Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

In the morning transfer to domestic airport then take a 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur, from the small plane capture magnificent mountain view of eastern Mountain range and superlative rice field. On arrival at Bhadrapur airport, the drive starts and it goes through the picturesque organic tea garden of Phikal and Ilam. Also get impressive Mountain View of Kanchenjunga, Jannu, and other peaks from Ranke. It is about 9 hours' drive to Teplejung on tar road, the jeep will stop several places for the lunch and toilet break.

Option Flight To Suketar Airport
After breakfast, your guide receives you then transfer to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. We plan to fly Suketar nearest airstrip of Kanchenjunga circuit trek, it is an about 60-minute mountain flight. The aircraft provides aerial Mountain View of eastern mountain, after arriving Suketar we drive and trek.

We have a bumpy and dusty drive to Thiwa that passes villages, paddies, and cardamom field, it is about 4 hour's scenic drive on zig-zags dusty road. The jeep drive ends tiny Thiwa village then we start the trek along the Tamor River, a route follows gentle climb into the on the steamy valley, cardamom plantation garden, forest and villages to Lelep. The route exposes charming Rai and Limbu culture in the villages of Chiruwa, Thapethok, and Lelep.

A little descending bring us on the confluence river that source of the river is Nupchu Pokhari and Lahare Taal. A gentle ascent trailhead often led west and east bank of the upstream on the gorge. Stunning view of the waterfall and lush green setting make your day fabulous. After lunch at Ghaiyabari we follow switchback uphill trail throughout the grassy bushes to Amji Lhosa high above the gorge, the Sherpa settlement begins now.

A slight uphill path brings us the ridge and depiction picturesque view of Amji Lhosa village. From here we descent throughout bamboo shrubs, rhododendron, oak, and pine forest to Thyangyam, on the bank of the Tamor River. Throughout the day trekking inside the forest of different vegetation and often crossing streams also provides an excellent view of the waterfall. We can spot the animals and birds on the dense forest, after lunch steep climb on the rocky path to Gyabla village, small village has numerous mountain climber.

A trek to Ghunsa carries into the thick forest of rhododendron, pine, and Oak then crossing long landslide sections above the Tamor River. A short uphill trail goes through the huge boulder and crosses the large grassy pasture to Phale village. Once upon a time, Tibetan refugee makes their residence, still some of these people product Tibetan handicrafts and authentic Tibetan carpet. A small trail on the west of the village leading to Olangchukgola that route called Lumbasumba trek. During the lunch break short time for Buddhist monastery exploration and then the trek continuous on the open valley a side of the Ghunsa River. On the left side of the trail can spot 2006 helicopter crash memorial cairn, now cross the iron bridge and reach Ghunsa Village. The large Tibetan cultural village with 40 houses also has a police station, Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Permit check-point, heath post with minimum facilities, and school that fund support by NGO.

After full 4-days trek, we deserve to acclimatize day at Ghunsa village. We have an option either hike to the nearest viewpoint (Cherpuk Kharka) or sightseeing around Ghunsa village and Tashi Choeling Monastery. Extra night at Ghunsa is an idea familiar with the current atmosphere before heading to Kanchenjunga north base camp.
A day side trek to Chherpuk Kharka, about 4-5 hours trekking with steep ascent throughout the rhododendron forest. A switch back trail led to the viewpoint on the west bank of the Ghunsa river. Magnificent closely view admire from atop that includes the Himalayas and meandering river with together picturesque Ghunsa village.

We follow Kanchenjunga trek route east bank of the Tamor River with viewing yellow color natural painted stone and pine forest. The trail till Rampuk Kharka surrounding by verities of mountain herbs. As trek towards Rusty Mountain vividly landscapes changing green valley to glacier terrain and appear thick snow-capped mountain Jannu in front. We slowly climbing up then take photos of stunning waterfall also walking on the landslide section. Above Ghunsa is refer a residence of the rare Himalayan animals where often see blue sheep and can hear lot stories of snow leopard. Kangpachen set on the small grassy valley on a basement of the mountain where local Sherpa running simple lodges and beautiful monastery right above the village. Can see glorious sunset on the snow-capped mountains and during the night can see millionaire of the star on the sky.
Note: From Kangpachen/Khambapech can do side trek to turquoise lake Nupchu Pokhari and Kirani holiest place Mount Jannu Base Camp.

The trek comprises on the pasture and glacier to Lhonak village, nearest tea house of the north side of Kanchenjunga north base camp. The route to Lhonak is simply ascending up on the alpine topography and open mountainous valley. You'll have stunning sceneries of the wild glacier and tall snow-capped mountains including Mount Kanchenjunga, Nepal Peak, Wedge Peak, Pathibhara Peak, Kirant Chuli etc. There is no tea shop between Kangpachen and Lhonak, have to carry enough water and energy bar for the 5-6 hours trekking. Lhonak village established west side of Kanchenjunga glacier on the sandy plateau.

About 6-7 hours around trip to and fro north Kanchenjunga base camp. After breakfast, trek commence on the rocky trail along the large Kanchenjunga glacier, a path often climb up and down. The stone hut aside of Kanchenjunga base camp seasonally open that’s the reason we should trek with sufficient drinking water and some dry-fruits, energy bar as well as pack lunch.
The big rock with flapping Buddhist prayer next to the stone hut manifest as the glorious Kanchenjunga north base camp. It expose closely sights of the world third highest place, Mount Kanchenjunga with several other snow peaks which are bordering with Tibet and India. After having the fabulous moment and achieving the goal to reach Kanchenjunga base camp, we retrace to Lhonak for the night.

Trek to towards Ghunsa is mostly down on alpine and trans-Himalayan terrain with 8 hours trekking on the moraine, pasture, and pine forest. The trek begins an early morning then passes Kangpachen and Rampuk Kharka to Ghunsa. Hot shower and electricity are available Ghunsa village.

We mostly ascent up throughout the forest, grassy meadow, and then ridge that often covered by snow. Throughout the day it let you have dramatic views of the lush green valley and layers of the high mountains. We have a room in a very basic lodge that operate by local people.

A day crossing over three high altitude passes in Kanchenjunga trek. After breakfast trek commences with gentle climb-up on vertical mountains then crossing Senion La (4,445 m), Mirgin La (4,480 m), and Sinelapche La (4,840 m). You'll be enjoying impressive mountain sceneries of the Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Mera Peak, Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Krabu, Rothan, Yalung glacier with numerous of other snow peaks. We follow a downhill path on the rocky and stony terrain then walk into the juniper and dwarf rhododendron shrubs to Cheram/Tseram village. The village gateway of Kanchenjunga south base camp on a terminal of Yalung glacier.

Relatively short distance trek from Cheram to Ramche/Ramze, the nearestst tea house place near to Kanchenjunga south base camp (Oktang). About 3-4 hours uphill trek into the dwarf juniper and Himalayan herbs scrubs also walking terminal of Yalung glacier. The trail ahead on the large lush meadow offers stunning Himalaya's sights above the glacier valley. We also spot the blue sheep and Himalayan Monal also seasonal yak graze. The basic guesthouse is pretty similar to Lhonak and Se le le high camp. The tea house opens only during the peak trekking period, other time do farming back down at the village.

After early breakfast leaving to Oktang, Kanchenjunga south base camp, trekking to Kanchenjunga south base camp is fairly easier than Kanchenjunga north base camp. Average hiker requires about 3 hours to reach Oktang viewpoint, the path beyond Ramche is mostly smooth on the moraine and a side of the lake and tiny climb to the viewpoint. The Oktang base camp provides an impressive view of the Kanchenjunga south, Mount Jannu, also bordering mountains of Sikkim Rohang and Kabru. We returned to Ramche/Ramze then make a lunch break after that short descending to Cheram/Tseram for the overnight.

From Cheram/Tseram mostly descending on dense rhododendron and pine forest along the Simbuwa Khola. The Lalung valley is filled up with verities of mountain basils and during the spring color by actualities of wild rhododendron blooming

About 8 hours trekking bring us Yamphudin village, the large villages occupied by different ethnic group and can explore the distinct culture. A trailhead contains steep ascent up to Lamite Bhanjyang throughout the pine, rhododendron, and oak forest then rambles downhill on the long ridge and stone stair path to Yamphudin village. The huge landslide section comes to cross on the route above the Simbau Khola also get stunning mountain views. We again check our Kanchenjunga trekking permits at the Kanchenjunga conservation area office. Yamphudin is much warmer than the previous night and has a comfortable tea house, you will have good sleep in the night.

Our trek begins from Yamphudin then walking on the sloppy mountain, the natives do farming to support life also do cardamom plantation on wetland and it is a huge source of income. A path often goes the newly constructed jeep road but still no motor yet all. A short ascend bring us stone rest place and enjoy the view of layers of cultivated farmland on the slovenly hill. Then the remaining trek continuous on the level path to Khebang village.

The last day of the Kanchenjunga circuit trek route follows throughout the villages and magnificent terrain of the farmland. The trailhead Khandime exposes the charming eastern Nepal culture of Rai and Limbu and stopping for the lunch middle of the trek, Dobhan village, the large Limbu village. Khandime village commercial town for the nearby village where people come down for kitchen needed.

We leave early morning from Khamdime village, the dusty jarring four-wheel drive goes along the Kaveri River to joint Mechi Highway at Ganesh Chowk. Then our drive continuous on the tar zig-zag road through a couple of towns, villages, and hillside that offer a stunning view of Kanchenjunga range in the far distance. From Ranke to Kanyam switchback road more stunning because of the tea garden on foot of Himalayas. Upon arrival, Bhadrapur room check-in then takes a rest. Before the dinner explores the colorful local market.

Returning to Kathmandu, we take a 45-minute mountain flight. The flight provides Aerial Mountain view of four 8000 m peaks namely Mount Everest, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and numerous other snow peaks. On arrival Kathmandu airport transfers to hotel, then farewell dinner organized at authentic Nepalese restaurant with a live stage show