Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Why trek to Kanchenjunga if it is so remote?

Because no other Nepal trek combines this level of wilderness, cultural authenticity, and closeness to an 8,000-metre peak with so few other trekkers.

Kanchenjunga receives fewer than 1,500 trekking visitors per year compared to over 50,000 for the Everest Base Camp region. The result is an experience that recalls what Nepal trekking was like before mass tourism — empty trails, teahouses where you are the only guests, and communities that haven't adjusted their rhythms to outsider expectations.

The north-south traverse is the definitive Kanchenjunga experience, giving you face-to-face encounters with both the north wall (Pangpema, 5,143 m) and the south face (Yalung, 4,800 m) of the same mountain from completely different perspectives.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek itinerary, day by day

The full 22 day schedule, with sleeping altitude, walking hours and overnight stop for every day. The acclimatisation days are the ones that decide whether people finish.

1. 1

   Day 1

   Kathmandu to Taplejung

   • 1,820 m
   • Rest day
   • 600 km
   • Sleep: Taplejung

   Fly or take the long overland route to the trailhead in far-eastern Nepal.

   Read the dayShow less

   The easiest approach is to fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and then take a smaller aircraft or shared jeep to Taplejung. Direct flights to Taplejung are available on clear days.

   Transport: Flight Kathmandu to Biratnagar (1 hour), then to Taplejung (30 min) or overnight bus

2. 2

   Day 2

   Taplejung to Mitlung

   • 900 m
   • Down 920 m
   • 12 km
   • 4 to 5 h
   • Sleep: Mitlung

   Begin descending into the Tamor River valley — the Kanchenjunga approach corridor.

   Read the dayShow less

   The trail descends from Taplejung through terraced fields and subtropical forest to the Tamor River. Mitlung is a small Tamang village in the warm lower valley.

3. 5

   Day 5

   Amjilosa to Ghunsa

   • 3,595 m
   • Up 700 m
   • 14 km
   • 5 to 6 h
   • Sleep: Ghunsa

   Arrive at the main base for acclimatisation before the north base camp approach.

   Read the dayShow less

   Ghunsa is the highest permanent settlement on the north side of Kanchenjunga. The Tibetan-influenced village has a monastery and is surrounded by conifer forest. Spend 1 to 2 extra nights here for acclimatisation.

   Highlight: Ghunsa village — gateway to the north Kanchenjunga wilderness

4. 9

   Day 9

   Pangpema (North Base Camp)

   • 5,143 m
   • Up 820 m
   • 10 km
   • 5 to 6 h
   • Sleep: Lhonak (return)

   The northern highlight of the trek — Pangpema viewpoint facing the north wall of Kanchenjunga.

   Read the dayShow less

   The glacier approach to Pangpema is one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Nepal. The sheer north wall of Kanchenjunga rising from the Kanchenjunga Glacier is breathtaking. Return to Lhonak the same day.

   Highlight: Pangpema at 5,143 m — face to face with Kanchenjunga's north wall

5. 16

   Day 16

   Yalung (South Base Camp)

   • 4,800 m
   • Up 700 m
   • 10 km
   • 4 to 5 h
   • Sleep: Ramche (return)

   The southern highlight — Yalung Glacier and the south face of Kanchenjunga.

   Read the dayShow less

   The south approach through the Simbuwa Khola valley gives a completely different perspective on the mountain. The Yalung Glacier's moraine leads to the base camp viewpoint facing the southwest face and the Twins peak.

   Highlight: Yalung Base Camp — the south face of Kanchenjunga at 8,586 m

6. 22

   Day 22

   Return to Taplejung

   • 1,820 m
   • Rest day
   • 30 km
   • Sleep: Taplejung

   Complete the south-to-north traverse and return to Taplejung.

   Read the dayShow less

   From Yamphudin the southern exit route leads back to Taplejung via Khebang and Phurumbu. Arrange flight or overland transport back to Kathmandu from Taplejung.

   Transport: Walk or jeep from Yamphudin to Taplejung

What is included and what is not

One of the most demanding teahouse treks in Nepal due to the remoteness, altitude, duration, and the physical demand of the full north-to-south traverse. Not recommended for first-time Himalayan trekkers.

Permits for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

• Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit

  Issued by Department of Immigration, Nepal

  USD 20 per person per week for the first 4 weeks, then USD 25 per person per week thereafter. Must be arranged through a registered agency. Mandatory licensed guide.

• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)

  Issued by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation

  Foreign

  NPR 3,000

  SAARC

  NPR 1,500

  Separate from the restricted area permit. Buy at the DNPWC office in Kathmandu or at the trailhead.

What to pack

Excellent physical fitness and prior high-altitude trekking experience required. You should have completed at least one previous Himalayan trek above 4,500 m before attempting Kanchenjunga.

Frequently asked questions