Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

There are many beautiful trekking routes in Nepal to see the grandeur views of the mountains but why should you visit Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?

The first reason, this trek will test your mental and physical strength by visiting the base camp of 3rd highest peak on earth.

Secondly, you will hike through the remote and less crowded area, often no other trekkers on the trail you feel like the world is yours! And the jaw-dropping views of the mountains and landscapes will make your trip memorable.

Most importantly, you can explore the diverse wildlife, vegetation, and local cultures of the Kanchenjunga region. Moreover, most of the trekking routes offer fine and well-facilitated rooms at teahouses for the hikers. But this trek allows experiencing real Nepalese homestay accommodations with basic facilities for the trekkers. It feels like you are living the lifestyle of remote locals for some time. You can also get a chance to eat fresh and organic foods that are produced on their farms.      

Compared with the other commercial trekking routes in Nepal, this Kanchenjungha base camp trek is a more challenging and long day hike. It is a strenuous trekking route that crosses through high mountain passes and remote locations in Nepal. Your strong determination and well-prepared plan can only achieve this journey.

However, if you are physically fit and a seasonal hiker, you can complete this trek without any difficulties. Due to its distant location, we can get basic accommodation service at local homestays with limited food items. Don’t expect the accommodation and food as like in the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang region treks.

You can’t trek solo or individually in the Kanchenjungha region. Some parts of the Kanchenjungha regions are bordered by Tibet and India. Due to the fact, Kanchejungha is a restricted region of Nepal. Hence, we need to get special trekking permits from Nepali immigration. And according to the Nepal government’s rule, a minimum of two persons are required to apply for Kanchenjungha trekking permits. Moreover, only legally registered local companies can organize this trek.

The length of this trek depends on the route that you have chosen. According to our itinerary, it is about 220 KM long starting and ending at Suketar. It takes at least three weeks to complete the journey.

Having some prior trekking experiences is beneficial for this trek. However, if you haven’t any previous hiking or trekking experiences, do some training at least 2-3 months before your trip departure date. You can join a gym or physical fitness center that can enhance your fitness level. Even more, engage in at least 5-6 hours of walking tours once a week.

Prior preparation is necessary for this trek. Build up your endurance by taking part in walking or hiking tours once a week. Do some leg-based cardio training regularly such as swimming, gym, walking, etc. Without pre-training and well preparation, you can find this trek difficult. You can only enjoy mountain trips if you are mentally and physically prepared. Sometimes you have to walk through harsh weather conditions so prepared your mind accordingly.

Most importantly, your trekking gear plays a vital role to make your trek comfortable and successful. Therefore, get the right trekking stuff. For example, your feet are the most crucial body part on a trek. So, invest in good quality water-resistance hiking boots that can protect your feet.

You must have a full insurance policy for this trek. Without travel insurance, you are not eligible to get a trekking permit from immigration. We need a copy of your insurance policy at the time of obtaining the special permit for Kanchenjunga in Kathmandu. Please note; your travel insurance should cover accidental, medication, and helicopter evacuation expenses. Most importantly, our Kanchenjungha base camp trek will go above 5000 meters altitudes. Therefore, your insurance policy should cover their service up to 6000 meters altitude.

Kanchenjunga is one of the remotest regions of Nepal and the access of road and other developments works are still untouched. As a result, teahouses in this trek are still not developed as like in the other commercial routes of Nepal. Nowadays, Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions have many well-established teahouses for tourists that provide cozy but fine accommodations with varieties of foods.

But in the context of the Kanchenjunga region, you will get common types of homestay accommodations to spend your nights. Therefore, do not expect the same quality of accommodation that you may have experienced on the other treks in Nepal.

For your meal, Daal Bhat is a common Nepalese food that you will get on this trek. Except it, there are also varieties of western and Chinese dishes that are Tea coffee, eggs, potatoes Tibetan Bread, Various Soups items, Sherpa Stew, Sandwiches, Spaghetti, Dumplings, Macaroni, Tenduk, Noodles, Thukpa, and Pasta. etc.
It is advisable to use water purification tablets or boiled water to drink on this trek. Mineral bottled water is available at the teahouses.

International trekkers should hire at least a guide to obtain a special permit but porters are not mandatory for this trek. However, it is a challenging and 3 weeks-long treks. Therefore, we suggest you hire porters for your comfortable journey. If you hire porters, all your essential gear for the trek will be carried by them and that will allow you to enjoy and relax during the walk without any burden.

On commercial routes such as Everest, Annapurna, or Langtang region trek, you can easily get the porters on the routes whenever or wherever you need them. But due to the remote and isolated region, porters are not available on this route unless you hire from the city area.

We provide one porter for two guests, and each porter can carry only up to 25 KGs as they also have to carry their own clothing items for the trek.

Choosing the right gear plays a vital role to make your trip successful and relaxed. You need to bring enough warm clothes along with good quality hiking boots. At least 4-5 pairs of thick socks, a down jacket, raincoat, crampons, sleeping bag (work up to -20 degrees), hiking pants, trousers, waterproof trekking boots, a pair of sandals, etc. Please check our trekking equipment page for a complete checklist.

You can hire only sleeping bags and down jackets at the shops in Thamel. And rest of the trekking gear can easily purchase at local shops in Kathmandu. After you arrive in Kathmandu, one of our office representatives will take you to the trekking store for your essential shopping.

Pangpema, the north side of Kanchenjunga base camp is the highest point at 5,143 m. /16874 ft. of this trek. According to our scheduled itinerary, we will visit this place on the 14^th day from Lhonak.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek’s temperature varies with the seasons because the route traverses through different climatic zones. Therefore, it may be challenging to predict the weather. Our trek will begin at the Bhairahawa airport’s 350 meters and ascend to an elevation up to 5,143 meters (Kanchenjunga Base Camp).

The best times to embark on this excursion are in the spring and fall seasons. In these seasons temperatures may drop -5 to -10 degrees at night time. Additionally, daytime temperatures will often range from 10 to 18 degrees.

The trail will be covered with snow and the temperature may drop to -30 degrees throughout the winter. As a result, this trek isn’t doable in the winter season.

Well, the Kanchenjunga base camp trek is an isolated and off-the-beaten hiking trail in Nepal. The trail condition might change at any time throughout the year. Even more, you can’t purchase those items at the local tea shops. Most importantly, there is a high chance of snowfall while crossing the passes on the trail. Therefore, we highly recommend you carry a crampon or micro spike for this trek.

Due to the challenging and long trek, guides and porters expect some good gratitude from their guests after the trek. There isn’t a fixed rate for the tipping. However, the average tip for a guide is USD 10-12 dollars per day and 9-10 dollars per day for each porter. You can also offer them extra than the suggested rate If they provide service that exceeds your expectations. It is also a good way to celebrate your great achievements at the end of the tour with our staff.