Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival at the International airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, a representative of Nepal Trekking Planner shall be waiting for you at the airport terminal. You shall then be picked up by our airport representative and get transferred to your respective hotel. After checking into your hotel you shall have a free afternoon to explore the area by yourself. Later in the afternoon you shall rest and prepare yourself for tomorrow’s sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu valley. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 02: Full day in Kathmandu
Today you have full day guided sightseeing tours to the Buddhist and Hindu sights in Kathmandu, probably to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath; combination Hinduism and Buddhism known as monkey temple as there are many holy monkey living in the north-west part of the temple. Pashupatinath a sacred Hindu temple situated on the bank of the Bagmati River. Then drive to Boudhanath stupa one of the biggest and oldest stupa in the world. Later in the afternoon there will be a pre-trip meeting with your trekking guide in hotel. Our office representative will brief you regarding our trek as well as provides you opportunity to ask any question of upcoming trip with guide. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 03: Morning fly to Taplejung.
Today we take a flight to Taplejung. And after the amazing flight, upon reaching Taplejung our trek starts on a new dusty road with views of Kanchenjunga and Jannu, and passes Deurali, a small stop with two small shops. After Deurali, a short ascent and a continuous downhill with many shortcuts lead to Lali Kharka. Stay overnight at Lali Kharka.
Day 04: Lali Kharka to Kade Bhanjyang (2200m).
After an easy, quick walk in the morning, a steep descend through some villages follows. The downhill continues as the trail passes through the fields of Simbu village and keeps on going all the way up to the river (Pa Khola). Now, a climb starts to go up for the next good couple of hours and pass through a higher secondary school at Kunjari and finally reached Bhanjyang, (the top). After Bhanjyang, the trail is more subtle and undulates for less than half an hour to reach a small settlement of couple of houses at Kade Bhanjyang. Stay overnight at Kade Bhanjyang.
Day 05: Kade Bhanjyang to Phurungde (1965m).
around 20 minutes. Now, the trail once again drops steeply through this long extended village down to a small stream. This steep drop takes a little less than an hour and soon is followed by a gradual uphill but with few steep sections. The trail steadies a bit and then undulates and reaches a small village and once again undulates but gradually gains height until it reaches to Phunglung village in less than half an hour. Now a gradual drop starts a descend through yet another terraced field of this big extended village which soon turns very steep for the next half an hour. Once again, more undulating trail is followed by a steep trail to a top of the ridge and steadier trail arrives near Phurungde village. Stay overnight at Phurungde.
Day 06: Phurungde to Yamphuding (2300m).
A good descent for less than half an hour, followed by another good climb for a bit more than an hour leads to Mamankhe. A gradual downhill soon turns into a steep climb. The climb becomes gentler but continuously keeps going up and undulates for a while. The morning steep part is for about an hour and the next undulating trail takes nearly an hour. The valley starts going down through a thin forest for a little less than an hour. After the drop, a brief climb leads to a wider valley of Yamphuding. Stay overnight at Yamphuding.
Day 07: Yamphuding to Omje Khola (2345m).
The trek now continues into the valley and steadily climbs its way for the good couple of hours. After the steady climb, the trail now heads into another valley with green forests and a very steep climb finally ends at Omje Khola. Stay overnight at Omje Khola.
Day 08: Omje Khola to Torantan (2990m).
The day starts with a steep climb through jungle. The forest consists of bamboos and rhododendrons. After two hours of climb, a paved trail starts and goes on for another couple of hours. Finally, the uphill ends and a brief leveled ground lead to Lashe Bhanjyang. After Lashe Bhanjyang, a brief drop that goes near by a landslide section is followed a half an hour climb. (by the side of this ridge is a sheer drop of nearly 200 meters or more) The climb turns into a steep drop for the next hour and half and meets Torongden River at the bottom of a narrow valley. Now the trail undulated through the forest but consistently goes up for the next hour and after crossing a simple wooden bridge, we arrive at Torantan. Stay overnight at Torantan.
Day 09: Torantan to Tseram (3870m).
Today we shall follow the river through a more beautiful forest, the conifers giving way to the rhododendron forest. The valley climbs fairly steeply, with the day progressing through the trees become more stunted and scattered, giving us glimpses of the snow-capped giants ahead and the massive snout of Yalung Glacier. Just before Tseram the towering heights of Kabru and Rathong peak start to peep over the moraine. Camping at Tseram, a grazing area, the night temperatures will remind us that we are really gaining height. Stay overnight at Tseram
Day 10: Rest in Tseram.
Today we have a full rest day so you can just roam around the Tseram area. You have to rest and acclimatize here for many reasons but one of the reasons is that grants amazing views of the Kanchenjunga Mountain. Resting and exploring this place gives you one of the best experiences of the whole trek. Stay overnight at Tseram.
Day 11: Tseram to Ramche (4625m).
This is a shorter day’s walk up the final 600m to Ramche where the trail to Kanchenjunga South turns dangerous. The scenery is magnificent as we ascend past the snout of Yalung Glaciers into a series of ablation valleys, which gives easy walking and good camping. A frozen lake, clear streams and views of Koktang, Rathong and Kabru are the highlights of this stroll. Expect to feel the altitude today. Stay overnight at Ramche.
Day 12: Rest and Explore around the Yalung Base Camp & Back to the Ramche.
Following the valley round to see the stunning south face of Kanchenjunga and Jannu is our first close encounter with Kanchenjunga. We get across the Yalung Ri Glacier and continue by a sweeping curve, at Oktang, 4,730m, suddenly we are confronted with the southern wall of the mountain. This vast ridge forms a cirque over 15 km long, nowhere less than 7,500m high and with three main summits of Kanchenjunga at 8,420m, 8,586m, and 8,474m! It is a breathtaking mountain panorama and especially impressive is Jannu while observing the glaciers flowing from its east face. Stay overnight at Ramche.
Day 13: Ramche to Yalung (4800m).
We will set off for Yalung early. Trekking up through the valley, through the small settlement, we will make our way crossing a pass. Then we ascend up to Yalung. Yalung provides us the magnificent vistas of Mt Jannu. Stay overnight at Yalung.
Day 14: Yalung to Selele Pass (5109m).
We trek down the valley, passing the turn off to the high and challenging Labsang La route to Ghunsa and the north side of Kanchenjunga. This pass is rough and dangerous, especially for porters so we take the more southern set of passes, beginning with the Mirgin La. After an initial steep climb and several false summits we reach Mirgin La. Apart from the magnificent Jannu, on the horizon are Makalu, Gyakung Kang, Everest, Lhotse and Chamalang. To the south it is possible to see down to the Terai, a panorama worth the effort. Our campsite will be beyond the pass, after 6 to 7 hours tough walking. Stay overnight at Selele Pass.
Day 15: Selele Pass to Ghunsa (3425m).
Although there are four more passes, there is little descent between them, so in effect it is a high scenic area. After lunch the descent brings us to Lamba Sumba Kharka, where there are more views of the awesome Southwest Face of Jannu. From Kharka the going is easy again down a pleasant forested trail to the village of Ghunsa, where we camp in the village. Ghunsa is a picturesque Tibetan village; prayer flags flutter from the wooden houses and there are two monasteries, a welcome sight after the many days of wilderness. One of the local specialties’ is ‘Tongba’, a curious alcoholic drink. You might need a drink after the tough 4- to 6-hour walk. Stay overnight at Ghunsa.
Day 16: Ghunsa to Khambachen (3960m).
Gradually the trail ascends to south of the Ghunsa Khola and crossing flood plains while emerging on a pasture situated at the north side of the river. Our trails pass through a steep climb to a slope from where it crosses a slide and then descends to Lakepo. There is a short climb from here to the village of Khambachen. From here there are good mountain views of the peaks near Kanchenjunga. You can hike up the ridge above the village for better views or take a day hike to Jannu Base Camp. The Nepali name for Jannu is Kumbhakarna. Stay overnight at Khambachen.
Day 17: Khambachen to Pangpema (4940m).
The trek continues into the valley surrounded by towering mountains and heads further into the valley towards Pangpema. The trail slowly and gradually climbs and enters into several eroded parts where the trails are almost invisible. Undulating through these rubbles of glacial rocks, the valley finally ends at Pangpema. Stay overnight at Pangpema.
Day 18: Day hike to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp & Back to Pangpema.
A climb of 200m or 300m on a morning hike up a ridge, north of Pangpema, provides a great vantage point with views of Kanchenjunga, Wedge Peak, the Twins and Tent Peak. As usual the descent goes faster and you can reach Khambachen the same day. Stay overnight at Pangpema.
Day 19: Pangpema to Khambachen.
Our trial ascends gently through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. We will pass by the river at Rampak Kharka and descend to the summer village of Khambachen. The view we can to see like Mt Jannu or Kumbhakarna are really very impressive. Stay overnight at Khambachen.
Day 20: Khambachen to Ghunsa.
Today we have a day full of some more descents through magnificent sections of forest as long as we head towards Ghunsa. From Khambachen with few hours of walk down we pass through Phole, a village in two parts. The upper section houses Tibetan refugees who are well established, the second is the winter village of Ghunsa. Stay overnight at Ghunsa.
Day 21: Ghunsa to Kyapra.
Leaving Ghunsa, we will follow the route of the mountains that follows the beautiful Ghunsa and Tamur Kholas. Our trial passes through the amazing forests of rhododendron, conifer, brich and oak. We shall halt our trek in Kyapra which is going to be the final destination for the day. Stay overnight at Kyapra.
Day 22: Kyapra to Sekhathum.
After Kyapra we shall head onward to Sekhathum. We shall start our trek with a short climb we begin the steep descent that will take most of the day. We reach the joining of the Tamur and Ghunsa Kholas. After some hours of following our designated trail we shall reach Sekhathum. Stay overnight at Sekhathum.
Day 23: Sekhathum to Chirwa.
Today our final destination is Chirwa so after having our breakfast we shall follow the trail that goes along with the river and have some very steep sections along the way. Now, smaller settlements start to become frequent and the trek passes through small villages like Tapethok. Tapethok also marks the end of the conservation area and the treks entry into more populated hilly villages of Nepal. Crossing numerous small tributary streams we reach busy village of Chirwa, a village set among large boulders. Stay overnight at Chirwa.
Day 24: Chirwa to Phurumba (2000m).
This is an easier day. We shall get off from Chirwa early in the morning. The trail leads us to the cultivated land and rich pastures. Then we shall walk through the winding path of steep stones. Soon after, we reach the valley of Phurumba. It is pleasantly warm at these low altitudes and cardamom grows freely in the moist shaded forest. We camp in a field out of the village. Stay overnight at Phurumba.
Day 25: Phurumba to Suketar (Taplejung).
As we leave the valley of Phurumba, we continue ascending along the ridge to Taplejung village. We can wander around the village observing the villagers and villages. We, then, get to Suketar and conclude our trek. Traversing in an out of minor valleys, we pass through a succession of picturesque villages on our way to Suketar, reaching around late afternoon. Stay overnight at Suketar.
Day 26: Fly back to Kathmandu.
Well, after a wonderful time in the Nepal Himalayas and short rest in Suketar, today you have a flight back to Kathmandu. After having your breakfast according to the given time you shall take off from Suketar and upon reaching Kathmandu you shall be picked up by a representative of Nepal trekking Planner to get transferred to your hotel. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 27: Departure from Kathmandu.
Our Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in this beautiful region of Nepal comes to an end today. You may go for some last minute souvenir shopping for your near and dear ones in the native place. You shall be escorted to the Tribhuwan International Airport at least three hours prior to your flight schedule. A representative of Nepal Trekking Planner shall transfer you to the airport 3 hours prior to your flight back home. We hope that the adventure in this land of mysticism has created a strong and positive impression about this nation, enough to bring you back again.
