Marked by the Tamor River in the west and Teesta River in the east while the dramatic Lhonak the Chu and Jongsang La form the northern border, Kanchenjunga Circuit is home to the mesmerizing Mt Kanchenjunga (8586m), the third tallest mountain in the world. Kanchenjunga Circuit trek is one of the most difficult as well as rewarding trekking routes in eastern Nepal that features a mind-blowing Himalayan panorama along the virgin trail that traverses through icy moraines, lush green valleys, and traditional Kirant settlements, making it an ideal Himalayan adventure.
The Kanchenjunga base camp trek begins with a scenic flight to the Terai city of Bhadrapur, from where you drive to follow the Mechi Highway to reach the trailhead located at Taplejung. Through the lush green forests, you follow the hilly trail to the Limbu hamlet of Mamankhe, crossing Lalikharka and Khesewa en route. Alongside the stunning river, you continue your ascending journey to Tortona and Cheram before taking a day off at Cheram for acclimatization. Make sure you are well prepared for the next stretch of the journey, you then navigate through the rocky Himalayan trail to reach Ramchaur beyond which lies the Yalung Base Camp (4500m).
Heading to Sele La (4290m) next, you traverse through dramatic mountain passes enjoying the stunning Himalayan views comprising Kanchenjunga (8586m) and Jannu (7710m) before dropping down to Ghunsa. You then head up to Kambachen and Lhonak, respectively, which brings you to Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5143m) at the foot of the gigantic Kanchenjunga (8586m). Surrounded by ice, snow, and snowy mountains, the challenging trek proves to be worth the effort when you look around and take in your tranquil surroundings. Afterward, you retrace your steps back to Taplejung, Bhadrapur, and Kathmandu, reliving the unforgettable moments of the trek.
We are here at High Route Adventure and have been accompanying trekkers and thrill-seekers for over a decade making sure we are best equipped to meet the needs of our diverse clientele. We provide the very best of services from accommodation to transport enabling you to enjoy your Himalayan adventure to the fullest.
Upon touch down at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by the representatives from our office who will guide you directly to the hotel. After a short introduction session, you will be shown to your rooms for refreshments. Wrapping up all the activities for the day, you are free to head down to the local areas to enjoy a pleasant evening at your leisure.
Long days of trekking in the Himalayas can be as treacherous as they are exciting, especially if you are underprepared for the journey. To make sure you are ready to go, we take the day off at the capital city gathering all the necessary items for our journey. In the due course, we also tour around the historic UNESCO world heritage cites spread around the valley. Beginning with the ancient Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, we make our way tothe Buddhist pilgrimage site of Boudhanath which features a tranquil environment around the giant stupa. The day comes to an end at the vibrant Kathmandu Durbar Square where ancient architectures speak volumes about the Nepalese history.
Today we take the morning flight from Kathmandu to the southeastern town of Bhadrapur flying over the lush green valleys of Nepal. The 45 minutes flight brings us to the Terai region of Nepal which sports a high contrast with the hills and the Himalayas. Taking a brief rest at the town, we board the bus heading tothe hamlet of Taplejung. The journey is a long one and follows the winding bends of Mechi Highway with stunning views of the eastern hills. Overnight at Taplejung.
We begin our trek today as we head out of Taplejung onto the small settlement of Lalikharka for the night. We follow the pleasant hilly trail through lush green forests adorned with pine, fir and rhododendron trees. The trail boasts a wide array of floras and faunas which gives a perfect introduction to the beauty of eastern Nepal. The trail mostly passes through the forests, save a couple of settlements,until reaching Lalikharka.
Exiting Lalikharka, we set off on a descending trail heading tothe village of Phundrawa. Through the deep forests, the trail ascends from here on heading toYanpang and then continuing till Phumphe Danda. Enjoying the scenic natural landscapes, we set off on our final ascend to reach Khesewa for the night.
Past Khesewa, the trail drops to the stunning Kabeli Khola. From here on, the hilly trail is guided by tree lines with occasional views of the Himalayas. Crossing a small stream enroute, we begin our final ascend of the day passing several vibrant hamlets to reach the Limbu village of Mamankhe for the night.
One of the shorter days of the trek, the trail from Mamankhe to Yamphudin is an easy one as it slowly gains altitude. Following Kabeli Khola due north, the journey heads mostly through uninhabited lands. Enroute, we are treated with a gorgeous waterfall where we take a brief rest before crossing the river on a suspension bridge. A final ascend above the bridge takes us past Kabeli Khola and onto the traditional settlement of Yamphudin.
Leaving Yamphudin, the hilly trail passes through meadows and terraced farmlands as we head to Tortong for the night. We also get some clear views of the eastern Himalayas on our way. The hilly trail drops to Amji Khola before following the river bank to reach Lasiya Bhanjyang. Alongside the riverbank, we continue our journey until arriving at Tortong for the night.
One of the easier and shorter days of the journey, today we make our way to Cheram for the night. Exiting Tortong, the journey brings us to the banks of Simbuwa Khola following whose trail we enter deeper into Lalung Valley. With the stunning views of Kanchenjunga (8586m) rising on the horizon, the journey takes us through the moraines of Yalung Glacier enroute to Cheram.
The first of our acclimatization days, today we take some time off at the hamlet of Cheram making sure our bodies are well adapted to the increasing altitude. With the majestic views of the Eastern Himalayas on the horizon, a hamlet is a perfect place for acclimatization. For our acclimatization hike, we can either climb up to places around Yalung Glacier or head up to a viewpoint which provides stunning views of Rathong (6680m) and Kabru Peak (7412m). Overnight in Cheram.
Another one of the shorter days, today we make our way tothe hamlet of Ramche for the night. Exiting Cheram, the rugged Himalayan trail takes us to the snout of Yalung Glacier which is an ideal place to witness the stunning beauty of the Kanchenjunga Himalayan Range. Past the Himalayan viewpoint, we make our way to Lapsang before ascending to reach Ramche.
Leaving Ramchaur, we begin our ascending journey to Yalung Base Camp (4500m) traversing through the glacial moraines. The journey brings us to the southern face of the beautiful Kanchenjunga (8586m), the third-highest mountain in the world. Treated with an equally stunning view of the Jannu Himalayan Range, we continue our journey to reach Oktang Monastery. Taking some time off to explore the quaint monastery, we begin the final stretch of our journey ascending to Yalung Base Camp, from where we can witness a breath-taking vistaof Jannu and Kanchenjunga Himalayan Ranges. Overnight at Cheram.
One of the more challenging sections of the trek, today we make our way across the mountain pass of Sele La (4920m). Exiting Cheram, we make our way to Sinelapche Bhanjyang which brings us to Mirgin La Pass (4645m). Admiring the stunning Himalayan panorama on display, we continue to ascend through the rugged Himalayan trail to reach Sinion La Pass (4800m). A final ascend on the uphill trail takes us atop Sele La (4290m), our stopover for the night.
Today we leave Sele La and make our way further north with the majestic hill of Tanbharma Danda keeping us constant company. Past a series of prayer flags and Chortens, the Himalayan trail descends steeply to enter alpine forests marked by pine and birch trees. The trail then opens up to reach Ghunsa were we will spend the night.
Following the river bank due north, we exit Ghunsa whilst enjoying the majestic views of the Kanchenjunga Himalayan range. Crossing a river on a suspension bridge, we reach Rampuk Kharka beyond which the trail guides us to a stunning waterfall and picturesque meadows. With the mesmerizing views of Mt. Jannu (7710m) as our constant companion, we arrive at Kambachen for the night.
Deep within the Himalayan valley, today we make our way to Lhonak for the night. The journey is a difficult one and involves us traversing across landslide areas which can be unstable at times. Exiting Kambachen early, we make our way through the river bank navigating through rocky landscapes to reach a stunning waterfall. Heading over to the quaint Ramtang Monastery, we take some time off before setting off to the river banks beyond which Lhonak.
For the majority of the journey today, we are accompanied by the icy face of Kanchenjunga Glacier as we slowly make way through the lateral moraines of the glacier. Upon reaching Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5143m), also known as Pangpema, we get to soak in the mesmerizing Himalayan panorama comprising of the majestic Kanchenjunga (88486m), Jannu (7710m), and Kangbachen (7902m) amongst others. Overnight at Pangpema.
Retracing our steps through the icy moraines, we make our way back to Lhonak for the night. We need to be equally careful while descending through the icy track like we were during the ascent. Heading past Ramtang Monastery once again, we make our way back to the Lhonak, where the widespread mountain-view awaits us.
As we leave Lhonak, we are presented with a steep landslide-prone section beyond which the trail reaches the base of a stunning waterfall. After a brief rest, we make our way to Rampuk Kharka and then cross the suspension bridge over the river. The final stretch of the trek follows the riverbank to the settlement of Ghunsa, where we stay for the night.
Exiting Ghunsa, we begin we descend heading tothe hamlet of Phale. Passing by the lush green forests and quiet villages on the way, the hilly trail takes us over Chhundarangka Khola to reach the hamlet of Gyabla. We then cross a suspension bridge over Sumbung Khola and make a gradual descend to reach the Tibetan-influenced settlement of Amjilosa for the night.
The trail from Amjilosa takes us through picturesque hilly landscapes including a gorgeous waterfall. Past the settlement of Solima, the trail enters a lush green forest heading toGhunsa Khola. Crossing the river a couple of times, enroute, we reach the hamlet of Sukathum. Afterward, we follow the banks of Thunsa Khola and Tamro Nadi to reach Chiruwa for the night.
The final day of our trek, today we head back to the town of Taplejung passing through the settlement of Mitlung on the way. The journey is quite a long one where we follow the lushly forested trail past traditional hilly settlements with picture-perfect natural settings. The trail takes us alongside the banks of Tamro Nadi before ascending tothe village of Mitlung. Taking a brief rest at the quiet village, we descend on the peaceful hilly trail to Taplejung for the night.
Back on Mechi Highway, we bid goodbye to Kanchenjunga region and begin our journey back to Bhadrapur. The drive is an enjoyable one that takes us past various towns and villages depicting the beauty of eastern Nepal. Enjoying the winding bends of Mechi Highway, we reach the Terai town of Bhadrapur for the night.
Bidding goodbye to the Terai town of Bhadrapur, the 45-minute flight above waves of high hills brings us back to the bustling capital city. Touching down at Kathmandu, we make our way directly to the hotel wrapping up all the activities for the day. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore your nearby markets or just stay back at the hotel recuperating from the long journey.
Our representatives will drop you back to Tribhuvan International Airport to connect you with your scheduled flight back home. We hope you had a lovely time with us and we look forward to seeing you again.
Nepal is not just famous for its mountains and cultural sites; the country also boasts varieties of delicious cuisines.
The most popular food in Nepal is the Khana set which consists of dal (lentils), Bhat (rice), Tarkari (vegetables), and chutney (picked curry). Another famous dish that you can try out is Momo (meat-filled dumpling). In the cities, you can also choose from a wide range of cuisines.
While trekking, there are ample of teahouses along the way where you can savor the local delicacies. The teahouses have a local and western food menu which includes Khana set (Dal Bhat), porridge, soup, instant noodles, oatmeal, bread, eggs, and many more options.
If you are staying in the capital or any other major cities like Pokhara and Chitwan, there are tons of choices for your accommodation. From luxury 5-star hotels to basic lodges and hostels, there are a variety of options you can choose from.
During your trekking journey, you will mostly be staying at teahouses that offer a warm and comfortable bed. The trekking trails are filled with a significant number of teahouses where trekkers can lodge for the night. The teahouse accommodations are typical Nepali houses made by wood, stone, or tin roofs. The teahouses have basic facilities such as toilet and bathroom with or without hot water shower. Some trekking trails also offer homestay lodges such as the Chepang Trail Trek and Tamang Heritage Trek.
