Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 19 Days

Today, you will reach Bhadrapur by air and proceed towards Taplejung, the gateway to the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek through Kanyam. Along the way, the charm of tea and cardamom plantations will accompany you. Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jannu occasionally appear and disappear behind the slopes and towering passes. Before arriving in Taplejung, you pass through verdant pasturelands and serene villages. Then After meeting your destination, you’ll check into the hotel to unwind for the trip that awaits you the next day.

Your journey to Sekathum begins with a scenic drive from Taplejung that takes 5-6 hours and resumes with hiking for 1 to 2 hours to reach your destination.  You pass many serene villages, including mud houses, terraced farms, and rice fields, as you climb down towards the Tamur.

Leaving the steep mountainside behind, you will travel downhill. Further ahead, hike uphill to reach Ghunsa Khola Valley, which leads to the point where the Tamur and Ghunsa Khola converge. From here, you resume the trek to Sekathum, where you stay for the night.

After having a delicious breakfast and enjoying a glorious sunrise, the trek begins from Sakathum to Amjilosa Amjilosa through waterfalls and suspension bridges. The trail has steep ascents and small streams; however, once you arrive at the Sherpa village of Amjilosa, your soul flies high in the sky with its charm. While staying there, you may get to taste yak milk and cheese. You may encounter yaks, sheep, goats, red pandas, and Bhote dogs on the way.

Today’s destination is Gyabla, also known as Kyapra, a picturesque village at an altitude of 2400 m and primarily inhabited by Sherpa and Rai people. After having breakfast, the trek from Amjilosa takes you via rhododendrons and bamboo forests that lead to an uphill climb with magnificent scenery of several waterfalls. After spending some time there, the trail takes you along the river’s edge as you set off towards Gyabla. You get lost in the charm of the surroundings as you reach the destination.

Leaving Gyabla, your journey to Ghunsa takes you through a narrow valley at an elevation of 2,700 meters. The path follows the Ghunsa Khola as you pass through diverse vegetation zones on a gradual uphill terrain. Trekkers may witness distinctive flora and fauna such as rhododendrons, bamboos, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, etc., on the way. Traversing the village of Phale, where the people of Ghunsa come to stay in the winter, you walk uphill alongside the broad valley to reach Ghunsa, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. You will rest for a while and enjoy the stunning scenery.

After Ghunsa, the trek begins through a pine and rhododendron forest that leads to the Ghunsa River’s east bank, then it passes several Buddhist mani walls, chortens, and vibrant prayer flags. By crossing slopes and glacier moraines, you reach Khambachen, a small Tibetan village with only a few houses surrounded by towering mountains.

A peaceful village Khambachen is a perfect spot for acclimatization during the journey, especially continuously walking for several days through distinctive landscapes. Some trekkers among you may suffer from high-altitude sickness, so it's essential to ensure that you can reach the higher points.  You can stay at the teahouse for the rest or go on a short hike If you want to stretch your legs. Here are several serene lakes, striking glaciers, and vantage points to explore, from where you can enjoy a marvelous environment. Afterward, return to this great hub to rest and prepare for the next stage of your adventure.

You move ahead to Lhonak along the trail leading to the Kanchenjunga glacier, where you may meet fellow trekkers heading to or returning from Kanchenjunga Base Camp during the peak trekking season. While walking through Ramdam, you can explore Ramdam Monastery. Before reaching the junction of the Kanchenjunga and Lhonak glaciers, you have to go across slightly more difficult trails but the charm of the surroundings catches your eye. You continue your journey, having glimpses of rare animals, snow leopards, and summer yak pastures until the destination comes.

Today, the 10th day of the trek will be an adventure that offers a chance to stand on the base of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest peak in the world. The journey begins this morning from Lhonak to the base camp, located at 5142 m with thrilling vistas of snow-capped mountains and spectacular Lhonak glaciers. This part of the trek may be fairly strenuous; however, the route offers mind-blowing views of rhododendron forests, glaciers, and subtropical lowlands, surrounded by giant mountains like Kanchenjunga and Yalung Kang. Enjoying these key features along the path, you continue to descend gradually until Lhonak for an overnight stay.

Beginning your trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa, you walk through rugged terrain, crossing pebbles and moraines, before arriving at the serene village of Khambachen. The village, located at an elevation of 4,000 m, offers panoramic views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks, including Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. With ups and downs, you finally arrive at Ghunsa, a Tibetan-influenced village known for its rich culture and warm hospitality for the night’s stay.

Leaving the main trail to Gyabla, you set out to Sele Le Base Camp through a densely forested area that may offer you the chance to witness rare wildlife, including snow leopards. On the way, you encounter several settlements, typically open only during the peak trekking season. The path is well-marked; however, trekkers must prepare for steep ascents and variable weather conditions. You can savor stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Makalu and Jannu Himal, as you reach Sele Le Base Camp, located at an elevation of 4,290 m for the night.

On this day, your destination is Tseram, passing through two passes: Sinion La Pass (4440 m) and Mirgi La Pass and Sinelapche Bhanjyang. You can see the mesmerizing views of Mt. Makalu, Everest, Jannu, Kanchenjunga, Baruntse, and Chamlang from the top of the passes. After spending quality time there, you descend to Tesram for an overnight stay.

The trek from Tseram to Tortong usually takes 6-7 hours, including mostly downhill trails with rhododendron forests that give us tranquility. After walking for a while, the trail divides; trekkers have to take the right-hand path, as the left leads back to Sele Le Pass. Today's trekking ends at Tortong, after crossing Sinuwa Khola with magnificent views of snow-capped peaks on the way. You will have a wonderful night in the serene environment of Tortong.

The trek from Tortong to Yamphuding is a descent through dense forests filled with rhododendrons and bamboo forests, passing distinctive landscapes such as Lasiya/Lamite Bhanjyang (3415 m) and Dhupi Bhanjyang (2665 m). Before reaching Yamphuding, a culturally lively settlement, you must cross the Amji Khola and walk through steep slopes. The village is a checkpoint for the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where your permits are examined.

You are nearer to the end of the trek, which will descend for one hour and, afterward reach the place where you can get the Jeep to Kanyam, Ilam, which takes 7-8 hours. On the way, you can see awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan peaks while descending to Kanyam. You eventually arrive at Kanyam, renowned for its tea gardens. In Ilam, you can get all the services and facilities, as it is an urban area.

Today, you will travel to Bhadrapur in a private Jeep, passing through scenic tea farms and quaint villages. After a few hours, you arrive at Bhadrapur airport to fly to Kathmandu. After reaching the capital city with a scenic flight of 35-40 minutes, our officials will drop you off at the hotel to unwind for a while, and then you can stroll around the vibrant city of Thamel and buy souvenirs for your family.

Before flying to your homeland, you can explore the capital city of Nepal, which offers to learn about the art and culture and discover historical sites and natural resources that attract tourists. There are several options to make your day an adventure. Some places listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Boudhanath, Soyambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Durbar Squares, are the best hubs for exploration.

To have more thrill, you can explore the Garden of Dreams, Shivapuri National Park, Chandragiri Hill, Kathmandu Fun Park, etc. If you want to shop for souvenirs, then  Asan Bazar, Lagankhel, Boudha, and other Durbar Squares are the best places. This evening, we will organize a farewell dinner and celebrate as we conquer the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

Today, you will leave the homeland of numerous towering mountains with memories in the heart of the Annapurna Himalayas region. Our representative from Nepal Adventure Trip Pvt. Ltd. will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport 2-3 hours earlier than your scheduled flight and you will bid farewell flying to your homeland. We look forward to assisting you on your next vacation.