Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 19 Days

You will be received by the representative of Mountain Treks Nepal upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. You will be taken to your hotel in a private vehicle, where you may relax and settle down. Later, you can explore the lively streets of Thamel, which is a hub for tourists with lots of shops, cafes, and historical sites.

On the second day of the journey, before setting off onto the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 Days, we will keep time for preparation. You will meet  your team manager at around 9:00 a.m. who will collect your passport to process the trekking permits. In the afternoon, you will meet with your trekking guide, who will check your gear and recommend items to buy or rent from trekking shops in Thamel.

The third day starts in Kathmandu with a warm breakfast at your hotel. You will then be escorted to Tribhuvan International Airport to board a flight to Bhadrapur. After arriving at Bhadrapur, you will catch a drive to the Illam district to reach the starting point of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 days. 

The journey is complete with a scenic drive through the beautiful tea gardens of Kanyam. Depending on the time, you will either stop at Illam or carry on to Taplejung, the town that stands at the threshold of the Kanchenjunga Circuit.

The adventure continues with a jeep ride across rural villages for the crossing of Tamor above its river while going through Kanchenjunga National Park checkpoints. Along the trail toward Sekathum, you’ll pass the charming little hamlets of Mitlung, Chirwa, and Thapethok.

This long drive promises to give you a sneak peek into the vibrant local daily lives and untouched, pure, beautiful nature. Rugged terrain combined with great scenic beauty brings a memorable start to your trek.

The 19 Days Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek starts as you climb steep slopes navigating through thick vegetation and moving across multiple suspension bridges along the Ghunsa Khola river. You will first reach Jonggim and Ghaiyabari before you settle in Amjilosa.

This day’s trek is a wonderful way to warm up for the Kanchenjunga Circuit both in terms of geography and culture. Amjilosa, an otherwise unremarkable village is a place to spend the night in peace.

The route to Gyabla is one we do not want to forget any time soon, with rhododendron and bamboo forests, and glimpses of waterfalls in the distance to the sweet scent of nature. It is a steady climb broken up with relaxing periods in mother nature.

It is a peaceful little village called Gyabla, where stunning mountains surround the community with truly awesome views. It is recommended to rest here before the wait is over as you sit atop mountains.

In this day’s trek, allow yourself to be captivated by the variety of landscapes from the gorgeous hills to the open lands, including Ghunsa, a Tibetan cultured village. You must traverse through the rugged terrain passing through the woods to reach Phale village first. This village is known for its notable wooden architecture.

Ghunsa village is considered the starting point for trekkers and climbers for the treks in Kanchenjunga region. Featured with the Buddhist vibes, you can have views of mani walls, and prayer flags surrounding the settlements in Ghunsa.

The eighth day of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 Days takes you all the way from Ghunsa and Khambachen. The trail passes through the pine forest taking you to the area where you might encounter wild animals such as blue sheep or even snow leopards. Similarly, you will traverse on areas that are landslide-prone while taking in a breathtaking view of Mount Jannu, on the other side before arriving at Khambachen. 

Khambachen is a very little settlement located at a high altitude with the most amazing views of the glacier valleys. It is a beautiful settlement with high mountains all around where you can relax and acclimatize your body.

Today is the day to rest and acclimatize in Khambachen. As we have already reached over 4100 meters above sea level, health hazards like altitude sickness can be a serious problem. In the meantime, you can take a short hike to nearby glacial outlets or viewpoints.

Remember, to acclimatize you must focus on proper nutrition and hydration. Get enough rest and sleep and pack your medication if you have any medical conditions.

As the tenth day starts, you will have an early morning breakfast and then catch a trail to Lhonak. The trail passes through the Ghunsa Khola and Kanchenjunga Glacier. You’ll then navigate steep slopes and cross moraines, surrounded by awe-inspiring peaks like Wedge Peak, Nepal Peak, and Twins.

Lhonak is a high-altitude campsite which sits at 4792 meters above sea level. From this place, you can have breathtaking views of the Himalayas to the North but be ready to prepare for its freezing cold temperature and remote location.

It is an exciting trek from Lhonak to Pang Pema, which is known as the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. The pathway created by the glacial moraines leads up to a beautiful view of the third-largest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga. Remember, this phase of trek is not as easy as the inital phase, so make sure that you are well geared up.

After exploring the North Base Camp, you will return to Lhonak for a rest enjoying traditional Nepali cuisine.

On day 12, you will retrace back to Ghunsa Village. As you retrace your steps back to this village, you descend through the same once-familiar trails passing through lush green forests and rugged terrains. This unique perspective of familiar landscapes comes as you finish your journey.

This downhill trek is not really more difficult, but it is very similar in merit and takes much time to appreciate the gorgeous scenery of the Kanchenjunga region.

The way to Sele Le Base Camp is a majestic climb where dense forests are seen, and depressions can be filled with the scarce sight of wildlife spotted, like those snow leopards. The region is so far flung that it has very few settlements, but it is very interesting and exciting to traverse through the changing landscapes.

Sele Le Base Camp is a heavenly view point, offering you the best views of the Himalayas and glacial moraines around. Overnight stay at Sele Le Base Camp.

The fourteenth day of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek takes us to Tseram from Sele Le Camp. The trek is still over 3800 meters above sea level, so proper preparation for high altitude should be made. The trek covers three high passes-Sinon La, Mirgin La, and Sinelapche Bhanjyang-these offer grandiose views of Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga.

On the way down, you will find yourself at Tseram-a beautiful and peaceful place in the midst of breath-taking mountain scenery. This is part of the day when one could say the trek peaks.

Today, you will hike from Tseram to Yalung Glacier and Oktang viewpoint. From this place, you can have a magnificent view of the stunning Kanchenjunga South Base Camp and Himalayan peaks around it. You can also have the beautiful views of the glaciers that flow slowly down to the basin from up in the mountain.

This one-day trek is challenging yet fulfilling, as it rewards one with the view of pure, snow-capped mountains. After exploring the beautiful sceneries, you will ultimately head back to Tseram for an overnight stay.

The journey from Tseram to Tortong is breathtaking every moment when it passes through trails showcasing snow-capped peaks. The trail winds through tall lush rhododendron forests that give bursts of color to the surroundings. You will cross the Simbuwa Khola along the way.

The greenery comes back as one enters Tortong, with imposing views of the Himalayas beyond. We will then descend back to Tortong and stay overnight with a warm dinner in a tea house.

Today’s trek takes you through the beautiful terrain, mostly downhill, that we walk from Tortong to Yamphudin. There lies Amji Khola, the silent river flowing through the area. Next, we pass through Lasiya and Lamite Bhanjyang, and we can see the changes in elevation through vegetation and pure mountain air.

The community at Yamphudin is much more alive; here is a checkpoint for the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, a familiar local culture, and the next travel phase awaits. Overnight stay at Yamphudin.

The trek from Yamphudin to Kanyam makes a complete change in the road from rugged mountain trails to the beautiful lowlands. You will drive along the pathways of Kabeli Khola to make a return to Kanyam.

Kanyam is known for its wide tea gardens, where you can have a peaceful time. These tea gardens give you the peaceful and ambient vibe which is also a paradise for photographers and videographers. After exploring tea gardens, you can explore the nearby towns or get a rest at your hotel.

Our last day starts with a warm breakfast at a hotel and an explore session in Kanyam. After that, we will set off towards Bhadrapur, a drive of about 2 hours and 3 hours depending on the traffic and leaving the beautiful tea gardens behind. 

The flight from Bhadrapur returns us back to Kathmandu. After reaching the city, you will be escorted to your hotel for rest. Finally, in the evening, the Mountain Treks Nepal team will host a farewell dinner and bid farewell.