Introduction:

Kanchenjunga base camp trekking, this beautiful and awe-inspiring adventure takes you to Nepal Far North East the last Himalayan range within Nepalese side, as Mt. Kanchenjunga straddles the border between Nepal and Sikkim (a small state of North East India).

Mt. Kanchenjunga towers above 8,586 m and 28,169 ft high stands as world’s third highest mountains and second highest peaks of Nepal. The mountain first climbed by British Expedition led by late Sir George Band and his team of mountaineers in May 25^th 1955 using the south base camp near Yarlung glaciers.

Kanchenjunga base camp located at 27.7025 Latitude with 88.1475 Longitude, 27°4256’North and 87°55’42 East with an area of about 20,35 km2 (786 sq miles) situated within Taplejung district of Mechi State and Zone.

One of the most fascinating adventures around Nepal Himalaya on least ventured areas by other mass flow of trekkers and adventurer, where few trekkers and mountaineers seldom visits this awesome country of Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya.

Mt. Kanchenjunga an impressive looking mountains from both side of the country, its actual pronunciation is Kanchendzonga of Tibetan origin language, means five jewels peaks with Gold-Silver-Precious Stones, its Grain and a Holy Scriptures.

The walk to Kanchenjunga leads you to remote and isolated areas where often local villagers sees visitors passing their villages, which makes this adventure more special and worth-while facing incredible views of Yalung Kang, Kanchenjunga Central and South, Kangbachen, Kirat Chuli and Gimmigela Chuli with Janu Himal includes Wedge peaks, Kabru I to Kabru III.

Besides mountain views the hills and valley covered with dense forest of fir, blue pines, deciduous, tall rhododendron trees to short bushes of many species including birch-oaks and cypress to maple and hemlock tree lines.

As walk progress where you will notice change of landscapes heading towards arctic zone above 4,000 m where tree lines fades for short alpine bush of azalea (dwarf rhododendron) juniper and Burberry with blankets of miniature wild flowers.

Adventure leads first towards Tseram, with options for hike to Oktang near Kanchenjunga South Base Camp within Yarlung glacier and then heading higher crossing scenic three high passes over Miring La, Tamo La and Selele passes of above 4,000 m high offering superb views of surrounding peaks.

Then finally heading towards final and major destinations at Pang-Pema around Kanchenjunga North Base Camp after walking past several nice farm villages of Ghunsa, Khambachen and

Lhonak, actual overnight stop will be at Lhonak at above 4,780 meter high, from here with rest days for scenic excursion to reach at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp also called Pang-Pema the highest spot of the adventure at 5,065 meters high.

At Kanchenjunga base camp enjoy beautiful and superb views of Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, Taple Sikhar, and Givegela Chuli with massive range of Kanchenjunga peaks and walk near to its moraine filled with glaciers.

After a marvelous time around Pang-Pema Kanchenjunga North Base Camp and being on the highest point of the adventure walk back to Lhonak and then towards low areas of Tapeljung district, where sometimes one can spot some wild animals herds of blue sheep’s around this peaceful wilderness.

Journey leads back to where it started at Sukhetar after walking through past nice villages of Ghunsa, Gyapla Phedi, Sekathum / Japantar and Chirwa from Sukhetar a drive leads to Ilam town, a nice lovely country with lively farm villages covered within sea of Tea-Garden.

The area around Ilam famous for Tea Garden and its product which you can find in shops at Kathmandu and throughout Nepal as well in some foreign countries, as journey takes you further south eastern areas of Terai belt, the low land of Nepal with warmer sub-tropical climate at Bhadrapur airport for flight back to Kathmandu.

Duration of Trekking and means of transportation to Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking, one of the longest duration of enjoyable and scenic walks of more than 3 weeks duration, where a sweeping flight from the capital Kathmandu reaches you at Nepal Far South East at Bhadrapur town and airport within Jhapa district.

During 45 minutes air-borne exceptional panorama of Himalayan peaks can be seen from the plane from the take-off to landing includes giant peaks Mt. Everest-Mt. Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga with array of lesser range of peaks.

From here taking an exciting four wheel drive to reach cooler hills at Ilam town famous for Tea and its vast tea-garden, and the drive to Sukhetar at Taplejung to start the trek and ending at Sukhetar.

Why not fly to Sukhetar?

For a good and simple reasons why not fly to Sukhetar, this is due to less schedule flights available to Sukhetar, sometimes flight can get delayed and cancelled which will certainly hamper the itinerary days.

Flying to Sukhetar involves normal daily flights from Kathmandu to Bhiratnagar an industrial city located Nepal Far South East with overnights at Bhiratnagar and next early morning fly to Sukhetar.

Many trekkers and expeditions groups found that flying to Sukhetar a risky option that might leads to delay for some days, and ruins normal itinerary days.

Flying straight further east to Bhadrapur airport which is a all season airport, where weather and other conditions get less affected and safe way in maintaining the proposed itinerary days as provided without a risk of cancellation taking this route to Bhadrapur and drive to Sukhetar via Ilam and back on the same way.

Seasons for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking

Nepal Himalaya has two best seasons for this type of long and high altitude adventure destinations spring to near summer that is from March to May, when wild flowers are in full bloom making the hills alive with riots of colors from natural bloom of wild-flowers, specially rhododendron (national flower of Nepal) and magnolia and other bush and miniature violets including Himalayan Blue Poppies.

Day time are fine and clear with sunshine might get cloudy sometimes in the late afternoon, where’s September to November months are clear fine days and good to visit for clear views of mountains and scenery, but might get cold morning and night time with short sunlight hours.

Trekking Permits and Park Fees

 Kanchenjunga area Nepal lies within Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where permits one needs to obtain Conservation permits and as well TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems).

People and Culture:

Higher mountainous areas inhabited by Sherpa and Bhotia tribes of people interwoven with Buddhism with close traditions and cultures of Tibetan origin.

Mid Hills and Lower areas populated mostly by Kirat tribe known as Limbu and Rai practice Hindu religion and as well their own ancient ancestral custom rituals and worship.

The Mid Hills and lower warm areas also mixed with all Nepalese tribes of people with Hindu high caste Brahmins and Chettries with Dalits includes some Tamang, Gurung, Magar and Sunwar people of mix religions both Hindu and Buddhism religions and culture.