Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The journey to the Kanchenjunga Circuit begins with a 45-minute flight from Kathmandu’s domestic airport to Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi Airport). After reaching Bhadrapur, you’ll take a short break, fill your stomach if you’re hungry, and prepare for another journey closer to your trek’s starting point.

From Bhadrapur, you’ll take a local bus and drive to Ilam, the heart of the tea plantation. Ilam is 82km from Bhadrapur, and it takes approximately 4 hours to travel via Charali. As you arrive in Ilam, you’ll check into your accommodation, freshen up, and explore the town. Your overnight and dinner are at Ilam’s guest house.

On day 2, you will start your day with a warm breakfast in Ilam, surrounded by the tea gardens the region is famous for. After packing up, you’ll board a local bus for a scenic journey to Taplejung. The drive winds through hilly terrain, passing small towns like Phidim. Most of the route is paved, though you’ll encounter some bumpy sections along the way. There is also an alternative route via Mai Beni.

After 6 hrs of driving, you will reach Taplejung. Taplejung. The district serves as the gateway to the Kanchenjunga Circuit and is surrounded by natural beauty and mountain peaks. Similarly, the village is renowned for the culture, language, and festivals of the Limbu communities. Overnight and dinner at Taplejung’s guest house.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll hop into a local jeep and begin your drive toward Sekathum, your next stop. While many trekkers choose to walk this section, we use local transport to make the trip shorter. This way, we arrive at Sekathum two days earlier than usual.

The scenic drive follows the Tamor Nadi and passes through several charming villages, including Mitlung, Chirwa, Thapethok, and Lelep. On the way, you’ll stop at the Kanchenjunga National Park checkpoint, where your permits will be checked before continuing the journey. Once cleared, the jeep ride continues through beautiful landscapes until you arrive at Sekathum for your overnight stay.

Your trek to the Kanchenjunga Circuit begins on the fourth day. After a morning meal at the accommodation point in Sekathum, you’ll start your trekking journey. The pathway begins with an ascent along the Ghunsa Khola and involves crossing a wooden bridge. The trek also traverses dense forests of rhododendron, bamboo, and oak.

In addition, you’ll walk through a rocky and narrow route, making the journey quite challenging. Passing through villages of Jonggim and Ghaiyabari, you’ll reach the day’s overnight point, Amjilosa.

After a sound sleep at Amjilosa’s lodging point, start your day with a delicious breakfast. Then, begin trekking toward Gyabla, also known as Kyapra. The walkway begins with a hike through a dense forest of pine, bamboo, rhododendron, and oak, with no human settlement. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a red panda along the way.

The route from Amjilosa to Gyabla features a mix of steep ascents and gentle descents. You’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of waterfalls and streams during your 6-hour, 7.5 km walk. When you reach Gyabla, settle into your tea house or tent for the night.

On day 6, after breakfast, you will resume your hike to Ghunsa. The day’s trek begins in a thick rhododendron and pine forest. You’ll follow the Ghunsa riverside and cross several wooden suspension bridges. After a while of trekking, you’ll reach Phale village, a Tibetan refugee settlement. Continuing the route from Phale, you’ll reach Ghunsa.

Ghunsa is an impressive and significant location in the Taplejung district of Nepal’s far eastern region. Mountain peaks and dense forests surround the village, providing a pleasant hospitality of the Sherpa and Gurung communities. Similarly, the peaceful environment and higher elevation make it an ideal location for a stopover point for trekkers heading on the Kanchenjunga trek.

Today is an important rest day to help your body adjust to the higher altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. You can choose to take a light hike up to Ghunsa Ree glacier or head toward Chherpuk Kharka near Selele La Pass. Another option is to climb to a viewpoint above the monastery on the way to Lobsang La Pass.

From the summit of Lobsang La Pass, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Phale, Ghunsa village, Selele La, Ghunsa Peak, and many other surrounding mountain peaks. This day allows you to relax while gently preparing your body for the days ahead.

With the fresh energy of the seventh day’s acclimatization, you’ll make your way toward the eighth day’s destination – Khambachen after your morning meal. You will begin a gradual uphill trek through an open pine forest. With a bit of luck, you might spot blue sheep or even catch a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard in this remote habitat. As you continue, the trail leads you through landslide-prone areas, so you should take careful steps to navigate them.

The route also offers a view of the Jaanu Himal rising in the distance. The scenery transforms into stunning green glacier valleys, adding to the natural beauty of the journey. After 7 hours of trekking, you will finally arrive at Khambachen village, where you’ll rest for the night surrounded by peaceful Himalayan landscapes.

Have your morning meal and continue your journey to the Kanchenjunga glacier sections. An initial gradual walk from Khambachen takes you to Ramtang, where you can explore Ramtang Monastery. The route to Ramtang is quite challenging as it involves walking alongside the Kanchenjunga Glacier. A 6-hour trek from Khambachen takes you to Lhonak, covering a distance of 9.2 km (5.7 miles).

Lhonak is a prominent location on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek route. The area is renowned for its natural beauty and serves as the base for expeditions to Kanchenjunga’s North Base Camp. A 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains, including the Kanchenjunga massif and its nearby peaks, is the highlight from this location. Overnight and dinner will be at Lhonak’s accommodation point.

Day ten is one of the prominent days in the journey to the Kanchenjunga Circuit. On the day, you’ll hike to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,140 m/16,864 ft), also known as Pang Pema. The North base camp trek route features steep climbs along the Kanchenjunga Glacier, following a rocky and sandy path with significant inclines. As you get to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema), the giant north face of Kanchenjunga, along with Chang Himal, Ramtang, and Wedge Peak, will welcome you.

Due to the harsh weather conditions, you can not stay overnight at the Base Camp and must return to Lhonak. Thus, after appreciating the view from the North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga, you’ll hike down to Lhonak for an overnight stay.

After completing the North Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, you’ll descend to Ghunsa from Lhonak to complete the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. We pass through familiar sections, including areas known for falling rocks and rugged terrain. The trail, though already walked, offers a new sense of appreciation as we take in the changing light, different perspectives, and the quiet beauty of the Himalayas one more time before reaching Ghunsa.

You’ll have your breakfast at Ghunsa and begin trekking towards Sele La Camp. The route traverses through dense forests, where there is a chance of spotting snow leopards, although they are very rare. The route to Sele La Camp is less traveled and remote, with only a few teahouses, and most of them open only during the main trekking season.

Sele La Camp, at an elevation of 4,240 m/13,911 ft, is one of the prominent locations within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Likewise, it is one of the significant points on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek that separates the northern and southern valleys of Kanchenjunga.

Day thirteen begins in the early morning after a warm breakfast at Sele La Camp. The trek begins with a steep ascent to Sinelapche (4,645 m) and then to Mirgin La (4,480 m). The passes offer spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga massif and Jannu. After crossing the passes, the route descends steeply and changes from barren high-altitude terrain to dense forest. However, the descent can be challenging as it may hurt the knees.

Cheram, also spelled as Tseram, is a beautiful village located along the route to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. The stunning mountain views of Kabaru and Rathong, along with the landscape of open and alpine pastures, add to the beauty of the village, making it an ideal location for a day’s stay. You will stay overnight and have dinner in Cheram.

Get ready for another day’s adventure that takes you to Ramche, a popular resting point, before heading to the South Base Camp of Kanchenjunga. The trail commences with a gradual ascent along Simbuwa Khola. The incredible views of Mt. Kabru, Rathong, and Kanchenjunga South will accompany you as you climb higher.

The final section of Ramche follows the moraine of the Yalung Glacier, also known as the Kanchenjunga South Glacier. Upon reaching Ramche, you’ll find a couple of stone houses, a small lake, and wide meadows where yaks and sometimes blue sheep can be seen grazing on the nearby slopes. The views along the way are breathtaking. Your day’s overnight and lunch is at the tea house or tent at Ramche.

Today is another highly anticipated day on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. Early in the morning, with a headlamp and backpack, you’ll head towards Oktang viewpoint (4,740 m/15,551 ft), one of the vantage points on the journey. The trail follows the moraine of the Yalung Glacier. The highlight of the viewpoint is the spectacular golden hours with the rising sun’s rays glittering over Mount Kanchenjunga, Yalung Kang, Kokthang, Rathong, Kabru Range, Jannu, and Yalung Glacier.

Moreover, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4,730m) lies just below the Oktang viewpoint with prayer flags and stone chortens. It depends on whether you want to hike to the south base camp. After your exploration and spending time in the majesty of the Himalayas, you’ll descend to Cheram via Ramche. Overnight and dinner are at the tent or tea house in Cheram.

Wake you, champion. You have successfully completed most of the section of Kanchenjunga, and it’s time to return from one of the fabulous treks in Nepal. The trail descends through the rhododendron forest after breakfast at Cheram. The trek is mostly downhill through the gorge and steep uphill through an area prone to landslides at the final part. It takes 6 hours to reach Tortong from Cheram, covering a distance of 10 km (6.2 miles).

After the morning meal at Tortong, you’ll continue your descent. The trek starts with a steep ascent to Lasiya Bhanjyang Pass (3,415m). After crossing the pass, the trail steeply descends towards Yamphudin. You’ll follow the Amji Khola and Kabeli Khola and cross several suspension bridges to reach the day’s destination. The distance from Tortong to Yamphudin is 9.5 km/5.9 miles, taking 7 hours. Overnight and dinner is at the accommodation point of Yamphudin (2,080m).

Today’s trek is one of the easiest, taking you from Yamphudin to Mamangkhe. The trail mostly follows Kabeli Khola, passing through terraced fields and culturally rich villages. The vegetation shifts from alpine forest to subtropical topography. It takes 7 hours of trekking through a gentle descent, covering 10 km (6.2 miles).

The nineteenth day takes you from Mamangkhe to Khesewa. The day’s trek starts with a warm morning meal at Mamangkhe. The route follows the Kabeli River and passes through a dense forest of rhododendrons and bamboo. The trail has a mix of ascents and descents, making the trek moderately difficult. Covering 11 km/6.8 miles and taking 7 hours, you’ll reach Khesewa from Manangkhe. Your overnight stay is at Khesewa’s tea house.

Day 20 takes you to an even lower altitude as you are on your return journey. As you finish your breakfast at Khesewa, descend your hike to Lali Kharka. The route passes through beautiful terraced farms and forested paths. Within 7 hours of trekking from Khesewa, you reach Lali Kharka, covering a distance of 10.5 km (6.5 miles). Overnight at Lali Kharka (2,266 m/7,434 ft).

On the day, you’ll traverse a gentle descent through farmlands and lush green forest. The route also offers spectacular views of Nepal’s green hills and river valleys. Within 6 hours, you’ll reach Tapeljung, your day’s destination. Moreover, the distance from Lali Kharka to Taplejung is 9 km/5.5 miles. Overnight and supper are at the lodge in Taplejung.

The trek to Kanchenjunga Circuit ends here, and you don’t have to be involved in any physical excursion today. You’ll have your breakfast and drive towards Bhadrapur on the 22nd day. The drive takes you from the hilly area of eastern Nepal down to the Terai’s plain area. The drive passes via Phidim and Ilam before reaching Bhadrapur. It takes 8 hours to travel from Taplejung to Bhadrapur, covering a distance of 210 km (130 miles). The day’s overnight point is at the guest house of Bhadrapur.

You’ll fly back to Kathmandu early morning from Bhadrapur. A 45-minute scenic flight takes you to Kathmandu’s domestic airport. Our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel upon arrival. Get refreshed, utilize your time to explore the surrounding area, and enjoy Thamel’s nightlife at night. Overnight at Thamel’s Hotel.