Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Kanchenjunga Region Trekking
TPHT
1 / 4

Trip Facts

Duration

19 Days

Difficulty

Easy, Moderate

Max Altitude

N/A

Best Season

Spring / Autumn

Group Size

Up to 15 People

Transportation

Airplane and Jeep

Accommodation

Hotels, lodges and teahouses

Meal Plan

Breakfast , lunch , Dinner , Tea & coffeet

About This Journey

Trip Overview

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek – North and South Base Camps

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s most remote, and rewarding Himalayan adventures. This remarkable journey takes you into the far eastern Himalayas, through the tea gardens of Ilam, traditional mountain villages, dense forests, high alpine valleys, glaciers, and dramatic mountain passes beneath Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.

Following a complete circuit route, this trek visits both the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp at Oktang and the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp at Pangpema. The journey crosses the spectacular Sele Le Pass before entering the beautiful Ghunsa Valley and continuing toward Khambachen, Lhonak, and the immense north face of Kanchenjunga. With peaceful trails, rich Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, and Tibetan-influenced culture, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery, this trek is ideal for experienced hikers seeking a true wilderness adventure in Nepal.

Why This Trek Is Special

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

Explore the remote and untouched Kanchenjunga Region in eastern Nepal.

Visit both Kanchenjunga South Base Camp and North Base Camp.

Enjoy close views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.

Walk through beautiful forests of rhododendron, bamboo, pine, and alpine vegetation.

Discover the tea gardens and peaceful landscapes of Ilam.

Trek through traditional Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, and Tibetan-influenced villages.

Cross the spectacular Sele Le Pass 4645m.

Experience the high-altitude wilderness of Ghunsa, Khambachen, and Lhonak.

Hike to Pangpema, the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp.

Visit the dramatic Yalung Glacier and Oktang viewpoint near South Base Camp.

Enjoy peaceful trails away from the busy Everest and Annapurna trekking routes.

Experience a genuine Himalayan expedition with remarkable scenery and local hospitality.

Day-by-Day Journey

Trek Itinerary

Package Information

Included and excluded

What's Included

Airport transfers by private vehicle, both on arrival and departure.

Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara +BB , as per the itinerary.

All meals during the trek: breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and coffee.

Accommodation during the trek in Tea house / Lodge.

All necessary trekking permits and national park entry fees.

Kanchenjunga Restricted area permit.

Domestic flights (2 flights) as per the itinerary.

Private / Shared Jeep Transportation as per the Itinerary.

Experienced Licensed English- or French-Speaking Trekking Guide.

Porter Service – 1 porter for every 2 trekkers.

Accommodation, meals, insurance for the Nepali trekking staff accompanying the group.

80-liter Duffel bag, provided by the agency for the duration of the trek.

Emergency Search & Rescue Assistance.

Welcome dinner in Kathmandu.

What's Excluded

Nepal visa fees.

Personal travel and medical evacuation insurance — mandatory.

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are not included.

Personal expenses, including alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water etc.

Personal trekking equipment and clothing.

Tips and gratuities for guides, porters, drivers and other support staff.

Any expenses or services not specifically mentioned under “Price Includes.”

Dates

Departure

No departure dates scheduled at this time. Please contact us for custom dates.

Trail Route

Route map and elevation

A clear look at the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek route, including the main villages, high passes, and altitude changes across the trek.

Route Map

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

19 Days

Major Passes

Sele le Pass 4645m

Elevation Profile

Elevation Journey

Altitude journey

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek elevation profile

A route-style altitude chart showing the elevation journey and major milestones along the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

Scroll horizontally to view full elevation profile Swipe →
1,000m 2,000m 3,000m 4,000m 5,000m 6,000m 1,400m 1,400m 1,920m 2,498m 2,725m 3,415m 3,415m 4,145m 4,795m 5,143m 3,415m 4,130m 4,440m 4,480m 4,645m 3,870m 4,730m 3,870m 2,995m 1,692m 1,570m 1,400m Day-1 Day-3 Day-5 Day-7 Day-9 Day-11 Day-13 Day-13 Day-14 Day-15 Day-17 Day-18 ALTITUDE Cho La Pass 5,420m

Questions and Answers

Frequently asked questions

This is a 16-day journey from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. It includes flights, road transfers, acclimatization, the complete North and South Base Camp circuit, and the return through Ilam and Bhadrapur.

Yes. The itinerary visits Pangpema, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, and Oktang, the South Base Camp viewpoint in the Yalung Valley.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a moderate, non-technical Himalayan trek. In our experience, it is more gradual and easier to walk than the Manaslu Circuit Trek, making it suitable for trekkers with good basic fitness and a sense of adventure.

Pangpema, also known as Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, is approximately 5,143 m / 16,873 ft. The trek also crosses the high Sele La section while travelling from the north to the south side.

Pangpema offers impressive views of the north face of Kanchenjunga, glaciers, and surrounding Himalayan peaks. It is one of the major highlights of the trek and is visited as a day excursion from Lhonak.

Oktang offers a completely different perspective of the Kanchenjunga massif, with views across the Yalung Glacier toward the mountain’s southern face. The contrast between the North and South Base Camp landscapes makes this complete circuit especially rewarding.

Accommodation is mainly in simple local tea houses and lodges. Rooms and food are basic in the higher villages, but they are comfortable and authentic for a remote Himalayan trek.

Tea houses provide fresh, simple trekking meals including dal bhat, noodles, rice, potatoes, eggs, soup, bread, and seasonal vegetables. Food choices are more limited at higher elevations, so flexibility is appreciated.

Yes, when undertaken with an experienced guide, proper acclimatization, and sensible preparation. The route is remote, so the group follows a carefully planned itinerary, monitors weather conditions, and adjusts the pace when necessary.

Our itinerary includes an acclimatization day in Ghunsa and a gradual approach to higher elevations. Guides monitor each trekker’s health and oxygen level, and anyone with concerning altitude symptoms must rest, descend, or follow the guide’s safety decision.

The guide will assess the situation and arrange the most suitable response, including descent, local assistance, or helicopter evacuation when necessary. Weather, location, and communication conditions can affect helicopter availability.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory and must cover trekking up to at least 5,200 m, medical treatment, emergency helicopter evacuation, and trip interruption. Check your policy carefully before travelling, as some policies exclude high-altitude trekking or wilderness rescue.

Charging is available in many tea houses and villages, usually for a small additional charge. Electricity can be limited in higher and more remote areas, so bringing a power bank and spare camera battery is strongly recommended.

Bring a headlamp, power bank, reusable water bottle, personal first-aid items, sunscreen, sunglasses, warm layers, waterproof clothing, and a whistle. Trekking poles are also recommended for comfort and stability on uneven terrain.

Mineral-water bottles are available for purchase in many villages along the route. However, we recommend bringing a good-quality filtered water bottle, as it is the most practical, economical, and environmentally responsible option for this trek. A reliable trekking filter bottle allows you to refill from taps, streams, or rivers and filter the water as you drink.

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