Kanchanjunga Circuit Trek
Kanchenjunga Circuit trek is an exciting trek to reach Mount Kanchenjunga’s base camp (8,586 m; 28,169 ft) Mount Kanchenjunga, the third tallest mountain in the world, is surrounded by the Tamur River in the west, the Lhonak Chu and Jongsang La in the north, and the Teesta River in the east.
The Kanchenjunga trekking path is located in Taplejung, in the northeastern region of Nepal. It has preserved its natural beauty and is remote from the impact of modern society. Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Jannu (also known as Kumbhakarna, 7710 m), Gimmigela (also known as The Twins, 7350 m), Kabru (7412 m), Rathong (66 m), and Kokthang encircle the Kanchenjunga Circuit (6148m). The vista around the trail is a visual pleasure for its travelers.
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is loaded with encounters with the famous Simbua Khola, Ghunsa, and Tamur valleys, where you may observe the culture and customs of the local people. Observing their incredible culture, listening to their stories, observing their distinctive way of living, and staring at the snow-capped peaks provides visitors with an unforgettable experience. The hike is also renowned for sightings of the ‘Demon of Kanchenjunga,’ a sort of rakshasa or yeti. It is often claimed that a British geological expedition sighted a mystery creature on this Kanchenjunga circuit hike in 1925, which they believed to be the “Yeti.”
The Kanchanjunga circuit route also visits the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP), which is home to numerous endangered mammalian species. Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, and Musk Deer are the most well-known. Some notable and endangered bird species, such as Impedance Pleasant, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, and Shy Dragon, are also found in the region. This protected region is also a recognized habitat for numerous globally important plant species, including rhododendrons and orchids.
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is not only rich in biodiversity, but also a well-known attraction due to its beautiful surroundings. The breathtaking vistas of Kanchenjunga North Face and Kanchenjunga South Face are a highlight of the Circuit Trek. Due to its pure beauty and cultural significance, The Kanchenjunga is regarded by many travelers from around the world as one of the most significant sites on earth. To add to the reputation of the Circuit walk, it is reported that the Kanchenjunga massif contains “The Residence of Immortals.”
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Highlights
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a longer and more comprehensive trek that takes you around the majestic Kanchenjunga massif, offering a complete immersion into the natural beauty, cultural diversity, and remote wilderness of eastern Nepal. Here are some highlights of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.
Panoramic Mountain Views: Enjoy breathtaking views of the world’s third-highest peak, Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), as well as other prominent peaks like Mount Jannu, Mount Kabru, and Mount Yalung Kang.
Remote and Untouched Region: Trek through a less-traveled region, providing a sense of solitude and unspoiled landscapes that are rarely visited by tourists.
Cultural Diversity: Encounter diverse ethnic communities, including Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, and Tibetan groups, each with their own distinct traditions, languages, and customs.
Ancient Villages and Monasteries: Explore traditional villages, interact with locals, and visit ancient monasteries and gompas that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area: Trek through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, a protected region that showcases diverse flora and fauna, including rhododendrons, orchids, red pandas, and more.
High Mountain Passes: Cross challenging high mountain passes like Sele La (4,290 meters) and Sinion La (4,660 meters), providing exhilarating ascents and stunning panoramic views.
Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camps: Reach both the North Base Camp and the South Base Camp of Kanchenjunga, each offering unique perspectives of the mountain and its surroundings.
Wilderness and Pristine Landscapes: Trek through pristine forests, alpine meadows, and rugged terrains, offering a diverse range of landscapes and natural beauty.
Glacial Rivers and Waterfalls: Trek alongside glacial rivers, cross suspension bridges, and pass by cascading waterfalls, creating a serene and refreshing atmosphere.
Local Cuisine and Hospitality: Experience the warm hospitality of local communities and savor traditional Nepali cuisine and local delicacies at teahouses along the trail.
Rich Flora and Fauna: Encounter a variety of plant and animal species, including rare birds, mammals, and the possibility of spotting the elusive snow leopard.
Cultural Interactions: Learn about the customs, rituals, and everyday life of the people living in remote villages, gaining a deeper appreciation for their way of life.
The Best time for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
The best time for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is during the pre-monsoon (spring) season from March to May and the post-monsoon (autumn) season from September to November. These months offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions for a safe and enjoyable experience. Both of these seasons provide an excellent opportunity to experience the full beauty, cultural diversity, and remote wilderness of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. Keep in mind that the trek covers a challenging and remote terrain, so being well-prepared with proper gear, clothing, acclimatization, and physical fitness is essential.
When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city’s attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu’s many adventure supply stores. We’ll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from your Kathmandu hotel and we will take a 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur, followed by a three-hour drive to Illam (Phidim). There, explore the tea garden and spend the night.
Our hotel will serve a delicious breakfast in the early morning. Illam’s herbal tea is renowned. After enjoying a lovely cup of tea, we will embark on a lengthy journey to Taplejung. Today, you will observe Nepalese villages and rural areas from a private vehicle. Today’s destination will be Taplejung.
Today is the official start of our journey. Following an early morning meal, we will drive along the route. Passing via nearby settlements such as Sinwa, we will observe verdant slopes and oak- and rhododendron-filled forests. We will follow the trail along the banks of the Tamor River to reach Taplethok. Here, we will spend the night in a lodge.
We enjoy breakfast in Taplethok each morning. Our trail will enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area as we begin our hike. We will next begin ascending the rhododendron forest to reach Lelep. We travel to Gyabla while witnessing waterfalls, suspension bridges, and other local settlements. We will view a gorgeous pine, bamboo, and oak-covered forest. The mountain’s clean atmosphere and pure air will make trekking easier. Today’s path is lined with wooden bridges and Yak and goat herds. Each night will be spent in the finest lodges in Gyabla.
Today we head to Ghunsa. A short distance from Gyabla, the Ghunsa village will serve as a meeting place for locals. We will visit the Tibetan refugee camp in Phale village on our way to Ghunsa. The camp was established decades ago, when Tibetans fled the communist rule in China by moving from place to place. Tonight, we will be staying at Ghunsa. The community provides numerous services, including the internet, the Kanchenjunga Conservation office, phone lines, and a health post, among others.
After breakfast, we visit the monastery and a nearby ridge close to Ghunsa. Today, we have a magnificent view of the Jannu Himal (also called Kumbhakarna, 7710m). The view dominates the Kambachen trail. With easy ascents and a verdant glacier valley, we will explore the area. Snow-Leopards and Blue Sheep are located nearby. Therefore, there is always a potential of encountering them. We will travel to Kambachen by way of the waterfalls and little trekking trails. We will spend the night in a tea house or lodge in Kambachen.
Finally, today will be a day of rest. It is imperative that we acclimate ourselves. Today, we will take it easy and hike to a ridge. From the ridge, there is a breathtaking view of Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m). You can appreciate the tranquil environment and mingle with the people.
After finishing our morning meal, we travel to Lhonak. Today, there will be no settlements along our route. We will gather all required supplies and then cross the moraine from the Kanchenjunga Glacier. Today, the trail is popular for spotting snow leopards. The Glacier route is a steep, rocky ascent with breathtaking views on all sides. Overnight stay at Lhonak.
Today, we’ll travel to the renowned Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. We will only bring the necessities, as we will return to Lhonak for lunch. Today’s Kanchenjunga base camp walk is covered by Kanchenjunga Glacier moraine. The journey to North Base Camp offers a breathtaking vista of snow-capped mountains and steep hills. After reaching base camp, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Kanchenjunga. We sip a warm beverage while appreciating the tranquil atmosphere above the Himalayas. After appreciating the panorama, we will retrace our steps back to Lhonak for lunch. After a respite, we return to Kambachen on foot.
Early in the morning, we depart from Kambachen for Ghunsa. The sunrise over Mount Jannu (Kumbhakarna), Phole, Sabi, and Ghabur is a sight to behold. We will travel in reverse through deep pine forests and rhododendron groves. After trekking across glaciers, we return to a hotel in Ghunsa for the night.
Today, we will ascend along grassy ridges with distant views of Mount Makalu. After breakfast in Ghunsa, we make our way to Sele Le while admiring the views of the forest’s rhododendron, oak, pine, and landscapes. We will see the Tamur Khola and traverse numerous rocky hills to reach Sele Le, where we will spend the night. Sele Le passes prior to Sele Le village is something to keep in mind.
Today, we traverse the renowned Mirgin-La Pass and Sinelapache-La Pass. With snow-capped mountain peaks surrounding the Mirgin-La Pass. You can witness a mesmerizing and breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountain ranges, and even catch a glimpse of Mount Everest. Its trails are filled with flora and fauna which is always a new experience for trekkers. We will also visit the Sinelapache-La Pass. We descending through a short trail after the pass. Night stay today will be at Tseram.
We start the day by trekking to Ramche (4610m) along the trail of Yalung Glacier. We will be visiting many famous spots like the Viewpoint of Kabru and Rothong peaks. We will also hike to a ridge that offers you a beautiful climatic view of the Kanchenjunga South. You will also see Mount Janu, Nyukla Lanchung, etc from the ridge. After we see the pristine beauty of the Himalayas and base camp covered with prayer flags, we head back to ramche for night stay.
Following a trial of uphills and downhills, we head to Torongding. The trail is covered with beautiful forests filled with rhododendron. We trek through a gorge and pass through landslides prone zones. With a beautiful atmosphere and fresh air, we make our way to Torongdin village. We stay the night here.
We leave Thorongdin and head to the Lasia la pass(3550m). We come across Simbuwa Khola which leads our trek to the famous Lasiya Bhanjyan. With beautiful lush green forests and teashop where we will stop for lunch, we trek downhill and reach the Sherpa village of Yamphudin. We stay at Yamphudin and explore the area for today.
After trekking in higher altitudes we finally trek at a lower lever and explore the trail to its fullest. We enjoy the beautiful valley and local villages like Khebang. Filled with terraced fields, we observe the flora and fauna for today’s trek. Our last destination is Khamdime where we will stay tonight. We will enjoy a wonderful meal and take a good Night’s rest.
Finally, our days of walking along the Kanchenjunga circuit trek ends here. After a delicious local breakfast, we drive to Bhadrapur via Illam. It takes 8 to 10 hours including 4 to 5 hours of off-road drive. Stay overnight at Bhadraur.
Today we will take you to the airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu, arrival in Kathmandu, hotel transfer and free time for relaxation.
Today we will take you to the airport to catch your flight out of Nepal. Alternatively, if you’d like to stay longer, we may make additional travel arrangements to assist you continue your Nepal experience.
- All necessary ground transfers.
- All necessary accommodations as per the itinerary.
- Tea House accommodations during the trek.
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking.
- All necessary paper works.
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Experienced and First Aid-trained trekking guide.
- Strong, helpful porters.
- Comprehensive medical supplies.
- Trekking map.
- Insurance of all local team.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff.
- Sleeping bag and trip duffle bag.
- Trekking certificate issued by us.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- Nepal Visa fee.
- International flights.
- All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Personal expenses not stipulated.
- Optional add-ons.
- Gratuities.
Price Per person starting from
US$ 1975
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