Overview
Reach new heights with Kanchenjunga Trek and make an achievement for the lifetime!
Kanchenjunga Trek is a popular adventure trekking route in Nepal that takes you through the beautiful Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The trek is named after the third highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjungha (8,586 m (28,169), which is located on the border of Nepal and India. The trek is a challenging one and is suitable for experienced trekkers who are looking for an adventure in the Himalayas.Trekkers can explore and experience Ramtang and Oktang Monasteries., Yalung glaciers, Tamor River, Some part of India and Sikkim during their Kanchenjunga Trek.
The trek commences from the town of Taplejung, which is located in the eastern part of Nepal. From here, you will trek through the beautiful villages of Chirwa, Lelep, and Amjilosa, where you can experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the local people. The trail then takes you through dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including the red panda, snow leopard, and Himalayan black bear. As you trek higher, the scenery becomes more spectacular, with stunning views of snow-capped peaks, including Mount Kanchenjungha ((8,586 m (28,169ft), Jannu (7,710 m (25,300 ft), and Makalu (8,481 metres (27,825 ft). You will also pass through high-altitude lakes, glaciers, and alpine meadows, which are filled with colorful wildflowers during the spring and summer months.
The highest point of the Kanchnejunga trek is the Pangpema Base Camp which is located at an altitude of 5,143 meters. From here, you can get a close-up view of Mount Kanchenjungha and its surrounding peaks. You can also visit the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, which is located on the Tibetan side of the mountain. The trek takes normally around 20-23 days to complete, and you will need to be physically fit and prepared for high-altitude trekking. The best time to do the trek is in the spring and autumn months, when the weather is clear and dry. In a few words, the Kanchenjunga Trek is a challenging but rewarding trek that takes you through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Nepal. It is a great way to experience the natural beauty and cultural diversity of this amazing country. Kanchenjungha Trek being dwelt in the hearts of travelers as a complete remote and wilderness trek.
Kanchenjunga Trek Highlights
- Breathtaking Mountain views: Kanchenjunga Trek offers some of the most breathtaking views
of the Himalayan range including Mount Kanchenjunga ((8,586 m (28,169ft), Jannu (7,710 m
(25,300 ft), and Makalu (8,481 metres (27,825 ft)..
- Cultural diversity: The trek passes through a number of villages inhabited by different ethnic
groups like the Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, and Tamang, providing a unique opportunity to experience
their culture and traditions.
- Remote and unspoiled landscapes: The trek takes you through some of the most remote and
unspoiled landscapes in the Himalayas, including pristine forests, alpine meadows, and glacial
lakes.
- Challenging terrain: The trek is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in the
Himalayas, with steep ascents and descents, high altitude, and unpredictable weather conditions.
- Wildlife Experiences: The trek passes through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which is
home to a variety of wildlife, including the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, and
musk deer.
- Unique trekking experience: The Kanchenjunga Trek is a unique trekking experience that is
still relatively unknown compared to other popular treks in the Himalayas, offering a sense of
adventure and exploration.
- Local hospitality: The local people in the villages along the trek are known for their warm
hospitality and welcoming nature, making the trek even more memorable.
- Less Crowded and Wild Trekking Trail: Kanchenjunga Trek is popular as less crowded and
wild trekking trail in Nepal. The solitary trekkers and the trekkers who love trekking through
absolute wilderness and the less crowded trekking trail in Nepal find this trek a rewarding.
- Experience and explore Ramtang and Oktang Monasteries, Yalung glaciers, mighty Tamor
River, Some part of India and Sikkim.
Kanchenjunga Trek Best Weathers
Actually, Autumn ( Sep-Nov) and Spring ( Mar-May are the two best seasons with finest weather conditions of the year to do Kanchenjunga Trek. Majority of the people go with Autumn and rest of them with Spring to do this trek. Yes, Autumn is the finest time of the year offering the most unique experiences with festive moods and perfect temperature for trekking in Nepal. The mountain views are magnificent and the moderate temperature helps trekkers to accomplish their Kanchnejunga Trek successfully without any complications.
Best Time To Do Kanchenjunga Trek
Spring, though Autumn offers the best time of the year; favors the travelers with mild temperature along with flowering rhododendron at the lower Kanchnejunga region. The mixture of flowering rhododendron, clear blue sky and mountain panoramas are incredible to experience. Though Spring is hot while you are at Bhadrapur, the weather gets cooler as you ascend to higher elevation; you will have a memorable time there. The new floras and faunas in the spring in Kanchenjunga Conservation will delight you tremendously in Spring. Therefore, Spring and Autumn are the two best times of the year for your Kanchenjungha Trek. First, you are recommended to make the trip in Autumn and if you cannot do it in autumn, then, go with Spring which you will find equally supportive with astonishing weather conditions and breathtaking mountain panoramas and all.
Kanchenjunga Trek Difficulty
The Kanchenjunga Trek is a challenging trek that requires a high level of physical fitness, endurance, and mental toughness. The trek takes you through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the world, with steep ascents and descents, narrow trails, and unpredictable weather conditions. The trek starts from the small town of Taplejung in eastern Nepal and takes you through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The trek takes around 20-25 days to complete, and you will be walking for around 6-8 hours a day. The highest point of the trek is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp at an altitude of 5,143 meters. The altitude and the rugged terrain make this trek a challenge, and it is recommended only for experienced trekkers. Altitude sickness is a real risk on this trek, and it is essential to acclimatize properly before attempting to reach the base camp. The Kanchenjunga Trek is not just physically challenging, but also mentally challenging, as
you will be spending several days in remote areas without any modern amenities. However, the stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range and the unique cultural experiences make it a once- in-a-lifetime adventure for those who are up for the challenge.
Kanchenjunga Trek Preparations
Kanchenjunga Trek is a challenging trek that requires proper preparation before embarking on
the journey. Here are some essential preparations for the trek:
Physical fitness
The trek involves long hours of walking, uphill and downhill, on uneven terrain. You need to prepare your body by doing regular exercise, cardio, and strength training. One must have prior trekking experience beforehand venturing on the trek. At least, the trekkers who are planning for Kanchenjunga Trek requires previous experience of 1-2 short/moderate trekking experience above 4000m high.
Trekking gear
You need to have proper trekking gear such as trekking shoes, backpack, trekking poles, warm clothes, and sleeping bag. It is also essential to carry a first aid kit, water purifier, and headlamp. We suggest to get fresh trekking equipment for the trek; not second hand or the used ones.
Kanchenjunga Trek Permits and documents
You need to obtain all necessary permits and documents before starting the trek. You need to obtain permits: TIMS Card ( Trekking Information Management System), Kanchenjungha Conservation Area Entry Permit and Kanchnejunga Restricted Area Entry Permit : you must carry your passport, visa and travel insurance with you.
Hiring a guide
It is mandatory to hire a licensed trekking a guide through a valid trekking company who knows the trail and can help you with the necessary arrangements. Also, you are suggested to hire a porter to carry your stuffs so that you can feel relaxed and more convenient while ascending and descending during Kanchenjunga Trek.
Foods and Accommodations
During the Kanchenjunga Trek, the food and accommodations will vary depending on the route and the altitude. Here are some general guidelines:
Kanchenjunga Trek Food
- In lower altitudes, there will be teahouses and restaurants where you can buy meals.
- These places usually serve a variety of dishes, including Nepali, Indian, Tibetan, and Western cuisine.
- As you go higher, the options become more limited.
- You may need to rely on the teahouses for meals, which typically serve simple dishes such as dal bhat (rice and lentil soup), noodles, and momos (dumplings).
- Its important to stay hydrated and eat nutritious food during the trek. Bring snacks such as nuts,
energy bars, and dried fruit to supplement your meals so that you won’t go starved during the walk.
Kanchenjunga Trek Accommodations
- In lower altitudes, there will be guesthouses and lodges that offer basic rooms with shared
bathrooms. These places usually have a communal dining area where you can interact with other
trekkers.
- As you go higher, the accommodations become more basic. You may need to share a room with other trekkers, and the bathrooms will normally be outside.
- In some places, you may need to camp if there are no teahouses or guesthouses available. Make sure that you carry warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag.
Kanchenjunga Trek Elevation Ranges
The Kanchenjungha Trek elevation ranges from 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) to 5,160 meters (16,929 feet) above sea level. The trek begins with a domestic flight from Kathmandu (1400m to Suketar (2420m). Next, the trek takes you to Toranden (2985m) and Tseram (3870m). Passing through these beautiful local villages, the trek takes you to Yalung Base Camp (4500m) via Ramche (4620m). Finally, the trek takes you to the the highest point of the Kanchnejungha trek, Pangpema Base Camp which is located at an altitude of 5,143 meters and slowly takes you back to Suketar and take another domestic flight to Kathmandu to end your Kanchenjunga Trek.
The trek takes you through a wide range of landscapes and altitudes, starting from the lush green forests and terraced fields of the lowlands, passing through remote villages and high mountain passes, and finally reaching the icy slopes of the third highest peak in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga. The trek is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in Nepal due to its high altitude and remote location, but the stunning views and unique cultural experiences make it a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for those who are up for the challenge. Getting to the Trailhead and Away Bhadrapur is the trailhead of Kanchnejungha Trek. We take a short domestic flight for 45 minutes to get Bhadrapur from Kathmandu. We also pass beautiful Ilam Bazaar and tea garden to get Taplejung ( 1800m) from where we start trekking formally.
The trek, then, takes you to Toranden (2985m) and Tseram (3870m). Passing through these beautiful local villages, the trek takes you to Yalung Base Camp (4500m) via Ramche (4620m). Finally, the trek takes you to the highest point of the Kanchnejunga trek, Pangpema Base Camp which is located at an altitude of 5,143 meters and slowly takes you back to Suketar and take another domestic flight to Kathmandu to end your Kanchenjunga Trek. So, it’s a very long way drive to Bhadrapur and Ilam to Taplejung from Kathmandu. Actually, it’s a tiring bus drive to Taplejung. Trekkers get tired of travelling by bus before they commence their Kanchenjungha Trek. Therefore, there is no option of domestic flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and from Suketar to Kathmandu for Kanchenjungha Trek.
Upon Arriving in Nepal we had 20 days of which we had no idea how we were going to spend it. Furtunately we met met Mr. Prakash when we explored around thamel and he helped us organize our trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Our trek was fablous with our guide Suresh. He is so expert and took care of duing the trek. Adventure Himalaya Circuit Trek is one of the best trekking company in Nepal. Price was very reasonable and managment and costumer care was excellent. We highly recommend this company to anyone wanting to make the most of their time in wonderful Nepal.
