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Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Trek

Trip code NET-KNSB1
Package name Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Trek
Duration 23
Max. elevation 5225.00 m
Level DIFFICULT
Transportation Land & Flight
Accomodation 2-3 Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu. Lodge or Camping Accomodation during Trek
Starts at Kathmandu
Ends at Kathmandu
Trip route
Cost USD 0 per person

Highlights

Overview

Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Trek takes you to the heart of Kanchenjunga peak with double offers of visiting both Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp. Kanchenjunga falls in restricted trekking zone so special trekking permits will be required by trekkers to visit this region. 
 
Kanchenjunga in Limbu language literally means “Five treasures of the Snow”. Kirat people and their culture and hospitality is another major attraction of this place. 
 
Kanchenjunga (8586m) is the third highest mountain in the world and second highest peak in Nepal after Everest. Kanchenjunga Massif is located in eastern Nepal in the Taplejung District. The district is one of the most remote districts in Nepal with no proper access of roads. The Kanchenjunga peak straddles the borders of Sikkim, Tibet and Nepal. 
 
This is perhaps one of the longest wilderness trek in the Himalayan region.The trek is mainly done on Camping basis, though, nowadays, lodge and homestays are also available along the trek. 
 
The trek starts from Taplejung and ends in Gopetar. The access to Taplejung is either through direct flight from Kathmandu to Taplejung or on a bus ride via Dharan. With recent developments on road infrastructure, it remains the shortest route to reach the Kanchenjunga North base camp.
 
One of the highlights of this trek is the opportunity to see colorful blossoming of rhododendron flowers. In fact Taplejung is known for many flowers and has the greatest cluster for rhododendron. The forests are natural and dense, home to such endangered species as snow leopard, red panda and black bear. 
 
Nepal Environmental Treks organizes this trek as per the trekkers’ interests and budget. Lodge-based trekking is cheaper than camping arrangements.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Fly to Bhadrapur and then drive to Taplejung (1820m)

45 minutes flight to Bhadrapur and take 10-11 hrs drive to Taplejung.

Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 2 : Trek from Taplejung to Mitlung (921m)

Three and a half hours. Walk through road a bit and then the trail narrows. Cross suspension bridges and few villages and reach Mitlung. The village lies beside Tamur river.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 3 : Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla takes about seven hours.

Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla takes about seven hours. The trail is quite flat in the beginning and gently ascends to Gyabla passing through the jungle. Human settlements are visible at Gyable. People living here follow the Buddhist culture.

Stay overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 4 : Trek from Chiruwa to Sekarthum (1576m)

Walk along the Tamur river bank, following the road. You will enjoy the trail through cardamom forests and Limbu and Sherpa villages.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp.

Day 5 : Trek from Sekarthum to Amjilasa (2308m)

The trail goes past small patches of forests. The trail coroses Gunsa river over suspension bridges. After three hours trek, you will make a climb to Amjilasa. Amjilasa is a small hamlet with few houses.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 6 : Trek from Amjilasa to Gyabla (2730m)

Cross a dense forests of rhododendron for the first few hours. From hereon follow the banks of Ghunsa river upstream before making an ascent to Gyabla. There are few houses in Gyabla inhabited by Tibetans and Sherpa ethnic communities.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp.

Day 7 : Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3595)

The trail continues to go through jungle with great views of rivers. You go past Tibetan refugee camps in Faleh. Follow the river and cross a suspension bridge before reaching Ghunsa. Ghunsa is comparatively densely populated village populated by Sherpa and Tibetan communities.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 8 : Rest at Gunsa

Today is a rest day at Ghunsa for acclimatization. You will hike to Ghunsa Ri (4000m) to see clear views of mountain peaks such as Ghunsa peak, Gabur peak and Seybu Dumje peak.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 9 : Trek from Ghunsa to Khambachen (4050m)

Follow the river bank to enter into a thick jungle of rhododendrons. You can get great views of Himalayan peaks such as Jannu, Kumbakarna etc. In no time you will reach Khamabchen village where there are few lodges.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 10 : Trek from Khambachen to Lhonak (4780m)

The trail is a bit difficult today as you will cross landslide areas. However the sight of waterfalls and Himalayan peaks will be rewarding. Lhonak is a small village spread out in a big open ground near Kanchenjunga Glacier. There are few lodges that cater to occasional trekkers.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 11 : Trek from Lonak to Kanchenjunga Pang Pema Base camp (5143m) and return to Lonak (4780m)

Today will be a challenging trek as you will ascend up to 5000m. It takes 3.30 hrs to reach Kanchenjunga Pang Pema Base camp. The camp affords unparalleled views of Kanchenjunga (third highest mountain in the world), Ramtang, Shikhar Himalayan peaks. After capturing the views, you will return to Lonak for overnight rest.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 12 : Trek from Lonak to Gunsa (3595)

You will retrace the trails back to Ghunsa. 

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 13 : Trek from Ghunsa to Selele Base Camp (4200m)

Climb uphill and approach a thick dense jungle to reach a ridge. The trail afterwards is gradual up and down. Selele Base Camp offer beautiful views of Jannu and Makalu peaks.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 14 : Trek from Selele Base Camp to Tseram (3870m)

You will need to overcome two highest passes, Selele pass (4600m) and Mirgin La (4640m) passes. You will descend dramatically from Mirgin La to arrive at Tseram. Tseram village consist of few lodges.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 15 : Trek from Tseram to Oktong Base Camp (4730m) via Ramche and return to Ramche (4580m) or Tseram.

The trail goes through jungle and rivers. Oktong Base Camp provides splendid panorama of Himalayan peaks. Afterwards return to Ramche if there is enough time or stop at Tseram.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 16 : Trek from Ramche/Tseram to Throngtong (2995)

The trail goes along the bank of river occasionally passing through dense rhododendron jungle. Throngtong is a small hamlet near the bank of a river featuring few lodges.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 17 : Trek from Throngtong to Yamphuding (2080m)

Take the trail through jungle and climb uphill passing through a landslide area. Once you reach Bhanjyang you will walk downhill all the way to Yamphudin. It takes about three and a half hours to reach Yamphudin, which is a big Sherpa settlement.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 18 : Trek from Yamphuding to Pumphe Danda (1850m)

You will descend to lower elevation today. The landscape opens up to rice fields and villages. Pumphe Danda is a village settled by Limbu and Brahmin communities.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 19 : Trek from Pumphe Danda to Kande Bhanjyang (2129m)

The trail is easy as you pass through farms and villages. A total of 5 hrs to reach Kande Bhanjyang.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 20 : Trek from Kande Bhanjyang to Lali Kharka (2265m)

The trail descends steeply and crosses a suspension bridge to enter into Limbu villages. Afterwards climb uphill through farmlands to reach Lali Kharkha.

Stay overnight at lodge/camp. 

Day 21 : Trek from Lali Kharka to Taplejung

Today is the last day of you trek. The trail initially goes through a forest and then follows road section with bits of up and down. It takes 6 hrs to reach Taplejung.

Stay overnight in hotel. 

Day 22 : Drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur

Take a drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur which takes about 10-11 hrs.

Stay overnight in hotel. 

Day 23 : Fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu

Take a morning flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

Inclusions

What is included?

What isn't included?

Complimentary

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