Kanchenjunga North & South Base camp Trek

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel Rest of the day free.

Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur, drive to Phidim, 6 hours We take a morning flight to Bhadrapur. From there we drive for 2 hours to Birtamod, and for a further 4 hours to Phidim where we overnight.

Day 03: Drive Phidim to Taplejung (or Suketar) 7hours, trek to Lali Kharka (2270m) 3 ½ hours walk We set off early to make the journey by road from Phidim to Taplejung, or to Suketar. On arrival we meet with our porters and after loading up, we start trekking. We follow a ridge to start with, before descending through forests to the valley and our overnight stop on the slopes near Lali Kharka (2270m).

Day 04:Lali Kharka to Khare Bhanjyang6 hours walking The day starts with a descent through the village of Tambawa to Pakora, where we cross the Phawa Khola by the suspension bridge. We then climb steeply into the forests, which will give us welcome shade from the heat of the day. From the top of the pass at Khare Bhanjyang (2170m) we may get our first views of distant Kangchenjunga. We camp below the ridge among the terraced fields.

Day 05:Khare Bhanjyang to Mamamkhe (1830m)7½ hours walking Today’s walk starts with a descent to warm up, passing several villages, including the delightfully named Funfun, where we may get our first views of impressive Jannu. The rest of the day is up and down to the next camp at Mamamkhe, a substantial village of about 60 houses (1830m).

Day 06:Mamamkhe to Yamphudin (1735m)4 hours walking A shorter day, largely of contouring, as we follow the valley above the river Kabeli Khola. Climbing through terraced fields we reach Yamphudin (1735m), the most remote permanent village on our route. Day 07:Yamphudin to Omje Khola (2445m)4 hours walking We start the day with a climb to the pass at Dupi Bhanjyang (2684m). Trekking downhill through the woods we come to our camp near the Omje Khola river (2445m).

Day 08:Omje Khola to Thoronton (2995m)7 hours walking Leaving the farmlands behind, we now trek mostly through forest and pasture land. We gain further height to cross the pass of Lamite Bhanjyang (3430m), descending to the valley of the Simbua river that flows from the Yalung Glacier. We camp in the wooded valley at Thoronton (2995m).

Day 09:Acclimatization day at Thoronton We have an acclimatization day at Thoronton and a local walk to gain height during the day is recommended, returning to spend a second night at the same altitude. This is a very important aspect of our trek and will undoubtedly assist with the success, as well as with our enjoyment of it.

Day 10:Thoronton to Tseram (3890m)6½ hours walking Though we continue to gain height, today’s walk is gentle and follows the Simbua river. The rhododendron forests thin to give superb views of Kabru (7338m) and Talung (7349m). Our campsite is at Tseram (3890m) and at this altitude we can expect a colder night.

Day 11:Tseram to Ramze 4110m4½ hours walking Today we reach the tree line and the landscape opens out to the valley of the Yalung Glacier, littered with moraines and glacial debris. We follow the northern edge of the glacier with good views of Kabru South (7317m), Rathong (6678m) and Kotkan (6147m). We camp by the shepherds’ huts at Ramze(4110m).

Day 12:Ramze acclimatization and exploration day We have an acclimatization day at Ramze. For an acclimatization walk we can move further up the Yalung Glacier. We start to get views of Kangchenjunga’s south face. Reaching Oktang (4624m), Jannu’s icy east face towers above. It may be possible to climb higher for better views if time and energy permit – your sirdar will advise on this.

Day 13:Ramze to Yalung A further morning is spent in the Ramze area for acclimatization and exploration. In the afternoon we trek back down to Yalung in preparation for crossing the Mirgin La.

Day 14:Yalung to Mirgin La (4640m)8-10 hours walking We start the long climb up towards Sinelapche La(4640m), the highest point on the route, followed by the crossing of the Mirgin La Pass. The views of nearby Jannu are spectacular but distant Makalu, the Khumbu Himal and the mountains bordering Tibet are a panoramic backdrop. Our camp will depend on availability of water but today could be a very long day.

Day 15:Mirgin La to Ghunsa4-5 hours walking We descend through rhododendron forests to Ghunsa, a Sherpa village and our first contact with permanent habitation for almost a week. Ghunsa (3414m) nestles on the valley floor. If it weren’t for the mani walls and prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, the setting could almost be alpine. Forests of giant deodar and other conifers, bearing masses of Spanish moss, grow up the hillsides.

Day 16: Ghunsa – Kambachen5 hours walking Climbing steadily today but the terrain starts to open out, with less forest and better views of the mountains. With the climbing over, we trek around the flank of the valley in full view of imposing Jannu (7710m) known as the ‘peak of terror’. We camp at Kambachen (4090m), the summer home of Ghunsa’s people.

Day 17:Kambachen – Llonak A day of spectacular scenery as we are back in among the high peaks. The walking is easier today but no doubt the altitude will slow us down. We pass the summer pastures of Ramtang just before reaching the moraines of Kangchenjunga’s glacier. We camp at the pastures of Llonak (4700m) just beyond the glacier in view of Tent Peak (7365m), Nepal Peak (7168m), Wedge Peak (6750m) and Mera (6335m). 6 hours walking

Day 18:Llonak – Pang Pema4 hours walking If we have fully acclimatized we will continue with the short walk into the Base Camp at Pang Pema, though the altitude and distracting scenery are likely to slow us down. The campsite is at 5139m, lying at the entrance to a vast cirque formed of Wedge Peak, Ramtang (6700m), Kambachen (7902m), Yalung Kang (8505m), Kangchenjunga (8586m), The Twins (7350m) and Cross Peak (6510m). This is a dramatic setting for a well-earned supper. It is from here that in 1979 that Doug Scott, Pete Boardman, Joe Tasker and Georges Bettembourg prepared for the third ascent of Kanchenjunga, and the first ascent of the north-west side.

Day 19:Pang Pema exploration / contingency day We have a free day to explore these wonderful surroundings. In case of any delays on our walk in, this day can be used as contingency day.

Day 20:Pang Pema – Ramtang4 – 5 hours walking We start our journey back down the valley. Though we are backtracking, a journey is never quite the same in reverse. There may be chances to photograph scenes missed on the journey in.

Day 21: Ramtang – Ghunsa 4 hours walking A leisurely walk down the valley to Ghunsa.

Day 22:Ghunsa – Kyapra4 hours walking A pleasant day walking through dense forest with occasional monkey troupes for company. Camp at Kyapra (2770m).

Day 23:Kyapra – Amjilassa6 hours walking A longer day, but as we get lower down, temperatures warm up and a welcome bathe in the river awaits.

Day 24:Amjilassa – Chirwa8 hours walking Continuing our descent down the valley but now through cultivated land. Today will be a longer day.

Day 25:Chirwa – Taplejung Our final trek to Taplejung ends with a short climb back into the town, where we stay overnight.

Day 26:Drive to Phidim After breakfast at Taplejung we will take a packed lunch for the 9 hour drive to Phidim where our staff will prepare dinner. Overnight camp.

Day 27:Drive to Biratnagar, fly to Kathmandu We have to start early for today’s 9 hour drive to Biratnagar. We take a late afternoon flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu.

Day 28: Free in Kathmandu at leisure Optional excursions may be taken (bookable through our Kathmandu office) or you can shop for fine crafts. This day may be required for travelling back from Biratnagar if there were any problems with the journey.

Day 29: Depart Nepal Transfer to Kathmandu airport for international flights.