Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek 

Are you ready to begin your adventure? It’s your first day on the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, which starts with a 45-minute flight from Kathmandu’s domestic airport to Bhadrapur’s Chandragadi Airport. If you haven’t had your breakfast in Kathmandu, you can have it in Bhadrapur. Afterward, you’ll take a bus and drive to Taplejung or Suketar. Depending on the road conditions, you’ll get to Tapeljung/Suketar within 8-10 hours. Overnight and dinner at Tapejung/ Suketar. 

After your breakfast at Taplejung, you will leave for Sakathum straigh away. This will be a long drive that will take you through some small Rai and Limbu villages, rivers, waterfalls, diverse vegetation and glimpses of traditional farming approaches along the way. The Tamor River and Simbuwa Khola are some serene highlights of this journey to Sakathum which will also include multiple encounters with suspension bridges. This roadways journey from Taplejung to Sakathum will be a 5 hours long jeep drive covering a total of about 39 km distance.

Leave Sakathum and make your way towards Amjilosa. The trail follows northeast alongside the banks of the Ghunsa Khola. Trekkers pass through lush forests of bamboo, rhododendron, and oak. Along the way, you’ll get to Jaubari, where you’ll stop for a while for rest and lunch. Afterward, the trek continues across an exposed landscape and ascends steeply to the day’s destination, Amjilosa. The distance between Sakathum and Amjilosa is 5-6 hours. 

Fill your tummy with a yummy meal at Amjilosa and start your day on your way to your day’s destination. The path meanders through a forest of rhododendrons and bamboo. Along the way, trekkers can enjoy the view of Mount Makalu on clear days. A 5-6 hour walk from Amjilosa takes you to Gyable, a small settlement inhabited by Tibetan-origin communities. Overnight and supper at Gyable. 

Ready for another adventure? The day takes you from Gyable to Gunsa. Leaving Gyable after breakfast, the trail takes you through a large meadow. Midway through the trek, you’ll get to Phale, a Tibetan refugee settlement. From the village, the trail winds through pine and conifer forests, offering a tranquil experience. A 4-5 hour walk from Gyable takes you to the day’s destination, Gunsa. The village is picturesque, featuring traditional stone houses. 

Ghunsa, at 3,595m above sea level, is the ideal location for acclimatization on the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp journey. As the risk of altitude sickness starts when trekkers climb above 2,500m, an acclimatization day is crucial for minimizing the risk. On the day, trekkers follow the rule of “Climb high, Sleep low.” Trekkers can go for a short hike on the Laspang La trail or nearby ridges during the day, which helps them to acclimate properly. Likewise, you can explore Gunsa village and its monastery, interact with locals, and observe daily life. Overnight at Ghunsa.

Have a morning meal at Ghunsa and start your day with fresh energy from yesterday’s acclimatization. The trail traverses through forests of larch and juniper along the river’s east bank. Along the way, trekkers can enjoy the view of waterfalls and glacial valleys. Upon reaching Kambachen, the views of Jannu, Sobitthongie, Phole, and Kabur will welcome you. It takes 5-6 hours from Ghunsa to Kambachen.

Following the Kanchenjunga glacier, you’ll start today’s trek. The day takes you closer to your final destination. Today’s trek involves rocky paths, moraine crossing, and exposed ridges along the way. Likewise, the view of mountain peaks, including Mount Khumbhakarna (Jaanu), Gimmigela, Ramtang, and Wedge Peak, will accompany you throughout the trek. As you get near the Lhonak village, the view of the Kanchenjunga massif will capture your eye. It takes 3-4 hours to get to Lhonak from Kambachen. Overnight and dinner at Lhonak. 

Today is the day you have been eagerly waiting for. The day takes you to the ultimate destination, Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The trail follows Kanchenjunga glacier, offering vast open views. The terrain is dry and rocky, so careful walking is necessary. The Tent Peak, Wedge Peak, Nepal Peak, and Cross Peak will be ahead. A 2-3 hour walk from Lhonak takes you to Kanchenjunga Base Camp/ Pang Pema. As you reach your ultimate destination, you can savor your success and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the place. Likewise, capture your moment in photos.

The panorama of Mount Kanchenjunga, Twin Peaks of Kanchenjunga, Kanchenjunga glacier, icefall, and other surrounding peaks will appeal to your eye from the North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga. After appreciating the moment in the base camp, you’ll return to Lhonak through the same trail for an overnight stay.

From the tenth day, your journey retraces its steps. Early morning, after breakfast, you’ll retrace back to Ghunsa from Lhonak. The trail from Lhonak to Ghunsa follows the same route as the one you took during the North Base Camp trek. A 3-hour trek from Lhonak takes you to Kambachen. Likewise, another 3-4 hours of trek from Kambachen takes you to Ghunsa. Overnight and dinner at Ghunsa. 

Enjoy a hearty meal at Ghunsa and be prepared for the day’s descent. Leaving Ghunsa, you’ll follow the river downstream through the rhododendron and pine forest. The route passes through a mix of alpine and subtropical vegetation. However, trekkers should take care of their knees, as continuous descent can be demanding on them. A 6-7-hour walk from Ghunsa takes you to Amjilosa. Overnight and dinner at Amjilosa.

Day twelve marks the end of your trek in the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek. As soon as you finish your breakfast, you’ll make your way towards Sakathum. A 4-6 hour trek from Amjilosa takes you to Sekathum. Have a rest and then drive back to Tapeljung from Sekathum. The road is gravel and rocky, passing through Tapethok, Chiruwa, and Mitlung before reaching Taplejung. It takes 7-9 hours to travel from Sekathum to Tapeljung. Day’s overnight and dinner at Sekathum. 

Have your morning meal at Taplejung, and then take your ride back to Bhadrapur. The trail takes 8-10 hours to reach Bhadrapur from Taplejung, depending on the road conditions. The drive follows the Mechi Highway, passing through a stunning area of Illam. Likewise, travelers can enjoy the view of dense forests, terraced fields, and a tea plantation. Overnight at Bhadrapur.

The fourteenth day marks the end of the journey and the last day of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek itinerary. Early morning, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur on a scenic aerial flight that takes only 45 minutes. You’ll have plenty of time after arriving in Kathmandu. Take a freshen up and spend some time roaming around the Kathmandu Valley with the remaining time. Additionally, we suggest that you experience Thamel’s nightlife. Overnight in Kathmandu.