Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 Days
At a glance
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 Days is a 19 days small-group experience in Kathmandu, Nepal, operated by Nepal Nirvana Trails. Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 11 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $2,000 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: First aid kit with basic medication, All necessary trekking permits, Tea-house accommodations during the trek.
Highlights
- Small group of up to 8 people for a more personal experience
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
- 19 stops in one well-planned itinerary
Quick facts
- Duration
- 19 days
- Group
- Small group, up to 8 travellers
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Hotel pickup or meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
The Kanchenjunga circuit takes you on a journey through some of Nepal's most varied landscapes, including crystal clear rivers, dense jungle woodland, unspoiled Nepali villages, and some of the most epic mountain scenery seen anywhere in the mighty Himalayas. During the trek you visit both the North and South Base Camp, giving you multiple-angle views of one of the tallest mountains on Earth. As the trail is newly established compared to the other major trekking routes in Nepal, the villages along the way are yet to develop and reach the potential to accommodate many tourists. This means that for the trekkers, even during peak season, the trail will be less crowded and quieter than other trekking trails. So if you are looking for an adventure off the beaten track, this is the trek for you. Our experienced team of guides have years of guiding experience with them and are ready to help you get the most out of your trek, and make your time in the mountains the most special it can be.
What's included
What's included
- First aid kit with basic medication
- All necessary trekking permits
- Tea-house accommodations during the trek
- Official expense, all local and government tax and VAT.
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Flight From Kathmandu - Bhadrapur, and Bhadrapur - Kathmandu
- Private Jeep (Bhadrapur - Taplejung - Sekathum and Yamphudin - Kanyam - Bhadrapur airport)
- Salary, food, equipment, and insurance of the trekking Guide and porter
- Government Licensed and first aid-trained trekking guide and porter (Between 2 trekkers 1 porter)
- 3-star Hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights including Breakfast
Not included
- International flight tickets and Nepal entry visa
- Travel and health Insurance which covers emergency Rescues and evacuations
- Personal expenses, snacks, Beer, coke, juice, water, WI-FI, battery charging, hot shower, etc.
- Lunch, Dinner and extra night hotel in Kathmandu
- Tips for treks guide and porter (it is appreciated)
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m.|4593ft.) · 1 day
Let us know your arrival flight and airline schedule, and the airport representative of NNT will be at the Tribhuwan International Airport to receive you. He will transfer you to the hotel booked by ourselves in a private vehicle. You can stroll on the road of Thamel in the evening and have good rest at the hotel.
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Day 2: Trek Permit preparation Day (Sightseeing tour Optional) (1400m.|4593ft.) · 1 day
Today, the team management will meet you at around 9 am and take your original passport for the preparation of the permit. At 5 pm, the team manager will meet you at our office, hand over your original passport, and introduce you to the trekking guide. He will check the trekking equipment you have and suggest that if you need to buy or rent it, it is available in the Trekking shops in Thamel.
Optional: You can do the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage sites in the afternoon. -
Day 3: Morning flight of 45 - 50 minutes to Bhadrapur, then Drive to Taplejung (1820m.|5971ft., 8 hrs drive) · 12h
Today, we will fly from Kathmandu (TIA) to Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi Airport on a domestic flight of about 45 to 50 minutes. We will take a local jeep and drive through Kanyam. We drive via Mechi Highway from Kanyam viewing the tea cultivations on the way toward Taplejung from where the trek to Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek begins.
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Day 4: Drive from Taplejung to Sekathum (1650m.|5413ft., 39km.|24.23miles., 6 hrs drive) · 12h
We will have our breakfast and catch the local jeep and begin our second-day ride to reach our destination for the day, Sekathum. Usually, trekkers prefer to walk up to Sekathum from Taplejung but by making our itinerary short and utilizing the available services in the region, we reach Sekathum two days before other trekkers. The drive will take us through Mitlung, Chirwa, Thapethok, Lelep, and several other villages along the Tamor Nadi. There is the Kanchenjunga National Park entry point on our way, where our permits are checked and allowed to move forward to Sekathum.
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Day 5: Sekathum to Amjilosa (2498m.|8195ft., 9km.|5.59miles., 5 - 6 hrs trek) · 12h
After two days of the drive, we will start our hike with breakfast at Sekathum. The Himalayas' adventurous journey begins with an ascent along the Ghunsa Khola and walking over many bridges along the way, exploring through verdant trees, the little settlements of Jonggim, and Ghaiyabari reaching Amjilosa.
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Day 6: Amjilosa to Gyabla (2725m.|8940ft., 8km.|4.97miles, 4 - 5 hrs trek) · 12h
We move forward to Gyabla which is also known as Kyapra from Amjilosa after having breakfast. We continue to move in our path through a dense forest and trail without a Human settlement. Today, we can spot Red Pandas during our hike on the Kanchenjunga Trail, if we got lucky. After the uphill climb, we get to view the magnificent sceneries of the mountains and several waterfalls on the way. We slowly make our way and reach Gyabla village.
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Day 7: Gyabla to Ghunsa (3415m.|11204ft., 11km.|6.83miles., 5 hrs trek) · 12h
The walk through the woodlands with a wide range of flora and fauna leads us to the Phale village. Continuing the trek at a pace, we will reach Ghunsa village. Many trekkers stop at Ghunsa for acclimatization, but we have our acclimation day at Khambachen.
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Day 8: Ghunsa to Khambachen (4145m.|13599ft., 11km.|6.83miles., 5 - 6 hrs trek) · 1 day
We will have our breakfast and begin the gradual ascent through an open pine forest and also have the chance to spot blue sheep and snow leopards. The trail passes through landslide-prone areas. We see the spectacular view of Mt. Jannu, encounter the green glacier valleys, and finally reach Khambachen village.
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Day 9: Acclimatization and Rest Day in Khambachen · 12h
We rest at Khambachen after several days of walking. For the adjustment of the body to the altitude, we will have a short hike to nearby glaciers, viewpoints, and lakes. We can meet numerous trekkers in Khambachen returning from and traveling to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp.
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Day 10: Khambachen to Lhonak (4792m.|15721ft., 10 km.|6.21miles., 4 - 5 hrs trek) · 12h
We move ahead to the trail of the Kanchenjunga glacier. We can meet the trekkers in the main trekking season walking toward and returning from the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp on this track. We move through the Ramdang and come across the Ramdang Monastery. We are on the difficult trail, now at the junction of the Lhonak and Kanchenjunga glaciers. Walking forward, we reach the tiny settlement of Lhonak with a few teahouses.
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Day 11: Hike to Kanchenjunga North base camp (Pang Pema) (5143m.|16873ft.) and return to Lhonak (9km.|5.59miles., 6-7 hrs trek) · 12h
Today, we will hike to the north base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga, which is also known as Pang Pema. We will climb gradually following the moraines through the trail and reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The prayer flags around and the mesmerizing towering third-highest mount Kanchenjunga is the reward after multiple days of trekking. We will return to Lhonak for an overnight stay.
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Day 12: Lhonak to Ghunsa (3415m.|11204ft., 21km.|13miles., 7-8 hrs trek) · 12h
Rejoicing the views of the Himalayas and leaving behind the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, retracing the track, we arrive at Ghunsa. The Kanchenjunga trail gives us memories of walking passing the stone huts, soaring mountain peaks, rocky fields nearby the trails, rock-falling zones, etc.
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Day 13: Trek to Sele Le Base Camp (4240m.|13910ft., 6km.|3.72miles., 5-6 hrs trek) · 12h
We arrive at Sele Le, leaving the trail to Gyabla. There is a chance to see the snow leopards as we pass through the dense forest. There are isolated human settlements with few teahouses which are open only in the main trekking season. When there is heavy snowfall there is no other way connecting the pathway to reach South Base Camp until Sekathum. If the teahouses are closed and still we can cross the passes then, we can even reach Tseram in a day cutting a day off from our planned itinerary.
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Day 14: Trek from Sele Le Base Camp to Tseram (3868m.|12690ft., 9km.| 5.59 miles., 6-7 hrs trek) · 12h
Leaving Sele Le Pass, we will hike up to the high-altitude passes, Sinion La (4440m.|2758ft.), then Mirgin La (4480m.|2783ft.) and Sinelapche Bhanjyang (4645m.|2886ft.). We will see the spectacular panoramic view of Mt. Jannu, Everest, Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, and Kanchenjunga during our ascent. We descend to Tseram and stay overnight over there.
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Day 15: Trek from Tseram to Yalung South Base Camp Viewpoint (4740m.|15551ft.) and back to Tseram (14km.|8.6km) 7-8 hrs trek) · 12h
Today, after early morning breakfast, we head forward through the Yalung glacier getting higher and close to the vistas. Passing by the Yalung which provides views of Rathong (6682m) and Kabru (7412m), we will stop for lunch at Ramche. We will hike to Oktang/ Okhordung the viewpoint of Yalung Base Camp or Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Enjoying the closer view of three summits of Mt. Kanchenjunga 8420m, 8586m, and 8474m, and other towering peaks, exploring this untouched, unexplored by many trekkers, Kanchenjunga Base Camp, we will return to Tseram.
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Day 16: Trek from Tseram to Tortong (2980m.|9776ft., 13km.|8miles., 6-7 hrs trek) · 1 day
The elevated snow-capped mountains behind us and the walk through the rhododendron forests give us tranquility. Our trek starts downhill and ends at Tortong passing through Simbuwa Khola with enchanting views of the Himalayas en route. We will stay overnight at Tortong.
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Day 17: Trek from Tortong to Yamphudin (1692m.|3910ft., 9km.|5.59ft., 6-7 hrs trek) · 12h
From Tortong, we persist to descend to the Amji Khola passing through Lasiya/Lamite Bhanjyang (3415m) and Dhupi Bhanjyang (2665m). Walking past the steep slope area, we reach Yamphudin village. There is the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area checkpost in Yamphudin, where our permits are checked if we had begun our trek with Kanchenjunga South Base Camp first.
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Day 18: Yamphudin to Kanyam (1210m.|3969ft., 8 hrs drive) · 12h
After having breakfast in Yamphudin, we start exploring beautiful landscapes through the trails, and trekking alongside the pathway of Kabeli Khola. Leaving the mountain villages, we will take a drive to Kanyam, a beautiful place surrounded by tea gardens. Along the way to Kanyam, we can see the cardamom and tea cultivation through our windows. Keeping the bittersweet memories of the trek at the high altitudes, we are now at the lowlands. You can encounter many local tourists as Kanyam is a popular destination with tea gardens.
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Day 19: Drive from Kanyam to Bhadrapur and late afternoon flight back to Kathmandu (1400m.|4593ft.) · 8h
We will have our breakfast and explore the green tea cultivation area for a while. Then, we will have a 2-3 hour drive to Bhadrapur. We will have a 45 to 50 minutes flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu in the late afternoon. We will escort you to the hotel from the airport.
Meeting point
Traveler pickup is offered.
Please send us your arrival details at Airport with flight information. We will arrange pickup services.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- The food you will get during this trek is very basic. We suggest to opt for the Veg foods available while you are in the trek.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 Days take?
The experience lasts about 19 days.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $2,000 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
First aid kit with basic medication; All necessary trekking permits; Tea-house accommodations during the trek; Official expense, all local and government tax and VAT.; Lunch; Dinner.
Where does it start?
Traveler pickup is offered. Please send us your arrival details at Airport with flight information. We will arrange pickup services.
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 11 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Kathmandu.
