Kanchenjunga Trekking

Trekking the Kanchenjunga is an incredible natural experience that is wild, secluded, and packed with adventure. This trekking area is named after the third-highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga Peak (8,586m). It is located in the Taplejung District of northeastern Nepal, bordering Sikkim and Tibet.

The trekking region of Kanchenjunga is renowned for its three valleys of streams. These are the Tamur, Ghunsa, and Simbua Khola valleys. With assistance from the WWF, the Nepalese government designated the central region of the Kanchenjunga district as a “Gift to the Earth” in 1997.

The striking views of the Kanchenjunga Massif, as well as the varied landscapes of forests, rivers, ice areas, and quaint forests with oak, rhododendron, and pine trees, are the main attractions of the Kanchenjunga hiking route.

Trekking in the Kanchenjunga is focused on the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The 2,035 square kilometre Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is the wonderland where you may find the rare and captivating views of rhododendrons, orchids, trash deer, snow panthers, Asiatic wild bears, red pandas, and other flora and animals.

The trekking region of Kanchenjunga is also a global hotspot for plant biodiversity. Here, over two thousand blooming plants and up to 23 varieties of rhododendron have been identified.

Trekking up Kanchenjunga gives you the opportunity to discover the fascinating local culture and way of life. They live in a quiet town that spans across the border into Sikkim and Tibet.

There are more than 11 different ethnic networks represented in this Kanchenjunga trekking location, including the Limbus, Sherpa, Rai, Chhetri, and Brahmin people.

In addition, the area contains a large number of chortens, sanctuaries, cloisters, and prayer dividers that provide a rich societal legacy of woven artwork. Trekking up Kanchenjunga is unquestionably an outdoor experience that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and scenery.

From 1,200 metres (4,000 feet) to 5,180 metres (17,094 feet) above sea level, the Kanchenjunga trekking trail rapidly ascends. The subtropical downpour and humid summer at the lower elevations give way to a cold and wet winter in the snow-capped district on this hike to Kanchenjunga.

Along the way, you will walk on paths used by yaks (and yak herders) and locals; the basic Kanchenjunga trekking route is still considered to be ‘untracked’. We will also cross other mountains throughout this hiking adventure, such as Mirgin La Pass, which provides breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga Massif.

Best Time For Kanchenjunga Trekking

The finest months/seasons to hike in the Kanchenjunga region are from October to late November and from early March to mid-May. We advise avoiding the monsoon season, which lasts from late May until mid- to late-September.

The main option is to camp during the bitterly cold winter months as many residents relocate to lower elevations and teahouses close. A breathtaking display of rhododendrons in bloom can be seen in the spring, when a wide variety of varieties bloom in a variety of colours.

The trails will be dryer in the spring, and the skies will be clear in the autumn, but the monsoon rains may have altered the paths. Trekking up Kanchenjunga is a world-renowned experience that offers breathtaking views of the mountains, hidden treasures of local culture and history, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and several other breathtaking features that may leave anyone speechless.

With the most exclusive pricing descriptions, RT offers the best opportunity to explore around Mount Kanchenjunga, one of the world’s highest peaks, through a trekking programme. Additionally, the itineraries can be customised, and bespoke itineraries can also be used. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time or location.

Accommodation During Kanchenjunga Trek

A tea house combines the functions of a restaurant, guest accommodation, and hangout for people. Most tea houses offer private rooms, with the exception of those at high altitudes, where there are only dorms. The lodges are not very fancy. Twin beds and very little other furnishings adorn the sparse rooms.

Usually, blankets are supplied. The Bukhara stove, an iron cylinder with a chimney duct and a log fire within, heats the spacious eating area that doubles as a lounge. Unless the village has hydroelectric power, the rooms are usually dark without electricity.

Solar lighting is generally present in the dining room. Nowadays, the majority of teahouses have electricity available for charging small devices like cellphones and cameras; nevertheless, there could be a modest fee for this service.

Food During Kanchenjunga Trek

Everyone values food, therefore throughout your tour, your guide will recommend delectable, hygienic, and locally-sourced cuisine. You can eat Chinese, continental, and typical Nepali cuisine in addition to well-known local dishes while trekking.

The owner of a mountain restaurant would rather feed more hikers with little food before runoff gets stuck rather than place a large order and waste food. Carriers and caravans must labour for at least a week to deliver food to these locations. You will often have lunch at one of the trailside eateries en route and breakfast and dinner at the same lodge on this walk.

Getting There & Away

There are numerous methods to travel from Kathmandu to the trek’s starting site. It would be preferable to modify your route to fit the available flights based on your dates. You may drive or take a flight to Suketar airfield in Taplejung from Bhadrapur, which is served by flights from Kathmandu.

An alternate start/end point for lengthier treks in this area is the small airport at Tumlingtar, which is reachable by air from Biratnagar, which is also accessible by air from Kathmandu. Although airline schedules are prone to change, direct flights might also be offered. As such, it’s crucial to contact your local professional about the best route to take for your intended travel dates.

Building in buffer days in case you need to drive in or out due to severe weather is a wise idea, as mountain airports such as Taplejung and Tumlingtar are also prone to delays.

Among the fly-drive combinations mentioned above or renting a car from Kathmandu are examples of overland choices. Buses are accessible and much less expensive, but only for those who have the time to travel to eastern Nepal on a lengthy bus journey and then take a connecting bus or jeep up into the highlands. This area does not have access to the types of tourist buses that travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

What is the Kanchenjunga Trekking?

Trekkers can explore deep into the isolated mountain ranges that border Nepal, Sikkim, and Tibet on the Kanchenjunga Trekking, one of the most authentic and pristine trekking experiences in Nepal.

It is regarded as one of Nepal’s greatest rural trekking experiences and often circles around the eastern part of the nation. One of Nepal’s most isolated areas is the Kanchenjunga region.

The Kanchenjunga Trek specifically passes through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which bears the name of Mount Kanchenjunga, the second-highest Himalayan peak in Nepal and the third-highest summit in the world. The trek takes place in the Taplejung district of northeastern Nepal, close to Sikkim.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Weather

Fall (September to November) and spring (April to May) are the best seasons for trekking in the Kanchenjunga region. The weather is lovely and the views are equally amazing during the two seasons.

The days are sunny and comfortable, but at night the temperature drops below the freezing point. The view is much better in the pre-winter season, when the weather is beautiful. At the lower trails, not much foliage remains.

The azure sky You will get the opportunity to enjoy the breathtakingly comprehensive viewpoints on the nature. The second-best season to go trekking in the Kanchenjunga district is the spring. The high passes can close at the beginning of spring.

Generally speaking, the temperature will rise gradually during the season. Furthermore, the atmosphere becomes humid and muggy as the period comes to an end. Similarly, this time of year, the incredible rhododendron bloom that surrounds the trail adds to its appeal.

It is difficult to cross the Sela La Pass during the winter. That way, you won’t really encounter other hikers on the trail. The majority of the teahouses are closed as well.

For hikers searching for a unique trekking experience, now is an amazing moment. The trail is hazardous and untidy during the storm, and there is also a significant risk of avalanches and flooding in this area. Therefore, trekking at this time of year may be a little risky.

Kanchenjunga Trek Difficulty

In terms of height and remoteness, the Kanchenjunga trek is considered a challenging journey. The hike starts in Taplejung, where you will find yourself over 1800 metres in elevation. Many people are not accustomed to these heights.

Typically, the daily rises will be between 400 and 800 metres. On days when the trek’s height dramatically increases, you’ll get a day to acclimatise and spend exploring the surrounding areas.

Additionally, this will help you acclimatise to the high height. Located at Ramche, 4,610 metres above sea level, is the most breathtaking location on the Kanchenjunga hike from the southern route.

It can be reached by travelling down Yanglung Glacier’s path. Even yet, the main reason for the Kanchenjunga Northern Base Camp is located at 5,100 metres above sea level at Pang Pema. It is reached by travelling along the Kanchenjunga Glacier’s moraine.

Situated above the ice sheet, the base camp provides an amazing view of Yalung Kang (Kanchenjunga west) and the north face of Kanchenjunga. In comparison to other popular hiking routes such as Everest and Annapurna, this trail receives relatively few hikers.

The hikers should be in good enough physical and mental health to walk for at least six hours each day. It could be necessary for you to walk across the mysterious soak pathways. Crossing the high passes might be necessary.

The trekking trails also have steep descents, rugged terrain, and soaking plunges. Thus, there will be some wiggle room with this prior trekking information.

Altitude sickness

Acute mountain sickness, or AMS, is a severe problem. It is the result of the body’s inability to adjust to high altitude and can impact people of any age or fitness level. It normally happens over 1,800 metres, and the higher you go, the more likely it is that you will be harmed.

To lessen the impacts of altitude, gradually increase your elevation above 3,000 metres by 300 metres each day until you’ve acclimated. Inadequate acclimatisation causes headaches, nausea, insomnia, dyspnea, and glandular and finger edoema.

Reducing altitude is the only way to treat AMS, and your guide’s judgement is definitive in this regard. If you intend to walk more than 3,000 metres, we advise against walking at a quicker pace. Please speak with your guide to descend at least 500 metres to recuperate if you become altitude sick.