Your journey to Kangchenjunga begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, located in the southeastern part of Nepal in the Terai region. Once you arrive in Bhadrapur, you will take a private vehicle to Phidim, a 6-7 hour drive. This journey will allow you to observe the changing landscapes as you make your way to this bustling town, the gateway to the Eastern Himalayas.

Today you will transition from the road to the start of your trekking adventure. After breakfast, board a jeep to Ganesh Chowk and then continue to Khewang. This 7-8 hour journey takes you through winding roads and rough tracks. Khewang is a picturesque village that marks the beginning of your trek into the heart of the Kanchenjunga region.

The real trek begins when you leave Khewang for Yamphudin. The 6-hour trek takes you through diverse terrains including terraced fields and lush forests. As you climb, you will encounter vibrant local cultures in Yamphudin, a village populated by Limbus, Rais, and Sherpas. It takes 6 hours and includes an ascent of 790 m and a descent of 500 m.

Today’s trek will be both challenging and rewarding. We will start from Yamphudin and climb through dense rhododendron forests and bamboo groves. The climb to Lamite Pass at 3,400 meters will be tough, but the breathtaking view of Jannu Peak, almost 8,000 meters above sea level, will be worth it. After crossing the pass, we descend to the Simbuwa River and continue to Tortong, where we will camp for the night. It will take about 8 hours. We ascend 720 m and descend 980 m.

The trek from Tortong follows the right bank of the Simbuwa River and gradually climbs to Tseram. This 5-hour hike is relatively easy, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The trail is often used by herders with their herds of yaks. Upon reaching Tseram, you will be greeted by views of the Yalung Glacier moraine, paving the way for other high-altitude hikes. It involves 5 hours of walking, 900 m of ascent and 60 m of descent.

Get ready for a challenging day of trekking from Tseram to Oktang, climbing up to 4,730 meters. The trail passes through high pastures and seasonal shepherd villages, called kharkas. Once at Oktang, you will be treated to panoramic views of the southern faces of Kanchenjunga and Jannu (Mt. Kumbhakarna). The return journey to Tseram will take about 10 hours in total, so it will be a long day of trekking. Today’s altitude was 1,000 meters, and then we will descend another 1,000 meters.

Our trek will take us around the Kanchenjunga massif to reach its north face. Along the way, we will cross the Sinelapche and Mirgin passes, each offering unique views of Kanchenjunga and its neighbouring peaks. After about 9 hours of walking, we will arrive at Selele, a high-altitude pasture that offers a perfect place to rest and reflect. The journey includes an ascent of 1120 metres and a descent of 700 metres.

The trek from Selele to Ghunsa takes about 4 hours, with an elevation gain of 200 meters and a descent of 850 meters. The trail becomes steeper as you approach Ghunsa, a major village in the Kanchenjunga region. In the afternoon, you can explore the Ghunsa Monastery and the surrounding village, soaking up the local culture and enjoying the more developed trail network.

We will gradually climb up to Khangpachen. This is a summer village famous for its views of the north face of Jannu. Here, trekkers are treated to incredible views of the impressive north face of Jannu. The trek takes a total of six hours, with an ascent of 825 m and a descent of 200 m.

Our trek will take us through pastures and along a moraine marked by shepherds’ cairns. The 7-hour journey to Lhonak is punctuated by continuous views of high peaks, making it an unforgettable experience. At Lhonak, near the glacier, you will set up camp and enjoy one of the most memorable settings of the trek. The trek involves 7 hours of walking, with an ascent of 730 m and a descent of 50 m.

The highlight of the day is a round trip from Lhonak to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. At the base camp, you will see towering mountains and enjoy the serene atmosphere surrounded by Buddhist prayer flags. From PangPema, you will have a beautiful view of the north face of Kanchenjunga. It unfolds in all its vastness and terraced glaciers. After a full day of trekking of about 7 hours, you will return to Lhonak for the night. The trek will include an ascent of 550 meters and a descent of 550 meters.

We begin our descent by retracing our steps along the Ghunsa River. The return to Ghunsa takes about 8 hours. The route includes a 250 m climb and a 1,550 m descent.

We will take a trail from Ghunsa to Amjilosa that narrows and winds through gorges. We will pass through Tibetan-influenced villages such as Phyale, Syajung and Thyanani. This 8-hour hike gives an insight into the local Tibetan culture and shows a different perspective on the landscape as you descend. The trek includes an ascent of 635 m and a descent of 1,685 m.

Your trek today will take you from Amjilosa to Chiruwa. The narrow gorge will end and the valley will widen at Sekhatum, where the Tamor River flows into it. You will have to cross the Ghunsa and Simbwa Rivers and climb steep slopes. It will take you about 9 hours to reach Chiruwa. The valley will widen at Chiruwa, offering a change of scenery as you approach lower altitudes, climbing 350m and then descending 1,550m.

From Chiruwa, we will take a jeep to Taplejung and then continue to Ilam. The drive, which takes about 7 to 8 hours, changes from rough mountain roads to the smoother terrain of the lower altitudes. Ilam, located at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga, is known for its lush green tea gardens and rolling hills covered in tea leaves. The tea plantations here are quite picturesque. We will stay at a guesthouse in Ilam and have time to explore the beauty of the area.

Your trek ends with a jeep drive from Ilam to Bhadrapur. Once you reach Bhadrapur, you will take a flight back to Kathmandu. It is about a 4-hour drive from Illam to Bhadrapur. Today marks the end of an incredible 16-day trek through the Kanchenjunga region.