mile walk from Kangpachen (4145 m/13,599 ft)  to Lhonak (4792 m/15722 ft), usually around 6–7 hours with a total elevation change of 647 m/2123 ft.
Max Altitude: 4792 m/15722 ft
Day 11: Trek starts with a 16.7 km / 10.37 miles from Lhonak (4792 m / 15722 ft) to North Base Camp  (5140 m / 16864 ft) and back to Lhonak (4792 m / 15722 ft), usually around 7 -8 hours with a total elevation change of 348 m / 1142 ft
Max Altitude: 4,792m / 15,722ft
Day 12: Trek 21.6 km / 13.42 miles from Lhonak (4,792 m / 15,722 ft) to Ghunsa (3,415 m / 11,204 ft), usually around 7–8 hours, total elevation change 1,377 m / 4,518 ft
Max Altitude: 3,415 m / 11,204 ft
Day 13: Trek 7.5 km / 4.6 miles from Ghunsa (3,415 m / 11,204 ft) to Sele Le (4,290 m / 14,075 ft), usually around 4–5 hours, total elevation change 875 m / 2,871 ft
Max Altitude: 4,290 m / 14,075 ft
Day 14: Trek 10.5 km / 6.5 miles from Sele Le (4,290 m / 14,075 ft) to Tseram (3,868 m / 12,690 ft), usually around 9 hours, total elevation change 422 m / 1,385 ft
Max Altitude: 3,868 m / 12,690 ft
Day 15: Trek 7 km / 4.34 miles from Tseram (3,868 m / 12,690 ft) to Ramche (4,610 m / 15,125 ft), usually around 3 hours, total elevation change 742 m / 2,434 ft
Max Altitude: 4,610 m / 15,125 ft
Day 16: Trek 7 km / 4.35 miles from Ramche (4,610 m / 15,125 ft) to South Base Camp (4,730 m / 15,518 ft) and back to Tseram (3,868 m / 12,690 ft), usually around 7–8 hours; total elevation change: 862 m / 2,828 ft.
Max Altitude: 3,868 m / 12,690 ft
Day 17: Trek 12 km / 7.46 miles from Tseram (3,868 m / 12,690 ft) to Tortong (2,980 m / 9,777 ft), usually around 6–7 hours, total elevation change 888 m / 2,913 ft
Max Altitude: 2,980 m / 9,777 ft
Day 18: Trek starts with 10 km / 6.21 miles walk from Tortong (2,980 m / 9,777 ft) to Yamphuding (1,692 m / 5,551 ft), usually around 5–6 hours, total elevation change 1,288 m / 4,226 ft
Max Altitude: 1,692 m / 5,551 ft
Day 19: Drive from Yamphudin (1,692 m / 5,551 ft) to Ilam (1,627 m / 5,338 ft), usually around 8 to 9 hours
Max Altitude: Ilam about 1,627 m / 5,338 ft
Day 20: Drive from Ilam to Birtamod, usually around 4 to 5 hours
Max Altitude: Birtamod, low Terai plain (about 100 m / 328 ft)
Day 21: Birtamod to Kathmandu by road, usually around 13 hours
Max Altitude: Kathmandu about 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
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Route Map

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Route Map Nepal

Pricing & What's Included

  • Most Popular
Book your own private small group trip
No. of travellers
Price per person
1 pax
US$2465
2 - 4 pax
US$1375
5 - 8 pax
US$850
9 - 12 pax
US$815
13 - 20 pax
US$805

Discounts are determined exclusively by the size of your group. We do not add additional members to your group.

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Secure Payment by Himalayan Bank.
Cost Includes

Transport

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off between Tribhuvan International Airport and your Kathmandu hotel.
  • No domestic flights on this trip. Every leg is by road.
  • Kathmandu to Birtamod and back by local bus.
  • Shared local jeep seats from Birtamod to Taplejung and on to Sekathum on day 3.
  • Shared local jeep seats from Yamphudin to Ilam, and from Ilam to Birtamod.

Accommodation and food

  • A hotel or lodge every night outside Kathmandu (Birtamod, Taplejung, the trail lodges, Ilam), in shared rooms.
  • Meals are not included. You order and pay at the lodge and the restaurants on the road.

Guide and porter

  • An English-speaking, government-trained guide who walks the whole route with you. One guide for up to 6 trekkers, and a second guide from 7 trekkers. His salary, food, lodging, insurance and transport are all covered.
  • There is no porter on Budget. You carry your own bag. Porters can be added at USD 29.24 a day, which includes VAT and the bank charge.

Permits and fees

  • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)
  • Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card
  • All government taxes and official expenses

Medical assistance

  • First aid kit and an oximeter to check your blood oxygen at altitude.
  • We arrange rescue in an emergency. The cost is covered by your travel insurance.

Complimentary

  • Company T-shirt and cap before the trek.
  • A farewell meal in Kathmandu and a certificate of achievement after the trek.

Benefits

  • Sleeping bag and down jacket on loan if you do not have your own. Please tell us at the online briefing.
  • Free storage of your extra luggage at our Kathmandu office for the whole trip.
  • A SIM card for every trekker, set up for you in Kathmandu.
Cost Excludes

Food and drinks

  • Meals and drinks. On Budget you pay for all food and drinks on the road and on the trail.
  • Bottled water, hot water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, juice and alcohol.

International flights

  • Your international flights to and from Nepal.

Visa

  • Nepal visa. At Tribhuvan airport you can pay USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days or USD 125 for 90 days, in cash. You can also apply before you travel.

Kathmandu hotels

  • Hotel nights in Kathmandu before and after the trip. Tell us your budget at the online briefing and we will book it for you. Hotel nights outside Kathmandu are included.

Tips

  • Tips for guides and porters. We recommend tipping the crew together at the end.

Other

  • A porter. Budget has none. Extra porters are USD 29.24 a day including VAT and the bank charge.
  • Extra nights and costs caused by things outside our control, such as landslides, weather, safety changes, illness, strikes or changes in government rules.

Insurance

  • Travel insurance. It is compulsory. See useful information for the cover we need.

Dates & Booking

Your trek, your choice, your price

Choose the style that suits you. Book a private departure on any date with just your party, or join a fixed group departure and trek with fellow adventurers from around the world. Same routes, same guides, same quality — 3 comfort tiers on both options. Per-person price follows our group-discount tiers based on YOUR party size (a couple pays less per pax than a solo trekker, 5+ pays less again) — the same tiers apply on both booking types.

Private Departure

  • Any date you choose
  • Just your party + dedicated guide
  • 3 comfort tiers (Budget, Standard, Luxury)
  • Per-pax price tier set by YOUR party size

Fixed Group Departure

  • Scheduled dates (see below)
  • Join other trekkers from around the world
  • 3 comfort tiers (Budget, Standard, Luxury)
  • Per-pax price tier set by YOUR party size (same tier as Private)
Book Private DepartureView Group Departures ↓

Prefer email? Send a question and we will reply within a few hours.

Peak season (Sep–Nov) — our guides book up fast. Get in touch 6–8 weeks ahead to secure your preferred dates.

Other dates

Need a different date? Other dates are available on request. Contact us or message Shreejan on WhatsApp.

Fixed departures are dates we have already committed to run. Your party still treks as its own private group with its own guide; we never merge bookings or add strangers, and solo trekkers are welcome on any date. Private departures on any other date you choose are also available. On both, the per-person price is set by the size of your own party.

Questions about this trip?

Chat directly with Shreejan — our founder replies personally within minutes

WhatsApp Shreejan

Equipment Lists

Only pack what’s needed for the trek to travel light and comfortably. You can store your excess luggage at The Everest Holiday for free. Porters will carry your main trekking bag, but the weight limit is 10 kg for each trekker. Since one porter carries the luggage for two people, we suggest that you and a trekking partner share one large duffel bag (over 60 Liters).

  • Sun hat (wide-brimmed)
  • Beanie (for warmth)
  • A neck gaiter or buff (for warmth and sun protection)
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Insulated gloves or mittens (for cold weather)
  • Waterproof gloves (for wet conditions)
  • A thick-wool or synthetic pair of moisture-wicking socks
  • waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and excellent traction
  • Sandals (for camp use or river crossings)
  • Gaiters protect
  • Moisture-wicking t-shirts (short and long sleeves)
  • Thermal base layer (for colder conditions)
  • Fleece jacket and down jacket (Mandatory)
  • Lightweight puffy jacket (for extra warmth)
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Raincoat
  • Lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirt
  • Polypropylene underwear (four)
  • Quick-drying pants/trousers (convertible or full-length)
  • Insulated pants (for colder conditions)
  • Lightweight cotton pants
  • Wear long underwear or thermal leggings when it is cold.
  • Two pairs of thermal/trekking trousers (pants)
  • Biodegradable bar soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Medium-sized drying towel
  • Wet wipes or hand sanitisers
  • The toilet paper is stored in a Ziplock bag.
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Travel-sized shampoo
  • Nail clippers
  • Small mirror
  • A duffel bag with a capacity of over 60 liters is intended for porters, with one duffel bag for every trekker.
  • An individual's daypack or backpack with a 20- or 30-liter capacity should be plenty.
  • Adjustable and lightweight poles (preferably collapsible)
  • A two-liter water bladder or bottle (with a protective cover for cold climates)
  • Use water purification methods such as purification tablets, filter bottles, or UV filters.
  • Camera/smartphone (extra memory cards and batteries)
  • A portable charger, spare batteries, or a battery pack
  • Two-pin charging plug
  • Basic first aid supplies include band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and Diamox (which is used to prevent or lessen symptoms related to mountain sickness).
  • Personal medications (inhalers, allergy meds, etc.)
  • Few passport-size photos
  • Passport photocopies
  • Notebook and pen
  • Binoculars
  • Basic first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, etc.)
  • Diamox (for altitude sickness prevention/relief)
  • Personal medications (inhalers, allergy meds, etc.)
  • Water purification (tablets, filter bottle, UV filter)
  • Energy bar
  • Lightweight headlamp (with adjustable brightness)
  • Face wipes
  • An extra pair of batteries

Essential Information

Kanchenjunga base camp trek by road (21 days), what you need to know

The road, checked 27 October 2026

On 13 July 2026 a section of the Mechi Highway between Golakharka and Rajduwali in Ilam collapsed after heavy rain. It is open again now. This trip uses the roads of Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, so we still check road access before every departure, and we will tell you before you pay the balance if the route has to change. The 19-day flying version uses the same road from Bhadrapur.

Arrival and welcome

Our representative will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport with a sign showing your name and take you to your hotel. Please arrive by 4 pm the day before departure so we have time for the final preparations. On day 1 we collect you from your hotel early in the morning.

The long drives

Day 1 and day 21 are about 13 hours each between Kathmandu and Birtamod, and day 2 is 7 to 8 hours to Taplejung. Coming out, day 19 is 8 to 9 hours from Yamphudin to Ilam and day 20 is 4 to 5 hours to Birtamod. These times are what the guides tell us for a normal day and not a promise. Roads in the east are slower after rain. The long drives are why the trip takes 21 days.

Accommodation

Every night outside Kathmandu is included: hotels in Birtamod and Ilam, and simple teahouses and lodges on the trail. Hot showers, charging and wifi are not always available and may cost a little extra on Budget and Standard. Kathmandu hotels are not included, but we can book them for you.

Meals

On Budget, meals and drinks are not included and you order and pay yourself. A teahouse meal with tea or coffee costs about NPR 2,000 at current prices, a little less lower down. On Standard and Luxury, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day outside Kathmandu.

Luggage

On Standard one porter carries the bags of two trekkers, so each of you can bring 10 kg. On Luxury you have your own porter and your bag can weigh up to 20 kg. Budget has no porter and you carry your own bag. You carry a small day bag with water, camera and valuables. A solo Standard trekker has no porter and the guide carries up to 10 kg of the bag. Porters join us in Taplejung. We keep to these lighter loads on purpose. Porters are the backbone of the Himalayas.

Visa

Most nationalities get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. It is USD 50 for 30 days, paid in cash. Citizens of China and SAARC countries get a free visa.

Permits

You need a Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, a Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. We arrange all three. Please send your passport copy and your insurance certificate within a week of booking. Since 22 March 2026 the restricted-area permit can be issued to a single trekker. A licensed guide is required, and the permit is for a registered agency to apply for. Restricted-area permits need at least 48 hours in government working days, so please book early.

Travel insurance

Insurance is compulsory. Your policy must cover medical costs and helicopter rescue up to 5,500 m. That is the highest point of the trek, Pangpema at about 5,140 m, rounded up to the next 500 m. Buy it at home, not in Nepal, and send us the details within a week of booking.

Money

The currency is the Nepali rupee, roughly 150 to the dollar. There are no cash machines on the Kanchenjunga trail, and cards are not accepted. Bring all the cash you need for the trek from Kathmandu, with a buffer for snacks, showers and tips. We take payment from foreign guests in US dollars or euros only.

Booking

Every trek is private and we never add strangers to your group. A 10% deposit locks your dates, paid online by card. The balance is paid in Kathmandu in US dollars or euros, in cash or by card (card payments carry a 3.5% bank charge). The deposit is not refunded if you cancel, but you can move your trek free of charge to any date within a year if you give us 7 days' notice. If we cannot run the trip, we refund what you paid, less taxes, bank and card charges and money already spent on permits and transport.

Our team

We are a family company, started in 2016, and my family has guided in the Himalayas for three generations. Your guides and porters know these mountains well. They are trained in first aid and altitude safety, and we cover their insurance, food and lodging.

Other trips

Short of time? Look at the 19-day version, where you fly to Bhadrapur, or add Chitwan, Pokhara or a Kathmandu Valley tour to your stay.

Read before you go: How much does the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek cost · Kanchenjunga South Base Camp · Tortong village

FAQs

For two to four travellers the price is USD 1,375 per person on Budget, USD 3,395 on Standard and USD 5,465 on Luxury. A solo traveller pays USD 2,465, USD 4,945 and USD 8,365, and larger groups pay less each. The restricted-area permit, conservation-area permit and TIMS card are included. Kathmandu hotels are not included.
It is 21 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu, with no flights. Days 1 to 3 are by road to Taplejung and Sekathum, days 4 to 18 are the trek via Ghunsa, North Base Camp, Sele Le, Tseram, South Base Camp and Yamphudin, and days 19 to 21 are by road to Ilam, Birtamod and Kathmandu.
The 19-day trek flies from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and back. This one does not fly, so it takes two days longer. The 15 days on the trail are exactly the same. On Budget and Standard this trip costs less, and on Luxury it costs more because you have your own private jeep the whole way. The 19-day trek is at /kanchenjunga-base-camp-trek-19-days.
On 13 July 2026 a section of the Mechi Highway in Ilam collapsed after heavy rain. It is open again now (checked 27 October 2026), and we still check road access before every departure and tell you before you pay the balance if the route has to change.
Kathmandu to Birtamod is about 13 hours, Birtamod to Taplejung 7 to 8 hours and Taplejung to Sekathum about 6 to 7 hours. Coming out, Yamphudin to Ilam is 8 to 9 hours, Ilam to Birtamod 4 to 5 hours and Birtamod to Kathmandu about 13 hours. These are normal-day times. Rain can add hours.
On Budget you travel by local bus from Kathmandu to Birtamod and by shared jeep seats on the other legs. On Standard it is a tourist or deluxe bus, then a reserved jeep for your group. On Luxury it is a private jeep all the way from Kathmandu.
It is very strenuous. You walk 5 to 8 hours a day for 15 days in a remote region, reaching about 5,140 m at North Base Camp, with rest days at Ghunsa and Kangpachen. You need good fitness and previous multi-day trekking. The road days are long too.
Yes, three: the Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (USD 20 per person per week for the first four weeks), the Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. We arrange all three and they are included in every tier. Restricted-area permits need at least 48 hours in government working days, so please book early.
Yes. Since 22 March 2026 the Department of Immigration issues a restricted-area permit to a single trekker. You must book through a registered agency and walk with a licensed guide. A solo trekker pays the solo price, and no one walks apart from the guide in this restricted area.
Cover for trekking and helicopter rescue up to 5,500 m. The highest point is Pangpema at about 5,140 m, rounded up to the next 500 m. Buy it at home, not in Nepal.
October and November are the clearest and most reliable. March to May is the second season, with rhododendron in flower. Winter is very cold and the monsoon is wet, with landslides on the road in, so we avoid it.
Budget has no porter. On Standard one porter carries the bags of two trekkers, 10 kg each, and a solo Standard trekker has no porter, with the guide carrying up to 10 kg. On Luxury you have your own porter and your bag can weigh up to 20 kg. Porters join us in Taplejung. An extra porter is USD 29.24 a day, which includes VAT and the bank charge.
Every night outside Kathmandu is included. Expect hotels in Birtamod and Ilam and simple teahouses on the trail, which get very basic above Ghunsa. Standard and Luxury include all meals. On Budget you order and pay for your own meals, about NPR 2,000 for a meal with tea or coffee.
A 10% deposit locks your dates. You pay it online by card, and we cover the bank charge on the deposit. The balance is paid in Kathmandu in US dollars or euros, cash or card (card carries 3.5%). The deposit is not refunded if you cancel, but you can move your trek free of charge to any date within a year if you give 7 days' notice. If we cannot run the trip, we refund what you paid, less taxes, bank and card charges and money already spent on permits and transport.