Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 25 Days
25 Days
5181m
Taplejung - Taplejung
Difficult
6-8 Hours Per Day
Guesthouse
Summer (March- Mid May) and Autumn (October- November)
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a thrilling trek that takes you far into the Eastern side of Nepal. You will come face to face with the third highest peak in the world, during this tough but immensely rewarding trek.
You will get a mesmerizing greeting from snowy peaks like Kabru, Rathong, Jannu Himal as well as the Yalung Glacier. From the first day itself, the lush green forests and sprawling farmlands will welcome you on the trail. This trek is demanding and will challenge you with steep inclines, narrow trails, and off-beaten, rocky terrains. It is this challenge that makes the rewarding views that much more worth it.
The trek itself will include 20 days of walking and 25 days in total. In terms of natural beauty, you will be walking along multiple gushing rivers as well as waterfalls. Your trek will include navigating ridges, crossing long suspension bridges, and vast green meadows. In terms of spiritual beauty as well, you will get to explore Oktang and Ramtang Monastery. There are chortens and mani walls along the way, decorated with prayer flags that add a unique visual touch to your journey.
The best time to go on this trek is during Spring and Autumn. This trek falls under the difficult category, so it is ideal to have some previous trekking experience. Since this trail contains steep inclines and rocky terrain, we recommend avoiding this trek during monsoon season for your own safety. The skies and mountain views will also be much clearer during summer and autumn.
With Nepal Social Trek & Expedition, you can be positive that our trained professionals are ready and prepared to guide you in your trails. Whether it is the landscape, culture, or history, our guides are knowledgeable. They will ensure that you can truly understand the land that you are trekking on. We also have a team of porters and first aid kits handy so that we can make sure that all you have to do is enjoy your trek and admire the beauty around you.
For a trip that combines an aesthetic, cultural, and historical trekking experience in one, the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a perfect choice.
Why You’ll Love Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
- Breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak
- Trekking through lush forests of birch, pine, and rhododendron
- Spectacular view of peaks like Tuplung, Kabru, Rathong, Nyukla Lachung, Jannu Himal and the Yalung Glacier
- Visiting monasteries like Ramtang and Oktang
- Exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
- Short scenic flight to and from Bhadrapur
- Enjoying a starkly different landscape than the city, filled with terraced farmlands, waterfalls, and diverse settlements
Is Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Right For You?
- The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek can be quite demanding. You will be walking for 6-8 hours per day for over three weeks. You might need some mental and physical preparation to tackle this.
- This trek is quite strenuous. Therefore, we recommend you maintain a good degree of physical fitness prior to this trip.
- The lodges in the more remote areas have the necessary amenities. You will have clean, cozy rooms and hygienic food, but you may need to bring any additional materials on your own.
- The elevation on this trek crosses 4500m as we will be crossing very high passes. So there is a risk of altitude sickness. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you need to seek medical advice before booking this trek. However, we have a comprehensive first aid kit and a trained staff on board to take care of your safety.
- The weather can be quite unpredictable. Depending on your travel time, you might want to ensure that you are prepared for such unforeseeable events.
Kanchenjunga Circuit trek - Outline Itinerary
| Day | Itinerary | Altitude (m) | Duration (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu | 1300 | - |
| 2 | Kathmandu: sightseeing and trek preparation | 1300 | - |
| 3 | Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (Flight) to Taplejung (Drive) | 2420 | 10 |
| 4 | Taplejung to Lalikharka (Trek) | 2265 | 2020-04-05 00:00:00 |
| 5 | Lalikharka to Khesewa (Trek) | 2120 | 2020-05-06 00:00:00 |
| 6 | Khesewa to Mamankhe (Trek) | 1785 | 2020-05-06 00:00:00 |
| 7 | Mamankhe to Yamphudin (Trek) | 2080 | 2020-04-05 00:00:00 |
| 8 | Yamphudin to Tortong (Trek) | 2995 | 2020-07-08 00:00:00 |
| 9 | Tortong to Cheram (Trek) | 3870 | 2020-02-03 00:00:00 |
| 10 | Cheram: Acclimatization and Rest | 3870 | - |
| 11 | Cheram to Ramchaur (Ramche) (Trek) | 4580 | 2020-03-04 00:00:00 |
| 12 | Ramchaur (Ramche) to Yalung Base Camp to Cheram (Trek) | 4500 | 2020-03-04 00:00:00 |
| 13 | Cheram to Sele La (Trek) | 4290 | 2020-06-07 00:00:00 |
| 14 | Sele La to Ghunsa (Trek) | 3595 | 2020-02-03 00:00:00 |
| 15 | Ghunsa to Kambachen (Trek) | 4050 | 2020-05-06 00:00:00 |
| 16 | Kambachen to Lhonak (Trek) | 4780 | 2020-05-06 00:00:00 |
| 17 | Kanchenjunga base camp, overnight at Pangpema (Trek) | 5143 | 2020-06-07 00:00:00 |
| 18 | Pangpema to Lhonak (Trek) | 4780 | 2020-03-04 00:00:00 |
| 19 | Lhonak to Ghunsa (Trek) | 3475 | 2020-06-07 00:00:00 |
| 20 | Ghunsa to Amjilosa (Trek) | 2308 | 2020-05-06 00:00:00 |
| 21 | Amjilosa to Chirwa (Trek) | 1270 | 2020-06-07 00:00:00 |
| 22 | Chirwa to Taplejung via Mitlung (Trek) | 921 | 2020-07-08 00:00:00 |
| 23 | Taplejung to Bhadrapur (Trek) | 2420 | 9 |
| 24 | Bhadrapur to Kathmandu (Flight) | 1300 | 1 |
| 25 | Final departure | 1300 | - |
Important Notes
- You might want to carry a universal adapter for your charging needs as we go to more remote places. You can also purchase this in shops at Kathmandu itself.
- As the weather can be unpredictable, you should pack a down jacket to get comfortable even if it gets cold or rains.
- ATMs and credit card acceptance are scarce in higher altitudes, so remember to have some cash handy for your purchases.
- You might need to carry some passport size photographs for your permits along the way.
Permits Required for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP)
This permit is mandatory for all trekkers venturing into the Kanchenjunga Conservation area. You will need a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months of validity as well as a valid Nepal visa. You will also need a passport-sized photo, and you will need to submit the application, itinerary, and insurance details. The cost details are as follows:
- USD 20 per person with no time limitation.
Kanchenjunga Trek Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
This permit is mandatory for all trekkers venturing into the Kanchenjunga Conservation area. You will need a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months of validity as well as a valid Nepal visa. You will also need a passport-sized photo, and you will need to submit the application, itinerary, and insurance details. The cost details are as follows:
- USD 10 per person per week.
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card
This permit is mandatory for all trekkers traveling in Nepal. For this permit, you will need to carry some passport-sized photographs and a photocopy of your passport. The costs are detailed as follows:
- USD 20 for individual trekkers
- USD 10 for trekkers in groups
- USD 6 for individual trekkers from SAARC countries
- USD 3 for group trekkers from SAARC countries
Review
Island Peak expedition
Nepal Social Treks was the most professional company I have travelled with. The airport pickup was smooth, followed by a nice stay at their hotel in Kathmandu. A day trip around Kathmandu was planned and despite being cut short, it was a very enjoyable tour. Pasang Sherpa, the trekking guide for my trip was a highly experienced guide and mountaineer and gave me an authentic Nepalese experience as we walked through the Himalayas. When it came time to summit Island Peak, I had absolute confidence in his ability to keep me safe at all times, and he led the expedition at my pace. As an inexperienced climber, Pasang made sure I had all the required skills before going onto the mountain. The transition from trekking to life back in Kathmandu was easy, and Basu and the team from Nepal Social Treks made sure I had a comfortable and enjoyable few days prior to leaving Nepal. I would recommend anyone thinking of trekking or mountaineering in Nepal to book with Nepal Social Treks as they will tailor the trip to your needs and you will be treated incredibly well for the entire trip.
Perfect taste of Nepal
Did the Explore Nepal tour 11 days and was the only one on the tour. The tour was very well organized, hitting all the main attractions to give a good flavour of Nepal. Operator was very responsive to questions and requests. Accommodations were better than expected with excellent beds and breakfasts. Highly recommend.
Two First-Timers, One Incredible ABC Trek—Thanks to an Amazing Team!
If you’re scanning through endless trek companies in Nepal (like we did!), trust me—Nepal Social Treks and Expedition is the one you’ll end up loving. We literally made a massive Excel sheet comparing quotations from almost every company out there 😂… and guess who came out on top? These guys! From day one, Sushila was our guiding light. She answered every tiny question we threw at her—with so much patience and warmth. And then there’s Mr. Basu, the owner. I only spoke to him a couple of times (because the Gen-Z protest had us all restless), but the way he comforted us on the call… rare to see that kind of calm reassurance from someone at his level. Truly appreciated. Now comes the funniest part—this was actually our FIRST EVER TREK! People still look at us like we’re crazy when we say that, but honestly… why not? We’ve always been the type who happily walk into troubles since childhood 😄. And then came Suraj, our guide—calm, kind, and the perfect person to handle two excited first-timers like us. Honestly, I don’t think I can put into words how beautiful the entire trek felt. I’ve been travelling for 10+ years but Nepal… Nepal completely changed my relationship with the mountains. Never felt this kind of addiction before! If you’re planning a trek or trip in Nepal and want something that fits your budget without compromising comfort—this is your team. The hotels they arranged, the car, everything was so well taken care of. When you travel after a hectic work life, you want peace and a headache-free experience. You don’t want to lead or worry about small things. And that’s exactly what this amazing team provides. A huge thank you to Mr. Basu, Sushila, Suraj, and everyone at Nepal Social Trek for giving us a trip we’ll remember forever. ❤️ P.S. Already planning the Manaslu Circuit with them next! 🌄✨
Ho prenotato il viaggio dall'italia. C'è stato qualche problema non dovuto all'agenzia perchè non sono partiti voli per giorni per l'everest e loro prontamente hanno sistemato tutto. Narayan, la mia guida e amrit il mio porter sono stati fantastici. Grazie grazie grazie
Great Anil Sherpa