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Country: Nepal
Trip Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Activities: Trekking and Adventure
Accommodation: Provided
Meals: Provided
Max. Elevation: 5000m
Group Size: 1-15
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Best Time: Spring and Autumn
Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal's best off-the-beaten-path trekking treks, featuring stunning views over the country's eastern region. As you make your way to Yalung Glacier and Ramche (South Base Camp - 4610m) on the south side of the world's third highest mountain (8586m), you will encounter remote and breathtaking scenery.
Lush forests and heartfelt villages introduce you to natural, pure beauty as well as incredibly friendly and welcoming locals. This is an unforgettable journey to a region where the pace of life comforts and relaxes the spirit. Kanchenjunga is known among the Taplejung people as the "Five Treasures of Snow."
To really enjoy this tough yet magnificent journey in Nepal's remote eastern region, you must be physically fit and have prior trekking experience. It usually takes three weeks or more to complete the Kanchenjunga base camp hike.
However, we have devised a customised 10-day Kanchenjunga trek trip that will take you to Mount Kanchenjunga's south base camp at 4,730 meters (15,518 feet). This schedule is ideal for most travellers who have two weeks to accomplish something risky and adventurous in Nepal.
The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Sacred Himalayan Landscape effort protect a diverse range of wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard, Asian black bear, and red panda, to name a few of the more endangered creatures. Bird enthusiasts may have the opportunity to witness the golden-breasted fulvetta, snow cock, and blood pheasant, among others.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp was originally opened to explorers from the Nepal approach in 1950, and it became a commercial trekking destination after 1988.
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek digs deep into Nepal's eastern cultural and historical roots. Following this journey will take you to areas inhabited by the Limbu and Rai communities, both of which have a strong connection to their history.
As they travel through traditional communities, trekkers are greeted warmly and get the opportunity to experience age-old customs and traditions directly
While trekking in Nepal, the Kanchenjunga south base camp walk is one of the hardest days of hiking. Kanchenjunga is a lonely and isolated region of Nepal, located far from the hustle and bustle of the towns. The trekking route is off the main path, and the lack of services along the way makes the journey difficult. Additionally, the trekkers must be physically fit.
To your advantage if you have prior experience with multi-day treks. The paths are not difficult, although there are typical ascents and descents in the Himalayas. Overall, it is a moderate hike for people with previous experience
To enter the restricted Kanchenjunga region, you must have at least two persons in your group (get in touch with us to join a group), two permits for each person, and a government-licensed guide. The permit process for trekking in the Kanchenjunga region is more involved than for other regions; nonetheless, we will handle everything and secure it for you.
**The RAP must be issued for a minimum of two international travelers, and these permits have to be obtained through a registered Nepali trekking agency, like Hidden Trek Nepal.
|
Day |
Route |
Altitude |
Duration |
Activity |
|
1 |
Kathmandu - Bhadrapur (Flight) - Taplejung (Drive) |
1,820m / 5,842ft |
8-9 hrs (drive) |
Scenic drive through hills |
|
2 |
Taplejung – Yamphudin (Off-road drive) |
1,692m / 5,496ft |
7-8 hrs (drive) |
Bumpy ride along rivers and hills |
|
3 |
Yamphudin – Tortong |
2,980m / 9,565ft |
6-7 hrs (trek) |
Trek through forests and streams |
|
4 |
Tortong – Cheram |
3,868m / 12,416ft |
5-6 hrs (trek) |
Steady ascent, alpine scenery |
|
5 |
Cheram – Ramchaur |
4,610m / 14,798ft |
3-4 hrs (trek) |
Short trek toward South Base Camp |
|
6 |
Ramchaur – South Base Camp (4741m) – back to Cheram |
3,868m / 12,416ft |
5-6 hrs (trek) |
Explore South Base Camp, return to Cheram |
|
7 |
Cheram – Tortong |
2,980m / 9,565ft |
4–5 hrs (trek) |
Descending back through forest trails |
|
8 |
Tortong – Yamphudin |
1,692m / 5,431ft |
5–6 hrs (trek) |
Through village paths and farmland |
|
9 |
Yamphudin – Phikkal (Drive) |
- |
8–9 hrs (drive) |
Long off-road drive through hills |
|
10 |
Phikkal – Bhadrapur (Drive), Fly to Kathmandu |
- |
5-6 hrs (drive & flight) |
Return to Kathmandu |
It is compulsory to hire a professional guide for the Kanchenjunga Trek, as mandated by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Government of Nepal.
Hidden Trek Nepal now offers a "guide only" service so that you can handle all of your own trek-related costs. This means that you can hire a professional guide and only pay the guide's fee.
This guide service is especially for tourists on a tight budget who want to go on a real Himalayan journey. It lets people choose their own ways to get around, eat, and stay along the trail, so it works for people with all kinds of tastes and budgets.
Trekkers can start an amazing trip in some of the most beautiful mountain scenery, with the freedom to choose their own travel, food, and lodging, as well as a carefully marked local path
We'll fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur as soon in the morning as possible. Then you'll have to drive 8-9 hours from Bhadrapur to Taplejung. Taplejung is the heart of Nepal's black cardamom farming region.
We also walk through a lovely tea garden in Kanyan and Fikkal. Taplejung, located at 2,000 meters, has a nice atmosphere and adequate lodge accommodations. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
During the ride, you will note that the weather is cooling and the terrain is shifting from hills to mountains. More views of the high mountains should be coming up soon as you go through terraced fields and wooded areas. We travel through settlements and the agricultural areas surrounding them. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
The adventure today, which lasts about seven to eight hours, takes us through chilly forests and provides breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The trail runs along the Amji Khola. We will pass Lassiya Bhanjyang Pass before arriving in Tortong and spending the night in a guest house. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
You might see a herd of yaks grazing in the pastures where the road today goes through a pine and rhododendron forest. Be careful, though, because some of the yaks are hyperactive.
If you cross Yak Kharka and Anda Phedi, you will come to a Buddhist shrine with prayer flags, Trisuls, and rock cairns. This shrine and its small cave mark a holy part of the valley's edge. The rest of your journey will take you across a large flat meadow with a lone cabin at 3870 meters that serves as a makeshift lodge. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
This part is short but engaging. The landscape becomes rough as you reach the high-altitude environment, giving the trail a more remote and tranquil sense. In addition, the path becomes rough as it ascends gradually.
The view is breathtaking as you rise above the Yalung Glacier's snout and into a series of ablation valleys. A frozen lake and crystal clear streams can be observed on the Yalung Glacier's terminal moraine, which is bordered by the peaks Talung (7,349m), Kabru (7,338m), and Rathong (6,678m).
Ramchaur is home to the final teahouse on the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek. You'll have stunning views of Mt. Jannu, Nyukla Lanchung, and other mountains. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Today, we are going on a trek to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. We follow the valley around its big turn until we reach the huge southern wall of the mountain. The three main peaks of Kanchenjunga are located along this ridge. They are 8420 meters, 8586 meters, and 8474 meters high.
It's beautiful how these three peaks stick out into the clouds. Keep going toward Oktang, go down onto the glacier, and cross it until you reach a place below Talu.
From there, you can see a wide panorama of more pristine mountains. The eastern part of Khumbakarna Glacier, which flows from the east face of Jannu, is especially impressive. After that, we go back to our camp in Ramche and hike down to Cheram the same day. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
We are going to go back to Tortong the same way we came from Tseram. Today is a long but easy day, so take your time and enjoy the view. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Our five- to six-hour hike today takes us through the thick pine forest of Lamite Bhanjyang. We might hear a lot of birds singing along this path. We go down to Yamphudin and spend the night there after passing the Amji Khola. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
You will have to drive back to Phikkal for nine hours, going through towns and winding mountain roads as you drop back down to the lowlands. This is the end of your long and beautiful trek. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
After breakfast, you will ride a local jeep from Phikkal to Bhadrapur airport, passing over the foothills and into Nepal's lowland Terai region.
We return to Kathmandu via a short, pleasant 45-minute flight from Bhadrapur. Enjoy your return to city life and discover anything you missed during your first time in the capital.
Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) are the ideal seasons for trekking to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. These months provide improved visibility of the close peaks and stable weather.
Rhododendrons are in full blossom during the spring. The heavens are typically more clear during the autumn months. During the monsoon and winter, this month is the most challenging for the walk due to the slippery path and the heavy layer of snow. It is crucial that you are aware of the tea houses' operational status during the trek.
This is a multi-day trekking that includes two days at a higher altitude. The trail starts at a fairly low level of 1,000 meters and slowly rises over 4,700 meters over the course of 6 days. In addition, you will spend most of the days above 2,500 meters on the trip. So, if you rise quickly, you will also notice that the air is getting thinner.
Here are some ways to deal with and avoid getting altitude sickness on the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek:
It is necessary to acknowledge that the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking is physically demanding. When you add in the rough landscape and high elevation, the trip can be hard. Preparing yourself ahead of time and getting physically ready is suggested. This will help you get around on the rough landscapes and high elevations.
Take a few short walks with your rucksack full if you can. To stay in shape, you should also do cardio workouts like long walks, cycling, jogging, running, swimming, and climbing stairs. In the same way, you could work on building up your muscles and core power.
The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is a tea house trek; however, it can also be completed in a camping mode. Tea houses are extremely basic lodgings that are accessible along the trekking route.
It is crucial for trekkers to be adaptable and flexible when it comes to accommodation along the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trekking, as the conditions may vary depending on the season and location, and facilities may be limited.
All accommodations are on a twin-sharing basis, with the exception of those at higher elevations or after Kambachen, where you will be accommodated in a homestay-style setting. At higher altitudes, the level of comfort may differ from that of the lower mountain. We will furnish you with duffle bags, sleeping bags, and down jackets (which must be returned following the expedition).
Because the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek will take place in a mostly empty area, food is brought to the town by porters or yaks. In the hamlet, fresh veggies are grown, but most goods, like rice, grains, and cereals, are brought in from other places. In the lower parts of the walk, you can get a mix of local and Western food. As you go higher, the choices will become less varied.
In this area, you might most often find a dish called Dal Bhat. Typical side items are served with the mostly rice-based food served in teahouses. As the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek goes up in elevation, the body needs more food and carbs to keep up with the walking.
General Breakfast Items:
General Lunch and Dinner Items:
We would like to provide some practical advice on how to book flights and rent vehicles to reach Kanchenjunga, based on our own research into the most effective methods for planning an ideal Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek Itinerary.
Flights from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur are usually dependable, with several daily departures operated by Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
However, adverse weather conditions, especially low visibility caused by fog, can occasionally disrupt flights at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
The roads where we will take a drive are comparatively narrow, winding, and rough, especially in the hills. In monsoon (June–September), landslides are common, making travel slow and risky. Jeeps are the most reliable transport option due to tough terrain.
If you need assistance visit Hidden Trek Nepal, we are more than happy to arrange all transportation for you and have a dedicated service for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking.
Satellite phones could be crucial in an emergency because cell networks might not be very reliable and accessible.
In some areas, local SIM cards like NTC and Ncell can connect to the network; nevertheless, the signal strength and coverage are poor.
Guides in this area often have mobile devices that can help you connect to a networked place, showing how important communication is. Telephones are accessible at the lodges for an additional fee.
It is best to hire a well-known hiking company in Nepal, like Hidden Trek Nepal, to plan and organise your trip to Kanchenjunga.
When you choose a local business like ours, we care about your safety and want to make sure you're okay. A professional guide will be by your side every step of the way, ready to offer advice based on years of skills.
You can almost guarantee that you will get the lodging of your choice without any hassles if you book in advance, especially during the busy trekking seasons. Starting your planning early is always a smart idea because most of the best places to stay in the area are booked for a long time in advance.
Kathmandu offers a lot of wonderful hotels, and we recommend staying in Thamel, the city's busy tourist district. A wide variety of eateries, cafes and businesses line its streets. Thamel is also an excellent spot to purchase or rent hiking gear.
You can find lots of nearby retail options. Additionally, our office is situated in the centre of Thamel, which is a convenient location.
We at Hidden Trek Nepal can help you book a hotel if you need it.
It is possible for people from most countries to get a visa on arrival by going to the Immigration Department of Nepal's website. You need to print out, fill out, and bring with you online forms.
At https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/ you can get to the online system from anywhere and at any time. The Online Application System will hold on to your application for 15 days, so you can fill it out whenever it's most convenient for you and then show it to the Immigration Authority when you come to enter the country or extend your visa.
Visas on arrival are valid for 15, 30, or 3 months and are priced at:
Yes. Kanchenjunga CSouth Base Camp is a restricted area, and trekkers must travel with a guide and porter, as required by the Nepalese government.
They will be your companion everywhere. A guide knows how to handle emergencies, so they can quickly figure out what's going on and do something about it on the trail. They also understand the ideal path to follow, which can assist you to avoid unsafe places and reduce the risk of injury
The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trip is thought to be a demanding trip. Walking on rough, remote land, crossing high mountain passes, and trekking for long hours every day are all part of it. It is suggested that you are physically fit and have done trekking before.
The trek consists of seven days of actual trekking, with the backpack weighing between 10 and 15 kilos for six or seven hours every day. So, the answer depends on whether you have experience walking and carrying your own rucksack.
Hiring a porter comes at an added expense. One option to cut costs is to share a porter with another trekker. If you both agree, you must limit your pack to 10 kg each, as a porter is only allowed to carry 20 kg.
There are a variety of lodging options available, ranging from lodges and teahouses to simple guesthouses. In some of the more distant locations of the base camp, you will need to bring camping equipment.
Yes, previous trekking experience along with good fitness are highly recommended during this trek.
Our route for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is ten days long and can be tailored to your tastes while sticking to the rules. However, it is not advisable to shorten the days while keeping your recommendations open.
If you wish to extend your days with an extra adventure, we strongly recommend Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking, which covers not only the south base camp but also the north base camp, as well as plenty of additional sights.
Extending days only on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is also available.
Yes! Kathmandu has many shops (Thamel area) selling:
There are genuine electricity issues in these rural areas, and power outages occur frequently. If you want to use power, you must spend more rupees. We strongly advise you to bring a power bank and an extra battery to use it at greater elevations.
Currently, many travellers bring smaller, foldable solar chargers with them to charge their phones and tablets while walking. It is critical to have these items on hand in case the power goes off or the energy lowers.
The Kanchenjunga region prohibits solo trips. It is mandatory to trek with at least one other individual and to be accompanied by a licensed guide. This is to guarantee your safety and to guarantee that you have a trekking experience that is both enjoyable and responsible. A companion will be arranged for you in the circumstance that you are trekking alone.
