Kanchenjunga Double Base Camp Trek - 24 Days

Highlights

• Spend a day in Kathmandu and see the highlights, like Durbar Square
• Hike across suspension bridges up to Himalaya mountain towns
• Enjoy views of the world's highest peaks, like Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Everest
• Trek to two different base camps on the famous Kanchenjunga massif

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, Optional Activities

Welcome to Nepal! Nestled between India and China, this landlocked country in South Asia has attracted adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts for ages due to its location on the southern slopes of the famous Himalaya range. But Nepal offers much more than mountaineering—it's a proud country with thousands of years of rich history that also happens to be a melting pot of cultures. You'll discover this right off when you arrive in Kathmandu.

Nepal's capital abounds with Indian and West Asian influences, which makes sense considering that it was a stopover on ancient trading routes. Over a hundred languages are spoken here, and locals practice many religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. The city itself was founded in 723 CE, and many historic landmarks remain. Perhaps the most famous is Durbar Square. This public space contains everything from 15th-century pagodas to the neoclassical Gadi Durbar Palace. After transferring to your hotel from the airport, feel free to take a stroll around the square.

For dinner, you'll want to head to the bustling hub of Thamel to grab your first meal in Nepal. There's a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, offering both Western and local Nepali dishes. Then, if it's not too late, you can visit the busiest bazaar in the city, Asan Tole. It's lined with offers an authentic display of spice, produce, and curios vendors that make for great photo ops. It's also a good opportunity to practice some basic Nepali phrases as you chat with friendly locals.

Day 2: Fly to Bhadrapur, Transfer to Phidim

In the morning, you'll receive the various permits for your forthcoming mountaineering adventure. Then, meet your driver for the ride back to the airport, where you'll catch a 50-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, a town in southeastern Nepal.

If you can, sit on the left of the plane, as you'll be treated to spectacular views of the Central and Eastern Himalaya. You'll also pass the peaks of Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, and mighty Everest, with your final destination, the Kanchenjunga Range, looming in the distance.

Upon arrival at Bhadrapur Airport, another driver will meet you for the 4-5-hour transfer into the foothills of the Ilam District. Passing lush tea plantations, the road winds up and down through dramatic terraced foothills to the hilltop town of Phidim, where you'll overnight. Your accommodations in towns such as these will be rustic tea house lodges, the first of which you'll get settled into this evening.

Day 3: Transfer to Taplejung

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll set off on another scenic road trip deeper into the Himalaya. Prepare for a half-day transfer along rough but scenic country roads to the district of Taplejung, where many challenging trekking trails converge. You'll arrive at a colorful market town sitting at 5,971 feet (1,820 m) and can start acclimating to the higher altitude. Upon arrival, get settled into your accommodation and take it easy—you've got another big travel day tomorrow. 

Day 4: Transfer to Sakethum

Leave with your driver this morning on a six-hour ride from Taplejung to Sukethum. This is another village that's a convenient stopover on the trekking routes leading to the Kanchenjunga Base Camps. Once here, you'll check into your accommodation and will have the rest of the day to relax and prepare. That's right—tomorrow, you'll leave the vehicle behind and set off on your first full day of Himalaya trekking. 

Day 5: Trek to Amjilosa (9,070 ft/ 2,460 m)

And you're off! Lace up your hiking boots for the first leg of your trek to the Kanchenjunga Base Camps. Today's route will take you across suspension bridges, making your way through dense forests and along steep gorges as you follow a riverside trail. You'll stop in the village of Solima for lunch before continuing over more suspension bridges on a rigorous ascent up to 8,070 feet (2,460 m), passing rhododendron trees on your way to the small hillside village of Amjilosa, where you'll overnight. In total, the day's hike takes about five hours.

Day 6: Trek to Gyabla (9,186 ft/ 2,800 m)

Leave after breakfast on a short ascent to a little ridge above Amjolosa. Then, it's an easy trek through lush bamboo, oak, and rhododendron forests before descending to the Ghunsa Khola river. As you pass waterfalls and pastures, the trail becomes more challenging as you reach the beautiful Sherpa village of Gyabla, which sits at 9,186 feet (2,800 m). There's an an old monastery here, as well as some ancient Buddhist chortens (shrines). You'll arrive in the afternoon and can spend the rest of the day exploring the village before retiring to your comfy tea house for the night.

Day 7: Trek to Phale (10,629 ft/ 3,240 m)

Today, continue trekking up through the forested river valley on a more gradual ascent. After about four hours, you'll reach the cooler air above 9,842 feet (3,000 m) on your way to the beautiful village of Phale, with its old Gompa (Buddhist monastery), which is well worth a visit. Otherwise, rest up here and acclimatize to the altitude. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing, or take some time to explore the village. Inhabited mostly by Tibetans who fled their home in the 1960s, there's much culture to absorb in this historic spot.

Day 8: Trek to Ghunsa (11,220 ft/ 3,420 m)

It's a short trekking day, as it takes about three hours total to reach the village of Ghunsa. You'll take it easy on this trail, always being mindful of the acclimatization. The route winds up through a valley, crossing the Yangma Samba Khola and passing a Buddhist monastery on your way to a chorten, where you'll stop for a break. You'll arrive in Ghunsa in time for lunch and can spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the village.

Day 9: Rest Day in Ghunsa

Spend today acclimating to the altitude as you rest and allow your body to adjust to the dramatic elevations of the Kanchenjunga region. Considered the capital of the area, Ghunsa has good telecommunication links and plentiful meal options, making it the perfect spot to recharge your batteries and communicate with loved ones. If you like, stretch your legs in the afternoon with an easy walk to a nearby ridge for spectacular views over Jannu Peak. 

Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (13,451 ft/ 4,100 m)

Head north out of Ghunsa this morning, following the east banks of the Ghunsa Khola. As you gain altitude, you'll trek through larch, spruce, and rhododendron forests on your way to the village of Labuk, where you'll have lunch. Once you've eaten, continue ascending into open country and around the headwall of a glacier, which offers great views of Jannu Peak. After about six hours of hiking, you'll arrive in the remote village of Kambachen and find yourself face-to-face with awe-inspiring Himalaya peaks.

Day 11: Rest Day in Kambachen

Now that you're officially over 13,400 feet (3,084 m) in altitude, it's wise to take another day to rest and acclimate. Take it easy today, sipping tea and eating hearty meals as you enjoy the Himalaya and river valley views. The more energetic can trek up to an epic viewpoint to marvel at views of Jannu's sheer face.

Day 12: Trek to Lhonak (15,616 ft/ 4,760 m)

Leave early on a trail that follows the river and passes waterfalls before a steep climb up to the yak herders' camp at Ramdang. From here the trail is more gradual the rest of the way to Lhonak, which is the last major stop on the way to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. From this village, you'll be treated to amazing views of Kirat Chul and Chang Himal, among other peaks. 

Day 13: Trek to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (16,873 ft/ 5,143 m), Return to Lhonak

Today's out-and-back hike will take you up to the famous northern base camp of Kanchenjunga, which tops out at an altitude of 16,873 feet (5,143 m). It's one of the longest and most challenging days of your adventure, as the total hike takes 11 hours. That means you'll hit the trail quite early in the morning on your way up to Pangpema, the highest point of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. From here, you'll be rewarded with dazzling views across the valley and the surrounding peaks of Chang Himal, Kirat Chuli, and Kanchenjunga's north side. Since there are no lodges or teahouses available in this remote spot, you'll hike back to Lhonak for the evening.

Day 14: Trek to Ghunsa

Retrace your steps on a nine-hour hike from Lhonak back to Ghunsa. You'll descend down the valley, stopping in Kangpachen for lunch before continuing on to Ghunsa. As you pass through the forests during the hike, enjoy the mountain views and keep an eye out for the Himalaya's native bharal (blue sheep) as they graze peacefully on the high slopes. 

Day 15: Rest Day in Ghunsa

After a few tough days at altitude, you'll get another day to recharge the batteries. Enjoy the Himalaya scenery, sip coffee, read a book, and generally relax. You'll need the rest because the next stage of this dual base camp trek begins tomorrow.

Day 16: Trek to Selele Camp (13,845 ft/ 4,220 m)

You've got a half-day of walking to do, but it starts off nice and slow. After some steep ascents through pine forests, you'll take a snack break on a mountain ridge, then continue the hike. After about five hours total, you'll arrive at a camp at the mountain pass of Selele. Waiting for you at your humble lodge will be a hearty meal prepared by a friendly host/cook who does wonders with their simple kitchen. Fun fact: in recent years, snow leopards have been spotted near this camp!

Day 17: Trek to Tseram (12,729 ft/ 3,880 m)

Set off on a full-day hike that begins bright and early with an ascent to Sinion La, another mountain pass. It's a bit arduous, but throughout, you'll be treated to fine views of the Mount Kumbhakarna backdrop. On clear days, you should be able to see all the way out to Everest's East Face!

The high route continues as you traverse more mountain passes (keep those trekking poles handy) before descending on a trail amid views of Rathon and Kabru peaks on your way to the mountain outpost of Tseram, where you'll overnight. Upon arrival, you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea at a nearby lake while doing some wildlife spotting (Nepal's national bird, the Himalayan monal, is often sighted in this area).

Day 18: Trek to Ramche & Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (15,124 ft/ 4,610 m)

This nine-hour hike is one of the longer days on the trail but also one of the more rewarding. It starts with a morning climb out of the beautiful Tseram forests up to the headwall of the Yalumg Glacier. From here, you'll continue the rest of the day on a route that follows along the glacier. Throughout the journey (and if the weather is clear), you'll enjoy great views of the Kabrus, Rathong, and Kokthang mountain peaks. Eventually, you'll reach Lapsang Lake, where you'll be rewarded with more great mountain views, this time of the north face of Boktah Peak.

Soon after the lake, you'll arrive in Ramche (13,451 ft/ 4,100 m), a village in the Bagmati Zone of northern Nepal. You'll be greeted with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains as well as the sight of the late afternoon sun spreading across the snowcapped peaks. From Ramche, the trek continues toward the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (15,124 ft/ 4,610 m), where you'll take a short excursion to the camp before hiking back to Ramche, where you'll spend the night. 

Day 19: Trek to Torangden (9,842 ft/ 3,000 m)

Time for the final descent down the mountain! Leave Ramche midmorning on a six-hour descent along the Yalung moraine. This route will take you back down to the forest above Tseram, where you'll stop for lunch. After eating, continue hiking through primary forest to the outpost of Torangden, where you'll spend the night in the lodge. On the day's hike, you'll also glimpse your last views of Kabru Peak.

Day 20: Trek to Ranipul

It's another long day (nine hours) of hiking. Set off from Torangden early on a trail running alongside a river before descending into a steep gorge. Here you'll hike through bamboo forests, which are a habitat for red pandas (keep your eyes peeled!). Later, you'll cross the river gorge, eventually arriving in the village of Yaksang, where you'll break for lunch. In the afternoon, continue descending down to the village of Ranipul, located near Phidim.

Day 21: Transfer to Phidim

Time to pack up your hiking boots because you'll be traveling mostly by car and plane from here on out. You'll leave Ranipool early on a nine-hour scenic drive back to Phidim, where this whole adventure began. This evening, you'll spend the night in a lodge or tea house.

Day 22: Transfer to Bhadrapur

Meet your driver early this morning and depart Phidim on a full-day (10-hour) drive to Bhadrapur. It's a long trip, but a scenic one, as the road climbs over mountain ridges and descends into valleys. Throughout it all, you'll be able to admire views of the Kanchenjunga massif in the distance. You should arrive in Bhadrapur in time for dinner, and can spend the rest of the evening relaxing.

Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu

Bid farewell to eastern Nepal this morning as you transfer to the airport for the one-hour flight back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the scenery from your window seat before touching down in the capital. From the airport, you'll transfer to your hotel and will have the rest of the day free. Perhaps enjoy a celebratory dinner in the city's buzzing Thamel neighborhood.

Day 24: Depart Kathmandu

You've completed one of the most epic hikes not only in Nepal but in the entire world. Now it's time to head home for a well-deserved rest. In the morning, transfer to the airport in Kathmandu in time to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

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