The Kanchenjunga Trek 21 day itinerary

Kanchenjunga trek is one of the Nature trails trekking part of Nepal. This trek takes you to Kanchenjunga’s North and South Base Camps in Nepal, It is only the trekking trail that leads to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp of the world’s third-highest mountain. Kanchenjunga Mountain is located in a remote region of Taplejung District and One of the most rewarding treks in the Nepalese Himalaya, The trek follows Nepal’s mountainous border with India Sikkim-Darjeeling and Tibet.

The Kanchenjunga trekking route was first opened in 1988 for foreigners to trek in this region. Mt. Kanchenjunga Himal is the world’s third-highest peak, standing at 8586 meters above sea level. And there is a Kanchenjunga conservation area which was established in 1997 covering a land of 2,035 km. Until 1852, Kanchenjunga Trek was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world. On May 25, 1849, Joe Brown and George Band a British expedition summited Kanchenjunga top. The Kanchenjunga summit cost is $23,800 per person approximately in the current time for a 50-day itinerary. We know it’s difficult to climb mountains 8,586 M above sea level and it’s costly too.

In the past, Kanchenjunga base camp was only Accessed by camping and organized treks. Now a day is able to stay in tea houses and do a homestay trek. However, accommodations and meals aren’t well as on the Annapurna base camp and Everest trek.

There are few Sherpa Community inhabitants villages in this area who have their own traditional cultures and languages with their mother tongue. rest other people in this area are Rai, limbus, Tamang, and Gurungs. 

Kanchenjunga base camp trek length

It requires great fitness to complete the Kanchenjunga trek (220 km), which takes three weeks between walking with a backpack. Many of the paths are rocky, and there are a few long hills as well. It may be necessary to use short ropes around the base camps when traversing rocky terrain. The purpose of these is to assist people over short, rocky sections. However, climbing skills are not required for the trek, 

Wildlife Hub

khambachen and Lonak are wildlife hotspots of the region, with many mountain animals living there. You can see groups of Blue sheep, Himalayan Thar, and Himalayan birds, Danphe, Monal, and Chilime.

There are about 303 species of migratory and native birds in Kanchenjunga, according to a book published by the Kanchenjunga Area Conservation Council. Two species of birds are critically endangered worldwide. Besides the 266 lakes, the area has several glacial ponds as well.

The book also mentions seven snake species, four lizard species, 15 amphibian species, and 21 fish species. Bitter fish are native to the region. Furthermore, there are 83 species of insects and 844 species of flowering plants in the area. Moreover, Chauri (Yak), one of the jewels of the Himalayas, can also be found here.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek takes you through terraced fields, picturesque villages, green forests, along a ridgeline of Rhododendron forests, Chauki, and Gupha Pokhari. The most beautiful place to see rhododendrons blooming in the spring is Gupha Pokhari. The trail is relatively easy, and the highest pass is Sinen-La at 4,646 meters; during Sinen-La, there are mostly ascents and descents.

Toilets in Kanchenjunga trek

During your Kanchenjunga trek, you should not expect comfortable toilets (western toilets). Only some hotels have western toilets, and most teahouses have pan toilets with no toilet paper. Bring your own toilet paper or buy it from the same tea house.

Temperature

This trek’s ultimate distance is 5065 m in height at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, so you can expect minus temperatures at North Base Camp during your Kanchenjunga trek. Ensure that you have the type of equipment list in the blog for your Kanchenjunga trek, such as a sleeping bag for -25C. Remember, a quality sleeping bag makes your trip, and a poor sleeping bag makes your trek.

Nepal wilderness trekking Guide team guides and porters are very familiar and experienced with the Kanchenjunga trekking trail. Our primary goal is to make the trek a lifetime memory for our customers/ trekkers.

Ghunsa Town

Gunsa is a small village on the way to Kanchenjunga south base camp and the Kanchenjunga guest house, run by Mr. Himali Chungdak, was a wonderful experience. His family was very accommodating to us and his guest house was a wonderful experience. The place had a hot shower and charging facility, fancy hotels, warm hospitality, a variety of foods, clean bathrooms with western sanitation, and a pharmacy set up by the YANGJUM sherpa. Usually, trekkers rest here before reaching base camp.

Information about Kanchenjunga trekking

There is a requirement for TIMS cards. The Kanchenjunga restricted area trekking permit costs US $10 per person per week; the Kanchenjunga conservation fee is Rs 3000. It is only possible to obtain a permit if you are traveling with at least two other people on an organized trekking excursion.

The best time to visit is between October and mid-November and March and April. It is possible to trek between late November and late February, but the weather is cold at high altitude and all accommodation beyond the last villages may be closed.

Kanchenjunga is often described as an organized, camping-only trek, but this isn’t completely accurate. Almost all villages along the route have very basic accommodation available (usually a room in a private house). A few basic tea houses with dorm-style rooms can be found beyond the last villages.

All accommodations are more suited to porters and herders than trekkers, but you’re welcome to stay. A camping trek organized by an organization is the best option, at least for the moment. You will need porters from Kathmandu since there aren’t many near trailheads.

Getting to and from Taplejung requires either a flight or a long bus ride from Kathmandu to Biratnagar or Bhadrapur. Both have frequent transport links to Ilam, where tea is produced, and from there less frequent connections to Taplejung. You will need a full 24 hours to travel from Kathmandu to the trailhead by plane, bus, or private vehicle. Suketar also has an airstrip that was recently blacktopped.