Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

• Starting Point: Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
• Ending Point: Thamel, Kathmandu

Once you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Action Nepal Treks will be there to welcome you. Look out for a sign with your name. After a warm greeting, you will be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Check it at the hotel and take a rest. You can spend the rest of the day either resting at the hotel or taking a short walk around Thamel. Thamel is a lively tourist area in Kathmandu filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• Starting Point: Kathmandu
• Ending Point: Ilam

On day 2, after breakfast, you will take a short 45-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (Chandragadi Airport), located in the southeastern plains of Nepal. From the airport, you will drive towards Jhapa on public transport, which will take 30 minutes. From Jhapa, you will again continue on a drive journey to reach Ilam, your destination for the day. It will take around 4-5 Hours.

Ilam is a beautiful hill town famous for its endless tea gardens and cool mountain climate. Along the way, you will pass lush green hills, rolling tea plantations, and charming villages that show what the rural lifestyle of eastern Nepal is like. Not to mention, the fresh air and peaceful surroundings make the drive enjoyable. After you reach Ilam, you will check into the lodge. Then, you can either take a short walk around the town or visit the Ilam tea gardens before settling in at the lodge hotel for the night.

About Illam and Tea Garden in Nepal:

Illam lies in the far eastern part of Nepal and is often known as the “Queen of Hills” due to its spectacular beauty. Its rolling green hills are covered with lush tea gardens. Likewise, the climate is cool and pleasant. All these factors have made Illam and its tea garden a popular destination for locals as well as international visitors. Far from the city’s hustle and bustle, you can also witness traditional houses and the heritage of the Rai and Limbu ethnic communities.

The tea produced from the Illam Tea Garden is popular worldwide. The locals here have cultivated the tea for over a century. Its distinct taste and rich aroma are quite similar to those of the Darjeeling tea plantation. Upon reaching Illam on your day 2 of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, you can visit this famous Tea Garden and stroll around. Similarly, you can watch the plucking of tea leaves and take a sip of the freshly brewed organic tea while enjoying the green hills’ views.

• Starting Point: Ilam
• Ending Point: Taplejung

Early in the morning, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the tea gardens of Ilam, with the fresh air carrying the scent of green tea leaves. After breakfast, you will take a local vehicle and begin the journey toward Panchthar. At Panchthar, you can stop for a traditional Nepali Dal Bhat meal, often shared with pilgrims, locals from Taplejung, and trekkers heading to Kanchenjunga Base Camp.

After that, the drive continues along winding roads that pass through hillsides and cliffs. The route offers dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. Eventually, the road climbs to the hilltop town of Taplejung, where you will stay overnight at a lodge.

• Starting Point: Taplejung
• Ending Point: Mitlung

The fourth day of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek itinerary officially marks the beginning of your trekking journey. After breakfast in Taplejung, you will begin walking along the Kanchenjunga trekking trail and pass through peaceful villages, terraced farmlands, and friendly local communities. At first, the trail follows a gravel road out of Taplejung. Later, instead of continuing on the road, you will take a shortcut to Hangdewa by descending to the left.

From Hangdewa, the path follows the Hangdewa River. You will cross a suspension bridge here, enjoying views of the clear river water below. From the bridge, the North Kanchenjunga Base Camp route continues along the beautiful Tamor River trail. The path is flat with some gentle ups and downs. By late afternoon, you will reach Mitlung. Mitlung is a small riverside village on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking route. Here, you’ll stay at a basic lodge that serves simple but hearty Nepali meals, perfect for ending your first day of trekking.

• Starting Point: Mitlung
• Ending Point: Chirwa

After breakfast in Mitlung, the trek continues along the right bank of the Tamor River. The trail starts with a roughly graded path to Sinwa. From Sinwa, the trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp path ascends to Tawa in another 1.5 Hours. You may have to walk on debris from landslides before reaching Tawa. Tawa has a small tea shop, so you can stop here for lunch.

After lunch, the trail climbs before reaching Thiwa (a small hamlet with jeep access in some seasons). At Thiwa, jeeps to Taplejung are sometimes available. From Thiwa, the Kanchenjunga trekking route continues along the right bank of the Tamor Nadi to Chirwa. You will have to cross a wooden bridge to reach Chirwa. Chirwa is a lovely village where you will have a comfortable overnight stay.

• Starting Point: Chirwa
• Ending Point: Sukathum

Today’s trek from Chirwa to Sukathum (also known as Japantar) begins along the right bank of the Tamor Nadi. After about 1 hour and 30 minutes of pleasant walking on a trail similar to the previous day, you’ll reach Tapethok. Here, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Tamor River and continue along the left bank.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek trail then climbs to Phembu (a small settlement and trail junction). At Phembu, you will stop for lunch. After lunch, you will continue walking, passing through small villages before reaching a trail junction – one leading to Gola and the Lumba Sumba Pass, the other toward the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. You follow the right way. You will descend to the confluence of the Tamor Nadi and Ghunsa Khola. After crossing another suspension bridge over the Tamor River, the route follows the left bank of the Ghunsa Khola to reach Sukathum/Japantar. Overnight at Sukathum.

• Starting Point: Sukathum
• Ending Point: Amjilosa

The trail now follows the Ghunsa Khola, a river fed by glaciers from Kangchenjunga and Kumbhakarna (Jannu), which is a major tributary of the Tamor Nadi. When you reach this part of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, the trek route can be a little tricky. First, you will turn right onto a rough path by the river. Walk for some minutes until you see a wooden bridge, but don’t cross it yet. Keep walking for another 10 minutes to find a metal suspension bridge, and cross it to the left side of the river. After 10 more minutes, cross back to the right side. After about an hour of walking, you will reach Lamatar (a rest stop before the climb to Amjilosa), where you will stop for lunch.

The trail goes over flat stones and past cliffs where you might see musk deer, which are common in this area. After about an hour, you will cross to the left side again. The next hour has some small hills with trails along the river and simple bridges. The last bridge of the day takes you back to the right side of the river. Then, there is a steep climb for about one hour, going up around 400 m over a few ridges before you reach Amjilosa. Here, you will stay overnight in a simple lodge on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek route.

• Starting Point: Amjilosa
• Ending Point: Gyapla

On the eighth day of the trek to Mount Kanchenjunga Base Camp, you’ll walk past many waterfalls along the way. The trail from Amjilosa to Gyapla first takes you into the jungle. Then, after 2.5 Hours, you’ll go down for about 30 minutes to reach Thyangham, where you will stop for lunch and rest. Along this part of the trek, you’ll see many waterfalls. Early on, the trail passes a big landslide area with some open rocky parts, then goes around a cliff before coming down past some rocky waterfalls.

After about an hour, you’ll cross a wooden suspension bridge near the third waterfall, and then another bridge 20 minutes later. Soon after, you’ll come to the fourth waterfall before a steep, wet, and slippery climb lasting about 30 minutes through a narrow gully. This climb takes you up to Gyapla. Gyapla is a quiet place with a warm lodge where you will rest overnight.

• Starting Point: Gyapla
• Ending Point: Ghunsa

You will start the trek by going down to the loud river, moving along cliffs, and then going up and down over rocky ground. You’ll arrive at a nice sandy beach, climb past a few landslide areas, and then reach a flat area with yak pastures. This part is a pleasant walk through juniper and rhododendrons forest. About an hour later, you’ll reach the Tibetan refugee Phale village, which is where the Ghunsa people live during winter. From Phale, it’s about another hour to Ghunsa.

Ghunsa is a village with a culture and traditions similar to those of ancient Tibetan villages. People moved here from Tibet more than 600 years ago. The village still keeps its unique customs. You’ll find phone service, reliable hydroelectric power, and several well-stocked shops here. The accommodations in Ghunsa are the best along this trek. You’ll stay overnight at a lodge. In Ghunsa, your host may serve salty butter tea beside a wood stove, while children peek curiously from behind the kitchen curtain.

• Starting Point: Ghunsa
• Ending Point: Ghunsa

Today is the first acclimatization day on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek in Nepal. This day helps your body get used to the higher altitude before you continue trekking to even higher places. Ghunsa has cozy lodges with comforts like internet, electricity, and hot showers to make your stay comfortable.

During this day, you can explore the village and learn about the local culture by visiting Buddhist temples and seeing traditional ways of life. It’s good to stay lightly active to help your body adjust, so short walks around Ghunsa are recommended. You might choose to visit the nearby Chherpuk Kharka glacier or take an easy walk in front of the village to enjoy beautiful mountain views. Always tell your guide where you’re going to keep safe.

This day combines rest with gentle activity to prepare you for the rest of your trek to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp. After your walks and exploring, you’ll return to your lodge in Ghunsa to rest well for the next part of your Kanchenjunga adventure base camp.

• Starting Point: Ghunsa
• Ending Point: Kambachen

Day 11 of the Annapurna Base Camp trekking route today follows a gradual ascent from Ghunsa. It crosses the Ghunsa bridge and passes Rampuk Kharka (a pasture area used for yak grazing, with one or two temporary shelters) at 3,720 m. From here, the trail climbs upward and then reaches a landslide-prone section. Between Rampuk Kharka and Kambachen, there’s a 300 m section of loose scree that shifts after heavy rain; guides often rope up here for group safety. The path then descends slightly along the Ghunsa River before continuing toward Kambachen.

Along the way, you’ll walk through beautiful rhododendron, silver pine, and cedar forests, with occasional sightings of yaks carrying loads. As you follow the Kanchenjunga trek trail toward Kambachen, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. You will see stunning views of Mt Jannu (Kumbhakarna) at 7,710 m. You also cross a few small streams and skirt areas of rockfall. The mountain views from Kambachen are truly unforgettable. You’ll spend the night here in a cozy lodge.

• Starting Point: Kambachen
• Ending Point: Lhonak

After breakfast, the trek begins with a steady climb past the Chortens above Kambachen. The route follows the right bank of the river. The trail offers stunning views of icy, rocky peaks and the chance to spot large flocks of blue sheep. You’ll cross moraines of the Kanchenjunga Glacier too. After a while, you will reach Ramtang (4,370 m), where tea, coffee, and basic meals are available in the high season.

The path then continues along the rocky valley for another 3–4 Hours to reach Lhonak. It is the last tea house settlement on the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek. Lhonak sits on an open, sandy plain next to a dry lake bed. The place offers you the first views of Kanchenjunga range and other peaks like Twins Peak (6,750 m), Wedge Peak (6,750 m), Mera Peak (6,344 m), and Nepal Peak (6,910 m). Overnight at a lodge at Lhonak.

• Starting Point: Lhonak
• Ending Point: Lhonak

Today marks the highlight of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. You will start early after a hot breakfast. The trail follows the right side of the massive Kanchenjunga Glacier. After about three Hours, you’ll reach Jorkin (5,021 m), then continue on rocky and rugged paths to Pangpema (5,143 m). The base camp offers stunning views of the north face of Kanchenjunga, along with peaks such as Tent Peak, Chang Himal, Jannu, and other Himalayan peaks. Wildlife sightings may include Himalayan pika (rock rabbits), large flocks of Chukar partridge, and blue sheep.

For those with extra energy, a short climb up the rocky ridge above Pangpema rewards you with even wider views. Although some trekkers spend the night here, the altitude can make sleep difficult, so most return to Lhonak. The round trip takes approximately 7–8 Hours, and you’ll spend the night at the lodge in Lhonak. As Pangpema has only one small seasonal tea house, open mainly from September to mid-November and March to May, carry a packed lunch, energy bars, and enough drinking water for the day.

• Starting Point: Lhonak
• Ending Point: Ghunsa

On day 14, you will continue your descent journey from reaching the base camp of Kanchenjunga. You will trek back from Lhonak to Ghunsa, retracing the same Kanchenjunga trek trail you followed on the ascent. The journey begins with a scenic walk through the valley that offers sweeping views of snow-capped peaks, golden larch trees in season, and pristine alpine landscapes.

It takes about 3–4 Hours to reach Kambachen from Lhonak. At Lhonak, you can enjoy a lunch break while surrounded by breathtaking mountain panoramas. From here, the Kanchenjunga trekking route descends for another 3–4 Hours toward Ghunsa, following the Ghunsa Khola river. The downhill trail can be muddy or slippery, so trekking poles are helpful for knee support and stability. Along the way, you’ll pass through rhododendron forests, rugged hillsides, and quiet sections of trail that feel far removed from the modern world. Upon reaching Ghunsa, you will settle at a cozy lodge for the night.

• Starting Point: Ghunsa
• Ending Point: Amjilosa

Wake up in Ghunsa and enjoy a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, pack your belongings and begin your trek towards Amjilosa along the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trekking route.

The trail mostly descends today, except for two short uphill sections near Gyapla and before reaching Amjilosa. You will pass through bamboo forests and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. You will trek for 3-4 Hours from Phale to Gyapla, where you will stop for an hour-long lunch break. Then continue for another 3 Hours to reach the small settlement of Amjilosa. Accommodation will be at a basic yet cozy lodge at Amjilosa.

• Starting Point: Amjilosa
• Ending Point: Tapethok

Start the day with a short uphill climb before descending steeply along the Kanchenjunga trekking trail. Early on, you’ll pass a beautiful waterfall cascading from the mountains, adding charm to the journey. The trail winds through lush green forests, following the serene Tamur and Ghunsa rivers.

You’ll trek downhill to Sukathum and continue through small villages like Phembu, where you’ll stop for a hot lunch. Afterward, follow the Tamur Nadi, cross a suspension bridge, and walk to Tapethok. The day’s trek ends at Tapethok with an overnight stay at a simple lodge.

• Starting Point: Tapethok
• Ending Point: Lingkhim

The trek today follows the scenic bank of the Tamor Nadi. The route follows beautiful views of the river valley. After about 2 Hours of walking, you’ll reach the charming Chirwa village. The return journey of the Kanchenjunga trek trail then continues for another 1 hour and 30 minutes to Thewa, passing through lush greenery and traditional settlements.

From Thewa, it’s a gentle 30–40 minute walk at a relaxed pace to Lingkhim, where you’ll spend the night in a simple lodge with warm hospitality. This part of the Kanchenjunga trekking route is peaceful, with fewer trekkers and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of eastern Nepal.

• Starting Point: Lingkhim
• Ending Point: Taplejung

From Lingkhim, you will take a local jeep on a rough mountain road to Taplejung. Taplejung is a gateway town for the Kanchenjunga trekking route. Jeeps usually depart twice a day: around 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM. The ride takes about 4–5 Hours. It passes through scenic hillsides, small villages, and lush terraced fields. Once in Taplejung, you can relax in a comfortable lodge and enjoy your final evening in the Kanchenjunga region.

• Starting Point: Taplejung
• Ending Point: Birtamod

After enjoying breakfast in Taplejung, get ready for a long but scenic drive to the lowlands of eastern Nepal. As you drive, you will pass through beautiful tea gardens in Ilam, where you can see rows of green tea plants covering the hillsides. The fresh air and peaceful views make this part of the trip very enjoyable. The road will also take you through gentle rolling hills and small villages, giving you a chance to see rural life in Nepal.

As you descend from the mountains toward the plains, the landscape will change to flat fields and farmland. Finally, you will reach Birtamod. Birtamod is a busy town in the Jhapa district. Here, you can rest and relax after the long journey before continuing your travel or heading back home.

• Starting Point: Birtamod
• Ending Point: Kathmandu

You will be taken to the Bhadrapur airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu. For this, you will first take a private taxi from Birtamod to Bhadrapur. Then you will board a plane, which will take 40 minutes.

When you arrive in Kathmandu, one of our team members will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel in the Thamel area. You’ll have some free time to relax and explore the city on your own. In the evening, we’ll arrange a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant, complete with live cultural performances to celebrate the end of your trek to the base camp of Kanchenjunga.