Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is a spectacular trek to the north face of the world’s third-highest mountain, Mount Kanchenjunga (8586 meters/28169 feet). It goes through the remote and picturesque valleys, gorges, forests, and charming settlements. This 14 Days Kanchenjunga North base Camp Trek itinerary is perfect for exploring everything this pristine place has to offer.
The trekking route goes through the protected Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. It is home to a diverse biodiversity including exotic animals like red pandas, Asian black bears, snow leopards, and more. The trail also goes through the exquisite forest of rhododendron. As we ascend higher the forest trail changes into an alpine meadow and later to a glacier path. The off-the-beaten path of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp takes you into the untouched and adventurous wilderness.
The trek also offers splendid mountain views of Mount Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu, Janu Himal, Thapru Chuli, and several others. Similarly, you can experience the culture and traditions of ethnic groups (Sherpa, Rai, and Limbu) living in the region. You can also see ancient monasteries, stupas, chortens, and mani walls as you climb higher trails.
We will trek alongside the Ghunsa Khola and pass by several notable villages like Amjilosa, Gyabla, Ghunsa, Khamboche, Lhonak, and more. The base camp which is also known as Pangpema Base Camp is located at an elevation of 5,143 meters. It offers a stunning view that will remain memorable for your lifetime.
Join our adventurous 14 Days Kanchenjunga North base Camp Trek and get ready to explore the true beauty and wilderness of eastern Nepal with us!
Pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) are the best times to visit Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. During these periods, there is very little rainfall and the trail is well-defined. Similarly, the trail is safe with minimum risk of landslides or mudslides. The weather is clear and you can enjoy splendid views while trekking. The temperature is also warm and stable. You can trek through the luscious vegetation while enjoying the scenic landscapes and mountain views. The flora and fauna are also the most active during these seasons. Kanchenjunga North Base Camp route is at its peak beauty during these seasons.
Fly to Bhadrapur from Kathmandu in a 45-minute flight. From there you will drive to Fiddim or directly to Taplejung. It will depend on how early the flight takes off from Kathmandu. It takes around 5-6 hours of jeep drive to Fiddim from Bhadrapur Airport. Meanwhile, it takes around 8-9 hours for a jeep ride to Taplejung from Bhadrapur Airport.
Today we will drive from Taplejung to Sekathum. It is a 4 to 5 hours drive in a jeep and approximately 39 km away. The winding road to Sekathum may come across a narrow section during our drive. We will come across the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area checkpost where you will have to show your permits for trekking. Similarly, we will pass several settlements following the Tamor Nadi. We will also cross a few bridges when we finally reach Sekathum. We will stay there overnight.
From here onwards our hike to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. We will slowly make our way through the forest of rhododendrons, crossing a few suspension bridges on the way. We will ascend uphill and descend downhill. Similarly, we will come across small picturesque villages and an exposed landscape. We will take a steep ascend when we finally reach the Tibetan village of Amjilosa. We will spend a night at Amjilosa.
We will begin our trek walking through the forests of rhododendrons and bamboo while walking alongside the Ghunsa Khola. As we slowly climb higher, we will also come across a waterfall. Likewise, we will also be able to witness the majestic views of mountains and landscapes during our trek. Then we will come across the Gyabla village also known as Kyapra village. We will stay overnight at Gyabla.
Our destination for today is Ghunsa. The trail goes through a large meadow and then ascends uphill. Then we will descend downhill and cross a river, heading towards Ghunsa village. Along the way, we can witness Himalayan yaks carrying loads and fellow trekkers going towards the village or returning. Ghunsa is a large Tibetan village and lies within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. You can see traditional Tibetan-styled houses and Gompas. We will stay at Dzonga Family House in Ghunsa for the night. The accommodation has rooms with attached bathrooms. Similarly, there is also a bakery at Dzonga. So, you can relax while sipping coffee and enjoying freshly baked bakery.
Acclimatization is important during a high-elevation trek. It allows our body to adjust to the high elevation. So, we will acclimatize at Ghunsa. We will enjoy the fresh coffee and bakery at Dzonga Family House before we set out for a short hike. Although it is an acclimatization day, we should remain active. We will explore the village and Gompas while getting insights into the local culture, traditions, and local customs.
After an acclimatization day at Ghunsa, we will head towards Khambachen village next. We will trek through rhododendron and pine forests. Along the way, we can see the path adorned with chortens and mani walls. We will have to cross slopes and several glacier moraines as we head toward Khambachen. We will stay at the Kanchenjunga White House Lodge at Khambachen.
This is optional for trekkers to side hike to the Jannu viewpoint from Khambachen village. We will trek alongside the Ghunsa Khola. Then we will pass by a beautiful valley to reach the Jannu viewpoint. The view is breathtakingly beautiful. You can witness beautiful mountain and valley views along with the Himalayan wildlife. The viewpoint is not only popular for the stunning view but is also a holy site for the Limbu people. There is a huge stone there which is called Phaktalung. Likewise, there is also a small temple and government-made shelter.
We will head towards Lhonak village following the Ghunsa Khola. During the trek, we can get a stunning view of Mount Kanchenjunga, Ramtang, and many others. Similarly, we will pass through the Kanchenjunga Glacier and the Lhonak Glacier. Then, we will finally reach the Lhonak village. Our accommodation at the village will be the Lhonak guest house.
We will begin our hike to Pangpema Base Camp or Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. We will trek towards the eastern direction alongside the Lokhan glacier on the northern ridges. Finally, we will reach the base camp of the world’s third-highest mountain, Mount Kanchenjunga. We will spend some time at the base camp enjoying the majestic mountain views and prayer flags. Then we will retrace our steps back to Lhonak.
Today we will continue to head back to the trail to Khambachen and then to Ghunsa village. We will return by the same trail we came from. We will once again walk through rhododendron and pine forests back to Ghunsa village.
We will descend the trail while passing by Phale village. The picturesque village has several monasteries. You will be greeted by a juniper forest and then by a grassy hillside. After a 7 to 9-hour walk, we will reach Amjilosa where we will stay overnight.
On this final trek day, we will have to ascend for a short distance. Then we will descend on a steep trail. From Amjilosa, we will head to Sekathum passing by the Tamur and Ghunsa Khola junction. After reaching Sekathum, we will take a private jeep to Taplejung. We will rest at Taplejung for the night.
From Taplejung we will take a jeep and head towards Bhadrpur Airport. After a 5 to 6 hours drive to reach Bhadrapur. Then, we will head back to Kathmandu via flight which will take 45 minutes.
We offer fixed departure dates. If these dates are not suitable for you or if you prefer to schedule your own departure, please contact us.
| No of People | Cost |
| 1 | $1700 |
| 2-5 | $1600 |
| 5-10 | $1500 |
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is a challenging and physically strenuous trekking route. It lies in the remote region and the trail is rocky and uneven with steep sections. Trekkers have to ascend and descend on these varied terrains. Similarly, trekkers have to cross several suspension bridges, climb a few ridges, and walk over glaciers and moraines.
The high altitude and long duration of the trek also make the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp difficult. Trekkers may have to walk 7 to 8 around a day depending on the itinerary. The base camp is situated at an elevation of 5,143 meters. As a result, trekkers often experience altitude sickness as they gradually ascend to higher altitudes. Acclimatization is necessary to avoid the sickness. If the symptoms are severe, immediate emergency evacuation is necessary. Altitude sickness can prove to be fatal if not taken seriously.
The infrastructure and facilities are limited. Similarly, with growing altitude, the weather becomes unpredictable and changes rapidly. Without mental resilience, trekkers will find the trek mentally excruciating. Likewise, the trekkers need to have a basic level of fitness to overcome the difficulties of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek. Therefore, this trek is more suited for experienced trekkers.
