The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is located in one of the last true wilderness spots in the Himalayas, which is situated in far eastern Nepal. Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain in the world (third highest) with a height of 8,586 meters, and it is a firm representative of nature and power. Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is considered to be a rare and rewarding trip, and is undertaken by the trekkers who desire a quiet, remote and meaningful Himalayan adventure.
Peaceful Nepal welcomes you on a well-designed Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek package in this secret land. This Kanchenjunga trail is suitable for experienced trekkers and nature lovers who want to avoid the crowded and regular trails. On this journey, you will enjoy unlimited Himalayan scenery, mountain solitude, and a close bond with nature.
The 16-day Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek takes you through green forests, rhododendron valleys, alpine meadows, and traditional villages. You will walk through villages of Limbu, Rai and Tibet-inspired villages and experience their simple ways of living in the mountains. The main highlights of this trek are to witness the panoramic view of Kanchenjunga, Mount Jannu and other magnificent Himalayan mountains.
Kanchenjunga is an isolated and serene area, unlike the common trekking trails found in Nepal. Our local porters and guides are highly trained and experienced to provide a safe, well-managed and eco-friendly trekking experience. We ensure you do not have to worry about permits, accommodation, meals, and logistics and instead enjoy the trek.
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, with Peaceful Nepal, is not just a journey. It is an opportunity to venture into distant Nepal, encounter local cultures, and be near one of the most incredible mountains in the world.
The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is best undertaken during spring, which is between March and May. The weather is pleasant, and it is safe to walk on the trails during this season. Blooming rhododendrons and wildflowers make the trek colourful and fresh, which makes the forests alive. Cleared skies also provide mountainous views that are wonderful for taking photographs.
The other season that this trek can be best done is during Autumn, September-November. The air is clear and clean after the monsoon, providing a sharp view of Kanchenjunga and the neighboring mountains. The climate is predictable, days are pleasant, and nights are cool. It is the best season in which trekkers can enjoy the clear view of the mountains and the predictable weather.
The level of difficulty of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek is moderate to challenging. It is no hiking adventure – you must be serious with it. The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is a trip that requires high levels of physical stamina, strong psychology, and prior experience in high altitude. Before attempting the trip, you must gain experience walking on steep and rough terrain, multi-day stretches without medical attention, and extreme elevations of more than 5,140 meters (16,873 feet).
Your day will be spent on challenging hiking, climbing steep paths up and down, crossing rocky alpine passes, and unreliable crossings of glacial rivers, for 6 or 8 hours. Everyday walking for such a long period of time, this journey puts a test on the body and mind. The isolated nature of the area implies that there will be no medical team to assist you. So you are on your own, and you must always have a certified professional guide to guide you on the Kanchenjuang North Base Camp trek.
Extreme Altitude & Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) Risk: Going higher than 5,000m will
make trekkers prone to altitude-related diseases. The itinerary includes proper acclimatization days, but the trekkers should pay careful attention, observe the symptoms, and be ready to go back down. Previous experience at altitude is a must.
Rugged and Technical Terrain: On this trek, you will walk on thin and rough trails, loose scree and bare ridgelines. There is also the problem of crossing glacial rivers, which may or may not have bridges, which means you should have a balance, care and sound footing.
Isolation and Limited Infrastructure: It is one of the most remote Nepal treks. Teahouses in upper places are primitive. So most of the trekkers carry essential items with them. Additionally, health centers are days away, so it is necessary to have emergency preparedness and mentorship.
Long Duration & Physical Endurance: Stamina and regular pacing are of utmost importance with the daily trek of between 6 and 8 hours walking over two to three weeks. It requires hard pre-trek training and psychological discipline to succeed.
Unpredictable Mountain Weather: The temperatures are likely to drop to below freezing, and bad weather can make trails very wet and dangerous. For a sudden change in the weather conditions, you need to have good equipment and flexibility.
The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area teems with exceptional biodiversity, nurtured by the region’s heavy summer rains. While sightings of the elusive Snow Leopard are rare, trekkers often encounter Himalayan wildlife such as red pandas, Assamese macaques, and black bears. This protected sanctuary is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering glimpses of untouched flora and fauna.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of the Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa communities. Trekking through remote villages, you’ll witness their enduring traditions and warm hospitality. Tibetan refugee settlements along the route add another layer of cultural richness, making this trek an experience that blends adventure with human connection.
Kanchenjunga is more than a mountain; it’s a sacred sanctuary revered by locals as the abode of the gods. Since its official opening to explorers in 1950, the region has drawn adventurers seeking its unspoiled beauty and spiritual essence. Declared a conservation zone in 1988, this trek offers a harmonious blend of natural splendor and cultural discovery.
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and Drive to Taplejung (1,442 m) – 10 hrs
Day 02: Taplejung to Sinuwa (1,070 m) – 5 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Sinuwa to Tapethok (1,322 m) – 6 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Tapethok to Amjilosa (2,498 m) – 6 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Amjilosa to Ghunsa (3,415 m) – 7 hrs
Day 06: Rest Day at Ghunsa for Acclimatization
Day 07: Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,145 m) – 5 hrs
Day 08: Trek from Kambachen to Lhonak (4,790 m) – 4 hrs
Day 09: Trek to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,140 m) – 4 hrs
Day 10: Return to Kambachen (4,145 m) – 5 hrs
Day 11: Kambachen to Phale (3,215 m) – 5 hrs
Day 12: Phale to Sekathum (1,650 m) – 7 hrs
Day 13: Sekathum to Sinuwa (1,070 m) – 7 hrs
Day 14: Trek from Sinuwa to Taplejung (1,820 m) – 6 hrs
Day 15: Drive from Taplejung to Birtamod – 10 hrs
Day 16: Drive to Bhadrapur and Fly to Kathmandu
Your journey to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp starts early in the morning from your hotel. Our driver will pick you up from the hotel to transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Domestic terminal. Completing the check-in process, you will ride the plane and take a scenic flight of around 50 minutes. Then, after landing in the Bhadrapur airport, you will take a drive to Kanyam with our team. Driving for around 1 hour in a private vehicle, you will reach Kanyam. Kanyam is a famous tour destination in Nepal to explore the tea garden. Additionally, the cool climate and peaceful environment welcome you, and then after a warm meal in the hotel, you will spend your night in Kanyam.
Waking in the fresh and calm atmosphere of Kanyam, you will enjoy your breakfast in the hotel. Then, loading your luggage in our private vehicle, we will start our journey to Taplejung. Today's journey will be around 5-7 hours, and on the route, you will pass through winding hill roads, small villages, terraced fields, and lush forests of eastern Nepal. After you reach Taplejung, you will officially reach the starting trekking point of the Kanchenjunga Region. Today you will spend the night in the Taplejung hotel after having a warm meal.
After breakfast in the Taplejung hotel, it's now time to reach Sekathum. From this remote village, you will start your trek. To reach here, you will take a drive from Taplejung. It takes around 5-6 hours to reach our private vehicle. On the route, you will pass through small villages, suspension bridges, and narrow valleys. You will start to see the rural mountain lifestyle of eastern Nepal. After several hours of driving, you will arrive at Sekathum, a small riverside settlement where the Tamor and Ghunsa rivers meet. Then you will check into the tea house, enjoy a warm meal, and prepare for tomorrow's trek.
You will start after breakfast in Sekathum and then make your way to Amjilosa. The path slowly climbs to heavy forests of rhododendron, oak and pine, providing a glimpse into the local flora and fauna and the pristine beauty of the Kanchenjunga valley.
On the way, you will come across the small villages, traditional farms, streams, and you will see the real rural life of eastern Nepal. The hiking trail is obvious but isolated, thus making the hiking experience extra adventurous and closer to nature.
With almost 6 hours of walking, you will arrive at Amjilosa, a small village in the mountains. After checking in at the tea house, you will have a warm meal, take a rest at night and absorb the serene mountain environment.
You will resume your walk to Gyabla after breakfast in Amjilosa. The path ascends gradually through the greenwood of rhododendron and oak, crossing little brooks and old villages in the process. The path offers serene as well as scenic views, ideal for the sighting of local birds and the calmness of the Kanchenjunga area.
The walk to Gyabla is approximately 4 hours, and it is a moderate day of hiking with stunning images of the other mountains and valleys around. Afterwards, you will settle in a local tea house, have a warm supper and sleep at night before you head on to high altitude trekking days.
You will have breakfast at Gyabla and then start your walk towards Ghunsa, which is one of the prettiest villages in the Kanchenjunga country. The path slowly climbs through thick rhododendron, fir and oak forests with some gaps in between that give beautiful views of the far mountains.
Along the route, one will see little streams, traditional mountain villages, and prayer flags fluttering on the path, which provides some insight into the local culture and the Buddhist customs. The hiking trail is fairly uphill yet satisfying, with incredible landscape overlooking the mountains and valleys.
This will take you about 4 hours of hiking to Ghunsa, a quiet village at the foot of Kanchenjunga. In this case, you will be staying in a local tea house, having a warm meal and spending the night soaking in the laid-back Himalayan charm.
The trail gains elevation gradually along the Ghunsa River, crosses a floodplain, and navigates carefully over rocky landslides to reach Kambachen. This Tibetan village provides stunning views of Mt. Jannu. Overnight stay in tranquil surroundings.
Hike through expansive meadows and moraines, with a stop at Ramtang Monastery. The trail becomes rugged as you approach Lhonak, a barren yet stunning plain near the Kanchenjunga Glacier. Overnight stay at a lodge.
Today is the highlight of your journey. The trail ascends gradually through moraines, offering breathtaking views of the alpine landscape. At Pangpema, the base camp, marvel at the grandeur of Kanchenjunga. Overnight stay in tents, with meals prepared by the kitchen crew.
Retrace your steps to Kambachen, enjoying constant views of glaciers, avalanches, and towering peaks. Relish the peaceful mountain atmosphere and rest at a teahouse.
Descend to a lower altitude, passing through terraced fields and forests. The easier terrain today allows you to enjoy the surrounding beauty. Overnight stay at a lodge in Phale.
The day involves crossing several bridges and retracing your path through many villages. After a long trek, reach Sekathum for an overnight stay.
Trek through forests, waterfalls, and picturesque villages. Engage with locals and enjoy the day of trekking. Stay overnight at a lodge in Sinuwa.
Spend the day trekking past Rai and Limbu villages. Though physical fatigue may set in, the sense of achievement will motivate you to reach Taplejung. Overnight stay in Taplejung.
Board a jeep for a long drive to Birtamod, with stops along the way for breakfast and lunch. Upon arrival, relax and reflect on your incredible journey.
Peaceful Nepal will provide you with three meals on your Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek journey. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the tea house, and for lunch, your trekking guide will choose the place to eat. You can choose the veg and non-veg options in the tea at the lower tea house, but this service might be limited. So if you have any dietary consideration make sure to contact the tour operator to know more in detail.
Here are the basic menus that you can expect in the tea house:
Kanchenjunga has a basic tea house compared to other famous trekking trails, such as EBC and Annapurna. This is due to remote destinations and very few travellers head to Kanchenjunga for trekking. So don’t expect a luxury room and service during the trek. Here are the facilities you can get in the Accommodation inside the tea house:
Mt Kanchenjunga has two base camps, i.e., Kanchenjunga North and South. Compared to the South, Kanchenjunga North is a little tougher due to being more remote, the involvement of more time above 4,000m and glacier crossings. Trekkers can also combine both North Base Camp and South Base Camp, which is known as the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp lies in the remote north-eastern part of Nepal. The starting point of the trek is Sekathum, which is around 39–40 km from Taplejung Airport. First, we will take a flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur airport and ride to Sekathum. We will arrange the flight and private vehicle to reach the trekking point. The cost of flight and road transportation will be included in the trekking package.
To make your Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek comfortable and meaningful, here are some expert tips that you can follow:
Get high altitude trekking experience: All the participants who want to join this trek, we suggest you do a trek that involves crossing mountain passes, long walking days and hiking above 5,000m. With this, you will gain experience in acclimatization, your body’s response to altitude.
Prepare Physically and Mentally: Make yourself physically and mentally strong. For this, you can do exercises that build endurance and increase strength. For mental strength, do some Yoga and also learn breathing techniques.
Learn Altitude Sickness and Preventive measures: Altitude sickness symptoms, such as Headache, Dizziness, can affect your entire travel plan to reach base camp. So to avoid this, follow the standard itinerary, avoid shortcuts, walk at your own pace, hydrate regularly, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. And most important is to take Diamox medicine, which helps to reduce the effects of altitude sickness.
Pack all essentials: To survive in the remote trek, you should pack all the necessary things like personal medicine, quality trekking clothes and gear, first aid, and other travel essentials.
Budgeting: Another essential thing is to carry enough cash, as you won’t find an ATM and Bank in the rural village of the Kanchenjunga region. We suggest you carry around NPR 30,000 – 50,000 for emergency and personal use.
Prepare for unexpected situations: Sometimes things won’t go as we plan. Therefore, we must be ready for difficult times. For this plan, add 2-3 buffer days to your trekking itinerary and make yourself mentally strong.
WIFI: During the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Wifi is available only in the lower region. Due to remote destinations at high altitude Wifi will be spotty or not available. When you use WIFI at the tea house, they charge you around USD 1-3.
Electricity: Tea houses often rely on solar power and small local hydropower at higher altitudes. So even though you can have proper electricity in the lower region for backup in the higher region, we suggest you carry a high capacity of powerbank.
Hot Shower: Trekkers can get a hot shower in the lower altitude tea house, but at the high altitude tea house shower is often not available.
Since the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek is a challenging and remote destination trek, for your safety, you must have travel and health insurance. It will help to cover costs during the emergency. When purchasing insurance, make sure your insurance cover this things:
Mt Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek Cost USD***. At this cost, you will get the permits, food, accommodation, logistics, guide, porter, and the best service from us. Trekkers can get a special discount if they are in a group. To get the group discount, you can contact us. Solo participants can also join the group, but for this, you need to talk with the tour operator whether it matches your preference date or not.
Here is the list of permits that you need for this Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek:
Only after having this permit are you allowed to do the trek. There are several checkpoints in the trekking trails where your permits will be checked. When you book the package with us, you don’t have to worry about getting the permit, and it doesn’t cost because we will handle this for you.
The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is a remote trek in eastern Nepal. Before participating in this trek, it is essential to determine if this trek aligns with your abilities and expectations:
On this Guided Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, here are the teams you will get when you book the package with us:
Lead Trekking Guide: Experienced licensed trekking guide who has completed numerous treks including the Kanchenjunga trek. Our guides are experts in trekking activities like navigation, region insight, handling emergency situations and managing all aspects of the trek.
Assistance Trekking Guide: For the large group, we will also provide you with an assistance guide who are expert in trekking. Even if you are in a large group, we guarantee that each and every traveller will get equal care and attention.
Porters: We provide free porter service to our trekkers. One porter will be divided among two trekkers, and our porter carries a maximum weight of 20kg. So, while packing, make sure your main luggage doesn’t weigh more than 10kg.
Driver to transfer: As mentioned in the itinerary, we will provide you free transfer to the hotel and the airport. With this, your journey will be convenient and hassle-free.
Booking for the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is a process with Peaceful Nepal. You can make a booking from our website or just by sending us messages in Whatsapp or through email. For the payment, you can use a wide variety of payment options like bank transfer, international credit/debit cards, PayPal, and other secure online payment methods.
To make a booking, you need to make a non refundable 20% of the total package cost. This cost will be used to secure your room in the tea house, permits and logistics.
Here is our contact detail for booking:
The trek reaches its highest point at Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5,143 m / 16,870 ft). Proper acclimatization and preparation are crucial to prevent altitude sickness.
Key items include sturdy trekking boots, warm waterproof layers, a high-quality sleeping bag, trekking poles, a headlamp, a daypack, and a first aid kit. Additional equipment may be needed depending on the conditions.
Yes, hiring guides and porters is highly recommended, especially for those unfamiliar with the area. Guides provide route knowledge and cultural insights, while porters help carry supplies.
The main challenges include altitude sickness, rough terrain, unpredictable weather, and the remoteness of the region, which can complicate emergency evacuations.
A fully-supported trek, including permits, guides, porters, and meals, typically costs $2,000–$4,000 per person. Additional expenses may include gear, travel insurance, and personal expenses.
Good physical fitness and stamina are essential. Trekkers should be prepared for 6–8 hours of daily hiking with significant altitude gains and losses. Previous high-altitude trekking experience is an advantage.
The trek usually starts in Taplejung, passing through villages, forests, glaciers, and high passes. Rest days and acclimatization hikes are included, with the journey culminating at Kanchenjunga Base Camp, followed by a descent through valleys and settlements.
Yes, the trek offers opportunities to engage with Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa communities. Trekkers can visit monasteries, traditional homes, and participate in local festivals.
Wildlife includes red pandas, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and occasionally, the snow leopard. Bird species such as blood pheasants and Himalayan monals are also common.
Weather is unpredictable, with sunny days, rain, snow, and strong winds possible. Layered clothing and waterproof gear are essential.
In emergencies, local guides or trekking companies coordinate rescue efforts, including helicopter evacuations if necessary. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical and evacuation costs is essential.
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