Kangchenjunga

This is a trek to the foot of Kangchenjunga (8586m), a huge massif situated in the far north-east corner of Nepal on the borders of Sikkim and Tibet. The region is one of the most pristine high mountain areas in Nepal and takes you through magnificent and varied scenery to the Base Camps on both north and south sides of this vast mountain.

Beginning from the small airstrip at Taplejung, situated in the far east of the country, the trail goes through fields of verdant rice paddies clinging to steep terraced hillsides. Climbing higher, it passes through dense rhododendron forests which gradually give way to Himalayan blue pine and tranquil alpine pastures. At Ramze, on the south side of the mountain, high alpine peaks form Nepal’s border with Sikkim. Further exploration up the valley reveals the south face of Kangchenjunga by which the mountain was first climbed by Joe Brown and George Band in 1955. The route crosses the Mirgin La (5180m) to the village of Ghunsa, with views of Jannu (7710m). Leaving Ghunsa and habitation behind, the trail goes through Himalayan scrub and juniper, past the yak pastures at Lhonak and Kambachen. At the northern base camp of Pang Pema (5200m), Kangchenjunga reveals its north face. The Kangchenjunga trek combines visits to both the north and south face base camps and offers an insight into the culture of this remote region.

Factfile

• Grade: Strenuous
• Duration: 26 days

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart from the UK for the overnight flight to Kathmandu.

Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon and meet the team. Transfer to the Hotel Marsyangdi situated in the Thamel district of the city, within walking distance of many restaurants, bars, and shops.

Day 3: Fly to Biratnagar

The morning is free. Around lunchtime, depart for Kathmandu airport and take the flight to Biratnagar in Nepal’s eastern Terrai. Transfer to a hotel on the outskirts of the town.

Day 4: Fly to Taplejung

Fly by aircraft up to the airstrip at Suketar, situated above the village of Taplejung. Meet the trek crew and take a 3-hour trek to Lali Kharka, passing small lodges offering the local alcoholic brew known as ‘Tungba’.

Day 5: Trek to Khesewa

Leave Lali Kharka early and trek through forests, passing the village of Tambawa. Descend to the village of Pakora on the Phawa Khola, cross a suspension bridge to reach Kunjuri, and continue over a ridgeline to the village of Khesewa (2100m) to camp. Views of Kangchenjunga and Yalung Kang are visible from here.

Day 6: Mamankhe

Trek through terraced fields and traverse a steep mountainside above the Kabeli Khola. Pass through the villages of FunFun and Anpan. Views of Jannu (7710m) appear along the way before reaching the village of Mamankhe to camp.

Day 7: Yamphudin

Follow a path through terraced fields to Dekadin, with views up the Kabeli Khola. Climb high on the hillside above the river valley before descending to the river level, past bathing pools, to the village of Yamphudin, the highest permanently inhabited settlement in the Kabeli valley.

Day 8: Forest clearing

Beyond Yamphudin, climb a long spur with views of the Omje Khola valley and the Deorali Danda ridge line. Trek through forests, cross the Omje Khola, and continue through Himalayan pine forest to a campsite in a forest clearing.

Day 9: Torontan

Climb to the crest of the Deorali Danda at 3230m through forests of pine and rhododendron. From the crest, there are views of the Simbua Khola valley, Jannu (7710m), and other summits. Descend loose scree and forest paths to the Simbua Khola and camp at Torontan (3080m).

Day 10: Tseram

Emerging from forested foothills, enter the higher Himalayan pastures. The trail follows the Simbua Khola through rhododendron and fir before trees become more stunted, opening views of Koktang (6147m), Ratong (6678m), and Kabru (7336m). Ascend to camp at the meadows of Tseram (3750m).

Day 11: Ramze

Trek to the meadows and pastures of Ramze (4360m) situated in an ablation valley surrounded by peaks along the Sikkim border.

Day 12: Mirgin La

Climb towards the Mirgin La (4900m), crossing boulder fields to gain the pass for views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Chamlang, and Jannu. Descend on the west side of the pass to camp in an area of moraines above Lumba Samba Kharka.

Day 13: Past Lumba Samba Kharka to Ghunsa

Descend into the valley towards the meadows of Lumba Samba. Continue down a sandy path reaching the tree line and cultivated potato fields of Ghunsa (3475m).