Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

A representative of Enlightenment Treks will come to pick you up at the airport. After some rest, we will offer a trip briefing about your 18 day Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek and answer each of your questions at our office. We will also give you quick do’s and don’ts during the trip. After the trip briefing prepare yourself and your equipment for your trek tomorrow.

We start our journey by taking off from Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu(1,300 m) on a 40-45 minute flight overlooking stunning mountain scenery before arriving at the eastern town of Bhadrapur (93 m). This is the gateway for our overland drive to Taplejung (1,820 m). We transfer to a jeep and spend the next 7-8 hours on the road, watching terraced hills and lush tea plantations roll by as we make our way to Taplejung. We overnight here at Taplejung.

In the morning we set off from Taplejung, with a winding jeep ride down into river valleys and rural villages. The scenery changes dramatically from the high mountain terrain as we drive past small settlements, witnessing local life through mud-brick homes and farmers tending verdant fields.
After crossing a high ridge, we connect with the Ghunsa Khola River. Just beyond, we reach our overnight destination of Sekathum(1,575 m) after trekking for 5 - 6 hours, situated on the riverside at the meeting point of two major waterways.

Today we start our trek on the trail from Sekathum, with a spectacular sunrise. We make our way uphill towards Amjilosa, following the Ghunsa Khola riverbank along the path. As we continue towards our end destination of Amjilosa (2,310 m), a picturesque Tibetan village, we steadily ascend in elevation. The route presents challenging terrain that will test our trekking spirit. Upon finally arriving at the colorful Amjilosa houses and buildings, we can rest easy for the evening.

We begin trekking today from Amjilosa through forests of bamboo and rhododendrons, following scenic trails. After some time hiking uphill, we’ll reach a beautiful waterfall, where we can spend time taking photos and enjoying the views. 

Continuing, our route takes us along the river bank as we make our way to Gyabla(2,730 m). Upon arriving in Gyabla, our trek for the day concludes. We will camp nearby to spend the night, with vistas of snowcapped peaks surrounding us.

We start our trek with a trail filled with vistas of wooded valleys and flowering rhododendron trees along pleasant trails. We pass a small village beyond Gyabla, crossing over a hill before dropping into the river valley once more. Following the river course upstream for several hours, we arrive at the outpost of Ghunsa - a charming Tibetan community with cobblestoned structures and homes.

Proper acclimatization is vital when trekking for days on end at high altitudes. We take today to allow our bodies to become accustomed to the lower oxygen levels before proceeding higher. However, an acclimatization day does not mean idly sitting by.

We will trek uphill from town about 400 meters to a viewpoint that rewards our efforts with grand vistas of snow-capped peaks, distant valleys, and glacial rivers. The round trip will take roughly 4 hours.

Bidding farewell to Ghunsa, we start today’s trek through peaceful forests of pine and rhododendrons, following the Ghunsa Khola river’s southern bank. We pass numerous Buddhist monuments and structures like mani walls and chortens, reminding us of the deep spirituality of these mountain regions. 

After several hours we arrive in Khambachen, a traditional Tibetan village within the Himalayas heights. Khambachen rewards us with unfettered vistas of the stately snow-capped peaks surrounding this settlement. We overnight at a local guesthouse, resting our legs for the next day of trek.

The trail first takes us along the riverbed to the very source of the Ghunsa Khola itself. Crossing this divide, the path now ascends steadily into grassy meadows along the Kanchenjunga glacier toward the Lhonak valley system.
We are surrounded by absolutely stunning mountain panoramas in all directions, so the air is cold and thin at this altitude. We finish by reaching the settlement of Lhonak, situated below Pethang Ringmo’s imposing north face. We camp here for the night amidst the towering icy peaks. 

After breakfast, we depart Lhonak for Kanchenjunga Base Camp, enjoying mountain views along the way. We pass Lhonak Glacier before reaching Pang Pema Base Camp with spectacular 360-degree Himalayan panoramas and Mt. Kanchenjunga towering on the horizon. From the base camp, the trail continues up across the glacier to the north-face viewpoint at 5,100m, which provides jaw-dropping vistas of peaks like Kanchenjunga and Yalung Kang.

We take time soaking in the incredible setting with mighty ice-capped summits surrounding us at all sides, before retracing our steps to Lhonak for the night's campsite.

After breaking camp at Lhonak, we retrace our steps back to Ghunsa, taking time to admire new angles of the mighty snow-capped peaks surrounding us. The trail descending downhill offers different viewpoints to appreciate the natural beauty and scattered cultural sights like chortens and prayer walls along the way. 

Though it is the same route, the ever-changing and shifting landscapes reveal new details missed previously. We complete the trek back down the valley arriving at Ghunsa for the night. We settle into another cozy camp, resting weary legs.

Leaving Ghunsa, we take on steep and stony trails gaining altitude through wooded hills. Our path winds upward along the edge of the forest into higher rocky climes. Crossing a high pass, we glimpse downward to the destination of Sele La Kharka camp. Though a challenging hike, we are fueled by the thin air and motivated by stunning high-mountain scenery all around. We finish by descending to our overnight campsite at Sele La Kharka.

Today we trek uphill early to catch sunrise views from the high point of Sele La Pass (4,480m). Crossing this pass along with Sinion Pass, we begin a long descent, dropping 1,000 meters in elevation down into the valley below. As we hike down through changing scenery, we are treated to jaw-dropping vistas of snow-capped mountains and diverse natural landscapes. The day ends by reaching the village of Tseram at 3,870m altitude, tired legs finally finishing a full day of ascent and descent. We make camp to rest in preparation for continuing the adventure tomorrow.

We start with a steep hike up from Tseram to Oktang Base Camp, witnessing the stunning Yalung Glacier and impressive mountain ridges surrounding us. At Oktang, jaw-dropping 360-degree views present themselves, with the mighty Kangchenjunga summits visible up close on the horizon. After admiring this lower base camp, we carefully descend back down into the valley below towards Ramche, passing a beautiful lake and meadow along the way. The challenging and changing terrain requires sure footing as we work back downhill amid the natural splendor all around. Completing the arduous trek, we conclude the day at Ramche for a well-deserved overnight rest.

Today we awake early to admire a brilliant Himalayan sunrise over the towering snow-capped peaks around Ramche. After breaking camp, we retrace the previous day's steps, descending 710 meters back down to Tseram. Passing meadows and rural farmland, we arrive in Tseram, a charming village dotted with traditional houses and settlements. The locals busy themselves with pastoral activities while visitors like us focus on rest and preparations for continuing our extraordinary journey tomorrow. We overnight in Tseram once more, the end of the hiking day coming full circle.

Today’s trail descending from Tseram is easier, yet still scenic through rhododendron forests along the route. We follow the trail branching to the right, avoiding the path doubling back towards Sele La Pass behind us. 

Crossing the Simbuwa Khola River, the route rolls downward through blooming rhododendron trees. After trekking for 6-7 hours, we reach the village of Tortong, where villagers welcome us for the night’s rest in small lodges. We will be happy for the relative comforts of tea and basic beds after weeks of trekking through the high Himalayan wilderness and cold camps.

Leaving Tortong, we start our 6-hour trek through the hills to reach the remote mountain village of Yamphudin. This isolated settlement remains filled with traditional culture and antiquated rituals still form a part of daily life.
We have the privilege of witnessing the preserved heritage and time-honored customs that modernity has left untouched in these parts. After the long hike, we are ready for the night and make camp under the stars once more.

After bidding farewell to remote Yamphudin, we board local transportation for the long drive to Ilam. We descend to the picturesque region of rolling tea gardens and thriving green forests for which Ilam is famed.
This scenic area draws many visitors wishing to explore its abundance of natural beauty and unique cultural sites. From here, we almost conclude our trek of the Kanchenjunga Circuit.

Today is the last day of our journey nearing its end as we drive from Ilam back to Bhadrapur for the return flight to Kathmandu. Bidding goodbye to guides and porters who ensured success, we rest our weary bodies, as we settle into the comforts of hotels and hot showers. Our Kanchenjunga circuit trek ends here.