Majestic Kanchenjunga Trekking - 24 days

Early in the morning, we take a flight to Bhadrapur and then drive to Illam. Overnight in Illam

Today, we drive early in the morning passing through tea and cardamom plantations. Enroute we stop at the top of a pass where we get our first magnificent views of Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Jannu from the far distance. Continuing our drive we reach Taplejung. After having lunch, we start the trek by making a steep descent to the Tamur River to reach the village of Mitlung. For the next couple of days, the path is often wet, muddy and slippery so two trekking poles are definitely required. Overnight on camp.

On the third day, the trail descends to the Tamur River passing several villages. This is a fertile area with a range of crops including rice, millet, potatoes and vegetables. There is a descent to a wooden bridge crossing the Thiwa Khola, then some more ups and downs before arriving at Chirwa. The village of Chirwa has a market, a few lodges and some shops. Overnight camping

On the fourth day, the trail follows the Tamur River along the valley floor and after a couple of hours we arrive to Taplechok (1380m) where our trekking permit will be checked at the park gate. From Taplechok, we cross a suspension bridge over the river to walk on the west bank along a path where cardamom can be seen growing among the forest. Cardamon is an important cash crop especially prevalent in the middle hills of east Nepal. We will have lunch at a lodge in Phembu then the trail starts to ascend above Tamur River to Lelep at (1750m). We then descend to cross a suspension bridge over Tamur river to enter the more narrow Ghunsa Khola Valley and then on to our destination at Sekathum. This is a Tibetan village and from here we get the first views of the high Himalaya where Jannu is visible on a clear day up the Ghunsa valley.

After crossing the suspension bridge over Ghunsa River at Sekathum camp we follow the path through dense forest. The trail is steep and narrow. We have our lunch at one of the basic lodges in Solima. After lunch we continue a switchback trail up through trees reaching Amjilossa high above the gorge. Overnight at camp

Today, we have a short ascend from Gyabla through lush bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests to cross a small ridge. Then we descend towards Ghunsa Khola at a place called Thyanyani (2,400m) where there are several stone shelters. The trail makes several short climbs and descents before passing a large waterfall and a final steep climb to Gyabla. Overnight at camp

On the seventh day, we have and easier path for most of the way to Phole since the valley opens out. The climate will start getting cooler today as we climb above 3,000m. At the same time the vegetation changes and we will see more rhododendrons and azaleas. Before arriving to Phole, we pass through the winter village for Ghunsa in a wide plateau. At Phole village, it is worth having a look at the monastery and exploring the village where at some houses we can see the ladies weaving carpets. From Phole it takes a further 1 ½ hours to reach the larger village of Ghunsa. This is a picturesque Tibetan village with wooden houses covered in colourful prayer flags. There are several lodges and shops in the village and a small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office along with a couple of Gompa. We will camp in the garden of one of the lodges however will use their dining room for meals. There are hot showers available in the lodge and also a small shop. Overnight at camp

Today an acclimatisation walk will be organised along the route to Lobsang La. This is a good option as the trail gains height to 4,000m in about 3 hours from camp and 2 hours to return to Ghunsa. This will be a good walk for acclimatising purposes by following the rule “climbing high and sleeping low”. This will help our body adjust to gain the altitude and help us adapt over the next three days as we travel up to the north side Kanchenjunga Base Camp. Overnight at camp

The trail makes a gradual ascent through pine and rhododendron forests along the east bank of the Ghunsa Khola passing several mani walls and chortens along the way. After three hours of walk, we cross a bridge over Ghunsa Khola and will have lunch in a grassy area called Rampuk Kharka (3,720m). Today as we gain altitude the mountain scenery becomes ever more spectacular and higher up before the landslide area the dramatic north face of Jannu is visible. Be careful when crossing this landslide as there is a risk of rock fall from above. The trail contours the hillside then descends to Khambachen. Khambachen is a Tibetan settlement with about a dozen houses nestled in a grassy plain with mountains all around. Overnight at camp

We will be spending two nights at Khambachen in order to help us in acclimatisation before moving further up over 750m in altitude to Lhonak. We recommend you to join a short walk organised by our guides and then spend the rest of the day resting and relaxing around the camp. The walk up Nupchu Khola from Khambachen is well worth doing for the impressive views of Mount Jannu. Overnight at camp

On the eleventh day, the trail contours through azalea and rhododendron along a lateral moraine passing through a seasonal yak herder’s camp at Ramtang (4,370m). After an hour or so the trail becomes rockier and we pass under a landslide area. Like for the landslide before Khambachen it is best to keep moving at a steady pace and to keep alert for any rock fall. We then climb through open rocky fields and then cross moraines North West of the Kanchenjunga Glacier to Lhonak. The campsite at Lhonak is near several large stone huts and has incredible views of Wedge Peak (6,750m), Mera (6,344m), Nepal Peak (6,910m), Twins (7,351m) among others. We cannot see the main peak of Kanchenjunga from Lhonak so for this view tomorrow we will walk up to Pangpema. Overnight at camping

We have an ascending trail along the lateral moraine from Kanchenjunga Glacier for about two hours. After passing through several sections of loose rock and landslide area the trail climbs less steeply to reach the stone huts in a grassy area at Pangpema in a further two hours. The view of the vast north face of Kanchenjunga from Pangpema is very impressive. After having lunch while enjoying the mountain vista we start the return walk back to Lhonak which takes about 3 hours. Overnight at camp

We will be following our footsteps back to the Ghunsa village on the same trail. Overnight at camp

Today, we will be having a rest day after a tough days at altitude and a long walk from Lhonak in the previous day. In the morning we can do some washing and have a chance to sort out our bags as well as recharge batteries in the lodge. We can also explore the village as it is well worth visiting the school and the Gompa across the bridge. Overnight at camping

On the fifteenth day, our trail follows a steep rocky ways through the forest then along a ridge with a short, steep section to Sele La pass at 4,290m. The views are fantastic and we can clearly see High Camp which is about half an hour further walk from the pass. High Camp is well positioned in sheltered spot with a couple wooden lodges and a small lake. From here we can see Mount Makalu in the far distance. Overnight at camping

Today, we have to wake up early in the morning to start our trek since the trek is a way long to Tseram. From High Camp we follow a good trail as it ascends to our first pass Sinion La at 4,440m. From here the trail contours the hillside and a short steep climb brings us to Mirgin La Pass at 4,480m. The trail then descends briefly before contouring round before a final short steep climb brings you to the top of Sinelapche La Pass at 4,840m. From the top of every pass we will be rewarded with magnificent views. From the last pass there is a 1,000m descent on a trail past a small lake to Tseram which is a small settlement located above the Simbua Khola. Overnight at camp

Today we pass the snout of the Yalung glacier into an ablation valley. All the peaks to the east straddle the India-Nepal border- Koktang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m) and some of the Kabrus which are all over 7,000m. There is a lake and a meadow along with two stone houses at Ramche and often blue sheep can often be seen on the grassy slopes above. In the afternoon we follow the ablation valley to Oktang, the whole cirque is above 7,500m and the three main summits all over 8,400m can be seen. The climbing route to the summit of Kanchenjunga, first climbed by Joe Brown and George Band in 1953 can be seen from Oktang. Overnight at camp

The trail descends following close to the river and through rhododendron forest to Tortong where we camp for the night. Overnight at camp

From Tortong it’s about 3 hours and 1000m to ascend. The trail climbs steeply through mossy forest and pass the huge landslide that happened in 2013 to the pass at Lamite Bhanjang for lunch. After lunch the trail descends quite steeply on a good path for about 2 hours before crossing Imja Khola. The trail then contours round the hillside and crosses the Dubi pass before descending to Yamphudin. This village has a mixed community of Sherpas, Rais, Limbus and Gurungs and there is also the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office. Overnight at camp

On this day, we descend through the lovely village of Yamphudin to the Kabeli Khola where we cross on a long bridge and then descend to Mamankhe. From here the trail enters a side canyon and crosses a stream on a long suspension bridge before climbing steeply to Pumphe village. From camp we can see the glorious view of Mount Jannu. Overnight camping

The trail climbs to the two tea shops on the ridge above, then begins a traverse through a series of valleys passing through several villages. The trail continues through Bhanjyang and traverses a ridge to descend to the Limbu village of Khunjari. Overnight at camp

Today is our last day of trek. The trail descends to the Pha Khola and climbs steeply through Pokhara and Shimu villages to Thenbewa. It then continues through forest to Lali Kharka and on to a ridge from where it descends gradually to the airfield at Suketar. We have now completed an amazing journey around the Nepalese side of Kanchenjunga. Overnight at camp

Drive back to Bhadrapur. Overnight at hotel

Fly Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel Overnight at hotel