Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s most remote, challenging, and rewarding trekking adventures, offering a full-circle journey around Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the world’s third-highest peak. Located in eastern Nepal, this trek covers the Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, and Ilam districts, traversing pristine forests, high alpine meadows, deep river valleys, and glacial landscapes. Unlike more popular trekking regions, the Kanchenjunga Circuit is off-the-beaten-path, providing trekkers with solitude, untouched nature, and authentic cultural experiences.
The trek passes through isolated villages inhabited by Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, and Lepcha communities, allowing trekkers to experience traditional Himalayan lifestyles, ancient monasteries, and centuries-old customs. Along the way, trekkers traverse dense rhododendron forests, terraced farmland, bamboo groves, high ridges, and moraine valleys, all framed by spectacular Himalayan peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Jannu, Kumbhakarna, and Kabru.
This trek is strenuous and high-altitude, ranging from 1,200 m at the trailhead to over 5,100 m at high passes and base camps. Major highlights include Amjilosa, Ghunsa, Kambachen, Lhonak, Pangpema, Yalung Glacier, and Kanchenjunga Base Camp, as well as high passes like Kempheri La and Lhonak La, which offer panoramic 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. Trekkers also encounter prayer flags, mani walls, and remote monasteries, enhancing the spiritual and cultural richness of the trek.
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is ideal for experienced trekkers seeking adventure, breathtaking scenery, and cultural immersion. The remoteness of the region requires careful planning, high fitness levels, and readiness for minimal facilities, but rewards trekkers with solitude, pristine landscapes, and an unparalleled Himalayan experience.
Highlights
- Both Base Camps: Pang Pema (North) & Oktang (South)
- High passes: Sela La (4,720 m) & Mirgin La
- Villages: Ghunsa, Amjilosa, Yamphudin (Tibetan-Buddhist culture)
- Peaks: Kanchenjunga, Jannu (Kumbhakarna), Yalung Glacier
- Wildlife: red panda, Himalayan thar (lucky = snow leopard)
Basic Information
- Destination
- Duration
- Start / End Location
- Accommodation Type
- Difficulty Level
- Max Altitude
- Age Limit
- Transportation Mode
- Kanchenjunga
- 28 Days
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- Tea houses + limited tented nights
- Strenuous
- 5200m
- -
- -
Best Season
Autumn (Sep–Nov) → Best: clear views, stable trails Spring (Mar–May) → Second Best: flowers, good temps, occasional haze Winter (Dec–Feb) → Very cold; snow may close passes Monsoon (Jun–Aug) → Not recommended (leeches, landslides, poor views)
Inclusions
- Flights: Kathmandu ↔ Bhadrapur
- Jeep transfers: Bhadrapur ↔ Taplejung/Suketar
- 3 meals/day during trek
- Tea house/tented accommodation on trek; hotels in KTM/Ilam
- Licensed guide & porter (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Staff insurance, salaries, meals, equipment
- Permits: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area + Restricted Area
- First-aid kit & oximeter
Tour Plan
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m / 4,430 ft)
- Wake-up/arrival, transfer to hotel
- Airport pickup & trek briefing
- Highlights: First glimpse of Kathmandu
- Meals: Dinner
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Kathmandu Sightseeing & Trek Prep
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Lunch during tour
- Highlights: Cultural immersion & UNESCO sites
- Dinner at hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Fly to Bhadrapur → Drive to Ilam (1,200 m / 3,937 ft)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Flight: Kathmandu → Bhadrapur (40 min)
- Drive Bhadrapur → Ilam (3 hrs, tea gardens)
- Lunch on the way
- Highlights: Scenic tea estates of Ilam
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge/Guesthouse in Ilam
Drive to Taplejung (1,422 m / 4,665 ft) – 5-6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Scenic drive through hilly roads to Taplejung
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Rolling hills & traditional villages
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Taplejung
Trek to Mitlung (921 m / 3,022 ft) – 5-6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- First trekking day – descend through forests & farmlands
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Village terraces, Tamor River
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Mitlung
Trek to Chiruwa (1,270 m / 4,167 ft) – 5-6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Walk through farmland & river valleys
- Lunch on the trail
- Highlights: Villages & cardamom farms
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Chiruwa
Trek to Sekathum (1,579 m / 5,180 ft) – 6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek alongside Ghunsa Khola
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic river crossings & waterfalls
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Sekathum
Trek to Amjilosa (2,308 m / 7,572 ft) – 5 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Steep climb through forest trails
- Lunch on the way
- Highlights: First big mountain views
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Amjilosa
Trek to Gyabla (2,760 m / 9,055 ft) – 5 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek through rhododendron & pine forest
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Tibetan-style village Gyabla
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Gyabla
Trek to Ghunsa (3,595 m / 11,795 ft) – 5 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek with increasing altitude & stunning valley views
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Ghunsa village, Buddhist culture
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Ghunsa
Acclimatization Day in Ghunsa
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Short hikes around Ghunsa for acclimatization
- ,Highlights: Monastery visit, yak pastures
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge in Ghunsa
Trek to Khambachen (4,100 m / 13,452 ft) – 5-6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Steep climb with panoramic mountain views
- Lunch on trail
- Highlights: Jannu Himal (“Kumbhakarna”) views
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Khambachen
Trek to Lhonak (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) – 5-6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek through moraine & rocky terrain
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: High-altitude landscapes
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Lhonak
Trek to Pang Pema / North Base Camp (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) and return to Lhonak
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Long trek to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pang Pema)
- Packed lunch en route
- Highlights: Majestic Kanchenjunga Base Camp views
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge at Lhonak
Trek back to Ghunsa (3,595 m / 11,795 ft) – 6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Retrace steps down valley
- Lunch on trail
- Highlights: Easier descent, re-entry into forest zone
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Ghunsa
Trek to Sela La High Camp (4,100 m / 13,451 ft) – 4-5 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Gradual climb towards High Camp
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Himalayan landscapes, yak herders’ huts
- Dinner at lodge/tent
- Overnight: Lodge/Tented Camp at Sela La High Camp
Cross Sela La Pass (4,720 m) → Tseram (3,900 m) – 6-7 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Cross high passes (Sela La, Mirgin La)
- Lunch on trail
- Highlights: Stunning mountain panoramas
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Tseram
Trek to Ramche (4,580 m / 15,026 ft) – 4 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Gradual trek through glacial valleys
- Lunch on arrival
- Highlights: Yalung Glacier & Kanchenjunga South views
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Ramche
Day Hike to South Base Camp (Oktang, 4,500 m) – 6-7 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Explore Yalung Glacier & Oktang viewpoint
- Lunch at Ramche or en route
- Highlights: South Kanchenjunga Base Camp panorama
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Ramche
Trek to Tortong (2,995 m / 9,826 ft) – 7 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Long descent through alpine forests
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Dense rhododendron forests
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Torangden
Trek to Yamphudin (2,080 m / 6,824 ft) – 7 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek through villages and terraced fields
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Limbu & Sherpa culture
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Yamphudin
Trek to Phumphe (1,860 m / 6,102 ft) – 6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek along farmland & small settlements
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Rice terraces, friendly locals
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Phumphe
Trek to Kande Bhanjyang (2,120 m / 6,955 ft) – 6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Moderate uphill sections
- Lunch on trail
- Highlights: Scenic ridges & views of lower valleys
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Kande Bhanjyang
Trek to Lali Kharka (2,220 m / 7,283 ft) – 6 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Easy trek with rolling landscapes
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Traditional Limbu villages
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Lali Kharka
Trek to Suketar (2,420 m / 7,940 ft) – 4 hrs
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Final trekking day to trailhead
- Lunch at Suketar
- Highlights: Completion of circuit trek
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Suketar
Drive back to Bhadrapur (8 hrs)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Long drive to Bhadrapur
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic mid-hill drive
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge in Bhadrapur
Fly to Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Flight: Bhadrapur → Kathmandu
- Lunch in Kathmandu
- Highlights: Final city evening in Thamel
- Dinner at hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Departure from Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Transfer to airport for international flight
- Highlights: Farewell Nepal
- Meals: Breakfast