Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a well-trailed route despite being a journey into the wilderness, as the region bears a mild topography and is easily accessible. Kanchenjunga, meaning Treasures of Snow, stands 28,198ft tall, the third-highest peak in the world. Considered a remote trek through Eastern Nepal, the trail passes restricted areas and takes the periphery of the border to the Indian state of Sikkim.
The trek starts after a flight to Biratnagar and a four-hour drive to Basantpur. The trail climbs through the settlements of the yak herders, Sherpa, and Chhetri villages with a backdrop of the Kanchenjunga massif. Crossing the ridge towards the Tamur River, panoramic views of Makalu and Chamlang appear. The trail crosses the Mewa Khola at Dobhan and follows the TamurKoshi. Dense rhododendron, pine, and oak forests pass along the way.
At Ghunsa, a Sherpa village, prayer flags and gompas are plenty. Jannu and other unclimbed peaks can be seen from a monastery nearby. Next, the trail passes through the edge of Kanchenjunga Glacier. After crossing the junction of Lhonak Glacier and the valley, we come to a gorgeous clearing with a magnificent landscape of unspeakable beauty, where we set camps for the day. Lhonak’s exploration continues for some days, including going to Pangpema to view Kanchenjunga’s north face. Then, slowly descending through Tortong, Yamphudim, Khebang, Phakholing, and Tharpu, we reach Bhadrapur, where we take a flight back to Kathmandu.
Eastern Nepal is distinguished by increased diversity on several levels, including ethnic groupings like the Rai and Limbu people, the richness of flora due to the region's higher summer rainfall, and some of the most breathtaking mountain vistas in the Himalayas. We enter a different environment by traveling along the glacial torrent of the Tamur and Ghunsa Rivers which originate on the northwestern face of the Kanchenjunga Himal. Peaks like Pyramid Peak, Jannu, the Twins, and of course, Kanchenjunga (8586m) dominate the landscape, which is eclipsed by an alpine majesty in practically every direction. On the return trip over the Mirgin La Pass, it is not any less dramatic as we traverse the mountain to the south (4500m). This is a difficult journey in a place that hasn't seen much travel lately.
A trek to Kanchenjunga's base camp is in and of itself an epic adventure that never lets up on the thrill. Compared to other treks in the Indian Himalayan range, the journey to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is considerably distinct from the others. Across the borders of Nepal, Tibet, and India, the Kanchenjunga massifs form a large cross (Sikkim). In India, Kangchenjunga was considered the tallest mountain until 1849, when Everest and K2 were discovered.
Geographically speaking, Kangchenjunga ranks third among the world's highest peaks, together with its five large massifs. Since 1988, there has been a significant increase in tourism to these five Himalayan massifs in the Sikkim region. In the beginning, trekking was prohibited in the region to protect its ecosphere. The explorers slowly revealed the hidden lakes, tribal communities, and forested areas home to a wide range of flora and species.
Starting at Yuksom, the exhilarating trip to Kanchenjunga base camp continues to Bakhim, Dzongri, Laxmi Pokhari, Bikhbari Chaurikhang, Rathong Glacier, Bikhbari, and eventually ends at Bakhim. Trekkers will marvel at the breathtaking views of Mt. Khangchendzonga (8,586 m), Mt. Kokthang (6,148 m), Mt. Pandim (6,691 m), and several other peaks in the area throughout the 11-day excursion. A trekker with an adventurous spirit, a desire to discover uncharted territory, and the resolve and physical stamina to meet the rigors of a physically taxing path through one of Nepal's most remote areas may consider undertaking the Kanchenjunga trek. This trek is typically performed for small groups of people searching for custom dates; we offer knowledgeable advice, preparation, and a high degree of professionalism and care on a trek with a great crew. This trek visits both base camps on the north and south side of the mountain.
