Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek - 13 Days

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek - 13 Days

High in the northeast corner of Nepal’s Taplejung district lies Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters/28,169 feet), the world’s third-highest mountain, straddles the border of Tibet, India, and Nepal, standing tall above. On one of Nepal’s most remote trails, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek provides the adventure of a lifetime.
Learn about the local Rai, Limbu, and Tibetan villagers who call this place home.
Though they are all Nepalese, each group speaks their own dialect, practices their own rituals, and has their own customs. Also, home to this region is rare animals, such as the Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, the snow leopard, and even the sly Red Panda. For the birders out there, you’ll have the opportunity to see, snow cock and pheasant, among others.
If you are up for a journey that is comparable to the Everest Base Camp Trek in terms of views, but with far fewer trekkers, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is perfect for you.

Itinerary

Day 1: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and night bus to ilam.

Stop At: Ilam Tea Garden, Chiya Baari, Ilam Nepal
Have breakfast and start sightseeing around Kathmandu in a private vehicle. We will see several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will learn about each site’s historical, religious, and cultural significance. In the evening, we take an overnight bus to Illam. Overnight on the bus.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guesthouse

Day 2: Drive from ilam to Taplejung and Lalikharka. (2420m).

Stop At: Taplejung, Taplejung, Mechi Zone, Eastern Region
We’ve got another long drive today. Catch up on any rest that you might have missed the night before. It’s best to be well-rested before we begin the trek. If you slept well the night before, just soak in the gorgeous views on the drive. We pass villages and their surrounding agricultural fields. It’s a picturesque scene. Overnight in a guest house.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mewakhola Hill Resort or same category

Day 3: Lalikharka to Khesewa (2120m), 6-7 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
After a tasty morning meal, we descend through millet and rice fields until we reach a suspension bridge over the Phewa Khola (1430 meters). We continue to a small Gurung settlement called Sinchebu Bhanjyang (2240 meters) and maybe stop for a snack or tea here. It’s a special moment here actually, as we catch our first glimpses of Kanchenjunga and Kyabru. Take some deep breathes and admire these wonderful mountains. Continue over the pass and descend to Khesewa. Overnight in the teahouse.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a local guesthouse. Accommodation will be basic with a little clean bed and outside toilet.

Day 4: Kheseuwa to Pumpe Dada (1785m), 6-7 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
We begin our day after a nice breakfast. We pack up and head to the trail, hiking through mixed forests on a relatively flat path, towards the Kabeli Khola. A series of small waterfalls puts a smile on our faces. We head north, stopping for lunch at Yangpang with awesome views of Mt. Jannu. We end the day with a steep uphill climb for about 20 minutes up to Pumpe Dada. Overnight in a teahouse.
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: A local guesthouse with the basic clean room without toilet and bathroom inside.

Day 5: Trek from Pumpe Dada to Yamphudin (2080m), 5 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
Today’s trek will be mostly uphill on an easy trail that mostly follows alongside the Kabeli Khola. Throughout the hike, we admire the beautiful ridge beyond the stream. We follow a few switchbacks up the valley and then descend under rocky cliffs, on rubble from past landslides. After walking for some time, we cross a small suspension bridge and pass through small settlements before reaching Yamphudin. It’s quite an easy day today, as we have a long day ahead of us. Overnight in a teahouse
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Teahouse

Day 6: Trek from Yamphudin to Tortong (2995m), 7-8 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
Above Yamphudin, facilities are few and far between. We’ve planned well, though, and have plenty of provisions. From Amje Khola, it’s a relentless climb, though the trail is well-maintained. At Chitre, we may see some grazing yaks, a very sweet sight. Continuing, we pass a teeming forest, with draping Spanish moss, which looks like it is out of a movie. There is a little here, and we stop for our quick lunch. Then we continue hiking through the mysterious forest until we break into an opening, cross a suspension bridge, and head on a gentle uphill to Tortong. Overnight in a teahouse.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guest House

Day 7: Trek from Tortong to Tseram ( Cheram) and hike up to Lake (3870m), 6-7 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
We begin our gradual climb to Tseram for 3-4 hours after breakfast from Tortong. Our trail is right at the side of the Simbuwa Khola. We enjoy walking within the beautiful Lalung valley and have Tuplung peak accompanying us for the most part of today’s journey. We pass through thick rhododendron forest and enjoy the magnificence of the Yalung Glacier. After reaching at Cheram village we have our lunch and hike up to a lake for 1-2 hours. The little lake and the view of the mountains, Yalung glacier are an amazing part of the day. If the weather is clear, we can have an awesome sunset view on the Himalaya. Then we head down to Tseram. Overnight in a teahouse.
Duration: 7 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guest House.

Day 8: Trek from Tseram to Ramche and explore Yalung Glacier, (4580m), 7-8 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
We begin our short trek after breakfast. From Tseram, we ascend for a little while before reaching the start of the Yalung Glacier. It is a beautiful walk on a path through the valley. Savor the views of several Himalayan peaks as we pass through the small settlement of Lapsang before reaching Ramche. Ramche is the last teahouse on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek. It is located on the wide ground. If there is a big group of people we have to spend our night in a tent by enjoying the stars and Himalaya at night. Overnight in a teahouse/ Tented camp.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guest House.

Day 9: Rest day for exploration around Ramche and Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, (4730m)

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
After walking all the way up to here! why don’t we have an extra day to explore in this untouched and peaceful nature! Yes, we have a full excursion day around Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. We take a packed lunch and set off very early for an up-close encounter with the majestic Kanchenjunga. We follow the valley around its sweeping curve, to the vast southern wall of the mountain. Along this ridge exist the three main summits of Kanchenjunga at 8420 meters, 8586 meters, and 8474 meters. These three summits jut out into the clouds, providing an amazing scene. Keep going towards Oktang, descend onto the glacier and traverse it to a point below Talu, where we get a panoramic view of more pristine mountains. Especially impressive is the eastern part of Khumbakarna Glacier flowing from the east face of Jannu. We then return to our camp at Ramche.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guesthouse.

Day 10: Retreat trek from Ramche to Tortong,(2995m).

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
Head back down on the same trail to Tseram, where we stayed just nights before. It’s a bit long but an easy day so let your feet walk as your eyes enjoy the scenery. Overnight in a teahouse.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Teahouse.

Day 11: Trek from Tortong to Ranipul, (1550m) 6-7 hours.

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
From here we follow the ancient trade market route from India to Tibet! The old Indian generation used to use this route for their business When there was no road connection between Tibet, Nepal, and India. But this trail was not used for a long time after the road development in Nepal, Tibet, and India. Then now, the support of the local people and the government has developed the ancient trail to Ranipul which makes easier and shorter for all the trekkers. We can save several days and skip the long downhill walk to Yamphudin by taking this route to Ranipul. The trail goes a bit up in the beginning and then we walk mostly on the downhill to Ranipul. We have our lunch on the way and head to Ranipul for 4 hours. Walking into the very quiet forest would an amazing moment on our last trekking day on our Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek. Ranipul is a little village nearby the Tamor River. Overnight in a local teahouse.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guesthouse.

Day 12: Drive from Ranipul to Taplejung (4 hours) and Taplejung to ilam (4 hours), (1150m).

Stop At: Kanchenjunga, Nepal
We wake up and have a tasty celebratory breakfast in the teahouse. The hiking part of the trek is over – it’s bittersweet. We have a scenic drive through rolling terraced hills and quaint villages until we reach Taplejung, where we stop for lunch. After our quick lunch, we continue our drive to Ilam. Ilam is a beautiful town on the hill with a beautiful tea garden. Overnight in a hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local Guesthouse.

Day 13: Drive from ilam to Kathmandu.

Stop At: Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Zone, Central Region
Though we feel tired, from the weeks and weeks of trekking, we have a special kind of energy from accomplishing such an impressive journey. It has been an unforgettable trip and we are happy to have you along! A long day’s drive brings us back to Kathmandu, where we have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in a hotel
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: 3 star rated Hotel