Kanchenjunga Base Camp North South Trek

Overview

The Kanchenjunga Trekking area is one of the few remaining trekking routes in the Himalayan region that crowds of trekkers have not overrun. Kanchenjunga North and South base camp trek combines the both base camps of the mountain making it one of the best treks you can experience in the Himalaya. The Kanchenjunga region is located on the border of the Indian state of Sikkim in the far east of Nepal. Mt Kanchenjunga, 8586 meters, is the world’s third-highest peak. Native locals believe the holy mountain has five peaks as a crown on its head. Nestled in the lap of the one of the world’s highest summits, the culture of the indigenous communities of Limbu, Lepcha, Sherpa, and Bhotia (Walung) have made this region unique in both natural and cultural terms. The tribal people of Sikkim believe that their ancestors originated from this massive mountain. This shows that Kanchenjunga is important to local indigenous people not only from a natural heritage perspective, but also from the cultural and spiritual viewpoint.

The Kanchenjunga region has been protected as the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Experts consider its biodiversity to be one of the best in the Himalayan region. It is home to rare animals like the red panda and the snow leopard. Along with various rare wild mammals, the Kanchenjunga region is also home to a diverse array of birds.

Besides Kanchenjunga north and south base camp various other trekking options are available, including the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp only or the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp only treks. Combination of the Kanchenjunga to Makalu route also possible to do. Trekking routes, including Kanchenjunga Base Camp (Sikkim), are also available from the Sikkim side. The trekkers can choose any of these treks according to their interest, time availability, and ability. Among those various routes, the trip elaborated here is the Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp Combined Trek. This is the best possible version to encompass most of Kanchenjunga. It is also one of the best classic treks in the entire Himalayan region.

Join our experienced and dedicated guides for this unforgettable trek that can be your lifetime experience. Read recent Kanchenjung North South base camp trekking reviews here on the link by our past guests and contact us for further information.

Itinerary

Days	Places/Program	Activity Time	Sleeping Elevation
Day 01:	Arrival in Kathmandu		1350 meters
Day 02:	Kathamndu – Bhadrapur – Taplejung	Flight 40 min Drive 6 hour	1820 m
Day 03:	Taplejung to Sekathum	Drive 4-6 hrs	1600 m
Day 04:	Trek to Amjilosa	6-7 hrs	2510 m
Day 05:	Trek Amjilosa to Gyabla	5-6 hrs	2730 m
Day 06:	Trek Gyabla to Ghunsa	5-6 hrs	3595 m
Day 07:	Acclimatization Day in Ghunsa	4 hrs	3595 m
Day 08:	Trek Ghunsa to Kambachen	5-6 hrs	4410 m
Day 09:	Acclimatization Day. Hike to Jannu Himal Base Camp	5-6 hrs	4100 m
Day 10:	Trek Kambachen to Lhonak	5 hrs	4785 m
Day 11:	Trek Lhonak to Kanchenjung north base camp	6 hours	5,143 m
Day 12:	Trek to Khambachen overnight	5-7 hours	4410 m
Day 13:	Trek back to Ghunsa	4 hours	3595 m
Day 14:	Trek Ghunsa to Sele Le	6 hours	4390 m
Day 15:	Trek Sele Le to Selele Pass (4480 m) and to Ramche	9-10 hrs	4580 m
Day 16:	Day Trip to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp and trek to Cheram	6-7 hrs	3870 m
Day 17:	Cheram to New Jhoreni	6 hrs	3300 m
Day 18:	New Jhoreni to Yamphuding	5 hrs	1980 m
Day 19:	Drive to Taplejung	5-6 hrs	1820 m
Day 20:	Taplejung to Bhadrapur Drive and Flight to Kathmandu	6 hrs drive 40 min flight	1350 m
Day 21:	Return home or plan more !

Culture of the Local Ethnic Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa communities

Although the lower reaches of the Kanchenjunga region are home to some Hindu Kshetriya and Brahmin communities, the higher reaches are home to the Rai and Limbu communities. These tribes are important indigenous communities of eastern Nepal. The Rai and Limbu are followers of the Kirat religion, which prioritizes worship of nature and ancestral deities. Both the Rai and Limbu are prominent as fighters in the Indian and British Gurkha regiments. Many of them were veterans of World War I and World War II. Further above the Rai and Limbu settlements, on the foothills of the high Himalayas, lie the settlements of the Sherpa and Walung Groups. Both the Sherpa and Walung are also renowned for their involvement in trading with Tibet, mountain climbing, lodge keeping, and trekking operations.

Kanchenjunga Mountain Range

The Himalayas are a center of spiritual faith as well as natural beauty for the Nepali people in general and the indigenous communities of the Himalayas in particular. There is a local saying that the name Mount Kanchenjunga translates to “five-headed mountain god.” There are five peaks of Kanchenjunga, including Kanchenjunga Main (8586 meters), the world’s third-highest peak, Yalung Khang 8505 meters, Kanchenjunga South (8494 meters), Kanchenjunga Central (8482 meters), and Kangbachen (7930 meters). Until 1852, it was even speculated that Kanchenjunga was the highest mountain in the world. There are many other peaks in the Kanchenjunga region. Tibet lies to the north of the mountain range, Sikkim to the east, and Nepal to the west. The Nepalese government has also opened many of these mountains for climbing activity.

Wildlife and Biodiversity in the Kanchenjunga Area

UNESCO has described the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area as a very significant biodiversity hotspot in the Himalayan region. It is home to 22 different wildlife species, including the extremely rare red panda and snow leopard. Similarly, the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is home to over 250 species of birds, including the national bird of Nepal, the Danfe (Impeyan Pheasant). Thousands of plant species, densely packed into the lush jungle, provide shelter to a wide variety of animals. The plants found here are also used as traditional medicines by the locals.

Selele Pass

The high pass Selele 4200 meters is located between the North Base Camp and the South Base Camp of Mt Kanchenjunga. Traveling here offers the thrill of crossing the Himalayan mountain range as well as breathtaking panoramic views of the many peaks of Kanchenjunga and the Makalu Himalayan range.

Kanchenjunga’s North and South Base Camps

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema) is at 5143 meters. The northern face of Kanchenjunga can be seen from here, while the southern face can be observed from the south of base camp. You can also walk on centuries-old glaciers and experience them up close. The southern base camp is more commonly used for climbing Mount Kanchenjunga.

Kanchenjunga Trekking Route Map

Here is a general map of the Kanchenjunga trekking route for orientation, not to scale, with the names of various places mentioned in the itinerary. A copy of the map of the Kanchenjunga trekking area will be provided free of charge to our guests. Maps of the area can also be purchased at a low cost from bookstores in Kathmandu.

Additional resources for information about the Kanchenjunga trekking

There are countless resources available online for information about Kanchenjunga and other trekking routes. They can also obtain more information from guidebooks related to this area, organizations active in the area, and other sources. We will be happy to provide more information if you contact us in a way that is convenient for you.