Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: A Complete Guide

If you're an extreme adventure lover with extensive trekking experience and want to try something different next time, then I reckon the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is ideal for you. It's one of the longer and challenging treks in Nepal, where you'll have the real test of your threshold.

The trek offers you the majestic view of the world's third-highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga, which sits at an altitude of 8,586 m (28,169 ft) above sea level, and other neighbouring peaks, such as:

• Yalung Kang (AKA Kanchenjunga West, 8,505 m/27,903.54 ft)
• Kangchenjunga Central (8,482 m/27828.08 ft)
• Kangchenjunga South (8,494 m/27867.45)
• Kangbachen (7,903 m/25928.48 ft), etc.

Apart from the peaks, it also offers you the beautiful culture and traditions of one of the ethnic groups of the country, Kirat, and wild animals along the trail.

This adventure is worth trying if you're willing to take the hardest route for a precious reward later and aren't afraid of the challenges ahead. It's highly recommended for extreme adventure enthusiasts. Therefore, I've prepared some important things for this trek that you are required to know before planning your trip.

Stick with me here till the end of this blog. I swear you'll learn a lot about this trek, and you can thank me later.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Overview

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is situated in the Taplejung District of Koshi Province in the Eastern Development Region of Nepal. The entire route falls within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. 

Actually, there are two base camps on this trail, north and south. Some tourists also just trek to its north base camp, which is the base camp of Kanchenjunga Main. On the other side, it's the south base camp, and it's currently not as popular to visit personally as the north one.

However, if you trek to both of the Kanchenjunga Base Camps, it covers both north and south. As a result, it's also known as the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

Many trekkers from around the world are still unaware of this trek. It is currently off the beaten path and not commercialized, even though it offers breathtaking views of Nepal's Himalayas. 

Nevertheless, its current situation also has the benefit that there are fewer crowds on the trail even during peak trekking season compared to other famous treks mentioned above. It means you can immerse yourself in nature and enjoy your journey peacefully. You can take this adventure like it's all yours.

Furthermore, the entire route is considered a restricted area by the government in order to protect the local culture and some endangered species, such as the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan black bear in the region. Thus, you ain't allowed to enter the area alone or entertain a solo trek, although you've already researched the area thoroughly and know almost everything about it.

You must hire a guide and have at least two people in a group. For this thing, you can contact any local tour operators. 

We (Hiking Bees) are located in Thamel, Kathmandu, and will organise everything for your program, from a guide to transportation to accommodation at unbeatable prices.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: North And South

In the Kanchenjunga Region, there are several peaks, including the main one, which is also the north face of Kanchenjunga. As I mentioned earlier, there are two base camps that we'll visit in this trek, north and south. North is the base camp of Kanchenjunga Main, and South is the base camp of Kanchenjunga South. When people refer to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, it includes both of the base camps. 

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek

The base camp of Kanchenjunga North is situated at an altitude of 5,143 m (16,873.36 ft). It is also known by the other name, Pangpema. To trek to this side of Kanchenjunga, it takes roughly 16-18 days to finish.

In addition to the views of Kanchenjunga's main and north faces, you will also witness the outstanding views of Kumbhakarna, Ramtang, Makalu, and other neighbouring peaks from the north base camp. During this trek, you can also explore the beautiful pond, Nupchu.

In fact, the pond isn't located along the trail, and it's a side trip, which is optional. Anyway, to get there, you'll need to take a turn from Kambachen. From the area of Nupchu, you'll also enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Jannu.

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is located at an elevation of 4,610 m (15,124.67 ft). From here, you will get the opportunity to experience the exceptional views of Kanchenjunga South, Kanchenjunga, Kabru, Rathong, Talung, etc.

However, trekkers mostly don't trek to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp only like the north, which I've also stated earlier. It comes as part of the program when it is the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

Kanchenjunga Trekking Itinerary

When you take a trip a long distance from home, you will want to make an adequate plan, or schedule, for your trip. This involves organising your trip and knowing where you are going each day.

You can include details such as the dates of your trip, the time you will leave each destination, how far you will travel to each destination, occupations of the places visited, and an estimated number of hours it will take to drive.

Here are the reasons why having a fine itinerary is important for trekking:

• Provides you with a day-by-day itinerary showing your stops, times, heights, distances, and hiking times.
• Helps you find free time, so you don't feel you are rushing.
• Allows you to budget first for food, hotels, transport, and ticket prices.
• Keeps everyone's knowledge in your group (e.g., friends, guides) aligned.
• If something goes wrong during the trek, you can quickly find out what is next.
• Your family or friends can see the plan, which gives them knowledge of where you are, in a worst-case scenario.

Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Trek Itinerary (Kanchenjunga Circuit)/(KBC Circuit Trek)

If you are looking to explore all of the places that Kanchenjunga has to offer, then the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, i.e, Kanchenjunga Circuit, is the one you should go for. You will have an opportunity to visit both the base camps ie. North and South, and will make a circuit trek without having to trace back the same way. So if you have enough time and can walk for a few more days, then this is the trek you should go for.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,355 m/4,445.538 ft)

Day 2: Flight to Bhadrapur and drive to Taplejung (1,820 m/5,971.129 ft) via tea garden in Illam  

Day 3: Trek from Taplejung to Chiruwa (1,720 m/5643.045 ft)

Day 4: Trek from Chiruwa to Lelep (1,750 m/5741.47 ft)

Day 5: Trek from Lelep to Amjilosa (2,308 m/7,572.178 ft)

Day 6: Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730 m/8,956.693 feet)

Day 7: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595 m/11,794.62 ft)

Day 8: Acclimatisation Day

Day 9: Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050 m/13,287.4 ft)

Day 10:  Trek from Kambachen to Lonak (4780 m/15,682.41 ft)

Day 11: Trek from Lonak to Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5,143 m/16,873.36 ft). and return

Day 12: Back to Ghunsa from Lonak

Day 13: Trek from Ghunsa to Selele (4,290 m/14,074.8 ft)

Day 14: Trek from Selele to Tseram (3,871 m/12,700.13 ft)

Day 15: Trek from Tseram to Ramche (4,580 m/15,026.25 ft) and return

Day 16: Trek from Ramche to Tortong (2,995 m/9,826.115 ft)

Day 17: Trek from Tortong to Yamphudin (2,080 m/6,824.147 ft)

Day 18: Trek from Yamphudin to Khebang (1,910 m/6,266.404 ft)

Day 19: Trek from Khebang to Hapukhola

Day 20: Drive from Hapukhola to Bhadrapur

Day 21: Return flight to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur

Day 22: Departure

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek Itinerary (KNBC Trek)

Apart from the Kanchenjunga Circuit, another popular trek in the Kanchenjunga region is the North Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek. In this trek itinerary, you won't be visiting the south base camp, so it’s suitable for people with limited time.

If you're interested in doing only the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, here's its itinerary you can follow:

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,355 m/4,445.538 ft)

Day 2: Flight to Bhadrapur (93 m/305.118 ft) and drive to Taplejung (1,820 m/5,971.129 ft) via tea garden in Illam  

Day 3: Trek from Taplejung to Chiruwa (1,720 m/5643.045 ft)

Day 4: Trek from Chiruwa to Lelep (1,750 m/5741.47 ft)

Day 5: Trek from Lelep to Amjilosa (2,308 m/7,572.178 ft)

Day 6: Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730 m/8,956.693 feet)

Day 7: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595 m/11,794.62 ft)

Day 8: Acclimatization Day

Day 9: Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,050 m/13,287.4 ft)

Day 10:  Trek from Kambachen to Lonak (4780 m/15,682.41 ft)

Day 11: Trek from Lonak to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,143 m/16,873.36 ft) and return

Day 12: Back to Ghunsa from Lonak

Day 13: Descend to Amjilosa from Lonak

Day 14: Descend to Chiruwa from Amjilosa

Day 15: Trek back to Taplejung from Chiruwa

Day 16: Drive back to Bhadrapur

Day 17: Return flight to Kathmandu

Day 18: Departure

If you want to add even more twists to your itinerary, then you can also add the Nango La Pass to your trek. This trek is commonly known as the KBC trek with Nango La Pass.

What Is The Difficulty Level Of The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?

In terms of the difficulty level, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is considered challenging. This trek ain't recommended for first-timers.

As a beginner, even if you want to experience this adventure, you'll need serious preparation. Yet, it remains demanding for you. Hence, if it's on your bucket list and wanna succeed in the near future, you better try a few short and easy treks first.

For further information, please refer to our detailed article on Kanchenjunga Trek Difficulty

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Duration

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is among the longest treks in Nepal, which generally takes 18-22 days to complete. However, it also varies depending on your experience in trekking. Heavily experienced hikers can finish it even a bit less than the mentioned duration, and for average hikers, it may take a bit more.

What Is The Best Time To Trek The Kanchenjunga Base Camp?

Speaking of the best time for trekking to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, there are actually two seasons. They are Spring and Autumn, where March, April, and May are part of spring, while September, October, and November are autumn. Several aspects make these seasons the best time for trekking.

Below is the breakdown of such factors listed in the table:

Spring

Autumn

Crisp air and clear skies mean trekking is a lot easier. The likelihood of encountering an unexpected rain or snowstorm is also diminished. Forests and trails are brightened by colourful rhododendrons and wildflowers. The aesthetic beauty of the landscapes adds magic to the trek. The mountain views are clearer due to little haze or cloud cover. Perfect for taking photographs and appreciating the breathtaking Himalayan views. Some local festivals, such as Holi (festival of colour), Nepalese New Year, and Buddha Purnima (birthday of Gautam Buddha), occur during spring.

The air is clear and crisp from the recent rainfall, allowing picturesque views of the mountains. Days have been sunny and comfortable; nights are cool, but not freezing. The humidity is lower, which means less fatigue and overall discomfort. Trails are dried out and firm, meaning no mud, slippery rocks, or leeches. Rivers and waterfalls are full but not overflowing. The country’s biggest festivals (Dashain and Tihar) occur during autumn, which adds cultural flavour to the trek.

Is It Possible To Trek The Kanchenjunga Base Camp During Off-Season?

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is already a challenging trek in Nepal due to its duration and elevation. Even during peak season, it's hard to trek for an inexperienced person.

So, when it comes to trek here during the off-season, it's extremely demanding. For beginners, it's almost impossible to experience this adventure. Very few trekkers are found doing this trek during off off-season.

Winter (December to February) and Monsoon (June to July) are considered off-season. Now you might be curious about why these seasons are not preferable for trekking. Therefore, for you, I have prepared the breakdown of the reasons below:

Winter

Monsoon

On this trail, temperatures drop to -20° or lower, mostly at night. When camping under these conditions, camping and staying at a teahouse can be uncomfortable and unsafe.  Tramp trails and mountain passes can be totally obstructed by snow, leaving the potential for some trails to be impassable and extremely dangerous.  Some routes become at risk for avalanches after heavy snow, which poses a threat to trekkers alike.  A lot of teahouses on this trail shut down after December until the spring, which greatly limits both travel and food options based on low tourist numbers and inclement weather conditions.

Consistent rainfall can make trails muddy, slick, and uncomfortable, which increases the chances of injury. Landslides and flash floods are commonplace in this region during monsoon, often blocking trails or roadways, or even putting lives at risk. Cloud cover and fog often obstruct mountain views, essentially taking away one of the major reasons for trekking in this area, which is to appreciate the staggering scenery. Lowland and forested trails have leeches and mosquitoes, making the trek annoying and unhealthy.

What Is The Accommodation Like During The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?

As stated earlier, the route is currently not highly popular despite offering the real beauty of Nepal's Himalayas. So, there is no availability of proper hotel businesses along the trail like in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, etc.

Just simple tea houses with basic facilities such as clean rooms, and normal foods like Dal Bhat, Chowmein, Pasta, etc. are available. Electricity is also not available at every tea house along the way. But they've somehow installed a solar panel as an alternative to electricity. 
Another thing is that you cannot expect plugs to charge your gadgets in every room. So, to charge your electric device, they've provided a power charging service in the dining hall, which costs you around USD 2-3 per charge.
Nevertheless, at least you can find a common shelter for yourself during this trek. It's okay even if there's a shortage of power, but we can appreciate the effort they're making for trekkers from their side.

Permits Required For Trekking The Kanchenjunga Base Camp

There are three different permits you'll need to obtain for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. They're listed below:

• Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP): This is important because the region is ecologically delicate, culturally distinct, and socially liable. It contributes to ensuring that the proper environmental appropriateness and local customs and traditions are upheld, and the safety of the trekkers, while providing legal protection.
• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP): It is required to enter the protected area and contribute to trail maintenance and the local community.

How To Prepare For Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking?

When it comes to trekking to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp or anywhere else at high elevations, early preparation is always required, even during the trek. Going out for an adventure without proper preparation or with unnecessary confidence could cost you huge later.

Yes, adventure is all about taking risks for a worthy reward at the end. However, there's a difference between taking risks and being careless intentionally, and you must not confuse these two things.

You'll need to be well-prepared even if you're an experienced hiker because there is always a high chance of facing obstacles in nature. Therefore, where there is a certainty of confronting hindrances, just know that there is a risk.

I'm sure experienced trekkers know how to prepare for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. Still, I want to provide some preparation tips for beginners who want to do this trek in the upcoming days, though this trek isn't recommended for such individuals.

It'll be super hard for you if you're a beginner or not in very good shape, but not impossible. With proper guidance and team support, you could make it happen. Anyway, I don't prefer to suggest you this trek if you don't have any experience yet.

But here are some preparation tips for you that can be useful in the future if you're thinking of trekking to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp:

Physical Preparation

Consider doing daily exercises, such as stretching, running, and squatting for at least an hour a day. Stretching must be done at first, as it helps you open up your stiff muscles, and then you can do the others.

If you aren't a daily workout person, you should begin doing these exercises at least a month before your trek. Some other workouts, like swimming and cycling, are also very beneficial to you. In addition to this, it will be even better if you do a couple of hikes near your hometown.

Mental Preparation

Stay positive for your trek. Avoid thinking way too much. Despite its difficulty, you'd better presume that with the help of preparation, you can make it.

Try doing meditation as well. It will help you stay calm in any situation and heal faster than usual.

Altitude Acclimatization

During the trek, ascend slowly, just don't rush. Doing so allows your body time to acclimate to the environment. Moreover, consider taking breaks of at least 7-8 minutes from time to time while hiking.

And don't ignore the common symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea, insomnia, tiredness, and loss of appetite. If you recognise any of these symptoms in the body, you should consider descending at least up to 500 m immediately and spending the night there. Altitude sickness in the Kanchenjunga Trek is very common.

Also, spend an extra day there and wait for your body to become ready if you don't feel like you can continue. The next day, if you find yourself fine and have confidence, then you can continue the journey again. Otherwise, you should retreat to your adventure, as there's always a next time.

Eat Well

Regarding your diet, consume as many carbohydrates as you can. Foods, such as potatoes, pasta, and rice, contain high amounts of carbs. Just don't compromise while eating.

You should always be stuffed. Most trekkers don't feel like eating much because of exhaustion and want to hit the bed as soon as possible. Such activity shouldn't be done during trekking if you don't wanna suffer altitude sickness.

Furthermore, avoid foods that are overfried, oily, and non-veg because such foods may cause you food poisoning during the trek. And last but not least, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol while you can.

Stay Hydrated

You should be smart to keep your body hydrated by drinking at least 3-4 litres of water a day. Additionally, foods such as apples and cucumbers also add to your daily diet during your journey, as they have high levels of water.

Research

Although you're not allowed to trek solo to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp and have to hire a guide, it will still be better to research the area and other things regarding the trek a little bit, such as the required permits, weather conditions, etc.  Learning such things before the journey will make your trip easy, even if it is just a little bit.

For further information, you may contact the local trekking agencies in Nepal. We at Hiking Bees are always open to assist and provide free information to fellow trekkers, so if you require any further info about this trek, please feel free to text/mail/call the Hiking Bees officials.

Pack Wisely

You should be serious about packing the gear and other essential things for the Kanchenjunga trek. Some basic things to pack and you should have for this stunning journey are as follows:

• Warm clothing for use at tea houses.
• Sleeping bag and Down jacket
• Raincoat
• A quality pair of full-sleeve hiking t-shirts and pants.
• Enough socks and undergarments
• A quality trekking backpack that is a minimum of 55L in capacity.
• Cosmetic items, such as sunscreen with a minimum of 50+ SPF, body lotion, lip balm, soap, shampoo, etc.
• Snacks like chocolate, energy bars, dry fruits, biscuits, etc.
• Quality trekking poles.
• A quality pair of trekking boots.
• Enough cash.
• Headlamp.
• Buff mask.
• Cap.
• UV protection glass.
• First-aid kit.

How Much Does It Cost To Trek The Kanchenjunga Base Camp?

Regarding the cost of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking, it depends on the number of services you choose to add to the package, the trekking duration, and the local tour operator you choose for your program to arrange everything.

Nevertheless, according to our designed package for this trek, it's between USD 1,800 and 2,500 per person. The package's cost is also varied depending on the number of your group. So, the more people in a group, the cheaper the price gets.