Kanchenjunga Trek - 22 days

Kanchenjunga is one of the off-the-beaten trekking trails in Nepal, which is also why the trek is challenging. The trek generally starts from Taplejung, one of the developed towns in this trek, and as you start passing trails and visiting new villages, the luxury begins decreasing. The Kanchenjunga Trek trails pass through different landscapes, like barren wildlands, lush jungles, rocky peaks, valleys, and snowy mountains. Each day, the trekkers climb altitude, reach different trails, and get the opportunity to experience various types of environments and surroundings.

The trails of this trek pass through both the north and south base camp areas. Both trails pass through various small towns, villages, and settlements, and when you climb the altitude, you won’t find the teahouses, but you will pass through several barren lands and yak pastures. Throughout the trails, you will encounter several fields with tents where other trekkers are camping.

One of the best attractions for the trekkers regarding the Kanchenjunga trek is that the trails are peaceful, and there is less of a crowd. So, to those who want a peaceful adventure amid the Himalayas, this trek is perfect to unwind and get away from day-to-day work.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal. You can explore Northern Base Camp and Southern Base Camp to reach this base camp. You can experience significant attractions during the Kanchenjunga Trek, such as stunning panoramic views, cultural immersion, ancient temples, and monasteries. Both of the routes provide unique experiences, and they have their highlights.

North Kanchenjunga Base Camp

The North Kanchenjunga Base Camp takes you through several remote settlements like Taplejung, Sekathum, Amjilosa, Gyabla, Ghunsa, Kambachen, and finally to the North Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.

Highlights

• Trek through the remote wilderness, experiencing one of the best off-the-beaten treks in the world.
• The remote terrain through the North Base Camp lies in isolation, so that you won’t get much luxury.
• Visit the tea gardens along the way and reach the teahouses to taste some of the best local tea or coffee.
•  Trek through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where you can see unique wildlife such as the Asian black bear, snow leopard, red panda, and diverse bird life.

South Kanchenjunga Base Camp

The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek takes you to the region’s wilderness. In this Kanchenjunga trek route, you will pass through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where trekkers will see some of the rare and endangered species of animals and birds. Besides conservation areas, they will also trek through rivers, waterfalls, lakes, suspension bridges, etc.

Highlights

• Witness stunning views of the mountains, valleys, and lakes.
• Pass through villages, towns, and settlements of different casts like Newar, Tharu, Magar, Sherpa etc.
• Enjoy a peaceful trekking crowd that is untouched and unbothered.
• The locals are friendly kind, and have unbelievable customs and ideas.

Kanchenjunga Trek begins from the Kathmandu to Bhadrapur flights. After landing in Bhadrapur, we will drive to Illam. The next day, we will drive from Illam to Taplejung, where our trek starts. You will start trekking from Taplejung till you reach Chirwa. The next stop on the trek is Lelep, and after that, Amjilosa. Amjilosa is a developed settlement that is rare, so spend time shopping.

The next stop from Amjilsoa is Gyabla, and then you will reach Ghunsa, the first place to acclimate. The next day, the trek route takes to Kambachen, the second place for acclimatization. The destination is nearer as the trek route leads to Lhonak and the Northern Base Camp of Kanchenjunga.

Now return to Ghunsa, then take the route to Sela La and Cheram, after which you will reach South Base Camp. The trek route continues towards Torongding, Yamphuding, and Khebang. The Kanchenjunga Trek route has different landscapes, from off-trail roads, streams, waterfalls, suspension bridges, jungles, rivers, waterfalls, temples, monasteries, glacial moraines, and snowy mountains.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the remote treks in Nepal that takes trekkers to some of the beautiful places of the eastern region. The trek is 22 days long, so the distance the trekkers have to cover is quite long. The total trek distance of the Kanchenjunga Trek is 220km long, making it one of Nepal’s most extended and most challenging treks.

The Kanchenjunga Trek takes you closer to the third-highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga. There are two ways to explore the Kanchenjunga trek: one is via Base Camp Trek, and another is via Circuit Trek. As the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek is about 220 kilometers, the base camp trek, on the other hand, is approximately 150 to 180 km based on the route and itinerary.

A few factors affect the trek distance of any trek like Kanchenjunga.

• Different trekking agencies provide different trek routes, differentiating the trek distance.
• If the trekkers request an additional acclimatization day, the guides may have to take them to different teahouses, affecting the distance.
• Unforeseen circumstances like snowstorms, blizzards, or avalanches can block the usual route, so trekkers must find alternative routes, which can also increase trek distance.
• If the trekking crew wants to experience all the side trips, the trek distance will also increase.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most challenging treks, and the high elevation makes it more difficult. Every day, the trekkers trek from one place to another, climbing elevation until they reach the highest point of the trek in Kanchenjunga Base Camp, which sits at an impressive 5,143 meters.

The daily elevation gain from trekkers on this trek ranges from 500 to 800m. The starting point of this trek is Taplejung at  1820m. The next day, trekkers arrive at Chirwa, which means they will lower their altitude by up to 500m. But when they come to Amjilosa, the elevation is 2500m. From Amjilosa, the elevation keeps increasing as trekkers arrive at Gyabla at 2730m and Ghunsa at 3595, climbing an elevation of 1095m in two days.

The next day, trekkers climb another 600m as they reach Kambachen and a whopping 675m when they arrive in Lhonak at 4785m. The trek’s highest point, Kanchenjunga Base Camp, is 358m higher at 5143m.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most extended treks through the remote settlements, making it very challenging. So, for this long trek, food is an important factor every trekker must consider. It is essential to gain energy throughout your trek so you don’t feel tired; otherwise, it will impact your trek heavily. During the Kanchenjunga trek, the trekkers will get three meals daily: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Breakfast

Breakfast is the first meal of the day, and it is the most important meal as well. In the early part of the trek, it is necessary to cover more distance, so the trekkers should not avoid breakfast. You will be trekking through rough terrains in the Nepalese Himalayas, so you will need an instant burst of energy from breakfast. Some of the menus for breakfast are porridge, pancakes, Tibetan bread, eggs, tea, coffee, cornflakes, soups, stews, etc.

Lunch and Dinner

After the initial portion of the trek, the trekkers and guide stop for lunch. Lunch is also another essential part of the trek, as you will consume more carbohydrates and protein meals during lunch and dinner. The lunch and dinner menus are similar to those for high-altitude trekking. The most common dish is the local Nepali Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari, which means rice, lentils, and vegetable curry in English. In the developed villages or towns, the teahouses also have menus for Western dishes like Pizzas, Burgers, Dumplings, Soups, Spaghetti, Macaroni, and others.

Drinks and Desserts

Besides regular meals, drinks and desserts are offered during the Kanchenjunga Trek. Beverages like tea, coffee, energy drinks, hot chocolate, and alcohol are served in the hotels and teahouses. However, at high altitudes, we recommend avoiding alcoholic beverages as they can cause dehydration. During the trek, trekkers can enjoy fantastic desserts like Rice Pudding, chocolates, etc.; however, there are fewer.

Accommodation

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek provides basic accommodation in teahouses with shared rooms with twin beds, shared toilets, and limited amenities. Only single female trekkers are provided a single bed for comfort and safety. Teahouses provide many blankets, bedsheets, and pillows to make the trekkers sleep warm and cozy. The accommodation is mainly necessary for the proper place to rest and accommodation.

Trekkers can spend a day acclimatizing in Suketar and Gunsa. Throughout the trek, there are only a few teahouses at specific locations. For example, Lhonak is the last stop with a teahouse en route to the north base camp. Similarly, Ramche is the final teahouse on the path to the south base camp. Additionally, on the Sele Pass high camp, there are only two available teahouses, each accommodating ten to fifteen trekkers at a time.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the challenging regions where you won’t find many teahouses at a higher altitude, so trekkers have to camp in the barren wildlands. Hence, this is also why trekking in this region in the winter is far more risky due to continuous snowstorms, blizzards, and avalanches.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, so if you want to make the trek a bit less strenuous, it is wise to trek at the best time. In Nepal, spring and autumn are considered ideal for hiking. Similarly, two seasons are considered less than ideal for trekking and falls in the off-season for trekking. So, let’s get into them.

Spring

Spring season falls from March to May in Nepal. As the winter season ends, the Spring season begins, so the initial days of March are still a bit cold, but as the day passes and April comes, the days become ideal for trekking. The weather and temperature are mild and perfect for trekking in the remote region. The main attraction of the Spring season is a majestic landscape with colorful flowers and lush jungles. Due to the popular trekking, the trails and teahouses are more crowded than others.

Autumn

Like the Spring season, the Autumn season is equally ideal for trekkers. The Autumn begins in September and ends in November. The first few days of September fall in the post-monsoon area so that the region will receive minimal to heavy rainfall. However, the weather gets more apparent as the days progress and October arrives. The best attraction for trekking in autumn is the stunning views of the peaks, valleys, mountains, and skies.

Monsoon and Winter Season

Just like there are peak seasons for trekking, there are also off seasons, such as the monsoon and winter. Monsoon season begins a few weeks after Summer, from June to August. The country suffers from mild to heavy rainfall daily, affecting the trekking trails. Not only that, jungles and trails are infested with insects. Furthermore, the region suffers floods, landslides, and erosions due to constant rain.

Similarly, the winter season is also not ideal for trekking as it becomes way colder at high altitudes. The weather changes constantly, and the teahouses are closed due to the risk of snowstorms, blizzards, and avalanches.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, especially for those who don’t have prior trekking experience. Certain factors influence the difficulty level of the Kanchenjunga Trek, affecting it even more in this region than in other areas. To successfully trek the region with the third highest mountain in the world, the trekkers need to prepare, plan, and learn about these factors of trek difficulties. So let’s get into it.

High Altitude

One of the significant factors for difficulties that every trekker must face in their trek to Kanchenjunga is high altitude. The elevation of the trek leads the trekkers to above 5000m. At this elevation, the risk of altitude sickness is very high, so trekkers must follow the proper acclimatization guidelines. Trekking high and sleeping low is the motto for adequate acclimatization, and trekkers must also always keep their bodies hydrated.

Dynamic Weather

Another factor that influences the trek’s difficulty is the region’s weather conditions. Naturally, it is easier to trek in pleasant and challenging complex conditions; however, at high altitudes, the weather conditions are dynamic, meaning the trekkers won’t get stable weather conditions. It is wise to travel in the best trekking season, especially for the Kanchenjunga trek; however, trekkers must be prepared for every weather condition.

Physical Challenges

The Kanchenjunga Trek is complicated because it needs a lot of energy and strength. If you’re not in good shape, it can be dangerous. You will walk for over 6 hours daily and at least 18 days straight. This trek will tire the trekkers, especially if they don’t have prior experience. So, the trekkers must increase their physical stamina before trekking starts, and during the trek, they must rest as much as possible.

Mental Challenges

The Kanchenjunga trek is as much a mental as a physical test. It is essential to maintain a positive mindset about the difficulty of the trek.  Trekkers must push themselves forward positively, even in challenging situations, to reach the base camp successfully. It is crucial to be aware of the regional dangers and prepare accordingly for a safer trek.

To trek to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, you need the Special restricted area permit (SRAP) and the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project permit (KCAP).

Special Restricted Permit

The SRAP is required for the restricted zones of Thapethok and Yamphuding. You must obtain the SRAP through a Nepali trekking company registered and licensed by the government. The SRAP costs US$20 per person weekly for the initial four weeks. After four weeks, it’s US$25 per person per week.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Pemit

The KCAP permit is needed to enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and can be obtained at the National Park checkpost during your trek. The KCAP permit costs NPR 100 for Nepali citizens, NPR 500 for SAARC citizens, and NPR 2000 for foreign nationals since the Kanchenjunga Conservation area lies on the border of Tibet and is also the Ramsar site, which is why trekkers must issue a conservation area permit.

Read More: Kanchenjunga Trekking Permit With Fees and Trek Cost

Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, is typical for trekkers who climb to altitudes over 3000 meters, and trekkers will spend a lot of time during their Kanchenjunga Trek. The mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness are headache, feeling sick, nausea, difficulty breathing, vomiting, tiredness, dizziness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and hallucinations.

The main symptoms include the fact that it is crucial to figure out the symptoms of altitude sickness, especially when trekking above 3000 meters. While less common below this altitude, it’s essential to know that altitude sickness can still occur and be treated with proper guidelines and medications. If you figure out the symptoms of altitude sickness affecting you, it is vital to inform the guide immediately, as prompt action can make a significant difference. To get rid of altitude sickness, you have to follow specific remedies. So, let’s get into them.

Remedies

• Rest regularly. A good rule is to “Trek High, Sleep Low.”
• Drink plenty of water and urinate often.
• Get plenty of rest and ascend slowly.
• Consume a balanced diet of foods filled with carbohydrates and proteins and avoid salty foods, cigarettes, tobacco, and alcohol.
• Do warm-up hikes and stretching before starting your trek to prevent cramps and limping.
• If necessary, consult your guide before taking the capsules for altitude sickness. If you feel too uncomfortable, descend immediately.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most beautiful trekking regions in Nepal. Although it is challenging and one of the most extended treks in Nepal, there are a few major attractions of this trek that will attract trekkers from all over the world. The lack of crowds in this trek is due to the low number of advertisements and the trek being one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. So here are some of the reasons you should do the Kanchenjunga Trek.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

You should trek the Kanchenjunga region trek to explore the trek that leads to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. This conservation area is spread across 2300m, and you will come across several species of plants and animals. Among those floras and faunas, some are rare and endangered and are kept for conservation.

Off The Beaten Trek

The Kanchenjunga base camp in Nepal is a lesser-known trekking region. It’s very remote and untouched by the outside world. Few people visit this area, so it’s essential to have a guide to explore its remoteness. With the help of a trained and skilled guide, you can discover the hidden views of this remote region. You can experience the traditional way of life of the local people and observe the ancient cultural heritage.

Climb High Altitude Passes

During your high-altitude Kanchenjunga trek, the trekkers will pass through different high-altitude passes. Some of the passes the trekkers will pass through are Mir-Gin La Pass (4,026m), Sele La Pass (4,200m), and Sinon La Pass (4,663m).  This trek is one of the best for adventure lovers and will fulfill their love for the adventure.

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the best but challenging treks in Nepal. Preparing for the trek beforehand is essential to minimize the trek’s challenge. For this complicated trek, even the expert trekkers must prepare, so if you are a beginner, it is wise to prepare before and during the trek. Preparing for the trek will help with the known and unknown circumstances. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways to prepare for the Kanchenjunga Trek.

Physical Fitness

Undoubtedly, the Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most challenging treks, so you must be physically ready. You must participate in physical exercises to strengthen your core and strength. Participate in cardiovascular exercises. You can increase your core strength by jogging, swimming, and hiking with backpacks. Furthermore, they can also improve their core strength by exercising on the treadmills.

Mental Preparation

Trekkers need strong leg power, mental stamina, and courage to summit Kanchenjunga successfully. Here are some things you can do to prepare mentally for the challenge. Regular yoga practice at home or in a class can help maintain body and mind. Other than yoga, meditation is another powerful means of supporting mental health. Meditation helps in improving the physical and mental conditions of your body. It also helps reduce anxiety and enables you to get your REM sleep. A positive mind is also a way to gain the confidence to trek successfully in a challenging region like Kanchenjunga.

Best Season

If you are finally ready to trek the Kanchenjunga Trek, booking it in the ideal season is best. In Nepal, the Kanchenjunga trek is best in the Spring and Autumn. During these seasons, the weather and the temperature are mild, and the trails are also evident. These seasons are ideal for trekking as the teahouses and lodges open even at the high altitude. Natural disasters like floods, landslides, soil erosions, blizzards, and avalanches are less likely during these seasons.

The Kanchenjunga Trek’s difficulty ranges from moderate to challenging, which is why it is unsuitable for beginners. You will be trekking in the Kanchenjunga trek, where you will be passing through rugged terrains, peaks, valleys, and snowy moraines. So, if beginners don’t have prior trekking experience or are not physically fit, the trek might be pretty challenging.

Other than challenging terrains and routes, other factors like altitude sickness, dynamic weather, remoteness, and isolation make this trek quite tricky. Navigation can be challenging for beginners, so it is hard to acclimate when they don’t have prior experience. Also, beginners may not know that they must always hydrate, which will increase the chance of altitude sickness.

Kanchenjunga Trek takes you to one of the most isolated regions in Nepal. This trek takes you to two to three trekking routes: Northern Base Camp Trek, Southern Base Camp Trek, and Limbu Cultural Trek. The best trekking route among these three depends upon the trekkers’ preference.

If any trekkers prefer stunning mountain views but a less crowded area, Northern Base Camp is the route. If the trekker prefers to choose the busy road where they can interact with the local people and stay in the teahouses, then select the Southern Base Camp Route. Lastly, the Limbu cultural trail takes you to different types of villages and settlements where the people of LImbu stay and celebrate their culture and traditions.

Kanchenjunga Trek takes you to one of the most significant isolated regions in the world. Due to the complex geographical region, high-altitude weather, and long distances and durations, trekkers can expect one of the most challenging treks in the area. However, after the end of this trek, you will reach the stunning Kanchenjunga Base Camp and see majestic views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Here are some of the things you can expect during the Kanchenjunga Trek.

Stunning Natural Beauty

One of the things that you can expect during the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is the stunning natural beauty throughout the trek. From the beginning of the trek, the trekkers will trek from teahouse to teahouse, seeing beautiful views of mountains, glaciers, peaks, valleys, and glacial moraines. Since the trek lies on an off-beaten track from beginning to end, you will surely see some of the magnificent views of the region.

Cultural Immersion

During your Kanchenjunga Trek, you will pass through different villages, towns, settlements, etc, where you will meet people from other cultures. In the lower region, the Gurungs, Magars, and Tharus inhabit the area, and Sherpas and Bhotes stay there at the higher altitude. You can interact with them, eat their local dishes, wear local clothes, and learn about culture and tradition. The proper way of immersing in the culture is by visiting local temples, monasteries, caves, etc.

Challenging Terrain

One thing you can be sure about the Kanchenjunga trek is that it is one of the most challenging in Nepal. The trekkers have to trek through remote and isolated places with no infrastructure. They have to reach an altitude of over 5000m, and it is one of the most extended treks, which takes about 18 to 22 days. Each day, trekkers will have to trek for about 6 to 7 hours, meaning any trekkers willing to experience it must be physically fit and have excellent stamina.

Having the right gear and equipment is necessary to enjoy your Kanchenjunga Trek. Before your trek, list everything you need during the excursion. Here is a list of some essential items you might require in your trek.

Climbing Equipment

• Ice axe
• Climbing harness
• Climbing rope
• Crampons
• Helmet
• Ascender and descender devices
• Prusik cords for self-rescue
• Carabiners and quickdraws

Clothes and Attires

• Base layers
• Fleece or softshell jacket
• Warm hat and gloves
• Insulated pants or trousers
• Insulated jacket
• Gaiters for snow boots
• Sunglasses with UV protection

Equipment for Camping

• Fuel and stove for cooking
• Sleeping bag for cold temperatures
• Four-season tent
• Sleeping pad or mattress for warmth and insulation

Footwears

• Gaiters
• Warm and Woolen Socks
• Hiking Boots

Personal Items

• Lip balm
• Durable duffel bag for transportation
• First aid kit with medication for altitude sickness and colds
• Sunscreen
• Personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• Water bottles or Thermos
• Energy snacks and high-calorie foods for fuel
• Trekking poles for stability
• Lightweight backpack for day trips