Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek: 17-Day Ultimate Itinerary

Overview of  Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek 

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is a 17-day adventurous trek into one of the world's most isolated yet scenic regions in Nepal, offering unparalleled views of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-tallest mountain in the world. Starting from Kathmandu, this trek takes you deep inside the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where old traditions, austere alpine landscapes, and varied biodiversity are in store for you.

The trek passes through Sherpa and traditional Limbu villages, rhododendron woods, icefields, and high-altitude villages before it reaches Lhonak and Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, 4,785 m). It's a moderately challenging trek for experienced trekkers looking for a less-frequented Himalayan trekking adventure without the presence of Everest or Annapurna trekkers.

Highlights of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek 

• Reach Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema) at 4,785 m, overlooking stunning views of Kanchenjunga, Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, and the Twins.
• Trek to remote Sherpa, Limbu, and Tibetan-influenced villages like Ghunsa and Kambachen.
• Enter the serene, high-altitude alpine of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
• Sight rare animals like the Red Panda, Blue Sheep, and Himalayan birds.
• Enjoy spectacular rhododendron spectacles in spring and crystal-clear mountain views in autumn.
• Discover ancient monasteries, scenic rivers, and glacier-sculpted valleys.
• Experience authentic, off-the-beaten-path Himalayan trekking—great for those seeking seclusion and contact with the local people.
• Acclimatize in breathtaking Sherpa towns like Ghunsa and Kambachen, surrounded by huge snow peaks.

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek Itinerary Chart 

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek Itinerary in Detail

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m)

• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Proceed through immigration to be met by your guide or driver, who will transfer you to your Thamel hotel.
• Evening walk in Thamel and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

• Spend day two in Nepal getting to know the capital and trek preparation. Tour around Kathmandu's main heritage areas before nightfall:

1. Swayambhunath
2. Pashupatinath Temple
3. Boudhanath Stupa
4. Patan or Kathmandu Durbar Square

• Afternoon is utilized for a pre-trek briefing and preparation.

Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (91m | 45 minutes), Drive to Taplejung (1,820 m | 8 to 9 hours)

• Start your trek with an early morning flight from Kathmandu. Within 45 minutes, you are in Bhadrapur. Bhadrapur is the lowest point of this trek. It is 91 m above sea level.
• An 8 to 9-hour drive will take you to Taplejung. Taplejung is famous for its biodiversity and trekking. A major Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site is also located in Taplejung.
• Spend a night in a lodge or tea house in Taplejung.

Day 4: Drive from Taplejung to Sekathum (1,600 m | 5 hours)

• Continue your drive from Taplejung. A 5-hour pleasant drive will lead you to Sekathum.
• Sekathum is a remote village situated at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level. The village is where Gunsa Khola and Tamur River meet, offering breathtaking panoramic views of valleys, forests, and waterfalls. Sekathum is inhabited by Limbu, Sherpa, and Tibetan-origin people, with a diverse richness of mountain culture.
• Spend a night in a lodge or tea house in this beautiful village.

Day 5: Trek from Sekathum to Amjilosa (2,510 m | 6 hours)

• Commence your trek from the village of Sekathum. The 6-hour trek has a climb and descent route, going through rhododendron forests and villages such as Jognim, Solima, Ghaiyabari, and Chanjalung Danda.
• Amjilosa is a village in Tibetan style, and the trekkers can see that the local culture, architecture, and climate differ from lower elevations.
• Overnight in a tea house in Amjilosa.

Day 6: Trek from  Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730 m | 4 to 5 hours)

• Continue today’s 4 to 5 hours trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla. The trek offers a trek through diverse terrain, including dense forest and along the riverbank of Ghunsa Khola. The trek involves trekking past waterfalls, small villages, and on-site potential rare animals.
• Gyabla is a tiny, remote Sherpa town on the Kanchenjunga trekking route in eastern Nepal, situated around 2,730 meters above sea level. It's renowned for its peaceful environment, beautiful mountain views, and culture, giving trekkers a chance to mingle with the local Sherpa population and learn about their ways.
• Overnight in a tea house in Gyabla.

Day 7: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595 m | 5 to 6 hours)

• The 6-7 hour walk between Gyabla and Ghunsa follows through forests, crossing the Ghunsa river, and going along the Tibetan refugee camp at Phale (Phole). The trail has green terraced field views and juniper larch woods, then it follows along the Ghunsa Khola river down to Ghunsa village.
• Ghunsa is a peaceful Sherpa village in the Kanchenjunga region of eastern Nepal, well known for its stunning Himalayan scenery. It is at 3,595 meters and possesses traditional wooden houses and warm inhabitants reliant on tourism and yak herding as a means of income.
• Spend the night in a tea house in Ghunsa.

Day 8: Acclimatization in Ghunsa 

• Acclimatization is also required for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek trekkers to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen levels in Ghunsa, a village located high above (about 3,500 meters or 11,500 ft).
• The body undergoes physiological alterations in the process of adaptation to the reduced availability of oxygen and atmospheric pressure.  Altitude sickness can be reduced by giving trekkers a break day in Ghunsa so that they can acclimatize gradually.

Day 9: Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,100 m | 5 to 6 hours)

• The hike from Ghunsa to Kambachen is a 5-6 hour trek over mixed terrain with spectacular mountain views and cultural experiences. The hike is along the Ghunsa Khola, moving through forests, meadows, and difficult spots such as a landslide area. Along the way are highlights such as a bridge at Rampuk Kharka and views of Mt. Jannu.
• Kambachen is a village at a high altitude with extraordinary panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Jannu (Kumbhakarna) and Kanchenjunga.
• Overnight in a tea house in Kambachen.

Day 10: Acclimatization in Kambachen 

• Spend another day in Kambanchen adjusting the elevation. As you climb to a higher altitude, it's crucial to give your body proper time to adjust to the surroundings. 

Day 11: Trek from Kambachen to Lhonak (4,785 m | 4 to 5 hours)

• The trek from Kambachen to Lhonak is a 5-6 hour trek on stony paths, beside the Kanchenjunga Glacier, with magnificent mountain views.
• The trail passes through Ramtang, where there is a monastery to visit, and continues to Lhonak, a small village on a sandy plateau near a dry lake bed.
• Spend the night in a tea house in Lhonak.

Day 12: Explore Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

• Day 12 of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek from Lhonak to Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp) and return to Lhonak. The trek to Pangpema offers stunning views of Kanchenjunga's main peak, Wedge Peak, Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, Cross Peak, and the Twins. The trail is a stony, gently sloping track on the moraine.

Day 13: Trek from Lhonak to Gyabla (2,730 m | 8 to 9 hours)

• Have an early breakfast in Lhonak and walk downward to Gyabla. An 8-hour walk from Lhonak will lead you to Gyabla. Spend your night in a lodge or a tea house in Gyabla.

Day 14: Trek from Gyabla to Sekathum (1,600 m | 6 to 7 hours)

• Conclude your last day of trek to Sekathum. After walking for 5 to 6 hours from Khebang, you will reach Sekathum.
• Spend your night in Sekathum.

Day 15: Drive from Sekathum to Taplejung  (1,820 m | 5 hours)

• Today, you will drive for 5 hours from Sekathum to Taplejung. Spend your night in Taplejung.

Day 16: Drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur (91m | 2 to 3 hours), then fly back to Kathmandu (1,300 m | 45 minutes)

• Today, you will have a pleasant drive for 2 to 3 hours to reach Bhadrapur Airport from Taplejung.
• From Bhadrapur Airport, catch a 45-minute flight to Kathmandu.

Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu 

• You’ll be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule.
• Say farewell to Nepal with unforgettable memories of your North Kanchenjunga Peak Trek.

Packing essentials for North Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek 

North Kanchenjung Treks is a moderate trekking route that does not require much gear. But there are a couple of things that you should carry on the trek.

Head

• Warm hat & cap
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Headlight
• Earmuffs
• Beaney

 Body

• Thermal layers
• Warm and Waterproof jacket
• Thermal Gloves
• Trekking Trousers and Shorts
• Neck buff
• Waterproof gloves

Footwear

• Trekking shoes
• Hiking boots

Essentials/Equipment

• Warm Hiking socks
• Gaiters
• Sleeping bag
• First aid kit
• Trekking poles & Duffel bag
• Water Bottles and Hydration Bladders
• Raincoat
• High-energy snacks
• Reliable oxygen supply
• Maps & Compass/GPS

Note: Do not overpack unnecessarily, as it would cause you trouble during the trek. Pack only the essentials.

Best Season for Mt Kanchenjunga Trek 

Spring (March to May) – Overall Best Season

Weather: Dry and stable with clear weather.

Temperature: Mild at lower elevations, cold in high camps (~-10°C at night).

Highlights:

• Rhododendrons and other wildflowers in full bloom.
• Excellent mountain views of Kanchenjunga and the surrounding peaks.
• Good photography and high passes (if doing the North route or circuit).

Autumn (Late September to November) – Most Populated Season

Weather: Post-monsoon clarity and dry days.

Temperature: Pleasant in lower altitudes; biting and chilly in higher altitudes.

Highlights:

• Glittering landscapes of white-capped peaks.
• Ideal trail conditions with minimal rainfall.
• Superb visibility for distant panoramas and base camp outings.

Winter (December to February)

Conditions: Very cold and usually snowy above 3,500 m.

Hazards: Snowy trails, shut-down teahouses, high-pass sections inaccessible.

Only for Seasoned trekkers with appropriate equipment and a support team.

Monsoon (June to mid-September)

Conditions: Heavy rainfall, leeches, muddy and slippery trails.

Hazards: Landslides and low visibility. 

Not recommended due to safety and trail conditions.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Kanchenjunga Himal

• Formerly the world's highest mountain until 1852, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is now the third highest mountain.
• The first ascent in 1955 was respectful of local tradition by not ascending to the summit, something which continues to the present day.
• The summit lies on the border between Nepal and Sikkim and was formerly on an ancient trans-Himalayan trade route.
• Consecrated as a sacred peak, it embodies the "Five Treasures of Snow" of Sikkimese myth: gold, silver, gems, grain, and sacred books.
• The Limbu, Rai, and Sherpa ethnic groups inhabit it, and the region blends Buddhist and animist cultures.
• Locals believe that it is occupied by guardian gods and ancestral spirits; several stories about Yeti and hidden valleys are connected with it.
• The traditional mode of life, culture, and architecture has been preserved in isolation.
• Shielded by Nepal's Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, the region promotes eco- and cultural tourism.

Wildlife and Plants Kanchenjunga Himal Trek

Plants 

• Rhododendrons (20+ species, bloom in spring)
• Juniper, oak, pine, fir, and hemlock forests
• Alpine shrubs, medicinal herbs, and bamboo groves
• Orchids and mosses

Animals 

• Red Panda
• Snow Leopard
• Himalayan Black Bear
• Musk Deer
• Blue Sheep (Bharal)
• Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Tahr, Goral, Jackal, and Civet Cats

Birds 

• Satyr Tragopan
• Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal (Nepal's national bird)
• Snow Pigeon, Tibetan Snowcock, Laughingthrushes
• Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, and Himalayan Griffon

Included 

• Complimentary airport pick-ups and drop-offs

• Two-night stay in Kathmandu, including breakfast (twin share).

• All necessary trekking permits for the Kanchenjunga Peak trek

• Return flights to and from Kathmandu (Bhadrapur)

• All accommodation during the trek

• Three meals a day during the trek

• Professional English-speaking government-registered and first-aid trained local guide

• First-aid kit

Safety Tips for Mount Kanchenjunga Trekking

• Independent trekking is not allowed, so trek with a licensed guide and obtain the correct permits.
• Acclimatize yourself gradually to avoid altitude sickness, ascend gradually, drink plenty of water, and rest if you don't feel well.
• Carry a well-equipped first aid kit with you that contains altitude medicine, water purification tablets, and your medications.
• Don't trek during the monsoon months (June–August) and winters (December–February); spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best times.
• Pack accordingly for bad weather, add clothes in layers, rain gear, sun protection, and a warm sleeping bag rated -10°C.
• There is poor mobile phone coverage, so take offline maps or a satellite device for safety and navigation reasons.
• Drink boiled or filtered water and freshly cooked food only to prevent falling sick.
• Don't forget to pack trekking boots and trekking poles to stay stable on slippery or steep terrain.
• Be considerate of nature and local people, do not litter, do not touch or handle wild animals, and never photograph people without asking permission.
• Purchase travel insurance that includes emergency helicopter evacuation, as means of rescue are restricted in remote areas.

Why Kanchenjunga Trek Package with us? 

With decades of experience, Hi Nepal Tours and Treks is a trusted name in Himalayan travel. We take pride in delivering exceptional trekking and tour experiences, marked by meticulous planning, safety-first operations, and culturally enriching encounters. Our team comprises highly skilled, licensed guides and dedicated support staff, all of whom are passionate about sharing the majestic beauty and heritage of Nepal. 

Would you like to learn more about our Kanchenjunga trek package?

Kanchenjunga Trek Cost Breakdown 

Budget: Mt Kanchenjunga Circuit trek has no fixed budget as everyone has different needs, and all the needs have different prices. The degree of luxury you want in your lodging, food, and other facilities will determine the price.

Transportation: The size of your group and the type of transportation used will affect the price.

Meal and Accommodation: Based on your taste and location, the cost of accommodation and meals will vary. During trekking, you can eat local foods like tarkali (vegetables, lentil soup, rice), dal bhat, Momo, noodle soup, thukpa, local bread, pasta, etc. At the lodge, you are sleeping in a teahouse.

Guide and Porter: Experience level will determine the cost of the guide and porter.

Permit: You require 3 permits to trek in the Kanchenjunga Region: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) permit, Restricted Area Permit (RAP), and TIMS Card, and they are included in the package.

Final Thoughts

The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime journey into one of the least visited and pristine trekking routes in Nepal. It provides raw untouched nature, rich cultural experiences, and the thrill of reaching a Himalayan base camp without any commercialisation.

Ideal for trekkers seeking a more authentic and remote Himalayan experience, this trek offers moments of spiritual serenity, alpine challenge, and lasting memories in one of the world's most majestic mountain regions.

If you’re looking for a trek that’s as rewarding as it is remote, the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp should be at the top of your list.