Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek – 19 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, complete customs and meet our representative, who will be waiting for you with a placard displaying your name. Our representative will then transfer you to the 4-star hotel in a private vehicle. Once you check in, get refreshed and rest for a bit.

Later, we will provide a brief overview of your Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trip and what to expect in the coming days. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Nepali cuisine. This is the moment to relax and ease into the local atmosphere. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

This is your second day in Nepal. On this day, we will take you to our office for document checks and final paperwork. You will also meet your trekking crew and other trek participants joining you. After that, there will be a half-day sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu.

Your guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to explore Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple or Boudhanath Stupa. The tour lasts about 4 to 5 hours and gives you a wonderful introduction to Nepal’s history and traditions. After the tour, you will return to the hotel. Later, visit our office where we will hand over your trekking permits and introduce your trekking guide and porter. If you need to buy or rent trekking gear, your guide will be happy to help.

On day 3, we fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. The flight is only about 45 minutes. After landing in Bhadrapur, we will start an 8-hour drive towards Taplejung. The drive follows the Mechi Highway and passes through rolling hills, green tea gardens, and places like Birtamod, Ilam, Jorpokhari, Amarpur, and Phedim.

After crossing the Kabeli Khola Bridge, we reach Taplejung, the gateway to the Kanchenjunga trek. The road to Taplejung is winding but offers beautiful views of the eastern hills and local settlements along the way. Once we arrive in Taplejung, you can rest, check your trekking gear, and prepare for the trek that begins tomorrow.

Alternative Option:

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) operates three weekly direct flights between Kathmandu and Taplejung. If available, we can take this flight. This flight offers stunning aerial views of Jugal, Langtang, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga peaks. But note that flights are limited and may not always align with the itinerary.

From Taplejung, we will take a local 4WD jeep, usually a Tata Sumo or Mahindra Bolero, to Ranipul. The road is unpaved and rough, and it can get even harder to drive during the monsoon. The drive route follows the Tamor River and passes through green hills, farmland, and cardamom fields that are an important source of income for local communities. Along the way, the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit will be checked at Tapethok.

After reaching Ranipul, our trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp North officially begins. The walk to Sekathum is easy, with gradual ascents, small village paths, and a few river crossings. We will follow the Tamor River first and then continue along the Ghunsa River, which we cross to reach Sekathum. Sekathum village lies at the entrance of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, and permits are checked again here. This short trekking day helps us settle into the trail rhythm. Stay overnight in Sekathum.

Today’s walk will be a bit challenging because we’ll be walking through narrow, sometimes slippery river gorges. We will commence the trek from Sekathum to Amjilosa, crossing the suspension bridges. The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trekking trail then enters a dense forest, winding along the river. We will again cross the river by another bridge and then climb uphill to reach Solima Village.

From Solima, the trail drops back down again to the river before continuing toward our destination. By the end of the day, we reach Amjilosa. From Amjilosa, we will leave the lower section of the Kanchenjunga region and enter the Upper Section. You will notice differences in vegetation, culture, and local life in the lower and upper sections. Stay overnight in Amjilosa. We will stay at Amjilosa overnight.

Following the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek North itinerary, on day 6, after breakfast, we will leave Amjilosa and trek towards Gyabla. The Kanchenjunga trekking route follows the riverbank and gradually climbs through beautiful bamboo, fir, and rhododendron forests. We will also pass many Tibetan refugee settlements along the way, mostly near Phale village, where the culture and lifestyle reflect deep Himalayan traditions. We will follow the uphill trail and cross bridges along the way. There are cascading waterfalls in some sections.

Finally, a short uphill climb will take us to the Sherpa settlement of Gyabla. The village has tiny stone houses by the river and small shops selling handmade Tibetan items, including beads, carpets, and traditional souvenirs. Since today’s hike is short, we have extra time to explore the surroundings or chat with the family who runs the teahouse where we’re staying. Overnight stay in Gyabla.

After breakfast, we will leave Gyabla and walk downhill to the river. As the valley widens, we will reach Phale Gompa, which is also the Tibetan refugee settlement area. Here, you can visit the monastery and listen to monks chanting in their red robes. You can also buy traditional handmade crafts such as rugs and carpets that reflect the community’s deep Tibetan roots.

From Phale Gompa, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp North Side trek route continues through conifer and pine forests as we make our way towards Ghunsa. Ghunsa is inhabited by Sherpa ethnics who have a different culture from the Rais and Limbus communities of the lower Kanchenjunga region. Today’s walk is scenic and gentle, with wide forest paths and open meadows. However, the altitude is higher than yesterday, so it’s important to maintain a comfortable pace and stay alert for early signs of altitude sickness.

Today is our first acclimatization day in the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek itinerary. Ghunsa is located at an altitude of more than 3,400 meters, so it is wise to take a day of rest for proper acclimatization. Taking a rest day here lets our body adjust before heading to higher elevations. To spend the day meaningfully, you can either explore the village, visit local monasteries, or take short acclimatization hikes. Light activity helps your body adjust better, so short hikes around the area are recommended.

A popular option is walking to a nearby ridge for wider views of the surrounding mountains. Another choice is hiking to the Lpasan La Monastery, which sits above the village and requires a pleasant walk through forested terrain. Or you can wander around the village, visit the small local shops, interact with the Tibetan-influenced Sherpa community, or simply relax with a hot drink in your teahouse.

Ghunsa is one of the main settlements in the Kanchenjunga North region and offers comfortable teahouses with facilities such as electricity, charging points, and even limited internet access.

The path from Ghunsa to Kambachen continues through the landslide area, taking us through the off-the-beaten-path section of Kanchenjunga North. Leaving Ghunsa, we will follow the scenic path with views of the surrounding mountains and peaks. We will walk along the river’s edge towards the northern territory. We will be greeted by the pleasant sight of pastureland with lush green vegetation, rhododendron, and pine forest.

The trail leads us to Rampuk Kharka, from where we will walk along the cascading waterfall and arrive at yet another landslide-prone area. We can get a close-up view of the northern face of Mount Jannu once we walk past the landslide-prone area. Soon, we will reach Kambachen.

Kambachen itself is a small seasonal settlement with basic stone teahouses used by shepherds during summer. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree mountain panorama featuring Mt. Jannu (7,710 meters), Sobithongie (6,670 meters), Phole Peak (6,645 meters), and Khabur (6,332 meters). Because of the higher altitude, today’s short hike may feel more challenging, so pacing yourself is crucial. Overnight in Kambachen.

It is a longer, more demanding hike that follows yak trails up the Nupchu Khola valley. Along the way, you are rewarded with wide views of Jannu Himal, Ghabur, Pholesobi Peak, and other snow-covered mountains. After 4 to 5 hours of walking, you reach Nupchu Pokhari at around 4,952 meters. It is a stunning glacial lake system with upper and lower lakes, surrounded by peaks like Nupchu, Nagphu, and Sarphu. Because of the altitude, this hike can be challenging, but it offers exceptional scenery and frequent encounters with Himalayan yaks.

After the hike, we will return to our teahouse at Kambachen for our night’s stay. If you feel unwell or notice any symptoms of altitude sickness, inform your guide immediately, as evacuation is easier from Kambachen than from higher camps. Enjoy a calm evening in this peaceful mountain setting. Overnight in Kambachen.

Today, we will reach Lhonak from Kambachen. We will begin our trek early in the morning. We will walk past the field of rocks and boulders, then enter Ramtang Valley as we pass the Ramtang Monastery. This Monastery lies near the bridge, which we will reach after passing the cascading waterfall. We will visit the Monastery and take a brief rest before continuing.

After leaving Ramtang Monastery, the trek path continues through a landslide-prone area. Keep your eyes open for loose rocks that make the path tricky. We will go down to the river and follow the path that reveals the first view of Lhonak settlement. There are very few small teahouses in Lhonak.

Lhonak sits on a wide plain beside a dry lakebed and offers stunning views of Twins Peak, Wedge Peak, Mera Peak, Nepal Peak, and the northern faces of the Kanchenjunga range. Surrounded by high mountains, this remote and peaceful spot makes for a memorable overnight stop.

On day 12, we will finally reach the North Base Camp of Mount Kanchenjunga, also called Pangpema. The trail to Pangpema from Lhonak passes through the landslide-prone area and fields of rocks and boulders, so careful walking is important. As you move across boulders and glacial terrain, the valley opens into a broad grassy plain marking the base camp area.

From here, we will climb to the nearby ridge for the close-up views of Mount Jannu, Chang Himal, and the stunning North Face of Kanchenjunga. We can meet with climbers who are on their way or have returned from climbing peaks like Dhormo Ri (5,958 meters), which takes an extra day from Pangpema. Climbing Dhormo Ri does not require a climbing permit.

After enjoying the stupefying views of Mountains and Peaks, we will retrace our route back to Lhonak, where we will stay overnight. Today is a rewarding day, as you reach the base camp of the world’s third-highest mountain, Kanchenjunga, and enjoy some of the finest mountain scenery in the region.

Continuing our return trip from base camp, we will leave Lhonak and head down to Ramtang Monastery. After a brief rest in Ramtang Valley, we will walk past the landslide area to the bridge, cross it, and continue past the waterfall to Kambachen. Descending the trail is easier. So, we can easily make it to Lhonak from Ghunsa in a single day without having to take a day of rest in Kambachen.

The trail is scenic with views of Kanchenjunga, Gimmigela Peak, Mera Peak, and other peaks and mountains in the backdrop. Following the descending trail from Kambachen, we will reach Ghunsa, from where we can find the permanent settlements. We can meet trekkers from Selele on the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek. Stay overnight in Ghunsa. At Ghunsa, we can enjoy a hot shower, charge our phones, and our bedroom will feel cozier than it has in the past few days. This means you will have a good night’s sleep.

The trek begins at the small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Office. We will walk past pretty Tibetan houses adorned with colourful flags. In a couple of hours, we will reach Phole Village. We will visit the local monastery and walk along the winter village to the rhododendron forest.

Then from Phole, the trail continues toward Gyabla, where we descend past a beautiful waterfall. We will follow the trail to the stone shelters, then continue to Thyanyani, where we will stay overnight.

Leaving Thyanyani early in the morning, we will cross the Ghunsa River on the bridge and walk past rhododendron and bamboo forests to Gyabla. Lowering down to Amjilosa, we will traverse the oak forest to reach the small Solima village. We will follow the tapered path that leads us to the suspension bridge over the Ghunsa River. Crossing the river, we will reach the Tibetan village of Sekathum. Stay overnight in Sekathum.

Attractions of the Day: Green fields, riverside trail, local villages
Today, we begin our descent from Sekathum to Ranipul. The trail goes through green fields and past small teahouses. This is a short, easy trek that takes about 2–3 hours. Thus, it gives a relaxing end to the high-altitude trekking.

From Ranipul, we take a jeep to Taplejung. The drive takes about 5 hours on a dirt road, passing rivers and small villages. We arrive in Taplejung in the evening and stay overnight at a guesthouse. This marks the end of our Kanchenjunga trek.

After an early-morning breakfast in Bhadrapur, we will drive to Bhadrapur, a journey of about 8 hours. The drive goes through green hills, tea gardens, and local villages. From Bhadrapur, you will take a short domestic flight to Kathmandu the same day. Once in Kathmandu, you can relax at your hotel.

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Kathmandu. You can shop in Thamel for souvenirs, handicrafts, and local items. If you like, we can also arrange a guided sightseeing tour to explore the city’s famous temples, squares, and landmarks.

In the evening, a farewell dinner will be arranged at a traditional Nepali restaurant, with live cultural performances to celebrate the end of your trip.

This is your last day in Kathmandu. You will be taken to the airport three hours before your flight. Our team will drop you off safely and help you with anything you need before departure. We wish you a safe and happy journey home, and we hope to see you again. If you want to stay longer, you can also choose other trekking or travel packages in Nepal.