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26 day(s)
Regular & Private
1-10 people
This 26-day trek is ideal for those wanting to head to a remote and mostly unexplored region. Kanchenjunga (8586m) is the world’s third-highest mountain and second highest in Nepal. This trek will take you into the wild along unexplored and virgin trails in the eastern region of Nepal. Kanchenjunga translates as “The Five Treasures of the great snows”,
The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek takes you to the South and North Base Camps of Kanchenjunga. In such an out-of-the-way area it is important that you have a good level of fitness and some prior trekking experience. Trekkers will witness how locals live in isolation and will visit the Ramtang and Oktang monasteries. The landscape in this region is packed with waterfalls, rivers, green meadows, and rhododendron, pine and birch forests. The trek begins at the Yalung Glacier. Throughout the trek you will be surrounded by many magnificent peaks.
Mt. Kanchenjunga is close to the border with Sikkim, in the north east of India. Right up until 1852, Kanchenjunga was thought to be the highest mountain in the world and was closed off to climbers until the middle of the 1980’s. Today the Kanchenjunga region is protected by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and requires that before heading into this region you have a special trekking permit. The area is run by the World Wildlife Fund in conjunction with the Nepali government. Due to certain restrictions you can expect to see its distinctive flora and fauna as well as magnificent farmlands and valleys. Various ethnicities, such as Sherpa, Limbu, Rai and Tamang live in this region.
Besides Kanchenjunga, there are four other peaks exceeding 8,000 meters, one of which is Kanchenjunga West, also known as Yalung Kang (8,586m). There are more than seventeen peaks with an altitude of more than 7,000 meters: Kambachen (7,903m), Janu (7,710m), Jongsong (7,483m), Kabru (7,353m), Tent Peak (7,365m) and the Twins (7,350m). There are also many peaks over 6,000 meters. Bordered by this amazing cluster of peaks are five major glaciers, Zumu, Talung, and Rathong that flow into Sikkim (India), and in the west the Kanchenjunga and Yulang Glacier flow into the fast flowing Tamor River in Nepal.
This trek takes you right into the heart of the extreme, less trekked, magnificent Himalaya Mountains and beautiful valleys. There is no better time than now to experience this brand new opportunity to discover these untouched and isolated regions. As stated earlier, the trek along the Kanchenjunga Circuit is hard going and at times physically challenging. This is what essentially separates it from other more frequented regions. Now is the time to tune up and prepare for this epic adventure.
Sherpa Expedition Teams will take care of all permits, meals and accommodation on the trek.
Duration
26 day(s)
Max Group Size
1-10 people
Tour Code
KCT26D
Departure Type
Tour Category
Adventure
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Operated In
Age Requirement
10 - 90
Kathmandu
Kathmandu
A representative from Sherpa Expedition Teams will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After arriving at your hotel you can rest and explore Thamel and buy anything you may need for the trek.
Today our guide will take us to the famous Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world: The pagoda-shaped temple of Lord Shiva is visited by thousands of people every year. We will also visit the Bouddhanath Stupa a place where pilgrims – both Buddhist and Hindu worship. This is one of the most significant Buddhist shrines in the world. Another place on our list is the famous Swayambhunath Temple (monkey temple). Lastly we head to see the famous Durbar Square with its distinctive architecture and temples.
This morning we take a 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur and then travel to Ilam, a well-known tea brand and Nepal’s largest tea plantation. We then drive for another 4 hours before arriving at Taplejung where we will spend the night.
Today we trek through the lower level hills passing by rivers and trekking across some steep ridges. On the way, we pass some traditional villages with their unique mud houses, rice fields, fruit trees, and terraced farms before descending to the Tamur River and then head upstream passing some very remote villages. We next come to the Tamang village of Sinuwa where we stay the night.
From Sinuwa Village the valley narrows as we cross remnants of landslides and boulders before descending to Thiwa Khola and then cross over a wooden bridge. The trail follows the natural, but undulating, contour of the terrain before reaching the market village at Chirwa. The trail follows the Tamur River before finally arriving at Tapethok.
After first heading up and over a spur we then head down to Simbuwa Khola and cross the bridge over the river that originates at the Yalung Glacier. We again head across another ridge before coming to the Ghunsa Khola Valley. Once we reach the fork of the Tamur River and Ghunsa Khola we continue on the trail for a short time before making camp beside the river for the night.
This morning we follow the trail in a northeast direction on the banks of the Ghunsa Khola and then climb higher as we head to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The trek takes us across an exposed landscape before descending to the Tibetan village of Amjilosa.
Today the trail passes through rhododendron and bamboo forests. As we climb higher we come to a huge waterfall on the side of the river that signals our path that will take us to our objective, Gyable, with its magnificent views of the nearby landscape.
Leaving Gyabla the trail heads downhill and crosses a river before reaching Gunsa Village, a large Tibetan village with traditional wooden houses, a school, health post, and its own hydroelectricity power plant. The village is within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and has several Gompas (Buddhist fortifications) where people rest and exchange stories of their journey. Tonight we stay overnight at Gunsa, the very last village in the valley.
Today we spend time acclimatizing before heading to higher altitudes. We will take a short hike to the opposite side of Ghunsa Khola with a gain of about 400 meters. After returning we can spend the rest of the day exploring the ancient village of Ghunsa visit its monasteries and learn about their Buddhist culture and traditions.
Today we follow a trail through the forest along the south bank of Ghunsa Khola and pass several Mani walls and Chortens on the way. We also trek across several scree slopes and some glacial moraines to reach the Tibetan settlement of Kangbachen from where we have some awesome views of the north face of Jannu (7710m).
From Kangbachen we follow the trail on the left of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. We cross a high plateau to reach the campsite of Lhonak. From Lhonak there are panoramic views of massive mountain peaks: Wegde Peak (6802m), Mera Peak (6364m), Nepal Peak (7177m), Twins (7350m) and other snow covered peaks.
From Lhonak we head in an easterly direction following the path close to the Lhonak Glacier on the northern ridges until we come to Kanchenjunga Base Camp at Pangpema where there are some great photo opportunities of the enormous surrounding mountains. We then return to Lhonak for the night.
Today we head back to Ghunsa along the same route we took to reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp. We will stay here overnight
Today the trail is along a rock-strewn trail that passes through a forest before arriving at High Camp. We spend the night just beyond the pass at Sele La Kharka.
Today is going to be physically challenging as we cross over two passes on our way to Tseram, the highest pass being the Sele La (4480m) and Sinion La (4660). Upon reaching the passes we have amazing view of Yalung Glacier, Jannu (7710m), Makalu (8481m), Baruntse (7129m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), and many other mountain ranges along the Sikkim Indian border. We then head back to Tseram for the night.
Today we trek through the terminus of Yalung Glacier into a barren valley. The peaks of this region span the Nepal and India border. Blue sheep can also be seen on the grassy slopes at Ramche. We then follow rocky trails and cross moraines until we come to the Oktang Glacier. We then head back to Ramche for the night.
Today we retrace our steps on the trail back to Tseram where we spend the night.
Today we follow the same trail back to Simbuwa Khola. It is easier going heading back and allows us more time to admire the remarkable views and wild orchids on the trail through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Tonight we stay at Tortong Village.
Today we follow the trail through Lamite Bhanjyang and its thick pine forest. On the trail, we may hear the chorus of the birds in the trees. We then cross the Amji Khola and descend to Yamphudin where we stay overnight.
Today we descend and follow the trail alongside the Kabeli Khola (river) and can see many waterfalls cascading down to the river. We will stay overnight at Phumphe.
Today we climb along a ridge before heading down through a series of valleys just past Phun Village. The next leg of the journey takes us through Kesawa and then passes through the predominantly Gurung village of Bhanjyang. We then follow the trail along a ridge and descend to the Limbu village of Kande Bhanjung. Tonight we set up camp on the banks of the Pha Khola.
Today is our last day on the trail as we head to Suketar in the Taplejung district. There is quite a bit of climbing today that will leave us tired before arriving at our overnight stay at Taplejung.
After yesterday’s physically tiring trek we have time today to relax on our drive to Birtamod in the Jhapa District. Tonight we will stay at Birtamod, not too far from our departure point tomorrow at Bhadrapur.
We will be up bright and early for our flight to Kathmandu. Tonight we can relax and look back on the highs and lows of our grand journey through some of the harshest regions of Nepal. Tonight you can kick up your heals in Thamel and celebrate the end of your trek and your last day in Nepal.
Our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport at least three hours prior to your scheduled departure. On your flight home you can start planning your next great getaway to some remote regions of Nepal.