Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The journey to Kanchenjunga Circuit begins with a 45-minute flight from Kathmandu’s domestic airport to Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi Airport). After a scenic flight over Kathmandu Valley and a view of mountains, you’ll land at Bhandrapur. After reaching Bhandrapur, you’ll take a local bus and drive to Ilam, the heart of the tea plantation. Illam (1,627 m/5,328 ft) is 82km from Bhandrapur, and it takes approximately 4 hours to travel via Charali. Your overnight and dinner are at Ilam’s guest house.

Have your morning meal witnessing the garden of tea, and pack your backpack for another adventure. You’ll drive to Taplejung during the day via the local bus. The drive passes through Phidim before reaching Tapeljung via mostly paved and some rough sections. However, another route via Mai Beni is also available. Covering 152 km/94 miles within 6 hours of driving from Ilam, you’ll get to Taplejung. Overnight and dinner at Taplejung (1,820 m/5,971 ft).

Fill your tummy with a delicious meal at Taplejung’s guest house and drive towards the day’s destination, Sekathum. The road follows the Tamor River valley and passes through several small villages. The route passes through Mitlung and Chiruwa before reaching Sekathum through partially graveled and rough sections. The distance from Taplejung to Sekathum (1,650 m/5,413 ft) is 38 km/24 miles, taking 4 hours. You can explore Sekathum after you reach there. Stay overnight and have dinner at either a tea house or a tent.

Your trekking begins on the fourth day. After a morning meal at the accommodation point where you stayed, you’ll start your trekking journey. The trail begins with an ascent along the Ghunsa Khola and involves crossing a wooden bridge. Likewise, the trek traverses dense forests of rhododendron, bamboo, and oak forests. In addition, you’ll walk through a rocky and narrow trail, making the journey quite challenging. Passing through Jonggim and Ghaiyabari, you’ll reach the day’s overnight point, Amjilosa (2,498 m/8,195 ft). It takes 6 hours to reach Amjilosa from Sekathum, covering 7 km/4.3 miles.

After a sound sleep at Amjilosa’s lodging point, you’ll wake up and fill your tummy with a yummy morning meal. After breakfast, make your way towards Gyabla (2,725 m/8,940 ft), also known as Kyapra. The trail begins with a hike through the dense forest of pine, bamboo, rhododendron, and oak without human settlement. Likewise, if you get lucky, there is a chance of witnessing a red panda along the way. The trail has a mix of steep ascents and gentle descents but offers multiple waterfalls and streams. It takes 6 hours to reach Gyabla from Amjilosa, covering 7.5km.

Are you ready to continue your journey? Have your breakfast and resume your hike. Day’s trek begins in a thick rhododendron and pine forests. 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 trail from Phale, you’ll reach Gunsa (3,415 m/11,204 ft). It takes 6 hours to get to Ghunsa from Gyabla, covering 10.5 km/6.5 miles.

As you are already above 3,000m, you need rest and must acclimate your body to adjust to your surroundings and temperature. The day is all yours; you can rest, explore the village, learn about the village’s culture, or even go for a short hike to Lapsan La (a mountain pass). Overnight and dinner is at either the tea house or tent.

With the fresh energy of the seventh day’s acclimatization, you’ll make your way toward the eighth day’s destination after your morning meal. The trail follows a gentle upward path and offers a view of Jaanu Himal. The section provides a chance to spot blue sheep and snow leopards. Likewise, the trail passes through some landslide-prone areas. As the journey gets closer to Khambache, the landscape becomes more rugged with moraines and glacial valleys. It takes 7 hours to reach Khambache from Gunsa, covering 10.6 km/6.6 miles. Overnight and dinner at the tea house or tent at Khambachen (4,145 m/13,599 ft).

Have your morning meal and advance to the Kanchenjunga glacier trail. An initial gradual walk from Khambachen takes you to Ramtang, where you can exploreRamtang Monastery. The trail onwards to Ramtang is quite challenging alongside the Kanchenjunga Glacier. A 6-hour trek from Khambachen (4,792 m/15,722 ft) takes you to Lhonak, covering 9.2 km / 5.7 miles. Overnight and dinner will be at Lhonak’s accommodation point.

Day tenth is one of the prominent days in the journey to Kanchenjunga Circuit. On the day, you’ll hike to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,140 m/16,864 ft). The trail gradually ascents along the Kanchenjunga Glacier, which is a rocky and sandy path with steep climbs. As you get to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema), a massive north face of Kanchenjunga along with Chang Himal, Ramtang, and Wedge Peak will welcome you.

Due to the harsh weather conditions, you can’t stay 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. On the day, you’ll walk for 7 hours and cover 18.5 km/11.5 miles distance.

After completing the North Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, you’ll descend to Ghunsa from Lhonak to complete the Circuit route. You’ll make your way as soon as you finish breakfast at Lhonak. The trail descends through the same trail that took you above. Your oxygen level improves as you descend and lose elevation, making breathing easier. It takes 7 hours from Lhonak to Ghunsa, covering 19.8 km/12.3 miles. Overnight and dinner are at the teahouse or tent at Ghunsa.

You’ll leave Ghunsa after filling your tummy with a morning meal and start trekking towards Sele La Camp. The trail traverses through dense forests where the chance of spotting snow leopards is high. The route to Sele La Camp is less traveled and remote, with few settlements along the way. Likewise, the trek involves multiple steep and demanding uphill sections. After 7 hours of trekking from Ghunsa, covering 7.5 km/4.6 miles, you’ll get to Sele La Camp (4,240 m/13,911 ft), your overnight point.

Day thirteen begins in the early morning after a warm breakfast at Sele La Camp. The trek begins with a steep ascent to Sinelapche (4,645m) and then Mirgin La (4,480m). The passes offer spectacular views of Kanchenjunga massif and Jaanu. After navigating the passes, the trail descends steeply and changes from barren high-altitude terrain to dense forest. However, the descent can be challenging as it may hurt knees. The distance from Sele La Camp to Cheram is 8.5 km/5.2 miles, taking 6 hours. Overnight and dinner are at the lodging point of Cheram.

Get ready for another day’s adventure that takes you to Ramche, a popular resting point, before heading to 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. Upon reaching Ramche, you’ll find a small stone-built settlement. The distance from Cheram to Ramche is 6.6 km/4.1 miles, taking 7 hours. Your day’s overnight and lunch is at the tea house or tent at Ramche (4,610 m/15,125 ft).

Today is one of the most awaited days in 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 Yalung Glacier‘s moraine and offers a view of alpine. 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, andYalung Glacier.

Moreover, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4,730m) lies just below the Oktang viewpoint with prayer flags and stone chortons. It depends on whether you want to hike to the south base camp. After your exploration and spending time in the majesty of the Himalayan, you’ll descend to Cheram via Ramche. The overall trekking distance of the day is 14 km/8.7 miles, taking 9 hours. Overnight and dinner are at the tent or tea house.

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 fishing breakfast at Cheram. The trek is downhill mostly through the gorge and steep uphill through an area prone to landslides at the final part. It takes 6 hours to get to Tortong (2,980 m/9,777 ft) from Cheram, covering 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 that takes you from Yamphudin to Mamangkhe (1,786 m/5,860 ft). 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 trek through gentle descend covering 10 km/6.2 miles.

The nineteenth day takes you to Khesewa from Mamangkhe. The day’s trek starts with a warm morning meal at Mamangkhe. The route follows the Kabeli River and passe 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 get to Khesewa from Manangkhe. Your day’s 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 trek from Khesewa, it takes you to Lali Kharka, covering 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 via farmlands and lush greenery forests.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 of 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 plane area. The drive passes via Phidim and Ilam before reaching Bhadrapur. It takes 8 hours to get to Bhadrapur from Taplejung, covering 210 km/130 miles. Day’s overnight point is at the guest house of Bhadrapur. 

It’s time to say goodbye to the Kanchenjunga area. 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 pick you up and drop you off at your hotel as you land. Get freshen up, utilize your time visiting the surrounding area, and enjoy Thamel’s nightlife at night. Overnight at the Thamel’s Hotel.