Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

On first arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, Haven Holidays Nepal staff and guide receive you. After being introduced to the staff, your baggage will be loaded in the car, coach or bus as per group size. A short drive to the centre of Kathmandu city, where your hotel is located. On checking into your lovely rooms, getting refreshed from Jet-Lag, then get ready for group briefing where you will meet with other members of the Kanchenjunga base camp trek. The guide or group leader brief with related information regarding the trek, culture, accommodation and foods. Includes information about hours of walks and overnight stops and views along the treks.

Preparation day in Kathmandu for the Kanchenjunga base camp trek and after having breakfast the sightseeing tour starts because Kathmandu is steeped with historical and religious places which is very interesting, and and includes many world heritage sites.

Morning is time for a domestic flight to Bhadrapur and get a transfer to Kathmandu airport. Boarding in big aircraft of respective airlines, a flight of enchantment facing spectacular views of Himalayan peaks. The views cover Langtang, Jugal Himal, with Gauri-Shankar, heading east facing Numbur and Mt. Everest, and Makalu with Kanchenjunga. The plane lands on a low warm Terai belt of Eastern Nepal at Bhadrapur town airport. Received by our trekking crews and guide for the exciting overland journey towards the foothills of Kanchenjunga. The drive leads to the lovely countryside of Ilam, famous for its tea garden and products. 
As road follows to our overnight destination at Phidim a small growing town of the Eastern Hills region and gateway to Kanchenjunga. As well as famous for local culture and tea products, overnight in the comfort of a nice guest house and lodge with homely hospitality.

After a pleasant first overnight on the cooler hills of the Ilam Tea Garden areas of Eastern Nepal. Having breakfast at Phidim, continue driving for a few hours to reach the rough hilly dirt tracks to Hapu Khola / stream. Drives can be quite bumpy on some sections of the road, however, the scenery makes the ride interesting.
Heading through farmland and villages to reach Hapu Khola. From here drive leads to cooler higher hills to Banketar, where our drive ends for till our walk is completed. Starting the first-day trek to Khewang, a few hours of pleasant walk on the gradual path past lovely farm villages. The areas of Taplejung are mostly dominated by the Kirats Rai and Limbu ethnic tribes of Eastern Nepal. The walk follows a short distance to reach our overnight stop in Khewang (Khibang), a nice small village, with few simple lodges to serve the travellers. 

Morning from Khewang, the walk begins heading towards a slow climb to reach 
a ridge at 2,070 m. From here the trail follows to Ekchana Bhanjyang and then uphill to another high ridge at Ghatichinne Bhanjyang. Located between the route where Mamakhe and Sherpa Gaon meet, a newly built road is under 
construction and will be complete in a few years for vehicles to run. 

The trek continues through cultivated farm fields encountering smaller farm settlements having large cardamom plantations. It is planted around the wet and shady areas, which is the main source of income around the Ilam and Taplejung areas. 

The walk follows for a few hours, then reaching Sherpa Gaon for overnight in the comfort of a lovely guest house.


From Sherpa Gaon enjoy an impressive Sherpa culture and warm hospitality, along with great views of the surrounding scenery. Start the day with a steep morning climb to the top of Deurali Danda, a ridge at 3,292 m /10, 800 feet. From here the trail winds uphill to quite steep sections to enter dense tree lines of rhododendron and pine forest. After hours of continuous walk reach an open area at Chitre, a lovely high spot with large pools for animals to wallow. The spot, where Lashe Bhanjyang is located, a small settlement with some simple huts, serves as a house and lodge for travelers' overnight stays. Check into one of its fine simple huts for an overnight stop.

After an exciting moment and overnight at Lashe Bhanjyang, as well as enjoying views of Jannu Himal, and Mt. Kanchenjunga. The morning walk leads down to Simbua Khola / stream, some sections of the path have been damaged by frequent landslides from monsoon rain and snowfall.

Walk with care around these areas heeding slowly and cautiously avoiding big long falls and drops. The walk then re-enters back into the cool shade of the forest, as the trail descends towards Simbua Khola. The trail follows for an hour, along the bank then crosses a bridge, to reach the overnight stop at Toronto. A lovely open area and a meadow, amidst enchanting woodland where Torongten small settlement is situated having few small lodges.

Today’s walk leads towards our first destination near en route Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. From Toronto, the walk leads to lower Lalung Valley, covered in dense forest of pine and rhododendron. The walk leads towards the North-East reaching a river fed from the source of Yarlung Glacier. 

Walk on a pleasant scenic trail, overlooking splendid views of towering snow peaks, reaching a terminal moraine of the Yarlung Glacier. Enjoy the majestic views of Talung Peak (7,349 m /24,111 feet) with Kabru (7,338 m / 24,075 feet) and Rathong Peak (6, 678 m / 21,909 ft.) After an exciting view, the day slowly completes on reaching Tseram. A lovely spot, located on a nice grassy meadow with some terraces, high above the river. At Tserm in the cozy comfort of a nice simple lodge accommodation. Situated on both routes of our journey, the entrance to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, and en route to North Base camps via Ghunsa and Lhonak.

Enjoy the deserving rest day at Tseram for a long hike near Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Which is a long-distance day hike to reach and walk back in a day. However enjoy the walk as far as you can reach as per one’s fitness, without a struggle, as we have North Base Camp to reach also. Start the hike by leaving the lush green vegetation and tree lines for the sheer mountain wilderness of moraine of ice and glaciers. The walk leads close around Yarlung Glacier, and to Oakthang, where interim camp is set. Before heading to base camp, enjoy the rest of the day, exploring the arctic zone terrain dramatic areas of ice and moraines. Next early a short hour walk right to the bottom of South Base Camp at 4,870 m / 15,978 feet. The first conquest of Mt. Kanchenjunga used the southern base camp. After a delightful moment facing views of Mt. Jannu and Kanchenjunga massif, with a series of peaks. Retracing the same way back to Tseram, after a tough and exciting hike to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp.

Haven Holiday Nepal reserves another rest day at Tseram, due to the nature of the long hike to South Base Camp. Similarly, there a long days to complete ahead towards
North Base Camp, so enjoy a relaxing day at Tserm for individual activities.

After a pleasant and exciting time at Tserm with a relaxing rest day, start the trek towards our next final destination. The morning starts heading for a steep climb for a few hours. As the walk progresses reach a small icy pond of Chhuchung Pokhari; having a short rest. Then start walking for a short hour climb on top of Sinion-La / Lepcha Pass. On reaching the toughest part of the climb, facing a superb panorama of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse Himal towards the west with peaks of north east; and endless foothills as far as the eyes can reach.

On completing the three exciting and scenic passes, descent leads to the bottom at Phedi, a small remote settlement with few huts serving as basic and simple tea houses and Lodges.


From this isolated area, the morning walk leads on the pleasant winding path with a long downhill to reach Ghunsa village. A lovely walk leads amidst the cool forest then reaches Yama Tori Valley. The journey carries on with more descent to Ghunsa village for an overnight halt. Ghunsa, so far one of the nicest moderate-sized villages with more than 30 well-built houses. After many days of spending overnights in a simple lodge, enjoy the lovely nice comfort and accommodation in one of the best lodges at Ghunsa.

Slowly and gradually adventure heads towards our major goal and highlight heading to Pang-Pema at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. The trail first leads to Khambachen, the last village before reaching Lhonak. The walk follows above the valley floor, through scrubs and bushed of dwarf rhododendrons and junipers. 
As the walk continues views of Mt. Jannu glacier ahead, with other giant snow peaks, then cross a small bridge towards a grassy field at Rhambuk Kharka.

This section of the walk, prone to occasional landslides and rock falls, needs great care to avoid fatal accidents. After crossing a steep ridge around a large previous landslide area. From here enter the gorge, and soon it opens to an exposed area, overlooking views of the snow mountain range. Includes peaks of Phole, Sobithonge and Jannu Himal. Walking for hours with care on broken sections of the trail, and then walking descends to Khambachen for an overnight halt.
Khambachen is a small summer pasture with few Yak herder settlements beneath the Sharphu group of peaks. The lodge here is in a stone-sheltered hut with basic facilities to enjoy overnight in Khambachen. 

Today’s walk and adventure towards our major highlights to Lhonak, the morning walk leads on a rough path. The trail is pleasant and gradual the walk follows up to a river, as the route heads across a field with rocks and boulders. The walk then leads to a short climb on a snow slope to Ramtang Kharka. Enjoy a short rest with views of Ramtang Glacier. From here a slow walk for a few hours on good level path, that leads to a snout of Kanchenjunga glacier. The walk continues overlooking the view of Pyramid Peak, Tent Peak and Nepal Peak, and then getting across a minor rough section of the path. Finally reaching Lhonak for overnight halts, one of the most remote and isolated settlements of the Eastern Himalayas. Lhonak with few simple stone huts that serve as a house and lodge. After getting organized and having lunch, enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks with the ice flutings of Wedge Peak. 

The day has finally arrived to step beneath the massif Kanchenjunga Himalaya range at Pang-Pema, the North Base Camp. Hike for some hours to Pang-Pema and back to Lhonak, start the walk following a lateral moraine, the source of Kanchenjunga Glaciers. The walk continues facing grand views of Wedge Peak, with Nepal, Tent and Pyramid peaks. As well as close views of Sharphu peaks that dominate the skyline and the valley. The morning hike finally reaches Pang Pema the North Base Camp and the highest point of the adventure. Enjoy the grand and majestic close views of Mt. Kanchenjunga massif and the North Face. Amidst remorseless fields of ice and glaciers and arctic-like landscapes. 

Along with fabulous views, one can notice a small plague placed in the memory of Mountaineer late Chris Chandler from the USA. After a wonderful great experience and completing the saga of our memorable adventure. Return on the same route to Lhonak for the last overnight around the higher side of Kanchenjunga. 

On completing most of the highlights, feeling high spirits a slow descent to Ghunsa for overnight in the mountain village. Morning heads down to Khambachen and retracing the same route back to Ghunsa. After a wonderful long day walk with enjoyable views along the way,

From Ghunsa onwards on a new alternative route to end our walks at Suketar in Taplejung. Start the walk on leaving the Kanchenjunga high areas, the trail leads to cross Ghunsa Khola again. The walk continues on the pleasant gradual path and into the lush green forest and past prayer monuments of Mani walls (a Buddhist prayer stone slab). As the walk reaches a Phole around Yak herder’s settlement, from here walk leads to some rough trails. After a good walk downhill taking care of a few difficult sections then reaching Gyabla Phedi for an overnight stop. A lovely and neatly kept small village with few good huts serving as lodges.

The morning walk follows a narrow trail and then uphill for a short while, and soon the walk heads downhill. The walk continues for a few hours then reaches Amjilassa, another lovely village for a possible lunch stop. Afternoon walk downhill to cross over a suspension bridge of the upper Tamur River. The walk follows to Lamatar with grand views of beautiful waterfalls. From Lamatar, follow the Tamur River to cross another bridge to end the day walk reaching Sekathum for an overnight halt.

Today is our last day of trekking, a morning short walk to cross a suspension which is called "Ranipul" above the Tamur River. From here our drive starts, after ending the morning walks of a few hours. Enjoy the exciting drive of more than four hours to Suketar at Taplejung for an overnight stop. 

Drive to Ilam Bazaar via Kanyam arriving by late afternoon or early evening with lunch at Phidim. Time permitting visit the local tea garden with views of 
Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jannu.

Waking early for a quick breakfast at Ilam Bazaar, then take a drive of a few hours to reach Bhadrapur Town airport. As per the flight time for Kathmandu, after checking in then get abroad in the aircraft. For a smooth scenic flight back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu airport transfer to a vehicle for a short exciting drive to your hotels. Rest of the afternoon at leisure for individual activities or just relax and recall the wonderful moments of the Kanchenjunga base camp trek.

Evening group dinner in a nice authentic Nepali restaurant, dinner with an exciting Nepali cultural program.

A spare day in Kathmandu, in case of flight delay, due to bad weather condition before or after the trek. Which is quite normal around Mountainous region of the Himalayas. However, enjoy the free day in Kathmandu for extra activities or shopping souvenirs, interested people can join in for another exciting tour of Bhaktapur and Patan cities, which is worth a visit. 

Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, as time for your respective airlines flight departures. Our guide, staff transfers you to the airport, then bid farewell to Nepal till you return for another exciting adventure.