Kanchenjunga Circuit trek - 21 Days

Welcome to Nepal! Our representative from Spiritual Excursion will be eagerly awaiting your arrival at the airport. They will facilitate your smooth transition to your designated hotel in Kathmandu, ensuring a hassle-free check-in process. If you happen to arrive ahead of schedule, take advantage of the extra time to unwind and discover the charms of the capital city at your own pace. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Start with a hearty breakfast at the hotel to energize you for the day ahead. Our experienced trek leader will carefully evaluate your trekking gear, gothrough the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek itinerary ensuring you're fully prepared for the challenges ahead on this epic trek! They'll provide valuable suggestions for purchasing or renting any necessary gear, ensuring you have everything you need for a successful trek through the majestic Kanchenjunga region. After securing any unnecessary gear at the hotel, you'll settle in for a cozy overnight stay at the hotel, readying yourself for the incredible experiences that await you along this renowned trekking route!

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel and completing the checkout process, embark on a flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. From there, continue the journey overland to Taplejung, immersing yourself in the scenic landscapes of Nepal's countryside along the way. Explore the vibrant local culture and breathtaking natural beauty of Taplejung, including visits to ancient Gompas and the opportunity to spin the Om Mane Padme prayer wheels. Conclude the day with an overnight stay and dinner at a cozy teahouse nestled at the border of Kanchenjunga.

Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast at the teahouse before checking out and hopping on a local jeep bound for Sekathum. Enjoy the scenic journey and soak in the local vibe along the way. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and take some time to explore the charming village. If you're up for it, consider a side trip to the Olanchung Gola highway and valley. Wrap up the day with dinner at the teahoue and a restful overnight stay.

After enjoying breakfast and completing the check-out process, begin your adventure by crossing a picturesque suspension bridge. Trek through a dense forest, navigating the challenging uphill trail. Along the way, encounter stone steps leading to the quaint village of Ghaiyabari. Caution as the trail passes through a gorge following a climb from Solima. Continuing through the challenging terrain of uphill and downhill sections, you'll eventually reach Amjillosa, a Tibetan settlement where Sherpa and Tibetan communities thrive, benefiting from the high altitude.

Today's trek from Amjillosa to Gyabla is relatively easy, with a shorter distance compared to previous days. We'll traverse through dense forests rich with bamboo, rhododendrons, and gnarled brown oaks, enjoying occasional views of stunning mountain vistas and cascading waterfalls. As we climb steadily, Ghunsa village comes into sight, nestled amidst terraced hills, offering picturesque scenes of terraced fields and the flowing GhunsaKhola. Finally, we'll reach the charming village of Gyabla, where we'll spend the night.

Today we'll cross the 3,000m (9,842 feet) elevation threshold as we start our journey. Descending into a gorge, we'll pass through forests of rhododendrons and firs before reaching the Yak pastures of Pholey at 3,210m (10,531 feet) above sea level. Pholey, a Tibetan village, boasts stunning potato cultivations and a serene atmosphere. We'll enjoy lunch here, experiencing the influence of Tibetan Buddhist culture, before continuing through the valley, passing green fields and larch forests. After crossing the GhunsaKhola riverbed, we'll reach Ghunsa village, where we'll spend the night in tents.

After six days of traveling, it's time for a well-deserved rest! Today, we're dedicating to acclimatization in Ghunsa village. In high-altitude treks, it's crucial to allow our bodies to adjust to the changing atmosphere, as the oxygen levels decrease with altitude, increasing the risk of acute mountain sickness. That's why Spiritual Excursion scheduled an acclimatization day after gaining a certain elevation. We'll stay active by hiking to the surrounding ridges, traversing lush forests to reach the Lpasan La Monastery. After spending some time there, we'll descend back to Ghunsa. As the last permanent settlement on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route, Ghunsa offers a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in the afternoon at our camp.

The trail from Ghunsa to Kambachen is prone to landslides, winding through remote paths of Kanchenjunga North. Heading north, we ascend gradually through larch and juniper forests along the river's east bank, passing beautiful meadows and crossing a wood and stone bridge to RambukKharka at 3,720m (12,205 feet). Beyond, we navigate a waterfall and landslide area before enjoying views of Mt. Jannu at 7,710m (25,294 feet) and the Jannu Glacier. Descending, we reach Kambachen, a temporary settlement with stone teahouses serving as lodges for trekkers, while camping at the base of Jannu Glacier offers superior views of the Kanchenjunga massif.

The trail leads into a desolate landscape above terrains sculpted by high-altitude glaciers, devoid of villages or houses. We ascend gradually through moraine debris, taking care on icy stones, reaching the picturesque Ramtang pasture at 4,350m (14,271 feet). Continuing past Ramtang Monastery, we cross the Lhonak glacier to the junction of Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glaciers. Maintaining a steady pace through challenging terrain, we're rewarded with stunning mountain vistas, including Mera Peak at 6,344m (20,813 feet) to the east. Arriving at the tiny settlement of Lhonak, we head to our campsite beside a wide sandy plain, offering excellent views. Wildlife sightings are possible, as we relax at our campsite where we enjoy dinner and spend the night in our tents.

Pang Pema, the local name for the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, awaits our visit today. Hiking to the base camp promises an unparalleled experience. We'll ascend gradually along the trail, following the moraine line. Some parts of the trail are prone to landslides, so we must tread carefully, using trekking poles for added stability. Beyond the rocky sections lies the flat, grassy basin of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, offering breathtaking views of the towering peak of Kanchenjunga. After enjoying the scenery, we'll return to Lhonak.

Retracing our steps from previous days, we'll trek back to Ghunsa. Along the way, we'll savor the magnificent Himalayan vistas, appreciating the beauty of the familiar route from a different perspective. Leaving behind the splendid views of Mt. Jannu, we'll navigate carefully around landslides and glaciers. Dinner and overnight stay will be at our familiar camping site back in Ghunsa.

From Ghunsa, we veer towards the right-hand side, departing from the trail to Gyabla. The path entails a steep uphill trek to Sele Le Base Camp, which remains isolated from human settlements. Much of the trail winds through dense forests of rhododendron and juniper. At Sele Le, there are only one or two small teahouses constructed from stones. Many travelers have reported sightings of snow leopards in this area, so it's advisable not to wander far from the teahouses or campsite at night! Ensuring warmth and safety, we'll eat and spend the night in Sele Le Base Camp’s campsite.

The views are often crisp and clear in the early morning. We'll hike up the ridge north of Pangpema to enjoy the enchanting panorama of the Himalayas. Today's trek will be challenging as we climb to reach the Mirgin La Pass. Along the way, we'll be treated to magnificent views of Mt. Jannu, Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, Kangchenjunga, Kabru, and the Himalayan range along the Sikkim border. We'll continue our trek to the Mirgin La Pass and Lapsang La Pass at, where we'll join the Kanchenjunga South trail. These high-altitude passes may present weather-related difficulties, so it's essential to remain strong and prepared for any challenges! Despite the tough day, the surrounding vistas will serve as motivation as we walk along the ridges with a final descent to Cheram, where we'll have dinner and spend the night at our campsite.

Today, we embark on an adventure to explore the Yalung Glacier and the Oktang Base Camp. Starting early after breakfast in Cheram, we head towards Oktang (Kanchenjunga’s Southern Base Camp). Along the way, we'll enjoy stunning views of snowy Himalayas and ridges, with the Kangchenjunga viewpoint offering an awe-inspiring panorama. We'll also catch sight of Mt. Rothang and Kabru along the Nepal-Sikkim border. Traversing through ablation valleys, we'll reach the Oktang Base Camp, where we'll be treated to impressive sights of the Khumbakarna Glacier and the Kanchenjunga South face. After this off the beaten path hike, we'll return to Cheram for dinner and an overnight stay at the camp.

Starting from Cheram, we'll be greeted by splendid views of towering peaks Kabru and Rathong. Today's trek takes us downhill to lower altitudes, where we'll be treated to magnificent vistas of the snowy Himalayas. Enjoying glimpses of the snow-capped giants ahead, we'll encounter the impressive sight of the Yalung Glacier as we steadily descend through forests, predominantly Rhododendron and Pine, to reach Torntong. Following an easy trail along the SimbuaKhola, we'll traverse through Pine and Rhododendron jungles until we reach Torntong, where we'll spend the night.

Today's journey poses challenges as we traverse rugged terrain, including areas prone to landslides. It's essential to proceed with caution through these demanding stretches! Our path involves a rigorous ascent to reach the Lamite Pass. After conquering this steep climb, we'll enter the beautiful valley of the SimbuaKhola River, where we'll cross a rustic wooden bridge spanning intersecting rivers before ascending further along steep slopes. Passing through dense forests of pine and rhododendron, we'll navigate LamiteBhanjyang and the AmjiKhola River before ascending once more to the DhupiBhanjyang pass. Descending through fertile fields where locals cultivate crops such as corn and barley, we'll traverse a ridge and finally arrive at the remote village of Yamphudin. As night falls, we'll settle in Yamphudin, where a delicious dinner awaits us.

We'll begin our journey early in the morning after enjoying a delightful breakfast in Yamphudin. Our trek takes us through the villages of Chhetri and Brahmins, offering a glimpse into local life. Transitioning from remote trails to inhabited areas is a rewarding experience. As we traverse the scenic trail, we'll be treated to breathtaking landscapes and encounter villages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups. Observing their unique lifestyles and cultures adds depth to our trekking experience. Traversing ups and downs along the trail, we'll eventually reach Khebang, where we'll have dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Today is set to be a demanding journey. We'll start our trek from Khebang, descending gradually towards the picturesque village of Dobhan. After covering a considerable distance, we'll pause at Dobhan for a well-deserved lunch break. Post lunch, we'll continue our trek towards Kanyam. The path from Dobhan to Kanyam is a bit longer but promises scenic views along the way. Making occasional stops for water, we'll trek steadily until we reach Kanyam. Here, we'll spend the night and have dinner at a local teahouse.

Today marks the conclusion of your trekking journey as we drive back to Bhadrapur, passing through the renowned town of Ilam, famous for its organic tea. On the way, we'll soak in the lush greenery and scenic beauty of the tea plantations. Upon reaching Bhadrapur, we'll board a flight back to Kathmandu. After checking into our hotel and taking some rest, Spiritual Excursion invites you for a farewell dinner, where we can reminisce about our adventures and share memories of the epic Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. Spend the night in your hotel in Kathmandu.

After enjoying your last breakfast at the hotel and checking out, we'll arrange transportation to take you back to the international airport approximately 3 hours before your departure time. Spiritual Excursion sincerely hopes that you've cherished every moment of the 21-day Kanchenjunga Circuit trek and wishes you a safe and pleasant journey onward.