Kanchenjunga Trekking 27 Days

Trip Facts

Kanchenjunga Trekking is the trek to the Base Camp of the world's third highest peak Kanchenjunga.We promise this high altitude Himalayan trek will leave an impact on you forever. Kanchenjunga, although a restricted area, perhaps one of the most remote trekking regions, is situated in Eastern Nepal bordering the Indian state of Sikkim. This area houses Musk Deer, Blue Sheep and the maybe even the legendary Yeti. Few westerners have traveled to this remote area.

This high endurance trek starts with a pleasant drive to Basantpur after which an easy walk for three days through Sherpa and Chhetri villages will reach you to a place called Suketar.

From here on you will feel isolated and far away from civilization, walking on a route along a ridge towards the Tamur River, enjoying panoramic views of Makalu (27,825ft) and Chamlang (24,000ft) peaks. After covering the forests and rhododendron thickets the Kanchenjunga range dramatically reveals itself. The route continues up the Tamur River through Limbu Villages (where a pot of Tongba can be had) to the terraced mountainside village of Amjilassa and the legendary Sherpa village of Ghunsa (11,400ft). The lovely monastery in Ghunsa makes for an interesting visit before the first glimpse of a sea of unclimbed peaks including Jannu (25,289ft), know as "Mystery Peak" or "Terror Peak" is visible. The trail goes on to reach the edge of the Kanchenjunga Glacier and, after crossing the lateral moraine you will come to the junction of Lhonak Glacier (15,680ft) and the valley beyond it. The campsite at Lhonak can be reached by crossing this junction, an undisturbed landscape of unspeakable beauty.

Itinerary Detail

Day 01 Upon your arrival in Kathmandu (1000m/3280ft) & transfer to Hotel.
Day 02 Half day guided city tours and afternoon pre-trip discussion of next day trek.
Day 03 Drive from Kathmandu to Basantapur (1900m)
Day 04 Trek through mossy Rhododendron forests eventually leading to Chauki (2700m) .
Day 05 Receive your first views of various peaks including Kanchenjunga. Over night in Gupa Pokhari.
Day 06 Continue ascending early, through interesting forests. Camp the night by the river at Dovan.
Day 07 Most of the day you follow the river up the Tamur Valley through rocky fields up to Mitlung.
Day 08 Cross the river and continue up, the path narrows, you eventually reach the village of Chirwa.
Day 09 Trek up the Gunsa Khola valley. Riverside camp near the Tibetan village of Sakathum.
Day 10 Enter an arid landscape and follow a hairy trail up to a crest. Descend slightly to Amjilessa
Day 11 Forests of bamboo, oak & rhododendron, waterfalls, pastures, and great views up to Kyapra.
Day 12 Descend steeply into the side of a ravine, trek along the river to yak pastures and up to Gunsa.
Day 13 Acclimatisation day - Gunsa. Trek to the lake at the Yamatari Glacier.
Day 14 Tackle the unstable slopes leading up to the Tibetan settlement of Kambachen (4,040m).
Day 15 Acclimatisation Day Kambachen. There are a number of day hikes to help acclimatise.
Day 16 The trail is rocky then crosses moraines. Camp at Lhonak, the views prevail from all directions.
Day 17 Trek up to the base camp of Pang Pema (5,140m) Watch the sunset over Kanchenjunga.
Day 18 Hike up the ridge early. The panorama is spectacular, Kambachen overnight
Day 19 Kambachen to Gunsa
Day 20 Today you trek along a trail that is difficult to distinguish. Camp at Tseram, a large flat meadow.
Day 21 Walk along the moraine of the Yalung glacier. The valley opens up, camp at Ramche (4,420m). .
Day 22 Day trip to Yalung Glacier
Day 23 Start the you descent today taking a different route to Chirwa
Day 24 Chirwa to Anpan (2250m)
Day 25 Anpan to Pokari (1,700m)
Day 26 Pokhara to Taplajung (2,350m)
Day 27 Fly back to Biratnager and take a flight back to Kathmandu.

Cost Includes

All meals (B/L/D) & accommodation (Lodge/Tented camp) during the trekking period
National park permit
Domestic airfare
Domestic airport tax
English speaking guide
Highly experienced staffs
Staffs food, clothing & salary
Staffs insurance
All necessary grounded transportation
Airport picks up & drops
TIMS (Trekker's Information Management System)

Cost Excludes

Personal nature expenses
Bar bill
Rescue & Evacuation
Gratitude (tip) for staff

Kanchenjunga Trekking Photographs

Essential Information

1. Basic Symptoms:

Loss of appetite
Sleep disturbance
Difficult to pass urine

2. Medium Symptoms:

Headache which is bad
Irregular breathing
Nausea
Mild weakness

3. Serious Symptoms:

Slight swelling of hands and face
Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed.
Can hear gurgling sound in the chest.
Zero energy.

What to do about Altitude Sickness?
Altitude illness can be prevented by acclimatization; that is, by a graduate rate of ascent (not more than 400 – 500 meters), allowing sufficient rest at various intermediate altitudes. The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary. Try to drink at least four liters of water a day. On the trail you can drink hot garlic soup that will help you to some extent. When we reach to our destination it is better to make some hiking up to a bit higher point and come down to the camp or hotel. This is a really good way to get acclimatization. You may take Diamox 250mg tablets the night before flying / going to altitude. Sometimes the symptoms often disappear and the trek can be resumed.

If you feel obviously suffering from the serious symptoms of AMS then descent should not be delayed even if it means going down in dark. In such case, should an emergency situation arise, horse, or porter will be arranged; or we carry you and run to lower (descend) altitudes. There is communication facility at Namche Bazaar; Doctors at Khunde hospital in the Everest Area and HRA Clinics and in some trekking areas also have the Gamow Bag. The hospital or the clinic will take fees or charges for such services. We can arrange for immediate evacuation, by horse or helicopter, depending on the severity of the case.