Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the world’s third highest mountain, forms Nepal’s eastern border with India’s Sikkim. In Tibetan, the name Kanchenjunga means ‘five great treasure houses of snow’ which hints at the mountain spectacle that awaits visitors.
The trek described below is a circuit and includes a visit to the Pathibara Temple, which is an important religious site for many Indian and Nepali pilgrims. The trail goes northwards to Ghumsa. It climbs to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5143 m) going through a spectacular high alpine landscape. It then goes east via 2 passes and continues to the Yalung Based Camp (4500 m), after which it goes back south to Taplejung, the starting and ending point of the trek.
The trek goes through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which is one of the least densely populated in Nepal. Pristine forests, alpine meadows and high altitude wetlands are home to the endangered snow leopard and red panda, the vulnerable Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and Assamese macaque.
Trip Facts
Days: |
26 |
Season: |
Spring and autumn |
Max. Altitude: |
5143 m |
Difficulty: |
Moderate/Hard |
Start: |
Taplejung |
Finish: |
Taplejung |
Type: |
Teahouse/homestay/Camping |
Itinerary
Day 1 |
Flight Kathmandu to Badrapur - Drive to Birtamod |
Day 2 |
Drive Birtamod-Taplejung |
Day 3 |
Drive/Walk to Suketar-Trek to Phedi |
Day 4 |
Phedi-Pathibara Temple-Linkhim |
Day 5 |
Linkhim-Tapletok |
Day 6 |
Tapletok-Sukethum |
Day 7 |
Sukethum-Amjilosa |
Day 8 |
Amjilosa-Phale |
Day 9 |
Phale-Ghunsa |
Day 10 |
Ghunsa-Khangpachen |
Day 11 |
Khangpachen |
Day 12 |
Khangpachen-Lhonak |
Day 13 |
Lhonak-Kanchenjunga Base Camp |
Day 14 |
KBC-Ghunsa |
Day 15 |
Ghunsa-Tseram via Sele La (4480 m) and Sinion La (4646 m) |
Day 16 |
Tseram-Ramche |
Day 17 |
Ramche-Yalung Base Camp |
Day 18 |
Yalung Base Camp-Lapsang |
Day 19 |
Lapsang-Tortong |
Day 20 |
Tortong-Yamphudim |
Day 21 |
Yamphudim-Mamankhe |
Day 22 |
Mamankhe-Khesewa |
Day 23 |
Khesewa-Lali Kharka |
Day 24 |
Lali-Kharka-Suketar-Taplejung |
Day 25 |
Drive Taplejung-Birtamod |
Day 26 |
Drive Birtamod-Badrapur-flight to Kathmandu |