Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 19 Days

Kanchenjunga · 19 Days

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 19 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,143m (16,873 ft) at Pang Pema (North Base Camp) · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

19 Days

Max Altitude

5,143m (16,873 ft)

at Pang Pema (North Base Camp)

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Teahouse / Lodge

Overview

The Kanchenjunga Circuit is Nepal's deepest, remotest, most demanding teahouse trek. It connects both base camps of the world's third-highest mountain - Pang Pema (North, 5,143m) and Ramche (South, 4,580m) - in a 19-day loop through the country's least-visited corner, hard against the Indian Sikkim border. Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m) is sacred to the local Limbu, Sherpa and Rai people; the entire massif is a restricted protected area requiring a special permit and a minimum-of-two trekker rule.

You fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur in the tea-growing plains, then drive deep into the Taplejung hills to Sekhatum. From there the trek climbs through bamboo and rhododendron forest to the Tibetan refugee settlement of Ghunsa, on to Lhonak (4,800m) and the north base camp at Pang Pema. The return loop crosses the Sele Le ridge to the southern Yalung glacier and Ramche south base camp before descending to road head at Yamphudin.

Highlights

  • Walk to both Kanchenjunga north (Pang Pema, 5,143m) and south (Ramche, 4,580m) base camps
  • See Nepal's third 8,000m peak Kanchenjunga (8,586m) from two completely different angles
  • Cross the Sele Le ridge (4,290m) with Jannu Himal and Makalu views
  • Pass through the Tibetan refugee village of Phale (shopping for Tibetan crafts)
  • Walk through the cardamom-growing Limbu and Rai villages of lower Taplejung
  • Visit ancient monasteries in Ghunsa and Lhonak
  • Wildlife potential: snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan tahr, musk deer (rarely seen)
  • Cross from temperate rainforest to high alpine tundra in one trek
  • Two acclimatisation days and a flexible weather buffer
  • All special permits, flights, jeeps and porters arranged in advance

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup, hotel check-in and trek briefing.

Day 2

Fly Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, drive to Phidim (1,595m)

⏱ Flight + 3 hours drive ↔ 45-min flight + 90 km drive 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning flight east to Bhadrapur in the tea-growing plains, then drive up into the hills via Ilam.

Day 3

Phidim to Sekhatum (1,509m)

⏱ 7-8 hours by 4x4 ↔ 180 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long jeep drive on rough mountain roads through Taplejung to the trailhead at Sekhatum.

Day 4

Sekhatum to Amjilosa (2,498m)

⏱ 5 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trek begins. Cross suspension bridges over the Ghunsa Khola, climb through bamboo and rhododendron forest. First night above 2,000m.

Day 5

Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 9 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Riverbank walk through fir and rhododendron forest, multiple stream crossings, several waterfalls.

Day 6

Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pass through the Tibetan refugee settlement of Phale (good Tibetan craft shopping), then climb into the pine and conifer zone to Ghunsa.

Day 7

Acclimatisation at Ghunsa

⏱ 3-4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the village monastery, the small hydropower station and a short hike above the village. Sleep at 3,595m.

Day 8

Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,145m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk along the river through alpine meadows with wildflowers, past waterfalls and over the Rampuk Kharka bridge.

Day 9

Kambachen to Lhonak (4,800m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 9 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

High-altitude trail through landslide-prone terrain, reaching the moraine of the Kanchenjunga glacier and the tiny lodge cluster at Lhonak.

Day 10

Lhonak to Pang Pema North Base Camp (5,143m), return to Kambachen

⏱ 8-9 hours round trip ▲ 5,143m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

The big day. Walk up the moraine to Pang Pema for the direct view of Kanchenjunga's north face. Lunch at Lhonak, descend to Kambachen.

Day 11

Kambachen to Ghunsa (3,595m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Return descent through the same valley back to Ghunsa.

Day 12

Ghunsa to Sele Le (4,290m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 9 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb steeply out of Ghunsa through dense rhododendron and moss forest to the high pasture at Sele Le.

Day 13

Sele Le to Cheram (3,868m) via Sinion La (4,646m), Mirgin La (4,663m), Sinelapche Bhanjyang (4,724m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 13 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The most dramatic day of the trek - three high passes in succession with Jannu Himal and Makalu views, then a long descent to the south Yalung valley.

Day 14

Cheram to Ramche South Base Camp (4,580m), return to Cheram

⏱ 7-8 hours round trip ▲ 4,580m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Walk up the Yalung glacier to Ramche for the south face panorama of Kanchenjunga.

Day 15

Cheram to Tortong (2,980m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long descent through rhododendron forest along the Simbwa Khola.

Day 16

Tortong to Yamphudin (1,692m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross Lasiya Bhanjyang and drop steeply into the Sherpa-Limbu mixed village of Yamphudin.

Day 17

Yamphudin to Ilam by jeep

⏱ 7-8 hours ↔ 95 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long jeep drive on the recently-built road through Limbu villages and tea gardens.

Day 18

Ilam to Bhadrapur, fly to Kathmandu

⏱ 3 hours drive + 45 min flight ↔ 95 km + flight 🍽 Breakfast, Dinner

Drive down to Bhadrapur in the morning, fly to Kathmandu in the afternoon. Farewell dinner.

Day 19

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Bhadrapur flights
  • Private jeep/4x4 transfers from Bhadrapur to Sekhatum and back from Yamphudin
  • 2 nights' Kathmandu accommodation (3-star hotel, BB plan)
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit and Restricted Area Permit
  • Senior government-licensed English-speaking guide
  • 1 porter for every 2 trekkers (max 20 kg load)
  • Twin/double sharing teahouse accommodation on the trek
  • Three meals a day throughout the trek
  • Group first-aid kit and pulse-oximeter
  • Trekking maps
  • HHT company duffel bag
  • All applicable government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,500m with helicopter rescue (compulsory)
  • Meals in Kathmandu outside the BB plan
  • Hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging in lodges
  • Bottled water, soft drinks and alcohol
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for guide, porter and driver
  • Any cost arising from flight delays, weather or political disruption

Trek guide

The Trek to the World's Third Highest Mountain

Kanchenjunga was, until 1856, believed to be the highest mountain on Earth (it lost the title when accurate measurements placed Everest higher). The name means "Five Treasures of the Great Snow" in Tibetan - referring to the five summits of the main massif. The local Limbu people consider the mountain a god and traditionally summit teams stop a few metres below the true peak as a mark of respect.

The Two Base Camps

  • Pang Pema (North Base Camp, 5,143m): A wide moraine flat with a direct view of Kanchenjunga's north face, Tent Peak, Nepal Peak and Gimmigela. Reached on Day 10 of our itinerary as a day trip from Lhonak.
  • Ramche (South Base Camp, 4,580m): Closer to the Yalung glacier, with views of Kanchenjunga south, Yalung, Kabru I/II/III and Rathong. Reached on Day 14 as a day trip from Cheram.

Acclimatisation

Two scheduled rest days (Ghunsa at 3,595m and a flexible day at Cheram) plus the natural slow climb give a gentle acclimatisation arc. Our guides carry a pulse-oximeter and use the Lake Louise score to monitor every trekker daily above 4,000m.

Permits

  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)
  • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (compulsory, USD 20/week)

Both permits require a minimum of two trekkers and a licensed guide. We arrange both before departure.

Best Season

  • Spring (March-May): Rhododendrons in bloom (April is the peak month), mostly clear views but afternoon clouds common
  • Autumn (September-November): Clearer visibility, drier, the photographer's season

We do not run this trek in monsoon. Winter is possible but Ghunsa and above can be snowed in.

Fitness

Strenuous. Long days (some 7-8 hours), basic facilities, plenty of altitude. You should be a fit, experienced trekker with prior multi-day high-altitude experience. 4-6 months of cardio + leg strength preparation recommended.

What the Lodges Are Like

Basic. This is not the Khumbu - lodges in Kambachen, Lhonak and Sele Le have simple plywood rooms with foam mattresses. Diet is repetitive (dal bhat, noodles, eggs, fried rice). Hot showers rare above Ghunsa. Bring a quality sleeping bag.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -10C, mid-weight fleece, waterproof shell, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 6 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots (well broken in), gaiters, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 65L duffel for porter, -15C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank, adapter, multi-day cash supply (no ATMs after Bhadrapur)

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate, 4 passport photos, copies of permits

Medical: Diamox 250mg, painkillers, antihistamines, antibiotics (consult doctor), blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, rehydration salts, personal medications

Frequently asked questions

How fit do I need to be?
Strenuous. Some days are 7-8 hours of walking with the highest pass-crossing day reaching three 4,600m+ passes in succession. Prior multi-day Himalayan trekking experience strongly recommended.

Why is the minimum group size two?
Restricted-area permit rules require a minimum of two trekkers plus a licensed guide. Solo travellers can join one of our small group departures.

How crowded is this trek?
Quiet. Roughly 1,500-2,000 trekkers per year (versus 50,000+ for EBC). You may walk for a full day without seeing another group.

How are the lodges?
Basic but functional. Simple plywood rooms, foam mattresses, dal bhat menus. Kambachen and Lhonak have only 2-3 lodges each - we pre-book.

How cold does it get?
-5 to -15C at night above Ghunsa in autumn. A -15C sleeping bag handles every season except deep winter.

Can I do just one base camp?
Yes - shorter 14-day options exist for North Base Camp only or South Base Camp only. Speak to our office.

How do permits work?
We arrange both the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit and the Restricted Area Permit. The latter requires two trekkers minimum.

How reliable are the flights?
Bhadrapur flights are weather-dependent but more reliable than Lukla. We always recommend a buffer day at the end.

Is there mobile signal?
Patchy. NTC and Ncell work in Ghunsa, Sekhatum and the lower villages. No signal in Lhonak or above 4,000m. Bring a power bank.

Wildlife sightings?
Red panda and Himalayan tahr are possible. Snow leopard is extremely rare but does exist in the conservation area.

Can I add Lumba Sumba Pass or Olangchung Gola?
Yes - these are natural extensions for trekkers wanting an even deeper experience. Speak to our office about the Great Himalayan Trail east section.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $2190

per person

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