The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek – 20 Days

Fly to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel. Spend time resting, get used to the new environment, and ready for the trek. You will meet your guide, have a briefing about the trek, and check your gear.

Tips:

• Remember to drink water while you travel.
• Sleep to shake off your flight.
• Convert your local currency into Nepali Rupees either at the airport or banks in Nepal.

Early in the day, we fly a domestic flight to Bhadrapur (45 minutes) then drive a long drive through the wonderful landscape to Taplejung (8-9 hours). On the way we can see hilly areas, terraced farmlands and scenic beauty. Taplejung, the gateway to Kanchenjunga, is populated with ethnic communities such as the Rai and Limbu people.

Our journey officially kicks off as we depart from Taplejung and begin our hike towards Mitlung. The trail descends through lush green forests and terraced fields, showcasing magnificent views of hills and distant snow-capped summits. We pass through several small villages to catch a glimpse of local Limbu culture along the way. We will trek around 5-6 hours and we will reach Mitlung, a quiet place that is located beside the Tamor River.

We trudged through thick woods and rolling hills. The trail has some uphills and downhills, and crosses suspension bridges over fast-moving rivers. On the way, we can interact with friendly locals that we pass through, such as in villages such as Sinwa and Tawa. This part of the trek is nice because of the lush vegetation and intermittent scenic views of the lofty mountains. After about 6-7 hours we arrive in Chirwa, a beautiful village of different ethnic groups.

Today we venture deeper into the wilderness of the Kanchenjunga region. The trail continues alongside the Tamor River and ascends gradually, reaching Sukathum. We weave through lush cardamom plantations and bamboo forests, on the lookout for local wildlife. Our aim of the day is to cross the Ghunsa Khola, an important tributary of the Tamor River. The trek takes about 5–6 hours, and we approach Sukathum, a small settlement beside the river.

Today’s hike is fairly strenuous as we take on slick trails climbing through thick forests. As we ascend higher, the sound of cascading waterfalls and a rushing river follows close at our heels. We look through some traditional wooden houses and locals live there like any place. 6-7 hours of trekking we reach Amjilosa, a village influenced by tibetan tradition where we sleep.

Today’s hike carries us deeper into the wild Himalayas. We start to ascend slowly through dense rhododendron and bamboo forests. The views are stunning as we drive up the mountain. The coolness of the air balances this with the peace of the birds and rustling leaves on the trail. We hike on for about 5-6 hrs more before reaching Gyabla, a tiny settlement that is home to Tibetan refugees. In this village you can find traditional wooden houses with Buddhist prayer flags flapping in the wind which offer the unique cultural experience.

Today’s journey takes us to Ghunsa, one of the most important villages in the Kanchenjunga area. After an initial descent, the trail offers a long but gradual climb through pine and fir forests. We cross a couple of suspension bridges over glacial rivers, and the mountain views grow more sweeping. Ghunsa is one where there are even some lovely Tibetan villages with traditional lodges (like Ghunsa) and prayer wheels, and there is a small monastery. The locals receive trekkers warmly with their hospitality. This is a perfect spot for acclimatization before setting out for higher altitudes.

The altitude(s) around here demands a rest day to get acclimatized. We spend the day trekking around Ghunsa, visiting the monastery, and doing small hikes out to higher elevation to help acclimatization. A short day hike takes you to a nearby ridge, with commanding views of Jannu (7,710m) and 184 more mountains soaring above 6,000m. This day lets our bodies acclimate that little bit more before we go on.

From Ghunsa we continue slowly to climb to the next valley, Kambachen. The landscape becomes more rough, with rocky fields and glacial moraines. We hike beside the Ghunsa River, with distant views of Jannu’s north face. This is a long and difficult but rewarding day, so it is important that you keep moving steadily forward. We reach Kambachen, a small settlement with basic teahouses after 5-6 hours of trekking. The views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks make this a bucket list stop.

Today, we hike to Lhonak, the most remote spot on the Kanchenjunga Circuit. The path is rocky and runs along the glacier lateral moraine of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. We cross many landslide-prone regions, so we need to be careful. It's desolate but beautiful, surrounded by majestic peaks. Day 7: Lhonak It is a long and exhausting trek of 6-7 hours to reach Lhonak, and we lodge ourselves in another simple lodge with rudimentary facilities. The mesmerizing views of Kanchenjunga and other peaks.

Today is one of the biggest highlights of the trek; a hike to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, also known as Pangpema. It is a difficult hike due to the altitude and rugged trail. With each step we climb, the mountains loom larger around us, including Kanchenjunga herself. Pangpema provides an inspiring view of panoramic view of north face of Kanchenjunga which makes this whole trek worth. After some time admiring the stunning views and snapping a few pictures, we double back to Lhonak to spend the night.

We begin our descent, backtracking to Ghunsa. Downhill is less taxing on the lungs but hard on the knees. On descent, the temperature becomes more habitable and the green vegetation starts. Here we stop to enjoy the fading scenery and contemplate the road ahead. We spend the night in Ghunsa, a familiar village, and a comfortable teahouse after doing 6-7 hours of trekking.

Our descent continues, through verdant forests and over a series of suspension bridges. Descending through the magnificent scenery of Kanchenjunga region, we are welcomed by the heat of lower altitudes. There is some uphill on the trail, but overall it is a gentler walk than the climb. We reached Amjilosa after 6-7 hours walk to spend the night.

The trail takes us through beautiful forests, past small settlements as we start to descend down. Most of the trek is downhill, through cultivated fields and villages populated by smiling villagers. And then after trekking for over 6-7 hours we will reach Tapethok a small village lying next to the Tamor River. This is the conclusion of the remote portion of our trip.

The last stretch of the trek starts from Tapethok to Suketar. After climbing up and down the hills, we are greeted with one last view of dramatically terraced fields and dense forest before heading in to civilization. The walk is a bit less arduous and we still stop quite often to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and contemplate the path we have taken. 3) Climb up through quaint villages where the locals give a friendly welcome to visit Suketar. These settlements offer one final glimpse of the traditional lifestyles of the Rai and Limbu people.

The trek officially ends at Suketar after 6-7 hours of trekking. This is where we pause to reflect on our achievements and trade tales of the journey. The area is also famous for its greenery and scenic beauty, making it a great place to take some last photos. We check into our place, where you can rest and have a well-deserved meal. In this phase, it’s your time to rest, give yourself a pat on the back for completing a difficult trek, and just be amazed at the beauty of the area.

We start our way back after completion of the trek. Suketar to Bhadrapur is covered on a long drive through scenic beauty. In the morning we will leave Suketar and hike down to the plains of Eastern Nepal. The drive infilcts us through quaint-villages, terraced farms and lush green hillocks. This is in sharp contrast to the rugged, high-altitude landscape we’ve been traversing for the past two weeks. The road is often winding, so the ride will be bumpy, but the views make it all worthwhile.

Check in to our accommodation when we get to Bhadrapur We can now have some rest, take a bath after the long drive. Today you can enjoy a celebratory dinner marking the end of the trek this evening. We would reminisce on the unforgettable moments we experienced and savor a few local, delicacies.

Its domestic flight today from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu, the last leg of this trip. The flight lasts around 45 minutes, and you’ll have the chance to admire panoramic views of the mountains from the sky. Our team will be waiting for you in Kathmandu to greet you and escort you to your hotel.

Returning to Kathmandu, you’ll have the opportunity to relax, do some last-minute shopping, or explore the vibrant city streets. The juxtaposition of the walk and the busy, crowded city of Kathmandu is always a shock to the system. We will have a farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant in the evening and share your experiences with other trekkers, guides, and staff. It is also a great chance to collect any feedback you may have about the trek.

Today is a leisure day in Kathmandu for rest and recuperation. You may stay in and explore the cultural highlights of the city. Kathmandu is filled with ancient temples, UNESCO World Heritage sites and colorful marketplaces. Your visit could be taking the form of Kathmandu in which some of the places of interest are; Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and many more. You might sample some local specialties like momo (dumplings) or dal bhat (rice and lentils).

If you want to do a bit of last-minute shopping, Thamel is the place to get trekking gear, souvenirs or unusual handicrafts. The day is for you to unwind, enjoy and reflect on the phenomenal journey you’ve just completed.

On the last day of your travel, airport transfers as per the flight schedule will be provided. If your flight doesn’t depart until later in the day, you can enjoy some more free time in Kathmandu before making your way to the airport.

Inspiring Trek Pvt. Ltd. team Ltd. to fulfill all logistics around the event so you are left with the rare opportunity of musing over the fantastic journey that you have just undertaken. With the breathtaking scenery, the challenge of traversing the high-altitude trek, or the richness of cultural experiences, this trek will surely stay with you for a lifetime.