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Kanchenjunga (South and North Base Camp) |
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Kanchenjunga is translated as “Five treasures of
the Snow” and the main peak is 8586m high. You
trek to the base camps of the world's third
highest peak. It provides you spectacular views
of Jannu from the Mirgin La. The tranquil
villages on the borders of Sikkim & Tibet add
another dimensions to this trek This is a superb
trek to the foot of Kangchenjunga (8586m), a
huge massif situated in the far northeast corner
of Nepal on the borders of Sikkim and Tibet. The
region is one of the pristine high mountain
areas in Nepal and your trek takes you through
magnificent and varied scenery to the Base Camps
on both north and south sides of this vast
mountain.
Your journey to this area starts from the
tropical lowlands through great rhododendron
forests and lovely villages of east Nepal up to
the glacier and overwhelming views. A trek to
the south and north faces of the world’s third
highest peak offers fantastic mountain views,
including Everest. One of the most remote and
beautiful areas in Nepal, which, unused to
foreign visitors, still lies shrouded in
mystery. The features of the walk in are
pleasant villages with different ethnic groups
then in the high regions, glorious mountains and
abundant wildlife. The trails climb from 1200
meters (4,000ft) to 5180 meters (17,094 ft)
above sea level. This is a purely camping trek.
During a camping trip one gets to see various
cultures, societies and the nature of the place
along which one treads.
Facts of the Trek |
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Duration: 26 Days
Trek type: Camping
Max Altitude: 5280 m. |
Minimum Pax: 2 +
Mode of travel: Land
Grade: Strenuous |
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Itinerary in Detail |
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Day 01-02: |
Drive from Kathmandu to Basantpur via
Dharan(428m.), Dhankuta(1158m.) and
Hille(1822m.) by bus. |
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Day 03 : |
Trek from Basantpur to Chauki (2400m.) which
takes about six hours. The trail follows gentle
ascent and descent route as well. The path is
covered by rhododendron forests. If the sky is
clear, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Mount
Makalu and Kahnchenjunga himal. On the way, you
can see some small human settlements. You can
also see view of villages at the distance.
Chauki is a small village with few lodges and
Nepali tea shops. |
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Day 04 : |
Trek from chauki to Gupha Pokhari (2940m.) to
Gurja Gaon(2145m.) and it takes about seven
hours. While trekking through this way, you pass
through rhododendron forests. At a point, you
come across a pass situated at 3000 meter. There
is a pond at the Gupha Pokhari where prayer
flags and Buddhist mani wall can be seen. On the
way from Gupha Pokhari to Gurja Gaon, you can
see yaks and mountain sheep grazing in the
jungle. You can observe some villages at a far
distance. Gurja Gaon is occupied by Buddhist and
Hindus. It is situated at low elevation. |
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Day 05 : |
Trek from Gurja Goan to Dovan (730 m.) and it
takes approximately five and half hours.
The trails descend upto Dovan. En route you pass
through jungle and villages. You trek through
terraces as crops grown here are wheat, maize,
rice, millet, potatoes and so on. Dovan is a
village situated at low elevation between two
streams. There is a small market in Dovan. |
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Day 06 : |
Trek from Dovan to Mitlung (921m.) which takes
approximately six hours.
Crossing a suspension bridge over Tamur river,
you follow quite flat route. You trek along the
bank of Tamur Koshi through paddy fields. From
time to time, you cross through small jungles of
cardamom plants and other natural vegetation.
You can see some small village stretching at a
far distance. The inhabited area of this part is
occupied by Brahmin, Chhetri and Limbu. |
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Day 07 : |
Trek from Mitlung to Chirwa(1171m.) and it takes
about seven hours.
The path to follow is quite narrow and passes
through jungle mainly covered with cardamom
plants and other vegetation. You can also see
the small gardens of orange on your way. You
cross through some small streams while trekking.
This day your trek is through ascent and descent
paths. You walk along the more flat land. Chirwa
is a small town where you find small lodges and
camping site with local shops. The people are
mainly engaged in agricultural activities. |
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Day 08 : |
Trek from Chirwa to Sekathum(1635m.) which takes
about six hours.
Your trek passes through a small jungle along
with the bank of river. You find the plants of
cardamom and other different vegetation. The
trail normally ascends and descends as well. You
cross a small hanging bridge before you reach
Sekhathum. You spend overnight |
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Day 09 : |
Trek from Sekathum to Amjilosa ( 2510m.) and it
takes about five hours.
The first one and half-hour you trek through
normally flat land. Then your trail goes steeply
ascent up to Amjilasa. Amjilassa is small
village with few houses and yak herds with local
shops where you find minimal supplies. These
shops are also called Bhattis and teashops. |
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Day 10 : |
Trek from Gyable to Ghunsa (3468m.) which takes
about six hours.
Your trails pass through jungle. You can see
Gunsa river down the trail. The trail passes
through few human settlements and it is clearly
visible that their life style and culture has
been inherited from Tibet. You pass through
terrace fields where are grown potato, wheat,
barley, buck wheat and so on. The local trader
are involved in export-import business in Tibet.
The traders go to India for trade activities
during the winter season. |
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Day 11 : |
Rest day at Ghunsa for acclimatization.
A day to rest in order to acclimatize and
excursion in and around Ghunsa. Gunsa is also
rich with Tibetan and Buddhist culture. Ghunsa
is relatively larger town. It is inhabited by
Tibetan people. Mainly the women are involved in
carpet weaving profession. There is run Carpet
Weaving Industry in their home at small scale by
local people. The trekkers come across with few
check point at Ghunsa. There are local shops
where you can buy goods to take along with you
at high altitude. |
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Day 12 : |
Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4124m.) which
takes about seven hours.
The trail makes a gradual ascent along the south
bank of the Gunsa Khola, then crosses a boulder
strewn flood plain and crosses back to Rambuk
Kharka on the north side of the river. Once on
the opposite side, the trail passes a waterfall
then makes a short, steep ascent to a very
unstable scree slope. It's a passage across the
slide, with loose footing, a steep fall to the
river and lots of tumbling football-sized rocks.
Beyond the slide, the trail drops to the single
locked hut at Lakep, then traverses to
Khambachen, a Tibetan settlement of about a
dozen houses at 4040m. |
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Day 13 : |
Trek from Kambachen to Lhonak(4780m.) and it
takes about seven hours.
The trail climbs gradually through open rocky
fields to Ramtang at 4240m, then across moraines
north-west of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. Lhonak,
at 4790m, is near a dry lake bed on an open,
sandy plain; water is scarce here. There are no
houses, but you can camp among the large
boulders to get out of the wind. Terrific
mountain views abound in all directions. |
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Day 14 : |
Trek from Lhonak to pangpema(5152m.) which takes
about four hours.
From Lhonak, the trail ascends gradually across
the plain, then gets a bit steeper as it follows
the moraine. You can drop off the moraine and
follow the bottom of the valley to avoid the
steeper section. The views are dramatic, but you
cannot see Kanchenjunga or Wedge Peak until you
are near Peng Pema. The spectacular main peak of
Kanchenjunga, and a panorama of other peaks that
make up one of the largest mountain masses in
the world, tower over the single roofless hut at
Pang Pema. |
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Day 15 : |
Trek from Pangpema to Kanchanjunga (North) Base
Camp (5280m.) to Lhonak and it takes
approximately six hours.
Here you can enjoy the snow capped mountains and
Kanchenjunga glacier. There are gorges of
mountin glacier from water flows all the time.
During the middle of the day, the scene of
falling avalanches captivate you completely. |
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Day 16 : |
Trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa which takes about
seven hours.
Now you trek in descending path crossing the
jungle along the river Kambachen river.
Somewhere you can see the mani walls and prayer
flags hanging over the tree. At a point, you
have to cross a wooden bridge. |
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Day 17 : |
Trek from Ghunsa to Mirgin La(4583m.) which
takes about seven hours.
Going ascend, you pass through the less thick
jungle. Here also you can see the mani walls and
prayer flags hanging over the tree. While
trekking you see the view of various beautiful
mountains. You observe the different animals
like mountain goats and yaks grazing over the
hills. |
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Day 18 : |
Trek from Mirgin La to Tseram (3725m.) and it
takes about seven hours.
You trek through almost desert like area and
some places you cross is stony trail. The path
is ascent from Mirgin La to Tseram. On the path,
you can see Lapsang La glacier,Mirgin La glacier
and snow-capped mountains. There are very few
stone roof houses at Tseram and yak huts. You
stay overnight. |
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Day 19 : |
Trek from Tseram to Oktang (5225m.) which takes
about 7 to 8 hours.
You trek through moraines. On the trail, you can
see Yalung glacier and Lapsang glacier. You can
also see mountain goats as you cross through
desert like area. The view of snow-covered
mountains and Kanchenjunga is quite magnificent.
Walking through this trail is full of adventure |
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Day 20 : |
Excursion to Kanchanjunga Base Camp (South)
which takes about 5 to 6 hours.
The trekkers have to walk through moraines and
strenuous rocky path. Trekking this day is quite
adventurous as you have to walk along the
glacier. You can see mountain goats and yaks.
This day you cross Oktang glacier. The panoramic
view of Kanchenjunga and Mount Jannu with other
different peaks captivate you completely. Some
part of the area touch the neightbouring country
India. |
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Day 21 : |
Trek from Oktang to Tseram (3725m.) and it takes
approximately 6 to 7 hours.
You trek following stream alongside the moraines
of Yalung Glacier. Trekking through jungle of
juniper is required. The path is quite loose and
rocky. There can be found mani walls and prayer
flags hanging over the tree. Along the way, you
can see difficult route of Lapsang La pass at a
distance. There are very few stone roof houses
at Tseram and yak huts. |
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Day 22 : |
Trek from Tseram to Yamphudin (2090m.) which
takes about 8 to 9 hours.
The first part of the trekking goes along the
bank of the river, Simbua Khola. You have to
walk through jungle. On the way, you can see the
landslide at some places. The trails normally
ascends up to Lamite Bhanjyang and then descends
to Yamphudin crossing the small river. Yamphudin
is a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais
and Gurungs. Among the corn and rice fields of
the village there are a school and some shops
with minimal supplies. |
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Day 23 : |
Trek from Yamphudin to Khebang (1740m.) which
takes about 6 to 7 hours.
In the beginning, you descend crossing the Omje
Khola up to halfway. Now you ascend through the
jungle of cardamom and orchid plants. You pass a
small village where you can find different human
settlements, small thatched roof houses and
local shops with minimal supplies. From here,
the trails is quite ascent up to Khebang Danda
and then you trek in descending order to Khebang
village. Khabang is comparatively big village
where is found the people following religion of
Hindu and Buddhism. |
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Day 24 : |
Trek from Khebang to Thorpu (1500m.) and it
takes approximately 8 to 9 hours.
The trail starts descending to Jorepul and then
begins to ascend. You also trek along the flat
and low land crossing paddy fields and thatched
roof houses. There are many villages on the way
where you can buy the things you require from
the shops in these villages. Thorpu is a town
where transportation facility is available. |
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Day 25 : |
Trek from Thorpu to Gopetar (2250m.) which takes
about 5 to 6 hours.
First of all , you ascend through the small
villages up to the last destination, Gopetar. It
is a town where is found small restaurants,
teashops and other local shops. From here, you
pick your bus to reach Phidim to Illam. |
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Day 26-27: |
Drive from Gopetar to Kathmandu via Phidim
(1264m.) and Ilam (1229m.). |
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| Services Included |
National Park entry permit, Trekking permit, all surface transportation to and fro, a guide and required number of porter(s), cook, kitchen helper, sherpas, all meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, coffee, fruit, juice, etc.), necessary camping equipments such as tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, mattresses, down sleeping bags, down jackets, cooking utensils, fuel etc. camping charges, rescue help, insurance and equipment for the Nepali staffs. |
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| Services Excluded |
Personal expenses, Insurance, Tips, Emergency evacuation by Helicopter, Alternative transportation in case of heavy rain, landslide, strike, road blockade etc. |
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