Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

If you have an adventurous spirit then this is the trek for you on the slopes of the world’s third-highest mountain (8586M) & to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. 

Kanchenjunga is situated between Nepal and Sikkim, India, with three of the five peaks (Main, Central, and South) directly on the border, and the other two peaks West and Kangbachen located within Taplejung District in Nepal. A part of the Kanchenjunga Himal is shared with Bhutan.

Kanchenjunga is claimed to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world and is believed to be where the Gods live. The area around Kanchenjunga Base Camp has some unique plant life and animals, largely due to its high rainfall during summer. There have been sightings of the elusive Snow Leopard in the region and more frequent sightings of the red panda. More common to this region are the Himalayan black bear and the Assamese macaque. In order to protect the area’s unique flora and fauna the entire region has been declared a conservation zone. The area is also home to several castes, including the Rai and Limbu ethnic groups.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp was first opened, from the Nepal approach to explorers in 1950, and only become a commercial trekking destination after 1988.

The trek begins at an altitude of 2200m and rises to 3000m in the first three days of the trek. The trail winds its way across high ridges, through steep gorges and across extensive grazing land near Sherpa villages. The trail follows raging rivers, such as the Tamur and Ghunsa Rivers high into the mountains and closer to their source. The trail drops down to the Ghunsa Khola Valley and the quaint and authentic Sherpa village of Ghunsa.

The trail from Ghunsa takes us to Kanchenjunga and on to Kanchenjunga Glacier. While standing at the base of the glacier you have unparalleled views of the enormous mountains that surround you everywhere. While feeling totally insignificant in the face of these giants, you will also experience a feeling of being at peace with the world. The peaks surrounding you are Pyramid Peak, the Twins - Jannu and Kanchenjunga, will leave you spell-bound. There are also several other 6000m plus peaks that seem less awesome because of their proximity to the more dominant higher peaks of Kanchenjunga. 

Leaving the Kanchenjunga glacier we head back to Ghunsa and over a period of three days cross three mountain passes before arriving at Tseram Village, the beginning of the Yalung Glacier. We then make our way to Southern Kanchenjunga Base Camp where the first mountaineers began their climb to the summit of Kanchenjunga. 

The trail from Yalung Glacier (the face of the glacier is 300m high) passes through valleys and across icy ridges until eventually reaching the gorges that take us to Tharpu. Due to its remoteness, there are fewer tourists and more solitude. The maximum altitude we reach on the trek is 5143m at the Kanchenjunga Base Camp. From the beginning to the end of this trek you will experience a vast variety of landscapes, from following the raging torrents of the Tamur and Ghunsa rivers to the high altitude regions of glaciers and Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The memories of this wonderful journey will stay with you for a lifetime. 

Highlights of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

• Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, and surrounding snow-clad towering peaks.
• North and south Base Camps of Kanchenjunga.
• Visit and trek along the Yalung Glacier.  
• Stunning views of Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, and the east face of Mt. Everest during the Kanchenjunga Trek.
• Pristine rhododendron forests, unique vegetation, high alpine passes (Selele, Mringla and Sinionla) and terraced farmlands in these remote localities.
• A visit to the Tibetan refugee settlements and warm smiling faces of the Sherpa people, Rai and Limbu.