Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek – 22 Days

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our airport representative will greet you. A private tourist vehicle will be arranged for your transfer to the hotel. You can either relax at your hotel

After breakfast, you will meet your trek leader at your accommodation. A pre-trip meeting will be held, where you will receive important information about the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. Please ensure you bring a copy of your travel insurance, three passport-sized photos, and your passport. You’ll have free time to relax or shop, and if you wish, we can arrange a tour of one of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Swayambhu, Boudha, Pashupatinath, or Kathmandu Durbar Square.

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred from your accommodation to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport to board the earliest flight to Bhadrapur. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the easternmost region of Nepal. Upon arrival in Bhadrapur, you will be transferred to your hotel to relax and prepare for your adventure the following day.

Today, you will travel through Kanyam in a local jeep. As you drive along the Mechi Highway toward Taplejung, the starting point of the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, you'll pass by scenic tea plantations. The journey offers serene views of the tea and cardamom fields, with glimpses of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jannu peeking through the slopes and high passes. After crossing pastureland and a few small villages, you will arrive in Taplejung. You’ll have time to rest at your hotel and prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.

After breakfast, you will board a local jeep for Sekathum, your destination for the day. While most trekkers travel from Taplejung to Sekathum on foot, you’ll take a shorter route and benefit from local services, arriving two days ahead of other hikers. The journey will take you along the Tamor River, passing through villages such as Mitlung, Chirwa, Thapethok, Lelep, and more. At the Kanchenjunga National Park entry point along the road, your permits will be checked, and you will be cleared to continue on to Sekathum.

After a hearty breakfast at Sekathum, your trekking adventure will finally begin, following two days of travel. The exciting journey through the Himalayas starts with an ascent along the Ghunsa Khola. You'll cross several bridges, walk through vibrant forests, and explore small villages like Jonggim and Ghaiyabari, eventually reaching Amjilosa.

After breakfast, you will depart from Amjilosa and continue your trek toward Gyabla, also known as Kyapra. The path will take you through dense forests and areas with little human presence. If you're fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of Red Pandas along the Kanchenjunga Trail. As you ascend, you’ll be treated to breathtaking mountain views and pass several waterfalls. By the time you reach Gyabla village, you will have completed a leisurely pace of the journey.

Today, you will begin your trek from Gyabla, heading toward Ghunsa. As you make your way to the Phale settlement, you'll walk through forests rich with diverse flora and wildlife. By maintaining a steady pace, you'll reach Ghunsa village, where you'll spend the night.

Today is essential for altitude acclimatization, allowing your body to adjust to the higher elevations and helping to prevent altitude sickness. You have the option to hike up to the glacier at Ghunsa Ree or head toward Selele La Pass’s Chherpuk Kharka. Along the way to Lobsang La Pass, you can also hike to a viewpoint above the monastery. From the summit of Lobsang La Pass, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of Phale, Ghunsa, Selele La, Ghunsa Peak, and several other unnamed peaks.

The trail gradually ascends on the eastern side of the Ghunsa River, passing meadows adorned with wildflowers and beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. As you move forward, you’ll reach Rampuk Kharka, a grassy area with a teahouse where you can take a short rest. The path continues upward before leveling out after crossing a waterfall and a bridge. However, be cautious as you will need to navigate an active landslide zone. Once you’ve safely passed this area, you’ll be greeted by the majestic view of Mt. Jannu (Kumbhakarna) in all its glory. Soon after, the route will lead you down to Khambachen, a peaceful Tibetan village nestled in a grassy plain, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Today will be challenging as you navigate steep, rocky terrain and hazardous mountain paths. After crossing a waterfall, you'll reach Ramtang, a temporary yak herders' camp. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Yalung Kang and the Kangbachen Himal. Upon crossing a bridge, you will arrive at Ramtang Monastery, then proceed carefully through a landslide zone, remaining cautious of falling rocks. Afterward, you'll descend to the river and continue your trek until you reach Lhonak.

Extra caution is necessary when walking on rocky, hilly terrain due to the possibility of landslides. As you trek, you will pass several massive glaciers and enjoy breathtaking views of the peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pathivara, Mt. Yalung Kang, Nepal Peak, Twin Peak, Tent Peak, and others. After about three hours of hiking, you will reach Jorkin at 5021 meters, where you can observe various wildlife, including blue sheep and numerous bird species.

Continuing along the steep, rugged path, you will eventually arrive at Pangpema, the North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga. From here, you will be treated to magnificent views of Kanchenjunga, Chang Himal, Jannu Himal, Nepal Peak, and many other peaks in the Tibet Himalayas. At Pangpema, a small stone cabin that serves as a tea house is open to trekkers during the peak season. You will spend some time at the Base Camp before returning to Lonak for the night.

Following the Ghunsa River, you will retrace your steps, passing through Khambachen and descending to Ghunsa. Along the way, you’ll pass the monastery and the herders' camp at Ramtang, all while enjoying sweeping views of the Himalayan ranges. As you continue down the valley on the same path you took during the ascent, you’ll eventually reach Ghunsa, a Tibetan-influenced settlement, where you will spend the night.

As you leave the trail to Gyabla behind, you will make your way toward Sele La. While trekking through dense forests, there’s a chance you may encounter snow leopards. The area is sparsely populated, with only a few remote communities that operate teahouses during the peak hiking season. Due to heavy snowfall, there may be no alternative route to the South Base Camp until you reach Sekathum. If the teahouses are closed but the passes are still accessible, you might be able to reach Tseram in a single day, potentially shortening your original itinerary by a day.

Today will be a long and challenging day as you cross three passes before reaching Cheram. After breakfast, you will depart from Sele La and begin your uphill trek, with stunning southern views of Mt. Jannu and Mt. Makalu. The path leads you along the mountainside, followed by a brief but steep climb to the first pass, Sinion La.

The route then descends slightly before turning upward again to the summit of Sinelapche La Pass. From the summits of all three passes, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. After crossing the passes, you will descend a steep trail past a small lake and reach an area with yak pastures and roofed huts. The charming village of Cheram, situated above the Simbua River, will be your stop for the night.

A moderate ascent of about an hour and a half will take you to Yalung Glacier, also known as Kanchenjunga South Glacier. The second half of the trek takes you through grassy meadows, passing the Simbua River and Lapsang Village before reaching Ramche. In this settlement, you'll find a lake, a meadow, two stone houses, and the occasional sight of yaks and blue sheep grazing on the hills above. As you pass pristine streams and a frozen lake, you'll be treated to stunning views of Mts. Kokthan, Rathong, and Kabru, which will add to the excitement of today’s hike.

On this day, the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek will take you to the breathtaking Oktang Base Camp. As you journey across the valley, you'll be surrounded by pristine natural landscapes. This section of the trek involves crossing several lateral moraines while following the Yalung Glacier. After a challenging climb, you'll reach Oktang Base Camp, where you can explore the area and capture stunning photos. Afterward, you'll head back to Ramche to spend the night at a local teahouse.

The day’s journey begins with a gradual descent through shaded juniper and rhododendron forests, all while enjoying breathtaking views of Jannu Himal. The trail can be tricky in places, with rocky sections and loose dirt, so caution is necessary. Along the way, you’ll pass several Mani walls and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the woods. After crossing the Simbua River and traveling through forested areas, you will reach Tortong to conclude the day’s trek.

After breakfast, you will begin your trek from Tortang to Sekathum. As you follow the Simbuwa Khola, you’ll be accompanied by stunning views of peaks such as Semethulung Danda and Chanjalung Danda. Upon reaching Hellok, you will cross several suspension bridges while descending toward Sekathum. You’ll spend the night at Sekathum, resting after the day’s journey.

Your trekking portion of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek concludes at Sekathum. Depending on your preference for Illam or Taplejung, you can take a jeep from Sekathum to either location, considering the distance and other factors. Along the way, you’ll pass through several towns, including Lelep, Temewa, Chiruwa, Sinwa, and Mitlung, before reaching Taplejung. You can choose to spend the night there or continue your journey toward Illam, depending on your plans.

Your Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek adventure concludes today. After traveling by local transport from Illam to Bhadrapur, you will catch a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. Once in Kathmandu, you'll have free time to explore areas like the Ason and Thamel markets, and other local spots. It’s a great opportunity to pick up souvenirs for your loved ones back home. In the evening, join the Green Valley Nepal Trek team for a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of this remarkable trek.

Our team at Everest Hikes will accompany you to the airport for your return flight