Best Time for the Kanchenjunga Trek

Introduction

Learning about the best time for the Kanchenjunga Trek, along with some other details, is crucial before diving directly into planning this exceptional trip. If you think you're an extreme adventure lover and have already added this trip to your bucket list, then you've come to the right place to discover more about it.

Kanchenjunga offers a variety of trekking routes; the popular ones are the  North Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek and the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, where you visit both South and North Base Camps. It’s one of the ideal treks for adventure enthusiasts from around the world, due to its long travel duration, which is generally 17-22 days, and a high elevation. You will be amazed by the closer views of the world's 3rd highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga, sitting at an altitude of 8,586 m (28,169 ft) above sea level. Besides, you will also witness some other stunning peaks in the same range, such as:

• Yalung Kang (or 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), and others.

The trek is located in the Taplejung District, Koshi Province, Eastern Development Region, Nepal. It's part of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, providing you with the chance to witness some endangered animals along with mountains during your adventure, such as the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan black bear.

This trek is currently off the beaten path, making it an ideal destination for those who are more concerned about having a peaceful trip than a commercial one. The entire region is considered a restricted area by the government to protect its local culture and wildlife along the trail.

So, you cannot travel here alone. You must hire a guide, and there must be at least two people in your group.

To find an experienced guide and arrange all the essentials for the trek, you may contact us. We,  Hiking Bees, would be so glad to be at your service. We can arrange everything according to your preferences and help you plan your program at your convenience at your preferred budget.

However, before you contact us to arrange your program, it's crucial to learn about the best time to trek the Kanchenjunga Base Camp while mapping out this beautiful journey. Without being aware of when to visit the region for trekking, you may not enjoy the travel to its fullest potential, as you expect, and you may also face some unwanted circumstances.

For that reason, I'll provide you with detailed information regarding the best time for this adventure through this blog. It will be helpful to you in the near future when it's finally your time to rumble on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.

What Is The Best Time For The Kanchenjunga Trek?

Spring and Autumn seasons are considered the best time to visit the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, where March to May is spring and September to November is autumn. During these seasons, people mostly visit Nepal for trekking purposes.

As a result, if you're also planning to visit the country for the Kanchenjunga Trek, then consider visiting during either of these two seasons. I've broken down the reasons for calling spring and autumn the best seasons for trekking below to help you get things in detail.

Spring (March, April, May)

• The weather is milder and more reliable, making the trek generally easier and more fun, especially at the higher elevations that tend to be snow-covered.
• The hills and forests are alive with the colors of rhododendrons and other wildflowers, making the trail scenic.
• The air is fresh, the views of the mountains are crisp, and you can see both sunrises and sunsets.
• The lengthy days foster both relaxation during the trek and further exploration, as the sun doesn't set until around 7 PM in the summer.
• As spring melts the winter snowy conditions, the trails are way less slippery than they are early in the winter.
• It is also a time for some seasonal festivities, including Holi (festival of colours), Nepali New Year, and Buddha Purnima (Lord Buddha's Birthday).

Autumn (Sept, Oct, Nov)

• Autumn in the Himalayas follows the rainy season, so the air is pure, the skies are blue, and the views are splendid.
• The temperature is just right, neither hot nor cold, so it is comfortable for trekking during the day.
• There is little rain, so the trails are dry and safe; they are also at risk of landslides or slippery trails.
• Nepal's major festivals, Dashain and Tihar, occur in the autumn, so you will also get the opportunity to witness and learn the local culture and traditions.
• This season also provides spectacular open views of the peaks in the Kanchenjunga Range and the picturesque villages along the trails, making you take frequent breaks to take pictures while hiking.

Note: Always stay updated with the weather forecast, as the weather is always unpredictable. Even during spring and fall, it can have sudden changes and might bring you obstacles during your trek. Therefore, it's wise to check the forecast for the dates of your journey while planning and also, during the trek every day.

Average Temperature Of The Kanchenjunga Region During Peak Season

Now, you're thoroughly aware of the best seasons for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trekking, which are spring and fall. Either of the seasons offers you amazing views of the peaks, landscapes, and everything.

But now, you might be in the middle of these two seasons and confused thinking which one to choose for your trip to the base camp of Kanchenjunga. To assist you in this matter, I provide you with the average temperature of the Kanchenjunga Region during trekking season.

Refer to the table below to learn about the average temperature and decide the season suitable for you for this adventure accordingly.

Elevation	Morning	Day	Night
Lower (1,800-2,800 m)	Spring: 5 to 10 °C Autumn: 5 to 10 °C	Spring: 10 to 20 °C Autumn: 10 to 20 °C	Spring: -5 to 5 °C Autumn: 0 to 5 °C
Mid (2,800-4,000 m)	Spring: 0 to 5 °C Autumn: 5 to 10 °C	Spring: 5 to 15 °C Autumn: 5 to 15°C	Spring: -5 to 0°C Autumn: -5 to 0°C
Higher (4,000 m above)	Spring: -15 to 0 °C Autumn: -15 to 0 °C	Spring: -5 to 10 °C Autumn: -5 to 10 °C	Spring: -15 to 0 °C Autumn: -15 to 0 °C

Is Kanchenjunga Trek Possible During The Off-Season?

In fact, trekking the Kanchenjunga Circuit is highly recommended during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). However, it doesn't mean it's totally impossible to do it during the off-season, winter (December to February) and monsoon (June to August).

You can go on this trek even during winter and monsoon with proper guidance, preparation, and gear. But it would be way more than challenging during such a time. Hence, it's better not to choose either of these seasons for trekking to the base camp of Kanchenjunga while we can.

Below is the breakdown of the reasons why it isn't wise to choose the off-season for trekking :

Winter

• When trekking in the Kanchenjunga Region, it can get very cold, often below zero degrees Celsius. This can make the trek difficult and can be dangerous for those without sufficient warm clothing and equipment.
• The paths can also be filled with deep snow in the high-elevation areas and passes. It could completely block the path, and will make it difficult to walk, with slipping and avalanche risks.
• In winter, most tea houses and lodges in the higher areas are closed. This means that finding accommodations during the trek can be hard.
• The cold weather in high-altitude regions like the Kanchenjunga also poses health risks. Being exposed to long durations of cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia.

Monsoon

• Rain that is moderate to heavy is consistent, and it will create mud and slippery footing for hiking and raise the danger potential for landslides.
• The cloud and fog disrupt the mountain views, and this is one of the two main reasons people go trekking.
• The wet weather will introduce or increase leech and bug populations, especially in jungle areas and lower along the treks, and this makes the trek almost unbearable.
• The rain will eventually flood trails and/or bridge areas that may wash away sections of the trek approach, which could make these areas dangerous and without an appropriate way to continue.

Among these two seasons, monsoon is not preferable for trekking in the Kanchenjunga Region. Anyway, during winter, it's somehow possible to do it, especially in early December, because the month is just the beginning of winter, and snowfall also doesn't happen at this time.

Therefore, if you're an experienced hiker, can handle freezing temperatures, and want to go for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek during the off-season shortly, then you should plan to do it in the first week of December. Yet, very few people choose to go on this adventure and are not recommended to do it anytime soon until the favorable seasons, spring or autumn, officially arrive.

Average Temperature Of The Kanchenjunga Region During The Off-Season

Now, I reckon you are already aware of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek during the off-season. As I've explained above, the trek is not impossible, but it will be extremely challenging even if you are planning to do it in early December.

As an experienced hiker, if you are willing to enjoy this trek at the beginning of December to test your threshold despite knowing all the challenges, it is necessary to learn about the average temperatures of the Kanchenjunga Region first. Knowing at least the average temperatures will help you plan your trip and make decisions accordingly.

Thus, I have prepared a table below that shows you the average temperatures of the Kanchenjunga Region during both winter and monsoon.  

Elevation	Morning	Day	Night
Lower (1,800-2,800 m)	Monsoon: 10 to 15°C Winter:      -5 to 0°C	Monsoon:18 to 23°C Winter: 0 to 10°C	Monsoon: 10 to 12°C Winter:     -10 to -5°C
Mid (2,800-4,000 m)	Monsoon: 8 to 12°C Winter:   -10 to -5°C	Monsoon:15 to 20°C Winter: -5 to 5°C	Monsoon: 5 to 10°C Winter:  -15 to -10°C
Higher (4,000 m above)	Monsoon: 2 to 8°C Winter:  -15 to -10°C	Monsoon:10 to 15°C Winter:       -5 to 0°C	Monsoon: 0 to 5°C Winter:   -20 or lower

Conclusion

The best time for trekking to Kanchenjunga is Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November), whether it's the Base Camp or the circuit.

During these seasons, the weather is supposed to be stable, and you are less likely to face any weather-related issues during these seasons, unlike during winter and monsoon. Aside from safety, the views tend to be equally clear and pleasant with mild temperatures during the daytime.

If you can't make your free time during these times, then you may consider early/late winter as well for trekking to Kanchenjunga. With proper preparation, it can be even better to trek there as the mountains will be covered in snow with clear skies.

However, before embarking on this beautiful journey, it would be beneficial to consult with a local trekking agency in Nepal to plan your adventure. 

We at Hiking Bees will reply to your queries and help you organize this trip as well, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email ([email protected])/WhatsApp (+977 9860617338), for further information.