After arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative of Snowland Treks. The representative will transfer you to your hotel and also inform you about activities later in the day. In the evening, you will meet with your guide in the lobby of your hotel, and he will escort you to a traditional Nepali restaurant where you will have a welcome dinner.
Kanchenjunga Trek -25 days Itinerary
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Day 01 Arrival at Kathmandu Airport
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Day 02 Flight Kathmandu to Bhadrapur — Drive to Ilam
Early in the morning, we will fly to Bhadrapur. From Bhadrapur airport, we will take a jeep ride to Ilam. The drive will provide us with exceptional views of the landscape. Ilam is the largest tea growing region of Nepal and is a famous location for both foreign and domestic tourists.
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Day 03 Drive from Ilam to Taplejung 6-7 hours
After breakfast, we will begin our drive towards Taplejung in a private bus/van. During the drive, we will see beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, including a first view of Kanchenjunga in clear weather. We will pass by Phidim and reach Taplejung, a Limbu village.
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Day 04 Trek from Taplejung to Mitlung (921 m) 5-6 hours
After breakfast, we will begin trekking through lush hills and several small villages with traditional mud-brick houses. On the way, we will come across lovely terraced farm fields, rice paddies, and cardamom farms. Further, we will trek following the Tamor River and reach Mitlung where we will spend the night.
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Day 05 Trek from Mitlung to Chiruwa (1,270 m) 5-6 hours
We will trek through dense sub-tropical rainforest. Further, we will trek towards a valley populated by the Kiranti (Limbu) ethnic community. We will reach Sinwa and from here, we will trek along a narrow valley path and cross landslide areas. The trail will lead us to Tawa and then to Chirwa, a picturesque village amidst boulders. On the way, we will see several bee hives.
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Day 06 Trek from Chiruwa to Sukathum (1,579 m) 5 hours
We will cross Sisuwa Khola and continue trekking towards Tapethok, the entrance as well as a checkpoint of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The trail then leads us to Tamewa Khola, which we will cross via a bridge. From here, we will reach another village called Hellok, and crossing a suspension bridge over the Simbuwa Khola, we will continue trekking and cross another khola called Ghunsa. Simbuwa Khola arises from the Yalung Glacier on Kanchenjunga south face and Ghunsa Khola arises from the Kanchenjunga north face glacier. Sukathum will welcome us with a stunning view of Mt. Kumbhakarna (7,710 m), also known as Mt. Jannu.
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Day 07 Trek from Sukathum to Amjilosa (2,308 m) 6 hours
Following the trail along the north bank of the Ghunsa Khola, we will trek in a steep narrow valley. We will pass through a dense forest of rhododendron, bamboo, and oak along and also small Sherpa settlements. We will take a short lunch break and continue ascending towards a small and beautiful Tibetan village, Amjilosa where we will spend the night.
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Day 08 Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730 m) 5-6 hours
Today, the trail will be relatively shorter than previous days. We will ascend to a flat ridge and then pass by a forest of rhododendron, birch, bamboo, and brown oak. On the way, we will also come across lovely waterfalls and a few open pastures. Finally, the trail will ascend to the Sherpa village of Gyabla.
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Day 09 Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595 m) 5-6 hours
We will begin trekking through a dense forest of bamboo and hemlock. We will then descend steeply into a ravine. From today, we will observe the sub-tropical forest changing into alpine Himalayan rhododendron & fir forests. On the way, we will pass by large summer yak pastures and potato fields. We will reach Phale village where we will find an old wooden gompa with numerous statues and ancient thangkas brought from Tibet. From here, we will pass through larch forests & cultivated fields and descend to cross Ghunsa Khola before entering Ghunsa village.
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Day 10 Acclimatization day
Today is our first rest day for acclimatization to the altitude. We will spend the day exploring the village and its nearby areas. We will also interact with locals and get a chance to closely observe their lifestyle, traditions, and culture. We will visit a monastery located at the edge of the village and believed to belong to the Khampa Dzong monasteries of Tibet. We also have an option for a day hike to the Yamatari Khola that reaches along the Lapsang La trail.
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Day 11 Trek from Ghunsa to Khangpachen (4,050 m) 7 hours
We will trek through a lush forest of juniper and larch along the east bank of the Ghunsa Khola. We will cross a sandy boulder-strewn floodplain, and cross a thrilling stone bridge. We will trek towards Rambuk Kharka. The trail becomes barren. We will cross a large sandy landslide area and ascend steeply. We will pass by the snout of the Kumbhakarna Glacier and descend to Kambachen. We will experience amazing views of Mt. Jannu (7,710 m) and wild birds like lammergeier, eagle, kite, chough, and falcon.
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Day 12 Trek from Khangpachen to Lhonak (4,780 m) 7 hours
Today, the trail will not be strenuous but it does require long trekking hours. Crossing a stony river bed, we will reach summer-pastoral huts at Ramtang village. From here, we will see the snout of the Kangchenjunga Glacier, which is joined by the Ramtang Glacier. We will then ascend a stony path over a moraine and descend to the riverbed of Ghunsa Khola. We will cross an unstable thrilling bridge over a river and reach Lhonak. Lhonak provides sensational views of several Himalayan mountains.
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Day 13 Trek from Lhonak to Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5,143 m) 3 hours
After breakfast, we will head towards the base of Mt. Kanchenjunga following a trail along the glaciers on the northern ridges. The Kanchenjunga Base Camp is also known as Pang Pema from where we will gain breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third highest mountain in the world. We will also see numerous other mountain ranges bordering Nepal-India and Nepal-Tibet.
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Day 14 Trek from KBC to Ghunsa (3,595 m) 8 hours
After spending a memorable day at Kanchenjunga Base Camp, we trek back to Ghunsa. Today, the trail will be long and tiring. We will descend all the way down to Lhonak and Khangpachen. From here, we will trek on the moraines of Kanchenjunga Glacier and Kumbhakarna Glacier that will take us Ghunsa.
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Day 15 Trek from Ghunsa to High Camp (4,100 m) 4 -5 Hours
After breakfast, we will trek along the steep rocky trail through the forests of birch, pine, and rhododendron. On the way, we will witness striking views of Temachunggi (6,044 m), Mt. Jannu (7,710 m), Nyukla Laching (6,670 m), and numerous other mountains.
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Day 16 Trek from High Camp to Tseram (3,870 m) via Sele -La Pass - 8 hours
Today will be the most challenging day as we will cross Sele La Pass located at 4,480 meters. From the top of the pass, we will witness amazing views of Mt. Makalu (8,481 m) and Mt. Jannu (7,710 m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Mt. Baruntse (7,129 m) and the Yalung Glacier. After spending some time at the top, we will descend to Tseram village where we will spend the night.
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Day 17 Trek from Tseram to Ramche (4,580 m) 7 - 8 hours
We will pass the moraines of Yalung Glacier and ascend towards Ramche. On the way, we will come across a beautiful lake and lovely meadow where we might see blue sheep. Upon reaching Ramche, we will rest for a short time, and later, visit a small monastery.
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Day 18 Explore to Yalung Base Camp (5,00 m) 7 — 8 hours
Today, we will trek to Yalung Base Camp through the glacial moraine and along a difficult rugged path. From Yalung Base Camp, we will see captivating views of the surrounding mountains, including a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) and Mt. Jannu (7,710 m). After spending some time at Yalung Base Camp, we will trek back to Ramche for the night.
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Day 19 Trek from Ramche to Anda Phedi (3,390 m) 5 hours
Today, we will trek back on the same trail. The trail will provide superb views of the mountains along with herds of blue sheep as they move over the grassy slopes. We will descend from the moraines of Yalung Glacier and, pass through Lapsang and Tseram villages before reaching Anda Phedi.
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Day 20 Trek from Anda Phedi to Tortong (2,995 m) 5 hours
After breakfast, we will descend to Tortong through dense forests filled with rhododendrons and other vegetation. On the way, we will also come across a few cold & untamed streams, ponds, waterfalls, monasteries, and chortens festooned with colorful prayer flags.
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Day 21 Trek from Tortong to Yamphudim (2,080 m) 5 — 6 hours
We will descend to the Amji Khola. From here, we will ascend and cross Lasiya Bhanjyang (3,310 m) and Dhupi Bhanjyang (2,620 m). We will then descend to Yamphudim village inhabited by people from several communities like Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, and Gurung.
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Day 22 Trek from Yamphudim to Khebang (1,915 m) 5 -6 hours
Leaving Yamphudim village behind, we will descend to Khebang. The trail will pass through valleys with cascading waterfalls, and dense forest. We will then cross a stream and walk past a small settlement alongside Kabeli Khola to reach Khebang.
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Day 23 Trek from Khebang to Khanidingbe
Today, we will trek to Khanidingbe through lush forest. On the way, we will come across several beautiful waterfalls. Throughout the trail, we will witness a gorgeous landscape view along with impressive views of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) and Mt. Jannu (7,720 m).
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Day 24 Drive Khanidingbe to Birtamod by jeep
After breakfast, we will drive to Birtamod. The drive will provide scenic views of lush green hills, snowcapped mountains, rivers, and small settlements. We will reach Birtamod and head to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for us to rest.
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Day 25 Morning drive to Bhadrapur airport and flight back to Kathmandu
Today, we will fly back to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will head to our hotel. We will then explore the market and go shopping. Later in the evening, we will attend a farewell dinner organized by the company. We will also prepare to return home.
