Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga (8598m) is the world’s third highest mountain. Traversing the remote and rarely-visited north eastern corner of Nepal, our route leads through picturesque farmland, green alpine valleys, rhododendron and bamboo forests, and across high mountain passes. Beyond the attractive Tibetan settlement of Ghunsa, with its sturdy wooden houses, numerous prayer flags and smiling villagers, we skirt the incredible northern flank of Jannu (7710m). Then we cross the Mirgin La pass, with magical views of Makalu, Chamlang, Everest and Kanchenjunga. From Pang Bema (5140m), the base camp, we enjoy the breath-taking view of the formidable north face of Kanchenjunga.

19 Days Difficulty   Strenuous Maximum Altitude : 5140 m
DAY 01	Katmandu – Biratnagar by plane.
DAY 02	Biratnagar - Suketar (2200m) by plane - Trek towards Phumphe (1800m).
This is an easy starting day. We descend the hillside gently.
DAY 03	Phumphe - Chirwa (1150m).
We continue our descent until we reach the Tamur Khola river.
DAY 04	Chirwa - Sakathum (1640m).
Today we start climbing up, through impressive rocks. We reach Sakathum, which is the junction of the Tamur Khola and the Gunsa Khola.
DAY 05	Sakathum - Amjilassa (2500m).
A route of spectacular waterfalls as we pass through the steep narrow gorge of the Gunsa Khola. We step out of the gorge to climb up to an arid ridge, before reaching the Tibetan village of Amjilassa.
DAY 06	Amjilassa - Kyapra (2730m).
We traverse many beautiful bamboo, oaks and rhododendrons forests. In between shaded areas, we can admire superb views of the Nango Ma and the southwest side of the Kanchenjunga massif.
DAY 07	Kyapra - Gunsa (3430m).
After passing through luxuriant bracken forests and rhododendrons, we come across two Tibetan villages. Both are surrounded by yak pastures and potato fields, as most Bho Tiya settlements are.
DAY 08	Gunsa-Khambachen (4040m).
DAY 09	Khambachen. Acclimatization day.
Beautiful views of the peaks surrounding the Kanchenjunga: Khabur, Phole and Nango Ma. We can organize an excursion to the Jannu Base Camp.
DAY 10	Khambachen - Lhonak (4790m).
The trail climbs up through a craggy area then through moraines. Wherever you look there are superb mountain panoramas.
DAY 11	Lhonak - Pang Bema (5140m).
We leave the herding area of Lhonak to round the corner of a moraine. Gradually the massive north face of Kanchenjunga comes into our view. Nevertheless, it is only on reaching Pang Bema that the immensity of the giant becomes evident. this is the largest mountain mass in the Himalaya! The view is quite impossible to describe, spectacular peaks surround us on all sides: Wedge Peak, Twins, Pyramid Peak and Tent Peak.
DAY 12	Pang Bema - Khambachen.
Luxuriant vegetation brings color into our vision of the snowy-peaked horizon. We start our day skirting the lateral moraine of the Kanchenjunga glacier to head down towards Ramdang Kharka. The amazing Kambachen peak now dominates the view. As we arrive at Khambachen, we can admire the incredible north face of Jannu.
DAY 13	Khambachen - Gunsa.
From now on, we can use the same itinerary as on the way up. We leave the beautiful rock spire of the Kambachen peak behind us to walk through rhododendrons and junipers. As we go, we pass a spectacular waterfall and follow the river down through massive fir forests.
DAY 14	Gunsa (3430m) – Camp at 4300m, before the Mirgin La Pass.
After a steep ascent through a rhododendron forest, we reach the Tamo La pass, a ridge festooned with prayers flags. As we go towards another ridge crest, rising at 4115m, there is a wonderful picture of the Ghunsa Khola river, snaking its way along the north Kanchenjunga glacier. We continue to scramble up enjoying the sights of the west face of Kanchenjunga.
DAY 15	Camp at 4300m - Mirgin La (4663m) - Tseram (3870m).
After crossing the Mirgin La, we ascend to Sinion La (4660m) and another pass at 4700m. The trail descends towards the Simbua Khola valley. This is an excellent start to organize a two-day excursion: going to the Ramche village (4620m) and onto the Yalung glacier, towards it’s the south base camp.
DAY 16	Tseram - Omje Khola (2340m).
The trail passes through clearings and across streams, and later plunges into a dense pine and rhododendron forest. After Torontan, we cross the Simbua Khola on a cantilevered bridge, and climb up steeply through bamboos. We reach Lamite Bhanjyang (3410m) and head down through pastures and rhododendron forests.
DAY 17	Omje Khola - Lappoding (2130m).
Today, most of the trail follows the overhanging forested ridges of the Kabeli Khola valley. We go up and down on a craggy path, along sheer cliffs.
DAY 18	Lappoding - Suketar (2200m).
We descend to the Phawa Khola (1430m), and climb up to a pass at (2570m) before reaching Suketar.
DAY 19	Suketar - Biratnagar - Katmandu by plane.