Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
- Duration
- 22 days
- Max altitude
- 5,143 m
- Difficulty
-
Very strenuous
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $2,175.00
Overview
The far east of Nepal, at the foot of the third highest mountain on earth. Three weeks away, with both the north base camp at Pangpema (5,143 m) and the south base camp at Oktang, restricted-area permits, basic lodges and long days, in exchange for country almost nobody else is in.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- North and south base camps of Kanchenjunga
- Three passes in one day between Selele and Tseram
- Restricted area, open to solo travellers since 2026
- Basic teahouses and very few other trekkers
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m Hotel
Our airport representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport with a sign in your name and drives you to your three-star hotel in a tourist vehicle.
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Day 2: Fly to Bhadrapur (91 m), drive to Phidim or Taplejung (1,820 m), 5 to 9 hours 1,820 m Teahouse B/L/D
An early 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur on the south-eastern plains, then a long jeep drive north through terraced hills and small villages. Depending on the road and the time, we stop at Phidim after five to six hours or carry on to Taplejung, eight to nine hours from Bhadrapur and the start of most Kanchenjunga treks.
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Day 3: Spare day in Taplejung 1,820 m Teahouse B/L/D
Held as a buffer for a delayed Bhadrapur flight or a slow road, both common. If everything has run on time, it is a free day to explore the market and villages around Taplejung.
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Day 4: Drive to Sukethum (1,585 m), 4 to 5 hours 1,585 m Teahouse B/L/D
Four to five hours by jeep through villages such as Mitlung and Chirwa, beside the Tamor River and through forest, entering the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where permits are checked. Sukethum is a small riverside settlement.
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Day 5: Trek to Amjilosa (2,396 m) 2,396 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
The walking begins. The trail follows the Ghunsa Khola over several suspension bridges, through bamboo, rhododendron and fern forest and narrow gorges, past Jongim and Ghaiyabari to Amjilosa, a tiny village on the mountainside.
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Day 6: Trek to Gyabla (2,730 m) 2,730 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A gradual climb through quiet oak, pine and bamboo forest, past waterfalls, in country where red panda live, to the small settlement of Gyabla.
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Day 7: Trek to Ghunsa (3,417 m) 3,417 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Up to Phale, a Tibetan refugee village of prayer flags and carved mani walls, then north through pine and rhododendron forest beside the Ghunsa Khola to Ghunsa, the largest village in the upper valley, with a gompa and the regional office of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project.
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Day 8: Acclimatisation day in Ghunsa (3,417 m) 3,417 m 2-3 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A short hike to a ridge above the village for the mountain views and the altitude, then the rest of the day free to visit the monastery or rest by the river.
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Day 9: Trek to Khambachen (4,050 m) 4,050 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
Up into the alpine zone, from forest to open, rocky ground, watching for blue sheep. The views of Jannu (7,710 m), also called Kumbhakarna, grow as you approach Khambachen, where a few teahouses offer basic rooms.
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Day 10: Trek to Lhonak (4,780 m) 4,780 m 4-6 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
A rugged trail towards the Kanchenjunga Glacier, crossing several landslide-prone sections where careful footing matters, with Wedge Peak and the Twins coming into view. The final stretch is an easy walk across a moraine plateau to the few teahouses at Lhonak.
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Day 11: Pangpema, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,143 m), and back to Lhonak 5,143 m 6-8 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
An early start along the lateral moraine of the Kanchenjunga Glacier, a long but gradual climb to Pangpema, the north base camp, with the north face of Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) above you and a ring of other peaks around it. Time for photographs, then back to Lhonak for the night.
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Day 12: Trek back to Ghunsa (3,417 m) via Khambachen 3,417 m 6-8 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down the same trail to Khambachen for lunch, then on to Ghunsa, where the thicker air makes for a good night's sleep after the long days up high.
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Day 13: Trek to Selele (4,200 m) 4,200 m 3-5 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
A steep climb through moss-hung forest, then out onto barren, rocky ground below the passes. Selele has very basic facilities, and the short day is there to prepare you for tomorrow.
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Day 14: Cross Sinion La, Mirgin La and Sinelapche (4,785 m) to Tseram (3,870 m) 4,785 m 7-8 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
A long day over three passes: Sinion La (4,400 m), Mirgin La (4,663 m) and the highest, Sinelapche Bhanjyang (4,785 m). Each climb is steep, and on a clear day the views reach west to Makalu and the Everest group as well as Jannu and Kanchenjunga. Then the descent to Tseram.
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Day 15: Trek to Ramche (4,580 m) 4,580 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
A short day along the Yalung Glacier, with Rathong (6,682 m) and Kabru (7,412 m) above and glaciers and icefalls all around. Time in the afternoon for a walk to the glacial lakes and ridges nearby.
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Day 16: Oktang, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4,730 m), and back to Tseram 4,730 m 5-7 hrs Teahouse (basic) B/L/D
Along the Yalung Glacier to Oktang, the south base camp viewpoint, for the south face of Kanchenjunga with its three main summits, and Kabru and Rathong alongside. Then back down to Tseram for the night.
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Day 17: Trek to Tortong (2,995 m) 2,995 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down out of the high country into rhododendron and pine forest along the Simbuwa Khola to Tortong, a small settlement in the valley.
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Day 18: Trek to Yasang (2,144 m) 2,144 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Mostly downhill, with some short climbs, through dense forest and then terraced fields and traditional villages to Yasang on its ridge, with views back over the valleys you have walked.
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Day 19: Trek to Hellok, drive to Taplejung (1,820 m) 1,820 m 2-3 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Two to three hours down through forest and villages beside the Tamor River to Hellok, where the jeep is waiting for the drive of four to five hours back to Taplejung.
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Day 20: Drive to Bhadrapur (8 to 9 hours), fly to Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m Hotel B/D
An early start for the long drive down through tea gardens and terraced hills to Bhadrapur, then the 45-minute flight to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner with your guide in the evening.
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Day 21: Spare day in Kathmandu 1,400 m Hotel B
A buffer for a delayed flight from Bhadrapur. If everything ran on time, the day is yours to rest, shop or see more of the city.
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Day 22: Departure 1,400 m B
After breakfast, our airport representative takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $2,610.00 | Comfortfrom $3,079.80 | Luxuryfrom $3,784.50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights including breakfast (Private room accommodation can be organized at an extra cost)
- Included: Twin-sharing/guesthouse accommodation for 18 nights during the trek.
- Included: All your standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) including seasonal fruits
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: Purified drinking water during the trek using water filter or water purification tablets.
- Included: All (international and domestic) airport transfers on a tourist vehicle
- Included: Two-way domestic flight cost between Kathmandu and Bhadrapur including airport departure taxes.
- Included: All surface transfers in a private jeep.
- Included: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)
- Included: Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Included: Experienced, wilderness first-aid trained, government licensed, English speaking, locally recruited trekking guide (2 guides for group size more than 7 people).
- Included: Porters during the trek for carrying luggage (1 porter for every 2 clients)
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance, and medications for all staff
- Included: 1 duffel/kit bag, trekking map, sun hat, Buff (Neck Gaiter)
- Included: A comprehensive first aid kit, including an Oximeter to check pulse and oxygen levels daily in the mountains
- Included: Trip completion certificate
- Included: All administrative expenses and government taxes
Not included
- Not included: International airfare and the Nepal entry visa
- Not included: Travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation and medical treatment to at least 5,200 m
- Not included: Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, apart from the farewell dinner
- Not included: Bottled water, soft drinks and alcohol
- Not included: Hot showers, battery charging and wifi at the lodges
- Not included: Personal trekking clothing and equipment
- Not included: Tips for the guide, porters and drivers
- Not included: Extra costs caused by weather, flight delays, landslides, illness, early departure or any other event beyond our control
- Not included: Anything not listed under what is included
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
Kanchenjunga is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is mandatory and the permit is applied for through a registered agency, which we do for you. Since March 2026 the permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person to go.
The climb from Khambachen (4,050 m) to Lhonak (4,780 m) is a big jump in sleeping altitude. If anyone in the party is struggling, your guide will add a rest day at Khambachen and use one of the two spare days in the plan to make up the time.
There is a second sizeable jump later on, from Ghunsa (3,417 m) up to sleep at Selele (4,200 m) and then Ramche (4,580 m) above Tseram. By then you will already have been as high as Pangpema (5,143 m), so your body will be well adjusted, but the same rule applies: tell your guide if you are not feeling right, and the spare days in the plan can be used to slow down.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $2,610.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $2,175.00 | $435.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $2,045.00 | $565.00 |
| 7 or more | $1,915.00 | $695.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
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