Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek itinerary starts by flying to Bhadrapur and then driving to Phidim. From there, you ride to Tapethok and begin trekking to Amjilosa.
You head to Fale and later to Gunsa, where you acclimatize and explore the valleys. Moving ahead, you then trek to Khambachen, Lhonak, and reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
Exploring the camp, you descend to Khambchen and retrace back to Gunsa. From here, you climb up to Sele La Kharka and cross several high passes the next day to reach Tseram.
From here onwards, you walk to Oktang Base Camp, Torongden, and Shepragaun. Walking the trails leads you to Khebang, where you catch the ride back to Birtamod and then fly back to Kathmandu.
Highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
- Reach the foot of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third tallest peak in the world
- Enjoy the Tibetan hospitality and traditional Nepali cultures
- Explore the remote and untouched areas
- Walkthrough the conservation area home to musk deer, red panda, and more
- View several snowy mountains like Makalu, Kanchenjunga, etc
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and Drive to Phidim
Flight Duration: 1 hour
Bhadrapur altitude: 91 m above sea level
Drive duration: 8 to 10 hours
Phidim altitude: 700 m above sea level
Overnight at Phidim
The journey today is long. You must wake up early and catch the flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. Bhadrapur lies in the southeast of Nepal in the Terai region.
Your leader will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. You board the flight to Bhadrapur and soar into the sky.
The scenic flight transitions from mountainous to greenery as Terai is a low-lying land in the foothills of the Himalayas. The region has several jungles, rivers, and great plots for agriculture.
Viewing the mesmerizing views, you drop low in the altitude and reach Bhadrapur. From here, you board the bus towards Phidim. But before that, you stop for breakfast in one of the shops.
After a full tummy, you hit the pitch road and make your way up in the elevation. The ride is several hours long, but the beautiful scenery of rivers, farmlands, sounds of birds, and towns accompany you until your destination.
Phidim is an enchanting valley in the eastern part of Nepal. This magnificent hill township offers a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalayas. You must be sleepy after the long journey, so get some rest.
Day 2: Drive to Tapethok from Phidim
Drive duration: 12 hours
Tapethok altitude: 1300 m above sea level
Overnight at Tapethok
The road trip from Phidim to Tapethok is long today, so embrace yourself for some bumpy rides along the way. After a big breakfast, you board the bus and head towards the destination.
While traveling along the routes, you will stop at the beautiful town of Taplejung for lunch. The distance to Tapethok is not very long, but the roads in between are primitive and non-existent at some point.
The journey is exciting, but after driving for several hours, you finally reach Tapethok. This village lies in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bamboo and palm trees.
Day 3: Trek to Amjilosa
Trek duration: 6 to 7 hours
Amjilosa altitude: 2310 m above sea level
Overnight at Amjilosa
The day begins after a warm breakfast, so later, you pack your bags and hit the trail. It traverses on a flat path through colorful forests and reaches the Tamor River.
From here, you gently walk uphill, passing small waterfalls and several checkpoints. After a few hours, you reach Sekathum, where you stop for lunch. Then continuing your journey, you head north and cross the Amjilosa Phedi.
Moving ahead, you climb uphill and reach Jaubari, where you stop for a cup of tea. This place is the only shop until Amjilosa, so enjoy your cup. Then you gently keep ascending until you reach the destination.
Day 4: Trek to Fale
Trek duration: 8 to 9 hours
Fale altitude: 3430 m above sea level
Overnight at Fale
After breakfast, you leave the village and follow the path alongside Ghunsa Khola. The trail from Amjilosa to Fale today is mostly uphill, making the walks easier.
You will admire the pretty ridge throughout the trek over the river. Walking along the stream, it follows you across the bamboo bushes to open land. From here, the trail switchbacks up the valley, down the rocky cliffs, and past the landslide area.
After half an hour or more, you cross a suspension bridge and reach Gyabla, a small settlement. You stop at this village for lunch. Then continuing the walk, you make a steep drop into a gorge and slowly begin to ascend past potato fields and yak pasture until you reach Fale.
Day 5: Trek to Gunsa (acclimatization and walk around the village)
Trek duration: 2 hours
Gunsa altitude: 3595 m above sea level
Overnight at Gunsa
After an excellent breakfast, you head out of the village and make your way past the teeming forest. It is draped with Spanish moss making it look like a scene from a movie.
Moving ahead, you pass a grazing field with yak pasture and green forests to arrive at Gunsa, a beautiful Tibetan village. The place has a tiny gompa and prayer flags on top of the houses.
The walk from Fale to Gunsa was short, so you acclimatize and walk around the village. The delightful town is welcoming, so have fun observing their lifestyle and drinking local Tongba (millet wine).
You can hike up to Lapsang La or visit the Gompa above the village. The hike takes you along the Yamtari Khola and to a pond near the glacier. Enjoy your time and head back to the town for the night.
Day 6: Trek to Khambachen
Trek duration: 6 hours
Khambachen altitude: 4050 m above sea level
Overnight at Khambachen
The route from Gunsa to Khambachen is easy, but the elevation makes it harder and longer. Also, you must cross a particular section before midday as it is the rockfall area.
After a full tummy, you head north alongside the river banks viewing the mesmerizing alpine scenery. Continuing the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, you pass through gorgeous wildflowers like rhododendron, pines, and birch.
Walking out of the forest, you cross a wooden bridge and arrive at Rampuk Kharka. You proceed past cascading waterfalls and traverse through the landslide area.
From this point onwards, you get a glimpse of Mt. Jannu from a new perspective. Exploring and tackling the tricky paths, you arrive at Khambachen after several hours of walking.
Day 7: Trek to Lhonak
Trek duration: 3 to 4 hours
Lhonak altitude: 4780 m above sea level
Overnight at Lhonak
The trek from Khambachen to Lhonak is a short but exciting one. This is probably the last stop before reaching the Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Enjoy the walk and live the moment.
You make an early start this day, wake up before dawn, have breakfast, and move your way. You make your way through the rocky fields and large boulders along the hillside.
From here, you make a slight descent and walk along the banks of a river. As you follow the path, you pass a waterfall and cross a bridge. Then gently climbing the hill, you reach Ramtang Monastery.
After a short visit to the Gompa, you continue to walk for a couple more hours and reach Lhonak.
Day 8: Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp and back to Khambchen
Trek duration: 4 to 6 hours
Kanchenjunga Base Camp altitude: 5140 m above sea level
Overnight at Khambhchen
Today is the most exciting day in your Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek as you head to the major highlight of the trip. You will be trekking from Lhonak to Kanchenjunga for the first half.
After a tummy-filling breakfast, you head out and join the path to the base camp. Following the forest path of beautiful wildflowers, it hugs the immense Kanchenjunga glacier.
Continuing to climb the trails, the treelines grow small, and by the time you reach Kanchenjunga base camp, there are none on site. After several hours of trek, you reach your destination.
The viewpoint at Kanchenjunga Base Camp is superb, offering the magnificent sight of Mount Kanchenjunga and other peaks. You spend some time here and later on the drop-down to Khambachen.
Slowly heading down, you get numerous views of iconic mountains and beautiful valleys. The walk downhill is faster and feels like an hour or two. Viewing scenarios, you finally arrive at Khambachen.
Day 9: Trek to Gunsa
Trek duration: 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at Gunsa
On day 9, you retrace your steps from Khambachen to Gunsa. You can slowly walk the trails as you have already reached the significant highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.
After breakfast, you pack your bags and make your way toward Gunsa. The happiness of setting foot in Kanchenjunga Base Camp will remain with us for the rest of the journey.
Several hours of downhill, and you finally arrive at Gunsa. Here you drink Tongba and rest well for the night.
Day 10: Trek to Sele La Kharka
Trek duration: 7 hours
Sele La Kharka: 4200 m above sea level
Overnight at Sele La Kharka
Don't be sad as the journey has not ended yet. You still have a lot of beautiful places left to visit in your Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. For today, you head from Gunsa to Sele La Kharka.
You head out of the village after a big breakfast and follow the path daily used by the locals of this region. You stroll up through the vertical trail, passing yak pastures. The way is uphill mainly today, so embrace yourself for a tiring journey.
Slowly climbing the trails, you pass through the thick jungles of rhododendron and pines. Then moving through the slope that hugs the south side, reach the base camp in Sele La Kharka.
Day 11: Trek over Sele La Pass and down to Tseram
Trek duration: 7 to 8 hours
Sele La Pass: 4480 m above sea level
Sinion La Pass: 4660 m above sea level
Tseram altitude: 3870 m above sea level
Overnight at Tseram
The trek from Sele La Kharka to Tseram will be a memorable trip as you traverse through several passes of this region, such as Sele La Pass and Sinion La Pass. Crossing these high passes of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek will be astounding.
You begin the trek before dawn after breakfast. Leaving the village behind, you slowly climb uphill towards Mirgin La Pass and view the beautiful sunrise view. Then descending the paths, you cross a small stream using the wooden bridge.
Following the trail through the thick forest, you pass beautiful wildflowers, small settlements, and more. Getting mesmerized by the beauty of nature, you again do a steep climb and reach Sele La Pass.
The view from Sele La is charming as it offers the fabulous sight of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and many more. Looking at them, you later descend towards a small village on the foothill.
You stop here for lunch and continue walking gently uphill till you reach Sinion La Pass. You intake the beauty of landscapes for some time, then after dropping for about 1000 m elevation reach at Tseram.
Day 12: Trek to Oktang Base Camp
Trek duration: 7 hours
Oktang Base Camp altitude: 4730 m above sea level
Overnight at Oktang Base Camp
After breakfast, you leave Tseram and head towards Oktang Base Camp. Following the alpine valley, you walk along the Lateral moraine of Yalung Glacier.
Then climbing up the hill, you are greeted by the mesmerizing view of great mountains. You make a slight descent and walk a few hours to reach Ramche.
You have your lunch here while viewing the stunning snow-capped peaks. Later on, you keep moving ahead to reach Oktang Base Camp.
Day 13: Trek to Torongden
Trek duration: 6 hours
Torongden altitude: 3370 m above sea level
Overnight at Torongden
Today, the trek from Oktang Base Camp to Torongden is mostly downhill, so you lose a lot of elevation. Following the zigzag paths, you trail to Simbuwa Khola. From here, the trek is easy-going and gives you time to admire the marvelous views.
Moving ahead, you enter the thick forest of Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Passing through the jungle of wildflowers such as rhododendron, Cornwall, wild orchids, etc., you arrive at Torongden.
Day 14: Trek to Sherpgaun
Trek duration: 7 hours
Sherpgaun altitude: 2200 m above sea level
Overnight at Sherpgaun
The trek from Torongden to Sherpgauna starts early this morning so after breakfast, pack your things. The journey between these two points has few settlements and shops, so carry water plus lunch.
You begin by taking a steep uphill climb to Lamite Bhanjyang, descend the trail through pine forests, and hear birds chirping. A bit further into the jungle, you cross over the Simbhua Khola.
Then following the trails along the riverbanks, you cross a wooden bridge over the Amji Khola again. As you keep walking on the trails, you arrive at Sherpgaun.
Day 15: Trek to Shebang
Trek duration: 6 hours
Khebang altitude: 1800 m above sea level
Overnight at Shebang
Today is your final day walking in the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, as well as the penultimate. The trails take you through the most pristine area of natural landscapes.
In the old trekking route, you would head to Taplejung, but now you can stay in Khebang for the night. The 6 hours walk is mixed with up, down, zig, and zag. You also pass several Chettri and Brahmin villages on this trek.
Day 16: Drive to Phedim, then to Birtamod.
Trek duration: 8 to 10 hours
Overnight at Birtamod
Today you drive back to Phedim and then to Birtamod so that you will be bidding farewell to the Kanchenjunga region. You catch an early ride from Khebang to Phedim as your last stop in Birtamod.
Saying goodbye to a beautiful region, you travel south through the rugged landscapes. It follows the typical trekking route to Phedim, where you stop for lunch.
From here, you continue the journey towards Birtamod. You arrive at your destination by driving past the small settlements, beautiful landscapes, and farmlands.
Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu
Looking back at the days, it was pretty short as your Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek has come to its end. You catch the early flight to Kathmandu, so get ready and carry your bags to the airport.
Boarding the flight, you view the same scenarios and reach Kathmandu (the capital city.
Suitable seasons for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Spring and Autumn are the suitable seasons for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. To know more in brief, read below.
Spring
Spring is considered the year's first season that brings ambiance during the trek. Being the start, the season leads greenery into the region. The trees gain their leaves, and plants grow buds.
The temperature is the next best thing about Spring. The winter has just gone, so it is still chilly during the first few weeks, but it gets hot and sweaty later. It typically ranges between 18 to 22 degrees.
Spring begins in March and lasts till May. During these months, you see snow-covered peaks unlike the naked ones in Autumn. The chances of snowfall are low or not during these months.
Autumn
Autumn is the season after the monsoon, so your transition from rainy to bright weather. It is already the mid-seasons by this time. You get to view dirt-washed valleys and colorful blooming flowers.
The temperature is the best among the rest as it ranges from 24 to 32 degrees. The skies are clear with warm days that are not blazing hot, while nights are more satisfying.
Autumn begins in September and lasts till November. These three months are enough to create lifetime memories in the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. You traverse through beautiful scenarios and traditional settlements.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Permit
Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is restricted, so you need to purchase two permits:
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP): USD 20/ person: Nrs 2000/ person
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP): USD 10/ person for a week: Nrs 1000/ person for a week. You need a minimum of 3 weeks' permit, so USD 10x 3= 30/ person.
The cost of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Permit is expensive compared to other destinations.
Final Words
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a beautiful journey in Nepal's far-eastern region. The trails are remote, so you get to be the few that have completed their journey here. The trip is worth it and keeps you amazed till the end.
